Abstract: Extensile beam structures, devoid of profiles having vertical flanges, are provided for a flat weighing-machine. Each beam structure features a pair of longitudinally aligned and separated tongue-plates, bridged by an overlying thin bridge-sheet parallel to and vertically offset from the tongue-plates. Each tongue-plate has an orifice connected to supports, which load the beam structure to cause bending thereof. The bridge-sheet is reinforced for rigidity along most of its length, except for a middle zone thereof where strain-gauges are attached and where flexibility is further enhanced by recesses cutting into the width thereof.

Abstract: A big weighing machine where a heavy load generates proportional bending moments in a pair of parallel beams having strain-gauges. Resolution is greatly increased by making each beam elastic in its longitudinal direction so that end points thereof where load and reactive forces are applied keep their longitudinal position when the beams bend under load, so that variation of the beam length may result from beam bending without horizontally urging the beam ends. Each beam comprises two interlinked horizontal members, each integral with a respective beam end plate, so that the beams move vertically together and longitudinally independent of each other. Each member is rigid to avoid error magnification brought about by excessive beam deflection, and the strain-gauges are symetrically connected at flexible portions of the end plates to obtain a reading independent of load eccentricity.