GB1068070A - Sheet support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:1068070/C1/1> An apparatus for supporting a glass sheet in a substantially vertical plane comprises a pair of elongated wall members 30, 31 spaced transversely from one another along their length and having upper edge surfaces conforming to one another, a set of flexible fingers 72, each attached at one end to one of the elongated members and extending in a direction transverse to the length of the elongated wall members over the upper edges thereof with its other end loosely fitting over the upper edge of the other wall member, an open mesh screen 80 of thin wire superimposed on the set of flexible fingers, whereby the glass is supported along its bottom edge on the screen 80 and in spaced relation to the fingers 72, the fingers imparting rigidity to the screen, and means 38 for balancing the glass sheet in an upright position. The upper surface of the wall members 30, 31 conforms to the shape of the edge of the glass sheet to be supported. The fingers 72 are made of stainless steel and are preferably alternately attached to wall member 30 and wall member 31. The wire mesh screen 80 may either be a single unit or be in the form of a plurality of inverted channel members. The wall members are held in spaced relationship by members 32 and 34, the latter resting in slots in supporting brackets 28, attached to a suspended main support frame. Depending fingers 42 attached to a bar 40 oblique to the bottom support loosely hold the glass sheet in a vertical plane. The apparatus is preferably used in heating or thermal treatment processes. The means 38 for balancing the glass sheet may be replaced, e.g. by moving fluid.