Abstract: The present invention provides a shaping mold for shaping heat softenable sheet material which includes a flexible rail having a sheet shaping surface to support a marginal edge portion of a sheet to be shaped and a plurality of controllable actuators secured to the rail and capable of deforming the rail to provide its surface with configurations each having a desired elevational contour. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the shaping rail is a shaping ring having a peripheral configuration which provides generally continuous support about the marginal edge portion of the sheet. A controller is used to control each actuator and deform the sheet shaping surface of the ring from a first configuration having a generally flat elevational contour to a second configuration having an elevational contour that generally corresponds to the final desired contour of the marginal edge portion of the sheet.

Abstract: Selected portions of a glass sheet are heated to elevated temperatures and offset, i.e. reformed, relative to the remaining portions of the glass sheet while maintaining the optical properties of the remaining portions of the glass sheet. The reformed area can be used as a structure to which guide brackets are other hardware can be secured or as an integral glass ledge to guide the up and down movement of the glass sheet within a vehicle door frame.

Abstract: Flame seaming a glass sheet of irregular outline using a ring-type burner having an apertured inner wall aligned with the central portion of the glass sheet edge develops an edge of more uniform appearance when the application of a fuel mixture to a portion of said apertured wall facing the glass edge is different for curved portions of the wall facing curved portions of the glass sheet outline than to straight line portions of the wall facing straight portions of the glass sheet outline. Further reduction of non-uniformity of glass edge appearance may result from providing orbital motion between said glass sheet outline and an apertured inner wall of said ring-type burner.

Abstract: A glass sheet is cut while at a temperature at about its annealing point temperature by scoring the glass sheet along a line of cut and imparting a bending moment to the glass along the scored line to open the glass. The glass sheet remains at its elevated temperature throughout the cutting operation to reduce or eliminate additional heating required for subsequent processing.

Abstract: In a float glass forming chamber, concentrated heat is applied to edge portions of the glass ribbon being formed by means of portable heating elements carried by side seal members.

Abstract: A float glass forming chamber is provided with a simplified roof structure having a reduced number of vertically extending joints and openings. The roof is comprised of relatively large refractory slabs suspended from above by a hanger arrangement external to the forming chamber enclosure.

Abstract: Auxiliary heat is provided to a float glass forming chamber by means of a prewired portable heating module which may be inserted or removed from an operating forming chamber. In particular, the auxiliary heating arrangement is adapted to provide temporary center heat in a forming chamber which is primarily heated along side portions.

Abstract: A float glass forming chamber is provided with electrical heating elements having separate housings and separate electrical shut-off means, so that any heating element can be independently disconnected for replacement or for modifying the heating pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for engaging the marginal edge portion of a ribbon of molten glass is mounted to the exterior sidewall of a float chamber below the sidewall opening and above the floor level. The vertical arcuate movement of the elongated barrel is controlled by a pair of screw jack assemblies symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the barrel, themselves controlled alternatively by a motor or manual driving force. The motor may be back-driven by the manual control to provide both remote and manual fine tune capabilities. The elongated barrel includes an outer tubular member and an inner rotatable tubular drive member which is supported therein by a heat resistant toroidal bushing near its insertable end and by a precision bearing near its drive end.