Abstract:
An improved charging handle for a firearm, specifically for automatic and semi-automatic rifles, where the charging handle is provided with operator engagement sides generally parallel to the long axis of the charging handle rod. In certain embodiments, the charging handle includes a latch mechanism comprising a non-pivoting pin for engagement with a detent on a firearm exterior surface and a biasing mechanism biasing the pin toward the elongate member, such that when the charging handle assembly is inserted fully into the firearm the pin engages the detent and is held in engagement by the biasing mechanism. In certain other embodiments the charging handle includes a latch mechanism that is rotationally secured to the handle portion and rotatable between a latched orientation and an unlatched orientation, and a biasing mechanism biasing the latch mechanism in the latched orientation and an interface member actuatable for moving the latch mechanism between the latched orientation and the unlatched orientation, wherein the interface member is at an angle to the elongate member when the latch mechanism is in the latched orientation, and the interface member is generally parallel to the elongate member when the latch mechanism is in the unlatched orientation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. No. 61/604,050, filed on Feb. 28, 2012, entitled “FIREARM CHARGING HANDLE” (Attorney Docket MLT-001PROV), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to firearms, and specifically to charging handles for automatic and semi-automatic firearms. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    It is known in the art of firearm design to incorporate a charging or cocking handle for ejecting spent cartridges and loading the chamber, the charging handle configured to move the bolt assembly or carrier back and forth by means of a bolt engaging element at a forward end of the charging handle rod. Common charging handles are configured as an elongate rod with a rearward handle disposed in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the rod (commonly described as a “T” shape); the handle is grasped and pulled backward, which moves the rod (and the bolt carrier to which it is engaged) in a rearward direction. It is also known to provide charging handles with latching mechanisms, commonly called tactical latches, to prevent unintended rearward movement of the charging handle during operation or inspection of the weapon. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 8,104,393 to Kincel and U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,600 to Bordson, which illustrate different versions of a tactical latch. The forward end of the latch engages a detent on the side of the receiver housing, thereby holding the charging handle in position. 
         [0006]    Automatic and semi-automatic rifles, called carbines, are gaining in popularity as a firearm of choice for law enforcement agencies, including police departments of larger metropolitan areas. Agencies have begun a shift from issuing shotguns with multiple projectile rounds to M-16 military and civilian variants able to deliver single projectile rounds with improved accuracy and extended distance. Training officers to properly operate a carbine takes many hours, and the officer has to practice the techniques for handling this new weapon through thousands of repetitions to render the handling techniques habitual and instinctive, which is crucial to enable the officer to respond correctly under stressful situations. 
         [0007]    While carbines have certain recognized advantages in different situations, problems have been identified with commonly available charging handles. For example, most charging handles have been designed for right-handed operators; supporting the rifle with the left hand, the operator uses two fingers of the right hand (one on either side of the charging handle rod) to pull backwards on the charging handle in a straight line parallel to the bolt carrier of the rifle, requiring the operator to remove the right hand from the weapon trigger. Ambidextrous charging handles have been developed in an attempt to address this, but it has been noted that such handles do not always pull the rod parallel with the bolt carrier as originally designed, but rather cause some degree of rotation and resultant stress on the rod. This creates resistance while trying to pull the bolt carrier to the rear of the weapon, resulting in increased wear on the pin, rod and upper receiver. 
         [0008]    In addition, carbines are normally viewed as secondary weapons, with an obvious impact on the training levels required to render proper operation instinctive. Many law enforcement agencies employ a pistol as the primary standard-issue weapon for officers, usually a semi-automatic pistol, and officers undergo intensive training to render operation of such weapons habitual and instinctive. However, charging a semi-automatic pistol involves an overhand grip of the upper rear of the weapon and rearward pull, or a pinch or slingshot grip, which is an entirely different charging motion than is employed with carbine charging handles. As officers are intensively trained with the pistol charging technique, it is therefore obvious that the carbine technique using a charging handle (with or without latch mechanism) will be non-intuitive. 
         [0009]    Further, it has been found that common charging handles, with their perpendicular handle positioning, present a potential for snagging on clothing, which can disrupt operation of the firearm at a crucial moment. Certain latch mechanisms extend even further to the sides than the lateral extent of the charging handle, which increases this potential. 
