Improvements in the Manufacture of Ornamental Windows, and in Machines therefor.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Ornamental Windows, and in
Machines therefor.
I, GEORGE KING CUMMINGS, of No. 123, Prince Street, in the City of New
York, County and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
£6
My invention relates to a new and improved method of making ornamental
windows from panes of glass which are provided with a series of ribs or pris-
matic projections on their surface, that is to say, from what are ordinarily termed
prism lights," and my invention relates also to the product which is the result of
this method. The invention also relates to and includes a machine which is
adapted for carrying out my improved method and which serves to illustrate
one way in which that method can be put into practical operation, the machine
consisting of an apparatus for rolling large sheets of glass so as to form on the
surface of these sheets ribs of prismatic or other form from which panes of pris-
matic glass or prism lights of any desired shape can be cut in the manner herein-
after described.
The object of my invention is to provide a simple and economical means and
method of manufacturing prism windows, which will enable the windows to be
made in any design or pattern that may be desired, making it possible to pro-
duce a practically endless variety of designs without necessitating great expendi-
ture of money in the making of new molds and without making it necessary for
the manufacturer to carry on hand a very large stock of prism lights of different
forms and shapes.
Another object of the invention is to enable these prism windows to be made
easily, quickly and economically and without the aid of operators of a high
degree of skill.
Another object of the invention is to provide a machine by means of which the
sheets of ribbed glass can be easily and accurately and economically made, which
machine shall be simple in its construction and easy to operate.
My invention consists, first in the method of making ornamental windows of
ribbed or prismatic glass by melting the glass until it is of the proper con-
sistency, then rolling it into a sheet having parallel ribs or prismatic projections
of the desired outline on its surface, then annealing this sheet of glass, then
cutting it into panes or lights of the proper shapes or outlines to make a com-
pleted window, then assembling these panes and glazing them together in any
suitable manner.
The invention also consists in cutting the different panes of glass out of the
sheet of glass in such a way that when these panes are combined or assembled
together to form the finished window, the ribs or prisms of the different panes
will all be parallel with one another, whereby all the different parts of the

page_text: finished window will operate to direct the rays of light that pass through it in
parallel paths and will make the window entirely bright and luminous. In some
cases I prefer to cut the sheets of glass into two or more sets of panes, the panes
in each set having the same shape and being so cut that when they are assembled
in the completed window the panes of each set will have their ribs or prismatic
projections running in the same direction, while the ribs or prismatic projections
of one set of panes will run in a different direction from that of the ribs or pris-
matic projections of the other set or sets of panes, as a result of which the rays
of light passing through the panes of one set will be all sent in parallel paths
in one direction and the rays of light passing through the panes of another set
will be sent in parallel paths in another direction, and so on.
My invention also consists in the window which is produced by this method
and which is made of prismatic glass consisting of a number of panes or lights
of rolled glass having prisms upon their surface, these panes being cut into the
desired shapes and then assembled and glazed together in any suitable manner.
Two forms of my improved window are shown, one in which all the panes have
their ribs or prismatic projections parallel to one another, and the other in which
there are two or more sets of panes,, each set of panes having its ribs parallel
with one another but running in a different direction from the other set of lights
or panes.
Beautiful effects of light and shade and contrasted shades can be pro-
duced in this way.
My invention also naturally consists in and includes a machine for making
plates of ribbed glass, comprising the combination of a revolving roller and a
supporting device or table, between which the glass is rolled, one of the parts
being movable upon the other, the roller and the table being one or both pro-
vided with ribs or prismatic projections which are parallel with the direction
of motion of the roller or table, whichever is constructed to move upon the other,
and which are perpendicular to the axis of the roller.
