GB817246A - Supporting device for use with nipper roll press - Google Patents

Abstract

817,246. Laminating apparatus. PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS CO. Sept. 9, 1957 [Feb. 11, 1957], No. 28424/57. Class 140. [Also in Group XXX] A nipper roll press for the preliminary pressing of elongated laminated glass panels is combined with an assembly for supporting at least part of the weight of each such panel during passage through the press, said assembly comprising a supporting device having spaced contact pads for substantially non-slip engagement with said panel, cable means arranged at the sides of the press and depending from an upper part of the press to engage said supporting device, and means tensioning said cable means. The supporting device may be pivotally mounted on said cable means. As shown in Fig. 3, support means S is supported by cables 7 which pass upwards, over idling pulleys 8, and carry counterweights 10 on their free ends. The counterweights are together approximately equal to the weight of the supporting device 5 and the laminated panel 4. A similar supporting device S<SP>1</SP> is provided on the exit side of the press. In the inoperative position each device S, S<SP>1</SP> is held down by two inverted hooks 14 on posts 13 one at each side of the device. The panel 4 is placed on the input support S, moved downward to disengage the hooks 14, then towards the nipper rolls 12. The panel then passes through the rolls until they support the bulk of its weight, when the device S is moved away and re-engaged by the hooks 14. As the panel emerges from the other side of the press these operations are repeated in reverse order using the device S<SP>1</SP>. Springs may be used instead of counterweights for tensioning the cables 7. Instead of the pulleys 8 being in a fixed position, as shown, they may be arranged on a horizontally slidable member. Three forms of supporting device are shown in Figs. 1, 9 and 11. In Fig. 1, two wooden arms 1 are fixed to a wooden connecting-bar 2, with a rubber pad 3 at each end of each arm. The arms are so spaced that the pads will engage the panel near its long edges. A metal rod 5 passes centrally through each of the arms 1, being pivotally mounted at each end in lugs 6 secured each to one end of the cable 7. The centre of gravity of the device lies below the rod 7, so that it will remain in equilibrium as shown. Fig. 9 shows a modification in which clamping arms 15 are provided to hold the panel in position on the device. Fig. 11 shows another modification in which the panel is held by suction cups 23 supported on a tubular structure.