Abstract: A method for making a wheel (60) for hot glass sheet conveyance is performed by providing an annular tire (64) of high temperature resistant synthetic resin (65) in which a woven material (74) is embedded, and by molding a synthetic thermoplastic resin (71) in situ within the tire to provide a rim (70) that supports the tire for rotation.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending station includes a framework, lower and upper deformable molds for receiving therebetween a glass sheet to be bent, and lower and upper linkages that respectively support the lower and upper molds on the framework. Each linkage includes connector links that are fixedly connected to the associated mold and that have pivotal connections to each other, wherein the pivotal connections define pivot axes that are parallel to a shape defined by the connector links between the lower and upper linkages throughout the bending. Each linkage also has control links connected to the connector links thereof such that the control links are pivotable about axes that extend perpendicular to the shape defined between the lower and upper. Furthermore, at least one of the control links of each linkage is configured to permit glass sheet bending by linkage movement on one side thereof independently of the other side thereof.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending method for glass sheet bending utilizes a primary actuating mechanism (154) for moving lower and upper mold support linkages (26, 48) from a flat shape to a curved shape of a constant radius provided by connection links (28) and control links (34) of the linkages. The lower and upper linkages (26, 48) having one pair of connector links (28) with control links (34) configured to allow a secondary actuating mechanism (155) to provide linkage movement on one lateral side thereof independently of on their other lateral side.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending station includes a framework, lower and upper deformable molds for receiving therebetween a glass sheet to be bent, and lower and upper linkages that respectively support the lower and upper molds on the framework. Each linkage includes connector links that are fixedly connected to the associated mold and that have pivotal connections to each other, wherein the pivotal connections define pivot axes that are parallel to a shape defined by the connector links between the lower and upper linkages throughout the bending. Each linkage also has control links connected to the connector links thereof such that the control links are pivotable about axes that extend perpendicular to the shape defined between the lower and upper. Furthermore, at least one of the control links of each linkage is configured to permit glass sheet bending by linkage movement on one side thereof independently of the other side thereof.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending method for glass sheet bending utilizes a primary actuating mechanism (154) for moving mold support linkages to provide glass sheet bending with a constant radius and utilize control link detachable connections (39) that allow a secondary actuating mechanism (155) to provide bending of a glass sheet independently of linkage movement on the other side of the detached connections. The resultant bent glass sheet has two portions of different constant radii of curvature and also has a junction between the two portions.

Abstract: A hot glass sheet roll assembly wheel (60) and resultant roll assembly utilizing such wheels includes an annular tire (64) having a central axis A, a synthetic resin rim (70) molded in situ within the tire, and a central formation (70) for supporting the wheel about the central axis A.

Abstract: A glass sheet forming system (20) provides continuous roll conveyed forming of heated flat glass sheets to formed shapes having a major axis of curvature and a minor axis of curvature perpendicular to each other. The forming is performed by a roll station (30) having a shape retaining quench (36) associated with a lower deformable roll bed (32) and an upper deformable roll former (34). An adjustment mechanism (78) provides adjustment of the extent of the minor curvature and an actuating mechanism (56) is operable to provide the major curvature.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending station (20) and method for glass sheet bending utilize a primary actuating mechanism (154) for moving mold support linkages to provide glass sheet bending with a constant radius and utilize control link detachable connections (39) that allow a secondary actuating mechanism (155) to provide bending of a glass sheet independently of linkage movement on the other side of the detached connections.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending station (20) and method for glass sheet bending utilize a primary actuating mechanism (154) for moving mold support linkages to provide glass sheet bending with a constant radius and utilize control link detachable connections (39) that allow a secondary actuating mechanism (155) to provide bending of a glass sheet independently of linkage movement on the other side of the detached connections.

Abstract: A glass sheet forming system (20) and method provides continuous roll conveyed forming of heated flat glass sheets to formed shapes having a major axis of curvature and a minor axis of curvature perpendicular to each other. The forming is performed by a roll station (30) having a shape retaining quench (36) associated with a lower deformable roll bed (32) and an upper deformable roll former (34). An adjustment mechanism (78) provides adjustment of the extent of the minor curvature and an actuating mechanism (56) is operable to provide the major curvature.

Abstract: A glass sheet forming system (10) includes apparatus (12) having a forming station (22) for forming glass sheets by cooperation of a lower deformable roll forming conveyor (26) and an upper deformable roll forming press (32). The upper deformable roll forming press (32) includes upper deformable rolls (34) whose axes are located along a direction of conveyance between the axes of lower deformable rolls (28) of the lower deformable roll forming conveyor (26) in a manner that prevents leading glass edge curling as the lower conveyor and upper forming press are moved between flat and curved shapes to provide glass sheet forming.