Aircraft control yoke
US5921507A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D2201/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An airbag module is positioned relative to an aircraft control yoke or shaft, the airbag being actuated by majority voting sensors that are responsive to acceleration forces upon the aircraft. The aircraft control yoke or control yoke post is constructed to telescope, extend, or move a limited distance toward the pilot as the airbag inflates. The yoke carries telescoping, extendable, or movable handle portions that allow left and right hand pilot grip handles to move, if necessary, under the force of the expanding airbag. Hand sleeves may be provided to help maintain the pilot's hands on the grip handles during airbag expansion. The movable yoke and handle portions may be manually or automatically restored to normal operative positions after airbag deflation. The yoke may be formed so as to provide a U shaped section that accommodates a horizontal support or table for holding the airbag module, a map, or a like device. The U shaped yoke and table support members are structured such that the table remains horizontal during pivoting movement of the yoke to control aircraft roll, and during generally horizontal movement of the yoke to control aircraft pitch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.