U.S. patent application number 13/347569 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for firearm with dual charging handles.
The applicant listed for this patent is David J. Cammack, John P. Gangl. Invention is credited to David J. Cammack, John P. Gangl.
Application Number | 20130174457 13/347569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48742909 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130174457 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gangl; John P. ; et
al. |
July 11, 2013 |
FIREARM WITH DUAL CHARGING HANDLES
Abstract
A firearm with dual charging handles is a rifle having a frame
defining an elongated bolt passage, a bolt assembly received within
the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a forward
battery position and a rearward retracted position, a first
elongated charging handle having a rear end extending rearward of
the rear aperture of the frame, an intermediate portion received in
the aperture, and a forward end within the bolt passage and adapted
to operably contact the bolt, the frame defining an elongated slot
parallel to the bolt passage and communicating therewith, and a
second charging handle having a handle portion external of the bolt
passage, an intermediate portion extending through the slot, and a
contact element adapted to operably contact the bolt. The first
charging handle may have a T shape. The second charging handle may
include a dust cover overlaying the slot.
Inventors: |
Gangl; John P.; (Hugo,
MN) ; Cammack; David J.; (Hugo, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gangl; John P.
Cammack; David J. |
Hugo
Hugo |
MN
MN |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48742909 |
Appl. No.: |
13/347569 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/72 20130101; F41A
3/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/16 |
International
Class: |
F41A 3/12 20060101
F41A003/12; F41C 7/00 20060101 F41C007/00 |
Claims
1. A rifle comprising: a frame defining an elongated bolt passage;
a bolt assembly including a bolt received within the bolt passage
and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and
a rearward retracted position; the frame having a rear portion
defining a rear aperture; a first elongated charging handle having
a rear end extending rearward of the rear aperture of the frame, an
intermediate portion received in the aperture, and a forward end
within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt;
the frame defining an elongated slot parallel to the bolt passage
and communicating therewith; and a second charging handle having a
handle portion external of the bolt passage, an intermediate
portion extending through the slot, and a contact element adapted
to operably contact the bolt.
2. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the first charging handle has a T
shape.
3. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the second charging handle includes
a dust cover overlaying the slot.
4. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the second charging handle includes
a folding handle.
5. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the frame includes an elongated
rail coextensive with the slot, and the second charging handle
defines a channel slidably receiving the rail, such that the
movement of the second charging handle is constrained by the
rail.
6. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the slot is defined in a lateral
side of the frame.
7. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the bolt has a first forward facing
surface adapted to be engaged by the first charging handle, and a
second forward facing surface separate from the first forward
facing surface adapted to be engaged by the second charging
handle.
8. The rifle of claim 7 wherein the first forward facing surface is
on an upper portion of the bolt assembly.
9. The rifle of claim 7 wherein the second forward facing surface
is on a lateral portion of the bolt assembly.
10. The rifle of claim 7 wherein the first and second forward
facing surfaces are on a forward portion of the bolt assembly.
11. A rifle comprising: a frame defining an elongated bolt passage;
a bolt assembly including a bolt received within the bolt passage
and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and
a rearward retracted position; a first charging handle having a
first handle portion external of the bolt passage and a first
contact portion within the bolt passage and adapted to operably
contact the bolt; a second charging handle having a second handle
portion external of the bolt passage and a second contact portion
within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt;
and the bolt having a first forward facing portion registered with
the first contact portion, and having a second forward facing
portion registered with the second contact portion, such that the
first and second charging handles remain stationary in response to
movement of the bolt to the retracted position.
12. The rifle of claim 11 wherein the first charging handle has a T
shape.
13. The rifle of claim 11 wherein the frame defines an elongated
slot receiving a portion of the second charging handle, and wherein
the second charging handle includes a dust cover overlaying the
slot.
14. The rifle of claim 13 wherein the frame includes an elongated
rail coextensive with the slot, and the second charging handle
defines a channel slidably receiving the rail, such that the
movement of the second charging handle is constrained by the
rail.
15. The rifle of claim 13 wherein the slot is defined in a lateral
side of the frame.
16. The rifle of claim 11 wherein the second charging handle
includes a folding handle.
17. The rifle of claim 11 wherein the bolt has a first forward
facing surface adapted to be engaged by the first charging handle,
and a second forward facing separate from the first forward facing
surface adapted to be engaged by the second charging handle.
18. The rifle of claim 17 wherein the first forward facing surface
is on an upper portion of the bolt assembly.
