Accessory of industrial material handling equipment

Abstract

An attachment assembly for an industrial material handling apparatus is shown and disclosed. In some embodiments, the attachment assembly includes a bracket assembly having a bracket and a linear actuator securely attached to the bracket. The bracket may be mounted to industrial material handling equipment. The attachment assembly additionally includes a frame assembly slidably connected to the bracket. The attachment assembly also includes a panel assembly securely attached to the frame assembly. The panel assembly is configured to receive one or more support members for supporting a load. The panel assembly includes one or more load sensors configured to measure a horizontal force and a vertical force applied to the one or more support members. A linear actuator laterally slides the frame assembly relative to the carriage assembly.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The subject matter of the present application relates to attachments for industrial material handling equipment used for load lifting, load transfer and / or load weighing. Examples of industrial material handling equipment include lift trucks (or forklifts), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and other carriers and movers of various loads.

[0002] When used on a lift truck, accessories are typically attached to a standard bracket that carries the lifting forks (or lifting forks) to provide additional range of motion and / or other functionality. However, the accessories cause the lifting forks to be positioned an additional distance from the front axle of the lift truck, which reduces the lifting capacity of the lift truck. Therefore, it is desirable to have an attachment assembly that allows nesting of components to provide the desired additional range of motion and other functionality while reducing the distance from the front axle of the industrial material handling equipment and increasing the capacity of the industrial material handling equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] For a better understanding of the invention, and in order to show how it may be put into practice, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0004] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative example of an attachment assembly for industrial material handling equipment, the attachment assembly being shown mounted to a lift truck with a lift fork mounted to a fork positioner of the attachment assembly.

[0005] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of the attachment assembly.

[0006] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of the panel assembly with the attachment assembly.

[0007] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of the panel assembly with the attachment assembly.

[0008] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A front view of the attachment assembly, shown with the lifting forks moving apart.

[0009] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A front view of the attachment assembly, shown moving with the lifting forks.

[0010] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the frame assembly of the attachment assembly.

[0011] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 The attachment components along Figure 1A partial cross-sectional view of line 8-8 in FIG. 1 shows a load cell (also called a weighing sensor) and a load cell for weighing the load cell. Figure 3-4 The panel assembly is fixed to Figure 7 Fasteners for frame assemblies.

[0012] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the bracket assembly of the attachment assembly.

[0013] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the attachment assembly shown without the panel assembly.

[0014] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 A front view of the attachment assembly shown with the frame assembly and panel assembly moved to one side and without portions of the panel assembly to illustrate movement of the piston end of the linear actuator of the carriage assembly.

[0015] Fig.12 yes Figure 1 A front view of the attachment assembly, showing the frame assembly and panel assembly moved to the Fig.11 The opposite side and some portions of the panel assembly are removed to illustrate the movement of the piston end of the linear actuator of the bracket assembly.

[0016] Fig.13 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the load sensor with the attachment assembly.

[0017] Fig.14 yes Fig.13 Front view of the load cell.

[0018] Fig.15 yes Fig.13 Side view of the load cell.

[0019] Fig.16 yes Fig.13 Top view of the load cell.

[0020] Fig.17 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of another example of a panel assembly of an attachment assembly showing a center tie down bar.

[0021] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 A perspective view of the center tie rod.

[0022] Fig.19 is a front perspective view of another example of an attachment assembly.

[0023] Fig. 20 yes Fig.19 A rear perspective view of the attachment assembly.

[0024] Fig.21 yes Fig.19 A side view of the attachment assembly.

[0025] Fig. 22 yes Fig.19 A front perspective view of an example of a bracket assembly of an attachment assembly.

[0026] Fig.23 yes Fig. 22 A front perspective view of a bracket assembly shown as an example of a bracket attached to industrial material handling equipment.

[0027] Fig.24 yes Fig. 22 A rear perspective view of the bracket assembly.