         [0010]    What is needed, therefore, is an improved charging handle that addresses the above-identified concerns. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    The present invention therefore seeks to provide a firearm charging handle that allows a more intuitive operation and can optionally incorporate an improved tactical latch mechanism while addressing the issues around some currently available ambidextrous charging handles. Also, the present invention seeks to provide a firearm charging handle that is less likely to snag an operator&#39;s clothing during use. 
         [0012]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging handle for use with a firearm, the charging handle comprising:
       an elongate member with a forward end and a rearward end;   a bolt engaging element disposed at the forward end of the elongate member; and   a handle portion disposed at the rearward end of the elongate member;   wherein the handle portion is provided with operator engagement sides generally parallel to a long axis of the elongate member.       
 
         [0017]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging handle assembly for use with a firearm, the charging handle assembly comprising:
       an elongate member with a forward end and a rearward end;   a bolt engaging element disposed at the forward end of the elongate member;   a handle portion disposed at the rearward end of the elongate member; and   a latch mechanism on the handle portion, the latch mechanism comprising:
           a pin for engagement with a detent on the firearm; and   a biasing mechanism biasing the pin toward the elongate member; such that when the charging handle assembly is inserted fully into the firearm, the pin engages the detent and is held in engagement by the biasing mechanism.   
               
 
         [0024]    According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging handle assembly for use with a firearm, the charging handle assembly comprising:
       an elongate member with a forward end and a rearward end;   a bolt engaging element disposed at the forward end of the elongate member;   a handle portion disposed at the rearward end of the elongate member; and   a latch mechanism rotationally secured to the handle portion and rotatable between a latched orientation and an unlatched orientation, the latch mechanism comprising:
           a biasing mechanism biasing the latch mechanism in the latched orientation; and   an interface member actuatable for moving the latch mechanism between the latched orientation and the unlatched orientation;   
           wherein the interface member is at an angle to the elongate member when the latch mechanism is in the latched orientation, and the interface member is generally parallel to the elongate member when the latch mechanism is in the unlatched orientation.       
 
         [0032]    A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be construed as being limited to these embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a charging handle without a latch mechanism; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a charging handle with a biased pin latch mechanism; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3   a  is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a charging handle with a pivoting latch mechanism; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3   b  is a top plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention, with the actuator released and at the latching mechanism in an unlatched orientation; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3   c  is a top plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention, with the actuator depressed and at the latching mechanism in a latched orientation; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a charging handle with an alternative biased pin latch mechanism. 
       
    
    
       [0040]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    The present invention has been found to be particularly useful for carbines of Stoner-type firearm systems such as the AR-10, AR-15, M-16 and M4 series, and all subsequent AR-10 type, AR-15 type, M-16 type and M4 type firearms and derivatives thereof. However, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be applied without undue effort or experimentation to other firearm types. 
         [0042]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a charging handle  10  is illustrated according to a first aspect of the present invention. The charging handle  10  comprises an elongate member or rod  12  having a bolt engaging element  18  disposed at a forward end  14  of the rod  12 . At the rearward end  16  of the rod  12 , a handle portion  20  is provided for manipulation by the operator. The rod  12 , bolt engaging element  18  and handle portion  20  are preferably but not necessarily manufactured in a unitary fashion from anodized aluminum for light weight and strength. 
         [0043]    The handle portion  20  is provided with operator engagement sides  22 , which are gripped by the operator when wishing to pull the charging handle  10  in a rearward direction. The operator engagement sides  22  are provided with grips or serrations  24  to assist the operator in establishing a firm grip on the handle portion  20 . The grips  24  are serrations machined or otherwise provided in the operator engagement sides  22 . The handle portion  20  is provided further with angled edges  26  to help ensure that the operator does not lose a firm grip on the handle portion  20 . With the low lateral profile of the handle portion  20  and the ability to pull back on the charging handle  10  without an orientation potentially causing rod  12  rotation, the charging handle  10  can be pulled back easily in a direction parallel with the long axis  28  of the rod  12 . The operator can grip and rack the charging handle  10  in a manner that is intuitive for one intensively trained in pistol technique, and the low lateral profile has no edges that might snag on the operator&#39;s clothing. In addition, the charging handle  10  can be configured to extend rearwardly of the rear scope extent, where a scope is employed on the rifle. 
