Cluster light support and control mechanism

Claim 1

A lightweight, weatherproof, cluster light assembly adapted for quick attachment to and removal from a helicopter-type aircraft during field combat operations comprising: an elongate cantilever-type tubular support arm; quick detachable fittings mounting one end of said arm to the structure of a helicopter type aircraft so that the arm extends laterally from an operator occupied position within the aircraft to a position alongside of an aircraft; said fittings including an arm support journal portion to permit rotation of the arm about its longitudinal axis; an upright control handle conveniently accessible to an operator within the aircraft and having a clevis joint connection to said arm so that anGular movement of the arm in a forward and aft direction of the aircraft rotates said arm about its longitudinal axis; a cluster light assembly depending from the outboard end of said arm; said assembly being journaled in a clevis-type fitting which permits swinging movement of the cluster in a plane parallel to the support arm and transverse to the fore and aft axes of the aircraft; and a control rod connecting the upright control handle to said cluster light assembly; and whereby fore and aft movement of said control handle swings the cluster in a fore and aft direction with respect to the aircraft heading and side to side movement of said control handle swings the cluster in a side to side direction with respect to said aircraft heading.