Airfoil blade and method of assembly

Abstract

An airfoil blade assembly includes an upper airfoil shell, and a lower airfoil shell and a pair of upper legs protruding from the upper airfoil shell and extending towards the lower airfoil shell. A pair of lower legs protrudes from the lower airfoil shell and extending towards the upper airfoil shell and are formed by bending material of the lower airfoil shell back upon itself. An upper strengthening rib formed is in the upper airfoil shell, and a lower strengthening rib is formed in the lower airfoil shell. The pair of upper legs and the pair of lower legs are abutting when the upper airfoil shell and the lower airfoil shell are selectively fixed to one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An airfoil blade assembly, comprising:
 an upper airfoil shell;   a lower airfoil shell, one of said upper airfoil shell and said lower airfoil shell defining a lateral seam;   an elastic bead positioned within said lateral seam; and   wherein said elastic bead extends beyond a periphery of said lateral seam when said upper airfoil shell is fixed to said lower airfoil shell.