HELICOPTER CONTROL STICK SUPPORT ASSEMBLY

• US 20110163206A1
• Filed: 12/29/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leonardo S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Agusta SPA (Finmeccanica SPA)
• Inventors: BANDERA, GIAN LUIGI
• Granted Patent: US 8,556,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/234
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/06 adjustable to suit individual persons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20582 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20612 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2063 Stops
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 Detents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2069 Handle release
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20696 Finger lever release

Abstract

A support assembly for helicopter control sticks has a supporting structure; an instrument panel fixed to the supporting structure; and a connecting device for connecting the sticks to the supporting structure. The connecting device has a longitudinally elongated arm fitted on one end with the sticks; and the arm slides to move the sticks to/from the supporting structure, and rotates about a horizontal axis to adjust the height of the sticks.

Claims

1. A support assembly for a helicopter control stick, the assembly comprising a supporting structure and an instrument panel fixed to each other;

and connecting means for connecting said stick to said supporting structure;

the assembly being characterized in that said connecting means comprise;

an arm elongated in a longitudinal direction and having one end for supporting said stick;

guide means for connecting said arm in longitudinally sliding manner to said supporting structure, to move said end to/from said supporting structure; and

rotation means for connecting said arm to said supporting structure in rotary manner about a horizontal axis, to adjust the height of said end;

said assembly further comprising;

first releasable retaining means operated manually to lock rotation of said arm with respect to said supporting structure in a desired angular position; and

second releasable retaining means operated manually to lock at least longitudinal translation of said arm with respect to said supporting structure in a desired longitudinal position;

said first and second releasable retaining means being independent of each other.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting structure comprises stop means defining the maximum rotation angle of said arm.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said horizontal axis extends transversely between the longitudinal ends of said arm.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second releasable retaining means comprise gripping means, which act on a friction coupling to prevent translation of said arm.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide means comprise an intermediate member fitted in longitudinally-sliding manner to said arm;

said rotation means defining a hinge between said intermediate member and said supporting structure.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said arm is hollow, and at least partly houses said intermediate member.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rotation means comprise at least one horizontal hinge pin which engages in sliding manner a longitudinal slot in said arm.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said guide means comprise a horizontal guide pin parallel to and spaced longitudinally apart from said hinge pin, and which engages said longitudinal slot in sliding manner.

9. A support assembly for helicopter control sticks, the assembly comprising a supporting structure and an instrument panel fixed to each other;

and connecting means for connecting said sticks to said supporting structure;

the assembly being characterized in that said connecting means comprise;

an arm elongated in a longitudinal direction and having one end supporting said sticks;

guide means for connecting said arm in longitudinally sliding manner to said supporting structure, to move said end to/from said supporting structure; and

rotation means for connecting said arm to said supporting structure in rotary manner about a horizontal axis, to adjust the height of said end.