Abstract: A roller-hearth furnace has workpiece-supporting rollers which are thermally shielded at the sides and from below. Intermediate the rollers the workpieces are exposed to heat action from below.

Abstract: A furnace for heat treating of workpieces includes a workpiece-engaging member mounted on an elongated, internally cooled supporting member for supporting workpieces from below which are to be advanced through and heat treated in the furnace. A ceramic material heat-insulating jacket partially surrounds the supporting member for insulating the latter from heat. A protective arrangement is provided on at least one of said members for protecting the ceramic jacket from damage by a workpiece in the event that a workpiece slides off the workpiece-engaging member.

Abstract: A furnace for the heat treating of workpieces includes an elongated internally-cooled supporting member which supports workpieces which are to be advanced through the furnace and a plurality of workpiece-engaging elements, each having a lower portion mounted on the supporting member and an upper portion which is larger than the lower portion and which has an upwardly-directed planar surface which is adapted to support the workpieces from below.

Abstract: In a furnace for heat treating of workpieces, a workpiece-engaging element which is adapted to support a workpiece which is to be advanced through and heat treated in the furnace is mounted upon a mounting surface of an elongated, internally-cooled supporting member. The supporting member includes a first section having first walls which diverge from each other in direction away from the mounting surface until the first walls define a maximum spacing therebetween. The supporting member also includes a second section adjoining the first section and having second walls which are spaced from each other at a predetermined distance not exceeding the maximum spacing so as to permit heat to flow towards the underside of the workpiece without being screened by the second walls.