Abstract: The invention relates to a method and furnace apparatus for bending and tempering glass sheets. A glass sheet is supported on the same outline mold throughout the entire handling process. A bending furnace (10) is designed to be sufficiently long in the traveling direction for carrying a partially bent glass sheet towards a tempering section (16) in such a manner that the glass sheet reaches its final shape during the passage occurring within the bending furnace (10). For this purpose, the glass sheet is heated in the bending furnace (10) with such a high effect that it reaches its tempering temperature before reaching its final shape. The movements and heating of glass sheets are controlled individually on the basis of the thickness and measured temperature of each glass sheet.

Abstract: Glass sheet bending apparatus (20) including at least one deformable mold (22) has a linkage (26) that extends between mold members (24) and includes connector links (28) fixed to the mold members and having pivotal connections (32) to each other about axes that extend parallel to the glass sheet throughout the bending, and the linkage also has control links (34) that have pivotal connections (36) about axes that extend perpendicular to the glass sheet throughout the bending as well as having universal connections (38) to each other such that the linkage moves the mold members for bending with a constant radius of curvature. The bending apparatus (20) preferably has a pair of the deformable molds (22,44) that are arranged in lower and upper locations and have respective linkages (26,48) as well as having the mold members (24,46) thereof provided with quench openings (66) through which quenching gas is supplied to quench the bent glass sheet for heat strengthening or tempering.

Abstract: A method and a furnace for bending glass sheets. Glass sheets are heated to a bending temperature by supporting them on a mould (11) and carrying them from one heating station to another. In a bending station (4), the glass sheet is heated for effecting a desired bending partially or entirely through the action of gravity. During a bending operation, the temperature distribution of a glass sheet is subjected to the action of convection blasting. By focusing the blast on the mid-section of a glass sheet it is possible to create a progressively curving pocket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating apparatus for a glass-sheet bending station. The apparatus includes an array of elongated heating elements, the heating elements being positioned side by side, so as to form a heating element field covering an area of a glass sheet to be bent. A control mechanism is provided for switching heating elements on and off. The heating elements are separately and independently controllable. The heating elements are positioned in succeeding heating element fields in a longitudinal direction of the heating elements. The control mechanism selectively switches on heating elements so as to form at least one heat exchange area that generally covers the area of the glass sheet being bent and that extends at a desired angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the heating elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass sheet shaping arrangement whereby a glass sheet may be conveyed through a shaping station without being shaped and deposited into a glass collector beneath an upstream portion of the adjacent quench without impacting the lower quench or interfering with the operation of the quench. A furnace, shaping station and cooling station are all linearly aligned so that a glass sheet progresses through the glass sheet shaping arrangement without changing its advancing direction. A glass sheet is conveyed in a first direction along a first generally horizontal plane through the furnace to heat the sheet to its heat softening temperature. The sheet continues into the shaping station where it is lifted into engagement with an upper vacuum surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending and tempering station for glass sheets, comprising an archable roll conveyor and upper and lower tempering boxes (5, 7) provided with tempering orifices (8, 6). The upper tempering boxes (7) are fitted with a number of press rollers (11) having a top rest position and a bottom working position. The rollers (11) are capable of moving against the force of a pneumatic spring (17) from the working position towards the rest position. The pneumatic spring (17) can be further used for operating the rollers (11) between the working position and the rest position.

Abstract: The installation for curving and tempering a glass sheet (1) comprises a first series (3) of shaping members (20) exhibiting a surface (3a) intended to come into contact with one of the faces of the glass sheet (1) and a second series (4) of members including a central surface portion (5) to which at least one movable part (6, 7) is attached. First adjustment devices (10, 11, 12) enable the profile of the surface (3a) of the first series (3) of members (20) to be modified, jacks (8) control the movement of the movable part (6, 7) of the second series (4) of members in a curve parallel to the profile of the surface (3a) of the first series (3) of members (20), and second adjustment devices are suitable for modifying the profile of the central surface portion (5) of the second series of members (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a furnace for bending glass sheets. Glass sheets supported on ring molds are heated to a bending temperature and are carried from one heating station to another. In a heating and bending station, the glass sheet is heated for effecting a desired bending partially or entirely through the action of gravity. During a bending operation, the temperature distribution of radiation heat is adjusted. In the heating stations, the glass sheet is subjected to the action of convection blasting.

