Girt and purlin retainer

Abstract

A retainer assembly for securing one of a girt and a purlin is provided. In one embodiment, the retainer assembly includes at least one retainer and is configured to be attached to a connecting member. The retainer is further configured to receive and retain a cross-beam, such as a girt or a purlin. The connecting member is configured to be attached to a support member.

1 . A retainer assembly for securing a cross-beam to a support member, the retainer assembly comprising:
 a low-thermal conductor member for attachment to the support member;   means for receiving the low-thermal conductor member;   means for retaining the low-thermal conductor member;   means for receiving the cross-beam; and   means for retaining the cross-beam.   
   
   
       2 . The retainer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the means for retaining the low-thermal conductor member are means for retaining the low-thermal conductor member without the use of tools. 
   
   
       3 . The retainer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the means for retaining the cross-beam are means for retaining the cross-beam without the use of tools. 
   
   
       4 . The retainer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the low thermal conductor member is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, a polymeric material, steel and other metal. 
   
   
       5 . The retainer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-beam is a girt. 
   
   
       6 . The retainer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-beam is a purlin. 
   
   
       7 . A compressible clip for securing a cross-beam to a support member, the compressible clip comprising:
 a first leg having a first block engaging portion and a first cross-beam engaging portion;   a second leg, opposite the first leg, having a second block engaging portion and second cross-beam engaging portion; and   a connecting portion having a first end adjacent the first leg and a second end adjacent the second leg.   
   
   
       8 . The compressible clip of  claim 7 , wherein the cross-beam is one of a girt and a purlin. 
   
   
       9 . The compressible clip of  claim 7 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are each substantially L-shaped. 
   
   
       10 . The compressible clip of  claim 9 , wherein the first leg and the second leg each further include a tapered portion. 
   
   
       11 . The compressible clip of  claim 7 , wherein the first leg and second leg each include a plurality of teeth. 
   
   
       12 . The compressible clip of  claim 7 , wherein the first leg and second leg each include a plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       13 . A kit for connecting a cross-beam to a support member, the kit comprising:
 a connecting member having a first surface and a second surface and configured to be attached to a support member;   at least one retainer having:
 a first member with a first portion configured to be attached to the first surface of the connecting member and a second portion configured to be attached to a first surface of the cross-beam, and 
 a second member with a first portion configured to be attached to the second surface of the connecting member and a second portion configured to be attached to a second surface of the cross-beam. 
   
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one retainer is a unitary member having a bent portion with a first end adjacent to the first member and a second end adjacent to the second member. 
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one retainer includes a plurality of teeth. 
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 13 , further comprising a second retainer. 
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one retainer is configured to be squeezed onto the connecting member. 
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the retainer is configured to be squeezed onto the cross-beam. 
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the connecting member is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, steel, a polymeric material, and other metal. 
   
   
       20 . A cross-beam retaining assembly comprising:
 a block-shaped member having a low thermal conductivity;   a first retainer having a U-shaped profile including a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting member disposed between the first leg and second leg, wherein
 the first leg is L-shaped and has a major portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage a cross-beam and a minor portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage the block-shaped member, 
 the second leg is L-shaped and has a major portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage a cross-beam and a minor portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage the block-shaped member, and 
 the connecting member is curved; and 
   a second retainer having a U-shaped profile including a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting member disposed between the first leg and second leg, wherein
 the first leg is L-shaped and has a major portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage a cross-beam and a minor portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage the block-shaped member, 
 the second leg is L-shaped and has a major portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage a cross-beam and a minor portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage the block-shaped member, and 
 the connecting member is curved.