# US 2010/0163372 A1 · Workpiece carrier device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0163372 A1 - Document ID: US20100163372A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/640,813 - Filed: 2009-12-17 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-18 - Assignees: Ceratis GmbH - Inventors: Matthias KRUPS; Peter Krups - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100163372A1 ## CPC - B65G 17/002: {comprising load carriers resting on the traction element} - B61B 13/12: Systems with propulsion devices between or alongside the rails, e.g. pneumatic systems (cable traction B61B9/00; car shunting devices B61J) - B65G 35/06: comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path (effecting drive at two or more points spaced along the length of an endless conveyor B65G23/32) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B61B: RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (lifts or hoists, elevators, escalators, moving walkways B66B) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A workpiece carrier device intended to be placed loosely on friction conveyors, comprising a motion element having a friction surface contacting a friction conveyor for the transfer of movement by means of friction forces, and a carrier element for receiving a workpiece, said element being connected with the motion element through a connecting element, wherein the connecting element comprises a pressing element which is configured such that, due to the weight of the carrier element and/or of the workpiece arranged on the carrier element, it 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The workpiece carrier device of claim 1, wherein the pressing element has a pressing surface arranged under an angle with respect to the direction of transport, said surface preferably being provided on the carrier element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The workpiece carrier device of claim 1, wherein the pressing element has a second pressing surface that is situated opposite the first pressing surface in the direction of transport. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The workpiece carrier device of claim 2, wherein the pressing element comprises a contact element preferably rotatable around a transverse axis, said contact element resting on the first and/or second pressing surface when the carrier element is moved. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The workpiece carrier device of claim 2, wherein the first pressing surface and/or the second pressing surface are concave in shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The workpiece carrier device of claim 4, wherein the contact element has a convex surface, which is in particular shaped as a part of a sphere, a sphere, a part of a cone or a cone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The workpiece carrier device of claim 1, wherein the connection between the carrier element and the motion element via the pressing element is effected exclusively by friction engagement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The workpiece carrier device of claim 1, wherein the pressing element has a neutral position, in which no contact pressure force is exerted, and a movement position, in which contact pressure force is transmitted. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The workpiece carrier device of claim 8, wherein an actuator element connected with the pressing element is provided for moving the pressing element to a neutral and/or a movement position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The workpiece carrier device of claim 9, wherein the actuator element an approaching element arranged in particular in front of the carrier element, seen in the direction of transport of the workpiece carrier device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The workpiece carrier device of claim 10, wherein the approaching element is connected with an especially rod-shaped connecting element preferably provided substantially within the carrier element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The workpiece carrier device of claim 9, wherein, in the neutral position, the motion element is lifted preferably by the actuator element so as to reduce friction forces. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The workpiece carrier device of claim 12, wherein the actuator element comprises in particular the connecting element of the actuator element and/or the pressing element comprises a lifting element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The workpiece carrier device of claim 13, wherein the lifting element has a surface provided at the actuator element or the pressing element, which surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal, so that a preferably horizontal displacement of the actuator element causes a preferably vertical lifting of the motion element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The workpiece carrier device of claim 14, wherein, during the displacement of the pressing element to the neutral position, the contact element of the pressing element contacts said inclined surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The workpiece carrier device of claim 1, wherein the carrier element is connected with at least one support element independent of the actuator element, which support element is provided for absorbing at least a part of the weight of the workpiece, the support element preferably being arranged at a bottom surface of the carrier element.