Abstract: Apparatus for handling a hot glass sheet during conveyance from a hot atmosphere to a cold atmosphere comprising a ring-like member having an upper surface engaging a glass sheet outline that consists essentially of a phenolic resin reinforced with fibers composed of an aromatic polyamid composition and a support ring attached to the ring-like member in facing relation to the ring-like member and sufficiently smaller in the dimensions than those of the ring-like member to permit the ring-like member to interpose between the support ring and a supported edge of a glass sheet so as to provide thermal insulation as well as shielding between the metal support rings and the edge of the glass sheet.

Abstract: An automatic interlayer trimming assembly is provided with an abrasive belt that contacts the edge of a windshield assembly after lamination to remove any interlayer that has extruded out from the windshield edge during lamination. The belt is supported and advanced by a plurality of rollers and the windshield edge is moved in the same direction as the advancement of the belt. In addition, the belt may oscillate in a direction perpendicular to the belt advancement to help remove the interlayer.

Abstract: The number of bent laminated glass windshields having bull's-eyes that adversely affect its optical properties is reduced by using amorphous precipitated silica particles such as is used as flatting agents for paints, as a parting material between a pair of glass sheets during bending. The particles form relatively soft agglomerates that are milled and classified to produce a narrow distribution of particle sizes as compared to the distribution found in untreated silica, such as diatomaceous earths previously used as a parting material.

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: A dual lead electrically heatable windshield is provided with an internal jumper arrangement that allows the bus bar having the dual lead to be powered by a single external connection to one of the dual leads. A jumper arrangement may also be used in combination with a crack detector for the dual lead heatable windshield.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending row of closely spaced elongated flexible springs extend over an elongated slot of a furnace to prevent heat loss. The springs are deflected in turn as an arm moves along the length of the slot and the springs return to their original state after the arm passes by. The arm holds a glass handling device which holds a glass sheet within the furnace. The arm moves along the length of the slot so as to transport the glass sheet through the sections of the heat treating furnace.

Abstract: A glass composition particularly suitable for flat glass manufacture having lower melting temperature, wide working range, improved surface durability, and enhanced tempering performance has the following composition:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 66.0-69.1 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 2.0-4.0 (SiO.sub.2 + Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) Less than 71.6 Na.sub.2 O 15-19 K.sub.2 O 0-2 (Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O) 15-20 CaO 7.5-9 MgO 2-4 (CaO + MgO) 10.2-12.0 (CaO/MgO) 1.9-3.5 ______________________________________ .

Abstract: An electrochromic window includes a first transparent substrate, an electroconductive film electrode, a transparent electrochromic film in contact with said electroconductive film, an ion-conductive layer in contact with said electrochromic film, a counter electrode in contact with said ion-conductive layer, and a second transparent substrate overlaying the counter electrode. A plurality of bus bars extend across the electroconductive film electrode to distribute electrical current throughout the film electrode and provide a more uniform current density between the film electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: An alignment device is provided with stop members that are rotatably supported on a block member in a manner such that said stop members contact the edge of the sheet along the axis about which the stop members rotate.

Abstract: A glass sheet is supported on a shaping rail and conveyed through a heating lehr. A press assembly moves along with the glass such that there is no relative horizontal movement between the glass sheet and press assembly and shapes a selected portion of the sheet. A rail support membe moves along with the press assembly to maintain the shaping rail configuration during the shaping operation.

Abstract: An insulated glass unit formed from a pair of glass sheets, one of which has an electroconductive coating, i.e. a first sheet, is fabricated by positioning the first sheet on a vacuum support and the other sheet, i.e. second sheet, spaced above the first sheet a sufficient distance therefrom to prevent arcing during electrical heating of the marginal edges of the second sheet. After the marginal edges of the second sheet are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause sagging of the marginal edges, the two sheets are brought together to join the marginal edges by fusion. A strip heater heats the edges of the sheet to a temperature sufficient to prevent chilling of the marginal edges of the upper sheet when contacting the marginal edges of the lower sheet. Thereafter, the sheets are separated from one another and air moved between the sheets to bloom the edes. After blooming the edges, the joined glass sheets are annealed, and an insulating gas moved into the airspace through a pore hole.

Abstract: A sheet support assembly for fluid jet cutting operation having a first support extending through and independent of a catcher tank of the cutting jet system to support the central portion of said sheet and a frame assembly mounted independent of said catcher tank to support selected edge portions of the sheet to be cut. The first support includes a vertically adjustable vacuum plenum to secure the sheet thereto. The sheet edge supports on the frame are vertically and horizontally adjustable so that they may support the edges of a variety of sheet sizes.

