Abstract:
A firearm charging handle includes a lever and an independently mobile latch partially disposed within the lever for improved usability and reliability.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/532,114 filed Jul. 1, 2015 titled FIREARM CHARGING HANDLE, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Charging handles, also known as cocking handles or bolt handles, allow for manual adjustment of the bolt position in a firearm. Adjustment of the bolt position can effect proper operation of the firearm&#39;s firing cycle and efficient transitions between different stages of the firing cycle and/or between sequential firing cycles. 
     There is a need for improved and more user-friendly firearm charging handles. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general terms, this application is directed to a firearm charging handle having a central shaft configured to engage a bolt assembly, a latch, and lever for releasing the latch. 
     In one aspect, a firearm charging handle comprises: a front end; a back end; a body; a central shaft extending forwardly from the body, the central shaft being configured to engage a bolt assembly; a first lever pivotally coupled to the body and comprising an integrated slot therein, the slot pivoting in conjunction with the first lever; and a latch, the latch having a relaxed position and a released position and comprising a latch arm and a hook arm extending from the latch arm, at least a portion of the latch arm being disposed within the slot; wherein pivoting of the first lever pivots the latch arm within the slot; and wherein pivoting of the first lever moves the latch between the relaxed position and the released position. 
     In another aspect, a firearm charging handle comprises: a front end; a back end; a body; a central shaft extending forwardly from the body, the central shaft being configured to engage a bolt assembly; a first lever comprising a first pivot and a latch, the latch having a second pivot, a relaxed position and a released position, the first lever being pivotally coupled to the body about the first pivot, the latch being pivotally coupled to the body about the second pivot; and a second lever comprising a third pivot, the second lever being pivotally coupled to the body about the third pivot; wherein the third pivot is disposed rearward of the first pivot and of the second pivot; wherein the third pivot is disposed nearer the central shaft than the first pivot and the second pivot; and wherein pivoting of the first lever or the second lever moves the latch between the relaxed position and the released position. 
     In yet a further aspect, a firearm comprises: an upper receiver; a bolt assembly disposed within the upper receiver; and a charging handle, the charging handle comprising: a front end; a back end; a body; a central shaft extending forwardly from the body, the central shaft being configured to engage the bolt assembly and being at least partially housed in the upper receiver; a first lever comprising a first pivot and a latch, the latch having a second pivot, a latch arm, a hook arm extending from the latch arm, a relaxed position and a released position, the first lever further comprising an integrated slot therein, the first lever being pivotally coupled to the body about the first pivot, the latch being pivotally coupled to the body about the second pivot, the slot pivoting in conjunction with the first lever; and a second lever comprising a third pivot, the second lever being pivotally coupled to the body about the third pivot; wherein the third pivot is disposed rearward of the first pivot and of the second pivot; and wherein pivoting of the first lever or the second lever pivots the latch arm within the slot and moves the latch between the relaxed position and the released position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example firearm having an example charging handle in a relaxed position in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the example firearm of  FIG. 1  with the charging handle of  FIG. 1  in a pulled position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the upper receiver and the lower receiver of the firearm of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the upper receiver removed to facilitate depiction of interior components. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a further portion of the upper receiver of the firearm of  FIG. 1  showing the charging handle of  FIG. 1  in the relaxed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the charging handle of  FIG. 1  showing the latch in a relaxed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a rear portion of the charging handle of  FIG. 1  showing the latch in a released position. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the charging handle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the charging handle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a rear portion of the charging handle of  FIG. 1  along the line A-A in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example firearm  100  having an example charging handle in a relaxed position in accordance with the present disclosure. The firearm  100  includes an upper receiver  102 , a lower receiver  104 , a barrel  106 , a grip  107  and a charging handle  108 . Optionally, the firearm  100  also includes a buffer tube  110 , a rail  112 , and a muzzle brake  114 . The firearm  100  is defined by a front  116 , a back  118 , a top  120  and a bottom  122 . Throughout this disclosure, references to orientation (e.g., front(ward), rear(ward), in front, behind, above, below, high, low, back, top, bottom, under, underside, etc.) of structural components shall be defined by that component&#39;s positioning in  FIG. 1  relative to, as applicable, the front  116 , the back  118 , the top  120 , and the bottom  122  of the firearm  100 , regardless of how the firearm  100  may be held and regardless of how that component may be situated on its own (i.e., separated from the firearm  100 ). 
