Abstract: There is disclosed a method for bending a sheet of glass heated to a bending temperature in a horizontal furnace through which it is conveyed by a plane conveyor delivering the glass sheet to a bending cell heated to substantially the same temperature as the bending temperature. A concave annular recessed portion moves the glass sheet vertically towards a solid convex projecting portion within the cell, so that the sheet is squeezed between the concave and convex portions. A device for carrying out the method and its use for producing glazing with a particularly complex shape are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a shaping sheet including a support frame and a shaping rail supported on the frame. The shaping rail has a sheet shaping surface that conforms in elevation and outline to a final desired shape of a marginal edge of a glass sheet to be shaped. An auxiliary rail having a sheet shaping surface which generally corresponds to a preliminary shape of a selected marginal edge portion of the sheet is positioned along a section of the shaping rail having a sheet shaping surface portion which generally corresponds to the final desired shape of the selected marginal edge portion of the sheet.

Abstract: A method for bending a sheet of glass heated to a bending temperature in a horizontal furnace through which it is conveyed by a plane conveyor delivering the glass sheet to a bending cell heated to substantially the same temperature as the bending temperature. A concave annular recessed portion provides gravity preshaping and then moves the glass sheet vertically towards a solid convex projecting portion within the cell, so that the sheet is squeezed between the concave and convex portions. A device for carrying out the method and its use for producing glazing with a particularly complex shape are are disclosed.

Abstract: A forming station (26) for roll forming a heated glass sheet include a forming conveyor (62) including forming rolls (66) that are moved upwardly between horizontal rolls (46) of a horizontal conveyor (44) on opposite sides of a centerline (C/L) of the horizontal conveyor to rollingly engage the heated glass sheet above a plane of conveyance of the horizontal conveyor at its centerline to roll form the glass sheet in cooperation with a forming press (80) having rotatable forming members (82) that rollingly engage the heated glass sheet from above. A second set of forming rolls (68) cooperates with the first set of forming rolls (66) to provide the roll forming. First and second sets of roll cradles (76,90) are mounted by pivotal supports (128,142) on associated first and second carriages (154,156) and moved by first and second actuators (78,92). Lateral movement of the carriages (154,156) provides versatility in the glass sheet shapes that can be formed.

Abstract: The invention provides an articulated bending mold for shaping heat softened substrates, e.g., glass sheets, into curved shapes. The bending mold has a central portion with at least one, and preferably two, pivoting end sections. A biasing assembly is mounted on the side of the mold between the end section pivot points, preferably outboard of the end section pivot points and in proximity to an outer side of the end section. The biasing assembly includes a weight arm with a linkage assembly mounted on one end of the weight arm and connected to the end section, preferably at or near an outer corner of the end section.

Abstract: A heat transfer method in a glass bending furnace, which has a top array of of successive heating sections (2) and under it a bottom array of successive cooling sections (3), and in which method glass sheets are conveyed on bending molds in mold carrying wagons on the top conveyor track from one heating section (2) to the next and on the bottom conveyor track from one section (3) to the next and the air heated by the bent hot glasses is sucked from cooling section (3) and blasted to the non-bent colder glasses in the heating sections (2). In order to intensify heat transfer, air sucked from the cooling section (3) is blasted as such, against the travel direction of the mold carrying wagons through the heating sections (2) to non-bent colder glass sheets in one of the heating sections (2) preceding the heating section (2) directly above the cooling section (3) from which the heated air is drawn as viewed in a direction of travel of the mold carrying wagons through the heating sections (2).

Abstract: A device used for the bending of plate glass sections (3) includes an oven (1), a bending chamber (6), an upper bending mold installed in the bending chamber (6) in such a manner as to be able to be raised and lowered, a duct producing a flow of hot gas in order to raise the plate glass sections (3) against the upper bending mold, a lower bending mold in the form of a frame that works together with the upper bending mold to ensure bending by compression of the plate glass that is held by the flow of hot gas against the upper bending mold, as well as a movable transport frame (20) which is used to pick up the bent plate glass from the upper bending mold and to transport it to a cooling station located downstream.