pro-
My invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a side view of my improved machine for rolling the sheets of glass;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view; Figure 4
is a cross sectional view of the form of the machine in which both the roller and
the table are provided with ribs, the table being adapted to form convex ribs or
projections on the under side of the surface of the glass; Figure 5 is an end view
of a form of the machine in which the roller is plain and the table alone is
vided with prismatic ribs or projections: Figure 6 represents a finished window
made according to my improved method and designed for use as a prism light
or some similar purpose; Figure 7 shows a sheet of prismatic glass which has
been rolled upon my improved machine and having applied thereto patterns of
the separate panes required to form the window shown in Figure 6; Figure 8
shows another design of a window made according to my improved method in
which certain of the panes or lights are cut from a sheet of glass having small
prismatic projections on its surface and the rest of the panes or lights are cut
from another sheet of glass having larger prismatic projections on its surface,
all of these prismatic projections, however, being parallel with one another in
the finished window; Figure 9 shows a portion of a sheet of prismatic glass
having a similar prismatic glass projection on its surface and having applied
to its surface the patterns of the panes of the windows shown in Figure 8, which
are made with the smaller prisms; Figure 10 is a cross section of a portion of
the sheet of glass having the larger prisms on its surface; Figure 11 is a similar
section of a portion of the sheet of glass provided with a smaller prismatic pro-
jection Figure 12 represents a finished window made according to my improved
method, but in which there are two sets of panes, the prisms of one set running
in one direction and the prisms of the other set running in
different direction; Figures 13 and 14 show sheets of prismatic glass that
have been rolled upon my improved machine, from which are cut the separate
prism panes or lights that are assembled to form the window shown in Figure 12;

page_text: Figure 15 is a partial cross sectional view of the sheet of glass shown in Figure 13,
showing the character of the prismatic projections or ribs on that sheet;
Figure 16 is a similar partial cross sectional view of the sheet of glass shown
in Figure 14.
In carrying out my improved method the glass is first melted by any suitable
means until it is of the proper consistency. It is then stirred just before it is
rolled but so as to make the mass homogeneous in temperature. It is then rolled
into a shape having on its surface parallel ribs or prismatic projections of the
desired outline.
My improved machine which I have designed for use in carrying out my im-
proved method is shown in Figures 1 to 5.
1 is a suitable framework, which I prefer to mount upon wheels 2, so that the
machine can be conveniently moved from place to place. This framework carries
the table 3, upon which the molten glass is poured and which serves to support
the glass against the roller during the rolling operation. This table is provided
with the racks 4 on the sides thereof. The table is also provided with the strips 5
for regulating the thickness of the plate of ribbed glass which is produced by
the machine. In the form of machine shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the surface of the
table is plain or smooth; in the form shown in Fig. 4 the surface of the table is
provided with a series of ribs or projections 6. These ribs are parallel with one
another and are parallel with the direction of motion of the roller or the movable
part of the machine, whether that be the roller or the table. These ribs are
inade to correspond in form with the depressions which are to be made on the
under side of the plate of glass.
7 is a roller. This roller is provided with the ribs 8. These ribs are continuous,
that is to say, they extend entirely around the periphery of the roller. They are
annular in shape. They are parallel with one another and the plane of the ribs 8
is parallel with the direction of motion of the movable part of the machine, that
is to say, the direction of motion of the roller or of the. table according to which-
ever part is made movable and is perpendicular with the plane of the glass plate.
The ribs 8 are made to correspond in form with the depressions which it is
desired to produce upon the upper side of the plate of glass. The roller is pro-
vided with smooth bearing surfaces 9 at its ends, adapted to rest and ride upon
the strips 5. 10, 10 are gears which are attached to the ends of the roller 7 and
which are adapted to mesh with the racks 4. 11, 11 are hand wheels mounted
on the ends of the roller, by means of which the roller is revolved and moved over
the table 3.
The operation of the machine is as follows. The roller and table are first
heated by any suitable means, so as to be brought to the proper temperaturo
for operating upon the glass. This can be done by simply pouring a certain
amount of molten glass upon the roller and table until they are properly heated.
If the roller and table are used in a cold state they will be found to chill the
glass and thereby to injure the product.
The roller having been moved to one end of the table, the molten glass is
poured on the table in front of the roller, a sufficient quantity being supplied
to the table to make a full sheet of ribbed glass. The surface of the glass which
comes into contact with the ladle and also with the air and with the table is
chilled to some extent. In order to make the mass of the glass as nearly homo-
geneous as possible in temperature, the glass is first stirred on the table by any
suitable form of stirrer. By means of the hand wheels 11 the roller is then
rolled along the table, so as to roll the glass into the form of a sheet of prismatic
glass. As the roller moves over the table and bears down upon the glass, a
sufficient quantity of the glass passes underneath the roller to fill up all the
space between the table and the roller, filling up the grooves or depressions
between the ribs on the roller and forming complete and perfect and clean cut
projections on the upper surface of the glass plate.
As the ribs on the roller are continuous, the edges of the ribs act as continuous

page_text: and unbroken knife edges to cause the upper layer of the glass, as it passes under
the roller, to be divided into separate portions or streams that pass through the
separate grooves or channels formed in the surface of the roller by the projecting
ribs. There are no square surfaces or shoulders against which the glass strikes
or which have to be forced down into the glass, as a result of which the surface
of the glass would be broken or torn apart. The glass first encounters the knife
edges of a rib which readily divides the glass mass, causing one part to flow into
the channel or groove on one side of the rib and the other part to flow into the
channel or groove on the other side of the rib. The sides of the adjoining ribs
forming the walls of a particular groove in the roller, then act as guides to cause
the glass to flow into the proper channel and assume the proper form. As the
roller revolves, the walls of the grooves act to draw the glass through the grooves
under the roller and to cause it to fill the grooves thoroughly and form full and
perfect projections or ribs on the surface of the sheet.
'
As the ribs on the roller are continuous, the ribs on the finished plate are
continuous and uniform.
As the plane of the rib on the roller is perpendicular to the axis of the roller
and is parallel with the direction of motion of the roller, the rib passes into and
out of the glass with little friction, and does not distort the glass or the ribs
formed thereon as the two are separated or break contact.
As the ribs on the roller are parallel, the glass plate is provided with parallel
ribs or prismatic projections which are not only continuous, but also equal in
size and of a regular and uniform size throughout.
In the form shown in Figure 4, in which the table is provided with ribs, the
glass is forced into the grooves or depressions formed by these ribs, and a plate
of glass is thereby formed having projections or prisms on its under surface also.
In Fig. 5 a modification of the machine is shown in which the roller 7 is pro-
vided with a plain or smooth surface and in which the table is provided with a
series of continuous ribs having a form corresponding to the depressions that
are to be made in the finished plate of glass. In other respects this form of
machine is like that already described.
It will be manifest that in place of using a roller and a table, a second roller
might be substituted in place of the table, suitable means being employed to
support the glass while it was passing to and from the rollers.
The sheet of glass is then removed from the table and annealed. Any suitable
form of leer or annealing oven can be used for this purpose. It is important
that the glass should be slowly and thoroughly annealed, because the sheet is
irregular in cross section, and is therefore likely to break unless annealed with
the greatest care.
'
When the sheet of glass has been thus properly annealed and cooled, it is cut
up into panes of the desired or necessary outline to form the completed window.
This can be done by any suitable means. In the best form of my invention I
proceed as follows.
The finished window is to be made up of a certain number of panes or lights;
these panes may all be of the same shape and outline, but in most cases they
vary in shape, and it is frequently the case that a single window contains a large
number of differently shaped panes. A pattern of any suitable material is made
for each pane that is to be used in forming the window. These patterns are
applied to the back or plain surface of the sheet of glass, and the separate panes
are cut out in accordance therewith.
The separate panes are then combined or assembled in accordance with the
design for the completed window, and they are fastened and held in place by
any suitable form of glazing or frame work. Ordinarily metallic bars are em-
ployed for the glazing of the panes, these bars being so shaped as to fit the panes
and having grooves into which the edges of the panes project. This method of
glazing is well known.
In one form of my invention the panes are cut out of the sheet of glass in such

page_text: a manner that, when the panes are assembled and combined in the complete
window, the ribs or prismatic projections of all the panes will be parallel with
one another. As a result of this every part or pane of the window will tend to
throw the rays of light passing through it in the same or a parallel direction,
which will result in making the entire window appear bright and luminous, when
looked at from that direction.
In Figs. 6 and 7 I have indicated how my improved method may be carried
out to produce a window of this kind. Fig. 6 represents the finished window
which it is proposed to make. The design of the window having been first pre-
pared, as shown in this figure, a pattern is made for each of its component panes,
or one for each different shape of pane. These patterns are then applied to a
sheet of rolled prismatic glass, as illustrated in Fig. 7, and the separate panes
are cut out in accordance therewith, and so as to leave as small an amount of waste
glass as possible. These panes are then assembled and glazed together, as shown
in Figure 6. It will be seen that the patterns in Fig. 7 are so applied to the glass
plate that when the panes are cut out and properly combined and assembled,
the ribs on the panes will all be parallel.
In Figs. 8-11, I have illustrated another way of carrying out my method.
Figure 8 represents the design of window which is to be produced. Some of
the panes of this window have small prismatic projections, and the others have
larger prismatic projections, as clearly shown in the drawing. Figure 9 repre-
sents a sheet of glass from which the panes having the smaller projections are
cut. Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of this form of glass. Figure 10
is a suitable cross-sectional view of the sheet of glass having the larger projections.
The patterns for the different panes are prepared as already explained, and
applied to the two sheets of glass respectively, and the panes are thus cut out.
They are then assembled and glazed as shown in Fig. 8.
By providing some, of the panes with smaller prisms and other panes with
larger prisms, new and beautiful effects can be produced.
In Figures 12-16 inclusive I have indicated another way of carrying out my
improved method so as to produce a window having two or more sets of panes
having prisms running in different directions. Fig. 12 represents the finished
window which it is proposed to make. It will be observed that this window is
made up of two different shapes of panes. The design of the window having
been first prepared, as shown in this figure, a pattern is made for each of its com-
ponent panes, or one for each different shape or size of pane. These patterns
are then applied to a sheet of rolled prismatic glass as illustrated in Figs. 13
and 14, and the separate panes are cut out in accordance therewith, and so as to
leave as small an amount of waste glass as possible. The square panes are pro-
vided with small prismatic projections and are cut out from a sheet of glass
having projections of this character such as is shown in Figs. 14 and 16.
hexagonal panes are provided with larger prismatic projections and are cut out
from a sheet of glass such as is represented in Figs. 13 and 15.
These panes
are then assembled and glazed together as shown in Fig. 12.
It will be seen
that the patterns in Figs. 13 and 14 are so applied to the glass plate that when
the panes are cut out and properly combined and assembled, the ribs on panes
of the same shape will all be parallel, whereas the ribs on the square panes will
run in a different direction from the ribs on the hexagonal panes.
The
Many advantages result from this invention, some of which are as follows. A
practically endless variety of designs can be embodied in windows made accord-
ing to my improved method, without requiring the manufacturer or maker to
constantly carry on hand a large stock of prismatic lights. Where windows are
made from molded panes or lights, it is necessary for the manufacturer to main-
tain an immense stock of these molded plates in order to be ready to make windows
in accordance with any particular design that may be ordered. Ordinarily no
two windows are of the same pattern or design, but each new case requires

page_text: prismatic lights of special sizes and forms; even different sizes of the same design
of window would have to he made up from a different stock of goods. No manu-
facturer can afford to mold the few panes that are required for each new window,
separately. The cost of such a method would be prohibitive. The result has
been that the number and variety of designs that it has been practically possible
to make from molded plates, have been very limited. My improved method
makes it possible to produce a window in any design and having any number or
variety of prism panes, quickly and economically. After a sheet of prismatic
glass has been rolled, it can be cut up into panes of any shape or outline desired,
it being practically as easy and as economical to produce one form as another.
It follows also that the variety of designs that can be produced by my method
economically and readily, is practically without any limit. The prismatic glass
is very easily and economically manufactured in the large sheets and the pre-
paration of the patterns and the cutting of the glass can be done quickly and
economically.
The product which results from my improved method is superior in many
respects. The panes of glass are perfect in outline and form and are not liable
to have the imperfections which result from the process of molding. The prisms
are regular and uniform and perfect in shape. The outline of each pane of glass
can be regulated with accuracy. The beauty and artistic merit of the window
are far superior to anything heretofore accomplished.
Very beautiful effects can be produced either by making the prisms of all the
different panes parallel with one another so as to cause the rays of light passing
through all parts of the window to pass away therefrom in a parallel direction,
thus making the entire window appear bright and luminous, or by introducing
into the windows sets of panes having different shapes and giving to each set of
panes a different appearance or effect resulting from the fact that these prisms
are made to run in a special direction.
The means which I have provided for rolling the glass, that is to say, my
machine, is simple and economical in construction. The ribbed roller can be
made of perfect outline and at small cost by turning it in a lathe. The ribs of
the roller are small and have sharp edges. When the glass is a little hard these
edges will sometimes break or chip off. When this happens the roller can easily
be repaired by turning it in a lathe. When the table is provided with ribs or
projections it can be made easily and economically by simply running it through
a planing machine, and if the edge of any one of the ribs becomes broken by
reason of the glass being too hard at that place, the machine can be repaired
without difficulty by the use of a lathe or planer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The method of making ornamental windows of ribbed or prismatic glass,
which consists in melting the glass until it is of the proper consistency, rolling
the molten glass into a sheet having parallel ribs of the desired outline on the
surface, annealing the sheet, cutting the sheet into panes of the desired outline,-
then assembling and glazing the panes, substantially as set forth.
2. The method of making ornamental windows of ribbed or prismatic glass,
which consists in rolling the molten glass into a sheet having parallel ribs of
the desired outline on the surface, annealing the sheet, cutting the sheet into
panes of the desired outline and in such a manner that when the panes are com-
bined to form the window, the ribs of all the panes will be parallel, then assem-
bling and glazing the panes, substantially as set forth.
3. The method of making ornamental windows of ribbed or prismatic glass,
which consists in rolling the molten glass into a sheet having parallel ribs of
the desired outline on the surface, annealing the sheet, applying patterns of the

page_text: separate panes to the back of the sheet and cutting the panes out according to
said patterns, then assembling and glazing the panes, substantially as set forth.
4. The method of making ornamental windows of ribbed or prismatic glass,
which consists in rolling the molten glass into a sheet having parallel ribs of
the desired outline on the surface, annealing the sheet, applying patterns of the
separate panes to the back of the sheet in such a way that the ribs of all the
panes will be parallel when the panes are assembled to form the window, and
cutting the panes out according to said patterns, then assembling and glazing
the panes, substantially as set forth.
5. The method of making ornamental windows of ribbed or prismatic glass
which consists in melting the glass until it is of the proper consistency, stirring
it just before it is rolled so as to make the mass homogeneous in temperature,
rolling the molten glass into a sheet having parallel ribs of the desired outline
on the surface, annealing the sheet, applying patterns of the separate panes to
the back of the sheet in such a way that the ribs of all the panes will be parallel
when the panes are assembled to form a window, cutting the panes out according
to said patterns, then assembling and glazing the panes so that the prisms of
all the panes shall be parallel with one another, substantially as set forth.
6. The method of making ornamental windows of ribbed or prismatic glass
which consists in rolling the molten glass into a sheet having parallel ribs of
the desired outline on the surface, annealing the sheet, cutting the sheet into
panes of different shapes and in such manner that, when the panes are combined
to form the window, the ribs of all the panes having the same shape will be
parallel, then assembling and glazing the panes so that panes of different shapes
will have their ribs run in different directions, while panes of the same shape will
have their ribs run in the same direction, substantially as set forth.
7. A window of prismatic glass, consisting of a number of panes of rolled glass
having prisms upon their surfaces, cut into the desired shapes, and then assembled
and glazed together in such a manner that the prisms of all the panes are parallel,
substantially as set forth.
8. A window of prismatic glass, consisting of a number of panes of rolled
glass having prisms upon their surface, cut into the desired shapes, and then
assembled and glazed together, substantially as set forth.
9. A window of prismatic glass, consisting of a number of panes of rolled glass
having prisms upon their surfaces, cut into different shapes, and assembled
and glazed together, the panes of different shapes having their ribs running in
different directions and the panes of the same shape having their ribs running
in the same direction, substantially as set forth.
10. In a machine for making plates of ribbed glass, the combination of a
revolving roller provided with continuous parallel annular ribs having a form
corresponding to the depressions to be made in the plate of glass, and a support-
ing device to hold the glass against the roller, one of the parts being movable
upon the other, the plane of the ribs on the roller being parallel with the direction
of motion of the movable part, and perpendicular to the axis of the roller, sub-
stantially as set forth.
11. In a machine for making plates of ribbed glass, the combination of a
revolving roller provided with continuous parallel annular ribs having a form
corresponding to the depressions to be made in the plate of glass, gear wheels on
the roller, a supporting table provided with racks with which the gears on the
roller mesh, and on which the roller rides, the plane of the ribs on the roller being
parallel with the direction of motion of the roller and perpendicular to the axis
of the roller, substantially as set forth.
12. In a machine for making plates of ribbed glass, the combination of a
revolving roller and a supporting table, one of these parts being movable with
reference to the other, the roller or the table or both of them being provided
with continuous parallel ribs having a form corresponding to the depressions to
be made in the plate of glass, the plane of these ribs being parallel with the

page_text: direction of motion of the movable part and being perpendicular to the axis of
the roller, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 27th day of August 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.