Helicopter control stick support assembly

• US 8,556,216 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2010
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Sanderson, Joseph W
• Assistant Examiner(s): BURGESS, MARC R
• Application Number:
  US12/980,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20110163206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 244/220, 244/221, 244/223, 244/224, 244/234, 244/237, 744/92, 744/93, 745/26, 745/27, 194/247, 280/775, 280/779
• US Class Current: 244/224
• 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;

said connecting means comprising;

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 so that, when said second releasable retaining means are released to permit longitudinal translation of said arm, the angle of the arm about said horizontal axis is still locked by said first releasable retaining means and remains unchanged;

said horizontal axis extending transversely between the longitudinal ends of said arm.

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 second releasable retaining means comprise gripping means, which act on a friction coupling to prevent translation of said arm.

4. 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.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said arm is hollow, and at least partly houses said intermediate member.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rotation means comprise at least one horizontal hinge pin which engages in sliding manner a longitudinal slot in said arm.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6, 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.

8. A support assembly for a helicopter control stick, the support assembly comprising:

a supporting structure;

an instrument panel fixed to said supporting structure; and

a connecting assembly, wherein said connecting assembly connects said stick to said supporting structure;

said connecting assembly comprising;

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

a guide, wherein said guide connects said arm in longitudinally sliding manner to said supporting structure, to move said end to and from said supporting structure; and

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

a first releasable retainer operates to lock rotation of said arm with respect to said supporting structure in a desired angular position;

a second releasable retainer operates to lock at least longitudinal translation of said arm with respect to said supporting structure in a desired longitudinal position;

wherein said first and second releasable retainers are independent of each other so that, when said second releasable retainer is released to permit longitudinal translation of said arm, the angle of the arm about said horizontal axis is still locked by said first releasable retainer and remains unchanged;

wherein said horizontal axis extends transversely between the longitudinal ends of said arm.