     In some examples, the firearm  100  is configured to have a plurality of operating modes. Examples of operating modes include a normal mode and a semi-automatic mode. In normal mode, the firearm  100  discharges a round of ammunition following activation of a trigger mechanism. To reset the trigger mechanism to fire another round of ammunition, the user manually actuates the charging handle  108 . In semi-automatic mode, the trigger mechanism automatically resets after firing each round of ammunition without needing to actuate the charging handle  108 . 
     The firearm  100  can be of a variety of types. Examples of a firearm include handguns, rifles, shotguns, carbines, and personal defense weapons. In at least one embodiment, the firearm  100  is implemented as an AR-15 rifle or a variant of the AR-15. 
     The upper receiver  102  is configured to house a bolt assembly. In a typical firearm  100 , the bolt assembly is slidably disposed in the upper receiver  102  for axially reciprocating recoil movement therein during the firing cycle sequence of the firearm  100 . The barrel  106  is mated to the upper receiver  102 , and the upper receiver  102  is in open communication with the barrel  106 . During a firing cycle a firing pin carried by a bolt in the bolt mechanism is thrust forward to contact and discharge a cartridge loaded in a chamber in the upper receiver  102 . A projectile (e.g., a bullet) from the cartridge then travels through the barrel  106  and exits the firearm  100  at the front end of the barrel  106  towards a target. The spent cartridge is ejected from the upper receiver  102  either automatically, or manually upon actuation of the charging handle  108 . 
     The lower receiver  104  houses a trigger mechanism configured to initiate the firing cycle sequence of the firearm  100  when a predetermined amount of force is applied to a trigger bow. A magazine containing one or more rounds of ammunition (not shown) is coupled to the lower receiver  104  for depositing rounds of ammunition in the chamber of the upper receiver for each sequential firing cycle of the firearm  100 . 
     The barrel  106  is positioned at the front  116  of the firearm  100  and is configured to be installed to the upper receiver  102 . The barrel  106  provides a path to release an explosion gas and propel a projectile therethrough. In some embodiments, the barrel  106  includes an accompanying assembly that includes one or more of a rail system (e.g., the rail  112 ) for mounting accessories (e.g., a fore-grip, a flashlight, a laser, optic equipment). 
     The grip  107  provides a point of support for the shooter of the firearm and can be held by the shooter&#39;s hand, including when operating a trigger mechanism. The grip  107  assists the shooter in stabilizing the firearm  100  during firing and manipulation of the firearm  100 . In some embodiments, the grip  107  is mounted to the lower receiver  104 . 
     The charging handle  108  is slidably disposed within the upper receiver  102 . A front portion of the charging handle  108  engages the bolt assembly within the upper receiver  102 . A rear portion of the charging handle  108  is exterior to the upper receiver  102  and includes a hand engagement portion for actuating the charging handle  108 . The charging handle  108  includes at least a relaxed position, in which the charging handle  108  is at its forward most limit within the upper receiver  102 , and a pulled position, in which at least portion of the charging handle has been slid rearwards out of the upper receiver  102 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the charging handle  108  is shown in a relaxed position relative to the upper receiver  102 . In some examples, the charging handle  108  is coupled to the interior of the upper receiver  102  by a biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring). In these examples, the biasing mechanism biases the charging handle  108  towards the relaxed position (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Pulling the charging handle  108  rearwards to the pulled position creates a biasing force of the charging handle  108  towards the relaxed position. When the user releases the charging handle  108  from the pulled position (or otherwise reduces the applied force required to keep the charging handle  108  in the pulled position), the charging handle  108  reciprocates frontwards on the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism towards the relaxed position. 
