US-20260125253-A1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING INSULATED METAL PANELS

US20260125253A1US 20260125253 A1US20260125253 A1US 20260125253A1US-20260125253-A1

Abstract

An insulated metal panel (IMP) assembly system includes a panel assembly table and a boom IMP attachment. The panel assembly table allows for assembly of a panel module at ground level. The boom IMP attachment features a quick-coupler couplable to the boom of a telehandler, a swivel coupler column, one or more tilt linear actuators configured to tilt the orientation of a panel module, and one or more hydraulic rotation linear actuators configured to rotate the orientation of the panel module. The boom IMP attachment also includes a jib frame, a plurality of jib arms spanning outwards from the jib frame, and one or more clamp header rails having a plurality of clamp assemblies, each configured to grip a frame member of the panel frame of the panel module. The boom IMP attachment may hoist, tilt, and rotate the panel module.

Inventors

James Barlow
James Harker

Assignees

INNOVATECH SYSTEMS, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251229

Claims (17)

1 . An assembly system for installing insulated metal panels (IMP), comprising: a boom IMP attachment, comprising: a quick-coupler for coupling to a boom of a telehandler; a swivel coupler column coupled to the quick-coupler via a hinge pin; one or more hydraulic rotation linear actuators coupled between the swivel coupler column and a jib frame, the one or more hydraulic rotation linear actuators configured to rotate the jib frame in relation to the swivel coupler column via a bearing ring on the swivel coupler column; one or more tilt linear actuators coupled between the swivel coupler column and the quick-coupler and configured to tilt the swivel coupler column and jib frame coupled thereto via the hinge pin; a first jib arm extending tangentially from the jib frame to a first clamp header rail, a second jib arm extending tangentially from the jib frame to the first clamp header rail, a third jib arm extending tangentially from the jib frame to a second clamp header rail, a fourth jib arm extending tangentially from the jib frame to the second clamp header rail; the first clamp header rail coupled to a first end of the jib frame; the second clamp header rail coupled to an opposite end of the jib frame; and a plurality of clamp assemblies coupled to the first clamp header rail, and a plurality of clamp assemblies coupled to the second clamp header rail.
2 . The assembly system of claim 1 , wherein each clamp assembly comprises: a fixed jaw, a movable jaw opposite the fixed jaw, and a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate the movable jaw.
3 . The assembly system of claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic controller and a plurality of hydraulic ports.
4 . The assembly system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of clamp assemblies each comprise one or more grip plates.
5 . The assembly system of claim 2 , wherein the linear actuator of each clamp assembly comprises a piston and a cylinder.
6 . The assembly system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more tilt linear actuators are configured to tilt a panel module from an initial orientation parallel to the ground to a final orientation perpendicular to the ground.
7 . The assembly system of claim 1 , further comprising a panel assembly table.
8 . The assembly system of claim 7 , wherein the panel assembly table comprises: a track; a gantry movable along the track; a material deck movable along the track; a material lift arm coupled to the gantry and configured to collect panel sections from the material deck; and at least one panel jack.
9 . An assembly system for installing insulated metal panels (IMP), comprising: a boom IMP attachment, comprising: a quick-coupler for coupling to a boom of a telehandler; a swivel coupler column coupled to the quick-coupler via a hinge pin; one or more hydraulic rotation linear actuators coupled between the swivel coupler column and a jib frame, the one or more hydraulic rotation linear actuators configured to rotate the jib frame in relation to the swivel coupler column; one or more tilt linear actuators coupled between the swivel coupler column and the quick coupler and configured to tilt the orientation of the swivel coupler column, and the jib frame coupled thereto, via the hinge pin; a plurality of jib arms coupled to the jib frame and extending tangentially between a first clamp header rail and a second clamp header rail; a first plurality of clamp assemblies coupled to the first clamp header rail; and, a second plurality of clamp assemblies coupled to the second clamp header rail.
10 . The assembly system of claim 9 , wherein each clamp assembly of the first and second plurality of clamp assemblies comprises a fixed jaw, a movable jaw opposite the fixed jaw, and a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate the movable jaw.
11 . The assembly system of claim 10 , wherein each clamp assembly of the first and second plurality of clamp assemblies comprises one or more grip plates.
12 . The assembly system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more tilt linear actuators are configured to tilt a panel module from an initial orientation parallel to the ground to a final orientation perpendicular to the ground.
13 . A method of using an assembly system for installing insulated metal panels (IMP), the method comprising: assembling a panel module at ground level via a panel assembly table, the panel module comprising a panel frame and a plurality of IMP sections coupled thereto; once the panel module is assembled, lifting the panel module via one or more panel jacks; maneuvering a boom IMP attachment beneath the panel module via a telehandler; clamping the panel frame to the boom IMP attachment via a plurality of clamp assemblies on the boom IMP attachment; lowering the panel jacks; maneuvering the panel module using the telehandler and boom IMP attachment to a desired installation location.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising using the telehandler and the boom IMP attachment to place the panel module in a vertical position for securing to a building.