19. The rifle of claim 17 wherein the second forward facing surface
is on a lateral portion of the bolt assembly
20. The rifle of claim 17 wherein the first and second forward
facing surfaces are on a forward portion of the bolt assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to firearms, and more
particularly to a firearm having both top-mounted and side-mounted
charging handles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The charging handle is a device on a firearm which, when
operated, results in the hammer or striker being cocked or moved to
the ready position. It allows the operator to pull the bolt to the
rear, facilitating any number of the following:
[0003] Ejecting a spent shell casing or unfired cartridge from the
chamber.
[0004] Loading a round from the magazine or by hand through the
chamber.
[0005] Clearing a stoppage such as a jam, double feed, stovepipe,
or misfire.
[0006] Verifying the weapon's chamber is clear of any rounds or
other obstructions.
[0007] Moving the bolt into battery, acting as a forward assist but
not necessarily.
[0008] Releasing a bolt locked to the rear, such as would be the
case after firing the last round on a firearm equipped with a
last-round-hold-open feature.
[0009] These devices vary significantly between firearms, but may
occur in the form of a small protrusion or hook from the side of
the bolt, a pumped slide, or a lever.
[0010] There are also additional factors concerning the design of
charging handles, and some of them are especially important if the
weapon is for tactical use. One issue is the mean time between
failures due to metal fatigue. Just like other parts, charging
handles sometimes break when weapons are heavily used. Another
issue is whether the charging handle is sufficiently large for use
by someone wearing heavy gloves and protective clothing.
[0011] Another important consideration is the location of the
charging handle. Top-mounted T-shaped charging handles are standard
features of M-16 and AR 15 rifles, and have the advantage of being
readily operable with either hand. However, a top-mounted charging
handle is difficult to operate when actively using optics. It is
also possible to experience uncomfortable contact with a scope or
sights while operating a top-mounted charging handle.
[0012] As a result, side charging handles have been developed so
that the firearm can be charged while the shooter maintains a cheek
weld and his or her sight picture. An example of a firearm
employing a side charging handle is the JP LRP-07.TM. Long Range
Precision Rifle (LRPR) manufactured by JP Enterprises, Inc. of
Hugo, Minn. A side-mounted charging handle mounted on a firearm on
the shooter's dominant side also provides more leverage than does
the traditional top-mounted T-shaped charging handle. However, the
shooter is not necessarily disadvantaged if the charging handle is
mounted on the shooter's weaker side as it allows the shooter to
keep his or her strong hand on the pistol grip in a shooting
position. It also makes it easier for the shooter to keep his or
her eyes on the sights. The downside is the shooter has to give up
his or her hold on the forearm of the rifle to charge. However,
this is not an issue when shooting off a rest or bipod.
[0013] Each type of charging handle has its advantages and
disadvantages. Not only do these vary depending on the user, but
they vary depending on the use, even for a given user.
[0014] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved firearm with
dual charging handles that retains the traditional T-shaped top
charging handle while adding a redundant side charging handle. In
this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention
substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this
respect, the firearm with dual charging handles according to the
present invention substantially departs from the conventional
concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an
apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of retaining the
traditional T-shaped top charging handle while adding a redundant
side charging handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides an improved firearm with dual
charging handles, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages
and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the
present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater
detail, is to provide an improved firearm with dual charging
handles that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned
above.
[0016] To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention essentially comprises a rifle having a frame defining an
elongated bolt and bolt carrier passage, a bolt and bolt carrier
assembly received within the bolt and bolt carrier passage and
operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and a
rearward retracted position, a first elongated charging handle
having a rear end extending rearward of the rear aperture of the
frame, an intermediate portion received in the aperture, and a
forward end within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact
the bolt carrier, the frame defining an elongated slot parallel to
the bolt passage and communicating therewith, and a second charging
handle having a handle portion external of the bolt passage, an
intermediate portion extending through the slot, and a contact
element adapted to operably contact the bolt carrier. The first
charging handle may have a T shape. The second charging handle may
include a dust cover overlaying the slot. There are, of course,
additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims
attached.
[0017] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a right side view of the current embodiment of the
firearm with dual charging handles constructed in accordance with
the principles of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the current embodiment
of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the
firearm.
[0020] FIG. 3A is a right side view of the current embodiment of
the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm with
the top charging handle in the rest position.
