This is an original U.S. patent application.
The invention relates to firearm accessories. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved charging handle for a standard-configuration semi-automatic firearm.
A wide variety of firearms are known in the art. Some are highly focused to achieve a particular characteristic at the expense of others (e.g., target rifles are extremely accurate, but fairly easy to damage or knock out of alignment). Others are designed to perform well in a broader range of situations, while not excelling at any particular task. Some configurations are widely implemented, albeit with varying sizes and assembly details, so that a user of one such firearm can disassemble, reassemble and use a different firearm of the same design, even though the individual pieces of the two firearms may not be interchangeable. The popular 1911-style semiautomatic pistol is one such design. Finally, some designs are produced to comprehensive specifications such that the individual components are compatible and can be mixed-and-matched between different firearms, different manufacturers, and even different eras. The Armalite “AR-15” is an example of this last type.
Owners of common/compatible firearms often change or upgrade certain components to adapt the guns to the owner's particular application. For example, an AR-15 may be fitted with a longer barrel and high-magnification scope for use in target competitions. Some common customizations improve a firearm's utility for left-handed users.
AR-15 semi-automatic rifles (as well as some similar platforms such as M-4 and M-6 rifles) use a charging handle (also called a “cocking handle” or “bolt handle”) to manually operate the action, for loading the first round from a new magazine (subsequent rounds are automatically loaded when the action cycles after a previous round is fired). They can also open the action for unloading (and for confirming that the firearm is unloaded), or to clear a jam or misfire. Thus, charging handles are a critical component of a firearm, notwithstanding that they are usually employed much less often than once per round fired. Improvements to the charging handle can help a gun operate more smoothly and reliably, and can make it easier for the user to shoot.
Embodiments of the invention are charging handles for AR-15 and similar semi-automatic rifles which are operable with either hand (i.e., ambidextrous) and which include ball- or roller-bearings to reduce operating effort and extend reliable operating term between cleanings. Other features and benefits of the invention are discussed below.
At the other end of the extended rod 110 (the “rear” end), left and right handles (130 & 140, respectively) may be grasped to pull the charging handle backwards and cycle the firearm's action. A latch 150 coupled with the left handle 130 secures the embodiment in the forward-most, idle position by engaging with a keeper or strike in the upper receiver. On left and right sides of the extended rod 110, assembly lugs 600 protrude slightly; these prevent the extended rod from falling out of the channel in the upper receiver. An embodiment comprises a ball or roller bearing, just visible in this view at 170, which improves the functioning of the device as detailed below.
Right handle 140, when assembled to the right rear portion of extended rod 110 by right pivot pin 340, can rotate about that pivot pin similarly to left handle 130 (but in a mirrored motion). Right handle 140 comprises a cylindrical bearing 360 which is assembled upon a bearing boss 370, in a similar (but not exact mirror-image) position to spur 330 of left handle 130. Bearing boss 370 is preferably parallel to pivot pins 320 and 340.
An embodiment may comprise features to reduce charging effort and improve operational smoothness. By placing a low-friction rib (380) along the top of the extended rod, a plurality of discontinuous low-friction ribs (385) along the side, or even cylindrical (roller) bearings (390, 395) to function similarly to wheels along the side of the extended rod, the rod's back-and-forth motion can be improved. Low-friction ribs may be, for example, a tough polymer bead such as nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene (trade name Teflon®) embedded in a channel milled into the extended rod.
It is appreciated that cylindrical bearing 360 facilitates smoother and lower-effort actuation of the charging handle latch from the right handle 140, compared to (for example) a solid right-side spur that presses directly on left-side spur 330. An embodiment could reverse the positions of the spur and bearing, as shown in
The applications of the present invention have been described largely by reference to specific examples and in terms of particular configurations of mechanical elements. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that a smooth-operating, ambidextrous charging handle can be constructed by arranging comparable elements differently than herein described. Such variations and implementations are understood to be captured according to the following claims.
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