Patent Application
20250003705
The present disclosure generally relates to firearms, and more particularly to modifications to upper receiver components including a repositioned charging handle assembly and railed handguard for receipt of the repositioned charging handle for Armalite (AR) style rifles or other similarly designed firearms.
Typically, the upper assembly of an AR style rifle or other similarly designed firearm comprises the upper receiver, the barrel, bolt carrier group, gas key, charging handle, charging rod, handguard, and other components necessary for the firearm to function. For example, the bolt carrier group houses the bolt, which extracts, rejects, and loads cartridges. The bolt works in conjunction with the gas key, attached to the bolt carrier group, which transfers gas from the fired cartridge to the bolt carrier group to cycle the action of the rifle. The charging handle assembly includes a charging rod coupled to a handle design and is an essential component used to pull the bolt carrier group to the rear, enabling the user to load and unload cartridges into the chamber of the barrel. Once a round is inserted, the charging handle is released, causing the bolt carrier group to move in a forward direction and chamber the round, resetting the firing mechanism.
Traditional charging assemblies position the charging handle on the top of the firearm, toward the rear of the upper receiver near the buttstock and utilize a reciprocating charging handle design. This configuration entails direct engagement of the charging handle assembly with the bolt carrier group, causing it to move in a back-and-forth motion with the bolt carrier group during firing.
However, this conventional type of charging handle assembly and its placement prove undesirable for users during operation of the firearm for multiple reasons. First, charging handle assemblies that are provided behind the bolt carrier group require the user to lower the firearm from his or her shoulder in a direction away from the intended target in order to attain proper and safe positioning to actuate the charging handle from the rear of the receiver. As a result of making these required movements, the user's concentration and control may be negatively affected, and valuable time impacted. Secondly, the charging handle assembly may be designed specifically for either left-handed or right-handed users and cannot be easily operated by the other hand. Third, when a user operates a firearm with a reciprocating charging handle design, the handle cycles with the bolt carrier group, to which it is attached. In other words, the charging handle moves in a rearward direction when the bolt carrier group moves rearward to eject a spent cartridge and load a new cartridge and, the charging handle then moves in a forward direction when the bolt carrier group moves forward to chamber the new cartridge. As such, the user must take care to avoid placing their hand in the path of the charging handle.
In addition, a conventional reciprocating charging handle design makes it more difficult to use optics, as the bolt carrier group's back-and-forth motion during firing can potentially interfere with the user's line of sight. Lastly, when user-installed accessories such as optics are mounted on the firearm, users face difficultly in reaching the traditional charging handle, compounding the challenges of operating the firearm.
As such, there is a need for an upper assembly with a repositioned charging handle, wherein the system allows for the ambidextrous, forward, non-reciprocating charging of the firearm. Furthermore, there is a need for a corresponding railed handguard that allows for the receipt of the repositioned charging handle and for easy attachment and accessibility of accessories to the rail system of the handguard.
The present disclosure is directed to a firearm having a repositioned charging handle assembly and railed handguard for receipt of the repositioned charging handle. According to one embodiment of the invention, the firearm may generally comprise a handguard and a charging system. The handguard may comprise a first end, a second end, and an elongated handguard bore that extends from the first end to the second end defining a longitudinal length of the handguard. The handguard further defines an elongated receiving slot having a top engagement portion and a bottom engagement portion.
The charging system may comprise a bolt carrier group, a spring, a buffer, a charging rod, and a charging handle assembly. The bolt carrier group may have a front end and a rear end with the rear end thereof engaged with the buffer and the front end thereof engaged with the charging rod. The spring and the buffer may be housed in a buffering tube, such that the buffer is disposed between the bolt carrier group and the spring. The charging rod may be disposed in the handguard bore and engaged with the front end of the bolt carrier group.
The charging handle assembly may be coupled to the charging rod and engaged with the elongated receiving slot, and may further comprise at least one charging handle and at least one charging plate disposed between and operatively coupled to the charging handle and the charging rod.
The charging handle assembly and the charging rod may be movable between a first position and a second position, such that when the charging handle assembly is moved in a first direction within the elongated receiving slot the charging rod pushes the front end of the bolt carrier group in the first direction thereby compressing the spring, such that the spring launches the bolt carrier group into a charged position thereby charging the firearm.
