Patent ID: 7707921

Claim:
A charging handle assembly for a firearm having a receiver, the assembly comprising: a central shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an oblong handle having a cross bar section, a locating flange and a longitudinal slot for sliding engagement with the central shaft; a latch assembly with a biasing element for urging a portion of the latch assembly to pivot in a predetermined direction; the latch assembly further having a plurality of through pivot holes for receiving pivoting connectors and having a latch hook for captively engaging the receiver when the charging handle assembly is in a forward, closed position; wherein the latch assembly is coupled to the central shaft with a first pivot connector, and further coupled to the oblong handle with a second pivot connector such that the central shaft is slidably movable within the oblong handle and such that the latch assembly is biased to engage the receiver, forming a charging handle assembly with the central shaft being slidably movable within the oblong handle and the latch assembly being biased to engage the portion of the receiver when the charging handle is in the closed position; and wherein the latch hook remains engaged with the receiver in the closed position until a rearward force is applied to any portion of the oblong handle causing the oblong handle to partially slide away from the central shaft and further causing the latch to pivot about the first and second pivot connectors, disengaging the latch hook from the receiver and thus enabling full rearward movement of the charging handle and the charging of the firearm.