Elongated spring clip members for storage buildings

Abstract

A spring clip member for a storage building is provided. The spring clip member is adapted to be snap-fit to an elongate structural member of the storage building. The spring clip member includes a first portion shaped to follow a first contour of the elongate structural member, a second portion extending from said first portion and shaped to follow a second contour of the elongate structural member, a third portion extending from said second portion and shaped to follow a third contour of the elongate structural member, and a deflectable portion extending from said third portion and adapted to elastically deflect and to securely engage the elongate structural member. The spring clip member may be, for example, part of a gable member adapted to be snap-fit to an upper panel channel of a storage building, or, alternatively, part of a debris deflector adapted to be snap-fit to a lower panel channel of a storage building.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A spring clip member for a storage building, adapted to be snap-fit to an elongate  
       structural member of the storage building, the spring clip member comprising in combination: 
 a first portion shaped to follow a first contour of the elongate structural member;  
 a second portion extending from said first portion and shaped to follow a second contour of the elongate structural member;  
 a third portion extending from said second portion and shaped to follow a third contour of the elongate structural member; and  
 a deflectable portion extending from said third portion and adapted to elastically deflect and to securely engage the elongate structural member.  
 
     
     
         2 . The spring clip member of  claim 1 , and a gable panel for the storage building, and wherein the spring clip member is integrally attached to said gable panel.  
     
     
         3 . The spring clip member of  claim 1 , wherein the spring clip member is integrally attached to a debris deflector for the storage building.  
     
     
         4 . A storage building, comprising in combination: 
 an elongate structural member having a first contour, a second contour, and a third contour terminating in an edge portion;    a spring clip member adapted to be snap-fit to said elongate structural member, said spring clip member including a first portion shaped to follow said first contour of said elongate structural member, a second portion extending from said first portion and shaped to follow said second contour of said elongate structural member, a third portion extending from said second portion and shaped to follow said third contour of said elongate structural member, and a deflectable portion extending from said third portion and adapted to elastically deflect and to securely engage said edge portion of said elongate structural member.    
     
     
         5 . The storage building of  claim 4 , wherein said spring clip member is integrally attached to a gable panel of the storage building.  
     
     
         6 . The storage building of  claim 4 , wherein said spring clip member is integrally attached to a debris deflector of the storage building.  
     
     
         7 . A gable member for a storage building, adapted to be snap-fit to an upper channel-shaped structural member of the storage building, wherein the upper-channel shaped structural member includes a first flange portion, a web portion, and a second flange portion, the gable member comprising in combination: 
 a first portion shaped to follow said first flange portion of said channel shaped structural member;    a second portion extending from said first portion and shaped to follow said web portion of said channel-shaped structural member;    a third portion extending from said second portion and shaped to follow said second flange portion of said channel-shaped structural member;    a deflectable portion extending from said third portion and adapted to elastically deflect and to securely engage an edge portion of said second flange portion.    
     
     
         8 . The gable member of  claim 7 , wherein said first portion includes at least one transition portion and an elongate cross web extending from said at least one transition portion and disposed at approximately a 90° angle from said at least one transition portion.  
     
     
         9 . The gable member of  claim 7 , wherein upper channel-shaped structural member includes at least one foot portion said second portion includes a foot engaging member extending from said first portion.  
     
     
         10 . The gable member of  claim 7 , wherein said third portion includes a generally planar transition portion.  
     
     
         11 . The gable member of  claim 7 , wherein said deflectable portion includes a U-shaped engaging member.  
     
     
         12 . A debris deflector for a storage building, adapted to be snap-fit to a lower channel-shaped structural member of the storage building, the debris deflector comprising: 
 a first portion shaped to engage an edge portion of a first flange portion of the lower channel-shaped structural member;    a second portion extending from the first portion and shaped to follow the first flange portion of the lower channel-shaped structural member;    a third portion extending from the second portion and shaped to follow a web portion of the lower channel-shaped structural member; and    a deflectable portion extending from the third portion and adapted to elastically deflect and to securely an indentation in the web portion.