Abstract: A workpiece carrier system for the loose support on a friction conveyor comprises a displacement element. The displacement element has a friction surface adjacent to drive elements, such as drive rollers of the friction conveyor for displacing the workpiece carrier system. The displacement element is connected with a carrier element for receiving a workpiece. Support elements are connected with the carrier element for absorbing part of the workpiece weight.

Abstract: A friction conveyor system comprises a conveyor means (10) including a plurality of conveyor elements (16,18) arranged transverse to the conveying direction (12). The conveyor elements (16,18) are partly driven and partly arranged for free rotation. A workpiece carrier (30) can be loosely placed on the conveyor means (10). For conveying the workpiece carriers (30), use is made of disk-shaped transmission elements (26) connected to the driven conveyor elements (18). The transmission elements (26) are in contact with a friction element (38). The friction elements (38) are connected to an actuation element (46). By actuation of the actuation element (46), the friction element (38) is moved into disengaged position in which the transmission elements (26) are not engaged with the friction elements (38) anymore.

Abstract: A conveyor system, which in particular is a roller conveyor, has freely rotatable supporting rollers (16) as well as transmission elements (26) driven by shafts (18). The transmission elements (26) are disc-shaped and engage into slot-shaped recesses (48) formed in the bottom face (34) of a workpiece carrier (30). In a curve and/or branch (86), no disc-shaped transmission elements (26) are provided. The workpiece carrier (30) is moved in a curve and/or branch (86) by driven conveyor rollers (90) provided there. The conveyor rollers (90) transmit force to the bottom face (34) of the workpiece carrier (30) by friction.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier device intended to be placed loosely on friction conveyors comprises a motion element. The motion element has a friction surface contacting a friction conveyor for the transfer of movement by means of friction forces. The motion element is connected with a carrier element through a connecting element. The connecting element further comprises a pressing element which exerts a contact pressure force from the carrier element on the motion element in the direction of the friction conveyor when the motion element is moved in the direction of transport.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier device for loose placement on friction or chain conveyors, comprising at least one motion element with a friction surface in contact with the friction conveyor or with a form-fit element cooperating with the chain conveyor for transmitting movement through friction forces or form-fit engagement, respectively, a carrier element for receiving a workpiece, said carrier element being connected with the motion element, and at least one supporting element for absorbing at least a part of the workpiece weight, said supporting element being connected with the carrier element and being independent of the motion element, wherein at least two motion elements are provided that are perpendicular to each other.