     The buffer tube  110  is disposed at the rear of the firearm  100  behind the upper receiver  102  and functions to reduce the recoil force associated with firing the firearm  100 . In some embodiments, recoil is reduced by transferring the force to a spring or other biasing mechanism housed within the buffer tube  110 . 
     The rail  112  surrounds at least a portion of the barrel  106  and functions as a support for the user&#39;s front hand when firing the firearm  100 . The rail  112  may also act to prevent the user&#39;s hand from getting burned by the barrel  106 , which can become extremely hot when the firearm  100  is being fired. As discussed above, the rail  112  may also be used for mounting accessories (e.g., a fore-grip, a flashlight, a laser, optic equipment). 
     The muzzle brake  114  is coupled to the front end of the barrel  106  and functions to redirect gases exiting the front of the barrel  106  during a firing cycle to reduce recoil, “kick,” and/or the noise associated with firing the firearm  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the example firearm  100  of  FIG. 1  with the charging handle  108  of  FIG. 1  in a pulled position. The firearm  100  includes the upper receiver  102 , the lower receiver  104 , the barrel  106 , the grip  107 , the charging handle  108 , the buffer tube  110 , the rail  112 , the muzzle brake  114 , a front  116 , a back  118 , a top  120  and a bottom  122 , as discussed above. In addition, in this example the charging handle  108  includes a first lever  130 , a second lever  132 , a central shaft  134 , and a back end  135 , and the upper receiver  102  includes a slot  136 . 
     The first lever  130  and the second lever  132  are disposed behind the central shaft  134  towards the back end  135  of the charging handle  108 . The first lever  130  and the second lever  132  are each pivotable relative to the central shaft  134 . As discussed in more detail below, pulling one or both of the first lever  130  and the second lever  132  rearwards releases a latch on the charging handle  108  from engagement with the upper receiver  102 , enabling the shooter to pull the charging handle  108  into the pulled position shown in  FIG. 2 . In some examples, when the charging handle  108  is in the relaxed position shown in  FIG. 1 , the entirety or a majority of the central shaft  134  is disposed within the slot  136  of the upper receiver  102 . In some examples, when the charging handle  108  is in the pulled position shown in  FIG. 2 , at least a portion of the central shaft  134  is not disposed within the slot  136  and instead extends rearwardly from the upper receiver  102  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the upper receiver  102  and the lower receiver  104  of the firearm  100  of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the upper receiver removed to facilitate depiction of interior components. In this example, the firearm  100  includes the charging handle  108  and the rail  112 ; the charging handle  108  including the central shaft  134 ; and the upper receiver  102  including the slot  136 , as discussed above. In addition, in this example, the upper receiver has a front end  150  that abuts a rear end  152  of the rail  112 ; the charging handle  108  includes a front end  154 , a bolt assembly engaging portion  156 , a top alignment mechanism  158 , a side alignment mechanism  160 , and an aperture  161 ; the upper receiver  102 , includes a longitudinal recess  162 ; and the firearm  100  includes a spring spool  164  and a bolt assembly  166  having a charging handle engaging portion  168 . 
     The bolt assembly engaging portion  156  is disposed toward the front end  154  of the charging handle  108 . The bolt assembly engaging portion  156  engages the bolt assembly  166  by interfacing with the charging handle engaging portion  168 . In some examples the charging handle engaging portion  168  is a projection from a bolt carrier, the bolt carrier being configured to carry a bolt of the bolt assembly  166 . 
     The top alignment mechanism  158  assists in aligning the central shaft  134  in a particular direction within the slot  136 . In some examples, the top alignment mechanism  158  is a projection extending from a top surface of the central shaft  134  that communicates with a corresponding groove in the upper receiver  102  for slidable forward and backward movement of the charging handle  108  relative to the upper receiver  102 . 
     The side alignment mechanism  160  is disposed on a side of the central shaft  134  and also assists in aligning the central shaft  134  in a particular direction within the slot  136 . In some examples the side alignment mechanism is a projection extending from a side surface of the central shaft  134  that communicates with the corresponding longitudinal recess  162  in the upper receiver  102  for slidable forward and backward movement of the charging handle  108  relative to the upper receiver  102 . In some examples, for further improved alignment, an additional corresponding side alignment mechanism and longitudinal recess are also disposed on the opposing side (to that shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the central shaft  134  and the upper receiver  102 , respectively, and communicate with each other for slidable forward and backward movement of the charging handle  108  relative to the upper receiver  102 . 
     The aperture  161  is disposed within the bolt assembly engaging portion  156  and receives the spring spool  164  therethrough. The spring spool  164  extends rearwardly from the front end  150  of the upper receiver  102 , through the aperture  161  and at least partially along a longitudinal groove disposed in the underside of the central shaft  134 . A biasing mechanism, (e.g., a spring), is positioned (e.g., coiled) about the spring spool  165 . When the charging handle  108  is pulled rearwards, the spring stretches, biasing the charging handle  108  in the frontwards direction. Alternatively, a spring spool is not required and a spring is forwardly mounted to the front end  150  of the upper receiver  102 , and rearwardly mounted to the charging handle  108 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a further portion of the upper receiver  102  of the firearm  100  of  FIG. 1  showing the charging handle  108  in the relaxed position. The firearm  100  includes the buffer tube  110 , and the charging handle  108  includes the first lever  130 , the second lever  132  and the back end  135  as discussed above. In addition, in this example the upper receiver  102  includes a back end  180  and a latch depression  182 ; the charging handle includes a body  184  and a latch  186  having a hook arm  188  and a hook  189 ; and each of the first lever  130  and the second lever  132  includes an arcuate front surface  190 , grips  192 , and a cutout  194 . 
     The latch depression  182  is disposed on a side of the upper receiver  102  towards the back end  180  and receives the hook  189  of the latch  186 , the hook  189  projecting sideways from the hook arm  188 . When the hook  189  engages the latch depression  182 , the charging handle  108  is prevented from moving rearwards and is effectively locked in position relative to the upper receiver  102 . Latching the charging handle  108  to the upper receiver  102  helps to prevent inadvertent or undesired actuation of the charging handle  108 . 
     The body  184  is disposed behind the central shaft  134  ( FIG. 3 ), the central shaft  134  extending forwardly from the body  184 . The first lever  130  and the second lever  132  are pivotally coupled to the body  184  on either side, respectively, of the body  184 . 
     The latch  186  is partially nested within the first lever  130 , with the hook  189  of the latch  186  extending forwards beyond the first lever  130  sufficiently to engage the latch depression  182  when the charging handle  108  is in a relaxed position. 
     The arcuate front surfaces  190  and the grips  192  assist the shooter in engaging the first lever  130  and/or the second lever  132  (e.g., with one or more fingers or a hand) by pressing up against one or both of the arcuate front surfaces  190  aided by the grips  192 . As discussed in greater detail below, applying at least a predetermined threshold force rearwards (e.g., with one or more fingers or a hand) on the first lever  130 , the second lever  132 , or both the first lever  130  and the second lever  132 , releases the latch  186  from the latch depression  182 , allowing the charging handle  108  to be pulled rearwards to its pulled position. 