[0028] Fig.25 is shown attached to Fig.23 The bracket Fig. 22 A rear perspective view of the bracket assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] refer to Figure 1 to Figure 2 , an illustrative example of an attachment assembly 20 for industrial material handling equipment is shown. Figure 1 to Figure 2 In the example of the attachment assembly 20, the attachment assembly is shown as being attached to a lift truck. However, other embodiments of the attachment assembly 20 can be configured to be attached to an automated guided vehicle (AGV) and other carriers and / or movers. The attachment assembly can be integrated with industrial material handling equipment and / or can be removably mounted to the equipment.

[0030] exist Figure 1 to Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , the attachment assembly 20 is shown as being received in the mast channel 22 of the lift vehicle and supporting the lifting fork 24. The attachment assembly 20 includes a panel assembly 26, a frame assembly 28, and a bracket assembly 30. Figure 2 As shown, at least a majority of each of the panel assembly, frame assembly and carrier assembly lies within separate panel FP plane, frame FR plane and carrier CR plane, respectively, which are spaced apart and parallel to one another.

[0031] refer to Figure 3 to Figure 4, the panel assembly 26 includes an upper transverse panel member 32 and a lower transverse panel member 34, which are parallel, coplanar and spaced apart from each other. End vertical panel members 36, 38 are disposed between the transverse panel members and connect the transverse panel members to define a panel center cavity 40 therebetween. The end vertical panel members are spaced apart and parallel to each other and coplanar with the upper transverse panel and lower transverse panel members. When weighing capability is desired, one or more load sensor assemblies 42 are received in one or more panel holes 44. The load sensor assembly includes one or more load sensors 43, which measure the weight of a load supported by the lifting fork 24, or the weight of a load supported by a support member other than the lifting fork when attached to other industrial material handling equipment. Measurements can be made in any suitable manner, such as by measuring deflection of the panel assembly and / or frame assembly and converting the deflection into a weight measurement. Figure 3 to Figure 4 In the example shown, the panel assembly is shown to include four load sensor assemblies 42. However, the panel assembly may include more or fewer load sensor assemblies. The panel assembly is designed to a lift truck carriage size standard or other industrial material handling equipment size standard. When the panel assembly includes one or more load sensor assemblies, the panel assembly may also be referred to as an "external weigh panel."

[0032] exist Figure 3 to Figure 4 In the example shown, the panel assembly 26 includes a fork positioner 46 disposed within the panel central cavity 40. The fork positioner includes a pair of elongated bi-directional hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 48, 50, each having a respective cylinder 52, 54 having a respective base portion 56, 58 at one end and a respective rod end portion 60, 62 at the other end from which a respective piston rod 64, 66 can extend. A cylinder connector 68 is configured to rigidly interconnect the rod end portion 60 of one cylinder to the rod end portion 62 of the other cylinder such that the longitudinal axes of the piston rods are parallel to each other.

[0033] A pair of fork positioning guide members 70, 72 are each connected to a respective piston rod 64, 66 via a respective rod connector 74, 76, while also slidably and guideably engaging a respective cylinder 52, 54 of the opposing piston and cylinder assembly via a respective sliding bushing 78, 80. Figure 3 to Figure 4 In the example shown, the piston and cylinder assemblies 48 and 50 are mounted to the end panel members 36 and 38 via fasteners 82. The cylinder connector 68 includes one or more hydraulic fluid line connectors 84, 86 that communicate with the interior of the respective cylinders 52, 54. Figures 5 and 6As shown, fork positioning guide members 70, 72 receive forks and are moved by piston rods 64, 66 to move the forks toward and away from each other. Although the fork positioning guide members are shown as receiving forks, the guide members may receive and move other accessories.

[0034] Examples of fork locators 46 are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,563, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Nesting of the fork locators within the panel center cavity reduces the thickness of the lift truck attachment assembly 20 (i.e., measured in the front-to-back direction), such as Figure 2 4. Although the panel assembly 26 is shown as including the fork locator 46, other examples of the panel assembly may not include the fork locator. In these examples, the fork or other support member may be attached to the panel assembly by other means (such as via a notch on the upper cross panel member). In some examples, the panel assembly 26 may not include any device or structure within the panel center cavity.