Abstract: An electric field detector for a heatable windshield includes detector lines which extend around a portion of the perimeter of the windshield between the edge of the windshield's electroconductive coating and the leads to one of the windshield bus bars and are electrically insulated from the coating, bus bars and leads. The detector lines are electrically interconnected to the coating by a tab at a predetermined location between the bus bars. As electrical current passes through the coating, voltage in the coating at the predetermined location is monitored and the current to the coating is interrupted in response to predetermined variations in the measured coating voltage.

Abstract: A method of reducing localized tensile stresses in shaped glass sheets formed by sag bending. An unperforated thermal insulating member is mounted throughout the area within a shaping rail and spaced below a heat softened glass sheet shaped on the shaping rail to thermally insulate the glass from heat reradiated from the shaping rail and reduce air circulation beneath the sheet so as to support structure during the cooling of the shaped glass sheet and provide more uniform cooling of the entire glass sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the shape of heat softened glass sheets. A pan member is positioned inboard of the shaping rails of a bending iron. The upper surface of the pan member has a curvature corresponding to the final desired shape of a selected portion of the glass sheet. As the glass sheet is heated and sags to conform with the contoured shaping rail, it also sags into contact with the pan member and conforms to its shape.

Abstract: A multiple-glazed window unit comprises a pair of glass sheets held in spaced relation to each other by a spacer and sealant assembly defining a sealed, insulating airspace between the sheets. The surface of the sheets facing the airspace has a protective surface. The spacer and sealant assembly is free of any desiccant. If desired, an opening may be provided through the spacer and sealant assembly to put the airspace in communication with the atmosphere external to the unit. In the stance where opposed openings are provided, and sized and configured to allow free movement of atmospheric air and water vapor molecules through the airspace to equalize airspace pressure and relative humidity with that of the external atmosphere, the protective surface is not needed. A filtering element is employed to minimize infiltration of liquid water, dust, dirt, and the like through the openings and into the airspace. The unit also comprises a sash retaining the unit within a structural opening.

Abstract: A thermocouple assembly including a thermocouple probe having facilities mounted thereto to protect the probe, e.g. from the hostile environment of a mounting hole provided through a refractory wall of a glassmaking furnace into which the probe extends for measuring the temperature of molten glass contained by the furnace. The facilities to protect the probe include an outer sleeve disposed in surrounding relation to a selected portion of the probe to form a first annular space between the outer surface of the probe and the inner surface of the sleeve; facilities for sealing the first annular space from atmosphere outside thereof; and, facilities for continuously moving a corrosion-inhibiting gas into, through, and out of the first annular space to thereby flush any infiltrating oxygen an/or alkali-sulfate corrosives out of the first annular space.

Abstract: A sloper curtainwall or glazing system for a building or the like includes a plurality of rafters and purlins interconnected together to provide at least one panel opening for retaining a panel. The rafters have an upwardly sloping vertical glazing pocket adapted to receive a vertical marginal edge portion of a panel and the purlins have a horizontal glazing pocket adapted to receive a horizontal marginal edge portion of a panel. The rafters each further include a semi-enclosed drainage channel and a condensation gutter not disposed in fluid communication with either said drainage channel or said vertical glazing pocket. The purlins further include a condensation gutter. The purlin and rafter condensation gutters are disposed in fluid communication with each other and the drainage channel is provided with at least one opening to put the vertical and horizontal glazing pockets in communication therewith.

Abstract: An artificial knee has a shock casing and a hinge sheath. Plungers mounted in the shock casing bias the casing and sheath away from each other as a shock absorber mounted in the shock casing controls movement and absorbs shock of the casing and sheath as they move relative to one another. A stem secured to the shock casing passes through the hinge sheath into holes in the roller bearing. In this manner with the sheath and casing are urged toward one another by applying weight to the knee as in walking or kneeling, the stem end moves into the roller bearing to prevent movement of the artificial leg secured to the roller bearing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a curtainwall system having panels mounted on a grid formed of vertical and horizontal mullions having a planar or flat exterior surface. Each of the panels is provided with a frame formed of hanger sections having a groove facing the interior of the frame. A panel engaging clip has one end inserted in the groove of the hanger frame and the other portion of the clip secured to the grid. The clip urges the hanger against the weatherstripping of the grid to provide an air and dust tight seal. A polyurethane block is mounted in the space between adjacent panels and thereafter a silicone is extruded into the space.