Deadweight loading apparatus, system, and method for calibrating a testing device

A deadweight loading system for calibrating a testing device, the deadweight loading system comprising:

• a cart comprising a horizontal support surface and a user engagement portion;
• a plurality of weights stackable on the horizontal support surface, each weight of the plurality of weights comprising two grooves each located on a corresponding one of opposite sides of the weight;
• a basket supportable on the horizontal support surface, the basket comprising a first side plate and a second side plate, connected by a top plate, the first side plate spaced apart from the second side plate such that the plurality of weights is positioned between the first side plate and the second side plate and below the top plate when the plurality of weights is stacked on the horizontal support surface and when the basket is supported on the horizontal support surface;
• a selector bar comprising two extension arms that are selectively adjustably engageable with the first side plate and the second side plate at each one of multiple vertical locations along the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein when selectively adjustably engaged with the first side plate and the second side plate at any one of the multiple vertical locations each one of the two extension arms is fitted within a corresponding one of the two grooves of a corresponding one of the plurality of weights;
• a lifting system coupled with the cart and the horizontal support surface, wherein the lifting system is operational to alternatively raise and lower the horizontal support surface relative to the cart;
• and
• an adapter removably attached to the top plate of the basket, the adapter comprising a slot configured to removably secure an attachment member of the testing device when the lifting system is operated to raise the horizontal support surface relative to the cart and the attachment member is secured within the slot of the adapter.

A method of calibrating a testing device using a deadweight loading apparatus, the method comprising steps of:

• moving a cart of the deadweight loading apparatus into a position aligned with a testing device;
• fitting two extension arms of a selector bar of the deadweight loading apparatus into corresponding grooves of one weight of a plurality of weights stacked on a horizontal support surface of the cart between a first side plate and a second side plate of a basket of the deadweight loading apparatus;
• supporting the two extension arms of the selector bar on the first side plate and the second side plate such that the one weight of the plurality of weights, and any weights of the plurality of weights stacked on the one weight of the plurality of weights, is supported on the first side plate and the second side plate via the two extension arms of the selector bar;
• and
• loading the testing device such that the basket and the one weight of the plurality of weights, and any weights of the plurality of weights stacked on the one weight of the plurality of weights, are supported by the testing device and such that any weights of the plurality of weights, on which the one weight of the plurality of weights was stacked, remains supported on the horizontal support surface.