Abstract:
Methods of the present disclosure can facilitate creating a piece of furniture entirely made of glass. In some embodiments, the system includes a digital glass printer, a glass tempering machine, and an assembler. The digital glass printer may be configured to print a pattern on a first component of a plurality of components of the piece of furniture. The glass tempering machine may be configured to temper the first component. The assembler may be configured to assemble the components. At least one of the components may serve as a structural element of the piece of furniture.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/752296, titled “TEMPERED GLASS ART FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES,” and filed on Jan. 14, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to creating glass articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to creating tempered glass art furniture and accessories. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Tempered glass can be used as a material when creating furniture and accessories. High temperature glass printing can be used to print patterns on glass that may then be tempered. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Furniture design has remained largely unchanged over the past few hundred years. The same designs are used with minor modifications, sometimes incorporating new materials as they become available. The lack of new options in furniture makes it difficult for decorators to provide truly fresh and innovative interior designs. 
         [0005]    Glass is an ideal material for furniture design in many ways. It is durable, weather resistant, easy to clean, beautiful to look at, and carries a connotation of high quality. Usually, glass is only used in furniture in incidental ways. For example, it might be used for a table top, or as an accent to a chair. It is frequently found as the integral design material in lighting, but only because of its unequaled transparency quality. Glass has traditionally been considered less safe than other materials for applications involving direct contact with the body because of the way plate glass breaks into large shards with extremely sharp edges. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure describes a method for using tempered glass to create furniture and accessories that can be entirely made from glass. The glass components can be structural members of the furniture and accessories, and can be connected together with glass connectors that may be glued directly to the surface of the tempered glass, and then may be connected together with assembly hardware. The tempered glass can overcome the objections of safety because it can be much stronger than plate glass, and if it does break, it can break into small pieces without sharp edges. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the present disclosure describes a method for using high temperature glass printing to print patterns on the components of the furniture and accessories that can make them visually attractive as items that can be referred to as art glass. 
         [0008]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for creating a piece of furniture entirely made of glass. The method can include printing, by a high temperature digital glass printer, a pattern on components of the piece of furniture. The method can include tempering, by a glass tempering machine, the components of the piece of furniture. The method can include assembling, by an assembler, the components to make the piece of furniture. The components may serve as structural elements of the piece of furniture. 
         [0009]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for creating a decorative mirror entirely made of glass. The method can include printing, by a high temperature digital glass printer, a pattern on a glass frame for the decorative mirror. The method can include tempering, by a glass tempering machine, the glass frame. The method can include fastening, by a fastener, the frame to the decorative mirror. 
         [0010]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for creating a pattern on a bent glass. The method can include printing, by a high temperature digital glass printer, the pattern on a flat glass. The method can include tempering, by a glass tempering machine, the flat glass. The method can include bending, by the glass tempering machine, the flat glass into the bent glass. 
         [0011]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for creating a chair. The method can include tempering, by a glass tempering machine, a first flat glass. The method can include bending, by the glass tempering machine, the first flat glass into a first bent glass. The method can include assembling, by an assembler, the first bent glass and a supporting structure. The first bent glass may be the seat of the chair. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative diagram of a method for creating a piece of furniture entirely made of glass. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a table that is entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a chair that is entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a chair that is entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a chair and table for outdoor use that are entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a table that is entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of an end table that is entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a console table that is entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a dining table that is entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 9A-9B  are illustrative examples of an embodiment of a process to print on glass. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9C  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a process to print on glass. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9D  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a process to show colors other than the six ink colors, as well as patterns that are not made up of solid colors. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a process by which shaped pieces of glass are used in conjunction with the printing to provide an interesting and visually appealing design element. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 11A-11B  are illustrative examples of an embodiment of a process for printing the shaped glass. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12A  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a process for constructing, attaching, and using connectors. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12B  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a method for using connectors to join two pieces of glass. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13A  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a method for incorporating connectors into a design in a visually interesting and pleasing way. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13B  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a table that incorporates connectors into a design in a visually interesting and pleasing way. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13C  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a method for incorporating non-circular connectors into a design in a visually interesting and pleasing way. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 14A-14B  are illustrative examples of an embodiment of a method for using rubber feet to protect the edges of a glass element that must come into contact with the floor. 
           [0033]      FIG. 14C  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a method for using a long piece of silicone rubber to protect the edges of a glass element that must come into contact with the floor, when the glass element is a heavier piece or a piece that is more likely to get moved frequently. 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for creating a decorative mirror that is entirely made of glass. 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a decorative mirror that is entirely constructed from glass. 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for making a bent piece of printed, tempered glass. 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for making a bent piece of printed, tempered glass. 