Abstract: When heating and bending glass sheets in a furnace, it has been found to be desirable to raise the glass sheets towards the furnace heat sources to increase obtainable temperature differentials and reduce heating power. An apparatus for bending the glass sheets includes an elongate furnace divided along its length into a plurality of heating zones, each heating zone having an upper part. A plurality of heat sources are arranged in the upper part of such heating zone and a plurality of carriages are arranged in succession along the length of the furnace below the furnace heat sources. A drive device propels the carriages through the zones of the furnace in intermittent steps, and a mould lift raises the bending mould towards the furnace heat sources. The bent glass sheet may be used in the manufacture of a vehicle glazing.

Abstract: A glass plate is cooled and strengthened by placing the glass plate on a cooling ring in a substantially horizontal state and jetting out cooling air at upper and lower sides of the glass plate by upper and lower cooling air jetting-out devices arranged at the upper and lower sides of glass plate. The pressure of cooling air jetting out from the lower side of the glass plate is higher than that from the upper side to thereby raise the glass plate against a contact ring located below the upper jetting out device.

Abstract: An apparatus for press bending glass sheets carried on a mold, the apparatus including a die having a lower surface shape to mold a glass sheet positioned thereunder to a desired curved shape, a first counterbalance assembly connected to the die for providing the die with a selected net weight, a frame mounted above the die, a plurality of flexible members connecting the die to the frame for suspending the die below the frame whereby the die is capable of unconstrained lateral and tilting movement relative to the frame and die moving device connected to the frame for vertically moving the die.

Abstract: When heating and bending glass sheets in a furnace, it is desirable to raise the sheets towards the furnace heat sources to increase obtainable temperature differentials and reduce heating power.

Abstract: A system (20) and method for forming a glass sheet includes a locating assembly (28) for locating at least one glass sheet below a downwardly facing surface (58) of a topside support device (26) that receives the heated glass sheet from a conveyor (24,24') in preparation for transfer thereof to an associated mold (33) on a mold shuttle (30). The locating assembly (28) includes a support (82) that is mounted outside of the system housing (22) at factory ambient temperature and has a horizontal arm (84) extending therefrom through the housing into its heated chamber (37) with first and second locators (92) and (94) for locating the suspended glass sheet as well as having a third locator that cooperates with the first and second locators to provide the glass sheet location. At least one of the first and second locators (92) and (94) is rotatively driven.

Abstract: A method and device for the bending, on a frame, at least one glass sheet by gravity includes two bending steps. The glass sheets are first supported at their periphery along a first peripheral line by a rough bending device during the first step and along a second peripheral line by a definitive bending device during the second step. Transfer of the glass sheets from the first peripheral line to the second peripheral line is performed by positively and continuously regulating a position of at least one of the rough and definitive bending devices in reaction to forces generated on the at least one of the rough and definitive bending devices by contact with the glass sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a glass sheet in a gravity bending step and in a subsequent press bending step includes a gravity bending mould having a fixed mould portion and an articulated wing portion adjacent to the fixed mould portion, a base on which the fixed mould portion is mounted and a hinged locking arm mounted between the wing portion and the base. The locking arm is movable from an unlocked position in which the wing portion is capable of moving vertically relative to the base to a locked position in which the wing portion is fixed in position relative to the base. A method of bending a glass sheet involves placing a glass sheet on a gravity bending mould having an articulated wing portion and a fixed mould portion, and conveying the mould carrying the glass sheet through a furnace in which the glass is heated to the glass softening point and is bent by gravity until the periphery of the glass sheet is in contact with and conforms to the shape of the upper surface of the gravity bending mould.

Abstract: An apparatus for press bending glass sheets, the apparatus comprising an upper die, a suspension system for the upper die for suspending and vertically moving the upper die, a lower gravity bending mould and a plurality of spacer devices for spacing the upper die and the lower mould a selected distance from each other when the upper die presses a glass sheet on the lower mould, the suspension system being adapted and the spacer devices being configured to permit lateral movement of the die relative to the mould. There is also provided a method of press bending glass sheets.

Abstract: The glass sheet is heated to a heat-softened condition in a furnace, and conveyed to a prescribed position above an upper shaping surface of a ring mold. The sheet is then transferred onto the ring mold by lowering part of the conveyor means, and bent by a process involving raising both the ring mold and the conveyor means. This combination minimizes the introduction of optical distortion into the sheet. A preferred bending process is to press bend the sheet between the ring mold and an opposed upper bending mold.

