Roof rail for a portable storage container

Abstract

A portable storage container includes a plurality of upstanding sidewalls defining a storage space therebetween such that the sidewalls are disposed in an outward direction from the storage space. A roof sheet is disposed above the sidewalls. At least one roof rail is connected to a corresponding one of the sidewalls. The roof rail includes a horizontal portion defining a first plane that is horizontally oriented, and a down-sloping portion attached to an outer edge of the horizontal portion. The down-sloping portion extends in an outward direction away from the horizontal portion and defines a second plane oriented at an angle of approximately between ten degrees and eighty degrees relative to the first plane. At least one fastener attaches the roof sheet to a corresponding down-sloping portion of a corresponding roof rail. The fastener extends through the roof sheet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A roof rail for interconnecting a roof sheet and an upstanding sidewall of a portable storage container, the roof rail comprising:
 a cap portion including a first edge and a second edge, the cap portion defining a first plane and being configured to be horizontally oriented while supporting a body of the roof sheet;   a brim portion attached to the first edge of the cap portion, the brim portion defining a second plane oriented at an angle of approximately between seventy-five degrees and one hundred five degrees relative to the first plane, the brim portion being configured to be fastened to an outer periphery of the roof sheet while the brim portion extends downward from the cap portion and while the cap portion is horizontally oriented and supports the body of the roof sheet; and   a leg portion connected to the inner edge of the cap portion, the leg portion being oriented perpendicular to the cap portion, the leg portion being configured to be attached to the upstanding sidewall of the portable storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The roof rail of  claim 1 , wherein the brim portion is configured to be fastened to an outer periphery of the roof sheet by a fastener extending through both the roof sheet and the brim portion. 
     
     
         3 . The roof rail of  claim 1 , wherein the second plane is oriented at an angle of approximately between eighty-five degrees and ninety-five degrees relative to the first plane. 
     
     
         4 . The roof rail of  claim 1 , wherein the roof rail further comprises a back portion oriented perpendicular to the cap portion, a first edge of the back portion being attached to the second edge of the cap portion, the back portion being disposed below the cap portion while the cap portion is horizontally oriented and supports the body of the roof sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The roof rail of  claim 4 , wherein the roof rail further comprises a base portion attached to a second edge of the back portion and disposed outwardly of the back portion. 
     
     
         6 . The roof rail of  claim 5 , wherein the leg portion is attached to an outward edge of the base portion. 
     
     
         7 . The roof rail of  claim 1 , wherein the leg portion is substantially coplanar with the brim portion. 
     
     
         8 . A roof rail for interconnecting a roof sheet and an upstanding sidewall of a portable storage container, the roof rail comprising:
 a cap portion including an outer edge and an inner edge, the cap portion defining a first plane and being configured to be horizontally oriented while supporting a body of the roof sheet;   a brim portion attached to the outer edge of the cap portion, the brim portion defining a second plane oriented at an angle of approximately between seventy degrees and one hundred ten degrees relative to the first plane, the brim portion being configured to be fastened to an outer periphery of the roof sheet while the brim portion extends downward from the cap portion and while the cap portion is horizontally oriented and supports the body of the roof sheet; and   a leg portion connected to the inner edge of the cap portion, the leg portion being oriented perpendicular to the cap portion, the leg portion being configured to be attached to the upstanding sidewall of the portable storage container.   
     
     
         9 . The roof rail of  claim 8 , wherein the brim portion is configured to be adhered to an outer periphery of the roof sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The roof rail of  claim 8 , wherein the second plane is oriented at an angle of approximately between eighty degrees and one hundred degrees relative to the first plane. 
     
     
         11 . The roof rail of  claim 8 , wherein the roof rail further comprises a back portion oriented perpendicular to the cap portion, a first edge of the back portion being attached to the inner edge of the cap portion, the back portion being disposed below the cap portion while the cap portion is horizontally oriented and supports the body of the roof sheet. 
     
     
         12 . The roof rail of  claim 11 , wherein the roof rail further comprises a base portion attached to a second edge of the back portion and disposed outwardly of the back portion. 
     
     
         13 . The roof rail of  claim 12 , wherein the leg portion is attached to an outward edge of the base portion. 
     
     
         14 . The roof rail of  claim 8 , wherein the leg portion is substantially coplanar with the brim portion. 
     
     
         15 . A roof rail for interconnecting a roof sheet and an upstanding sidewall of a portable storage container, the roof rail comprising:
 a cap portion including an outer edge and an inner edge, the cap portion defining a first plane and being configured to be horizontally oriented while supporting a body of the roof sheet;   a brim portion attached to the outer edge of the cap portion, the brim portion defining a second plane oriented at an angle of approximately between sixty-five degrees and one hundred fifteen degrees relative to the first plane, the brim portion being configured to be fastened to an outer periphery of the roof sheet while the brim portion extends downward from the cap portion and while the cap portion is horizontally oriented and supports the body of the roof sheet;   a middle portion having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being attached to the inner edge of the cap portion; and   a leg portion connected to the lower end of the middle portion, the leg portion being attached to the upstanding sidewall of the portable storage container.   
     
     
         16 . The roof rail of  claim 15 , wherein the second plane is oriented at an angle of approximately ninety degrees relative to the first plane. 
     
     
         17 . The roof rail of  claim 15 , wherein the middle portion includes:
 a back portion having a top edge attached to the inner edge of the cap portion, the back portion being disposed below the cap portion while the cap portion supports the body of the roof sheet; and   a base portion attached to a bottom edge of the back portion and disposed outwardly of the back portion.   
     
     
         18 . The roof rail of  claim 17 , wherein the leg portion is attached to an outer edge of the base portion. 
     
     
         19 . The roof rail of  claim 15 , wherein the brim portion is configured to be separated from an outer periphery of the roof sheet by a gap. 
     
     
         20 . The roof rail of  claim 15 , wherein the leg portion is substantially coplanar with the brim portion.