Patent ID: 7032466
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: G01G,G01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A load bearing device calibrated to provide an indication of a load borne by the load bearing device that exceeds a load bearing capacity established for the load bearing device, the load bearing device comprising: first and second load bearing connectors interconnected by an overload indicator; the overload indicator being calibrated to provide an indication of a load borne by the load bearing device that exceeds a load bearing capacity established for the load bearing device; the overload indicator including a quick link; the quick link including a strand of wire form material having first and second ends, the first and second ends defining a gap between the respective first and second ends; the quick link further including a disconnectable connector connecting the first and second ends of the strand of wire form material to form a continuous loop when the connector is connected to each of the respective first and second ends; the strand of wire form material having a first portion having a first thickness containing a first amount of wire form material in a perpendicular cross-section passing through a length of the strand; the first portion being adjacent to a second portion; the second portion including a diminished segment having a second amount of wire form material in a perpendicular cross-section passing through a length of the strand which is less than the first amount of wire form material, wherein the second amount of wire form material is calibrated in such a manner as to establish a projected load, which, when borne by the overload indicator, will create a sufficient force to break the overload indicator proximate the diminished segment.