Mounting bracket for use with aircraft yokes

• US 5,626,320 A
• Filed: 12/30/1994
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Burrell, Jonathan C., Hanshew, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Berger, Derek J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, RICHARD MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/366,980
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 248/227.4, 248/230.6, 248/231.71, 248/286.1, 248/292.12, 248/911, 248/913
• US Class Current: 248/230.6
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0075 Adaptations for use of electronic flight bags in aircraft; Supports therefor in the cockpit
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/10 Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/911 Plural, selectively usable, support engaging means

Abstract

An instrument mounting bracket for the control yoke of an aircraft. The mounting bracket includes a main body having a C-shaped configuration which is intended to receive the yoke. Mounted to the main body is a presser plate which acts in conjunction with the main body to grip the yoke therebetween. The main body also includes a pair of threaded attachment holes, with one hole being normal to the plane of the C-shape and the other being within such plane. Either hole may receive a threaded shaft having an enlarged section. An extension arm which includes a mount for the instrument is provided with a through hole for the threaded shaft. Passing the shaft through the extension arm and tightening it within one of the attachment holes secures the extension arm to the main body, and permits angular adjustment of the arm with respect to the body. The extension arm may thus be positioned such that the instrument mount is located in front of the yoke handles, readily accessible to the user.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket for a control yoke of an aircraft, such control yoke including a control shaft and a control handle on said shaft, said mounting bracket supporting an aircraft instrument mount, comprising:

a main body constructed and arranged to be selectively mounted to the control shaft, said main body including two identical mounting holes, when said main body is mounted on said control shaft a first of said identical mounting holes extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the control shaft and a second of said identical mounting holes extending substantially perpendicular to said first mounting hole;

an extension arm having a first end including a pass hole extending therethrough and a second end for supporting the instrument mount; and

a bolt extending through said pass hole of said extension arm end being engaged within one of said identical mounting holes, said bolt including an enlarged portion abutting against said extension arm with said extension arm intermediate said main body and said enlarged section, such that said extension arm is mounted to and extends from said main body.

2. A mounting bracket as in claim 1, wherein said second end of said extension arm comprises a portion of the instrument mount.

3. The mounting bracket as in claim 1, wherein said extension arm is elongated and includes a second free end, and wherein said instrument is supported at said second end.

4. The mounting bracket as in claim 3, wherein said second end of said extension arm comprises a portion of the instrument mount.

5. The mounting bracket as in claim 1, wherein there are provided interlocking teeth surrounding each of said mounting holes and said pass hole.

6. The mounting bracket as in claim 5, wherein said second end of said extension arm comprises a portion of the instrument mount.

7. The mounting bracket as in claim 1, wherein said main body is C-shaped with upper and lower legs and an opening defined between said legs, a plane containing said C-shaped body being substantially normal to said longitudinal axis of said control shaft when said body is mounted thereon.

8. The mounting bracket as in claim 7, wherein said main body further includes a main shaft threaded through said lower leg and extending toward said upper leg, and a presser pad mounted on said main shaft within said opening in opposed relation to said upper leg, said upper leg and said presser pad acting to selectively clamp the control shaft therebetween.

9. The mounting bracket as in claim 8, further comprising a manual knob on said main shaft opposite said presser pad, and elastic material on said upper leg and said presser pad in opposed relation, and wherein said presser pad has an upwardly concave configuration.

10. The mounting bracket as in claim 9, wherein there are provided interlocking teeth surrounding each of said mounting holes and said pass hole.

11. The mounting bracket as in claim 10, wherein said second end of said extension arm comprises a portion of the instrument mount.

12. A mounting bracket in combination with a control yoke of an aircraft, such control yoke including a control shaft having a longitudinal axis and a control handle on said shaft, said mounting bracket supporting an aircraft instrument mount, comprising:

a main body constructed and arranged to be selectively mounted to the control shaft;

an elongated extension arm having a first end and a second end; and

means for selectively mounting said extension arm in a first or a second position, in said first position said extension arm extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said control shaft and in said second position said extension arm extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said control shaft.

13. The combination as in claim 12, wherein said main body is C-shaped with upper and lower legs and an opening defined between said legs, a plane containing said C-shaped body being substantially normal to said longitudinal axis of said control shaft when said body is mounted thereon.

14. The combination as in claim 13, wherein said main body further includes a main shaft threaded through said lower leg and extending toward said upper leg, and a presser pad mounted on said main shaft within said opening in opposed relation to said upper leg, said upper leg and said presser pad acting to selectively clamp the control shaft therebetween.

15. The combination as in claim 14, further comprising a manual knob on said main shaft opposite said presser pad, and elastic material on said upper leg and said presser pad in opposed relation, and wherein said presser pad has an upwardly concave configuration.

16. The combination as in claim 15, wherein said second end of said extension arm comprises a portion of the instrument mount.

17. The combination as in claim 12, wherein said second end of said extension arm comprises a portion of the instrument mount.