A transfer device has a carriage supported on a base, movable between a home positionand an extended position. A table assembly includes a lower table fixed to thecarriage and an upper table coupled to the lower table, movable between a downwardposition in forcible contact with the lower table and an upward position havingno contact with the lower table. The table assembly moves toward the extendedposition with the tables in forcible contact to place the table assembly underneaththe object to be transferred while keeping the base stationary. The plates areseparated to lift the object on the upper table while the lower table remains restingupon the support surface. The table assembly returns to the home position whilesupporting the object on the upper table and keeping the upper and lower tablesseparated. The device may operate in a bi-directional manner. Another embodimentof the patient transfer device has four casters and two counter-rotating steeringwheels. The steering wheels provide a turning path whose center of curvaturelies along a transverse centerline of the device. A foot pedal selectively liftsthe steering wheels off the floor or brakes them. Another foot pedal at a back endof the device can lock the casters at the front end in a straight direction. Thetransfer table of the device may be inclined either longitudinally or transversely,and has an upper table whose edge rollers retract to introduce slack in the upperbelt so that an air mattress can be inflated. The upper belt selectively disengagesfrom the lower belt using movable, pneumatically-actuated pinch rollers. Theouter surface of the upper belt is rough while the outer surface of the lower beltis smooth. The belts are constructed of a material which includes an antimicrobialagent.