     Optionally one or more cutouts  194  are machined or cast into the upper side of one or both the first lever  130  and the second lever  132 . The cutouts  194  provide an aesthetic look to the charging handle  108 . In addition, the cutouts  194  may be used as finger holds (e.g., instead of the arcuate front surface  190 ) for the user to engage the first lever  130  and/or the second lever  132 . Furthermore, the cutouts  194  reduce the overall weight of, and may also reduce the amount of material required to manufacture, the charging handle  108 . In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , each of the first lever  130  and the second lever  132  includes an approximately triangular shaped cutout  194 , the triangular shape having one or more rounded sides and rounded corners. 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the charging handle  108  of  FIG. 1  showing the latch  186  in a relaxed position. In the relaxed position, the latch  186  is engageable with the latch depression  182  ( FIG. 4 ). The charging handle  108  includes the first lever  130 , the second lever  132 , the central shaft  134 , the back end  135 , the front end  154 , the bolt assembly engaging portion  156 , the side alignment engagement mechanisms  160 , the aperture  161 , the body  184  the latch  186  having the hook arm  188 , the hook  189 , the arcuate front surfaces  190 , and the grips  192  as discussed above. In addition, in this example, the central shaft  134  includes a longitudinal groove  200 ; the first lever  130  includes a latch slot  202 ; the latch  186  includes a latch arm  203  having a free end  210 ; and the body  184  includes a first pivot  204 , a second pivot  206  and a latch pivot  208 . 
     The longitudinal groove  200  receives a biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring) allowing for reciprocating forwards movement of the charging handle  108  relative to the upper receiver  102  ( FIG. 3 ) along the direction of the bias after the charging handle  108  has been released by the shooter, as discussed in greater detail above in connection with  FIG. 3 . 
     The latch slot  202  is a cast or machined indentation in the first lever  130  and is sufficiently deep to securely receive the latch arm  203 . The latch slot  202  is thus an integral component of the first lever  130  and moves (e.g., pivots) in conjunction with the moving (e.g., pivoting) of the first lever  130 . In some examples, the latch arm  203  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the hook arm  188  and extends from the hook arm  188  in a direction away from or substantially away from the body  184 . The shape and size of the latch slot  202  generally follows the configuration of the latch arm  203  and, in some examples, a portion of the hook arm  188  as well. 
     In some examples, additional space is provided in the latch slot  202  to allow some independent movement of the latch arm  203  within the latch slot  202 . Providing additional space in the latch slot  202  in this manner when the latch  186  is in the relaxed position (e.g., additional space  212  between the body  184  and the latch arm  203 , and/or additional space  214  between the free end  210  of the latch arm  203  and the end of the latch slot  202 ) may also prevent the latch  186  from undesirably catching on or otherwise interfering with the body  184  when attempting to release the hook  189  from the latch depression  182 , as such interference could prevent fluid and/or complete release of the hook  189 . Reducing interference between portions of the latch  186  and the body  184  can thus facilitate operation of the charging handle  108  and reduce the amount of force required to release the latch from the relaxed position when pulling rearward on one or both of the first lever  130  and the second lever  132 . 
     The first pivot  204  pivotally couples the body  184  to the first lever  130 . The second pivot  206  pivotally couples the body  184  to the second lever  132 . The latch pivot  208  pivotally couples the body  184  and the latch  186 . Each of the first pivot  204 , the second pivot  206  and the latch pivot  208  can be any suitable pivoting mechanism. Such a pivoting mechanism may be, for example, a pin disposed in a bore, the bore extending through the body  184  and a correspondingly aligned portion of the first lever  130 , the second lever  132 , and the latch  186 , respectively, the pin thereby coupling the body  184  to the first lever  130 , the second lever  132  and/or the latch  186 , respectively in a rotational configuration about the pin. In some examples, the first pivot  204  and the latch pivot  208  are laterally displaced relative to each other as discussed in greater detail in connection with  FIG. 9 . For example, in  FIG. 5 , the latch pivot  208  is disposed inward (i.e., laterally closer to the central shaft  134 ) of the first pivot  204 . 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a rear portion of the charging handle  108  of  FIG. 1  showing the latch  186  in a released position. In the released position, the latch  186  is disengaged from the latch depression  182  ( FIG. 4 ). The charging handle  108  includes the first lever  130 , the second lever  132 , the central shaft  134 , the back end  135 , the body  184 , the latch  186  having the hook arm  188  and the hook  189 ; the arcuate front surfaces  190 , the grips  192 , the longitudinal groove  200 ; the latch slot  202 , the latch arm  203 , the first pivot  204 , the second pivot  206 , the latch pivot  208  and the free end  210  of the latch arm  203 . 
