Patent ID: 11866201
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 7:
8. A method of assembling a skin and a frame of an aircraft fuselage, the method comprising:
aligning the skin relative to a support platform with the skin comprising an arched shaped with a midpoint and opposing lateral sides that terminate at an outer edge;
supporting the skin at arches that are spaced apart along a length of the support platform;
securing the skin to the frame with connectors at the midpoint and at each of the lateral sides;
translating a strongback that is secured to the support platform along the support platform and into contact with the frame;
engaging the strongback with the frame;
after engaging the frame, removing the connectors at the lateral sides; and
applying tension to the skin at the lateral sides of the skin with the tension being applied at the frame.