Abstract: A method of machining a metal panel to impart a 2-dimensional representation of an image and a 3-dimensional representation of a dimensional design on the metal panel. An image file is received and converted to at least one image control file. A dimensional design file is received and converted to at least one dimensional design control file. The metal panel is then machined in accordance with the image control file to transfer the representation of the image on the metal panel and machined in accordance with the dimensional design control file to transfer the representation of the dimensional design on the metal panel adjacent to the representation of the image.

Abstract: An omni-directional connection assembly broadly includes a hinge pin and one or more connection brackets. The hinge pin comprises a base section, a pair of primary walls, and a pair of opposed projections. The primary walls form a primary slot therebetween for receiving an engagement portion of a first panel therein. The opposed projections are spaced from the primary walls and form elongated passageways for allowing the primary walls to bend slightly outward for receiving the engagement portion of the first panel. The connection brackets are U-shaped for being positioned over the hinge pin and including flanges for attaching the connection brackets to a second panel. The first and second panels are then connected together at angles of between 0 and 180 degrees or more.

Abstract: A substantially vertically extending removable and replaceable cover and a substantially horizontally extending cover for use with a curtain wall system broadly comprising an array of windows, a set of vertical and horizontal mullions, a set of window gaskets. The covers overlay the mullions and each include a front side, left and right or top and bottom sides, and rear tabs extending therefrom for removably connecting the covers on the mullions.

Abstract: An omni-directional connection assembly broadly includes a hinge pin and one or more connection brackets. The hinge pin comprises a base section, a pair of primary walls, and a pair of opposed projections. The primary walls form a primary slot therebetween for receiving an engagement portion of a first panel therein. The opposed projections are spaced from the primary walls and form elongated passageways for allowing the primary walls to bend slightly outward for receiving the engagement portion of the first panel. The connection brackets are U-shaped for being positioned over the hinge pin and including flanges for attaching the connection brackets to a second panel. The first and second panels are then connected together at angles of between 0 and 180 degrees or more.

Abstract: An omni-directional connection assembly broadly includes a hinge pin and one or more connection brackets. The hinge pin comprises a base section, a pair of primary walls, and a pair of opposed projections. The primary walls form a primary slot therebetween for receiving an engagement portion of a first panel therein. The opposed projections are spaced from the primary walls and form elongated passageways for allowing the primary walls to bend slightly outward for receiving the engagement portion of the first panel. The connection brackets are U-shaped for being positioned over the hinge pin and including flanges for attaching the connection brackets to a second panel. The first and second panels are then connected together at angles of between 0 and 180 degrees or more.

Abstract: A system and method for designing, visualizing, pricing, and generating specifications for custom building components to be installed onto a structural surface such as an outer wall of a building. The system may be a web server accessible by a web browser and having a computer program stored thereon for accessing information related to building components from a database. The computer program may also receive from a user a selection of a type of building component to customize from the database, as well as surface parameters for the structural surface and user-selected parameters to be applied to a building component of the selected type. The computer program may display a visual depiction and a cost of the building component having the user-selected parameters. The computer program may also generate specifications for fabricating and installing the building component having the user-selected parameters.

Abstract: A contoured metal building panel comprising an inner layer formed from a piece of flexible material that has been manipulated to create contours along its surface and an outer coating that substantially encases and hardens the flexible material so that the contours are substantially rigid and fixed.

Abstract: A contoured metal building panel comprising an inner layer formed from a piece of flexible material that has been manipulated to create contours along its surface and an outer coating that substantially encases and hardens the flexible material so that the contours are substantially rigid and fixed.

Abstract: A contoured metal building panel comprising an inner layer formed from a piece of flexible material that has been manipulated to create contours along its surface and an outer coating that substantially encases and hardens the flexible material so that the contours are substantially rigid and fixed.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a lightly scratched surface to a metal sample comprises a motor, a disk, a frame, a motion guidance unit, and a plurality of springs. The motor may provide a rotational motion to the disk which includes abrasive elements configured to create a plurality of microscopic scratches on the surface of the metal sample. The frame may include a bottom wall with an opening in which the motor is positioned. The motion guidance unit may retain the frame and guide the motion of the motor across the surface of the metal sample. The plurality of springs may couple the motor to the bottom wall of the frame in order to suspend the motor within the opening of the bottom wall and to allow lateral motion of the motor and the disk while the motor is rotating.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a lightly scratched surface to a metal sample comprises a motor, a disk, a frame, a motion guidance unit, and a plurality of springs. The motor may provide a rotational motion to the disk which includes abrasive elements configured to create a plurality of microscopic scratches on the surface of the metal sample. The frame may include a bottom wall with an opening in which the motor is positioned. The motion guidance unit may retain the frame and guide the motion of the motor across the surface of the metal sample. The plurality of springs may couple the motor to the bottom wall of the frame in order to suspend the motor within the opening of the bottom wall and to allow lateral motion of the motor and the disk while the motor is rotating.