Abstract: A method of making a quartz dome for a reactor chamber from a substantially flat quartz disk. The quartz disk is placed on a graphite ring which is rotated. The quartz disk is heated until the disk is softened slightly and it begins to slump. The softened portion of the disk is drawn by a change in pressure to contact a fixed wiper blade. The wiper blade controls the size and shape of the deformation of the quartz disk to form the dome surface.

Abstract: The installation for curving and tempering a glass sheet (1) comprises a first series (3) of shaping members (20) exhibiting a surface (3a) intended to come into contact with one of the faces of the glass sheet (1) and a second series (4) of members including a central surface portion (5) to which at least one movable part (6, 7) is attached. First adjustment devices (10, 11, 12) enable the profile of the surface (3a) of the first series (3) of members (20) to be modified, jacks (8) control the movement of the movable part (6, 7) of the second series (4) of members in a curve parallel to the profile of the surface (3a) of the first series (3) of members (20), and second adjustment devices are suitable for modifying the profile of the central surface portion (5) of the second series of members (4).

Abstract: A method is provided in which a glass sheet is bent on a mould having a movable end, comprising the steps of: heating the glass sheet to its bending temperature; subjecting the glass sheet to an initial gravity bending step; providing support to a portion of the glass sheet located on the movable end of the mould; while providing said support, lowering said movable end away from the glass sheet; subjecting the glass sheet to a press bending step; cooling the bent glass sheet. Support may be provided by a reduced pressure within an upper mould, a mechanical arm, or gas directed in a generally upwards direction. The invention may be used for bending glass for architectural or automotive purposes, e.g. for bending a pair of glass sheets, one on top of the other, for use in the manufacture of a laminated windscreen, to achieve deep and/or complex bent shapes.

Abstract: A support device for glass sheets in a vertical or substantially vertical position serve for holding them during various treatments associated with the operations of curving and/or toughening. The support device is constituted of one or more cross-members (2,3) on which the lower edge face of the glass sheet (1) rests, each cross-member being suspended from a lifting beam (12) by one or more pairs of stays (4) running down the two opposite faces of the glass sheets.

Abstract: A process and a device for the bending on a frame of at least one glass sheet by gravity, the bending being performed in at least two stages during which the glass sheet or sheets undergo a deformation by gravity. In a first stage, the glass sheet or sheets are bent according to a first shape corresponding to a blank or precursor of the final shape. In a second stage, the glass sheet or sheets are bent according to the final shape. The device includes a frame 1 of which at least one part has two elements, one element forming a blank frame (2, 3, 4, 5) and another element forming a final frame (2, 3, 12, 13).

Abstract: A mold for forming a curved window glass with deeply bent end portions includes a stationary main frame for forming a gently curved main portion of the window glass and a pair of swingable side frames for forming the deeply bent end portions. A weight plate is installed on each side frame so as to be movable toward and away from same. A plurality of pushing members are installed on the weight plate and alignable with corresponding ones of supporting members for supporting the glass plate on the side frame. The pushing members are constructed and arranged so as to contact with only an edge of a lateral end of the glass plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing two-dimensionally bent and optionally tempered glass plates includes a roller oven (1), a pressing and bending station (2) and a cooling station (3). A lower male mold-like, full surface bending mold (10) with two-dimensionally shaped bending surface is arranged in the pressing and bending station (2). The top surface of the bending surface of the bending mold (10) is located in the conveying plane defined by the conveying rollers (5). The wall of the bending mold (10) forming the bending surface is provided with bores (14), which can be supplied with hot gas for forming a hot gas cushion. After positioning the glass plate (4) on the hot gas cushion, the female mold-like frame bending mold (11) is lowered onto the glass plate (4). The bent glass plate slides on the hot gas cushion into the cooling station (3).

