Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of laminated safety glass panes comprised of a sheet of glass and a sheet of flexible plastic material. Within the framework of a method wherein a "counter-mold" is applied to the plastic sheet or film before permanent combination of the constituent parts of the product glass pane, the invention proposes an improvement wherein, before this final assembly, stacks corresponding to a plurality of product glass panes are superimposed, wherewith the face of each of the glass sheets which face is not covered by its corresponding plastic sheet or film serves as the "counter-mold" for the adjoining stack.

Abstract: A roll (4) for conveying sheets of glass at a heat-tempering temperature horizontally through a heat-tempering furnace enclosure includes a core (10) of refractory metal and a shell (20). The shell (20) is formed of a refractory material composed of a calcium silicate base agglomerate having a specific mass of from 200 to 800 kg/m.sup.3.

Abstract: An electrically heated glass pane includes a plurality of heating conductors (2) comprising a family of parallel conductors extending between a pair of power supply conductors (3) both disposed on and burnt-in a surface of a glass pane (1). A strip (4), of non-conductive material, covers conductors (3) and extends laterally from the edges of the conductors. The conductors (2) merge into the conductors (3) at a transitional region (7) broadened by an increasing flare so that the cross section of the region, determining the electrical resistance, is greater than the cross section of the conductors (2) providing resistive heating. A layer (12) which covers the same area as the strip (4) may be disposed below each conductor (3), directly on the surface of the glass pane (1). An opening (16) is recessed in layer (12), so that the conductors (3) are connected directly with the surface of glass pane (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for regulating the temperature of a glass sheet in a furnace as the glass sheet is moved at a determined rate and heated according to a preestablished program. The furnace is characterized by only slight thermal inertia thereby to provide rapid adjustment of the internal temperature within each of several cells. The physical presence of the glass sheet is checked in synchronization with its step-by-step advance at least at one location upstream of one furnace cell to correct the regulation of the radiation heating output should these be a variance from that of the preestablished program. The process may be carried out with limited fabrication rejects by virtue of the capability of regulation of variations of the conveying rate or as required due to gaps in the succession of glass sheets being treated.

Abstract: A device for transporting a sheet of glass through sheet processing stations of a furnace. The device comprises a carriage having a carrying frame including a longitudinal horizontal member supporting a plurality of sheet hangers. The longitudinal horizontal member is rigidly connected at its center portion to the carriage and movably connected to the carriage at other portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically unfastening sheets of glass which are suspended vertically from pincer-like gripping means including a lifting element for lifting a sheet of glass towards the gripping means. A release means for moving the gripping means out of engagement with the sheet is included when a sheet is raised by the lifting means. The lifting means includes at least one gripper element which is movable in a horizontal direction to grip a surface of a sheet of glass.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a sheet of glass in a vertical position where the apparatus has self-tightening tongs adapted to clasp an upper portion of the sheet. The tongs are operatively connected to a strap having a toothed support face. A beam supported by a trolley has a toothed support face thereon where the spaces between the teeth differ from the teeth of the strap. A differential block having a plurality of teeth on its upper side corresponding in shape and pitch to the teeth of the strap and having a plurality of teeth on its lower side corresponding in shape and pitch to the teeth of the beam is inserted between the support face of the beam and the strap to provide an adjustable connection between the beam and strap.

Abstract: A self-tightening clamp adapted on closure to suspend a sheet of glass where the clamp includes a stirrup and levers pivotally mounted on the ends of the stirrup with a sheet engaging stud at the end of each lever positioned above the pivot point of the lever. An arm is pivotally mounted at one end to the end of each lever and at its other end is pivotally connected to a suspension link. Guides are associated with the stirrup and the suspension link to assure that the stirrup will move vertically with respect to the suspension link during opening and closing of the clamp. Stops are associated with the stirrup to limit pivotal movement of the levers towards each other and to limit movement of the studs towards each other whereby when the clamp is fully closed, the studs are spaced apart slightly less than the width of the sheet with which they are to engage so as to embed slightly into the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and process for simultaneous thermic hardening via rapid air cooling of a plurality of glass sheets vertically suspended from a conveyor. The apparatus is characterized by two diametrically opposed caissons, the opposed surfaces of which are each provided with a plurality of compressed air pipes and a means for evacuating the emitted compressed air.

Abstract: A process for making a convex sheet of glass having a substantial bent portion of small radius of curvature comprising vertically suspending a heated flat sheet of glass between two molds having matching center elements and matching jointed elements mounted on the center elements for movement about an axis, moving the molds together to confine the sheet and moving the jointed elements with respect to the center elements to bend a portion of the heated sheet.A device for making a convex sheet of glass having a bent portion of small radius of curvature including a female mold and a male mold adapted to engage a vertically suspended sheet of glass therebetween and where the molds have matching center elements and at least one set of two matching jointed elements connected to the center elements and including means for moving the joined elements of a set about an axis to bend a portion of the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending sheets of glass by means of a bending press comprising a convex bending mold provided with a bending surface and an opposed concave bending molding, the surfaces of the bending molds in contact with the window being heated to a temperature approximating the bending temperature of the sheet of glass, wherein the concave bending mold consists of a frame which is only in contact with the sheet of glass at its periphery and wherein heaters are mounted within the frame for heating the bending surface of the convex bending surface of the opposed convex mold.