Abstract: A system for forming a building panel of a desired shape includes a shaping machine comprising multiple rollers, wherein the shaping machine is configured to provide a desired shape to a building panel, and wherein the building panel is made from sheet material. A drive system moves the building panel longitudinally along the shaping machine, and a power source provides power to the drive system. As the building panel is moved along the shaping machine, a load sensor detects a load placed on the power source, and an optional speed sensor detects a speed of the building panel. A control system controls the drive system in response to a signal from the load sensor so as to control the load on the power source as the building panel moves along the shaping machine.

Abstract: A panel crimping apparatus comprises a frame, a first crimping roller supported by the frame, the first crimping roller comprising a first shaft, a plurality of first crimping blades, and a first drive gear attached to the first shaft, and a second crimping roller supported by the frame, the second crimping roller comprising a second shaft, a plurality of second crimping blades, and a second drive gear attached to the second shaft. A distance between the first and second shafts of the first and second crimping rollers is adjustable. The apparatus comprises various links, gears and a control linkage configured to maintain timing between the first and second crimping rollers during driving of the first and second crimping rollers over an adjustable range of distance therebetween.

Abstract: A system for forming a building panel of a desired shape includes a shaping machine comprising multiple rollers, wherein the shaping machine is configured to provide a desired shape to a building panel, and wherein the building panel is made from sheet material. A drive system moves the building panel longitudinally along the shaping machine, and a power source provides power to the drive system. As the building panel is moved along the shaping machine, a load sensor detects a load placed on the power source, and an optional speed sensor detects a speed of the building panel. A control system controls the drive system in response to a signal from the load sensor so as to control the load on the power source as the building panel moves along the shaping machine.

Abstract: A panel crimping apparatus comprises a frame, a first crimping roller supported by the frame, the first crimping roller comprising a first shaft, a plurality of first crimping blades, and a first drive gear attached to the first shaft, and a second crimping roller supported by the frame, the second crimping roller comprising a second shaft, a plurality of second crimping blades, and a second drive gear attached to the second shaft. A distance between the first and second shafts of the first and second crimping rollers is adjustable. The apparatus comprises various links, gears and a control linkage configured to maintain timing between the first and second crimping rollers during driving of the first and second crimping rollers over an adjustable range of distance therebetween.

Abstract: A building panel formed from sheet material is disclosed, the building panel extending in a longitudinal direction along its length and having a shape in cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The building panel includes a center portion in cross section, a first connecting portion connected at one side of the center portion, the first connecting portion comprising a loop in cross section, and a second connecting portion connected at an opposing side of the center portion, the second connecting portion comprising a hook in cross section, wherein the loop and the hook are complementary in size and shape for joining the building panel to adjacent building panels. Building structures comprised of such building panels, and methods and systems for forming such building panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system generates a building design and a three-dimensional image thereof. First building information comprising a length, width, total height and wall height of a building is received via a first graphical user interface. If the length, width, total height, wall height, and a selectable building shape yield a valid set of building parameters, a design of said building is generated at a first software module, which is configured to generate the design, including wall portions and a roof portion, using minimum information consisting of the length, width, total height, wall height, and selectable building shape. A first image and a structural analysis of the design are generated. A second software module generates a second three-dimensional image of the building, which is different from the first image. A second graphical user interface permits a user to modify the second image to include predefined building elements.

Abstract: An improved panel crimping machine for crimping a building panel having a curved central portion is disclosed. The building panel includes a novel curved central portion connected to two diverging inclined side wall portions in lieu of a straight central portion. Replacing the straight curved portion with a curved portion 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 curved central portions will reduce the present design constraints and increase the size and shape of buildings constructed of such panels.

Abstract: An device for crimping together adjacent edge portions of two building panels including a frame supporting a rotatable shaft protruding therethrough, a first crimping member attached to the frame, a gear train supported by the frame coupled to the rotatable shaft such that a rotation of the rotatable shaft imparts rotary motion to the gear train, a drive mechanism supported by the frame and rotatably coupled to the gear train, and a second crimping member supported by the frame and coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the second crimping member is configured to move toward and then away from the first crimping member in a repeating, reciprocating motion under influence of the drive mechanism while rotation of the rotatable shaft is maintained, such that the second crimping member is configured to bend an edge portion of a first building panel over an edge portion of a second building panel.

Abstract: A system for forming a building panel of a desired shape includes a shaping machine comprising multiple rollers, wherein the shaping machine is configured to provide a desired shape to a building panel, and wherein the building panel is made from sheet material. A drive system moves the building panel longitudinally along the shaping machine, and a power source provides power to the drive system. As the building panel is moved along the shaping machine, a load sensor detects a load placed on the power source, and an optional speed sensor detects a speed of the building panel. A control system controls the drive system in response to a signal from the load sensor so as to control the load on the power source as the building panel moves along the shaping machine.

Abstract: A building panel formed from sheet material extends in a longitudinal direction along its length and includes a curved center portion in cross section, a pair of side portions extending from the curved center portion, and a pair of connecting portions extending from the side portions. The curved center portion includes a plurality segments extending in the longitudinal direction. The panel is curved in the longitudinal direction without having transverse corrugations. A particular segment may have a depth greater than that of another segment to accommodate the longitudinal curve. A system for longitudinally curving the panel includes first and second curving assemblies, each of which includes multiple rollers arranged to contact the panel as it passes along, a positioning mechanism for changing a relative rotational orientation between the first and second curving assemblies, a drive system for moving the panel longitudinally, and a control system for controlling the positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A building panel formed from sheet material extends in a longitudinal direction along its length and includes a curved center portion in cross section, a pair of side portions extending from the curved center portion, and a pair of connecting portions extending from the side portions. The curved center portion includes a plurality segments extending in the longitudinal direction. The panel is curved in the longitudinal direction without having transverse corrugations. A particular segment may have a depth greater than that of another segment to accommodate the longitudinal curve. A system for longitudinally curving the panel includes first and second curving assemblies, each of which includes multiple rollers arranged to contact the panel as it passes along, a positioning mechanism for changing a relative rotational orientation between the first and second curving assemblies, a drive system for moving the panel longitudinally, and a control system for controlling the positioning mechanism.