Abstract: A method is provided in which a glass sheet is bent on a mould having a movable end, comprising the steps of: heating the glass sheet to its bending temperature; subjecting the glass sheet to an initial gravity bending step; providing support to a portion of the glass sheet located on the movable end of the mould; while providing said support, lowering said movable end away from the glass sheet; subjecting the glass sheet to a press bending step; cooling the bent glass sheet. Support may be provided by a reduced pressure within an upper mould, a mechanical arm, or gas directed in a generally upwards direction. The invention may be used for bending glass for architectural or automotive purposes, e.g. for bending a pair of glass sheets, one on top of the other, for use in the manufacture of a laminated windscreen, to achieve deep and/or complex bent shapes.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for positioning a heated glass sheet G includes a longitudinally extending air flotation conveyor (12) for receiving and floating the heated glass sheet, a glass sheet vacuum mold (14) movably mounted above the air floatation conveyor for receiving the heated glass sheet, a glass sheet positioner (16) mounted relative to the mold for peripherally engaging and laterally and longitudinally positioning the glass sheet with respect to the mold and an array of lift jets (18) interspersed amongst the air flotation conveyor and located beneath the mold for lifting the glass sheet onto the vacuum mold through the application of lifting air on the bottom surface of the glass sheet. A glass sheet processing ring (26) transversely movable relative to the air flotation conveyor (12) subsequently receives the glass sheet from the mold (14).

Abstract: A flexible ring mold for shaping heat softened glass sheets is provided with an inner ring having a plurality of posts which help support the ring mold and maintain the mold's generally planar configuration during the initial lifting and shaping of a supported glass sheet. Prior to the entire glass sheet being pressed against an upper mold surface, the ring mold is separated from the support posts.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for precisely shaping heated glass sheets as the sheets advance along a bed of conveyor rolls. The conveyor rolls comprise a core member having axially aligned opposite sections and an arcuately curved central portion, with a flexible sleeve surrounding the core member. The sleeves are rotated in unison about the core members to convey the sheets. The core members are pivotable in unison between a first position where the curved control portions lie in a common plane for conveying the flat sheets and a second, lowered position whereat the curved portions define the shape to which the sheets are to be deformed. Vertically reciprocable top surface press units are mounted above the path of the glass sheets. The press units include curved stationary mandrels having freely rotatable flexible sleeves thereon.

Abstract: A glass plate is bend-shaped by transferring a glass plate by way of transferring rollers in a heating furnace; sucking and suspending the glass plate by way of a glass plate sucking and suspending device which is disposed in the heating furnace and at the downstream side of the transferring rollers; moving arms of a positioning device disposed at the lower portion of the glass plate sucking and suspending device in the direction parallel to a glass plate suspension surface of the glass plate sucking and suspending device; sucking and suspending glass plate supporting portions each connected to the top end of each of the arms by interposing a joint portion so as to keep the distance between the glass plate supporting portions and the glass plate sucking and suspending device at a predetermined value; supporting edge portion of the glass plate by the glass plate supporting portions, and positioning the glass plate to a predetermined position by advancing and retracting the arms in the direction parallel to the

Abstract: Apparatus (20,120) for forming a heated glass sheet G is disclosed as including a vacuum mold (22,22a,122,122a) having a full surface (24,24a,124,124a) against which a peripheral mold (26,26a,126,126a) presses the glass sheet periphery and with which at least one vacuum reservoir (32,33) is communicated within the interior of the sealed glass sheet periphery to form the glass sheet to the shape of the vacuum mold surface. Valving (38) of a vacuum system (28) is preferably operable to provide the vacuum impulse in two stages with an initial limited extent of vacuum and a subsequent greater extent of vacuum by communication first with one vacuum reservoir (32) and subsequently with another vacuum reservoir (33). Different embodiments of the vacuum mold have the vacuum mold surface facing upwardly and downwardly with convex and concave shapes.

Abstract: In a process and to an apparatus for bending a glass sheet heated to the bending temperature in a horizontal furnace, through which it is passed by a motor roller conveyor, which passes it into a bending cell where it is kept at an ambient temperature substantially identical to the bending temperature, the glass sheet is immobilized in the bending cell in an upper bending mold perpendicular to an annular countermold surrounding an element for supporting the central part of the glass sheet in the bending cell. The annular countermold is raised in order to press the glass sheet against the upper bending mold.

Abstract: A glass sheet that has been heated nearly to a softening point thereof is preliminarily bent by a conveyor roll device while being fed along a feed path to a bending press. The conveyor roll device has a succession of first straight rolls spaced along the feed path for supporting a central region of the glass sheet, and a succession of second straight rolls spaced along the feed path for supporting a marginal edge portion of the glass sheet. The second straight rolls are vertically tilted through progressively differing angles, respectively, along the feed path with respect to the first straight rolls. The first and second straight rolls alternate with each other along the feed path.

