Patent ID: 8648266

Claim:
A multiple force-measuring device, having a mechanical means for receiving the force, with the device receiving electrical power from a power supply unit and providing at least a force-measurement signal to a terminal, the device comprising: a plurality of force-measuring modules, comprising a first force-measuring module, a last force-measuring module and, optionally, one or more intermediate force-measuring modules; each force-measuring module comprising: a load cell, arranged to be deformed by the force received; a communications means, arranged to receive a signal from the load cell and having an input and an output; and a power delivery means, arranged to power the load cell and the communications means and having an input and an output; a control cable, connecting the power supply unit and the terminal, respectively, to the input of the first force-measuring module; and at least one module connection cable, each module connection cable connecting the outputs of one of the force-measuring modules to the corresponding inputs of another one of the force-measuring modules, thereby receiving and passing power and said at least force-measurement signal through a chain defined thereby.