Abstract: A contoured metal building panel comprising an inner layer formed from a piece of flexible material that has been manipulated to create contours along its surface and an outer coating that substantially encases and hardens the flexible material so that the contours are substantially rigid and fixed.

Abstract: An I-beam (10) comprises a first D-shaped flange (20) and a second D-shaped flange (60) connected by a web (100). Each flange includes a planar segment (30,70) and a curved segment (40,80). A lip (50,90) depends from the planar segment (30,70) of each flange (20,60) and is adapted to be attached to the web (100). The curved segment (40,70) of each flange (20,60) includes an outer surface (42,82) and an outer surface (44,84). The outer surface (42,82) is serrated to grip a wall panel or other structure attached to the flange (20,80) and the inner surface includes ridges (46,86) to strengthen the flange (20,60).

Abstract: A panel attachment system (10) comprising a plurality of covering panels (12), a plurality of retaining members (16) to hold the panels (12), and a plurality of mounting structures (18) to secure the retaining members (16) to a surface (20). The panels (12) are held to the retaining members (16) through the use of protruding locking members (32) formed on the panels (12) which interlock with a slot (48) formed on the retaining member (16). The panels (12) may be coupled to the retaining members (16) without the need for precise alignment, thereby expediting the installation of the surface (20). The retaining members (16) additionally contain a drainage channel (50) to carry water and other debris away from the surface (20).

Abstract: An I-beam (10) comprises a first D-shaped flange (20) and a second D-shaped flange (60) connected by a web (100). Each flange includes a planar segment (30,70) and a curved segment (40,80). A lip (50,90) depends from the planar segment (30,70) of each flange (20,60) and is adapted to be attached to the web (100). The curved segment (40,70) of each flange (20,60) includes an outer surface (42,82) and an outer surface (44,84). The outer surface (42,82) is serrated to grip a wall panel or other structure attached to the flange (20,80) and the inner surface includes ridges (46,86) to strengthen the flange (20,60).

Abstract: An I-beam (10) comprises a first D-shaped flange (20) and a second D-shaped flange (60) connected by a web (100). Each flange includes a planar segment (30,70) and a curved segment (40,80). A lip (50,90) depends from the planar segment (30,70) of each flange (20,60) and is adapted to be attached to the web (100). The curved segment (40,70) of each flange (20,60) includes an outer surface (42,82) and an outer surface (44,84). The outer surface (42,82) is serrated to grip a wall panel or other structure attached to the flange (20,80) and the inner surface includes ridges (46,86) to strengthen the flange (20,60).

Abstract: A program for defining a support structure for a dual curved surface preferably runs on computer equipment (10) and receives a definition of the surface. The program then extracts a first curve and a second curve from the definition. The program defines at least two headers (14) matching the first curve and a plurality of ribs (16) matching the second curve. The program defines the spacing for the headers (14) and ribs (16), such that the surface is adequately supported, defines the attachment points for the ribs (16) along the headers (14), and rib angles for the attachment points. The program then generates control files for use by a machine (24) in producing the headers (14) and ribs (16).

Abstract: A panel attachment system (10) comprising a plurality of covering panels (12), a plurality of retaining members (16) to hold the panels (12), and a plurality of mounting structures (18) to secure the retaining members (16) to a surface (20). The panels (12) are held to the retaining members (16) through the use of protruding locking members (32) formed on the panels (12) which interlock with a slot (48) formed on the retaining member (16). The panels (12) may be coupled to the retaining members (16) without the need for precise alignment, thereby expediting the installation of the surface (20). The retaining members (16) additionally contain a drainage channel (50) to carry water and other debris away from the surface (20).

Abstract: A panel attachment system (10) comprising a plurality of covering panels (12), a plurality of retaining members (16) to hold the panels (12), and a plurality of mounting structures (18) to secure the retaining members (16) to a surface (20). The panels (12) are held to the retaining members (16) through the use of protruding locking members (32) formed on the panels (12) which interlock with a slot (48) formed on the retaining member (16). The panels (12) may be coupled to the retaining members (16) without the need for precise alignment, thereby expediting the installation of the surface (20). The retaining members (16) additionally contain a drainage channel (50) to carry water and other debris away from the surface (20).