Device for a load-bearing unit

摘要

A device which facilitates the transportation of a load-bearing unit along a supporting bearing surface using a force acting in the intended transporting direction has a piston which is movable to a limited extent towards the bearing surface and has a cutout which is open towards the bearing surface and in which a spherical support part is arranged, which spherical support part is movable towards the bearing surface into a position projecting outwards beyond the piston. Formed in the piston is a channel which connects the cutout and the end of the piston opposite the opening of said cutout. An inlet to be connected to a source of compressed gas serves to feed the compressed gas to the end face of the piston opposite the cutout in order to move the piston and/or the support part into a position in which the spherical support part is in contact with the bearing surface. In this position of the support part, the gas can flow along the support part while it exerts an increased pressure on the region of the support part facing away from the opening of the cutout so that a lifting movement of the load-bearing unit is achieved relative to the supporting bearing surface. A valve member is preferably assigned to the channel, which valve member can limit the gas flow to the cutout when the spherical support part is in a position which is aligned and limited towards the outside by the piston without being in contact with the supporting bearing surface.