The present disclosure further provides a method of assembling the firearm. The method may comprise the following steps: inserting the charging rod into a charging rod slot defined by the elongated handguard bore, such that the charging rod body is slidably received by the charging rod slot of the elongated handguard bore at the first end of the handguard; and inserting the charging handle assembly into a takedown portion of the elongated receiving slot such that a top track of the charging handle assembly slidably engages the top engagement portion of the elongated receiving slot and the bottom track of the charging handle assembly slidably engages a bottom engagement portion of the elongated receiving slot; aligning the charging handle assembly at the charging handle plate with the charging rod cavity of the charging rod, such that the first portion of the charging handle plate engages the charging rod cavity; slidably moving the charging handle assembly in a first direction from the takedown portion along the elongated receiving slot; and inserting a bolt carrier group.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
While the present disclosure may be described with respect to specific applications or industries, those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability of the disclosure.
Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize the terms such as “a”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range.
The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term “or” includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” the referenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of” the referenced claims.
Features shown in one figure may be combined with, substituted for, or modified by, features shown in any of the figures. Unless stated otherwise, no features, elements, or limitations are mutually exclusive of any other features, elements, or limitations. Furthermore, no features, elements, or limitations are absolutely required for operation. Any specific configurations shown in the figures are illustrative only and the specific configurations shown are not limiting of the claims or the description.
For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., may be used descriptively relative to the figures, without representing limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims. Any numerical designations, such as “first” or “second” are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose upper assembly components for Armalite (AR) style rifles or other similarly designed firearms including an upper receiver, a repositioned charging handle assembly comprising charging handles, charging handle plates, charging rod, and a railed handguard for receipt of the repositioned charging handle assembly. It is contemplated that the components described herein related to the upper assembly, including the upper receiver, repositioned charging handle components and railed handguard, may be formed of the same materials, different materials, or a combination thereof. The upper assembly components may be formed of metallic materials, alloys, polymeric materials, glasses, composites, and the like or combinations thereof. For example, the metallic materials may be selected from aluminum, steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, and the like or combinations thereof. The alloys may be selected from aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, and the like or combinations thereof. The polymeric materials may be selected from thermoset polymers (such as epoxy, resin, polyurethane, silicone, and the like or combinations thereof), thermoplastic polymers (such as polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and the like or combinations thereof), and the like or combinations thereof. The glasses may be selected from fiberglass, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, and the like or combinations thereof.
Furthermore, the upper assembly components may be formed by injection molding, extrusion, pultrusion, die casting, milling, drilling, soldering, stamping, machining, or otherwise manufactured using common methods known to individuals skilled in the relevant art. The upper assembly components may also be subject to other processing steps such as power coating, sand blasting, plating, staining, painting, anodizing, polishing, or otherwise finished and/or treated using common methods known to individuals skilled in the relevant art. The above examples are not intended to be limiting in any matter, as it will be understood that the materials and/or methods used to form the upper assembly components may vary based on the type and intended application or operation of the firearm on which such components are installed.
In a general sense, the charging handle assembly of the present disclosure is designed such that it is repositioned to a location, within the handguard, in front of the bolt carrier group of a firearm. More specifically, the repositioned charging handle assembly operates in a non-reciprocating fashion. When the user transitions the charging handle assembly from a first position to a second position, i.e., pulls the charging handle to a first or rearward direction within the elongated receiving slot, the charging rod pushes the front end of the bolt carrier group in the first direction thereby compressing the spring, such that the spring launches the bolt carrier group into a charged position thereby charging the firearm.
The charging handle does not move between the first and second positions with the bolt carrier group, the non-reciprocating charging handle allows the user to keep their hand on the handguard while charging the firearm, which can improve accuracy and control. In addition, the forward placement of the charging handle assembly on the handguard of the upper assembly enables the user to check the chamber and charge or recharge the firearm without lowering the same from his or her shoulder. Furthermore, displacement of the charging handle to a position in front of the bolt carrier group distances the charging handle from user-installed accessories such as optics. As such, the user is easily able to actuate the charging handle with one of his or her left or right hand while the firearm is shouldered and without impediment of accessories.
More particularly, referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components,
Turning first to an exemplary upper receiver portion 12, the upper receiver portion 12 as shown in the firearm 10, 100 of
More specifically, the railed handguard 20 comprises a tubular handguard body 21 extending from a first end 42a to a second end 42b and defining a longitudinal length L of the handguard. The tubular handguard body 21 further defines an elongated handguard bore 21a that extends between the first end 42a and the second end 42b. The handguard further defines a charging rod slot 21b extending substantially parallel along the longitudinal length L of the railed handguard 20 and an elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b having a top engagement portion 60 and a bottom engagement portion 61.
The upper assembly may also include a charging system 71 comprising a bolt carrier group 72 having a front end 72a and a rear end 72b, a spring 73, a buffer 74, a charging rod 23, and a charging handle assembly 22, 122.
