US 12,134,458 B2
System, apparatus, and method of manufacture for a rib structure
Tjepke Heeringa, Dallas, TX (US)
Assigned to Textron Innovations Inc., Providence, RI (US)
Filed by TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC., Providence, RI (US)
Filed on Jul. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/866,753.
Prior Publication US 2024/0017812 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 1/06 (2006.01); B21D 13/10 (2006.01); B21D 53/92 (2006.01); B32B 3/28 (2006.01); B32B 7/05 (2019.01); B32B 15/01 (2006.01); B64F 5/10 (2017.01)
CPC B64C 1/065 (2013.01) [B21D 13/10 (2013.01); B21D 53/92 (2013.01); B32B 3/28 (2013.01); B32B 7/05 (2019.01); B32B 15/01 (2013.01); B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B32B 2250/02 (2013.01); B32B 2605/18 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rib structure, comprising:
a first piece comprising a first single continuous piece of material and comprising a first curvature in a first plane, wherein the first curvature comprises a first plurality of ribs on a front surface of the first piece and extending between opposite first and second edges of the first piece; and
a second piece comprising a second continuous piece of material and comprising a second curvature in a second plane that is different from the first plane,
wherein rear surfaces of the first piece and the second piece are bonded together to form the rib structure, and
wherein the first piece further comprises a plurality of discontinuous flanges on at least one of the first and second edges of the first piece, the plurality of discontinuous flanges extending perpendicular to the front surface of the first piece.