Glass cutting machine having multiple cutting heads

An apparatus for scoring fracture sensitive sheet material and minimizing chipping at an edge thereof, comprising:

• a. a base for supporting the fracture sensitive sheet material;
• b. an alignment bar secured to one edge of said base for maintaining the fracture sensitive sheet material in a predetermined position upon said base;
• c. scoring means movably supported upon said base above the fracture sensitive sheet material, said scoring means including at least one cutting head being movable toward said alignment bar across and in contact with the fracture sensitive sheet material for creating at least one score line therein;
• and
• d. an elongated plastic member having a uniform width and having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the fracture sensitive sheet material, said elongated plastic member being disposed upon said base parallel to said alignment bar and positioned between and closely abutting said alignment bar and an edge of said fracture sensitive sheet material, said plastic member preventing said cutting head from dropping off the edge of said fracture sensitive sheet material and creating a chip therein.

A method of scoring a fracture sensitive sheet material having a predetermined thickness in order to reduce chipping at the edges of said fracture sensitive sheet material, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. placing the fracture sensitive sheet material on a work surface;
• b. providing a plastic sheet member of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the fracture sensitive sheet material;
• c. retaining an edge of the plastic sheet member adjacent an edge of the fracture sensitive sheet material;
• and
• d. moving a scoring tool across the fracture sensitive sheet material toward and onto the plastic sheet member for creating a score line within the fracture sensitive sheet material.

An apparatus for scoring fracture sensitive sheet material, comprising:

• a. a base for supporting the fracture sensitive sheet material, said base including first and second opposing edges parallel to each other;
• b. a crossbar extending between and perpendicular to said first and second opposing edges of said base and disposed above said base, said crossbar being movable along a path parallel to said first and second opposing edges of said base;
• c. first and second guide means disposed along said first and second edges of said base, respectively, for supporting said crossbar and guiding movement thereof along said path;
• d. cutting head support means extending parallel to said crossbar and being pivotally connected thereto;
• e. a plurality of cutting heads attached to and supported by said cutting head support means for creating a corresponding plurality of score lines upon the fracture sensitive sheet material;
• and
• f. control means for pivoting said cutting head support means relative to said crossbar in order to simultaneously raise and lower said plurality of cutting heads for selectively bringing each of said plurality of cutting heads in contact with the fracture sensitive sheet material.