Abstract:
A non-reciprocating, self-engaging charging handle is disclosed. It comprises a forward latch mounted upon a sliding body with a protruding handle. The latch positively engages the firearm&#39;s bolt carrier group when the handle is brought forward into contact therewith. A secondary latching system secures the charging handle to the upper receiver when not in use and disengages automatically when and only when a user desires to operate the handle. The charging handle&#39;s secondary latching system is also claimed as a stand-alone system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority as a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/009,729, filed Jan. 19, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,307,747, issued Nov. 13, 2012, which is in turn a non-provisional perfection of prior filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/296,434, filed Jan. 19, 2010, and incorporates the same herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of firearms and more particularly relates to a non-reciprocating charging handle for automatic or semi-automatic firearms that will automatically engage the firearm&#39;s bolt carrier group when the handle is actuated so as to provide forward assist function. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Modern repeating firearms utilize a bolt to engage and fire ammunition. The ignition of the ammunition not only fires the bullet, but also causes the bolt to recoil. Most firearms then utilize a system to return the bolt to a firing position, usually a mechanical return spring. Sometimes, however, the weapon may experience a minor malfunction, either in the feeding of ammunition or in the return system or some other malfunction, which causes the bolt to jam in a position that does not allow firing. To this end, early charging handles, which were essentially a part of the bolt carrier group itself and cycled with the bolt, were used to return the bolt to firing position. These reciprocating charging handles worked in both directions to retract and to act as a forward assist, closing the bolt with additional pressure beyond that of the return spring. However, these externally reciprocating parts could cause malfunctions or user injury if accidentally contacted during firing. Hence, non-reciprocating designs, in which the charging handle is separate and will selectively engage the bolt carrier, have become more popular. A significant drawback of the traditional non-reciprocating designs, such as for the M16, is that they initially lost the forward assist function inherent in a reciprocating charging handle. The charging handle engaged the bolt carrier group in one way only, to retract. These initial designs were later improved by adding an optional forward assist feature, usually connection between the charging handle and bolt carrier group that activated by a button or lever. The additional step of actuation can take time and is one point where user error may exacerbate a problem, especially if in the middle of a fire fight. When the weapon malfunctions, the user is not using it and the opponent is usually firing a weapon at the user and the user&#39;s comrades. Extended time repairing a problem is more risk to the entire team. What is needed is a non-reciprocating charging handle that eliminates the possibility of user error by automatically engaging the bolt carrier group when needed, both for retraction and forward assist. 
         [0004]    The present invention is a non-reciprocating charging handle that will automatically engage the bolt carrier when it is deployed in a misfire or other situation. The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in that the charging handle of the present invention allows for selectable operation of the charging handle with automatic engagement of the same with the bolt carrier group of the firearm when such engagement is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of charging handles, this invention provides a non-reciprocating, self-engaging charging handle. As such, the present invention&#39;s general purpose is to provide a new and improved charging handle that is automatic in its function in order to reduce user error while retaining safe operation. 
         [0006]    To accomplish these objectives, the charging handle comprises a spring biased latch pivotally mounted on the charging handle body. The latch rests upon the barrel trunnion when not in use and a spur keeps the latch biased in a non-usable position. When the user desires use, the charging handle is pulled rearward so that the latch spur no longer engages the trunnion and the latch will then be biased in a usable position by the spring. The latch may then engage the bolt carrier group and secure it to the charging handle for manual manipulation of the bolt carrier group. Ideally, the charging handle also comprises a stowage latch which secures it to the upper receiver when not in use. 
         [0007]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0008]    Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
         [0009]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0010]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a charging handle according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the charging handle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a left elevation of a firearm utilizing the charging handle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the firearm of  FIG. 3 , taken in circle A. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a left elevation of the firearm of  FIG. 3 , having the hand guard and upper receiver covering removed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a close-up view of the firearm of  FIG. 5 , taken in circle B. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the firearm of  FIG. 3 , with the bolt in a mid-stoke position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , taken along line C-C. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a close up view of the firearm of  FIG. 8 , taken in circle D. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  the firearm in the same view as  FIG. 8 , with the charging handle of  FIG. 1  beginning to retract towards the bolt. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is the firearm in the same view as  FIG. 8 , with the charging handle about to engage the bolt. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is the firearm in the same view as  FIG. 8 , with the charging handle engaging the bolt. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a right elevation of the firearm of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the firearm of  FIG. 13 , taken along line E-E. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a close-up view of the firearm of  FIG. 14 , taken in circle F. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is the firearm of  FIG. 15 , with the charging handle beginning to retract towards the bolt. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the charging is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0028]    The charging handle  1  resides in a firearm, such that handle knob  32  projects outside the firearm upper receiver  50 ,  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In the given example firearm, it is positioned over the gas system  58 , which is above and along the barrel  54  of the firearm,  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In the example firearm, the bolt carrier group  60  resides over the lower receiver  52  (including the grip, sear, hammer and trigger assembly) inside the upper receiver  50 . A recoil spring  62  resides behind the bolt carrier group  60  and in front of the stock  54 . It is to be understood that this exemplary firearm is depicted to show a possible environment only and is not intended to limit the invention to the firearm configuration shown alone. It is readily conceivable and should be understood that the charging handle of the present invention may be adapted to any known firearm and still fall within the purview of this specification and the appended claims. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the charging handle  1  comprises an elongate handle body  1  with space reserved for other component parts, specifically a rearward trough  12  and two spring housings  14 ,  16  that are located on its top side. A bolt carrier latch  20  resides in trough  12  and is pivotally fixed in the body  10  by a spring pin  28 . Latch spring  26  is stationed in the trough  12  and biases bolt carrier latch  20  in a downward orientation. A second, L-shaped stowage latch  44  resides toward a forward end of the body  10  and is biased toward the left side by spring  46  that is housed in a forward spring housing  16 . It pivots about a post  18  formed in the body  10  just in front of the forward spring housing  16 . A handle blade  30 , with an associated handle knob  32  secured by spring pin  34 , resides in a middle portion of the body  10  between the spring housings with sufficient space to allow motion along the length of the charging handle body  10 . It abuts handle follower  36  which is spring biased forward by a handle spring  38  that is positioned in a rear spring housing  18 . An actuator slide  40  is positioned over the handle blade  30  and handle follower  36  and secured to the body  10  by spring pins  42  inserted through the spring housings. The actuator slide  40  also interfaces with the stowage latch  44  as a tail of the stowage latch  44  is threaded through a port  48  in the actuator slide  40  (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). Actuator slide  40  is movable along a longitudinal axis of the body  10  as the holes through which spring pins  42  secure the actuator slide  40  to the body  10  are oblong, as is a hole in the handle follower  36  through which the rear spring pin  42  passes. The handle blade  30  projects through a slot on the side of the actuator slide  40  and the handle follower  36  also has a slight projection that interfaces with a slot on an upper side of the actuator slide  40 . While both the handle blade  30  and stowage latch  44  are depicted as projecting to the left of the charging handle  1 , one or the other may project towards the right and the handle blade  30  may project in both directions. 
         [0030]    Use of the charging handle  1  is depicted in  FIGS. 7-12 . When stowed, as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the charging handle  1  resides over the gas system  58 , with a ventral spur  24  of the bolt carrier latch  20  resting on the barrel trunnion  56  of the firearm. This then biases the bolt carrier latch  20  against the latch spring  26  and holds the hook end  22  of the bolt carrier latch  20  upwards in a manner so as to not interact with the bolt carrier group  60  during normal firing situations. When a user begins to retract the charging handle  1 , the spur  24  is moved off of the trunnion  56  and the bolt carrier latch  20  is biased by latch spring  26  in a downward position ( FIG. 10 ) such that the hook  22  is ready to engage the bolt carrier group  60 . Once contact is made ( FIG. 11 ), the bolt carrier latch  20  is again biased against the latch spring  26  as it is pushed upwards by a lip  61  on the bolt carrier group  60 . Final engagement ( FIG. 12 ) is made when the latch hook  22  passes the lip  61  and is again biased downward by latch spring  26 , securing the lip of the bolt carrier group  60  and enabling manual movement of the bolt. 
         [0031]    Being a non-reciprocating handle, the charging handle  12  is secured inside the upper receiver  50  by the stowage latch  44 , which is biased outward towards a side of the body  10  (shown as the left in the figures, though it is conceivable that the stowage latch  44  could be biased toward the right). As shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , the stowage latch  44  engages the upper receiver  50  when the charging handle  1  is not in use. During initial movement of the handle ( FIG. 16 ), the handle blade  30  pushes the handle follower  36  and the associated actuator slide  40  rearward. This then causes the actuator slide  40  to pull on the tail of the stowage latch  44  and rotate it away from the upper receiver  50 , disengaging it and the charging handle  1  from the upper receiver  50  and allowing the above discussed motion. 
         [0032]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.