Patent ID: 8438938

Claim:
A load cell for measuring forces applied to a shaft, said load cell comprising: an insert defining a hub having a central opening dimensioned to receive said shaft; means for fixing said insert to said shaft; a cylindrical sleeve configured and dimensioned to surround said insert, said sleeve having interior notches, and said insert being suspended and rotatably fixed within said sleeve by flanges integral with and projecting from said hub into said notches, said flanges being configured to respond with deformation to forces applied to said shaft and having flat outer surfaces facing away from said central opening; and strain gauges bonded to said flat outer surfaces, said strain gauges exhibiting changes in resistance according to the degree of deformation of said flanges, and wherein said flanges have intermediate sections curving towards said central opening, and rims projecting radially outwardly from said central opening into said notches, said flat outer surfaces being on said intermediate sections.