The buffer 74 is disposed between the bolt carrier group 72 and the spring 73 and the bolt carrier group rear end 72b, such that the bolt carrier group rear end 72b is operatively engaged with the buffer 74. The charging rod 23 is disposed in the handguard bore 21 and engaged with the front end of the bolt carrier group 72.
The charging handle assembly 22, 122 is thereby coupled to the charging rod 23 and engaged with the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b. The charging handle assembly 22, 122 generally comprises at least one charging handle 24, 25; 124, 125 and at least one charging handle plate 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b disposed between and operatively coupled to the at least one charging handle 24, 25; 124, 125 and the charging rod 23.
As such, the charging handle assembly 22, 122 is disposed in front of the bolt carrier group 72 via the railed handguard 20. In this way, the charging handle assembly 22, 122 and the charging rod 23 are movable between a first position A and a second position B, such that when the charging handle assembly 22, 122 is moved in a first (rearward) direction 99 within the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b the charging rod 23 pushes the front end of the bolt carrier group 72 in the first direction 99 thereby compressing the spring 73 such that the spring 73 launches the bolt carrier group 72 into a charged position thereby charging the firearm 10, 100.
A mud plug 17 may be inserted into the upper receiver body 14 at the open end portion thereof to prevent mud, dirt, and other debris from entering and impacting the firearm 10,100.
The firearm 10, 100 further includes a lower assembly 32 coupled to the upper assembly, as shown in
More specifically, as shown in
As such, it is understood that all of the components of the upper assembly and lower assembly 32 are operationally assembled together to produce a functional firearm 100. Furthermore, it is understood that not all of the components described herein must be present at all times. Said another way, the design of the firearm 10, 100 may deviate to exclude certain components not necessary for the intended function or application of the firearm and/or include additional components, for example, mounting elements such as laser sights, lights, optics, slings, and the like.
Now referring generally to
The tubular handguard body 21 defines an elongated tubular bore 21a therein that likewise extends from the first end 42a to the second end 42b. The handguard 20 further defines a charging rod slot 21b disposed proximate to a top surface of the handguard 20 and extends from the first end 42a of the handguard to the second end 42b of the handguard 20.
The elongated tubular bore 21a is configured to receive the barrel 16 and the charging rod slot 21b is configured to slidably receive the charging rod 23. The charging rod slot 21b and the handguard bore 21a collectively define an inner surface of the handguard 20.
In one exemplary embodiment, the tubular handguard body 21 may have a substantially octagonal shape (i.e., having eight sides) as further shown in
Still referring to
Turning now to the top surface 44 of the tubular body 21, as shown in more detail in
Still referring to the top surface 44, as further shown in the front and rear views of the railed handguard 20 in
The bottom surface 46 of the tubular body 21, as shown in
Referring now to the side surfaces 48, 50 of the tubular body 21, namely a first side surface (left-side surface) 48 and second side surface (right side surface) 50 comprise a first side portion 48a, 50a, a second side portion 48b, 50b, and a third side portion 48c, 50c (
At least one of the first, second, and third side portions 48a-c, 50a-c of the side surfaces 48, 50 may include a plurality of apertures 56 (side plurality of apertures). The plurality of apertures 56 may be spatially disposed along the longitudinal length L of the tubular body 21 between the first end 42a and the second end 42b of the first, second, and third side portions 48a-c, 50a-c. The plurality of apertures 56 may be positioned at the opposing ends 42a, 42b of the first, second, and third side portions 48a-c, 50a-c. The plurality of apertures 56 may be positioned at or near the midpoint region of one or more of the first, second, and third side portions 48a-c, 50a-c. One or more apertures of the plurality of apertures 56 may extend from one side portion 48a-c, 50a-c to another side portion 48a-c, 50a-c, spanning over adjacent portions 48a-c, 50a-c of the side surfaces 48, 50. For example, an aperture 56 may extend from the first side portion 48a, 50a to the second side portion 48b, 50b and/or from the second side portion 48b, 50b to the third side portion 48c, 50c.
