Overload indicator for a load supporting apparatus

An apparatus for supporting a load, said apparatus comprising:

• a first member having a first connection point thereon;
• a second member having a second connection point thereon, said second member being adapted to support the load and being supported on the first member;
• and
• an overload indicator comprising:
• a longitudinal member having opposite ends spaced apart by a first distance;
• and
• a plurality of slots spaced along the longitudinal member between the opposite ends thereof, said slots extending into said longitudinal member from a first side thereof;
• said overload indicator extending between the first and second connection points, thereby supporting the second member on the first member;
• the connection points being points being spaced apart by a second distance;
• the slots of the overload indicator being arranged to cause the longitudinal member of said overload indicator to bend concavely with respect to the first side thereof during overloading of the apparatus such that the first distance between the opposite ends of said longitudinal member is decreased;
• and
• the second member being arranged to move during bending of the longitudinal member of the overload indicator such that the second distance between the first and second reference points is decreased.

A device comprising:

• a longitudinal channel member having opposite ends spaced apart and a U-shaped cross section defining opposite side portions spaced apart by a central portion;
• and
• a plurality of slots spaced along each side portion of the longitudinal channel member between the opposite ends thereof, said slots extending into said side portion from a first side of said longitudinal channel member, said first side being opposite the central portion;
• the slots being arranged such that each slot has a respective slot on the opposite side portion that is generally equal in dimensions and is equally positioned along the longitudinal channel member;
• and
• each slot being of a length such that a distance is defined between said slot and the central portion of the longitudinal channel member.