Patent Publication Number: US-9423195-B2

Title: Charging handle

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/043,628, titled “CHARGING HANDLE” filed Aug. 29, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to charging handles for firearms and particularly to charging handles for automatic or semi-automatic rifles such as AR-10, AR-15, M16, and M4 type firearms. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Automatic or semi-automatic firearms typically include a bolt that cycles backward and forward between shots. The bolt acts to cycle a spent (or fresh) cartridge casing from the firing chamber of the firearm and to load a fresh cartridge for subsequent firing. Depending on the particular firearm, automated movement of the bolt may be propelled by recoil of the firearm and/or expanding gas associated with discharge of a previous round. Rearward movement of the bolt causes an extractor to engage and draw the spent (or fresh) casing from the firing chamber. The bolt returns forward, often under action of a spring, after the casing is ejected from the firearm. Forward movement of the bolt engages a fresh cartridge from a magazine and pushes the cartridge into the firing chamber for subsequent firing. 
     Automated cycling of a bolt may not occur under all circumstances. An operator may cycle a bolt manually to initially load a fresh cartridge into the firing chamber from a magazine that has just been loaded into the firearm. Similarly, a bolt may not fully cycle after the final cartridge from a magazine is spent. There may be additional instances when an operator wishes to cycle the action of a firearm (i.e., move the bolt through a cycle), such as for inspection or to clear a cartridge. 
     A charging handle is incorporated into some firearms, including AR-10, AR-15, M16, and M4 type firearms, that may be pulled by an operator to move a bolt and any associated components rearward through a portion of the action of the firearm. Conventional charging handles includes a finger that extends downward within the firearm to engage the bolt carrier when the charging handle is actuated by an operator. This finger, among other features, prevents the charging handle from being assembled to the firearm in more than one configuration. 
     SUMMARY 
     Described herein is a charging handle for a firearm. A hand pull is at a proximal portion of the charging handle. An elongate body extends distally away from the hand pull toward a distal portion of the charging handle. A latch selectively latches the charging handle in a forward position on the firearm. A latch release actuates the latch to release the charging handle from the forward position on the firearm enabling the charging handle to be pulled rearward in relation to the firearm from the forward position. A first abutment is positioned on the distal portion of the elongate body and faces proximally toward the hand pull. The first abutment is positioned to be accessible within the firearm from below when the charging handle is assembled to the firearm with the latch release on a left hand side of the firearm. A second abutment is positioned on the distal portion of the elongate body and faces proximally toward the hand pull. The second abutment is positioned to be accessible within the firearm from below when the charging handle is assembled to the firearm with the latch release positioned on a right hand side of the firearm. In this respect, the charging handle design may enable ambidextrous assembly to the firearm. Firearm operator may thus choose which side of the firearm to place the latch release of the charging handle, enabling easier operation of the firearm for both left-handed and right-handed operators. 
     Also described herein is a method of reconfiguring a charging handle of a firearm. The method includes providing a firearm having a charging handle oriented with a latch release extending from a first lateral side of the firearm. The charging handle is disassembled from the firearm and is reassembled to the firearm with the latch release extending from a second lateral side of the firearm, opposite to the first lateral side of the firearm. According to some examples, disassembling and reassembling the charging handle from and to the firearm occurs as part of an act of field stripping the firearm. 
     The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article. 
     The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to a system or method that must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, different embodiments of the invention are illustrated in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a charging handle, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the charging handle of  FIG. 1 , flipped about a horizontal plane with respect to the view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows the charging handle of  FIG. 1  assembled to a firearm with a latch release of the charging handle positioned on a left-hand side of the firearm. 
         FIG. 4  shows a close up view of the charging handle of  FIG. 1  assembled to a firearm with a latch release of the charging handle positioned on a right-hand side of the firearm. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a firearm, showing the charging handle of  FIG. 1  in a forward position. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a firearm, showing the charging handle of  FIG. 1  in a rearward position. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the elongate body of the charging handle, taken through a plane and viewed in a direction as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a charging handle, according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Described herein is a charging handle that may be assembled to a firearm in either of multiple configurations to enable actuation from either a left-hand side or a right-hand side of the firearm. That is, the charging handle design enables ambidextrous assembly to the firearm. In this respect, a latch release of the charging handle may be positioned on a side of the firearm that faces away from the firearm operator in normal use. Positioning in this manner prevents the latch release from interfering with clothing and/or other gear of the operator. An ability to move the latch release to a side of the firearm that faces away from the operator may also enable use of a larger latch release that may be actuated by an operator with greater ease. 
