US3607200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for conveying glass sheets through adjacent bending and tempering stations
Assignee: Permaglass Inc
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Filing: 1967-12-18
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Granted: 1971-09-21
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Expires: 1987-12-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for curving a sheet of glass including a furnace having an elongated gas support bed for supporting sheets of glass thereover, conveying means for moving a sheet from the first end to the second end of the bed, a bending station disposed adjacent the second end of the bed and including a sheet supporting surface for supporting a sheet of glass on gases thereover, a shuttle means for moving a sheet of glass from the second end of the bed to the gas supporting surface in the bending station, a blasthead adjacent the bending station for impinging fluid against opposite sides of the sheet for cooling thereof, oscillating means in the blasthead for oscillating a sheet therein, and unitary frame means for lifting a sheet from the gas supporting surface in the bending station for bending the sheet and for thereafter moving the sheet into the blasthead while at the same time removing a sheet from the oscillating means in the blasthead to remove the sheet from the blasthead. The independently novel features of the conveying assembly are the shuttle means and its specific structure for moving a sheet of glass from the furnace to the bending station, the single unitary frame means for supporting a sheet in the bending station and moving it into the blasthead while simultaneously removing a sheet from the blasthead, the unique support of the forming surface means in the bending station against which a sheet is pressed for curving thereof, and an oscillating means in the blasthead for removing a sheet from the frame means and oscillating the sheet in the blasthead while it is being cooled.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold A Mcmaster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:50
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B27/00; C03B27/04; C03B27/044; C03B27/0442; C03B23/00; C03B23/02; C03B23/023; C03B23/03; C03B29/00; C03B29/04; C03B29/06; C03B29/08; C03B29/12; C03B35/00; C03B35/14; C03B35/20; C03B35/202; C03B35/22; C03B35/24; C03B2225/00; C03B2225/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first frame means includes an endless loop.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bending station includes a gas support surface for supporting a sheet on gas and first recess means for allowing said first frame means to be moved to a recessed position below said surface, and wherein said blasthead includes a lower module for supplying gas to a sheet and second recess means in said lower module for receiving at least a portion of said second frame means for allowing said second frame means to be moved to a recessed position in said lower module when said first frame means is in its recessed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second frame means includes a pair of spaced beams disposed along opposite sides of said lower module and at least one arm attached to each beam and extending toward the opposite beam, and finger means extending upwardly from the distal end of each arm for engaging a sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including operating means for moving said first and second frame means upwardly from the respective recessed positions for engaging respective sheets and for moving said first and second frame means laterally to move said first frame means from said bending station and into said blasthead and to move second frame means out of said blasthead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said operating means includes vertical guide means attached to said blasthead for vertical movement relative thereto, horizontal guide means attached to said vertical guide means for horizontal movement relative thereto, connecting means attaching said first and second frame means to said horizontal guide means for movement therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said operating means includes a vertical drive means operatively connected to said vertical guide means for moving said first and second frame means vertically and horizontal drive means operatively connected to said horizontal guide means for moving said first and second frame means horizontally.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including means interconnecting said horizontal drive means and said horizontal guide means for allowing said horizontal guide means to be oscillated independently of said horizontal drive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said vertical guide means includes a pair of vertical elongated support beams attached to each side of said blasthead, a vertically movable beam operatively connected to each of said vertical support beams through a plurality of rollers so that said vertically movable beams may move vertically relative to said vertical support beams upon actuation of said vertical drive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said horizontal guide means includes a horizontal elongated support beam attached to each pair of said vertically movable beams on each side of said blasthead and a horizontally movable beam operatively connected to each of said horizontal support beams through a plurality of rollers so that said horizontally movable beams may move horizontally relative to said horizontal support beams upon actuation of said horizontal drive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said connecting means attaches said first and second frame means to said horizontally movable beams.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said horizontal drive means includes a rack operatively connected to each of said horizontally movable beams, a drive gear engaging each of said racks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said racks is connected to its associated horizontAlly movable beam through a lost motion connection for allowing said horizontally movable beams to move between first and second positions relative to said racks, and biasing means reacting between said horizontally movable beams and said racks for urging them to said first position so that said horizontally movable beams move horizontally with said racks upon rotation of said drive gears and may move horizontally relative to said racks independently of rotation of said drive gears.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said horizontal drive means includes first and second shafts respectively supporting and rotating said drive gears, a first sprocket connected to said first shaft, a third shaft rotatably supported adjacent said second shaft, a pair of intermediate gears respectively connected to said second and third shafts and in driving engagement with one another, a second sprocket connected to said third shaft, an endless loop chain means disposed in driving engagement with said sprockets, a crank, an arm attached to said chain means at one end and attached to said crank at the other end, and means for selectively rotating said crank whereby said horizontally movable beams are moved horizontally to move said first and second frames horizontally.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
150 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said vertical drive means includes a horizontally extending shaft rotatably supported on each side of said blasthead, an input sprocket secured to each of said shafts, a second endless loop chain means disposed about said input sprockets, a second crank, a second arm connected at one end to said second chain means and at the other end to said crank, at least one lift sprocket secured to each of said shafts, a coacting lift sprocket associated with one of said lift sprockets and rotatably supported on said blasthead in vertically spaced relationship to the associated lift sprocket, a chain entrained about each lift sprocket and its associated coacting lift sprocket, means interconnecting said vertically movable beams and said chains, and means for rotating said second crank for vertically moving said vertically movable beams to vertically move said first and second frames.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
154 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein each of said racks is connected to its associated horizontally movable beam through a lost motion connection for allowing said horizontally movable beams to move between first and second positions relative to said racks, biasing means reacting between said horizontally movable beams and said racks for urging them to said first position so that said horizontally movable beams move with said racks upon rotation of said drive gears, and means operatively coacting with said horizontally movable beams for oscillating the latter by moving said horizontally movable beams relative to said racks and against such biasing action of said biasing means whereby a sheet may be lifted vertically from said gas support surface and then moved horizontally into said blasthead and thereafter oscillated in said blasthead while supported on said first frame means while a sheet is moved from said blasthead by said second frame means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 including a conveyor adjacent said blasthead for removing a sheet from said second frame means when the latter is moved out of said blasthead.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said conveyor has a first end thereof disposed adjacent said blasthead and a second end thereof remotely spaced from said blasthead, said conveyor being pivotally supported at said second end thereof for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, and means operatively connected to said first end thereof for raising said first end to remove a sheet from said second frame means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 including a forming surface means spaced above said support surface at said bending station for bending a sheet as the sheet is pressed thereagainst by said first frame means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus aS set forth in claim 19 including lift means for raising said forming surface means after a sheet has been pressed thereagainst to allow said first frame means to move generally horizontally away and into said blasthead.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 20 including a support structure, at least one support beam connected to said forming surface means adjacent one end thereof and extending generally horizontally to a second end, said second end being operatively connected to said support structure for pivotal movement relative thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said lift means is operatively connected to and extends generally upwardly from said forming surface means and is operatively connected to said support structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 including oscillating means on said blasthead for removing a sheet from said first frame means and oscillating the sheet in said blasthead.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 23 including drive means coacting with said oscillating means and said operating means for oscillating said first frame means and said oscillating means in unison as said oscillating means removes a sheet from said first frame means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein said blasthead includes an upper module vertically spaced from said lower module so that fluid may be impinged against opposite sides of a sheet disposed therebetween, said sheet engaging means including a pair of arms extending toward one another and into the space between said modules, and means supported on said arms for engaging the edge of a sheet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 25 including a pair of said arms adjacent each side of said blasthead.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 26 including a sway bar extending along said blasthead adjacent each side thereof, spaced first and second depending members extending downwardly from each sway bar, said arms being respectively connected to extend in a cantilevered manner from the lower ends of said depending members.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 27 including a pair of spaced pendulum links associated with each sway bar, said pendulum links being operatively connected to said blasthead adjacent the upper ends thereof for swinging movement relative thereto, said pendulum links being pivotally connected to one of said sway bars adjacent the lower ends thereof so that said sway bars are free to oscillate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 28 including a pair of spaced lift shafts rotatably supported by and extending between the sides of said blasthead, a lift arm connected to and extending from each lift shaft adjacent each end thereof, the distal end of each lift arm being pivotally connected to one of said pendulum links so that said pendulum links and said sway bars move vertically upon rotation of said lift shafts.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 27 wherein said oscillating means includes a cam follower member extending upwardly from each of said sway bars, an eccentric cam engaging each cam follower member so that said sway bars are oscillated upon rotation of said eccentric cams.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 30 including a drive shaft rotatably supported by said blasthead and extending thereacross, said eccentric cams being connected to said drive shaft so as to be rotated thereby, said eccentric cams being in phase to oscillate said sway bars in unison upon rotation of said drive shaft.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as set foth in claim 31 including motor means operatively connected to said drive shaft for rotating said drive shaft whereby said sway bars are oscillated.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 32 including a pair of spaced pendulum links associated with each sway bar, said pendulum links being operatively connected to said blasthead adjacent the upper ends thereof for swinging movement relative thereto, said pendulum links being pivotally connected to one of said sway bars adjacent the lower ends thereof so that said sway bars are free to oscillate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 33 including a pair of spaced lift shafts rotatably supported by and extending between the sides of said blasthead, a lift arm connected to and extending from each lift shaft adjacent each end thereof, the distal end of each lift arm being pivotally connected to one of said pendulum links so that said pendulum links and said sway bars move vertically upon rotation of said lift shafts.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 34 including at least one drive arm connected to and extending from each lift shaft, a link pivotally connected to one end thereof to a drive arm connected to one lift shaft and pivotally connected at the other end thereof to a drive arm connected to the other lift shaft, and means for rotating one of said lift shafts.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 35 wherein said means for rotating one of said lift shafts comprises a lever connected to one of said lift shafts and a cylinder piston disposed adjacent thereto with the piston being operatively connected to said lever so that said lift shafts are rotated upon movement of said piston.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 36 including at least one offset cam member connected to said drive shaft for operatively engaging said first frame means when said first frame means is in said blasthead, said cam member being in phase with said eccentric cams for oscillating said first frame means in unison with said sway bars to allow a sheet to be transferred from said first frame means to said sheet engaging means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein said operating means includes vertical guide means attached to said blasthead for vertical movement relative thereto, horizontal guide means attached to said vertical guide means for horizontal movement relative thereto, connecting means attaching said first and second frame means to said horizontal guide means for movement therewith.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 38 wherein said operating means includes a vertical drive means operatively connected to said vertical guide means for moving said first and second frame means vertically and horizontal drive means operatively connected to said horizontal guide means for moving said first and second frame means horizontally.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 39 including a conveyor adjacent said blasthead for removing a sheet from said second frame means when the latter is moved out of said blasthead.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 40 wherein said conveyor has a first end thereof disposed adjacent said blasthead and a second end thereof remotely spaced from said blasthead, said conveyor being pivotally supported at said second end thereof for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, and means operatively connected to said first end thereof for raising said first end to remove a sheet from said second frame means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 41 including a forming surface means spaced above said support surface at said bending station for bending a sheet as the sheet is pressed thereagainst by said first frame means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 42 including lift means for raising said forming surface means after a sheet has been pressed thereagainst to allow said first frame means to move generally horizontally away and into said blasthead.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 43 including a support structure, at least one support beam connected to said forming surface means adjacent one end thereof and extending generally horizontally to a second end, said second end being operatively connected to said support structure for pivotal movement relative thereto.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 44 wherein said lift means is operatively connected to and extends generally upwardly from said forming surface means and is operatively connected to said support structure.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 41 wherein said vertical guide Means includes a pair of vertical elongated support beams attached to each side of said blasthead, a vertically movable beam operatively connected to each of said vertical support beams through a plurality of rollers so that said vertically movable beams may move vertically relative to said vertical support beams upon actuation of said vertical drive means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
144 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 46 wherein said horizontal guide means includes a horizontal elongated support beam attached to each pair of said vertically movable beams on each side of said blasthead and a horizontally movable beam operatively connected to each of said horizontal support beams through a plurality of rollers so that said horizontally movable beams may move horizontally relative to said horizontal support beams upon actuation of said horizontal drive means. 48 An apparatus as set forth in claim 47 wherein said blasthead includes an upper module vertically spaced from said lower module so that fluid may be impinged against opposite sides of a sheet disposed therebetween, said sheet engaging means including a pair of arms extending toward one another and into the space between said modules, and means supported on said arms for engaging the edge of a sheet.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 48 including a pair of said arms adjacent each side of said blasthead.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 49 including a sway bar extending along said blasthead adjacent each side thereof, spaced first and second depending members extending downwardly from each sway bar, said arms being respectively connected to extend in a cantilevered manner from the lower ends of said depending members.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 50 wherein said oscillating means includes a cam follower member extending upwardly from each of said sway bars, an eccentric cam engaging each cam follower member so that said sway bars are oscillated upon rotation of said eccentric cams.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 51 including a drive shaft rotatably supported by said blasthead and extending thereacross, said eccentric cams being connected to said drive shaft so as to be rotated thereby, said eccentric cams being in phase to oscillate said sway bars in unison upon rotation of said drive shaft.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 52 wherein said horizontal drive means includes a rack operatively connected to each of said horizontally movable beams, a drive gear engaging each of said racks.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 53 wherein each of said racks is connected to its associated horizontally movable beam through a lost motion connection for allowing said horizontally movable beams to move between first and second positions relative to said racks, and biasing means reacting between said horizontally movable beams and said racks for urging them to said first position so that said horizontally movable beams move horizontally with said racks upon rotation of said drive gears and may move horizontally relative to said racks independently of rotation of said drive gears.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 54 including a pair of spaced pendulum links associated with each sway bar, said pendulum links being operatively connected to said blasthead adjacent the upper ends thereof for swinging movement relative thereto, said pendulum links being pivotally connected to one of said sway bars adjacent the lower ends thereof so that said sway bars are free to oscillate.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 55 including a pair of spaced lift shafts rotatably supported by and extending between the sides of said blasthead, a lift arm connected to and extending from each lift shaft adjacent each end thereof, the distal end of each lift arm being pivotally connected to one of said pendulum links so that said pendulum links and said sway bars move vertically upon rotation of said lift shafts.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for curving a sheet of glass comprising: a furnace having an elongated gas support bed with first and second ends for supporting sheets on gas thereover, conveying means for moving a sheet along said bed from said first end to said second end thereof, a bending station adjacent said second end of said bed and including a sheet supporting surface, shuttle means for moving a sheet from said second end of said bed and over said supporting surface a blasthead adjacent said bending station for impinging fluid against opposite sides of a sheet, oscillating means in said blasthead for oscillating a sheet therein, and unitary frame means for lifting a sheet from said supporting surface for bending the sheet and thereafter moving the sheet into said blasthead while simultaneously removing a sheet from said oscillating means and said blasthead, said unitary frame means including a first frame for moving a sheet from said bending station to said blasthead and a second frame for moving a sheet out of said blasthead as a sheet is moved into said blasthead by said first frame.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 57 including a forming surface means disposed above said support surface in said bending station for bending a sheet as the latter is pressed thereagainst by said frame means.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 58 including lift means to move said forming surface means vertically upward after a sheet has been pressed thereagainst to allow said frame means to move generally horizontally away and into said blasthead.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-20 | 1975-03-22 | 1975-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-20 | 1979-03-22 | 1979-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-20 | 1983-03-22 | 1983-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |