U.S. patent application number 14/155345 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-25 for methods for creating tempered glass art furniture and accessories.
The applicant listed for this patent is Juifeng Lee. Invention is credited to Juifeng Lee.
Application Number | 20140283980 14/155345 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51568249 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140283980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Juifeng |
September 25, 2014 |
METHODS FOR CREATING TEMPERED GLASS ART FURNITURE AND
ACCESSORIES
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.
Inventors: |
Lee; Juifeng; (Taipei,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lee; Juifeng |
Taipei |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
51568249 |
Appl. No.: |
14/155345 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61752296 |
Jan 14, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
156/196 ; 65/104;
65/60.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2220/008 20130101;
A47B 97/00 20130101; C03B 27/0447 20130101; A47C 11/00 20130101;
Y10T 156/1002 20150115; C03B 23/0252 20130101; A47C 5/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/196 ;
65/60.1; 65/104 |
International
Class: |
A47C 5/00 20060101
A47C005/00; C03B 23/023 20060101 C03B023/023; B44C 1/20 20060101
B44C001/20 |
Claims
1. A method for creating a piece of furniture entirely made of
glass, comprising: printing, by a digital glass printer, a pattern
on a first component of a plurality of components of the piece of
furniture; tempering, by a glass tempering machine, the first
component; and assembling, by an assembler, the components; wherein
at least one of the components serves as a structural element of
the piece of furniture.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: installing one or
more feet on an edge of at least one of the components.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: installing one or
more edge strips on an edge of at least one of the components.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: connecting the first
component to a second component of the plurality of components, via
a connector fastened to the first component and the second
component.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: leaving an unprinted
area in the pattern where the connector is fastened to the first
component.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: designing the pattern
to visually coordinate the unprinted area with the pattern.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: using at least one
ceramic ink for the printing.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: cutting, by a glass
cutting machine, the first component to visually coordinate a shape
of the first component with the pattern.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: printing the pattern
with an area larger than the first component; and cleaning, by a
cleaner, an excess of ink from an edge of the first component.
10. A method for creating a decorative mirror entirely made of
glass, comprising: printing, by a digital glass printer, a pattern
on a glass frame for the decorative mirror; tempering, by a glass
tempering machine, the glass frame; and fastening, by a fastener,
the frame to the decorative mirror.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: using at least one
ceramic ink for the printing.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: cutting, by a glass
cutting machine, the glass frame to visually coordinate a shape of
the glass frame with the pattern.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: printing the
pattern with an area larger than the glass frame; and cleaning, by
a cleaner, an excess of ink from an edge of the glass frame.
14. A method for creating a pattern on a bent glass, comprising:
printing, by a digital glass printer, the pattern on a flat glass;
tempering, by a glass tempering machine, the flat glass; and
bending, by the glass tempering machine, the flat glass into the
bent glass.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: using at least one
ceramic ink for the printing.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: cutting, by a glass
cutting machine, the flat glass to visually coordinate a shape of
the flat glass with the pattern.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: printing the
pattern with an area larger than the flat glass; and cleaning, by a
cleaner, an excess of ink from an edge of the flat glass.
18. A method for creating a chair, comprising: tempering, by a
glass tempering machine, a flat glass; bending, by the glass
tempering machine, the flat glass into a bent glass; and
assembling, by an assembler, the bent glass and a supporting
structure into the chair; wherein the bent glass is the seat of the
chair.
19. A method for creating a chair, comprising: tempering, by a
glass tempering machine, a first flat glass; bending, by the first
glass tempering machine, the first flat glass into a first bent
glass; bending, by a glass bending machine, a second flat glass
into a second bent glass; laminating, by a laminating machine, the
first bent glass, an interior plastic layer, and the second bent
glass, into a laminated glass; and assembling, by an assembler, the
laminated glass and a supporting structure into the chair; wherein
the laminated glass is the seat of the chair.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: printing, by a
digital glass printer, a pattern on the first flat glass.
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
802a and 802b 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
802a and 802b 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.TM. GLASSJET PRO.TM. 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.
* * * * *