[0021] FIG. 3B is a right side sectional view of the current
embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from
the firearm with the top charging handle in the rest position.
[0022] FIG. 3C is a right side sectional view of the current
embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from
the firearm with the top charging handle in the cocked
position.
[0023] FIG. 4A is a top view of the current embodiment of the upper
receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm.
[0024] FIG. 4B is a top sectional view of the current embodiment of
the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm.
[0025] FIG. 4C is a rear perspective view of the current embodiment
of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the
firearm.
[0026] FIG. 5A is a rear perspective view of the current embodiment
of the top charging handle assembly, side charge handle assembly,
and bolt carrier removed from the upper receiver.
[0027] FIG. 5B is a front perspective view of the current
embodiment of the top charging handle assembly, side charge handle
assembly, and bolt carrier removed from the upper receiver.
[0028] FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of the current
embodiment of the side charge handle assembly removed from the
upper receiver.
[0029] FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the current embodiment
of the side charge handle assembly of FIG. 6A with the handle
removed.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the current embodiment
of the upper receiver of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm.
[0031] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0032] An embodiment of the firearm with dual charging handles of
the present invention is shown and generally designated by the
reference numeral 200.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates the improved firearm with dual charging
handles 200 of the present invention. More particularly, the
firearm is a rifle having an upper receiver assembly 10 with a
stock 202 extending rearward from the rear 224 of the lower
receiver 226. A trigger 214 and a magazine 216 extend downwardly
from the lower receiver's bottom 222.
[0034] The muzzle 244 end of a barrel 140 extends forwardly from
the front 14 of the upper receiver 12. The barrel has a central
bore 142. A hand guard 212 removably encircles the barrel with the
hand guard's rear 220 abutting the front of the barrel nut 218, and
the barrel nut abuts the front 14 of the upper receiver.
[0035] FIGS. 2-4C illustrate the improved upper receiver assembly
10 of the present invention. More particularly, the upper receiver
assembly has been removed from the firearm 200. The upper receiver
assembly consists of an upper receiver 12, a top charging handle
assembly 64, a bolt carrier 38, a bolt 84, and a side charging
handle assembly 86. The upper receiver has a top 80, bottom 24,
left side 20, right side 18, front 14, and rear 16. The top of the
upper receiver forms a picatinny rail 28 and receives the top
charging handle assembly. The front of the upper receiver forms
barrel nut threads 26. The bottom of the upper receiver has front
and rear mounting lugs 32, 34. The right side of the upper receiver
defines an ejection port 30. The left side of the upper receiver
defines a rail or dovetail 88 that receives the slider 98 of the
side charging handle assembly and a slot 94 that receives the lug
96 of the side charging handle assembly. The rear and front of the
upper receiver define a central bore 36 that is an elongated bolt
passage that receives the bolt carrier.
[0036] The upper receiver 12 carries a reciprocating bolt carrier
38 that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked
position. The bolt carrier 38 has a front 42, rear 40, top 48,
bottom 62, a left side 126, right side 128, and defines a central
bore 60. The bolt carrier supports and positions a bolt 84, thereby
forming a bolt assembly. The locked position is the position in
which the bolt carrier has positioned the bolt for firing. The
unlocked position is any position other than the locked position,
which includes the position where the bolt carrier has retracted
the bolt from the chamber (not shown) to permit ejection of a
casing and insertion of a cartridge from the magazine 216.
[0037] A carrier key body 50 is coupled to the top 48 of the bolt
carrier 38 by bolts 58 in the rear 54 of the carrier key body. The
carrier key body is acted upon by pressurized gas to move the bolt
carrier between the locked and the unlocked positions. The rifle is
ready for firing when the bolt carrier is in the locked position
with a cartridge chambered. When the rifle is fired by pulling the
trigger 114, gas from the detonated round escapes from the barrel
bore 142 into a gas conduit (not shown). Gas is transmitted to the
carrier key body 50 via the gas conduit, which is positioned above
and extends parallel to the barrel and terminates in an engagement
with a gas tube 82 in the front of the upper receiver. A gas hole
74 in the front 70 of the top charge handle assembly 64 permits gas
to pass from the gas tube into a gas channel 56 in the front 52 of
the carrier key body.