[0035] refer to Figure 7 , the frame assembly 28 includes an upper transverse frame member 92 and a lower transverse frame member 94, which are parallel, coplanar and spaced apart from each other. End vertical frame members 96, 98 are disposed between the transverse frame members and connect the transverse frame members to define a frame central cavity 100 therebetween. The end vertical frame members are spaced apart and parallel to each other and coplanar with the upper and lower transverse frame members. In addition, the thickness of the end vertical frame members is greater than the thickness of the upper and lower transverse frame members (from Figure 2 ), to provide a mounting point for the load sensor assembly (when included) and to reduce deflection (or flexure) of the panel assembly.

[0036] The upper transverse frame member 92 includes a downward hook portion 102 that extends across most or the entire length of the frame member and extends toward the bracket assembly when slidably received by the bracket assembly. The downward hook portion includes a groove 104 that receives a sliding support of the upper transverse bracket member of the bracket assembly, as discussed further below. Figure 2 In the example shown, an upper slide bearing 106 is disposed within the recess 104. Additionally, a lower slide bearing 108 is attached to the rear surface of the lower transverse frame member (i.e., the surface of the lower transverse bracket member that faces the bracket assembly). The upper and lower slide bearings reduce friction to facilitate sliding movement of the frame assembly and the panel assembly relative to the bracket assembly. Figure 7 In the example shown, the upper cross frame member includes a grease fitting (or nipple) 109 that allows a user to inject grease adjacent to and along the upper slide bearing.

[0037] The end vertical frame members 96, 98 and the lower cross frame member 94 include one or more frame holes 110 that correspond to the panel holes 44 of the panel assembly. When the attachment assembly 20 includes one or more load sensor assemblies 42, the protrusions 112 on the housings 113 of these load sensor assemblies can be received in the panel and frame holes and secured or securely attached to the frame assembly and panel assembly via fasteners 114, which also secure the panel assembly to the frame assembly. Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the protruding portion of the load sensor assembly includes a threaded portion 116 that receives a fastener 114 in the form of a nut. In some examples, the panel assembly is secured to the frame assembly only via the load sensor assembly and the fastener. In other words, the remainder of the panel assembly can be supported by the load sensor assembly. Thus, the frame assembly allows lateral (or transverse) movement relative to the bracket assembly and serves as an anchor point for the weighing load sensing component.

[0038] refer to Fig. 9 , the carriage assembly 30 includes a carriage 118 and a lateral or linear actuator 120 attached to the carriage. Fig. 9 In the example shown, the bracket includes an upper transverse bracket member 122 and a lower transverse bracket member 124 that are spaced apart and parallel to each other. End vertical bracket members 126, 128 are attached to the rear surfaces of the transverse bracket members and connect the transverse bracket members to define a bracket central cavity 130 therebetween. The end vertical bracket members are spaced apart and parallel to each other. In addition, the end vertical bracket members include a support post 132 that is received in a mast channel of the lift (e.g., Figure 1 104). The upper transverse bracket member 122 includes a base portion 134 that is coplanar with the lower transverse bracket member, a raised portion or upper lateral sliding support 135 that is received in the groove 104 of the frame assembly, and an extension portion or boss 136 that extends vertically from the base portion toward the frame assembly. The upper transverse bracket member carries both front / rear loads and vertical loads, thereby allowing the central cavity in the various components of the attachment assembly 20 to support the above loads without any central support structure. The lower transverse bracket member 124 may sometimes be referred to as a "lower lateral sliding support." Other examples of brackets 118 may include other combinations of transverse bracket members and end vertical bracket members. In an alternative example, the bracket 118 may include only an upper transverse bracket member.

[0039] exist Fig. 9In the example shown, the linear actuator 120 is attached to the underside of the boss 136. The linear actuator is configured to move the frame assembly and the panel assembly laterally (or sideways) relative to the bracket assembly. The linear actuator includes a body or cylinder 138 and piston rods 140, 142 slidably received (or accommodated) in the cylinder. The piston rods move longitudinally relative to or along a common longitudinal axis. The bracket assembly 130 also includes a bracket 144 attached to the lower transverse bracket member 124. The bracket includes a slot 146 for receiving a lip 148 of the frame assembly. The bracket assembly 130 may sometimes be referred to as a "stationary frame".

