Load cell with folded arm bending beam

A load cell bending beam includes a mounting block, a sensing arm, and a load receiving arm connected in succession, and preferably integrally, to one another. The mounting block is to be secured onto a reference support. The load receiving arm is "folded back" under the sensing arm, so the two arms extend respectively along two substantially parallel planes that are spaced apart from one another. A load to be measured is introduced through a clearance hole in the sensing arm onto the load receiving arm, so as to deflect the load receiving arm and therewith the sensing arm. Strain gages arranged on remaining flexure beams of the sensing arm beside the clearance hole measure the resulting strain. The bending beam has a low profile height and is preferably machined from a single monolithic block of metal with a narrow slot (e.g. less than 0.1 inch) separating the two arms.