Abstract: A batch method and apparatus for bending glass sheets includes an oven where the glass sheet is oscillated back and forth on mini-rollers until it reaches a hot, softened condition, at which point the vertical position of the rollers is changed so that the top surface of the rollers have the contour of a desired bent glass sheet. The hot glass sheet conforms to the contour of the rollers and is quickly transferred to a quench section for quenching. The quench section includes rollers and quench tubes which have the same contour as the bent glass sheet.A continuous method and apparatus for bending glass sheets includes an oven having a heating section where a glass sheet is heated to a hot, softened condition while being conveyed on full faced rollers, and a bending section having minirollers which support the flat glass sheet and then change in vertical position to the contour of the desired bend for bending the hot, softened glass sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending and tempering glass plates has a horizontal roller furnace (3) and a press bending station with two water-cooled bending molds (6,7) through whose contact the glass plates are tempered immediately following bending. At the outlet from the roller furnace (3), the glass plates (1) are taken over by a continuous flexible conveyor belt (10) and are conveyed by the latter into the bending station. During the press process the glass plate remains on the conveyor belt, which is interposed between the glass plate (1) and the lower bending mold (7). The conveyor belt (10) is made from a woven or knitted fabric of heat-resistant metal fibers and, in a direction at right angles to its surface, has a heat resistivity of 0.25.times.10.sup.-3 to 5.times.10.sup.-3 m.sup.2 .times.K.times.W.sup.-1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending and tempering a glass sheet. A heated glass sheet is carried from a furnace onto a conveyor in a bending and tempering section, said conveyor comprising a plurality of individual conveyors in the form of an endless belt or caterpillar track. The conveyor serves as a bending mould, a transfer conveyor and a tempering support. A glass sheet is bent by pivoting the body structures (6) of individual conveyors relative to each other in a manner that the lower runs of individual conveyors pull away from each other in lateral direction while, at the same time, the upper conveyor runs are bending to an arched shape. The chilling blast for bent glass is effected through openings (17, 18) in the halted conveyor.

Abstract: The installation for curving or bending to convex form and tempering a sheet of glass (1) comprises means for heating the sheet and means for bringing this latter between elements (3, 4, 6, 7) for shaping said sheet.One of the series (3) of elements has a surface (3a) which is intended to come into contact with one of the faces of the glass sheet (1). The other series of elements (4, 6, 7) has a stationary portion (5) to which is attached at least one movable portion (6 or 7) which is capable of pivotal displacement through an angle corresponding to the curvature to be given to the glass sheet.

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: A process and apparatus for shaping a glass sheet according to which the sheet is lifted above the conveying plane by a device for supporting a glass sheet consisting of a box open at the bottom whose opening at the bottom corresponds to the shape of the glass sheet to be grasped and which is slightly smaller than the glass sheet so that, on the edges of the glass sheet, a narrow annular contact surface is formed and so that the partial vacuum prevailing in the box is limited to such a value that the weight of the glass sheet is essentially compensated for, then is applied against a bending form by a current of hot gas directed upward. The process is used in the production of shaped glazings.

Abstract: A process for bending a glass sheet, in particular one for motor vehicles, with curved areas having small radii of curvature. The bending device used is a bending press having a male type mold and a female type mold. The female type mold consists of at least two mold parts hinged together. After part of the glass sheet heated to bending temperature has been received by the bending press, at least one swivelling mold part of the female type mold is swivelled around the swivel axis, against the male type mold. An adjustable electric motor serves as the drive motor to move the swivelling mold parts. The angular velocity of the swivel action of the swivelling mold parts during the bending process is adjusted as a function of the temperature of the glass sheet and the desired degree of deformation.

Abstract: Two glass plates on a bending mold are heated in a heating/bending furnace so that they are subjected to provisional deep-bending operations by their own deadweight, and the provisionally shaped deep-bent portion is pressed by an auxiliary pressing member to thereby form a laminated glass for, for instance, an automobile.

Abstract: A heat softened glass sheet is conveyed directly from a heating furnace onto an advancing conveyor belt which is supported on a scissor table. The glass sheet is advanced on the belt to a position below an upper press face. The scissor table increases the sag of the belt and the corresponding curved configuration of the supported glass sheet as it lifts the glass sheet into pressing engagement with the upper press face. During pressing, the glass sheet and belt generally conform to the shaping surface of the press face.

Abstract: The critical peripheral sections of glass sheets are bent to a deep or sharp curvature through the use of a plurality of press forming means integrally provided on the mold ring of a gravity bending and tempering horizontal lehr, said press forming means each comprising a machined press forming die articulated to a retractible arm, said press forming die having a shape complementary to the specific shape desired at the sheet glass section to be press formed, said retractible arm being actuated between a retracted and an operative or press forming position by driving means capable of providing thereto a controlled motion, speed and pressure to carry out the press forming operation an instant after the glass sheet has been deposited on the mold ring ant to be retracted an instant before the glass sheet enters the tempering section.

