Abstract: An apparatus for aligning glass sheets moving on a conveyor line prior to shaping on a bending apparatus includes a pair of stops for engaging the leading edge of the glass sheets and a pair of side pushers for engaging the end edges of the glass sheets to align the glass sheets with respect to a reference line. The spacing between the side pushers is automatically selected in accordance with the predetermined sequence of glass sheets. In addition, a sensor detects a mark on the sheets to generate a sequence signal identifying the sheets. The sequence signal is utilized to signal that a sheet is missing or an improper sequence, and/or the signal is utilized to control the means for automatically adjusting the spacing of the side pushers. The stop pins can be adjusted individually in a direction parallel to the reference line and a direction transverse to the reference line.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for press bending sheets into complex shapes wherein the apparatus includes at least one press member of outline or ring-type construction having an array of spaced apart shaping rail elements mounted in a composite array and adapted to pass upwardly between adjacent conveying rolls to contact and support the undersurface of a sheet of heat-softened glass. Another array of shaping rail extensions is disposed above the conveying rolls mounted for movement into and out of association with the spaces between the spaced apart shaping rail elements of the first mentioned array.