Patent ID: 7331548

Claim:
A control linkage mechanism for producing synchronous motion in two adjacent elevator surfaces of a T-tail aircraft, comprising: a first universal joint yoke assembly configured for coupling to control a first one of said adjacent elevator surfaces of a T-tail aircraft that is rotatably attached to a horizontal stabilizer of a tail assembly of said aircraft; a second universal joint yoke assembly configured for coupling to control a second one of said adjacent elevator surfaces of a T-tail aircraft that is rotatably attached to a horizontal stabilizer of said tail assembly of said aircraft; a central cage coupled between said first universal joint yoke assembly and said second universal joint yoke assembly; and an input push rod assembly having a first end coupled to said central cage and a self aligning second end configured for coupling to a control input device; wherein said first universal joint yoke assembly is configured to rotate in a single plane relative to said central cage; and wherein said second universal joint yoke assembly is configured to rotate in multiple planes relative to said central cage; and wherein said adjacent elevator surfaces are swept elevator surfaces of a T-tail aircraft having hinge lines that are skewed relative to each other; wherein said first universal joint assembly comprises two first yoke uprights attached by a first cross bolt extending between said two first yoke uprights at a right angle to a hinge line of said first one of said adjacent elevator assemblies; and wherein said second universal joint assembly comprises two second yoke uprights attached by a second cross bolt extending between said two second yoke uprights at a right angle to a hinge line of said second one of said adjacent elevator assemblies.