Locking system for articulating aircraft seat

1. A system for securing a moveable device in a plurality of positions, the system comprising:

the movable device arranged movably about a member, the member extending along a linear path;

a lever arm configured with a biasing mechanism to engage a brake pad against the member to prevent movement by the moveable device;

a ramped disc configured for pushing the brake pad to engage the member when rotated by the lever arm; and

a release actuator having a cable configured for pulling the lever arm to counteract the biasing mechanism and disengage the brake pad from the member, thereby enabling motion of the moveable device that is: (i) along, or (ii) in parallel with the linear path.

2. The braking system of claim 1 , wherein the moveable device is an aircraft seat.

3. The braking system of claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring.

4. The braking system of claim 1 , wherein the release actuator further comprises a control paddle configured to pull the cable.

5. The braking system of claim 1 , wherein the member is a brake plate that is aligned in the linear path.

6. The braking system of claim 5 , wherein the ramped disc is configured for pulling the brake pad to disengage the brake plate when counter-rotated by the lever arm.

7. A locking system for an adjustable seat comprising:

a releasable clamping device, the device being mechanically coupled to a seat base and configured to receive a clampable brake receiving member on the adjustable seat that slides on track tubes,

wherein the releasable clamping device is a caliper brake and the clampable brake receiving member is a brake plate;

the caliper brake includes a lever arm that rotates a ramped disc for engaging a brake pad with the brake plate, and counter-rotates the ramped disc for releasing the brake pad from the brake plate;

a biasing mechanism maintaining the clamping device in engagement with the brake receiving member when in an engaged state; and

a release actuator for releasing the clamping device from the brake receiving member by acting against the biasing mechanism to enable a released state for sliding the adjustable seat.

8. The locking system of claim 7 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring.

9. The locking system of claim 7 , wherein the biasing mechanism presses the lever arm to rotate the ramped disc and maintain the caliper brake in the engaged state.

10. The locking system of claim 7 , wherein the release actuator further comprises a cable mechanically coupled to the lever arm, the cable being adapted to pull the lever arm against the biasing action of the biasing mechanism and counter-rotate the ramped disc to accomplish the released state.

11. A braking system for adjusting position of an articulating aircraft seat, comprising:

a caliper mechanically coupled to a seat base, the caliper having an arm configured to rotate a ramped disc for pushing a brake pad against a braking surface and to counter-rotate the ramped disc for releasing the brake pad from the braking surface;

a spring mechanically coupled to the caliper for biasing the arm to maintain the brake pad against the braking surface in an engaged state, thereby locking the seat in place; and

a cable mechanically coupled to the caliper and configured to counteract the spring to unlock the seat for moving.

12. The locking system of claim 11 , wherein the braking surface is aligned in parallel with a linear direction of movement for adjusting position of the articulating aircraft seat.

13. The locking system of claim 11 , wherein position of the brake pad against the braking surface is unrestricted to enable incremental position adjustments of any distance less than the length of the braking surface.