Abstract: The present invention is a crimping machine capable of forming an improved building panel that includes notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine imparts a unique design of notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine incorporates two sets of male and female crimping roller, wherein each set of crimping rollers imparts a notch in one of the inclined side walls. The crimping machine also includes a gap adjustment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting the distance between both sets of male and female crimping rollers.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved building panel having increased strength and rigidity, thereby reducing present design constraints imposed upon buildings constructed of interconnected panels. The building panel includes notched inclined side walls extending from a central portion, wherein the notched portions are located between a neutral imaginary axis and the central portion. The notched portions have an open end and a closed end, wherein the open end faces away from the building panel. Including such notched portions within the inclined side walls provides the building panel with increased strength and rigidity, thereby allowing the building panel to withstand increased positive and negative bending moments. Thus, a building constructed of panels having such notched side walls will reduce the present design constraints and increase the size and shape of buildings constructed of such panels.

Abstract: The present invention is a crimping machine capable of forming an improved building panel that includes notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine imparts a unique design of notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine incorporates two sets of male and female crimping roller, wherein each set of crimping rollers imparts a notch in one of the inclined side walls. The crimping machine also includes a gap adjustment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting the distance between both sets of male and female crimping rollers.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for improving the connection between a building panel and a foundation. The improved connection is made possible by a unique form assembly that includes a trough assembly and a novel means for adequately supporting the trough assembly while the concrete is poured. The trough assembly creates a trough, which is an elongated hollow notch at the top of the foundation that resembles the shape of the trough assembly. Thus, the trough assembly is designed such that its width is approximately equal to the width of the building panel. The trough assembly also includes an angle iron affixed to the top of its sides. The trough assembly provides the building panel an elongated hollow groove having angle irons on each side. The prefabricated panel is therefor affixed to the angle irons. Placing the prefabricated panel in the foundation in such a manner and affixing it to the angle irons provides the panel with improved lateral and horizontal support.

Abstract: The present invention is a panel seaming device that can seam both curved and straight panels. The panel seaming device accomplishes this task by incorporating a unique mechanical drive configuration that includes two gear box driven by a single motor and connected by a universal joint. This mechanical drive configuration and particularly, the universal joint allows the gear boxes to pivot amongst one another, thereby accommodating for the panel's profile change. In other words, as the panel passes through the seaming device and its profile changes, especially from a straight portion to a curved portion and vice versa, the gear boxes pivot amongst each other and accommodate for such change. Additionally, each gear box includes two portions, which also pivot amongst each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction that each of the first and second gear boxes is pivot. In other words, the portions of the gear boxes pivot in a direction perpendicular to the seam.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for improving the connection between a building panel and a foundation. The improved connection is made possible by a unique form assembly that includes a trough assembly and a novel means for adequately supporting the trough assembly while the concrete is poured. The trough assembly creates a trough, which is an elongated hollow notch at the top of the foundation that resembles the shape of the trough assembly. Thus, the trough assembly is designed such that its width is approximately equal to the width of the building panel. The trough assembly also includes an angle iron affixed to the top of its sides. The trough assembly provides the building panel an elongated hollow groove having angle irons on each side. The prefabricated panel is therefor affixed to the angle irons. Placing the prefabricated panel in the foundation in such a manner and affixing it to the angle irons provides the panel with improved lateral and horizontal support.

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 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.