Patent ID: 9683795
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: F41A

Claim:
1. A charging handle for a firearm comprising: a shaft for interfacing with a bolt carrier in the firearm, the shaft mounted to a transverse head with a front surface and a rear surface, wherein a first recess is set between the front surface and the rear surface of the head to the right of a centerline of the shaft, within which first recess is an opening into which is placed a spring, and wherein a second recess is set between the front surface and the rear surface of the head to the left of the centerline of the shaft; a primary handle with a first body, a first pivot portion, an arm with one end mounted to the first body and a second end mounted to the first pivot portion, and branching from the first pivot portion are a first protrusion and a latch, wherein the primary handle is pivotally mounted to the head via the first pivot portion such that the first protrusion, first pivot portion, and part of the arm are positioned within the first recess, and such that the first protrusion is biased by the spring; and a secondary handle with a second body, a top surface with one end integrally connected to the second body and a second end integrally connected to the second pivot portion, the secondary handle being pivotally mounted to the head via the second pivot portion such that the second pivot portion is positioned within the second recess, and such that the second protrusion rests against the first protrusion, through which the second protrusion is also biased by the spring; wherein when the charging handle is installed in the firearm and the primary and secondary handles are allowed to move freely, the latch engages with an upper receiver of the firearm, and wherein when a user pulls on a first release surface of the first body of the primary handle, the primary handle pivots about the pivotal mounting of its first pivot portion, with the first protrusion compressing the spring, or wherein when the user pulls on a second release surface of the second body of the secondary handle, the secondary handle pivots about the pivotal mounting of its second pivot portion, with the second protrusion pressing the first protrusion, compressing the spring, such that when the spring is compressed via the user pulling on either or both of the first release surface and the second release surface, the latch disengages from the upper receiver of the firearm, allowing retraction of the charging handle from the firearm.