           [0038]      FIG. 19  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for making a chair. 
           [0039]      FIG. 20  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a chair. 
           [0040]      FIG. 21  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for making safety glass for the seat of a chair. 
           [0041]    Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative diagram of a method for creating a piece of furniture entirely made of glass. The components  101  for creating the furniture can be printed by a high temperature digital glass printer  102  to make printed components  103  with patterns printed on them. The printed components  103  can be tempered by a glass tempering machine  104  to make tempered glass components  105  with patterns printed on them. The tempered glass components  105  can be assembled by an assembler  106  to create the piece of furniture  107  entirely made of glass. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a table that is entirely constructed from glass. The two end pieces  201  and  206  can be shaped in a way to convey an interesting design, as will be illustrated with respect to  FIG. 10  and  FIGS. 11A-11B . The table top  202  can be attached to the end pieces  201  and  206  using connectors such as  204  as will be illustrated with respect to  FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B . The cross piece  203  can provide further stability to the structure as well as additional storage for items underneath the table top  202 , and can be attached to the end pieces  201  and  206  using connectors such as  204 . Small feet such as  205  can prevent damage to the edges of the end pieces  201  and  206 , and can prevent marking of the floor by the table. Glass components  201 ,  206 ,  202 , and  203  can be printed with a pattern as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9D . The printing can provide a visual appeal to the overall design that can work as a true piece of art as well as a functioning table. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a chair that is entirely constructed from glass. The chair back  301  can be shaped in a way to convey an interesting design as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 11A-11B . The seat  302  can be attached to the back  301  as well as the front piece  303  using connectors such as  304  as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 12A-12B . The cross piece  306  can provide further stability to the structure as well as additional storage for items such as reading material, and can be attached to the back  301  and front  303  using connectors such as  304 . Small feet such as  305  can prevent damage to the edges of the back  301  and front  303 , and can prevent any marking of the floor by the chair. Components of the chair  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  306  can be printed with a pattern as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9D . The printing can provide a visual appeal to the overall design that can work as a true piece of art as well as a functioning chair. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a chair that is entirely constructed from glass. The seat  401  can be attached to the side  402 . The cross piece  403  can provide further stability to the structure as well as additional storage for items such as reading material, and can be attached to the side  402 . Small feet such as  404  can prevent damage to the side  402 , and can prevent any marking of the floor by the chair. Components of the chair  401 ,  402 , and  403  can be printed with a pattern as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9D . The printing can provide a visual appeal to the overall design that can work as a true piece of art as well as a functioning chair. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a chair and table for outdoor use that are entirely constructed from glass. The chair  501  can be entirely constructed from glass as described with respect to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . The table  502  can be entirely constructed from glass as described with respect to  FIG. 2 . The table top  503  can be particularly suited to outdoor use due to the durable and easy to clean nature of glass. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6A  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a table that is entirely constructed from glass. The components  601 ,  602 , and  603  can be made from glass, and can be printed with a pattern as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9D . The printing can provide a visual appeal to the overall design that can work as a true piece of art as well as a functioning table. 
         [0048]      FIG. 6B  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of an end table that is entirely constructed from glass. The components  604 ,  605 , and  606  can be made from glass, and can be printed with a pattern as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9D . The printing can provide a visual appeal to the overall design that can work as a true piece of art as well as a functioning table. The resulting end table can be a good visual match with the table as described with respect to  FIG. 6A . 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a console table that is entirely constructed from glass. The components  701 ,  702 , and  703  can be made from glass, and can be printed with a pattern as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9D . The printing can provide a visual appeal to the overall design that can work as a true piece of art as well as a functioning table. 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a dining table that is entirely constructed from glass. The component  801  can be made from glass, and can be printed with a pattern as will be illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9D . The components  802   a  and  802   b  can be made from bent printed glass, as will be illustrated with respect to  FIG. 17 . The printing can provide a visual appeal to the overall design that can work as a true piece of art as well as a functioning table. The bent glass of components  802   a  and  802   b  can provide an innovative and visually pleasing aspect to the table. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 9A-9B  are illustrative examples of an embodiment of a process to print on glass. A print head  903  can deposit ink  904  onto the glass  901  to create a layer of ink  902  with the printed pattern. This process can be implemented using, for example, a DIP-TECH™ GLASSJET PRO™ digital glass printer. Once the ink  904  is deposited on the glass  901 , the glass  901  with the ink layer  902  can be heated  906  by a furnace  905  to near the melting temperature of the glass, where it can soften and begin to act as a fluid. The glass  901  can be then supported by rollers  917  while its surface is cooled by fans  907  blowing air  908  over the glass  901 . This can cool the surface of the glass more quickly than the inner part, which can cause tension in the molecular structure of the glass. The tension can cause the glass becomes much stronger and far more resistant to breakage. The tension can facilitate causing the glass to break as a single unit, into pieces about 1 cm in each dimension, each of which may have no sharp edges. As a result, the glass can be extremely safe and durable. 
