Abstract: Glass sheets are shaped while heat-softened by engaging a surface thereof against an apertured surface of a deformable vacuum mold and deforming the vacuum mold while maintaining the heat-softened glass sheet in vacuum engagement thereagainst.

Abstract: Hydraulic fluid actuated pistons are operatively connected to shaping molds used to shape glass sheets by moving the molds between a glass-engaging position and a retracted position. The piston is movably mounted within a piston cylinder to form two chambers. Hydraulic fluid is applied under pressure alternately to one or the other chamber to actuate movement of the piston and the glass sheet shaping mold connected to the piston. When hydraulic fluid is applied under pressure, it tends to become heated to a temperature at which the hydraulic fluid carbonizes and/or foams. Either of these occurrences reduces the efficiency of the hydraulic fluid to actuate uniform piston motion.

Abstract: In fabricating a press bending mold having a flexible metal shaping member such as a plate or a frame, a reinforcing grate and adjustable attachment means extending through certain apertures in the reinforcing grate to adjust the shape of the metal shaping member, localized distortion of the shaping member that formerly occurred when the attachment means were bonded to the shaping member by welding or soldering is eliminated by using a thermosetting adhesive capable of application at room temperature, such as an epoxy resin adhesive, to bond the attachment means to the flexible metal shaping member. When the former and the latter have bonding surfaces composed of aluminum, an epoxy resin containing finely divided aluminum filling is preferred.

Abstract: This invention relates to shaping glass sheets and particularly to a mold capable of shaping glass sheets having many different outline shapes but bent to the same radius of curvature. Such molds have dimensions larger than those of a family of windows of a given radius of curvature but different outline shapes. Such molds comprise a solid block of refractory material comprising a plurality of smooth, curved, upwardly facing, elongated shaping members extending continuously across an entire dimension of said mold and separated by transversely extending grooves that extend completely across the entire dimension of the shaping mold and have sufficient width and depth to permit clearance for raising the mold above a horizontal path of glass sheet travel defined by glass conveying elements.

Abstract: In shaping a pair of glass sheets simultaneously to a complicated shape including a longitudinal component of bend and a complicated transverse component of bend such as one that is S-shaped in elevation or other complicated shapes, the pair is sag bent in unison on an outline mold to sag bend the sheets to a shape approximating their longitudinal component of bend, then the pair of sag bent sheets is lifted on a solid mold having a complicated shape including said complicated transverse component of bend to impress said transverse component of bend (into engagement with an upper pressing mold of complementary curvature, if needed) and supported on said solid mold for the minimum time sufficient to develop said complicated shape.

Abstract: When glass sheets are shaped by a bending method in which the glass is first shaped to a longitudinal component of bend by gravity sagging onto an outline mold followed by press bending against a solid lower shaping mold to complete the bend which includes a complicated transverse component of bend, a particular speed cycle is provided to lift and lower the lower shaping mold to minimize the duration of the shaping cycle and to minimize the chance of misaligning the glass relative to the outline mold during transfer of the glass from the outline mold to the lower shaping mold and its return to the outline mold. This speed cycle includes a rapid initial lifting speed and final lowering speed of the lower shaping mold while it is out of contact with the glass and a lower speed of lifting and lowering when the lower shaping mold contacts and supports the glass.

Abstract: This invention relates to securing a cover of flexible material such as fiber glass cloth tightly against a shaping surface of a solid mold used to shape glass sheets. The securing means is located within the outline of the solid mold to avoid having cover attachment means beyond the solid mold outline. This permits the use of a solid mold of maximum size compared to that of an outline mold when glass sheets are shaped by a process that requires the solid mold to pass through a position occupied by an outline mold.