Abstract: A process for bending a glass sheet according to which the glass sheet is heated in horizontal position until its bending temperature is reached and is brought into contact with an upper bending form by a force of a pneumatic nature. A fluid barrier is generated at the periphery of the glass sheet, the fluid barrier limiting the entry and exit of air near the upper bending form.

Abstract: In a method for bending glass plates, the glass plates are heated in a horizontal position in a continuous furnace (1) to the bending temperature and in a following bending chamber (5) are pressed by an upwardly flowing hot gas stream against a convex bending mold (7) positioned above the conveying plane. The bent glass plates (3') are placed on a displaceable shaping ring (13) and transferred with the latter into a following cooling station (16). The glass plates (3) are raised from the conveying roller train (2) of the continuous furnace (1) by a suction plate (3) are positioned relative to the transfer ring (28) on the latter. With the aid of the transfer ring (28) the glass plates (3) are transferred into the bending chamber, where in the end position of the transfer ring (28) they assume the desired end position relative to the bending mold (7).

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for establishing a predetermined thermal profile in a glass sheet immediately prior to press bending outside the heating furnace. The press bending members are provided with arrays of heating elements that are individually or zone regulated to assist in establishing an optimum temperature profile in the glass sheet conducive to proper bending. The temperature profile established in the heated sheet by the arrays of heating elements is coordinated with that established in the furnace and subsequently, modified by heat dissipation as the glass sheet advances to the bending station to achieve the proper bending temperature. The heating elements can also be utilized to create a temperature profile in the glass sheet generally higher than that originally established in the furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending and tempering a glass sheet. From a preheating furnace a glass sheet is advanced into a positioning and bending station supported by a gas bed between the stations. In the positioning and bending station the glass sheet is lifted by a ring mold from a gas bed and the glass sheet is heated for gravitational bending to close to a final profile. The glass sheet is pressed to its final profile or shape by an overhead press plate, which also serves as a vacuum pickup for carrying the bent glass sheet into a station for heating for tempering. After tempering, the glass sheet is advanced into a quenching station.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process are disclosed for manufacturing glass sheets of a complex form for vehicles. The apparatus includes a roller heating oven, a supporting air bed in a shaping section, a shaping ring for conveying the sheet of glass in a vertical direction toward an upper shaping mold, and a ring for conveying the sheet of glass horizontally toward a tempering station. The air bed is formed with frustoconical nozzles of such a size as to enable the shaping ring to pass through them so as to be movable to a position beneath its floating position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process as disclosed for manufacturing a glass sheet having a complex form for vehicles. The apparatus includes a roller heating oven, a supporting air bed in a shaping section, and a shaping ring for conveying the glass first to an upper shaping mold and then to a tempering station. The air bed is formed with fustoconical nozzles of such a size as to enable the ring to pass through them and to be placed beneath the a floating plane of the glass. The ring undergoes a first vertical movement to lift the glass toward the shaping mold and a second horizontal movement to convey the glass to the tempering station.

Abstract: A traveling vacuum pickup engages heat softened glass sheets in a transfer station and transfers them to one of two shaping stations positioned along opposing sides of a transfer station. After depositing the sheet within one of the shaping stations, the pickup return to the transfer station to receive the next heat softened sheet. The shaping stations may include pressing arrangements that shape successive sheets to different configurations. The vacuum pickup may include two sheet engaging surfaces positioned relative to each other such that as one engaging surface engages a glass sheet and transfers it to one of the shaping stations, the other engaging surface is being positioned within the transfer station to receive the next glass sheet.

Abstract: A heated sheet of glass discharged from a heating furnace is lifted by a ring mold until it is held against a fully continuous lower molding surface of a bent shape of an upper mold. After the sheet of glass is held against the lower molding surface by the ring mold, a vacuum is developed in the upper mold to attract the sheet of glass to the lower molding surface through suction holes defined in the lower molding surface. Thereafter, the ring mold is lowered away from the upper mold to allow the sheet of glass to be bent by the lower molding surface while the sheet of glass is being attracted thereto only under the vacuum developed in the upper mold. The sheet of glass is continuously attracted under the vacuum to the lower molding surface until the sheet of glass is annealed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending and tempering a glass sheet. A glass sheet is supported by one and the same ring mould (3) throughout all its working operations. Following the preheating of a glass sheet from a temperature of about 500.degree. C., its heating to a final bending and tempering temperature is effected at a high output and rate of speed. For example, on 4 mm thick glass, this final heating is performed within a period of time of 15-25 s. Therefore, the temperature of bending station is 800.degree.-1000.degree. C. Since rapidly heating glass bends quickly, the bending flexure or temperature of glass is monitored and the glass is advanced to tempering as soon as a predetermined bending flexure or temperature is reached.