     According to one embodiment, an ambidextrous charging handle may be assembled to a firearm in either of a first configuration for left-handed operation or a second configuration for right-handed operation. In the first configuration, a first abutment of the charging handle may be accessed from below the firearm by a corresponding feature of the bolt group (i.e., the bolt and components of the firearm that move with the bolt through at least a portion of the action of the firearm). A second abutment of the charging handle may be accessed from below by the corresponding feature of the bolt group when the firearm is assembled with the charging handle in a second configuration that is flipped about a horizontal plane, as taken with respect to the firearm in a normal operational orientation, to the first configuration. 
     Turn now to the figures, and initially  FIGS. 1 and 2  that show perspective views of a charging handle  100  according to one embodiment. The charging handle includes a hand pull  102 , an elongate body  104 , a pair of latches  106 ,  108 , and a latch release  110 .  FIG. 3  shows the charging handle of  FIG. 1  assembled in a firearm  200  in a first configuration, with the charging handle in a forward positioned and a latch release  110  of the charging handle positioned on a left-hand side  202  of the firearm.  FIG. 4  is a closer view of the firearm, showing the charging handle  100  of  FIG. 2  configured with the latch release  110  positioned on a right-hand side  204  of the firearm. 
     The hand pull  102  of the charging handle  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is constructed to facilitate ease of actuation by the firearm operator. The illustrated hand pull  102  includes first and second lateral portions  112 ,  114  that each extends in opposite directions. The lateral portions  112 ,  114  provide structures on opposite sides of the elongate body  104  that may be pulled by an operator in a manner that minimizes side loading through interaction between the elongate body  104  of the charging handle and surfaces within the firearm. The hand pull  102  also includes a rear surface  116  that is shaped to be readily pushed forward by an operator to move the charging handle forward. In the illustrated embodiment, the hand pull includes a generally wide and flat rear surface to accomplish this, although other configurations are also contemplated. 
     The charging handle includes one or more latches that may selectively latch the charging handle in a forward position within the firearm. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , latches are positioned on each lateral side of the charging handle. Each latch is pivotally mounted to the hand pull  102  and extends forward along a proximal portion of the elongate body  104 . A distal portion of each latch includes a latching feature  118 , such as a hook, that may engage a corresponding feature  208  of the firearm, such as shown in  FIG. 4 , to selectively latch the charging handle in place. Actuation of the latches by an operator moves the engagement feature away from the firearm in a manner that frees the charging handle for rearward movement. 
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  includes a pair of opposed latches  106 ,  108  that may be actuated together, as described herein. Embodiments that include a pair of latches may provide additional prevention against unwanted release of the charging handle. Latches arranged on opposed sides of the charging handle, among other configurations, may also prevent uneven wear patterns and/or unwanted side loading between the charging handle and firearm through use. It is to be appreciated that although embodiments are illustrated with a pair of latches, that other configurations are possible and are contemplated, including embodiments that have a single latch. 
     One of the pair of latches  106 ,  108  on the charging handle illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  includes a paddle shaped latch release  110 . The latch release, when actuated by an operator, releases the latches  106  and/or  108  from engagement with the firearm so that the charging handle may be pulled rearward, moving the bolt group  214  or portions thereof away from the firing chamber  212 , as shown through the views of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The illustrated embodiment includes only a single latch release, positioned on one lateral side of the charging handle. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may include a latch release on both sides and/or of different shapes. 
     Latch releases may be engaged by an operator in different manners to release the charging handle for movement. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch release  110  is pulled rearward by the operator to release latches  106 ,  108  from the firearm  200 . In this manner, the operator may actuate the latch release as a part of the same motion used to pull the charging handle rearward. Other configurations are also contemplated, including latch releases that are moved in different directions and latch releases of different shapes and sizes than those illustrated herein. According to one embodiment, the latch release has a substantially smaller area that is depressed or otherwise actuated to release the latch. 
