Patent ID: 7325771

Claim:
A shell structure comprising: a first panel portion, the first panel portion including: a first skin; and a first stiffener attached to the first skin, wherein the first stiffener includes a first flange portion attached to the first skin and a first raised portion projecting away from the first skin; a second panel portion positioned adjacent to the first panel portion, the second panel portion including: a second skin; and a second stiffener attached to the second skin, wherein the second stiffener includes a second flange portion attached to the second skin and a second raised portion projecting away from the second skin; and a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion, wherein a first end portion of the fitting overlies and is attached to the first flange portion of the first stiffener and the first skin, and wherein a second end portion of the fitting overlies and is attached to the second flange portion of the second stiffener and the second skin to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.