Abstract: A furnace for heating a glass sheet therein has a gravity bending zone for bending the glass sheet due to gravity, a press bending zone for bending the glass sheet under pressure, and an annealing zone for annealing the bent glass sheet. In the gravity bending zone, the glass sheet on a ring mold is preliminarily bent due to gravity. After the preliminarily bent glass sheet has been fed from the gravity bending zone into the press bending zone, the glass sheet is transferred from the ring mold to a movable lower mold assembly. The lower mold assembly is lifted to press the glass sheet against a fixed upper mold for finally bending the glass sheet. Thereafter, the lower mold with the finally bent glass sheet is lowered until the glass sheet is placed on the ring mold. Then, the glass sheet is fed with the ring mold into the annealing zone in which the glass sheet is annealed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet. A glass sheet heated close to its softening temperature is supported on a ring mould and the glass sheet is allowed to bend by gravity. If necessary, the bending can be assisted mechanically. Air is circulated from a furnace section (1.1) above a glass sheet (7) to be bent into a furnace section (1.2) below the glass sheet so as to produce a different pressure effect on the opposite sides of a glass sheet (7). This pressure effect is used to support the glass sheet which is also heated over its central area to a sufficient temperature for bending and/or tempering, said temperature being sufficiently high that, without said support provided by the pressure effect, the central glass sheet area would bend and sag excessively downwards. The generation of pressure effect can be intensified by fitting the furnace with a ceiling (3) which includes an opening (3.

Abstract: An improved support structure for an upper press member that broadens the bending capabilities of a conventional press bending apparatus. The support structure is carried on the upper platen frame of the bending apparatus and is adapted for providing reciprocating movement between the upper press member and the upper platen frame. The support structure comprises a base plate which is attached to the platen frame and a subplate which is adapted for supporting the upper press member. Fluid activated cylinders are mounted on the base plate, with the free end of their piston rods affixed in a supporting manner to the subplate whereby actuation of the cylinders will provide relative movement between the subplate and base plate and therefor the upper press member and the platen frame.

Abstract: A process for bending a glass sheet according to which the glass sheet is heated in horizontal position until its bending temperature is reached and is brought into contact with an upper bending form by a force of a pneumatic nature. A fluid barrier is generated at the periphery of the glass sheet, the fluid barrier limiting the entry and exit of air near the upper bending form.

Abstract: Glass sheets are heated to their heat softening temperature and transferred to a shaping station having an upper vacuum mold with a downwardly facing shaping surface corresponding to the desired shape of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is lifted into engagement with the shaping surface and held thereagainst by vacuum. The mold and the glass sheet are then moved to a transfer station and the vacuum is released to deposit the shaped glass sheet onto a contoured conveying surface which generally conforms to the shaped glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited onto the contoured conveying surface as it is moving from the shaping station to the transfer station to impart movement in the glass sheet along the contoured conveying surface and minimize marring of the glass sheet as it contacts the contoured conveying surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for cambering glass sheets includes a reheating furnace for reheating a glass sheet, a sealed cambering station and a conveyor for transferring a heated glass sheet from the furnace to the cambering station. The cambering station includes a shaping upper member. The glass sheet therein is raised into engagement with the upper member, for example by gas pressure, in order to camber the glass sheet. Hot gas ducts surrounding the upper member blow hot gas onto the upper member in such a way as to increased the temperature thereof to a temperature higher than that of the glass sheet when the glass sheet enters the cambering station. Therefore, the glass sheet can be introduced into the cambering station at a relatively low temperature and heated to a temperature high enough for cambering only when in contact with the upper member. The cambered glass sheet can then be discharged to a cooling station.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the preferable two-dimensional arching of glass sheets heated to the softening temperature comprising a following cooling section, the horizontal guiding of the glass sheets taking place on a plurality of movable transport rods and rollers which form a horizontal surface. The transport rods are provided in two groups which project outwardly from a respective mounting at the two lateral edges of the roller hearth furnace into the roller hearth furnace surface; the two groups of the transport rods are pivotal by a pivot movement via their respective mountings downwardly between linear forming elements, in particular forming rods, the joint upper tangential surface of which corresponds to the contour of the lower side of the arched glass sheet. Alternatively, at least one edge region of some transport rods may be pivoted upwardly to arch glass sheets or panes having one or two bends, for example bus windows or display case panes.