     Comparing  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 5 , due to the shape and size of the latch  186  as compared with the latch slot  202 , the positioning of the latch  186  within the latch slot  202  changes when the latch  186  is moved from the relaxed position ( FIG. 5 ) to the released position ( FIG. 6 ). For example, in the released position, the additional space  214  between the free end  210  of the latch  186  and the end of the latch slot  202  increases, while the additional space  212  ( FIG. 5 ) between the body  184  and the latch arm  203  is reduced or eliminated and further additional space  216  opens up between the latch arm  203  and the first lever  130 . As the hook  189  pivots away from the central shaft  134 , the latch arm  203  eventually contacts the body  184  along a contact junction  218  formed by the nesting of a curved convex protrusion  222  in the body  184  in a correspondingly curved concave recess  220  in the latch arm  203 . At the same time, a contact junction  224  forms between the latch arm  203  and the first lever  130 . The contact junctions  218  and  224  prevent further pivoting movement of the latch  186 , the first lever  130  and the second lever  132  away from the relaxed position of the latch  186 . 
     In the fully released position of the latch  186  shown in  FIG. 6 , there is an angle α between the line T 1  tangent to the arcuate front surface  190  of the first lever  130  and the line L perpendicular to the direction of the rearward direction M of the charging handle  108 . Likewise the angle α also exists between the line T 2  tangent to the arcuate front surface  190  of the second lever  132  and the line L. The angle α is relatively small to help direct the user&#39;s pulling force along the desired direction of motion M of the charging handle  108 . In some examples a is in a range from about −30° to about 30°. In other examples, a is in a range from about −15° to about 15°. In a specific example, a is about 10°. In alternative examples, the angle between L and T 2  is greater or less than the angle between L and T 1  (i.e., the second lever  132  rotates to a greater or lesser degree than first lever  130  from the latch relaxed position to the latch released position). 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the charging handle  108  of  FIG. 1 . The charging handle  108  includes the first lever  130 , the second lever  132 , the central shaft  134 , the back end  135 , the front end  154 , the bolt assembly engaging portion  156 , the side alignment engagement mechanisms  160 , the aperture  161 , the body  184  having the curved convex protrusion  222 , the latch  186  having the latch arm  203  with the free end  210  and the curved concave recess  220 , the hook arm  188  and the hook  189 ; and the latch slot  202 , as discussed above. Also in this example, the first pivot  204  ( FIG. 5 ) includes a first bore  240  and a first pin  242 ; the second pivot  206  ( FIG. 5 ) includes a second bore  244  and a second pin  246 ; and the latch pivot  208  ( FIG. 5 ) includes a third bore  248  and a third pin  250 . In addition, in this example the charging handle  108  includes a primary biasing mechanism  252  (e.g., a spring, a polymer rod) and a secondary biasing mechanism  254  (e.g., a spring, a polymer rod); the first lever  130  includes a first plate  256  and a first projection  258 ; the second lever includes a second plate  260 , a second projection  262 , and a third projection  263 ; and the body  184  includes a receiving area  264 . 
     In an assembled position, the first plate  256  and the second plate  260  are disposed within the receiving area  264  (e.g., a groove) such that the first bore  240  aligns through the body  184  and the first plate  256 , and the first pin  242  is disposed within the first bore  240 , the first pin  242  cooperating with the first bore  240  to allow pivotal movement of the first lever  130  about the first pin  242 . Similarly, the second bore  244  aligns with and through the body  184  and the second plate  260 , and the second pin  246  is disposed within second bore  244 , the second pin  246  cooperating with the second bore  244  to allow pivotal movement of the second lever  132  about the second pin  246 . Similarly, the third bore  248  aligns with and through the body  184  and the latch  186 , and the third pin  250  is disposed within the third bore  248  to allow pivotal movement of the latch  186  about the third pin  250 . 
