# US 10,372,149 B2 · Detent alignment mechanism assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,372,149 B2 - Document ID: US10372149B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/209,186 - Filed: 2016-07-13 - Published: 2018-01-18 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-13 - Assignees: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Applicants: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Inventors: Cory M. Crandall-Seibert; Jeffrey Paul Jacobs - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10372149B2 ## CPC - G05G 5/03: Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) - B64C 13/04: actuated personally - B64C 13/0421: {control sticks for primary flight controls} - B64C 13/10: comprising warning devices - B64C 13/14: lockable - B64C 13/26: without power amplification or where power amplification is irrelevant - B64C 13/50: using electrical energy - G05G 1/04: Controlling members for hand actuation by pivoting movement, e.g. levers - G05G 5/005: {for preventing unintentional use of a control mechanism (G05G5/28 takes precedence)} - G05G 5/06: for holding members in one or a limited number of definite positions only ({G05G5/005}, G05G5/03, G05G5/05, G05G5/28 take precedence) - G05G 5/18: by positive interengagement, e.g. by a pawl - G05G 5/065: {using a spring-loaded ball} - G05G 2505/00: Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS ## Abstract A detent alignment mechanism assembly is provided and includes a shaft, a lock mechanism configured to selectively occupy an unlocked position at which the shaft is movable and a locked position at which the shaft is immovable, a detent mechanism coupled to the shaft and formed to define detent positions for the shaft to assume and move between and a detent alignment mechanism configured to provide to an operator of the shaft feedback and assistance corresponding to assumptions of the detent positions by the shaft during movements thereof by the operator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A detent alignment mechanism assembly, comprising: a shaft, which is configured to be pivoted about a pivot axis by an operator, and which comprises a handle at a distal end opposite the pivot axis; a lock mechanism configured to be lifted by the operator gripping the handle along the shaft toward the handle to selectively occupy an unlocked position, which is characterized in that the shaft is pivotable about the pivot axis, and to be released by the operator to move away from the handle toward a locked position, which is characterized in that the shaft is not pivotable about the pivot axis; a detent mechanism coupled to a first portion of the shaft and formed to define detent positions for the shaft to assume with the lock mechanism selectively occupying the locked position such that the detent mechanism is engaged and for the shaft to move between with the lock mechanism selectively occupying the unlocked position such that the detent mechanism is disengaged; and a detent alignment mechanism coupled to a second portion of the shaft, which is radially interposed between the first portion of the shaft and the pivot axis, the detent alignment mechanism being configured to provide to the operator feedback and assistance corresponding to assumptions of the detent positions by the shaft during pivots thereof about the pivot axis by the operator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a spring-loaded lift mechanism disposed on the shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detent mechanism comprises a toothed plate and a pin that is movable relative to the toothed plate by the lock mechanism. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detent alignment mechanism comprises a plate formed to define pockets and a detent element biased toward the plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 4, wherein the pockets are aligned with the detent positions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 4, wherein the detent element is spring-loaded. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 4, wherein the detent element and the pockets are rounded and have a same radius of curvature or varying radii of curvatures. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 4, wherein the detent element and the pockets are angular and have similar or varying edge lengths. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detent alignment mechanism comprises a plate formed to define detent alignment positions and a detent element biased toward the plate. ### Claim 10 A detent alignment mechanism assembly for use in an aircraft, comprising: a housing affixed to an airframe of the aircraft; a shaft coupled to controllable surfaces of the aircraft, the shaft being configured to be pivoted about a pivot axis by an operator and comprising a handle at a distal end opposite the pivot axis; a lock mechanism configured to be lifted by the operator gripping the handle along the shaft toward the handle to selectively occupy an unlocked position, which is characterized in that the shaft is pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the housing, and to be released by the operator to move away from the handle toward a locked position, which is characterized in that the shaft is not pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the housing; a detent mechanism coupled to the housing and a first portion of the shaft and formed to define detent positions for the shaft to assume with the lock mechanism selectively occupying the locked position such that the detent mechanism is engaged and for the shaft to move between with the lock mechanism selectively occupying the unlocked position such that the detent mechanism is disengaged; and a detent alignment mechanism coupled to a second portion of the shaft, which is radially interposed between the first portion of the shaft and the pivot axis, the detent alignment mechanism being configured to provide to the operator feedback and assistance corresponding to assumptions of the detent positions by the shaft during pivots thereof about the pivot axis by the operator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 10, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a spring-loaded lift mechanism disposed on the shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 10, wherein the detent mechanism comprises a toothed plate disposed in the housing and a pin that is movable relative to the toothed plate by the lock mechanism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 10, wherein the detent alignment mechanism comprises a plate formed to define pockets and a detent element biased toward the plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 13, wherein the pockets are aligned with the detent positions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 13, wherein the detent element is spring-loaded. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 13, wherein the detent element and the pockets are rounded and have a same radius of curvature or varying radii of curvatures. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 13, wherein the detent element and the pockets are angular and have similar or varying edge lengths. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The detent alignment mechanism assembly according to claim 10, wherein the detent alignment mechanism comprises a plate formed to define detent alignment positions and a detent element biased toward the plate.