Abstract: A glass bending and tempering apparatus (10) is disclosed as including a first platen (14) for receiving a heated glass sheet (12) to be bent. The first platen (14) is deformable and includes an actuator (16) for deforming platen (14) from a planar shape to a bent shape. A second platen (22) is mounted above lower platen (14) for bending and quenching glass sheet (12) therebetween the platens. A template (24) is located on the other side of the second platen (22) away from glass sheet (12). Second platen (22) is pressed against template (24) as first platen (14) is deformed from the planar shape to the bent shape to bend the heated glass sheet thereagainst second platen (22), the second platen (22) conforming to template (24). Quenching gas is supplied by both platens (14,22) through quench openings (18) that move with the platens (14,22) to temper the bent glass sheet between the platens.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending apparatus which includes a transferring mechanism for transferring to the heating furnace a glass sheet heated to a temperature capable of processing while keeping a horizontal posture, a mold having a curved surface with which the glass sheet is to be bend-shaped, the mold being arranged at a position corresponding to the processing stage, a provisional shaping mechanism for provisionally shaping the glass sheet by closely contacting it on a generally curved surface in the mold excluding a deep-bending surface which corresponds to a deep-bent portion in the glass sheet, and a blow-bending device for blowing compressed air to the deep-bending surface of the mold to bend part of the glass sheet so as to correspond to the deep-bending surface.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forming a glass sheet with differential gas pressure over opposite surfaces thereof. The glass sheet is formed by the action of differential gas pressure over a forming area located on a curved exterior surface of a rotatable glass former. The forming area moves on an arcuate path about an axis of rotation of the glass former. The glass sheet forming operation is carried out in an incremental manner by rotational contact of the forming area of the glass former and the glass sheet being formed. Full dimensional control can be achieved, whereby glass sheets may be produced which are substantially identical copies of one another.

Abstract: A glass bending and tempering apparatus (20) is disclosed as including a pair of opposed bending platens (24) for receiving a heated glass sheet (22) to be bent therebetween. At least one of the bending platens (24) is deformable and includes an actuator (32) for deforming the platens from a planar shape to a bent shape to bend the heated glass sheet. Said one platen (24) includes quench openings (42) that move with said platen during the deformation of the platen and subsequently supply quenching gas to temper the bent glass sheet (22).

Abstract: Process for bending and tempering glass sheets wherein the sheet (16) is heated up to its plastic state, and it bends by effect of gravity resting on a skelet-type mold (14), and next it is tempered by sudden cooling, in which process during the bending stage the glass sheet (16) is tilted with respect to the vertical direction by an angle of less than 90.degree.. Apparatus for carrying out said process, comprising a heating chamber (1) and a cooling chamber arranged in a sequence and assembled on a rotatable cylindrical frame whose axis is horizontal, said chambers being tiltable through rotation of the frame.

Abstract: An adjustable shaping mold is provided with an externally positioned adjusting arrangement. All adjustments to the curved configuration of the shaping surface of the mold are done without having to adjust any portion of the adjusting mechanism that is positioned between the flexible shaping member and rigid mounting plate of the mold.

Abstract: A partial press for shaping heat softened glass sheets as they are supported on a bending mold and conveyed through a lehr includes a press member that contacts selected portions of the glass sheet. The press member moves with the glass sheet so that there is no relative horizontal movement between the press member and the glass sheet as the glass sheet is conveyed through the lehr.

Abstract: A method for bending glass plates comprises a step of softening by heating at least two glass plates placed in an overlapping state on a bending ring mold to shape them in a curved form by their own deadweight in a processing zone of a heating oven, a step of pressing the at least two overlapped glass plates from the top, which are bent or being bent in a predetermined form by their deadweight on the bending ring mold, by a pressing mold in a pressing zone in the heating oven or in the pressing zone under heating condition which is connected to the heating oven, and a step of gradually cooling the at least two glass plates in a cooling zone outside the heating oven.

Abstract: Glass sheets are positioned on the shaping rail of an outline shaping mold for movement through a heating lehr and subsequent preliminary sag bending. The mold with the glass sheet supported thereon is then positioned between a pair of vertically aligned full surface pressing molds. The mold includes selected press surface areas that extend outside the perimeter of the outline mold. As the lower mold raises to lift the glass sheet off the outline mold, selected portions of the shaping rail move outwardly to allow the lower mold to pass through the outline mold. The glass sheet is then pressed between the upper and lower pressing molds.

