Patent ID: 8567722

Claim:
A splice for joining fuselage sections, the splice comprising: a strap configured to bridge the fuselage sections; a shear tie overlying the strap and defining a plurality of openings; and a plurality of fittings with each fitting positioned between the strap and the shear tie such that the strap and the shear tie are spaced apart, each fitting having first and second longitudinally extending sections that extend beyond opposite sides of the strap, each longitudinally extending section being configured to overlie at least two stringers of a respective fuselage section, wherein the shear tie and the plurality of fittings are positioned such that a respective opening defined by the shear tie extends between a pair of neighboring fittings with edges of the pair of neighboring fittings extending through the respective opening such that the shear tie leaves exposed the portion of the strap between the pair of neighboring fittings.