Abstract: A process for bending glass sheets, preheated to bending temperature, includes passing the glass sheets along a longitudinal trajectory having substantially the form of a cone of revolution in a shaping bed having substantially the form of a cone of revolution.

Abstract: A mold assembly support (10) is disclosed for providing a self-aligning thermally stable mold support in a glass sheet forming system (12) wherein a reference point within the glass sheet heating furnace (14) is connected to a geometric frame of reference outside the furnace (14). The mold assembly support (10) includes a frame (40) including mold registering members (52,54) which define a stable thermal reference point within the furnace which is maintained in an unchanging relationship with respect to the geometric frame of reference outside the furnace (14) along a glass sheet heating furnace substructure (16).

Abstract: A method of forming a drape-shaped glass structural element are disclosed. The element may be used as a support for a glass table top. The glass element is formed by a unique method which involves initially supporting a glass sheet on both fixed and movable members within a mold. The movable members are moved after the glass has begun to soften and move to a final shape. This causes the final glass element to have a complicated shape which cannot be formed by conventional glass forming methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production line for curved panes, in which the panes of glass are heated, brought in a horizontal position into a curving station where they are taken over by curving tools, and then finally conveyed into a quenching station, the stages of quenching and of entry of the glass into the curving station being at different heights.

Abstract: A glass sheet forming apparatus (20) for continuously forming a heated glass sheet includes a roller conveyor (30) defined by a plurality of interposed first and second conveyor rolls (32,34). The first conveyor rolls (32) are mounted in a plane defined by X and Y axes for conveying the glass sheet. The second conveyor rolls (34) include independent first and second roll portions (36,38). At least one of the roll portions (36) is movable in the plane to establish rotation of the roll portion (36) with respect to a Z direction. The second conveyor rolls (34) are mounted in a plane defined by X' axis. A first actuator (44) moves the movable roll portions (36) so that part of the movable rolls (36) are elevated above the X' axis and above the first conveyor rolls (32) whereby the roller conveyor (30) becomes non-planar and a heated glass sheet is formed as a result of the non-planar conveyor shape and upward action of the second conveyor rolls (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet. A glass sheet (5) is supported on a bending mould (6) in a heating furnace and heated close to a softening temperature by means of a heating field generated by heating elements (4). Glass sheet (5) is placed adjacent to the heating field whose energy distribution is adjusted as desired. Glass sheet (5) is controllably pulled away from the heating field as the glass heats up and begins to bend.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bending difficult bending shapes such as an S-shape in a glass sheet. The downward bending of an outline-mould supported, heated glass sheet is assisted by a non-engaging lower partial surface mould used for blowing to a bending line (BL) or its vicinity a gas having a temperature at least equal to that of glass, the gas serving simultaneously as a glass carrier preventing its falling or excessive downward sagging. Blasting orifices in the shaping surface are adapted to concentrate heating on the most problematic areas of a bending line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a female press bending ring for use in the press bending of glass sheets outside of a furnace, and more particularly to a female press bending ring which is suitably heated during the bending cycle to regulate the transfer of heat between the peripheral margin of the glass and the female bending ring with which it is in contact. By so doing, near-edge tension and edge stresses are greatly reduced, thereby reducing chill cracking and glass breakage during and after production. The female ring may be covered by a layer of fiberglass cloth or the like to provide a smooth resilient surface for engaging the glass sheet.

Abstract: A glass treating apparatus suitable for heating glass sheets, such as in a process of forming motor vehicle windshields, comprises a heater suppoted by a modular support structure. The heater comprises a non-monoplanar heating surface subdivided into heating zones. The heating zones are individually controlled. The heating surface can approximate the configuration of the glass sheet. The invention allows preferential heating of selected zones of the glass sheet. One or more such modular radiant heater assemblies can be used in a glass forming process.

Abstract: A curving furnace has at least one curving station, of which the walls are equipped with resistors. The series of upper resistors are subdivided into one or more axial zones in which the resistors are oriented parallel to the height of the glass sheets, and into one or more transverse zones in which the resistors are oriented perpendicularly. The heating power of a given zone is regulated independently of the heating powers associated with the other zones.

