Rifle charging handle with ambidextrous latch
DCFirst Claim
1. A charging handle for a rifle having a housing, the handle comprising:
- a body having an elongated bar having a forward end and a rear end;
the bar having a bolt engaging element at the forward end;
a crossbar having an intermediate portion connected to the rear end of the bar;
the crossbar having opposed ends extending laterally of the bar;
first and second latch elements connected to the body;
the first latch element having a housing-engaging element operable to engage the housing when the handle is in a forward position;
the first and second latch elements being operably engaged to each other such that pivoting of the second latch element the disengages the housing-engaging element from the housing;
wherein one of the latch elements has a protrusion, and the other latch element has a recess defining a U-shaped gap, and wherein the protrusion is received in the recess to constrain the position of each latch element based on the position of the other latch element; and
wherein the protrusion has an enlarged end portion with a selected width, and is connected to the rest of the latch element by a neck having a width less than the selected width, and wherein the protrusion extends radially from a first pivot axis about which the one latch element pivots, and where the recess has an opening facing away from a second pivot axis about which the other latch element pivots.
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Abstract
A charging handle for a rifle having a housing. The handle has a body with an elongated bar having a forward end and a rear end. The bar has a bolt engaging element at the forward end, and a crossbar having an intermediate portion connected to the rear end of the bar. The crossbar has opposed ends extending laterally of the bar. First and second latch elements are connected to the body. The first latch element has a housing-engaging element that engages the housing when the handle is in a forward position. The first and second latch elements are engaged to each other such that pivoting of the second latch element disengages the housing-engaging element from the housing.
123 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A charging handle for a rifle having a housing, the handle comprising:
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a body having an elongated bar having a forward end and a rear end; the bar having a bolt engaging element at the forward end; a crossbar having an intermediate portion connected to the rear end of the bar; the crossbar having opposed ends extending laterally of the bar; first and second latch elements connected to the body; the first latch element having a housing-engaging element operable to engage the housing when the handle is in a forward position; the first and second latch elements being operably engaged to each other such that pivoting of the second latch element the disengages the housing-engaging element from the housing; wherein one of the latch elements has a protrusion, and the other latch element has a recess defining a U-shaped gap, and wherein the protrusion is received in the recess to constrain the position of each latch element based on the position of the other latch element; and wherein the protrusion has an enlarged end portion with a selected width, and is connected to the rest of the latch element by a neck having a width less than the selected width, and wherein the protrusion extends radially from a first pivot axis about which the one latch element pivots, and where the recess has an opening facing away from a second pivot axis about which the other latch element pivots. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A latch mechanism for a rifle with a T-shaped charging handle operable to reciprocate with respect to a housing, the mechanism comprising:
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a first latch element having a pivot aperture defining a first pivot axis, and sized to receive a pivot pin mounted to the charging handle in a fixed location; a second latch element having a pivot aperture defining a second pivot axis, and sized to receive a pivot pin mounted to the charging handle in a fixed location; the first pivot axis and second pivot axis remaining spaced apart by a fixed distance; each latch element having an latch engaging element operable to engage the latch engaging element of the other latch element; at least one of the latch elements having a housing-engaging element operable to engage the housing; wherein one of the latch-engaging elements is a protrusion, and the other of the latch-engaging element is a recess defining a U-shaped gap and having an open end receiving the protrusion; and wherein the protrusion includes at least an enlarged end portion sized to be closely received in the recess. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. A latch mechanism for a rifle with a T-shaped charging handle operable to reciprocate with respect to a housing, the mechanism comprising:
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a first latch element having a pivot aperture defining a first pivot axis, and sized to receive a pivot din mounted to the charging handle in a fixed location; a second latch element having a pivot aperture defining a second pivot axis, and sized to receive a pivot pin mounted to the charging handle in a fixed location; the first pivot axis and second pivot axis remaining spaced apart by a fixed distance; each latch element having an latch engaging element operable to engage the latch engaging element of the other latch element; at least one of the latch elements having a housing-engaging element operable to engage the housing; wherein one of the latch-engaging elements is a protrusion, and the other of the latch-engaging element is a recess defining a U-shaped gap and having an open end receiving the protrusion; and wherein the protrusion has a bulbous end sized to be closely received within the recess, and to slide within the recess in response to operational motion of the latches.
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Specification