GLASS SHEET GAS SUPPORT

A glass sheet gas support (20) is disclosed as having a set of elongated gas supply openings (26) for supplying pressurized gas to support a glass sheet and as also including a set of elongated gas exhaust openings (28) for exhausting the gas and constructed to including progressively increasing gas flow areas in opposite directions from ends (36) of each exhaust opening to a central portion (38) thereof in order to prevent gas pressure buildup between an upwardly facing surface (24) of the manifold and the supported glass sheet at a central location. In one embodiment, the manifold (22) defines each gas exhaust opening (28) with progressively increasing widths from its ends (36) toward the central portion (38) thereof and is preferably constructed as a cast refractory platen (42) which cooperates with a manifold member (58) that mounts gas jet pumps (60) fed products of combustion from a gas burner (62) to provide recirculating flow of gas to and from the supply exhaust openings. In another embodiment, the manifold (22' ) defines the ends (36') of each gas exhaust opening (28') with progressively increasing depths from its ends (36') toward the central portion (38') thereof and is preferably fabricated from sheet metal that defines both the gas supply and exhaust openings. Both manifold embodiments (20,22') include gas supply passages (96,96') that are inclined to provide conveyance of the supported glass sheet.