A fixed reference edge system that guides a glass slide from a slot of a slide rack onto a scanning stage and guides the glass slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. In an embodiment, the fixed reference edge has a first side that is parallel to a side of the slot of the slide rack. The system comprises an assembly that includes a push bar configured to push the slide from the slot onto the scanning stage, and a pull bar configured to pull the slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. When the slide is pulled into the slide rack, the long edge of the slide is pressed against the first side of the fixed reference edge to maintain a parallel orientation between the slide and the slot of the slide rack.

Manual and automated racking systems and associated methods for loading/unloading glass panels (e.g., insulating glass units (IGU), laminated glass units, glass composites, monolithic glass, and the like) onto/from a transportable rack, and a rack for use with the manual and automated racking systems.

A fixed reference edge system that guides a glass slide from a slot of a slide rack onto a scanning stage and guides the glass slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. In an embodiment, the fixed reference edge has a first side that is parallel to a side of the slot of the slide rack. The system comprises an assembly that includes a push bar configured to push the slide from the slot onto the scanning stage, and a pull bar configured to pull the slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. When the slide is pulled into the slide rack, the long edge of the slide is pressed against the first side of the fixed reference edge to maintain a parallel orientation between the slide and the slot of the slide rack.

A rack and lifter system and method is described. The system includes a rack having at least a first engagement opening, and a lifter having at least a first engagement member and at least a first vertical extension member, wherein in use the at least a first engagement member interlocks with the at least a first engagement opening of the rack, and the at least a first vertical extension member extends to lift the interlocked lifter and rack, wherein the at least a first vertical extension member includes means for movement. The lifter may include a guiding-and-lifting member which lifts the lifter and guides the lifter into an interior space of the rack. The lifter may include a towing machine connection member which connects the lifter to a towing machine which positions the lifter within the rack and tows the connected lifter and rack.

A six-part conveyor system sharing a common line of dependency for the streamlined manufacturing of windows allowing both sides of the window to be easily worked on without the need for users to lift and move the window from one segment of a conveyor system to another. The window manufacturing conveyor line is designed to streamline the manufacture of windows. This system and method allows a user to easily move glass panels, speeding up productivity and provide efficiency by putting holding clips on glass in a first station, applying fast drying sealant to a tipped piece of glass in a second station, and moving to a final station where the glass window is prepared for shipping wherein the shipping cart is moved into position around the final station and window is lowered onto the cart.

A storage rack is provided for storing glass sheets. The rack includes substantially horizontal and vertical portions. The substantially horizontal and/or vertical portion(s) of the rack include(s) one or more flexible supports, each including at least one channel. Arms are attached to the left and right sides of the rack. The rear legs have tabs attached thereto, with lower lips extending away from the rack. The rack is stackable with another rack, e.g., with the upper rack's rear sitting on the lower rack's arms, and with the upper rack's front supported by a support member extending upwardly from tubing provided in the lower rack that is accommodated in holes/recesses of the upper rack. The arms are sized, shaped, and arranged to reduce the likelihood of tipping of the upper rack, and the tabs help mitigate the effect of side-to-side movement of the upper rack relative to the lower rack.

A transportable rack for transporting multiple glass panels with securing assemblies having a number of resilient blocks therein, at least partially defining a receiving gap, and a shaped spigot mounted relative to a drive mechanism to selectively move the shaped spigot relative to the resilient block between a rest condition in which a panel can be inserted into the receiving gap and to cause deformation of the resilient block into an expanded clamping condition in which a portion of the resilient block is moved to clamp the panel within the receiving gap.

A transportable rack for transporting multiple glass panels with securing assemblies having a number of resilient blocks therein, at least partially defining a receiving gap, and a shaped spigot mounted relative to a drive mechanism to selectively move the shaped spigot relative to the resilient block between a rest condition in which a panel can be inserted into the receiving gap and to cause deformation of the resilient block into an expanded clamping condition in which a portion of the resilient block is moved to clamp the panel within the receiving gap.

A fixed reference edge system that guides a glass slide from a slot of a slide rack onto a scanning stage and guides the glass slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. In an embodiment, the fixed reference edge has a first side that is parallel to a side of the slot of the slide rack. The system comprises an assembly that includes a push bar configured to push the slide from the slot onto the scanning stage, and a pull bar configured to pull the slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. When the slide is pulled into the slide rack, the long edge of the slide is pressed against the first side of the fixed reference edge to maintain a parallel orientation between the slide and the slot of the slide rack.

A six-part conveyor system sharing a common line of dependency for the streamlined manufacturing of windows allowing both sides of the window to be easily worked on without the need for users to lift and move the window from one segment of a conveyor system to another. The window manufacturing conveyor line is designed to streamline the manufacture of windows. This system and method allows a user to easily move glass panels, speeding up productivity and provide efficiency by putting holding clips on glass in a first station, applying fast drying sealant to a tipped piece of glass in a second station, and moving to a final station where the glass window is prepared for shipping wherein the shipping cart is moved into position around the final station and window is lowered onto the cart.