Ambidextrous charging handle

• US 8,356,537 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abrams Airborne Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abrams Airborne Inc.
• Inventors: Kincel, Eric Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Bret
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEMAN, JOSHUA E
• Application Number:
  US12/928,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20120006188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 89/14, 891/910.1, 891/910.2, 891/79, 891/92, 42/16, 42/690.1, 42/690.2
• US Class Current: 89/1.14
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 3/72 Operating handles or levers; Mounting thereof in breech-blocks or bolts F41C7/02, F41C7/06 take precedence

Abstract

A firearm action assembly having an action mechanism with an improved charging handle. The charging handle uses a rod member to engage the action for “cocking” the action mechanism. At an open end of the rod member is a handle which is secured to the edge of the action in a dormant state. Releasing of the lock is through the use of either of two finger members which are swivelly secured to each other. Pulling on either of these finger members operates the other which moves the other finger member.

Claims

1. A firearm action assembly comprising:

a) an action mechanism configured to place a bullet in line with a barrel of a firearm; and

,

b) a charging handle having,

1) a rod member, a first end thereof configured to engage said action mechanism;

2) a handle portion positioned at a second end of said rod member, and,

3) a locking mechanism having a first and a second finger members positioned on opposing sides of said rod member proximate to said handle portion, wherein,

A) said first finger member is swivelly secured to a first side of said handle portion and having a locking finger configured to selectively engage an edge of an action of the firearm,

B) said second finger member is swivelly secured to a second side of said handle portion and rotationally secured to the first finger member via a pin securing the first finger member to the second finger member wherein movement of either the first finger member or the second finger member causes rotating movement in the other finger member; and

,

c) a spring interposed between the first finger member and second finger member such that, at rest, said locking finger is positioned to engage the action of the firearm.

2. The firearm action assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second finger member extends around said first finger member proximate to a swivel connection between the first finger member and the second finger member.

3. The firearm action assembly according to claim 2,

a) wherein said first finger portion includes a pressure face configured to be engaged by a user'"'"'s finger;

and,

b) wherein the second finger portion includes a pressure face configured to be engaged by a user'"'"'s finger, the pressure face of said second finger portion being substantially larger than the pressure face of said first finger portion.

4. A charging handle comprising:

a) a rod member, a first end thereof configured to engage an action of a firearm;

b) a handle portion positioned at a second end of said rod member; and

,

c) a locking mechanism having, a first and a second finger members positioned on opposing sides of said rod member proximate to said handle portion, wherein,

1) said first finger member is swivelly secured to a first side of said handle portion and includes a locking finger configured to selectively engage an edge of an action of the firearm, and,

2) said second finger member is swivelly secured to a second side of said handle portion and, external to said handle portion, rotationally secured to the first finger member via a pin such that movement of either the first finger member or the second finger member causes movement in the other finger member.

5. The charging handle according to claim 4, further including a spring interposed between the first finger member and second finger member such that, at rest, said spring maintains said locking finger is positioned to engage the action of the firearm.

6. The charging handle according to claim 5, wherein said second finger member sandwiches a portion of the first finger member.

7. The charging handle according to claim 6, wherein,

a) said first finger portion includes a pressure face configured to be engaged by a user'"'"'s finger;

and,

b) said second finger portion includes a pressure face configured to be engaged by a user'"'"'s finger, the pressure face of said second finger portion being substantially larger than the pressure face of said first finger portion.

8. A locking mechanism for a charging handle having a rod member, a first end thereof configured to engage an action of a firearm, said locking mechanism having a locking mechanism comprising a first and a second finger members positioned on opposing sides of said rod member proximate to said handle portion wherein,

a) said first finger member is swivelly secured to a first side of said handle portion and having a locking finger configured to selectively engage an edge of an action of the firearm, and,

b) said second finger member is swivelly secured to a second side of said handle portion and, external to said handle portion, rotationally rotatably secured via a pin to the first finger member such that movement of either the first finger member or the second finger member causes movement in the other finger member.

9. The locking mechanism according to claim 8, further including a spring interposed between the first finger member and second finger member such that, at rest, said locking finger is positioned to engage the action of the firearm.

10. The locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein said second finger member sandwiches a portion of the first finger member.

11. The locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein said first finger member sandwiches a portion of the second finger member.

12. The locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein,

a) said first finger portion includes a pressure face configured to be engaged by a user'"'"'s finger;

and,

b) said second finger portion includes a pressure face configured to be engaged by a user'"'"'s finger, the pressure face of said second finger portion being substantially larger than the pressure face of said first finger portion.