Abstract: An air pallet type patient mover, formed principally by top, intermediate and bottom thin flexible sheets sealed together about their edges and defining a plenum chamber between the intermediate and bottom sheets and a backing member cavity between the top sheet and the intermediate sheet with a semi-rigid backing member within the cavity, supports a patient. Low pressure air within the plenum chamber jacks the load and is discharged through pin hole type perforations within the bottom sheet to create a thin air film. Foam strips within the plenum chamber and extending over a substantial lengthwise extent of the plenum chamber insures air distribution through the plenum chamber. Further, foam strips may be positioned within one of the plenum chamber and the backing member cavity along the sides thereof and outside of the semi-rigid sheet to effect padding and eliminate sharp edges which may interfere with X-ray radiation.

Abstract: An endless belt operatively mounted beneath a load carrying backing member has a lower run moving across a generally planar fixed support surface, in frictional contact therewith. The belt may comprise a woven belt with reinforcing threads. A plenum chamber intermediate of the backing member and the fixed support surface includes a thin-flexible film sheet as the bottom element thereof bearing a plurality of small diameter perforations. The plenum chamber being subject to low pressure air creates a frictionless air film between the film and the belt lower run and jacks the load and backing member. The endless belt may be positively driven by a motor carried by the air pallet structure to form a self-powered vehicle and the endless belt may have cleats on the outside as track members. Cleats on the inside of the belt cooperate with paired, elongated rollers bearing similar sized slots on their periphery for positive drive of the belt.

Abstract: An air pallet type patient mover is formed by top, intermediate and bottom thin flexible sheets of electrically conductive sheet material stitched along given lines by conductive thread to define at least a plenum chamber between the intermediate thin flexible sheet and the bottom thin flexible sheet and a semi-rigid backing member defined by the top and intermediate thin flexible sheets. Completely sealed high pressure tubes formed by the top and intermediate thin flexible sheets pressurized at relatively high air pressure may constitute the backing member for the patient mover. Alternatively, the tubes may receive low pressure low air flow prior to that air flow passing to the plenum chamber and discharging through a plurality of closely spaced small diameter pinhole type perforations opening directly into the plenum chamber and outwardly onto an underlying fixed support surface. Preferably, the perforations form a diamond shaped pattern beneath the imprint of the load.

Abstract: A planar air pallet supports a load for frictionless transport on a backing member which overlies a fixed support surface. The pallet employs at least one sheet of flexible plastic film underlying the load and backing member and overlying the support surface and being perforated except for the perimeter to effect controlled pillowing of that flexible plastic film sheet and carries external air dispersion elements such as slats, ribs or strips. The dispersion element may take the form of a thin piece of cardboard to the side of the load adjacent the air inlet to the plenum chamber and may comprise a folded over portion of a generally rigid planar sheet forming a fixed support surface.