15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising coupling a crane rigging assembly to the panel module, releasing the boom IMP attachment from the panel module, and hoisting the panel module to position for securing to a building.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the boom IMP attachment comprises: a first clamp header rail coupled to a first end of a jib frame; a second clamp header rail coupled to an opposite end of the jib frame; and a plurality of clamp assemblies coupled to the first clamp header rail and a plurality of clamp assemblies coupled to the second clamp header rail, the plurality of clamp assemblies being actuatable to clamp the panel module to the boom IMP attachment.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the panel assembly table comprises: a track; a gantry movable along the track; a material deck movable along the track; a material lift arm coupled to the gantry and configured to collect panel sections from the material deck; and at least one panel jack.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional App. Ser. No. 18/145,293, filed December 22, 2022, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional App. Ser. No. 63/292,787, filed on December 22, 2021, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates, generally, to building construction. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a panelization system allowing for the ground assembly of suspended building components (e.g., I-beams and panels) and the placement of the assembled panel modules using a clamp attachment for the boom of a telehandler. BACKGROUND With the construction of taller and multi-level warehouses and distribution centers, material selection has shifted from concrete pre-cast and tilt wall products to insulated metal panels (IMPs). IMPs are exterior wall and roof panels often with steel skins and an insulating foam core, known for their superior thermal properties, spanning capabilities, and comparatively quick installation, that together save costs compared to other wall assemblies. Currently in the art, several workers must be hoisted to high elevations, where the workers precariously assemble IMP sections together and fasten them to the building using complex parapet assemblies and wall girts. These installation methods, however, present scheduling challenges for concurrent and following trades because access to work zones are not available until that portion of the IMP scope is complete. Likewise, the conventional IMP construction process presents many safety risks and efficiency challenges. Workers are required to handle IMP products at dangerous heights, which increases falling hazards that may result in injuries or death. Assembly of the walls is a slow process as IMP planks are hoisted by crane a few at a time and then individually mounted. This conventional process restricts access to the jobsite and thus affects the scope of other trades and the overall building schedule. Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method that reduces falling hazards by performing assembly at ground level, that allows for maneuvering of the assembled IMP into position, and that increases the scheduling efficiency of the construction. The system and method for assembling and installing insulated metal panels disclosed herein solves these problems and others. SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS In some embodiments, an IMP assembly system comprises a panel assembly table and a boom IMP attachment. The panel assembly table comprises a base frame, a track, a gantry movable along the track, a material deck movable along the track, a material lift arm coupled to the gantry and configured to collect IMP panel sections for placement on a panel frame. The panel assembly table may further comprise one or more panel jacks for lifting the panel module to allow access to an underside. The boom IMP attachment comprises a quick-coupler couplable to the boom of a telehandler, a swivel coupler column coupled to the swivel coupler, a first tilt linear actuator and a second tilt linear actuator configured to tilt the orientation of a panel module, a first hydraulic rotation linear actuator and a second hydraulic rotation linear actuator configured to rotate the orientation of the panel module, a hydraulic controller couplable to the telehandler, a jib frame, a plurality of jib arms, a first clamp header rail, a second clamp header rail opposite the first clamp header rail, and a plurality of clamp assemblies on each clamp header rail. In some embodiments, the panel jacks support the panel frame while a panel module is being built, then lift the assembled panel module so the panel module can be accessed by the boom IMP attachment of the telehandler. The boom IMP attachment maneuvers the assembled panel module from the panel assembly table to a building for installation or to a crane for hoisting for installation. In some embodiments, the boom IMP attachment is capable of rotating the panel module one hundred and fifty degrees in horizontal position, and tilting the panel module one hundred and ten degrees to stand the panel module vertically, although not limited to these degrees. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a front, top, side perspective view of a panel assembly table with panel jacks and a gantry; FIG. 2 illustrates a front, top, side perspective view of a panel assembly table with a gantry assembling a panel module; FIG. 3 illustrates a top, side perspective view of a panel assembly table; FIG. 4 illustrates a front, top, side perspective view of a panel jack; FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom, side, perspective view of panel jacks lifting a panel module; FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom, side perspective view of a boom IMP telehandler attachment; FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom, side perspective view of a boom IMP telehandler attachment coupled to a telehandler; FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom, side perspecti