Patent ID: 8161828

Claim:
A load cell structure for receiving strain gages thereon to monitor torsional forces applied to said structure which comprises: (a) a first force-receiving end having a first central region bounded by a first peripheral region; (b) a second force-receiving end having a second central region bounded by a second peripheral region, said first and second ends being spaced along an axis of rotation; (c) a plurality of sensing beams extending between the first and second peripheral regions, said beams having strain gage receiving surfaces thereon; (d) at least one limit post attached to the second force-receiving end and aligned with the axis of rotation, said at least one limit post having a free end spaced from the first force-receiving end; and (e) a pair of contact surfaces formed on the free end, said pair of contact surfaces being oriented in alignment with the axis of rotation to establish a pair of overload gaps between the free end and the force-receiving end, the application of torsional force to the structure causing relative rotation of the first and second force-receiving ends limited by the engagement of a contact surface with the first force-receiving end.