     A single latch release may actuate multiple latches, according to some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, pulling the latch release  110  causes each of the latches  106 ,  108  to disengage from the firearm  200  by way of interaction between each of the latches. A first of the illustrated latches  108  is integral (i.e., machined or otherwise formed from a common element) with the latch release  110  and thus moves when the latch release  110  is pivoted about a pin  130  that holds the latch release to the hand pull  102 . A second latch  106  may be in contact, either directly or indirectly, with the first latch  108  or the latch release  110 , such that movement of the latch release  110  also moves the second latch  106  out of engagement with the corresponding feature  208  of the firearm. A spring or other biasing element may optionally be included to urge the latches toward the engagement with the firearm. 
     The elongate body  104  of the charging handle includes an abutment  120  that engages a corresponding feature of the bolt group  214  in the firearm  200  when the charging handle  100  is pulled rearward with the bolt group in a forward position. This enables the charging handle to make contact with and pull the bolt group  214  rearward, through at least a portion of the action of the firearm. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the abutment is positioned at a distal portion of the elongate body and faces rearward, toward the hand pull  102  of the charging handle. 
     Supports  122 ,  124  are positioned alongside the abutment that extend rearward, toward the hand pull  102  of the charging handle. These abutment supports  122 ,  124  may strengthen the elongate body, preventing flexure when the charging handle is pulled rearward by the operator with the abutment  120  engaging the bolt group  214 . The illustrated supports  122 ,  124  define a recess  125  within the length of the elongate body  104 , along with the abutment  120  and other portions of the elongate body. This recess  125  may receive a portion of the bolt group  214 , allowing the bolt group freedom of movement therein in the fore and aft directions as the bolt group moves through the action of the firearm. It is to be appreciated that alternate embodiments, such as the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , may lack abutment supports and/or other features altogether. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 7 , portions of the elongate body may include an “I” shaped cross-section defined by the abutment supports and a connection  132  therebetween, according to one embodiment. The recesses  125  and the abutments  120  that engage the bolt group are also shown in  FIG. 7 . The general symmetry that exists about a horizontal plane of the charging handle is one that enables ambidextrous assembly to a firearm, according to some embodiments. It is to be appreciated that such symmetry may exist in alternate embodiments, such as an embodiment that lacks the central connection of the “I” that extends between abutment supports  122  and  124  of each side of the elongate body. That is, according to another embodiment, the recesses  125  associated with each abutment  120  may be in open communication with one another. According to some embodiments, the abutments of each side of the charging handle may be formed of the same surface. 
     Another feature that, additionally or alternately, enables ambidextrous assembly includes the height  130  of the elongate body, as shown in  FIG. 7 . According to some embodiments, the maximum height of the elongate body between horizontal planes that touch the uppermost and lowermost portions of the elongate body, when in an operational orientation, is no more than 0.5 inches. no more than 0.4 inches, no more than 0.3 inches, no more than 0.275 inches, or even no more than 2.5 inches, according to various embodiments. Inclusion of the abutment or abutments  120  within such a height may also enable ambidextrous assembly of the charging handle. That is, having an abutment or abutments recessed within the elongate body may help create an ambidextrous design, according to some embodiments. 
     The abutment  120  and associated features (abutment supports, recess, and the like) are present on opposed surfaces of the elongate body. This may be seen in each of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which show the charging handle in each of two views, flipped about a horizontal plane that extends through the latch release  110  and the elongate body  104 . Having abutments  120  on each side of the charging handle  100  enables assembly to the firearm  200  in either of two configurations, also flipped about the horizontal plane. In one of the configurations, the latch release  110  lies on a left-hand side  202  of the firearm while in the other the latch release lies on the right-hand side  204  of the firearm  200 . As illustrated, the elongate body  104  and other portions of the charging handle  100  are symmetrical about a horizontal plane. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may be assembled to a firearm in configurations that are flipped about a horizontal plane without such symmetry. 
     According to some embodiments, the charging handle may be assembled to a firearm without tools. In this respect, reconfiguration of the charging handle may be accomplished during a field stripping of the firearm (i.e., during a tool free disassembly/reassembly). To change the configuration of the charging handle between a left hand and a right hand configuration, the orientation of the charging handle is flipped about a horizontal plane in relation to the firearm such that the latch release extends from a different lateral side of the firearm. 
     While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of this disclosure. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of this disclosure is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, along with other embodiments that may not be specifically described and claimed. 
     All definitions, as defined herein either explicitly or implicitly through use should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. 
     The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” 
     The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.