Abstract: A mechanism for detecting a load including a load shaft connected to a pan receiving rod and extending vertically, a first arm plate having integrally formed arms whose one ends are connected to each other, a second arm plate having integrally formed arms whose one ends are connected to each other, and a vertical link connected between the one ends of the arms of first and second arm plates, the other ends of the arms of first and second arm plates being connected to the load shaft and to a fixed member. When a load is applied to the load shaft, the load shaft is moved linearly in the vertical direction without being affected by a force exerted to the load shaft in the horizontal direction.