Apparatus and method for applying protective material

Abstract

An apparatus and method for applying protective material (48, 58) having a stand (12) and at least one support arm (14) moveably connected to the stand (12). At least a pair of counter-rotatable shafts (16 and 18) are connected with the support arm (14) and endless moveable belts (20) for moving objects (54) so that an upper and lower surface (38 and 40) are formed by the belts (20) and each surface moves together at the same time, in the same direction. The protective material insertion apparatus (32) includes pivotal moveable upper support tray (42) and stationary lower support platform (44). After moveable upper support tray (42) is open and sheet-like protective material (48) is inserted with an end (50) protruding therefrom, the moveable upper support tray (42) is closed. Once closed, end (50) is wrapped on top of moveable upper support tray (42). When object mover (10) is operated, end portion (50) moves with moveable belt (20) as it crawls underneath patient (54), thereby protecting the patient from contact with object mover (10) and vice versa. Alternatively, folded protective material (58) may be inserted with free ends (50 and 60) protruding. Upon operation of the object mover (10), free end (50) covers moveable upper support tray (42) and free end (60) covers stationary lower support platform (44) so that patient (54) is protected from contact with object mover (10) and object mover (10) is protected from contact with a supporting surface, such as bed (62), upon which patient (54) had lain.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.