Patent ID: 7296647

Claim:
A stage element having a base region and a transport drive integrated into the base region, said transport drive comprises at least one roller element connected to a first drive means for moving the at least one roller element between a retracted position wherein the stage element base region rests on a base and an extended position wherein the stage element base region is lifted off of the base, the transport drive further comprises a second drive means for rotating the at least one roller element about an axis A which is substantially perpendicular to the base region, and a third drive means for rotating the at least one roller element about an axis B such that, when the at least one roller element is in the extended position, the stage element moves along the base wherein the roller element is pivotably mounted in the housing on a cross member and a lever arm in connected between the cross member and the first drive means for actuating the cross member for pivotably moving the roller element.