Abstract: A horizontal press bending arrangement wherein heat softened glass sheets are shaped between a lower mold with a sheet shaping surface having a generally convex upward elevational configuration and an upper vacuum mold. After shaping the shaped glass sheet is deposited on an adjustable tempering ring. The ring adjusts in size from a first configuration corresponding to the contours of the shaped sheet immediately after shaping, to a second configuration corresponding to the contours of the shaped sheet after it has been cooled.

Abstract: An extended surface pressing mold for a horizontal press bending arrangement. The lower mold provides a glass sheet engaging surface having a first portion which complements and generally parallels a first portion of an upper sheet engaging surface of an aligned upper mold, a wing portion which extends from the first portion of lower mold and is nonparallel to a corresponding second aligned portion of the sheet engaging surface of the upper mold, and a ring portion positioned outwardly from the wing portion and generally complementing a third aligned portion of the upper sheet engaging surface of the upper mold near a portion of the perimeter of the glass sheet. The ring portion moves from the first position wherein the ring portion is in a non-engaging position relative to the heat softened glass sheet to a second position wherein the ring portion contacts and engages a perimeter portion of the heat softened glass sheet to press the perimeter portion against the third portion of the upper mold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bending a glass pane in which undesirable elongations, localized deformations and residual stresses are eliminated by the advantageous use of such practices as preventing relative sliding movement between the glass pane and the bending apparatus and controlling the path followed by movable elements of the bending apparatus that accomplish the bending. The movable elements are mounted for motion about articulated axes, and the articulated axes themselves undergo constant dislocation during the bending.

Abstract: An optical glass forming apparatus for molding an optical element such as a lens by pressurizing optical glass, wherein a mold for molding one functional surface (optically functional surface) of the optical element is designed to be urged against the upper edge portion of a mold for forming the other functional surface of the optical element.

Abstract: A glass sheet press bending system (20) disclosed has a bending station (30a,30b,30c,30d) for providing press bending between upper and lower molds (32,42) without intrusion into or through a conveyor (26) on which glass sheets are heated prior to the bending. The upper mold (32) is positioned above the conveyor (26), while the lower mold (42) is movable horizontally at an elevation above the conveyor from a first position adjacent the upper mold to a second position below the upper mold whereupon vertical movement therebetween performs the press bending between the molds. A transfer mold (48) receives the bent glass sheet from the upper mold (32) for cooling.

Abstract: An interruption closure apparatus for closing an interruption in a glass bending shaping rail includes a rail segment attached to one side of a plate and a universal joint attached to an opposite side of the plate. The universal joint is also attached to one end of an arm which in turn is rotatably connected to a shaft for rotating the rail segment into and out of an interruption in the shaping rail. A stop member attached to the arm limits movement of the plate to prevent rotational misalignment with the interruption in the shaping rail. A plurality of screws are threaded through apertures in the plate into contact with an under surface of adjacent portions of the shaping rail when the rail segment is in the interruption. Rotation of the screws permits the positioning of an upper surface of the rail segment with respect to an upper surface of the adjacent portions of the shaping rail to provide an uninterrupted smooth edge portion in a glass sheet being formed on the rail.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending apparatus has a lower mold and conveyor rolls for conveying a heated glass sheet horizontally to a position over the lower mold, the lower mold having slots for receiving the conveyor rolls when the lower mold is lifted. The glass sheet bending apparatus has a main ring mold disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the lower mold which has a first shaping surface for shaping the central area of the glass sheet, the main ring mold having a second shaping surface for shaping the peripheral edge of the glass sheet. The glass sheet bending apparatus also has an auxiliary ring mold disposed between the main ring mold and the lower mold and having a substantially horizontal, flat support surface for supporting the glass sheet between the central area and peripheral edge of the glass sheet. The auxiliary ring mold is lifted prior to the upward movement of the lower mold and the main ring mold for raising the glass support off the conveyor rolls with its support surface.

Abstract: A lift assembly for a glass press bending apparatus of the type having upper and lower press bending members and including a reciprocally movable frame, a plurality of rotatable screwjacks operatively connected to the frame for moving the frame and a fluid actuator mounted on the movable frame by a trunnion mechanism and operatively connected to one of the press members by a self-aligning trunnion. A gear-drive mechanism operatively connected to the screwjacks rotate the screwjacks in unison.