Patent ID: 7513456

Claim:
A steering system having reduced backlash on an aircraft, the system comprising: a housing operable to retain a portion of a steering mechanism; a user interface for receipt of an input from an operator; an input mechanism coupled to the user interface to receive the input from the operator of the aircraft to move into a first position or a second position, the input mechanism including an input arm and an input shaft including a first end, a second end and a central portion; an idler defining an opening so that the idler is rotatable on the input shaft of the input mechanism, the idler including a branch that extends from the opening to engage the input arm in the second position; a first spring including a first end and a second end, the first end of the first spring coupled to the housing, and the second end of the first spring coupled to the input arm to resist the movement of the input arm; a second spring including a first end and a second end, the first end of the second spring coupled to the housing, and the second end of the second spring coupled to the idler to resist the movement of the idler; and the steering mechanism being coupled to the input mechanism and operable upon receipt of the input from the operator to guide the aircraft.