Device for forming glass sheet to desired contour and method therefor

PURPOSE: To obtain glass sheets having a desired contour and having desired curvature by supporting the glass sheets on forming rails, heating the glass sheets to make the peripheral edges of the glass sheets coincident with the shapes of the forming rails and simultaneously biasing forming means to bring these means into contact with the selected parts of the glass sheets. CONSTITUTION: The glass sheet G to be formed is supported on the forming rails 32 and is heated to a deformation temp. by passing the glass sheet through a heating zone. While the glass sheet G is supported on the forming rails 32, the press devices 62 of press assemblies 58 are brought into contact with the glass sheet G by the positioning and biasing means 64 and working means 66. The selected parts of the glass sheet G are then pressed by pressing members 74 having glass sheet engaging surfaces coinciding with the desired curvature of the selected parts of the glass sheet G to be formed, by which the selected parts of the glass sheet G are formed to the desired curvature. COPYRIGHT: (C)1989,JPO