Abstract: Transfer pads for horizontal and/or vertical translocation are provided. The transfer pads include the fewest possible number of components required to provide a plenum chamber, the operative features of which are controlled at least by the provision of one or more interior sheets having specific characteristics with respect to position, perforation and attachment.

Abstract: Transfer pads for horizontal and/or vertical translocation are provided. The transfer pads include the fewest possible number of components required to provide a plenum chamber, the operative features of which are controlled at least by the provision of one or more interior sheets having specific characteristics with respect to position, perforation and attachment.

Abstract: A material mover includes substantially rectangular top and bottom sheets connected to perimeter sidewalls defining at least one chamber. The bottom sheet is perforated with orifices at least in a central portion and has a greater width than that of the top sheet at least in middle and lower regions of the top and bottom sheets. A plurality of partition members connect at least portions of the top and bottom sheets to one another within the chamber, extend parallel to lateral edges of the top and bottom sheets, and are spaced from the perimeter sidewalls. A fluid weir is defined along an outer periphery of the bottom sheet to provide a fluid film reservoir at least under the central portion of the bottom sheet including the orifices. Fluid in the fluid reservoir is substantially contained by the fluid weir.

Abstract: A fluid provider assembly including a fluid provider housing having an intake end having a fluid intake vent and an opposed output end having a fluid output vent. A motor unit is positioned within the housing, and a fluid pressurization unit is interposed between the intake end and the motor unit for pressurizing fluid within the housing such that fluid expelled from the output vent has a higher pressure than fluid received through the intake vent. A portable sound damping case is also provided. The case has a base side, peripheral sidewalls, and a closeable top side. The base side has a fluid intake vent in a first position laterally spaced from a center point of the base. The intake end of the fluid provider assembly is positioned proximate the base of the case such that the fluid provider assembly intake vent is laterally offset from the first position.

Abstract: A material mover includes substantially rectangular top and bottom sheets connected to perimeter sidewalls defining at least one chamber. The bottom sheet is perforated with orifices at least in a central portion and has a greater width than that of the top sheet at least in middle and lower regions of the top and bottom sheets. A plurality of partition members connect at least portions of the top and bottom sheets to one another within the chamber, extend parallel to lateral edges of the top and bottom sheets, and are spaced from the perimeter sidewalls. A fluid weir is defined along an outer periphery of the bottom sheet to provide a fluid film reservoir at least under the central portion of the bottom sheet including the orifices. Fluid in the fluid reservoir is substantially contained by the fluid weir.

Abstract: A material mover includes substantially rectangular top and bottom sheets connected to perimeter side walls. The width of the bottom sheet which is perforated with orifices at least in a central portion, is greater than the width of the top sheet at least in middle and lower regions of the top and bottom sheets. A plurality of partition members connect at least portions of the top and bottom sheets to one another, and extend parallel with lateral edges of the top and bottom sheets and are spaced in from the perimeter side walls. A fluid weir is defined at an outer periphery of the bottom sheet to provide a fluid film reservoir under at least the central portion of the bottom sheet having the plurality of orifices formed therein. The dispersion of the fluid from underneath the material mover is inhibited by the fluid weir.

Abstract: Air chamber-type air pallets incorporate side-to-side linked air pressurized tubes or chambers in two integrated rows, having common members for adjacent chambers under air pressurization rendered rigid over a certain extent to rigidify the air chambers thereof which form load backing chambers in place of rigid backing members conventionally employed in air pallets maintaining the load footprint borne by the air pressurized backing chambers matched by that of the developed air bearing or air film by passage of compressed air through the pattern of perforations. Preferably, linked tubes of one row are laterally offset but integrated physically to those of a second row to both limit lateral shrinkage of linked tubes extending completely across the pin hole perforations within the thin, flexible bottom sheet partially forming such air pallets.

Abstract: An air bearing slip sheet tight material handling system utilizes a forklift truck with a horizontal platen a pantagraph mechanism supporting a vertical faceplate which has a gripper jaw pocket casing at the bottom. A vertically reciprocating clamping bar is depressable within the gripper jaw pocket casing to clamp the lip of a slip sheet. The slip sheet is of the air bearing type formed of thin flexible sheets sealed together about the edges to define a plenum chamber and forming a load support portion over a major surface outside of the lip area. A plurality of pinhole perforations are provided within the central portion of the bottom thin flexible sheet conforming to the footprint of the load carried by the slip sheet.

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: The disclosure concerns a vehicle which is both lifted and propelled by air flow. The vehicle comprises an upper deck, a depending peripheral side wall and a flexible, perforated sheet secured beneath the bottom of the side wall, thereby defining an open plenum. A propeller in an air flow directing cowl seats atop the deck and part of the air flow is directed into the plenum and the remainder of the air flow is directed to move the vehicle. The underside of the upper deck disperses air in the plenum. Alternatively, the propeller is part of a duct which directs air into and disperses it around the plenum. The cowl includes an air dam for trapping reverse flowing air. A rudder directs the motion of the vehicle. The plenum narrows in width toward the front and diminishes in height away from the plenum inlet through the upper deck.

Abstract: A highly absorbent sheet or pad sized to and placed onto the top of an operating table is weakened longitudinally through the center to form paired separable center-joined sections for lateral removal to respective sides of a patient lying on the sheet and centered longitudinally therewith. After surgery, the absorbent pad carrying a significant mass of blood can be quickly removed from the patient by pulling with sufficient force on the opposites sides of the pad, severing the pad centrally at the weakened portion. The weight of the patient tends to maintain one section of the pad beneath that portion of the patient as the other section is torn laterally away from the one section. The pad may comprise several layers with one or more layers being weakened by thinning the sheet material or perforating the same longitudinally.

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 flexible film sheet underlying a backing member bearing a load and directly overlying a planar, fixed support surface and partially defining a plenum chamber, and having perforations within the flexible film sheet facing the support surface, extends laterally beyond the load to form an extension of the air plenum chamber. Air inlet means opens to the plenum chamber extension portion to effectively jack the load from the air inlet means laterally and automatically balance the load on the air pallet during jacking, while reducing the possibility of rupture of the flexible film sheet in the vicinity of the air inlet. An elongated perforated tube is sinuously disposed on the bottom of a rigid planar load or backing member to form the air pallet.

Abstract: A flexible film sheet underlying a backing member bearing a load and directly overlying a planar, fixed support surface and partially defining a plenum chamber, and having perforations within the flexible film sheet facing the support surface, extends laterally beyond the load to form an extension of the air plenum chamber. Air inlet means opens to the plenum chamber extension portion, and a seal line extends diagonally inwardly from the juncture of the air inlet means and the plenum chmber extension portion to a point near or beneath the load to effectively jack the load from the air inlet means laterally and automatically balance the load on the air pallet during jacking, while reducing the possibility of rupture of the flexible film sheet in the vicinity of the air inlet.

Abstract: A thin flexible film bag, oriented horizontally or integral therewith and preferably bearing an absorbent material chuck on its upper wall, forms a plenum chamber. A lower wall underlying the chuck and including small diameter perforations to create an air bearing for supporting the patient mover. The patient borne thereby lies on the chuck, some distance from an underlying fixed planar support surface. This permits the patient to be readily moved in a frictionless manner when air under pressure fills the plenum chamber and escapes through the perforations. Air enters the plenum chamber through an outer tube of thin, flexible material. Paired, opposed, flat and less flexible tongues define a short inner tube, being positioned within the outer tube, to permit airflow entry to the plenum chamber with the tongues being deflected away from each other. The tongues are pressed against each other and one side of the outer tube wall, due to elastic memory, to prevent air escape from the chamber at that point.

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.

Abstract: A planar air pallet supports a load for frictionless transport relative to an underlying fixed support surface. A single sheet of flexible plastic film may underlie a stack of cartons forming the load with the edges sheet heat shrunk about the stack of cartons. Small diameter perforations are provided at least within that portion of the sheet underlying the lowermost tier of cartons to form a plenum chamber, preferably through air dispersion members between the flexible sheet and the carton load. The perforations unrestrictedly open directly to said plenum chamber. Pillowing of the sheet portion of the plenum chamber is controlled to permit jacking of the load sufficiently for a combination of surface irregularity for both the load support surface and the backing surface. The air pallet may also comprise a flexible film bag, which carries internally a rigid sheet which may be the load to control pillowing and provide air dispersion.

Abstract: Air chamber-type air pallets incorporate side-to-side linked air pressurized tubes or chambers in two integrated rows, having common members for adjacent chambers under air pressurization rendered rigid over a certain extent to rigidify the air chambers thereof which form load backing chambers in place of rigid backing members conventionally employed in air pallets maintaining the load footprint borne by the air pressurized backing chambers matched by that of the developed air bearing or air film by passage of compressed air through the pattern of perforations. Preferably, linked tubes of one row are laterally offset but integrated physically to those of a second row to both limit lateral shrinkage of linked tubes extending completely across the pin hole perforations within the thin, flexible bottom sheet partially forming such air pallets.