Abstract: An installation for the heating, forming and tempering of glass sheets (8) comprises a furnace (1) for heating glass sheets, at least one forming chamber (4), called a standard forming chamber, and a chamber for tempering the glass sheets, and a series of parallel rotary rollers for supporting the glass sheets and for moving them in the furnace (1) and towards the chambers. The installation further comprises at least one second forming chamber (5), called a deep-forming chamber, in which the forming of the glass sheets is carried out by pressing these on a convex lower surface. Between the furnace (1) and the forming chambers (4, 5) there is provided a turnover chamber (3) comprising a table rotatably mounted for turning over the glass sheets (8) before they are introduced into the second forming chamber (5). The invention is used especially in the production of glazings for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A sheet of glass is bent with a system including a feed mechanism for feeding the sheet of glass along a predetermined path, a heating furnace disposed along the path, for heating the sheet of glass, and a shaping device disposed along the path for bending the sheet of glass heated by the heating furnace. Before the sheet of glass is bent by the shaping device, the sheet of glass is thermally processed to different degrees at leading and trailing end portions thereof along the path, thereby uniformizing temperatures of the sheet of glass from the leading end portion to the trailing end portion thereof.

Abstract: A variable pressure gas jet system for lifting and forming glass sheets including a controller (32) for providing an electrical signal corresponding to a preselected pressure to an electrical-to-pressure converter (34) which converts the received signal to a corresponding pressure. A remotely operated gas flow regulator (36) receives a small volume of the pressurized gas from the converter and transmits a large volume of gas at a corresponding pressure through the system to a series of gas jets (42) comprising an array of nozzles (24) which direct the pressurized gas onto the lower surface of the heated glass sheet to lift the glass sheet from a conveyor to the downwardly facing surface of an upper mold (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a glass sheet supported on a ring mould including a press-bending station provided with a plurality of thermally insulated walls, a press-bending tool assembly arranged above the glass sheet supported on a ring mould in the press-bending station, a claw crane mounted in the station for raising and lowering said press-bending tool assembly which includes first and second articulated arms connected to each other along a common axis of rotation. The first articulated arm has one end fixed to a ceiling in the press-bending station and an opposite end movable along the press-bending tool assembly. The second articulated arm has one end fixed to the press-bending tool assembly and an opposite end movable in a horizontal plane along the ceiling of the press-bending station. A power unit is located outside the station.

Abstract: An improved support structure for an upper press member that broadens the bending capabilities of a conventional press bending apparatus. The support structure is carried on the upper platen frame of the bending apparatus and is adapted for providing reciprocating movement between the upper press member and the upper platen frame. The support structure comprises a base plate which is attached to the platen frame and a subplate which is adapted for supporting the upper press member. Fluid activated cylinders are mounted on the base plate, with the free end of their piston rods affixed in a supporting manner to the subplate whereby actuation of the cylinders will provide relative movement between the subplate and base plate and therefor the upper press member and the platen frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass bending device including an oven and a mold within the oven having a number of parallel horizontally extending pipes supported by at least two template plates. A number of parallel horizontally extending heating elements are suspended over the mold and can be raised or lowered by raising or lowering a template which acts on cables attached to the suspended heating elements. The second template causes the overall cross-sectional shape of the suspended heating elements to be the same as or the opposite of the shape of the second template.

Abstract: A glass sheet such as an automobile window glass sheet is bent to shape and tempered at one stage by a sheet glass bending and tempering apparatus. The sheet glass bending and tempering apparatus has solid contact members for pressing a glass sheet, which has been heated nearly to its softening point, to a desired shape and depriving the glass sheet of heat to cool the glass sheet quickly, the solid contact means having a contact surface for contacting the glass sheet and depriving the glass heat of heat therethrough. The contact surface has a plurality of grooves defined therein, and a plurality of air outlet ports defined in each of the grooves, for applying cooling air to the glass sheet, and a plurality of air inlet ports defined in each of the grooves, for drawing the air applied to the glass sheet. When the opposite surfaces of the glass sheet are pressed by the solid contact members, the pressure is temporarily reduced and then increased again to cool the glass sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass bending mold including at least two vertical template plates mounted in an oven frame by fixing devices. The vertical template plates define the shape of glass bent in the bending mold and include recesses along an upper edge thereof. On top of the templates are laid horizontally extending pipes for supporting glass to be bent. The pipes are received by said recesses in the template plates and are supported by the template plates. One end of each of the pipes extends out of the oven through apertures in one wall of said oven. A lever device moves the pipes back and forth to rock the pipes in the recesses while glass to be bent is lowered on the pipes.