[0040] refer to Fig.10 , the boss of the upper lateral bracket member and / or the linear actuator is sized so that the linear actuator is received within the frame center cavity 100 of the frame assembly. The nesting of the linear actuator within the plane of the frame assembly significantly reduces the thickness of the attachment assembly 20. The end of the piston rod of the linear actuator is received in a reaction block or rod connector 150, which is securely attached to the end vertical panel members 96, 98 of the frame assembly. In other words, the piston rod of the linear actuator contacts the end vertical panel members. Extension and retraction of the piston rod causes the frame assembly and the panel assembly to move laterally or laterally (or parallel to the common longitudinal axis of the piston rod) relative to the bracket assembly, as shown. Figure 11 to Figure 12 The movement of the frame assembly and the panel assembly by the linear actuator is located in the plane of the frame assembly and the panel assembly (i.e., Figure 2 within the panel FP plane and frame FR plane) shown in .

[0041] refer to Figures 13 to 16 , shows an example of a load sensor 43. The load sensor includes a base 152, a body 154, and a connector 156. Figures 13 to 16 In the example shown, the base 152 is disk-shaped or cylindrical and includes a plurality of apertures 158 to receive connectors for attaching the load sensor to the panel assembly. The body 154 is elongated and includes opposing side portions 160 and opposing side portions 162. Figures 13 to 16 As shown, side portion 162 is significantly wider than side portion 160. Strain gauges 164 are mounted on the outer surface of one or both narrow side portions 160. In addition, strain gauges 166 are mounted on the outer surface of one or both wide side portions 162. Strain gauges 164 and 166 are thus mounted or positioned perpendicular (90 degrees) or approximately perpendicular to each other to allow these strain gauges to measure both vertical and horizontal forces during operation. Specifically, strain gauge 164 measures horizontal forces and strain gauge 166 measures vertical forces. As described above, coupler 156 includes a threaded portion 168 to receive a nut to attach the panel assembly to the frame assembly.

[0042] Four spaced-apart load sensor assemblies 42, each having a load sensor with strain gauges positioned to measure horizontal and vertical forces, provide various information to an operator of the attachment. For example, the measured weight from the load sensor assembly can be used by a controller, such as a controller of an industrial material handling device, to calculate a lateral offset of the center of gravity by comparing the difference in weight measurements of a left-hand load sensor and a right-hand load sensor. When the lateral offset is above a predetermined amount or outside a predetermined window, the controller can shut down operation of the attachment or industrial material handling device. In addition, the measurement of horizontal forces can alert the operator to unexpected horizontal forces, such as contact with a trailer wall or another load when engaging a pallet. If a horizontal force outside a predetermined window or above a predetermined amount is measured, the controller can shut down operation of the attachment or industrial material handling device.

[0043] refer to Figure 17 to Figure 18 , another example of a panel assembly 26 is shown and generally indicated at 226. Unless expressly excluded, the panel assembly 226 may include one or more of the structures and components of the panel assembly 26. Unlike the panel assembly 26, the panel assembly 226 includes a central tie element or central tie rod 227. The central tie rod includes a first end portion 229 and a second end portion 231, and a central portion 233 disposed between the first end portion 229 and the second end portion 231. The first end portion 229 and the second end portion 231 are attached to the upper transverse panel member 232 and the lower transverse panel member 234, respectively, to span the panel central cavity 240 between these panel members. The central portion 223 is arched away from the upper transverse panel member and the lower transverse panel member to accommodate the components of the fork positioner 46. The central tie rod is important because it stiffens the panel assembly and reduces measurement errors from the load sensors of the load sensor assembly attached to the panel assembly. The attachment assembly 20 may also be referred to as an "integral assembly".

