Abstract: A sealing apparatus for connecting two adjacent panels includes a releasable connection for quickly releasing forming rollers of the sealing apparatus. The apparatus includes drive shafts for driving the seaming rollers. At least one of the drive shafts has a spline portion and an engagement portion proximate a distal end thereof. A hub member has a complimentary spline portion engagable with the spline portion of the drive shaft, with a seaming roller fixedly connected to the hub member. And, a spring biased hub clip has an engagement portion that is releasably engagable with the engagement portion of the drive shaft to releasably hold the drive shaft to the hub member.

Abstract: A roll forming device has a trailer having a hitch mechanism at a front end and a plurality of wheels, a sheet metal roll forming apparatus mounted to the trailer and a crane mounted to the trailer for moving materials to the roll forming apparatus. An outrigger system is also provided that includes front stabilizer jacks. In addition, rear leveling jacks are also provided proximate the rear end of the trailer.

Abstract: A seaming device for connecting building panels in a continuous seam along adjacent side edges of two building panels in the construction of a building or like structure which is particularly suited for seaming panels with both curved and straight portions. The seaming device includes an intermediate set of rollers capable of moving vertically and thereby allowing the seamer to seam panels having both straight portions and curved portions. By allowing the intermediate rollers to move vertically, the seaming apparatus of the present invention "walks" along the panel much more easily and avoids causing damage to the paint of the panel. The vertical movement of the intermediate rollers permits the seamer to adjust to changes in the panel from straight to curved and curved to straight.

Abstract: A seaming device for connecting building panels in a continuous along adjacent side edges of two building panels in the construction of a building or light structure which is particularly suited for seaming panels with both curved and straight portions. The seaming device includes a first frame having an electric motor and two horizontally opposed rollers and a second portion having an electric motor and two horizontally opposed rollers with the first and second portions being coupled together in a hinge-like manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for crimping the side walls of a sheet metal building panel independently of a main crimper which crimps the belly of the panel. The depth and the position along the panel of the side crimp is adjusted independently of the main crimpers in relation to the radius the panel is being curved and the length of panel that has passed through the apparatus. The adjustment is controlled by a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls a hydraulic motor which drives a machine screw which activates a scissors-jack type linkage. Blocks holding the rotatably mounted crimping rollers are mounted on slides and attached to the linkage. As the linkage moves, the depth of the crimping rollers is adjusted. The rotation of the crimping rollers is hydraulically driven through a gear-sprocket rotary motion drive train.

Abstract: A metal building is formed of adjacent preformed panels of generally U-shape with crimpable edges, the edges of adjacent panels being crimped together to form the building, the building having straight side walls and a continuous arched curved roof in which the side walls are reinforced by similar shaped straight panels positioned against the side walls to form cavities, which cavities may be filled with reinforcing material, electrical conduits and the like.

Abstract: Tunnel liners are formed from panels of arched, bendable sheet material. The panels include a central portion, inclined side portions, wing portions, and hook and receptacle portions on opposite sides of each panel. Panels are joined with the hook portion of one panel fitting into the receptacle portion of the other panel and are then continuously seamed from the underside, i.e., the inside of the arched assembly.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled apparatus and method for processing sheet material into building panels for assembly into buildings. The sheet material is formed into a panel having a flat bottom and sides while the length of the formed panel is monitored to control operation of the forming device. The panel is then fed into a curve-forming device which crimps at least a portion of the panel so that it is arched or curved. The curvature of the output panel is monitored to control the location of adjustable crimper rollers disposed in the curve-forming device to provide the portion of the panel with an accurate preselected curvature. The length of the curved portion of the panel is monitored when producing panels having both straight and curved portions, and the crimper rollers automatically reset to form portions with a different radius of curvature.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a roll of coiled sheet material to rotatably support the roll during decoiling. The device includes a hub assembly with an axle and a pair of rotatable hub centers that are connected to a plurality of support members. One of the hub centers is moved toward the other to adjust the support members. The support members are radially movable with respect to the axle and engage the interior surface of the hollow core of the roll. The device has bearings which allow free rotation of the hub centers while under load from the roll. A torque limiter is disposed on the device to prevent undesired decoiling of the roll.

Abstract: A mobile metal building forming machine forms panels of predetermined length from a coil of flat metal and then the formed panels are continuously crimped on their side edges for strength and are selectively curved by crimping the bottom of the panel. The crimping and curvature are automatically controlled so that building panels with vertical walls and an arched roof may be formed. A moveable crimping roll is automatically portioned to control the curvature and the roll is chain driven so that it may be moved without affecting its rotational drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping the adjacent side edges of two panels includes a base with first and second crimping members. One of the crimping members is fixed to the base while the other is threaded on a screw member secured to the base. The screw member is rotated by a motor to drive the crimping members together. The apparatus is placed on adjacent panels of the type having preformed mating side edges. The side edge of one panel is in the form of an inverted channel in which the side edge of the other panel fits. The apparatus crimps the side edges so that a downturned leg of the channel is folded onto a portion of the other panel's side edge, thereby crimping the panels together so that a rotary seaming apparatus can be applied to provide a permanent watertight connection. The apparatus is provided with a non-abrasive material to prevent scratching or marring of the panel surfaces.