Load Sensor Assembly for Bed Leg and Bed with Load Sensor Assembly

A sensor cartridge for use with a bed having legs to support the bed, the cartridge comprising:

• a base having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, wherein the base is configured to provide contact with a floor at the first end portion;
• a load bearing member engaged with the second end portion of the base, wherein the base and the load bearing member are configured to fit together to maintain lateral alignment of the cap to the base while allowing vertical movement of the load bearing member with respect to the base;
• a load sensor between the load bearing member and the base, wherein the load bearing member is configured to transmit the load from the substrate to the load sensor;
• and
• a printed circuit board positioned within a cavity defined by one of the load bearing member or the base, the printed circuit board in communication with the load sensor and configured to receive and process data from the load sensor, wherein the sensor cartridge is configured to insert into a leg of the bed that is at least partially hollow.

A bed having a frame supporting a substrate configured to support a subject, the bed comprising:

• substrate support members, each substrate support member comprising:
• a load bearing member having a first end portion and a second end portion;
• a base configured to provide contact with a floor, wherein the load bearing member is configured to move vertically relative to the base and the base and the load bearing member are configured to fit together to maintain lateral alignment of the base and the load bearing member;
• a load sensor between the load bearing member and the base, wherein the load bearing member is configured to transmit a load from the substrate to the load sensor;
• and
• a printed circuit board in communication with the load sensor, wherein the printed circuit board is configured to receive and process data from the load sensor;
• and
• a controller in communication with the printed circuit board of each substrate support member, wherein the controller is configured to receive and process data output by the printed circuit boards.