[0044] refer to Figures 19 to 25 , another example of an attachment assembly 20 is shown and generally indicated at 300. Unless expressly excluded, the attachment assembly 320 may include one or more structures and components of the attachment assembly 20 (and / or the panel assembly 226). Similar to the attachment assembly 20, the attachment assembly 320 includes a panel assembly 326, a frame assembly 328, and a bracket assembly 330. The panel assembly 326 may be substantially similar or identical to (or have substantially similar or identical components to) the panel assemblies 26 and / or 226. Figures 19 to 25 In the example shown, the panel assembly 326 does not include a fork positioner. However, in other examples, the panel assembly 326 may include a fork positioner, such as the fork positioner 46 discussed above. Figures 19 to 25In the example shown, the panel assembly 326 is securely attached to the frame assembly 328 so that, for example, the panel assembly 326 moves or slides relative to the bracket assembly 330 together with the frame assembly 328. In addition, the panel assembly 326 receives and / or supports one or more support members (e.g., lifting forks) for supporting a load. In addition, the panel assembly 326 includes a load sensor assembly 342 (which is substantially similar or identical to the load sensor assembly 42) to measure horizontal and / or vertical forces applied to the one or more support members.

[0045] The frame assembly 328 can be substantially similar or identical to the frame assembly 28 (or have substantially similar or identical components). For example, the frame assembly 328 includes an upper transverse frame member 392 having a downward hook portion 402, which is substantially similar to the upper transverse frame member 92 having the downward hook portion 102. The downward hook portion 402 includes a groove 404 that receives a sliding support of a bracket member of the bracket assembly, as discussed further below. In addition, an upper sliding bearing 406 is disposed within the groove 104. In addition, the frame assembly 328 is movably or slidably connected to the bracket assembly. Unlike the downward hook portion 102, the downward hook portion 406 is offset from or closer to the bracket assembly and includes a hanging tab member 417 having a hole 419. Additionally, unlike frame assembly 28, frame assembly 328 includes spaced-apart bracket assemblies 421 that can engage and / or receive a bottom portion of industrial material handling equipment (eg, a carriage of a forklift).

[0046] The carriage assembly 330 includes a carriage 418 and a lateral or linear actuator 420 attached or securely attached to the carriage. The carriage includes a cross member 422, and the linear actuator is attached or securely attached to the cross member. Although the carriage is shown as including only the cross member 422, other examples of the carriage 418 may include other cross members and / or end members. Figures 19 to 25 In the example shown, the cross member 422 is J-shaped (or an inverted J-shape) and has an upwardly projecting portion 423 that is received in the groove 404 of the frame assembly 328 to, for example, allow the frame assembly to slide laterally relative to the bracket assembly. In addition, the cross member 422 includes a cavity 425 for receiving a portion of the industrial material handling equipment. For example, as Fig.23 and Fig.25 As best shown in , the industrial material handling equipment may include a projection or boss received in the cavity 425 so that the attachment assembly 300 is supported on the industrial material handling equipment. When supported on the industrial material handling equipment, the upward projection 423 is disposed between the downward hook portion 402 and the projection of the industrial material handling equipment.

[0047] exist Figures 19 to 25 In the example shown, the bracket 418 further includes at least one protrusion or tab member 427 that is sized to be received in at least one recess or notch of an industrial material handling device (e.g., a bracket of a lift truck). The tab member is attached or securely attached to the cross member 422 via an opening 429 of the cross member 422, which can allow for the selective attachment of tab members of various sizes for various industrial material handling devices. Figures 19 to 25 The example shown in includes a single tab member, but other examples of bracket 418 may include two or more tab members 427, which may have the same or different sizes. Alternatively, one or more tab members 427 may be formed with cross member 422. Linear actuator 420 causes frame assembly 328 to move or slide laterally or sideways relative to bracket assembly 330. Figures 19 to 25 In the example shown, the linear actuator includes a body or cylinder 438 and piston rods 440, 442 slidably received in the cylinder. The piston rods move longitudinally relative to each other or along a common longitudinal axis. Because the attachment assembly 300 can be supported on and / or attached to a standard bracket such as a lift truck, the attachment assembly may also be referred to as a "hanging assembly".

[0048] In other words, the carriage assembly 330 includes only the carriage 418 and the linear actuator 420 securely attached to the carriage 418. Unlike the carriages of other carriage assemblies of the present disclosure, the carriage 418 may include only a single cross member 422 that is J-shaped and / or includes an upwardly projecting portion 423 that is received in the recess 404 of the frame assembly 328. In other words, the carriage 418 includes a single horizontal carriage member and does not include additional vertical and / or horizontal carriage members attached to or formed with the single horizontal carriage member. Figures 19 to 25 In the example shown, the cross member 422 is integral. When at least one tab member 427 is included, as in Figures 19 to 25 In the example shown, the bracket 418 includes only a single cross member 422 and a tab member 427 attached to or formed with the single cross member.