[0038] FIGS. 3A-C illustrate the structure and function of the top
charging handle assembly 64. The top charging handle assembly has a
T-shaped handle 66 at the rear 72, an elongate shaft 68, and a hook
protrusion 92 at the front 70. The bottom 76 of the shaft defines a
slot 78, and the front of the shaft defines a gas hole 74. The hook
protrusion engages a step 90 in the top 48 of the bolt carrier 38.
When the top charging handle assembly is pulled rearward as shown
in FIG. 3C, the hook protrusion pulls the bolt carrier rearward as
well. However, the side charging handle assembly 86 is not
affected, which is indicated by the forward position of the lug 96.
The top charging handle assembly and the side charging handle
assembly are both independently capable of pulling the bolt carrier
rearward without being acted upon by the bolt carrier itself
because the charging handle assemblies are not actually attached to
the bolt carrier.
[0039] FIGS. 4A-7 illustrate the structure and function of the side
charging handle assembly 86. More particularly, the side charging
handle assembly is slidably and removably mounted on the dovetail
88 on the left side 20 of the upper receiver 12. The dovetail is a
flanged channel type dovetail that is T-shaped when viewed on end.
As is shown in FIG. 7, the dovetail has takedown notches 134
located towards the rear 16 of the upper receiver and hook notches
136 located near the front 14 of the upper receiver. The rearmost
portion of the dovetail does not have a flange.
[0040] The side charging handle assembly 86 is slidably and
removably mounted on the dovetail 88. The side charging handle
assembly has a slider 98, pivot pin 110, and handle 100. The slider
has a front 102, rear 104, top 106, and bottom 108. The bottom of
the slider defines two short front lips 122, two takedown notches
130, and two elongate rear lips 124. The front lips and rear lips
undercut the dovetail and define a channel 44 between them having a
C-shaped cross-section that receives the dovetail. The lug 96
protrudes from the bottom of the slider between the takedown
notches 130. The top receives two roll pins 120 that attach the lug
to the slider. Two hook holes 128 are located immediately behind
the roll pins. The slider is otherwise solid so that the slider can
serve as a dust cap for the slot 94 in the dovetail 88. The top
forms two ears 114, each having a central aperture 132, that
receives the pivot pin 110.
[0041] The handle 100 is pivotally anchored to the top of the
slider by the pivot pin 110. The handle folds downward to cover the
front of the slider when the handle is not in use. The bottom of
the handle forms two hooks 126. When the handle is not in use, the
hooks extend through the hook holes 128 in the top 106 of the
slider 98 and are received by the hook notches 136 in the dovetail
88 with a sloped, undercut engagement (shown in FIG. 4B). This
engagement prevents the side charging handle assembly 86 from
sliding rearward because of inertia when the rifle 200 recoils. The
handle is in shared so its center of mass 112 is aligned with the
center of the pivot pin. The handle is therefore not biased to flop
outward or inward in response to axial recoil forces.
[0042] To use the side charging handle assembly 86 to cock the
rifle 200, the handle 100 is pivoted in a counterclockwise
direction 90.degree. and then pulled rearward to slide the slider
98 rearward on the dovetail 88. Because the protruding portion of
the lug is received by a notch 118 in the front 42 of the bolt
carrier 38 and engages a ledge 116 on the left side 126 of the bolt
carrier, the lug pulls the bolt carrier rearward as well. However,
as was mentioned previously, the top charging handle assembly 64 is
unaffected by the motion of the bolt carrier. Furthermore, because
the front of the notch 118 is open, the bolt carrier can move
rearward without affecting the side charging handle assembly
86.
[0043] To remove the side charging handle assembly 86 from the
rifle 200, the bolt carrier 38 and bolt 84 must first be removed.
This enables the side charging handle assembly to be moved further
rearward than normal. When the front lips 122 are aligned with the
takedown notches 134 in the dovetail 88, the takedown notches 130
in the slider 98 disengage the slider from the rearmost flanged
portion of the dovetail. At the same time, the rearmost portion of
the dovetail lacking a flange disengages the rear lips 124 from the
dovetail. As a result, the side charging handle assembly can be
lifted off the dovetail and completely disconnected from the rifle.
This procedure is reversed to attach the side charging handle
assembly to the rifle.
[0044] In the context of the specification, the terms "rear" and
"rearward," and "front" and "forward" have the following
definitions: "rear" or "rearward" means in the direction away from
the muzzle of the firearm while "front" or "forward" means it is in
the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.
[0045] While a current embodiment of a firearm with dual charging
handles has been described in detail, it should be apparent that
modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which
fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With
respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0046] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *