US3800477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for seaming the edges of glass sheets
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-14
•
Granted: 1974-04-02
•
Expires: 1992-01-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for seaming glass sheets having curved or irregular edges precut to the desired outline. The glass sheets are conveyed along a substantially horizontal path between two pairs of seaming units located at opposite sides of said path. Each unit employs an endless, flexible, abrasive belt disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means. The belt of one unit of each pair engages the upper corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheet, while the belt of the other unit of the same pair engages the lower corner of the same edge of said sheet. The inner loop of the belt is trained about a pulley mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, while the outer loop of said belt is trained about a pulley driven about an axis inclined to the vertical. Each unit is mounted to swing as a pendulum toward and away from the path of travel of the glass sheets to follow the outline of said sheets, while the belt thereof is free to slide simultaneously along said inclined pulley, said movements of the belt being initiated and controlled by the upward thrust of the glass sheets upon the belt as said sheets move progressively past the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Kelvey H Mc
- 👤 J Jendrisak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:04
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B21/00; B24B21/002; B24B9/00; B24B9/02; B24B9/06; B24B9/08; B24B9/10; B24B9/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
Apparatus for seaming the opposite edges of glass sheets cut to the desired outline, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets in a definite horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at each side of the conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, said belt being disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means to engage one corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheets, means for mounting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axes independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, a pair of spaced pulleys for each abrasive belt and about which the belt is trained, onE of said pulleys being mounted opposite the plane of the conveyor means and the second pulley being mounted at the side of said conveyor means, and means for driving one of said pulleys, said first pulley being mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis and said second pulley being mounted to rotate about an axis inclined to the vertical, said abrasive belt being free to slide along said second pulley simultaneously with the swinging movement of the said belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
Apparatus for seaming the opposite edges of glass sheets cut to the desired outline, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets in a definite horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at each side of the conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, said belt being disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means to engage one corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheets, means for mounting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axes independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, a pair of spaced pulleys for each abrasive belt and about which the belt is trained, onE of said pulleys being mounted opposite the plane of the conveyor means and the second pulley being mounted at the side of said conveyor means, and means for driving one of said pulleys, said first pulley being mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis and said second pulley being mounted to rotate about an axis inclined to the vertical, said abrasive belt being free to slide along said second pulley simultaneously with the swinging movement of the said belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the abrasive belt of one unit of each pair is positioned to engage the upper corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheet and the abrasive belt of the other unit of the same pair is positioned to engage the lower corner of the same peripheral edge of said sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, in which each endless abrasive belt has a working run and a return run, and including separate means for driving said belts in a direction such that the working runs of the said belts move diagonally away from the plane of said conveyor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, in which the means for mounting the abrasive belts for free swinging movement also includes means for moving the seaming units bodily transversely toward and away from said conveyor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including means for supporting the pulleys of each unit in fixed spaced relation for rotation about their respective axes, and hanger means connected to said pulley supporting means for suspending the unit for free swinging movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, including means for suspending each seaming unit and providing a horizontal fulcrum about which said unit is free to swing toward and away from the conveyor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, in which said hanger means includes a substantially vertical hanger member secured to the means supporting the pulleys in spaced relation, a carriage mounted above the hanger member, and interengaging means on said carriage and hanger member providing a fulcrum about which the unit is free to swing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, in which said interengaging means includes a horizontal member carried by said carriage and a gear rack carried by said hanger member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, including means for supporting said carriage for movement transversely relative to said conveyor means to adjust the position of the abrasive belt with respect to the path of travel of the glass sheet and for locking said carriage in adjusted position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, including an elongated member for supporting the pulleys of each pair in fixed spaced relation for rotation about their respective axes, a substantially vertical hanger secured at its lower end to said elongated member intermediate the ends thereof, a carriage mounted above said hanger for movement transversely of the path of travel of the glass sheets, and interengaging parts on said carriage and upper end of said hanger providing a horizontal fulcrum about which the unit is free to swing toward and away from the conveyor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, in which each endless abrasive belt has a working run and a return run, and including separate means for driving said belts in a direction such that the working runs of the said belts move diagonally away from the plane of said conveyor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for seaming the opposite edges of glass sheets cut to the desired outline, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets along a substantially horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at each side of said conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, a pair of spaced pulleys for each abrasive belt and about which said belt is trained, one of said pulleys being mounted opposite the plane of the conveyor means to rotate about a substantially horizontal axes and the second pulleY being mounted at the side of said conveyor means to rotate about an axis inclined to the vertical, means for supporting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axis independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the said belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, each abrasive belt being free to slide along its respective second pulley simultaneously with the swinging movement of the said belt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for seaming the opposite edges of glass sheets cut to the desired outline, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets along a substantially horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at each side of said conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, a pair of spaced pulleys for each abrasive belt and about which said belt is trained, one of said pulleys being mounted opposite the plane of the conveyor means to rotate about a substantially horizontal axes and the second pulleY being mounted at the side of said conveyor means to rotate about an axis inclined to the vertical, means for supporting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axis independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the said belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, each abrasive belt being free to