APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING NEWLY FORMED GLASS SHEET STRIP

Apparatus (20) for delivering a newly formed floating glass sheet from a molten metal bath container (22) including a linear induction motor (24) that permits horizontal delivery without bath overflow is disclosed as including a gas support (34) and a drive roll (42) that cooperate with each other. The gas support (34) supports the horizontally delivered glass sheet strip by upwardly directed pressurized gas delivered between lateral edge portions (38) of the strip at a location immediately adjacent the bath container (22). The drive roll (42) is located downstream from the molten metal bath (24) and has spaced drive portions (44) that rotatively drive the lateral edge portions (38) of the glass sheet strip without the drive roll engaging the strip between the spaced drive portions. Gas support (34) preferably includes a first manifold (46) that supplies an upwardly directed inert gas and also preferably includes a second manifold (50) that supplies products of combustion from a gas burner. A pair of supports (64) of the apparatus adjustably support the drive portions (44) of the drive roll (42) and are adjustably positioned by horizontal and vertical adjusters (68,72) to provide steering and elevation adjustment. Pinch rolls (76) located above the drive portions (44) of the drive roll cooperate therewith to support and drive the lateral edge portions (38) of the glass sheet strip.