A load cell assembly , comprising: (a) a load cell body including a spring element having a first cutout window at least partially defined by a top beam on a top side of said load cell body and a bottom beam, said window transversely disposed through a long dimension of said body; (b) an adapter adapted to receive a vertical load, said adapter disposed on said top side of said load cell body, said adapter having a first end, distal to said spring element, and a second end, opposite said first end, proximal to said spring element , said adapter having an unloaded disposition and a loaded, depressed disposition, in which said second end is depressed with respect to said first end; (c) at least one strain-sensing gage , bonded to said spring element , said strain-sensing gage adapted to measure a strain in said spring element; and (d) an at least two-dimensional flexural member having at least a second cutout window , said second cutout window being transversely disposed through said long dimension of said body, said flexural member being mechanically associated with said spring element , said flexural member disposed along a flexural longitudinal section of said load cell body that is defined by a length of said second cutout window along said long dimension, said flexural member being distally disposed, with respect to said spring element , distally along said long dimension of said body; wherein the adapter 0 is largely disposed within a hollow volume of the flexural member 510 and has a load receiving region located nearer to the spring element than is the distal end of the flexural member , whereby, in response to a downward force exerted on said adapter , the beams of said spring element assume a primary double-bending configuration having an at least partial double-bending behavior; and said flexural member assumes a secondary double-bending configuration having an at least partial double-bending behavior. (a) a load cell body including a spring element having a first cutout window at least partially defined by a top beam on a top side of said load cell body and a bottom beam, said window transversely disposed through a long dimension of said body; (b) an adapter adapted to receive a vertical load, said adapter disposed on said top side of said load cell body, said adapter having a first end, distal to said spring element, and a second end, opposite said first end, proximal to said spring element , said adapter having an unloaded disposition and a loaded, depressed disposition, in which said second end is depressed with respect to said first end; (c) at least one strain-sensing gage , bonded to said spring element , said strain-sensing gage adapted to measure a strain in said spring element; and (d) an at least two-dimensional flexural member having at least a second cutout window , said second cutout window being transversely disposed through said long dimension of said body, said flexural member being mechanically associated with said spring element , said flexural member disposed along a flexural longitudinal section of said load cell body that is defined by a length of said second cutout window along said long dimension, said flexural member being distally disposed, with respect to said spring element , distally along said long dimension of said body; wherein the adapter 0 is largely disposed within a hollow volume of the flexural member 510 and has a load receiving region located nearer to the spring element than is the distal end of the flexural member , whereby, in response to a downward force exerted on said adapter , the beams of said spring element assume a primary double-bending configuration having an at least partial double-bending behavior; and said flexural member assumes a secondary double-bending configuration having an at least partial double-bending behavior. <EOS>