         [0044]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a charging handle assembly  30  is illustrated according to a second aspect of the present invention. The charging handle assembly  30  comprises an elongate member or rod  32  having a long axis  48  and also a bolt engaging element  38  disposed at a forward end  34  of the rod  32 . At the rearward end  36  of the rod  32 , a handle portion  40  is provided for manipulation by the operator. The rod  32 , bolt engaging element  38  and handle portion  40  are preferably but not necessarily manufactured in a unitary fashion from anodized aluminum for light weight and strength. The handle portion  40  is provided with operator engagement sides  42 , which are gripped by the operator when wishing to pull the charging handle assembly  30  in a rearward direction. The operator engagement sides  42  are provided with grips or serrations  44  to assist the operator in establishing a firm grip on the handle portion  40 . The grips  44  are serrations machined or otherwise provided in the operator engagement sides  42 . The handle portion  40  is provided further with angled edges  46  to help ensure that the operator does not lose a firm grip on the handle portion  40 . 
         [0045]    The handle portion  40  is further provided with a latch mechanism  50 . The latch mechanism  50  comprises a pin  52  for engagement with a detent on the firearm. The pin  52  is biased toward the rod  32  by means of a hidden spring  54 , which is housed in a forward extension  56  of the handle portion  40 . When the charging handle assembly  30  is fully inserted in the firearm, the pin  52  is engaged in the detent. When the charging handle assembly  30  is moved rearwardly out of full insertion in the firearm, the pin  52  will pass out of the detent and onto the outside of the receiver housing, pressing against the spring  54  until the pin  52  is clear of the housing altogether; the pin  52  is provided with a bevelled head  58  to better enable movement of the pin  52  out of the detent. When the charging handle assembly  30  is moved forwardly toward full insertion into the firearm, the pin  52  will pass over the outside of the receiver housing, which will cause the pin  52  to be pressed back against the spring  54 , with the bevelled head  58  again enabling ease of movement of the pin  52  onto the receiver housing. When the pin  52  passes over the detent, however, it will be biased into the detent by means of the spring  54  and will remain seated in the detent until further operator action. 
         [0046]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c , a charging handle assembly  60  is illustrated according to a third aspect of the present invention. The charging handle assembly  60  comprises an elongate member or rod  62  having a long axis  78  and also a bolt engaging element (not shown; see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) disposed at a forward end  64  of the rod  62 . At the rearward end  66  of the rod  62 , a handle portion  70  is provided for manipulation by the operator. The rod  62 , bolt engaging element and handle portion  70  are preferably but not necessarily manufactured in a unitary fashion from anodized aluminum for light weight and strength. The handle portion  70  is provided with operator engagement sides  72 , which are gripped by the operator when wishing to pull the charging handle assembly  60  in a rearward direction. The operator engagement sides  72  are provided with grips or serrations  74  to assist the operator in establishing a firm grip on the handle portion  70 . The grips  74  are serrations machined or otherwise provided in the operator engagement sides  72 . The handle portion  70  is provided further with angled edges  76  to help ensure that the operator does not lose a firm grip on the handle portion  70 , as well as a sloped upper surface  88  for comfort and ease of use. 
         [0047]    The handle portion  70  is further provided with a latch mechanism  80 . The latch mechanism  80  comprises a latch head  90  for engagement with a detent on the firearm. The latch head  90  is biased toward the rod  62  by means of a hidden spring  82  (seen in  FIG. 3   b ), which is housed in the handle portion  70 . The latch mechanism  80  further comprises an interface member or actuator  84  which the operator can depress to cause rotation of the latch mechanism  80  about a pivot point defined by a roll pin  92  (which pin  92  also holds the latch mechanism  80  engaged to the handle portion  70 ). The latch mechanism  80  is preferably but not necessarily composed of steel, ⅛ inch thick, with the roll pin  92  preferably but not necessarily ¼ inch long and 1/16 inch in diameter; however, a larger diameter pin may be used for increased strength and durability. When the actuator  84  is not depressed but is left in an outwardly biased position (as seen in  FIG. 3   b ), the actuator  84  is at an angle  86  to the long axis  78  of the rod  62 , and the latch mechanism  80  is in a latched orientation with the latch head  90  biased toward the rod  62 . When the user depresses the actuator  84 , the actuator  84  is generally parallel to the rod  12  (as seen in  FIG. 3   c ) and the latch mechanism  80  is in an unlatched orientation with the latch head  90  moved away from the rod  62 . When the operator wishes to move the charging handle assembly  60  out of full insertion in the firearm, the operator depresses the actuator  84 , causing the latch mechanism  80  to rotate about the pin  92  and causing the latch head  90  to move away from the rod  62 ; depression of the actuator  84  is not necessary for full insertion of the charging handle assembly  60  into the firearm, as the forward edge of the latch head  90  is rounded and when contacted with the receiver housing will move away from the rod  62 , with the spring  82  biasing the latch head  90  into the detent when the latch head  90  moves over the detent location. 
