Load bearing device including overload indicator

A load bearing device calibrated to provide an indication of a load borne by the load bearing device that exceeds a load bearing capacity established for the load bearing device, the load bearing device comprising:

• first and second load bearing connectors interconnected by an overload indicator;
• the overload indicator being calibrated to provide an indication of a load borne by the load bearing device that exceeds the load bearing capacity established for the load bearing device;
• the overload indicator including a link;
• the link having first and second portions, the first portion having a first strength;
• the second portion including a weaker segment having a second strength which is less than the first strength;
• wherein the weaker segment is calibrated in such a manner as to establish a projected peak load, which, when borne by the overload indicator, can have sufficient force to break the overload indicator proximate the weaker segment.

A load bearing device calibrated to provide an indication of a load borne by the load bearing device that exceeds a load bearing capacity established for the load bearing device, the load bearing device comprising:

• first and second load bearing connectors interconnected by an overload indicator;
• the overload indicator being calibrated to provide an indication of a load borne by the load bearing device that exceeds a load bearing capacity established for the load bearing device;
• the overload indicator including a link;
• the link including a strand of wire form material;
• the strand of wire form material having first and second portions, the first portion having a first strength;
• the second portion including a weaker segment having a second strength which is less than the first strength, wherein the first portion has a connector selected from the group consisting of a disconnectable connector and a welded portion;
• wherein the second amount of wire form material is calibrated in such a manner as to establish a projected peak load, which, when borne by the overload indicator, can have sufficient force to break the overload indicator proximate the weaker segment.

A method of monitoring a load to determine when a peak load has been borne, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a load bearing device including first and second load bearing connectors interconnected by an overload indicator;
• the overload indicator being calibrated to provide an indication of a load borne by the load bearing device that exceeds a load bearing capacity established for the load bearing device;
• the overload indicator including a link;
• the link having first and second portions, the first portion having a first strength;
• the second portion including a weaker segment having a second strength which is less than the first strength;
• wherein the weaker segment is calibrated in such a manner as to establish a projected peak load;
• and
• incorporating the load bearing device into a chain intended to bear loads that do not exceed the load bearing capacity established for the load bearing device.