Control rod mounting arrangement for helicopter swashplates

A stationary swashplate member (32) for a helicopter swashplate assembly (30), the stationary swashplate member (32) being adapted for coupling at least three control rods (38) thereto and for optimally transferring loads across the swashplate assembly (30), the stationary swashplate member (32) being characterized by:

• inner and outer ring segments (72.sub.IR, 72.sub.OR);
• a plurality of radial spokes (70) extending from said inner ring segment (72.sub.IR) to said outer ring segment (72.sub.OR);
• horizontal webs (74) integrally formed between and structurally interconnecting adjacent radial spokes (70) in areas corresponding to a location of each input control rod (38), each of said horizontal webs (74) defining a mounting surface (74.sub.S) and an aperture (78);
• a trunnion fitting (62) disposed in combination with each of said horizontal webs (74), each said trunnion fitting (62) having a base (64) defining a mounting surface (64.sub.S) and a pair of mounting ears (66) having aligned apertures (66.sub.O), said mounting surface (64.sub.S) of each said trunnion fitting (62) engaging said mounting surface (74.sub.S) of each said horizontal web (74) such that said mounting ears (66) of each said trunnion fitting (32) are disposed through said aperture (78) of each said horizontal web (74);
• mounting means (80) for demountably affixing each said trunnion fitting (62) in combination with a respective one of said horizontal webs (74);
• and
• coupling means (84), disposed in combination with said aligned apertures (66.sub.O) of each said trunnion fitting (62) for coupling each of the control rods (38) in combination with a respective one of said trunnion fittings (62).