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 a novel curved central portion connected to two diverging inclined side wall portions in lieu of a straight central portion. Replacing the straight curved portion with a curved portion 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 curved central portions will reduce the present design constraints and increase the size and shape of buildings constructed of such panels.

Abstract: A device for decoiling a coil of sheet material includes a support frame, a rotatable spindle supported by the support frame, and multiple conical support rollers supported by the support frame. The rotatable spindle has an axis of rotation directed in a vertical direction and is configured to be positioned in a hollow core of a coil of sheet material. The multiple conical support rollers are configured to support a base of the coil of sheet material, each conical support roller having a conical shape with a wide end and narrow end. Each conical support roller has an axis of rotation and is arranged such that its respective axis of rotation is directed toward the axis of rotation of the rotatable spindle. Each conical support roller is arranged such that a narrow end of the conical support roller is positioned toward the rotatable spindle.

Abstract: An attachment member formed from sheet material configured to connect a wall to a curved roof of a building structure. The attachment member includes at least two segments: a first segment having a flat center portion and a pair of walls extending perpendicular to the center portion in cross section, the pair of walls defining a recess oriented in a direction perpendicular to the center portion, wherein the recess is adapted to accommodate a portion of a wall of a building structure; and a second segment extending from one of the walls of the first segment, the second segment being oriented in a same plane as the flat center portion of the first segment in cross section, the second segment including a longitudinal rib, the longitudinal rib protruding in cross section from the second segment, the longitudinal rib being adapted to mate with a rib of a curved building panel. Building structures made using such attachment members and an attachment member forming system are also described.

Abstract: A building panel formed from sheet material extends in a longitudinal direction along its length and includes a curved center portion in cross section, a pair of side portions extending from the curved center portion, and a pair of connecting portions extending from the side portions. The curved center portion includes a plurality segments extending in the longitudinal direction. The panel is curved in the longitudinal direction without having transverse corrugations. A particular segment may have a depth greater than that of another segment to accommodate the longitudinal curve. A system for longitudinally curving the panel includes first and second curving assemblies, each of which includes multiple rollers arranged to contact the panel as it passes along, a positioning mechanism for changing a relative rotational orientation between the first and second curving assemblies, a drive system for moving the panel longitudinally, and a control system for controlling the positioning mechanism.

Abstract: An improved building panel with increased stiffness and resistance to buckling is disclosed. The panel cross section is characterized by a novel center portion comprised of radially arranged longitudinal stiffening ribs which transition into side portions configured to allow joining of the panels. The configuration of the panel's center section results in an increased moment of inertia as well as higher resistance to positive and negative bending moments and local buckling when compared to existing designs. Additionally, the panel configuration allows curving longitudinally without corrugations. These improvements in the strength of the panel and the elimination of corrugations reduce design constraints on buildings constructed of such panels and allow larger buildings to be constructed.

Abstract: A method and system generates a building design and a three-dimensional image thereof. First building information comprising a length, width, total height and wall height of a building is received via a first graphical user interface. If the length, width, total height, wall height, and a selectable building shape yield a valid set of building parameters, a design of said building is generated at a first software module, which is configured to generate the design, including wall portions and a roof portion, using minimum information consisting of the length, width, total height, wall height, and selectable building shape. A first image and a structural analysis of the design are generated. A second software module generates a second three-dimensional image of the building, which is different from the first image. A second graphical user interface permits a user to modify the second image to include predefined building elements.

Abstract: An improved panel crimping machine for crimping a building panel having a curved central portion is disclosed. The building panel includes a novel curved central portion connected to two diverging inclined side wall portions in lieu of a straight central portion. Replacing the straight curved portion with a curved portion 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 curved central portions will reduce the present design constraints and increase the size and shape of buildings constructed of such panels.

Abstract: A decoiling device for decoiling a coil of sheet material includes first and second support rollers on which to support a coil of sheet material. The first and second support rollers are oriented such that their rotation axes are parallel to a first direction. The decoiling device also includes a frame supports the first and second support rollers, a rotatable mandrel, and first and second guide members. The first and second guide members are positionable at first and second sides of the frame, respectively, so as to limit movement of the coil of sheet material in the first direction. Multiple such decoiling devices can be configured together with a support member that supports the multiple decoiling devices to provide a mobile multi-coil decoiling system that is transportable from one location to another.

Abstract: A vehicle for use in the construction trade to support steel building fabrication and support issues. In the preferred embodiment, the vehicle comprises a trailer, a mobile type unit containing enough equipment to handle most tasks used on a construction site, particularly a metal building construction site. All components of the vehicle are constructed of heavy-duty materials to handle the rough terrain of the construction environment and is made to withstand the rigor of a construction site. In the preferred embodiment, the trailer has its own self-contained power and is fully supportive of a mobile metal building factory that is used commonly in the art. The vehicle is designed to serve as a mobile metal factory and will be used in the construction of self-supporting metal structures that are known in the industry, and is fully self-contained, supplying all of the tools and equipment necessary for construction support at the site where the vehicle is located.