[0049] Although specific examples of attachment assemblies are shown, other examples may modify, add, omit, and / or one or more components. For example, a standard bracket without a linear actuator may be used in place of the bracket assembly shown. The frame assembly and panel assembly may be securely attached to the standard bracket to provide weighing capabilities and / or fork positioning capabilities (when the panel assembly includes a fork positioner). Additionally or alternatively, the frame assembly and bracket assembly may include sliders, rollers, and / or other components that allow the frame assembly to move relative to the bracket assembly.

[0050] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments that have been described and that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims, which are interpreted in accordance with the principles of current law (including the doctrine of equivalents or any other doctrine that expands the practicable scope of a claim beyond its literal scope). Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to the number of instances of an element (or component) in a claim (whether to one instance or more than one instance) require at least the claimed number of instances of the element, but are not intended to exclude structures or methods having more instances of the element than the claimed number from the scope of the claim. When used in a claim, the word "comprise" or its derivatives are used in a non-exclusive sense and are not intended to exclude the presence of other elements or steps in the claimed structure or method.

Claims

1. An attachment assembly comprising: a carriage assembly having a carriage and a linear actuator securely attached to the carriage, the carriage being mountable to industrial material handling equipment; a frame assembly slidably connected to the bracket; as well as a panel assembly securely attached to the frame assembly, the panel assembly being configured to receive one or more support members for supporting a load, wherein the panel assembly includes one or more load sensors configured to measure horizontal and vertical forces applied to the one or more support members, and wherein the linear actuator causes the frame assembly to slide laterally relative to the carriage assembly, wherein the bracket includes an upwardly projecting portion, and the frame assembly includes a downwardly projecting portion having a groove, wherein the upwardly projecting portion is received in the groove to allow the frame assembly to slide laterally relative to the bracket assembly, and Wherein, the upwardly projecting portion includes a cavity for receiving a portion of the industrial material handling equipment, so that when the portion of the industrial material handling equipment is received in the cavity, the upwardly projecting portion is disposed between the downwardly hooking portion and the portion of the industrial material handling equipment.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The bracket includes only a transverse bracket member having the upwardly projecting portion.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The bracket includes a tab sized to be received in a recess of the industrial material handling equipment.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The bracket includes only the transverse bracket member having the upwardly projecting portion and the tab.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The linear actuator includes a body fixedly attached to the bracket and longitudinally opposed piston rods slidably received in the body, each of the piston rods having an end.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The frame assembly includes upper and lower transverse frame members and end vertical frame members, wherein the end vertical frame members connect the upper and lower transverse frame members in a spaced relationship to define a frame central cavity therebetween, wherein the linear actuator is disposed within the frame central cavity such that an end of the piston rod contacts the end vertical frame members, thereby allowing the linear actuator to slide the frame assembly laterally relative to the bracket assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein: The panel assembly also includes a fork positioner disposed within the panel central cavity, the fork positioner being configured to selectively move a pair of forks toward or away from each other.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The panel assembly includes upper and lower transverse panel members and end vertical panel members, wherein the end vertical panel members connect the upper and lower transverse panel members in a spaced relationship to define a panel central cavity therebetween, and the panel assembly includes a central tie rod spanning between the upper and lower transverse panel members across the panel central cavity.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The panel assembly includes at least one panel hole, and the frame assembly includes at least one frame hole corresponding to the at least one panel hole, wherein the at least one load sensor is accommodated in at least one shell, and wherein the at least one shell is received in the at least one panel hole and the at least one frame hole.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein: The frame assembly includes at least one fastener to secure the at least one housing to the at least one panel aperture and the at least one frame aperture and to secure the panel assembly to the frame assembly.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The one or more load sensors each include one or more first strain gauges and one or more second strain gauges perpendicular to the one or more first strain gauges.

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