         [0052]    The inks used in printing the layer of ink  902  onto the glass  901  can be made from a solvent with a suspension of a ceramic material that is similar to glass. When the ink dries (the solvent evaporates), the layer of ink  902  on the glass can be a layer of this ceramic material. The tempering process can bring the ceramic material close to its melting temperature and as a result, may fuse it into the surface of the glass. After the tempering process, the printed pattern can truly be part of the glass, and can therefore be extremely durable. Since the pattern can be made of ceramic, it may resist changing color over time, even with exposure to sunlight, heat, or water. This can make the resulting furniture and accessories ideal for outdoor use as well as indoor use. 
         [0053]    Most existing printing is done on paper with four basic colors: cyan (blue-green), magenta (red-blue), yellow, and black (CMYK). However, the ceramic inks can be designed to be environmentally friendly, and as a result, they may be fabricated without the use of cadmium, so it may be that none of the inks have a true magenta color. To compensate for this, there can be six different ink colors: black, white, blue, green, orange, and red. The different colors that can be printed with these six inks (the color gamut) may be approximately the same as those that can be printed with CMYK inks However, the software for generating the color selection can be somewhat limited, so a good designer may be needed to make high quality glass printing. 
         [0054]      FIG. 9C  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a process to print on glass. The printer can have a print head  909  with multiple ink jets like  903 . The print head  909  can move back and forth across the glass  901  along the path  913 , and can slowly advance along the path  914 . As the print head  909  makes this trajectory, the ink jets such as  903  can deposit the inks onto the glass  901 . In this way, the printer can advance along the unprinted area  912  of the glass  901 , leaving behind the printing  911 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 9D  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a process to show colors other than the six ink colors, as well as patterns that are not made up of solid colors. The software that drives the printer can decompose the image into a halftone representation  918 , which is shown greatly magnified. The halftone representation  918  can be similar to a halftone that is used in color printing on paper with CMYK inks, but with the six-color separation as described above. The printer can then print the halftone as small areas of the six color inks, represented by the dots of ink  915  and  916 . 
         [0056]    Since the printing process shown in  FIGS. 9A-9D  can be a digital ink jet process, the printing of the furniture and accessories can easily be customized to the requirements at hand. This can be something as obvious as printing a logo, but can also address a more subtle artistic requirement such as a color or pattern theme that fits into a larger design theme. This can give a huge palette of options to the interior designer that has not previously been available in furniture and accessories. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a process by which shaped pieces of glass are used in conjunction with the printing to provide an interesting and visually appealing design element. As previously illustrated with respect to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the shape as well as the pattern can be an integral part of the design. Before printing and tempering, the glass  1001  can be cut with a tool  1002 . This tool can be, for example, a high-velocity water jet glass cutter. The tool can be part of a numerically controlled (NC) machine that cuts a pattern  1003  as specified by the designer. When the NC machine is finished, the shaped piece of glass  1005  can be removed from the glass material  1004 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 11A-11B  are illustrative examples of an embodiment of a process for printing the shaped glass. The print head  909  can cover the glass  1101  using the back and forth motion  913  while advancing along the path  914 , as previously illustrated with respect to  FIG. 9C . In this case, however, the ink can be controlled by the printer to cover just an area  1102  that is slightly larger than the shaped glass  1101 . In printing terminology this can be referred to as a “bleed”.  FIG. 11B  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of the result. The shaped glass  1101  can have ink on both the surface  1103  and the edge  1104 . The ink on the surface can continue all the way to the edge, as desired for its visual appeal. The ink that ends up on the edge  1104 , however, may be undesired. Since the glass has not yet been tempered, this ink may be relatively easy to clean off  1106  with a cleaner  1105 , leaving the piece  1101  printed exactly as desired and ready for tempering. Note that in paper printing, the process can be reversed: the material is printed with a bleed, and then cut to the final shape. This may not be feasible with glass printing because the NC machine doing the cutting would disturb the ink, since the ink may smear relatively easily before the tempering process. 