Abstract: Shaping glass sheets by lifting a heat-softened glass sheet on a lower mold having an upwardly facing surface defining a given sharpness of bend and transferring said glass sheet by suction to an upper vacuum mold having a downwardly facing shaping surface defining a lesser sharpness of bend. Optionally, a ring-like member defining a sharpness of bend that may be equal to, less severe, or more severe than that defined by the upper vacuum mold moves between the molds when the latter are separated to impose a shape in the glass sheet that is correlated with the shape defined by the ring-like member. The ring-like member is used to support the glass sheet for rapid cooling if the glass sheet is to be tempered. Only the ring-like member need be changed when a change in production pattern is made.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping a glass sheet to a complicated shape including a pair of sharply bent areas extending across its transverse dimension and a substantially spherically sagged portion intermediate the areas of sharp bending.

Abstract: A gas jet pump (10) for producing a secondary flow of gas from a primary flow. The jet pump is disclosed as a tubular body (28) having a flow passage into which the primary flow is introduced through a plurality of jet openings (36, 38, 40) in the tubular body. Each jet opening has axial and circumferential components and is tangent with the surface defining the flow passage so as to produce a vortical flow in an axial direction within the body upon introduction of high pressure gas through the openings. The primary flow produces an amplified secondary flow through the tubular body. An annular manifold (22, 24, 26) is mounted on the tubular body to selectively feed the primary flow to the jet openings. The gas jet pump has application in sheet glass treating apparatus (50, 110), and has particular utility in apparatus used to bend sheet glass. A method of manufacturing a gas jet pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in handling glass sheets during shaping. Each glass sheet in turn is heated to its deformation temperature and conveyed into a glass shaping station. The glass is lifted into engagement with an upper vacuum shaping mold while hot and held against the vacuum shaping mold by vacuum as the glass lifting mechanism retracts downward. A transfer and tempering ring-like member having an outline supporting surface conforming to and slightly inside the periphery of the bent glass sheet is brought into a position below the upper vacuum shaping mold. The vacuum on the upper mold is released to deposit the shaped glass sheet on the ring-like member. In case the outline of the glass sheet is irregular, the shaped glass may become tilted as it falls toward the ring-like member and be deposited in a misaligned position relative to said ring-like member.

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: An accent line is produced in a glass sheet by pressing a rod-shaped member against the glass sheet as it is being press bent. The rod-shaped member may be heated electrically or by passage through a furnace along with the glass sheet.

Abstract: An accent line is produced in a glass sheet by pressing a tubular member against the glass sheet as it is being press bent. The tubular member is heated by passing hot fluid, e.g., air, therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method disclosed for use in bending heated sheets of glass (G) transported generally horizontally on a conveyor (16) within a furnace heating chamber incorporate a holder (20) located above the conveyor in a spaced relationship such that a heated sheet of glass can be transported under the holder. Gas such as air is blown upwardly from below the conveyor against the heated sheet of glass such that the sheet is moved upwardly into engagement with the holder. The upwardly blown gas is provided by an array of gas jet pumps (60) positioned below the conveyor. A mold ring (44) is then movable under the holder to receive the glass sheet for bending. Holder (20) is disclosed as including curved and planar surfaces and as including curved and planar rings. A vacuum may be drawn with the holder embodiments having the surfaces so as to assist the upwardly blown gas in lifting the sheet of glass off the conveyor.

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: An improved glass bending device is disclosed for bending and conveying glass sheets. The glass bending device includes a rod having a curved portion, a rotary tubular member engaged about the rod, and a plurality of rings disposed between the rod and the tubular member. In the improvement, the rotary tubular member has internal threading, a plurality of annular support means having external threading are disposed along spaced locations within the tubular member in mating relation with the internal threading thereof, and each of the rings are affixed within one of the annular support means.

