Abstract: A device for supporting and transferring, in a shaping station (2), at least the central part of glass sheets which have been heated to their shaping temperature. The device includes a pressurized box (21) generating an air cushion. The box has a plurality of individual compartments (53), transverse with respect to the axis of travel of the glass sheets (28), each of the compartments (53) having a width measured parallel to said axis which is small by comparison with the "height" of the glass sheets and, being provided with gas having at least two pressure distribution levels.

Abstract: Tubular coverings for conveyor rollers for glass sheets heated to the softening point in a bending and/or heat treatment furnace, which have the special feature of having an outer surface, i.e. the surface that contacts the glass sheets, which is based on metal wires exhibit a reduced risk of marking the glass sheets and also exhibit a high temperature and wear resistance. Such tubular coverings are preferably used for covering the rollers present in the frontal and/or lateral positioning zones of the glass sheets on the conveyor.