slide along its respective second pulley simultaneously with the swinging movement of the said belt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which the abrasive belt of one unit of each pair of seaming units is positioned to engage the upper corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheet and the abrasive belt of the other unit of the same pair is positioned to engage the lower corner of the same peripheral edge of said sheet, each belt having a working run and a return run, and separate means for driving said belts in a direction such that the working runs of the said belts move diagonally away from the plane of said conveyor means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13, including separate means for mounting each seaming unit, comprising an elongated member for supporting the pulleys of each pair in fixed spaced relation for rotation about their respective axes, a substantially vertical hanger secured at its lower end to said elongated member intermediate the ends thereof, a carriage mounted above said hanger for movement transversely of the path of travel of the glass sheets, and interengaging parts on said carriage and upper end of said hanger providing a horizontal fulcrum about which the unit is free to swing toward and away from the conveyor means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for seaming the edges of glass sheets, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets in a definite horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at one side of said conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, said belt being disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means to engage one corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheets, and means for mounting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axes independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, a pair of spaced pulleys for each abrasive belt and about which the belt is trained, one of said pulleys being mounted opposite the plane of the conveyor means and the second pulley being mounted at the side of said conveyor means, and means for driving one of said pulleys, said first pulley being mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis and said second pulley being mounted to rotate about an axis inclined to the vertical, said abrasive belt being free to slide along said second pulley simultaneously with the swinging movement of the said belt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for seaming the edges of glass sheets, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets in a definite horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at one side of said conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, said belt being disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means to engage one corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheets, and means for mounting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axes independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, a pair of spaced pulleys for each abrasive belt and about which the belt is trained, one of said pulleys being mounted opposite the plane of the conveyor means and the second pulley being mounted at the side of said conveyor means, and means for driving one of said pulleys, said first pulley being mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis and said second pulley being mounted to rotate about an axis inclined to the vertical, said abrasive belt being free to slide along said second pulley simultaneously with the swinging movement of the said belt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15, in which the abrasive belt of one unit of each pair is positioned to engage the upper corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheet and the abrasive belt of the other unit of the same pair is positioned to engage the lower corner of the same peripheral edge of said sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16, in which each endless abrasive belt has a working run and a return run, and including separate means for driving said belts in a direction such that the working runs of the said belts move diagonally away from the plane of said conveyor means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for seaming the edges of glass sheets, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets in a definite horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at one side of said conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, said belt being disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means to engage one corner of the adjacent peripheral edge oF the glass sheets, means for mounting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axes independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, a second conveyor means positioned in advance of said first conveyor means, a pair of seaming units located at one side of said second conveyor means for seaming the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheet as said sheet is carried therepast, and sheet orienting apparatus positioned between said first and second conveyor means for turning said sheet approximately 90* in its own plane and delivering it to the said first conveyor means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for seaming the edges of glass sheets, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets in a definite horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at one side of said conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, said belt being disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means to engage one corner of the adjacent peripheral edge oF the glass sheets, means for mounting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axes independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, a second conveyor means positioned in advance of said first conveyor means, a pair of seaming units located at one side of said second conveyor means for seaming the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheet as said sheet is carried therepast, and sheet orienting apparatus positioned between said first and second conveyor means for turning said sheet approximately 90* in its own plane and delivering it to the said first conveyor means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 18, in which said sheet orienting apparatus includes means operable automatically for turning alternate glass sheets in opposite directions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for seaming the opposite edges of glass sheets cut to the desired outline, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets in a definite horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at each side of the conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, said belt being disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means to engage one corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheets, means for mounting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axes independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, a second conveyor means located in advance of said first conveyor means, a pair of seaming units positioned at each side of the second conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, and sheet orienting apparatus positioned between said first and second conveyor means and engageable by the sheet for turning said sheet approximately 90* in its own plane and delivering it to said first conveyor means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for seaming the opposite edges of glass sheets cut to the desired outline, comprising a conveyor means for conveying the glass sheets in a definite horizontal path, a pair of seaming units positioned at each side of the conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, said belt being disposed transversely at an angle to the conveyor means to engage one corner of the adjacent peripheral edge of the glass sheets, means for mounting the endless belts of said seaming units for free swinging movement about substantially horizontal axes independently of one another inwardly and outwardly relative to said conveyor means to cause the belts to follow the outline of the glass sheets, a second conveyor means located in advance of said first conveyor means, a pair of seaming units positioned at each side of the second conveyor means, each seaming unit including an endless, flexible abrasive belt for performing the seaming operation, and sheet orienting apparatus positioned between said first and second conveyor means and engageable by the sheet for turning said sheet approximately 90* in its own plane and delivering it to said first conveyor means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 20, in which said sheet orienting apparatus embodies means engageable by the leading edge of alternate glass sheets for turning said alternate sheets in opposite directions.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |