Two-stage gravity press

Apparatus for shaping at least one glass sheet wherein a lower press ring and an upper press ring are configured to clamp a perimeter section of the glass sheet between the lower press ring and the upper press ring. The apparatus also includes an inner press at least partially disposed within the upper press ring and configured to shape at least a section of the glass sheet inside the perimeter section of the glass sheet. The inner press is fixed to a top plate and is moveable within limits with respect to the upper press ring. When a suspension assembly and the top plate are lowered, a carrying frame limits the descending movement of the upper press ring so that the inner press descends under gravity force until the upper press ring contacts the carrying frame and the suspension assembly decouples from the top plate. The inner press continues to move downwardly under gravity force to shape the center part of the ply until the top plate contacts the upper press ring. To unclamp the ply, the suspension assembly is vertically raised to cause the suspension assembly to re-couple with the top plate and move the inner press upwardly until the suspension assembly lifts the upper press ring together with the inner press.