Furthermore, the left side surface 48 of the tubular body 21, the right side surface 50 of the tubular body 21, or both may comprise elongating receiving slots 58a, 58b. This allows the user of the firearm to position the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 on either or both sides of the handguard 20 depending on if the user is left or right-handed. Each of the elongating receiving slots 58a, 58b may function to slidably receive a projection of the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 that extend therethrough. More specifically, the left-sided charging handle 24, 124 extends through the left-side elongated receiving slot 58a from an interior of the tubular body 21 of the railed handguard 20 to an exterior of the tubular body 21 of the railed handguard 20. The right-sided charging handle 25, 125 extends through the right-sided elongated receiving slot 58b from an interior of the tubular body 21 of the railed handguard 20 to an exterior of the tubular body 21 of the railed handguard 20. The elongated receiving slots 58a, 58b may be defined by the first side portion 48a, 50a of the tubular body 21. The elongating receiving slots 58a, 58b may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal length L of the handguard 20. The elongating receiving slots 58a, 58b extend between the first end 42a and the second end 42b of the handguard 20, but do not extend along the entire longitudinal length L of the tubular body 21 of the railed handguard 20.
The elongated receiving slots 58a, 58b may further define a top engagement portion 60, a bottom engagement portion 61, and a takedown portion 59. The takedown portion 59 of the elongated receiving slots 58a, 58b may function to allow the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 to be loaded and unloaded from the handguard 20 when the bolt carrier group is in a withdrawn position, explained in more detailed herein below. While the elongated receiving slots 58a, 58b in
As shown in
The charging handle assembly 22, 122 is thereby coupled to the charging rod 23 and engaged with the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b. The charging handle assembly 22, 122 generally comprises at least one charging handle 24, 25; 124, 125 and at least one charging handle plate 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b disposed between and operatively coupled to the at least one charging handle 24, 25; 124, 125 and the charging rod 23.
Referring specifically to the components of the charging handle assembly 22, 122 in more detail, a first embodiment of the charging handle assembly 22 with charging handles 24, 25 is shown in
As shown generally in
The plate attachment region 27, 127 may aid in the attachment of the charging handles 24, 25 to the charging plates 26a, 26b and/or aid in the slidable engagement of the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 to the elongated receiving slot 42 machined within the handguard body 21, described in more detail herein below. In one example, the base portion 24a, 25a; 125a, 125a and lever portion 24b, 25b; 124b, 125b are integrally connected, e.g., formed of a single unitary piece.
As such, the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 may be non-pivoting, e.g., the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 do not independently rotate or pivot during operation. As such, the non-pivoting design simplifies the number of component parts, which reduces overall weight of the firearm and minimizes the risk of malfunction during operation. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 of the present disclosure are ambidextrous. A user may operate the firearm 10, 100 in a left or right handed capacity, by pulling rearwardly on the left-sided charging handle lever 24b, 124b or by pulling rearwardly on the right-sided charging handle lever 25b, 125b, respectively or may engage both handles simultaneously.
Turning more specifically to the first exemplary embodiment of the charging handle assembly 22 with charging handles 24, 25, the charging handle assembly 22 may further comprise charging handle plates 26a, 26b (corresponding to a left-sided plate and a right-sided plate, respectfully) as shown in
The charging handle plates 26a, 26b may further comprise a first portion 28a, a second portion 28b, and a third portion 28c. As shown in
In addition, the first portion 28a of the plates 26a, 26b may further define a first portion interior surface 29a and a first portion exterior surface 29b. The second portion 28b of the plates 26a, 26b may further define a second portion interior surface 31a and a second portion exterior surface 31b. A plurality of securement apertures 62 may extend through an entirety of a thickness of the plate 26a, 26b. The plurality of securement apertures 62 may be operative for the securement of the plate 26a, 26b to the plate attachment region 27 of the charging handle 24, 25. The plurality of securement apertures 62 may be spatially arranged along the length of the first portion 28a of the plate 26a, 26b. Alternatively, the plurality of securement apertures 62 may be located at opposing ends of the first portion 28a of the plate 26a, 26b. It is contemplated that the location of the securement apertures 62 of the plate 26a, 26b correspond in location to the securement apertures 30 on the front receiving face 27a of the plate attachment region 27 of the charging handles 24, 25 such that the securement apertures 30, 62 align during assembly, enabling the same to be securely fastening together via a plurality of attachment features 70 (
The top track 65 of the charging handle assembly abuts and slidably engages the top engagement portion 60 of the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b and the bottom track 66 of the charging handle assembly abuts and slidably engages a bottom engagement portion 61 of the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b, such that the charging plate 26a, 26b is disposed in and engages the charging rod cavity 63a, 63b to operatively couple the charging handle assembly and the charging rod 23.
As illustrated in
As a result of the steps described herein above and as illustrated in
Next, as illustrated in more detail in
More specifically, the charging handle plates 126a, 126b in this second embodiment may be substantially j-shaped, each comprising a first portion 128a and a second portion 128b, each extending along the horizontal length of the plate attachment region 127. The first portion 128a defines a top track 165 between the interior side face 124d, 125d of the handle 124, 125 and the first portion 128a. The second portion 128b defines a bottom track 166 between the interior side face 124d, 125d of the handle 124, 125 and the second portion 128b.