         [0059]      FIG. 12A  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a process for constructing, attaching, and using connectors. The connector  1201  can be a circular aluminum disc with a very flat surface on one side and a threaded receptacle  1202  on the other side. The flat surface can be cleaned very well with a solvent, and a corresponding circular area on the glass  901  can also be cleaned with a solvent. The connector  1201  can be attached to the glass with a glue  1203  that is designed for this purpose, and the glue can be cured rapidly and permanently using an ultraviolet (UV) lamp  1204 . The UV light  1205  can cure the glue. The connector  1201  can be attached to the glass  901  after the printing and tempering process described with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9D , so it may be very important that the printed pattern has a circular unprinted (transparent) area with no ink in it that corresponds with the area where the connector  1201  is attached. In this way, the glue can be attached directly to the glass  901  instead of the ceramic layer created during tempering. This direct attachment to the glass can create a stronger bond. 
         [0060]      FIG. 12B  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a method for using connectors to join two pieces of glass. Connector  1208  can be attached to glass  1206 , and connector  1209  can be attached to glass  1207 . A metal bracket  1210 , which may be aluminum, can be attached to the two connectors  1208  and  1209  with bolts  1211 . The bracket  1210  can then hold the two pieces of glass  1206  and  1207  firmly in place relative to each other. 
         [0061]      FIG. 13A  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a method for incorporating connectors into a design in a visually interesting and pleasing way.  FIG. 13A  shows a diagram of a pattern  1301  of a face. The elements of the face such as the mouth  1303  can be printed onto the glass, but one of the eyes  1302  can be strategically located in a section of the glass that requires a structural connector, and can left transparent. The circular connector  1302  can be attached after printing and tempering, and can complete the pattern  1301  without disrupting it. 
         [0062]      FIG. 13B  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a table that incorporates connectors into a design in a visually interesting and pleasing way. The “Money Cat” table  1304  can be designed with end pieces  1305  and  1306  in the shape of cats and printed with a pleasing variety of circular shapes like  1307  that invoke the image of coins. At the point where the end piece  1305  needs to be attached to the table top  1308 , the connector  1309  can be part of the pattern of circular shapes. 
         [0063]      FIG. 13C  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a method for incorporating non-circular connectors into a design in a visually interesting and pleasing way. Although glass connectors may be circular, glass connectors can be fabricated in any shape. The printing process can easily accommodate leaving transparent areas in the pattern for non-circular connectors.  FIG. 13C  illustrates an embodiment of a square connector  1310  as part of a design  1311  that can be made up largely of square patterns. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 14A-14B  are illustrative examples of an embodiment of a method for using rubber feet to protect the edges of a glass element that must come into contact with the floor. Tempered glass  1401  can be most sensitive to breakage on edges and corners, because that is where the internal molecular tension of the glass is unbalanced. Therefore, it can be important to protect the edges of the glass  1401  from scratches and impacts. Additionally, glass  1401  can be harder than a wooden floor, so it may also be important to protect wooden floors from scratches and marring that might result from movement of the furniture in ordinary use.  FIG. 14A  illustrates an embodiment of the use of small rubber feet  1402  that can slide over the edge of the glass  1401 .  FIG. 14B  illustrates an embodiment of the detail of a rubber foot  1402 . The rubber foot  1402  can be made of a silicone rubber material that naturally has a high coefficient of friction, and can be manufactured so that the gap  1405  between the two sides is slightly smaller than the thickness  1406  of the glass  1401 . Since the silicone rubber material is flexible, the rubber foot  1402  can be quite easy to install and remove from the edge of the glass  1401 , but its high coefficient of friction and snug fit can keep it in place once it is installed. 
         [0065]      FIG. 14C  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a method for using a long piece of silicone rubber to protect the edges of a glass element that must come into contact with the floor, when the glass element is a heavier piece or a piece that is more likely to get moved frequently. When the glass  1401  is a heavier piece or a piece that is more likely to get moved frequently, the rubber feet  1402  may shift or come off during ordinary use, so a long piece of silicone rubber  1403  can be manufactured that matches the length of the glass  1401 . This piece  1403  can then be installed at the factory and glued into place  1404  so that it will not become detached from the glass  1401 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 15  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for creating a decorative mirror that is entirely made of glass. The glass frame  1501  for the mirror can be printed by a high temperature digital glass printer  1502  to make a printed glass frame  1503  with a pattern printed on the glass frame. The printed glass frame  1503  can be tempered by a glass tempering machine  1504  to make a tempered glass frame  1505  with a pattern printed on the tempered glass frame  1505 . The tempered glass frame  1505  can be fastened to a mirror  1507  by a fastener  1506  to create the decorative mirror  1508  entirely made of glass. 
         [0067]      FIG. 16  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a decorative mirror that is entirely constructed from glass. The mirror element  1602  can be manufactured using an environmentally friendly process and can be made from a piece of glass that is shaped in a way to convey an interesting design as was illustrated with respect to  FIG. 10 . The frame  1601  of the mirror can be shaped in the same way to match the design and printed with a pattern as was illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 11A-11B . The printing on the frame  1601  can provide a visual appeal to the overall design that works as a true piece of art as well as a functioning mirror. The printed frame  1601  can be glued to the mirror element  1602  to make the finished piece. 
         [0068]      FIG. 17  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for making a bent piece of printed, tempered glass. A flat glass  1701  can be printed by a high temperature digital glass printer  1702  to make a printed flat glass  1703  with a pattern printed on the flat glass. The printed flat glass  1703  can be tempered  1705  and bent  1706  by a glass tempering machine  1704  to make a bent, tempered glass  1707  with a pattern printed on the bent, tempered glass  1707 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 18  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for making a bent piece of printed, tempered glass. The tempering process is similar to that illustrated with reference to  FIG. 9B . The glass  901  with the ink layer  902  can be heated  906  by a furnace  905  to near the melting temperature of the glass where it softens and begins to act as a fluid. The glass  901  can then be supported by rollers  1801  while its surface is cooled by fans  907  blowing air  908  over the glass  901 . As the air  908  is tempering the glass  901 , the rollers  1801  supporting the glass  901  can move upward  1802  into a curved shape. Since the glass  901  is near its melting temperature and is pliable, it can bend into a curved shape following the rollers  1801  and then cool and temper in this bent position. The result can be a piece of printed, tempered glass  1803  that is bent into a curved shape. 
         [0070]      FIG. 19  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for making a chair. A flat glass  1901  can be tempered  1903  and bent  1904  by a glass tempering machine  1902  to make a bent, tempered glass  1905 . The bent, tempered glass  1905  can be assembled with a supporting structure  1907  by an assembler  1906  to make a chair  1908 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 20  is an illustrative example of an embodiment of a chair. A piece of curved glass  2001  can be supported by a frame  2002 . The frame  2002  can also be made out of glass, or can be made from metal or wood. The curved glass provides a reclined seat  2003  that can serve as a remarkably comfortable chair. 
         [0072]      FIG. 21  is an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of a method for making safety glass for the seat of a chair. One of the concerns in making a chair as illustrated with respect to  FIG. 20  can be the failure modes of the chair, especially since the curved glass  2001  is in direct forceful contact with the body of its user, unlike the glass of a table top. If the glass  2001  were to break, it could leave the body of the user unsupported to fall to the floor on top of the broken glass  2001  that could also be falling to the floor.  FIG. 21  illustrates an embodiment of the construction of safety glass that can be used to prevent this failure mode. Safety glass has been in widespread use in automobile windshields for the same reason, with much higher forces involved. If an unrestrained passenger strikes the windshield from inside the automobile during a collision, the windshield can be designed to keep the passenger inside the automobile and avoid lacerations from broken glass. For the chair, glass  2101  can be the curved printed, tempered glass  1803  as illustrated with respect to  FIG. 18 . This can be glued to a curved piece of clear, non-tempered glass  2103  with a thin piece of clear strong flexible plastic  2102  sandwiched between the tempered glass  2101  and the non-tempered glass  2103 . The curved, non-tempered glass  2103  can be manufactured in a manner similar to the embodiment as illustrated with respect to  FIG. 18 , but without the air jets  908 , so that no internal molecular tension is set up in the glass  901 . If the tempered glass  2101  should break for some reason, the non-tempered glass  2103  and plastic  2102  can continue to support the load, and the plastic  2102  can hold all the pieces of the tempered glass  2101 , which is glued to the plastic  2102 , in place. Additionally, the small pieces of broken tempered glass  2101  may have no sharp edges. As a result, the person seated in the chair may not fall to the floor, and may not be exposed to any sharp edges. 
         [0073]    References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. 
         [0074]    Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. 
         [0075]    While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.