         [0048]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a charging handle assembly  100  is illustrated according to a fourth aspect of the present invention. The charging handle assembly  100  comprises an elongate member or rod  102  having a long axis  118  and also a bolt engaging element  108  disposed at a forward end  104  of the rod  102 . At the rearward end  106  of the rod  102 , a handle portion  110  is provided for manipulation by the operator. The rod  102 , bolt engaging element  108  and handle portion  110  are preferably but not necessarily manufactured in a unitary fashion from anodized aluminum for light weight and strength. The handle portion  110  is provided with operator engagement sides  112 , which are gripped by the operator when wishing to pull the charging handle assembly  100  in a rearward direction. The operator engagement sides  112  are provided with grips or serrations  114  to assist the operator in establishing a firm grip on the handle portion  110 . The grips  114  are serrations machined or otherwise provided in the operator engagement sides  112 . The handle portion  110  is provided further with angled edges  116  to help ensure that the operator does not lose a firm grip on the handle portion  110 . 
         [0049]    The handle portion  110  is further provided with a latch mechanism  120 . The latch mechanism  120  comprises a latch head  128  for engagement with a detent on the firearm. The latch head  128  is biased toward the rod  102  by means of a hidden spring  122  acting against the latch body  126  which is spaced from the latch head  128 , the latch body  126  and spring  122  being housed in a slot  124  in the handle portion  110 . The latch body  126  is provided with a roll pin  132 , enabling the latch mechanism  120  to pivot about the location of the pin  132 . When the charging handle assembly  100  is fully inserted in the firearm, the latch head  128  is engaged in the detent. When the charging handle assembly  100  is moved rearwardly out of full insertion in the firearm, the latch head  128  will pass out of the detent and onto the outside of the receiver housing, causing rotation of the latch mechanism  120  about the location of the pin  132  and thereby causing the latch body  126  to press against the spring  122  until the latch head  128  is clear of the housing altogether; the latch head  128  is provided with a bevelled contact surface  130  to better enable movement of the latch head  128  out of the detent. When the charging handle assembly  100  is moved forwardly toward full insertion into the firearm, the latch head  128  will pass over the outside of the receiver housing, causing rotation of the latch mechanism  120  about the location of the pin  132  and thereby causing the latch body  126  to press against the spring  122 , with the bevelled contact surface  130  again enabling ease of movement of the latch head  128  onto the receiver housing. When the latch head  128  passes over the detent, however, it will be biased into the detent by means of the spring  122  causing rotation of the latch mechanism  120  and will remain seated in the detent until further operator action. 
         [0050]    As can be readily seen, there are numerous advantages presented by the present invention. For example, use of the charging handle according to the present invention is similar to the pistol charging technique, and is therefore easier to render intuitive through training and reduces training time. As mentioned above, the lower lateral profile reduces the risk of snagging clothing. Also, implementation of the present invention would not require modification of existing firearms. The present invention can also be used by right-handed or left-handed operators, with either an overhand or pinch/slingshot grip to actuate, and it can be used to rack the weapon from any radius, meaning, an upright position or a sideways position. The raised area behind the rifle action also helps protect the operator from gas and debris, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Finally, the present invention is easy to operate even with gloves or mitts on, and it enables a straight pullback, reducing resistance and wear. 
         [0051]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the foregoing examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.