Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A stiffener for use in grain bin walls which have a plurality of wall sheets, the stiffener comprising: an elongated, generally U-shaped member having two opposite side members adjacent to a middle portion; side flanges formed in the sides of the U-shaped member; and an elongated dimple running longitudinally along the center of the middle portion of the U-shaped member.

2. The stiffener of claim 1 further comprising two rows of bolt holes running longitudinally along the middle portion of the U-shaped member on opposite sides of the dimple wherein one row of bolt holes is generally offset from the other row of bolt holes.

3. The stiffener of claim 1 further comprising a bent over side edge on each flange.

4. The stiffener of claim 1 wherein the stiffener is of one-piece construction.

5. The stiffener of claim 2 wherein the stiffener is of one-piece construction.

6. The stiffener of claim 3 wherein the stiffener is of one-piece construction.

7. The stiffener of claim 1 wherein the stiffener is symmetrical about its center.

8. The stiffener of claim 2 wherein two pairs of oppositely located holes are located in a central portion of the stiffener to accommodate adjacent edges of adjacent wall sheets.