Abstract: This invention relates to shaping glass sheets and particularly to a mold capable of shaping glass sheets having many different outline shapes but bent to the same radius of curvature. Such molds have dimensions larger than those of a family of windows of a given radius of curvature but different outline shapes. Such molds need not be removed or replaced until such time as production requirements call for bent windows having a different radius of curvature.A specific embodiment of this invention is provided with a series of transversely extending grooves that extend completely across the entire width of the shaping mold and have sufficient width and depth to permit clearance for raising the mold above a horizontal path of glass sheet travel defined by spaced conveyor rolls. The grooves have a maximum width of one inch (25.4 millimeters) and are separated by a minimum distance approximating the width of said grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming relatively sharp angled bends in a flat sheet of glass including a sectionalized gravity mold supported on a frame having electrically conducting means thereon including a plurality of bus bars mounted on one of the end members of the frame in spaced relation thereto for engagement by electrically conducting probes to deliver electric current to said electrically conducting means. A rigid, unitary, one-piece electrical insulator substantially coextensive with said frame end member is interposed between the bus bars and the frame end member to electrically insulate the latter from said bus bars.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in handling glass sheets during shaping and cooling. Each glass sheet in turn is heated to its deformation temperature and conveyed into a glass shaping station. The glass is lifted into engagement with an upper vacuum shaping mold while hot and held against the vacuum shaping mold by vacuum as the glass lifting mechanism retracts downward. A transfer and tempering ring-like member having stop means upstream of an outline supporting surface conforming to and slightly inside the periphery of the bent glass sheet is brought into a position where its stop means are slightly misaligned upstream of the trailing edge of the glass sheet. The vacuum on the upper mold is released to deposit the shaped glass sheet on the ring-like member.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for handling glass sheets during shaping and cooling, and in particular to a ring-like member having stop means spaced upstream of an outline supporting surface conforming to and slightly inside the periphery of a bent glass sheet supported thereon to define a position for engaging the trailing edge of the glass sheet while conveying the latter in a downstream direction from a shaping station to a cooling station. The ring-like member has a pair of downstream end portions that are transversely spaced from one another to provide a clearance space to permit the ring-like member to begin to return in an upstream direction to the shaping station before the shaped glass sheet is transferred to a position completely downstream of the ring-like member.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending one or more glass sheets to a sharp bend by a combination of overall heating and localized heating using an outline glass sheet bending mold comprising one or more electroconductive heating elements in the form of a ribbon. Means is provided to tension the ribbon so that it does not wrinkle when the ribbon expands thermally due to the application of electrical energy thereacross. The ribbon is tensioned by one or more electrodes. Means is provided to maintain the electrodes attached to the mold in case the ribbon breaks.

Abstract: A gravity sag bending mold of the outline type for bending glass sheets is provided with the following improvements: (1) A plurality of rod-like glass supporting members are affixed outwardly and slightly above the shaping surfaces of the bending mold to reduce glass slippage and mold marking. (2) The bending mold is comprised of a plurality of rigid shaping rail sections, each independently mounted so that the outline dimensions can be adjusted slightly. (3) The bending mold is tilted downwardly in the direction of travel a maximum of 5 degrees to reduce glass slippage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping glass sheets by gravity sagging using a pair of oblique slides to support an opposite pair of edges of a flat glass sheet, which is supported on said slides in shaping relation over an outline shaping mold and heated until it sags to conform to the upward facing shaping surface of the mold disposed between and below said slides. The gist of the present invention is to selectively apply cooling fluid against the glass sheet adjacent one of the opposite glass sheet side edges whenever the opposite side edge begins to slide and sag an observable amount more than the adjacent side edge. The selective application is discontinued when both of the glass sheet edges are in approximate horizontal alignment with one another. If necessary, this process is repeated throughout the gravity sagging operation, thereby ensuring that the glass sheet comes to rest on the peripheral shaping surface of the outline mold in proper alignment therewith.

