Patent ID: 8276846

Claim:
An aircraft component, comprising: a composite laminate structure being a stringer, stiffener or spar; and an impact protection device for protecting the composite laminate structure, the composite laminate structure comprising a plurality of superimposed layers, each of the superimposed layers terminating at an edge whereby an end curved surface of the composite laminate structure is formed by the plurality of edges of the superimposed layers, said impact protection device being arranged to protect said end curved surface of the composite laminate structure from direct impacts by foreign objects and comprising: a deflecting surface having a uniform thickness, mounted over and covering, in direct surface contact, an entirety of the end curved surface of the composite laminate structure such that the deflecting surface is arranged to be directly open and exposed to and at least partially deflect end-on impacts on the end curved surface from moving foreign objects and thereby protecting the end curved surface of the composite laminate structure from direct impacts; wherein an entire portion of the deflecting surface, which portion extends, in cross-section, across the thickness of the laminate structure and is inclined to a plane having a normal parallel to the direction in which the layers extend to the end surface, is exposed for receiving and at least partially deflecting direct impacts by foreign objects.