Abstract: The invention is directed to the press bending of individual heated glass sheets to be subsequently laminated in pairs to a plastic interlayer. The sheets are individually press bent between a female ring-type shaping rail and a continuous male mold surface having complemental shaping surfaces. In order to provide different pressure patterns for bending the two sheets of each pair, the male mold member comprises outer shaping rails supported in spaced relation upon a base plate. A separate flexible shaping member or pad is disposed in the space between the outer shaping rails to define the continuous shaping surface and is mounted in spaced relation upon a support plate. The support plate is affixed to the base plate by means of eccentrically mounted rotatable shafts.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing the movement of glass sheets through a furnace includes a stop for holding the sheets at the entrance to the furnace. An actuator is responsive to a synchronizing signal for moving the stop and releasing the sheet into the furnace. A reference point sensor detects a reference point associated with a rotating conveyor roller adjacent the entrance to the furnace when the reference point is in a predetermined spatial relationship to the glass sheet which is being held at the entrance. Thus, each glass sheet enters the furnace and engages the conveyor rollers in the same position such that any roller corrugation pattern is reproduced in the same position on each glass sheet. When two such glass sheets are laminated together to form a windshield, the roller corrugation patterns can be matched to reduce the optical distortion produced by the corrugation.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and conveying thin glass sheets through a tempering area including a series of upper and lower conveyor rolls for continuously advancing heated thin glass sheets between the opposed blastheads of a tempering section. The upper series of rolls are specially configurated for accommodating a common drive element for both series of rolls and are mounted for floating movement as well as being individually pivotable into an inoperative, out-of-the-way position to facilitate access into the tempering area for maintenance and cullet removal.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for press bending glass sheets to special configurations including a press member of outline or ring-type construction having at least one shaping pad mounted for limited floating movement within the outline of the shaping ring for imparting a specially configurated curvature to the glass sheet. The shaping pad is provided with a cover of suitable material maintained in a wrinkle-free condition along both the length and width of the pad. Means are provided for adjusting the vertical disposition of portions of the pad.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending glass sheets to relatively sharp angles. The apparatus includes a sectionalized primary press bending member having articulated end sections for sharply bending portions of a glass sheet about lines superheated by a radiant energy heat source located above the primary press member. A reciprocal brake bar is extended into engagement with the glass sheet along the heated focal line to assist the articulated press end sections in bending the glass. Clamping devices can be used in lieu of the brake bar to secure the heat-softened glass sheet to the press member shaping surface during bending. A supplemental press member, mounted above the primary press member, is provided with shaping elements having shaping surfaces complemental to the shaping surfaces of the primary press articulated end sections for pressing the glass end portions therebetween into conformity with these shaping surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending and tempering heat-softened glass sheets by differentially cooling the opposite surfaces of the sheets to warp or bow the sheets to desired curvatures. The sheets are conveyed through the tempering section by a series of upper and lower conveyor rolls, each of which is formed of a two-piece construction and curved in a manner providing adequate support for the opposite ends thereof and permitting easy access into the inner regions of the tempering section.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending and tempering a relatively thin glass sheet while supported horizontally and conveyed along a generally horizontal path comprising heating the glass sheet to its softening point, bending the sheet into the desired curvature, reorienting the bent sheet for further processing along said horizontal path, reheating the sheet to the temperature necessary for proper tempering, and finally, chilling the sheets rapidly below the annealing temperature range of the glass.