The charging rod 23,
The charging rod 23 may comprise a body 23g having a first end 23a and a second end 23b. The body 23g may further define an elongated through-slot 63 that extends from the first end 23a to the second end 23b. The charging rod body 23g further defines a top portion 23c, a bottom portion 23d, a left-side portion 23e, and a right-side portion 23f. The bottom portion 23d further defines the elongated through-slot 63 cut within the bottom portion 23d, which may extend all the way through the first end 23a of the charging rod 23, such that the first end 23a of the charging rod 23 is open in configuration. The elongated through-slot 63 may terminate short of the second end 23b of the charging rod 23 such that the second end 23b of the charging rod 23 is closed in configuration.
The charging rod 23 is operatively coupled to the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 via the charging handle plate 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b. As such, the body 23g may define a charging rod cavity 63a, 63b closer to the first end 23a of the charging rod than to the second end 23b of the changing rod. The charging rod cavity 63a, 63b extends in an upward direction from the bottom portion 23d of the charging rod 23 towards the top portion 23c of the charging rod 23 and are configured in shape to receive the corresponding left or right-sided plate 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b of the charging handle assembly 22, 122 during assembly thereof. Said another way, the charging rod cavity 63a, 63b is configured to receive the charging handle plate 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b.
Lastly,
More particularly, as shown in
Next, at step 102, the charging handle assembly 22, 122 is inserted into the takedown portion 59 of the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b such that the top track 65 of the charging handle assembly slidably engages the top engagement portion 60 of the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b and the bottom track 66 of the charging handle assembly slidably engages a bottom engagement portion 61 of the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b. More particularly, the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125, with charging handle plates 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b attached or integrally formed thereon as described herein above, are inserted into the takedown portion 59 of the elongated receiving slots 58a, 58b on the tubular handguard body 21 of the handguard 20 from an exterior of the handguard body 21 to an interior of the handguard body 21, engaging the charging rod 23 and handguard body 21. More specifically, the left-sided charging handle 24, 124 extends through the takedown portion 59 of the elongated receiving slot 58a and the right-sided charging handle 25, 125 extends through the takedown portion 59 of the elongated receiving slot 58b.
Furthermore, when the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125, with charging handle plates 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b, are inserted into the takedown portion 59 of the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b, the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 are slidably supported by the handguard body 21. More specifically, as shown in
As such, at step 103, the charging handle plate 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b of the charging handle assembly 22, 122 is aligned with the charging rod cavity 63a, 63b of the charging rod 23, such that the first portion of the charging handle plate engages the charging rod cavity 63a, 63b. More specifically, when the charging handle plates 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b are aligned with and engage the charging rod 23, the left-sided through-slot cavity 63a of the charging rod 23 is configured to receive a top portion of the first portion 28a, 128a of the left plate 26a, 126a and the right-sided through-slot cavity 63b of the charging rod 23 is adapted to receive a top portion of the first portion 28a, 128a of the right plate 26b, 126b. Said another way, the charging handles 24, 25; 124, 125 and plates 26a, 26b; 126a, 126b fit within the respective through-slot cavities 63a, 63b of the charging rod 23.
Then, at step 104, the charging handle assembly 22, 122, slidably supported by the handguard body 21 and engaged with the charging rod 23, is slid along the length of the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b toward the second end 42b of the handguard 20, in a direction away from the takedown portion 59 of the elongated receiving slot 58a, 58b to allow for insertion of the bolt carrier group 72.
Lastly, at step 105, the bolt carrier group 72 is inserted into the rear of the upper receiver 14 such that the second end 23b charging rod 23 engages the front end 72a of the bolt carrier group 72. When the charging handle assembly 22, 122 and charging rod 23 are transitioned between a first position A (i.e., an uncharged position) and a second position B (i.e., a charged position), the charging rod 23 pushes the front end of the bolt carrier group 72 in the first direction 99 thereby compressing a spring 73, such that the spring 73 launches the bolt carrier group 72 into a charged position thereby charging the firearm 10, 100.
In the manner described above, the charging handle assembly and corresponding handguard for receipt of the repositioned charging handle of the present teachings allows for allows for the ambidextrous, forward, non-reciprocating charging of the firearm.
The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the present teachings, but the scope of the present teachings is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the present teachings have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the present teachings defined in the appended claims.
While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claims.
