Patent ID: 9399507
Filing Date: 2016-07-26
CPC Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B64C,Y02T,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method of forming a direct bearing joint, said method comprising: providing a load bearing structure including a first portion and a second portion, coupled to and extending from the first portion such that the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the second portion, the first portion including a first structural feature having an arcuate shape, wherein the load bearing structure includes one of a longeron, a keel beam, and a wing spar of an aircraft; providing a composite skin including a second structural feature having an arcuate shape; coupling the composite skin between a structural flange on the first portion of the load bearing structure and a bulkhead; and coupling the first structural feature to the second structural feature such that the first and second structural features are mated against each other to facilitate distributing compressive loads induced into the load bearing structure into the composite skin.