Patent ID: 6698041
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
A patient transfer apparatus for moving a patient from a first support to a second support, the apparatus having a front side, a rear side, a head end and a foot end, the apparatus being configured to be placed on the second support between the head and foot ends thereof to be positioned alongside the patient on the first support, the apparatus comprising:an upper conveyor assembly, a lower conveyor assembly, an adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering the upper conveyor assembly relative to the lower conveyor assembly, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a lift handle movable to a first position to raise the upper conveyor assembly relative to the lower conveyor assembly and movable to a second position to lower the upper conveyor assembly relative to the lower conveyor assembly, each conveyor assembly comprising laterally spaced-apart, longitudinally extending side members and an endless conveyor web trained about the side members, wherein the upper conveyor web engages the lower conveyor web to couple the motion of the lower conveyor web to the upper conveyor web when the upper conveyor assembly is lowered, wherein the upper conveyor web disengages from the lower conveyor web for transport of a patient positioned on the upper conveyor web when the upper conveyor assembly is raised, and wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to raise and lower the upper conveyor assembly relative to the lower conveyor assembly while the upper and lower conveyor webs are stationary, and a driver operatively coupled to drive the lower conveyor web, wherein, when the upper conveyor assembly is lowered, the driver is operable to drive the upper and lower conveyor webs to cause the apparatus to move under a patient lying on the first supports and wherein, when the upper conveyor assembly is raised, movement of the lower conveyor web causes the patient atop the upper conveyor web to move to the second support by an action between the lower conveyor web and the two supports.