The subject invention generally concerns firearm equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a charging handle for a firearm utilizing a cog and a spring.
A firearm's charging handle (otherwise known in the art as a “cocking handle” or a “bolt handle”) is a device used to cock the hammer, which allows the operator to engage the bolt assembly of a firearm. Charging handles are typically used in rifles and similar firearms, such as the M-16 rifle, the AR-15 rifle, the M-4 carbine, and the Short Barreled Rifle (SBR). Operation of the charging handle facilitates many actions, including, for example, loading a preliminary cartridge, ejecting a spent shell casing or unfired cartridge, clearing an obstruction in the chamber of the rifle, and verifying that the chamber is empty. Typically, a charging handle is T-shaped with a long, slim body and a shorter horizontal crossbar at one end. The charging handle is mounted parallel to the bolt assembly.
The user of a firearm manually operates the charging handle. The user hooks the forefinger of one hand over one end of the crossbar and the middle finger of the same hand over the second end of the crossbar. The user pulls the crossbar rearward, which results in the bolt assembly being moved to the rear. The typical charging handle includes a spring-biased, rotating latch with a hook that engages the firearm receiver when the charging handle is in a forward position. The latch is attached to the charging handle with a pin. When the user pulls the crossbar rearward, the latch disengages from the receiver and allows the charging handle to be pulled rearward.
There are several disadvantages associated with the traditional charging handle design, which requires two fingers to operate. The use of two fingers to operate the charging handle requires that the user move the firearm off target. An improved prior art design includes using paddles on the latch such that the user can press either paddle with one finger or either hand, which releases the latch and moves the charging handle backward. This makes the latch easier to reach and allows the firearm to stay on target. However, this design causes stress on the pin holding the latch to the charging handle.
An improved design includes a lever system that uses one male lever and one female lever that interlock inside the body of the charging handle. An example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,600, entitled “Rifle Charging Handle with Ambidextrous Latch” issued to Bordson on Jul. 10, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, an alternate improved design includes an internal lever system with two cam-style, interfacing levers. Examples of such designs are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,436, entitled “Ambidextrous Cam Style Charging Handle” issued to Kincel on Dec. 25, 2012, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,537, entitled “Ambidextrous Charging Handle” issued to Kincel on Jan. 22, 2013, which are incorporated herein by reference.
These systems are improvements over prior ambidextrous charging handles because metal fatigue and torque are reduced. However, these systems utilize protruding elements on the crossbar of the charging handle, as well as internal lever systems that are subject to stress and potential breakage after repeat usage. Previous designs that require force to be applied to two surfaces would often result in the user's hand being pinched. Moreover, repeated application of force causes the pivot shaft/roll pin to fail.
The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identified above.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In one aspect of the present invention, a firearm comprising an upper receiver and a charging handle is disclosed. A charging handle has a handle assembly with two handles and a main body. The first handle includes a latch parallel to the main body. When the latch interfaces with the upper receiver, the charging handle is in a first “locked” position. The handle assembly also includes a plunger interfacing with the first handle and the second handle near the main body, and a spring bar spanning the first handle, the plunger, and the second handle. When force is applied to either handle, tension from the spring bar is applied equally across the first handle and the second handle, and the plunger is pushed into the main body, moving the latch away from the upper receiver into a second “unlocked” position.
In another aspect of the present invention, a charging handle with cog and spring bar is disclosed. A handle assembly has two handles and a main body. The first handle includes a latch parallel to the main body. When the latch interfaces with the upper receiver, the charging handle is in a first “locked” position. The handle assembly also includes a plunger interfacing with the first handle and the second handle near the main body, and a spring bar spanning the first handle, the plunger, and the second handle. When force is applied to either handle, tension from the spring bar is applied equally across the first handle and the second handle, and the plunger is pushed into the main body, moving the latch away from the upper receiver into a second “unlocked” position.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a firearm comprising an upper receiver and a charging handle is disclosed. A charging handle has a handle assembly with two handles and a main body. The first handle includes a latch parallel to the main body. When the latch interfaces with the upper receiver, the charging handle is in a first “locked” position. The handle assembly also includes a plunger interfacing with the first handle and the second handle near the main body, and a coil spring inside the plunger. When force is applied to either handle, tension from the coil spring pushes the plunger into the main body, and energy is transferred to the handles, moving the latch away from the upper receiver into a second “unlocked” position.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a charging handle with cog and spring bar is disclosed. A handle assembly has two handles and a main body. The first handle includes a latch parallel to the main body. When the latch interfaces with the upper receiver, the charging handle is in a first “locked” position. The handle assembly also includes a plunger interfacing with the first handle and the second handle near the main body, and a coil spring inside the plunger. When force is applied to either handle, tension from the coil spring pushes the plunger into the main body, and energy is transferred to the handles, moving the latch away from the upper receiver into a second “unlocked” position.
With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present invention overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known charging handles. The present invention allows the user to apply force with one hand to a single surface (i.e., the lever) rather than two or more surfaces.
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First handle 180 and second handle 190 may be injection-molded from any high-strength, temperature-resistant material. This construction would help prevent wear on the parts and render the charging handle lighter.
Plunger 210 connects to the T-shaped handle of main body 120. Plunger 210 includes one or more cogs 220. Spring bar 230 is also shown. Plunger 210 and spring bar 230 are described in more detail below.
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Spring bar 230 connects at a first end to first handle 180, spans the T-handle of main body 120 between cogs 220 of plunger 210, and connects at a second end to second handle 190.
Thus, the traditional lever system in the charging handle has been replaced in the present invention by a handle and cog system that eliminates the necessity of interlocking or interfacing latches.
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First handle 180 and second handle 190 may be injection-molded from any high-strength, temperature-resistant material. This construction would help prevent wear on the parts and render the charging handle lighter.
Plunger 210 connects to the T-shaped handle of main body 120. Plunger 210 includes one or more cogs 220. Coil spring 310 is also shown. Plunger 210 and coil spring 310 are described in more detail below.
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Thus, the traditional lever system in the charging handle has been replaced in the present invention by a handle and cog system that eliminates the necessity of interlocking or interfacing latches.
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Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/732,339, filed Jun. 5, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14732339 | Jun 2015 | US |
Child | 15285260 | US |