BACKGROUND

A side-stick, or sidestick controller, is an aircraft control joystick located on a side console in a cockpit that is typically configured to control one or more aspects of the control of the aircraft. Pilot seats often have armrest adjustment capability to allow the pilot to comfortably and accurately make adjustments to the side-stick. It is often difficult to adjust the movements on the existing pilot seat side-stick armrests. Adjustment of existing pilot seat side-stick armrests usually requires spinning knobs multiple times to achieve the proper armrest orientation necessary for the pilot to have their arm positioned correctly to the aircraft side-stick mounted to the cock-pit console. The adjustment process is complicated enough for some side-stick armrests to have dial indicators to help the pilot achieve their optimum arm to side-stick position. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a solution that cures the shortcomings described above.

SUMMARY

An armrest is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the armrest includes an armrest frame rotationally coupled at a first end to a seat frame. In one or more embodiments, the armrest further includes an armrest subframe pivotably coupled to a second end of the armrest frame. In one or more embodiments, the armrest further includes an arm pad laterally aligned and translatably coupled to the armrest subframe. In one or more embodiments, the arm pad includes a structure layer. In one or more embodiments, the structure layer includes a well. In one or more embodiments, the armrest includes a tilting mechanism configured to pivot the armrest subframe relative to the armrest frame. In one or more embodiments, the tilting mechanism includes a first moveable member pivotally coupled to the armrest subframe. In one or more embodiments, the armrest subframe further includes a second moveable member pivotally coupled to the armrest frame and mechanically coupled to the first moveable member. In one or more embodiments, the tilting mechanism further includes a pushrod coupled to at least one of the first moveable member or the second moveable member at a pivot end, and at least one of the armrest frame or armrest subframe, wherein an extension of the pushrod increases the tilt of the armrest subframe relative to the armrest frame. In one or more embodiments, the armrest includes a tilt mechanism spring mechanically coupled to at least one of the first moveable member, the second moveable member, or the pushrod and configured to bias the pushrod towards the extension. In one or more embodiments, the armrest includes a translation mechanism configured to translate the arm pad relative to the armrest subframe. In one or more embodiments, the translation mechanism includes a rail lock actuator coupled to the armrest frame and configured to releasably interact with the rail. In one or more embodiments, the armrest includes a rotation mechanism coupled to the seat frame and the armrest, and configured to rotate the armrest relative to the seat frame. In one or more embodiments, the rotation mechanism includes a spring-loaded linkage.

In some embodiments of the armrest, wherein the pushrod is configured to releasably lock at more than one position of extension.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the tilting mechanism is configured to lock the armrest subframe into a plurality of tilting positions relative to the armrest frame.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the tilting mechanism further includes a tilt input actuator configured to at least one of lock the armrest subframe into or release the armrest from the plurality of tilting positions.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the armrest is configured to manually pivot relative to the armrest frame.

In some embodiments of the armrest, rail lock actuator is configured as a friction lock.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the rail lock actuator is configured to lock the arm pad into a plurality of translation positions relative to the armrest subframe.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the armrest of claim1, wherein the arm pad is configured to translate manually relative to the armrest subframe.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the rotation mechanism is configured to releasably lock into a plurality of rotation positions relative to the seat frame.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the rotation mechanism further includes a rotation input actuator configured to at least one of lock the armrest subframe into or release the armrest from the plurality of rotation positions.

In some embodiments, the armrest is configured to be manually pivoted relative to the armrest frame,

A method is also disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the method includes actuating a rotation input actuator, wherein actuating the rotation input actuator releases a rotation mechanism from a locked rotation position, wherein a release of the rotation mechanism rotationally biases an armrest frame relative to a seat frame, wherein the armrest frame and the seat frame are rotationally coupled. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes actuating a tilt input actuator, wherein actuating the tilt input actuator releases a tilting mechanism from a locked tilted position, wherein a release of the tilting mechanism pivotably biases an armrest subframe relative to the armrest frame, wherein the armrest subframe and the armrest frame are pivotably coupled. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes actuating a rail lock actuator, wherein actuating the rail lock actuator releases an arm pad from a locked position relative to the armrest subframe, wherein the arm pad is laterally aligned and translatably coupled to the armrest subframe.

In some embodiments of the method, the method further includes manually rotating the armrest frame relative to the seat frame and deactivating the rotation input actuator.

In some embodiments of the method, the method further includes manually pivoting the armrest subframe relative to the armrest frame and deactivating the tilt input actuator.

In some embodiments of the method, the method further includes manually translating the arm pad relative to the armrest subframe, and deactivating the rail lock actuator.