Abstract: A press actuating hydraulic system for a glass bending apparatus including a pressure release valve assembly operable to assure press member retraction in the event of a pressure failure in the main pressure supply conduit controlling actuation of the press member.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and conveying glass sheets in a bending apparatus on a series of uniquely shaped conveyor rolls between narrow and/or irregularly shaped press members in a manner avoiding contact with the lower press member upon vertical displacement thereof. Each conveyor roll is formed of two sections rigidly interconnected to form a solid, unitary structure, each section having a load carrying, rotatable sleeve individually driven to convey the glass sheets thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping glass sheets by gravity sagging on essentially continuous-surfaced molds having gas vents. The molds are usable in a gas fired kiln wherein dirt and dust particles are likely to be lodged onto the upward facing shaping surface of the mold and impress marks on the heat-softened glass sheet as it is being shaped by gravity sagging. The gist of the present invention is to blow gas between the bottom surface of the glass and upward facing shaping surface of the continuous-surfaced mold as the glass sags toward the shaping surface so as to remove the dust and dirt particles as late as possible during the glass sheet shaping operation and still permit the applied gas to escape from between the shaping surface and the glass sheet bent into conformity therewith. The applied gas also hardens the lower glass surface.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for holding and forming a sheet of thermo-plastic material particularly optical or mirror grade glass to a precise dimension with contact only on one face thereof and capable of applying forming stress uniformly to the plastic body with a minimum of contact with the faces of the blank. The device which may be inserted into a tunnel oven or the like includes a female cavity conforming to the precise shape to which the thermo-plastic material is to be formed. The female cavity is positioned at an angle with respect to the vertical and includes an edge lip on the lower extremity against which a flat blank of material to be formed may rest over the cavity. A generally planar mold cover includes an edge hook which engages the opposite or upper edge of the blank. The entire assembly is inserted into an oven and the oven elevated to the softening temperature of the plastic blank.

Abstract: In an apparatus for press bending heat-softened glass sheets of the type which includes a shaping plate of adjustable curvature and means to adjust the curvature of the shaping plate, rigidity of the adjusted curvature is improved by providing edge reinforcing means for the adjustable shaping plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming relatively sharp angled bends in a flat sheet of glass including a sectionalized gravity mold structure having electrical conducting means terminating in improved contact assemblies engageable with electrically conducting frit lines or paths formed on a glass sheet. The contact assemblies are mounted on the mold structure for movement along with the glass sheet relative to the mold during bending and offer continuous positive clamping contact with the electro-frit circuitry at all times.

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.

Abstract: Glass sheets are bent along a line which is sharply creased at one end and gently curved at the opposite end. Localized heating along the line is provided by an electrically heated ribbon mounted above the glass so as to maintain a constant spacing between the glass and the ribbon at one end of the line, while the spacing at the other end of the line gradually increases as bending progresses.

Abstract: A relatively thin, smooth surfaced mold of low thermal expansion material which exhibits non-sticking qualities is disclosed for contouring glass articles, such as by sagging a preform to the contour of the mold. In addition, a method of forming such molds with a desired surface contour is disclosed.

Abstract: A form for shaping softened glass on a full-contact mold without spalling or mark-off. The invention includes a base having a plurality of threaded rods extending vertically therefrom; each rod having a trunnion threaded thereon for adjusting purposes. The trunnions make engagement with support members which maintain a mold sheet for forming the glass. The support members may have clamps on them at each end thereof for purposes of securing the mold sheet. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a lubricated plane is provided over the forming sheet; the lubricating plane preferably comprising a powder-impregnated fiber glass sheet.

Abstract: An outline ring-like tempering mold for supporting shaped glass sheets after they are shaped and during the time they are rapidly quenched, comprising a rigid outline metal rail having an outline slightly inward that of the shaped glass sheet and a bar of non-metallic material having a lower heat transfer coefficient than that of the rigid metal rail and mounted on the rigid metal rail in position to conform to the outline and with an upper edge portion of the bar disposed above the upper edge of the rigid metal rail in position to provide a glass sheet supporting surface in spaced relation above the upper edge of the rigid metal rail. The bar is preferably composed of a material having a heat transfer coefficient less than or, at most, approximating that of the glass sheet being treated, an edgewise compressive strength of at least 10,000 psi (4.8 .times. 10.sup.4 Kg/m.sup.2), a flexural strength of 10,000 psi (4.8 .times. 10.sup.4 Kg/m.sup.2) and a minimum shear strength of 10,000 psi (4.8 .times. 10.sup.