US 12,134,462 B2
Folding control stick and locking mechanism
John Stephen Yerant, Milford, CT (US); Timothy Heising Bean, Trumbull, CT (US); and Stephen V. Poulin, Milford, CT (US)
Assigned to Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/974,824.
Prior Publication US 2024/0140592 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 13/04 (2006.01); B64C 13/14 (2006.01); B64C 27/56 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 13/14 (2013.01) [B64C 13/0421 (2018.01); B64C 27/56 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control input operable by a user for controlling movement of an aircraft, the control input comprising:
a base portion configured for coupling to a support surface, the base portion biased towards a neutral position defined along a central axis and pivotable to a plurality of angular positions relative to the central axis;
a grip portion including inputs for controlling movement of the aircraft and pivotally coupled to the base portion, the grip portion pivotable between a first position in which the grip portion extends from the base portion and a second position in which the grip portion is folded relative to the base portion; and
a lock mechanism for locking the grip portion in the first position wherein releasing the lock mechanism allows the grip portion to move to the second position,
wherein the grip portion includes a grip having the inputs defined thereon, and an arm member extending from the grip and pivotally coupled to the base portion, and
wherein the grip portion includes a guide rail spaced from and extending along a length of the arm member, the guide rail having a first end and a second end, and further wherein the lock mechanism slides along the guide rail as the grip portion moves between the first position and the second position.