Attaching device for soffits

Claim 1

An attaching device to secure soffits to the eaves of a roof or to attach other covering panels to a support, including a first piece and a second piece, each made of an elastic sheet material, each having a profile generally in the shape of the letter L and characterized by a first branch and a second branch, the second branches being attachable one to the other by overlapping, the first branches extending in the same direction relative to the second branches when the latter are attached such that the joint has a profile in the shape of the letter U, the second branch of the said first piece being provided at its outer edge with an extension folded back twice to form two U-configurations disposed side by side on the outside of said last-named second branch, the U-configurations next to said last-named second branch opening towards said first branch of said first piece and the other U-configuration opening in a direction opposed to the first branch of this first piece, said other U-configuration defining a space, the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel to the said second branch of the first piece, whereby the second branch of the said second piece may be inserted into said space up to a limit position; a shelf formed at the free edge of said other U-configuration and partially masking the opening of said space, and longitudinally spaced-apart teeth formed on the second branch of said second piece and engaging said shelf with a snap action in the limit position of said second branch of said second piece, said shelf and teeth cooperatively maintaining the engagement of the said second branches and preventing their disengagement once the limit position is attained, the first branch of said first piece having means to secure the same to a support which is to be covered by a panel, the first branch of the second piece serving as a covering branch for the end of said panel, and the second branch of said first piece extending across the end of said panel and serving as a stop for said panel to keep said panel out of the way of said space.