     The primary biasing mechanism  252  is disposed in a cavity within the body  184 . A rear end of the primary biasing mechanism  252  engages the first projection  258 . Applying sufficient rearward force to the first lever  130  and, in some examples, also or alternatively the second lever  132  causes the primary biasing mechanism  252  to compress within its cavity, resulting in a biasing force that urges the first lever  130  (and in some examples the second lever  132 ) to return to the relaxed position upon sufficient decrease in the force applied by the shooter. 
     The secondary biasing mechanism  254  is also disposed in a cavity within the body  184 . A rear end of the secondary biasing mechanism  254  engages the third projection  263 . Applying sufficient rearward force to the second lever  132  causes the secondary biasing mechanism  254  to compress within its cavity, resulting in a biasing force that urges the second lever  132  to return to the relaxed position upon sufficient decrease in the force applied by the shooter. 
     In some examples, the second projection  262  is disposed rearward of the first projection  258  and engages the first projection  258  such that when a sufficient rearward force is applied to the second lever  132 , the second projection  262  pushes forward on the first projection  258 , which in turn causes a compression in the primary biasing mechanism  252  along with a pivoting of the first lever  130  and the latch  186  away from the relaxed position and towards the released position. Thus, in such a configuration, the latch  186  may be released from the upper receiver  102  ( FIG. 1 ) by alternatively applying force rearwards on the first lever  130 , the second lever  132 , or both levers  130  and  132 . 
     The hook arm  188  has a thickness t 1 . The latch arm  203  has a thickness t 2 . In some examples t 1  is less than t 2 ; t 1  is sufficiently small such that at least a portion of the hook arm  188  can be received by the receiving area  264  in the body  184  for proper assembly of the latch pivot ( FIG. 5 ); and t 2  is sufficiently large to provide adequate strength to the latch arm  203  to hold up to the forces applied by the latch slot  202  during actuation of the charging handle  108 . 
       FIG. 8  is a rear view of the charging handle  108  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a rear portion of the charging handle  108  along the line A-A in  FIG. 8 . With reference to  FIG. 9 , the charging handle  108  includes the first lever  130 , the second lever  132 , the central shaft  134 , the back end  135 , the body  184 , the latch  186 , the first pivot  204 , the second pivot  206 , the latch pivot  208 , the primary biasing mechanism  252 , the secondary biasing mechanism  254 , the first projection  258 , the second projection  262 , and the third projection  263  as discussed above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the primary biasing mechanism  252  is disposed in a cavity in the body  184  having a closed forward end, the rear end of the primary biasing mechanism  252  being compressibly engaged by the first projection  258 . The secondary biasing mechanism  254  is also disposed in a cavity in the body  184  having a closed forward end, the rear end of the secondary biasing mechanism  254  being compressibly engaged by the third projection  263 . In addition, in this example, the second projection  262  is disposed rearwards of the first projection  258  and forwardly engages the first projection  258 , thereby coupling the pivotal mobility of the first lever  130  and the latch  186  with the pivotal motion of the second lever  132  and providing for an ambidextrously operable charging handle  108 . 
     In the example charging handle  108  of  FIG. 9 , the latch pivot  208  is disposed closer to the longitudinal central axis A 1  of the charging handle  108  than is the first pivot  204 . In addition the latch pivot  208  is disposed forwards (i.e., farther away from the back end  135  of the charging handle  108 ) than the first pivot  204 . The second pivot  206  is disposed rearwards (i.e., closer to the back end  135  of the charging handle  108 ) than both the first pivot  204  and the latch pivot  208 . The relative longitudinal and latitudinal positioning of the first pivot  204 , the second pivot  206 , and the latch pivot  208  are selected to provide the desired pivotal motion of the associated component parts (e.g., without being blocked or interfered with by other component parts during the desired pivoting), while resulting in sufficient or optimal torque per unit force by the user/shooter to operate the charging handle  108  by pivoting the first lever  130  and/or the second lever  132  and releasing the latch  186 . 
     The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.