Internal Latch In Charging Handle Of Firearm

Abstract

Firearms with improved systems and methods of retaining a charging handle within the firearm and charging handles for such firearms. In some embodiments, a spring, a portion or a majority of the latch, or both, are located, for example, within a hollow, inside the body of the charging handle. In certain embodiments, one or two levers on the charging handle can be pulled to release the latch and thereby release the charging handle. The lever(s) and latch are pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle in a number of embodiments. In some embodiments, the charging handle includes a stem and a bezel. The firearm can be a semi-automatic or a fully-automatic rifle, for example.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/920,026, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERNAL LATCH IN CHARGING HANDLE OF FIREARM, which has at least one inventor in common with the current patent application and the same assignee. Although primarily concerning other inventions, this patent application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/920,164, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERMEDIATE CHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER OF FIREARM, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/949,907, filed on Mar. 7, 2014, titled CHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER KEY OF FIREARM which also each have at least one inventor in common with the current patent application and the same assignee. The contents of these priority provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various embodiments of this invention relate to firearms having charging handles and systems and methods of securing charging handles within firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Firearms have been used for several centuries for various purposes including as weapons for warfare, law enforcement, self defense, hunting, and target practice. Although many new weapons and weapon systems have been developed, firearms are still widely used and soldiers are trained in firearm use and carry firearms in essentially all armies throughout the world. Over time, firearms have been improved in many ways, but opportunities for improvement still exist in particular areas and for particular aspects of these devices.

[0004] Firearms have been built that use energy from the firing of one round to load the next round into the chamber for firing. In various configurations, the first round to be fired must be loaded manually and the firearm must be cocked (e.g., the bolt pulled back) to fire the first round. For this purpose, firearms have been equipped with charging handles that are operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator in order to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round. Charging handles have been held in place when not in use with a latch mounted outside of the charging handle, but such latches have been vulnerable to: damage, getting caught on things, and contamination with debris, among other problems. A need or potential for benefit or improvement exists for firearms that do not have a latch for the charging handle that is vulnerable to these problems and yet are equipped so the charging handle does not come out when not in use. Room for improvement exists over the prior art in these and other areas that may be apparent to a person of skill in the art having studied this document.

SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention provides, among other things, firearms with improved systems and methods of retaining charging handles within the remainder of the weapon when the charging handle is not being used and for releasing the charging handle for use when needed. This invention also provides charging handles for such firearms. Various embodiments provide, for example, as an object or benefit, that they partially or fully address or satisfy one or more of the needs, potential areas for benefit, or opportunities for improvement described herein, or known in the art, as examples. Some embodiments provide charging handles, or firearms with charging handles, that are operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator in order to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round. In such embodiments, the charging handles are held in place when not in use through the use of a latch that, in a number of embodiments, is part of or is mounted inside the charging handle, avoiding or reducing vulnerability to: damage, getting caught on things, and contamination with debris, among other problems.

[0006] In a number of embodiments, improvements to firearms herein provide for firearms that are more reliable, that last longer, that are more adaptable, that can be used in conditions that are more extreme, that handle abuse well, that work better, that are easier to use, that are easier to maintain, that are less expensive to manufacture, that have a lower lifecycle cost, or a combination thereof.

[0007] Specific embodiments include firearms that include a charging handle that includes a body and a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm. In a number of embodiments, a majority of the latch is located, for example, within a hollow inside the body of the charging handle. Further, various embodiments include a spring that biases the latch relative to the body of the charging handle. In a number of embodiments, the spring is also located inside the body of the charging handle, for example. In particular embodiments, for example, the firearm is a rifle configured to selectably fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode.

[0008] Still further, in some embodiments, the charging handle includes a lever, and pulling on the lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle. Even further, in certain embodiments, the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, or both, and, in some embodiments, pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate, for example, where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, and the lever rotates the latch, for instance, where the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, for example, releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle. Further still, in some embodiments, the body of the charging handle further includes a stem and a bezel, and in some embodiments, the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end of the charging handle, the hollow and the majority of the latch are located inside the stem, or both.

[0009] Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the charging handle includes a right lever and a left lever, for example, opposite the right lever, and in some embodiments, the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached, for example, at a first end of the charging handle. Furthermore, in various embodiments, pulling on either the right lever or the left lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle. Additionally, certain embodiments, include a second end, for example, opposite the first end, and the latch is closer to the first end than to the second end of the charging handle. Further, in some embodiments, the body of the charging handle includes a stem, for example, extending from the first end to the second end, a bezel, or both. In particular embodiments, for example, the bezel is attached to the stem at the first end of the charging handle, the hollow and the majority of the latch are located inside the stem, or both.

[0010] In some embodiments, pulling on at least one of the right lever or the left lever causes at least one of the right lever or the left lever to contact the latch. Further, in certain embodiments, pulling on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle, pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle, or both.

[0011] Other specific embodiments include firearms that include a charging handle that includes a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm, wherein the charging handle includes a lever arranged and configured such that pulling on the lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle. In various embodiments, a spring that biases the latch relative to the body of the charging handle is located inside the body of the charging handle, the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle, or a combination thereof, as examples. Further, in particular embodiments, the charging handle includes a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever, and the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle. Moreover, in some such embodiments, pulling on either the right lever or the left lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle.

[0012] Still other specific embodiments include charging handles for firearms, for example, as described herein. In certain embodiments, for instance, a charging handle for a firearm includes a body, a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm, and a spring that biases the latch relative to the body, for example, wherein the spring and a majority of the latch are located within a hollow inside the body. In various embodiments, the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, puffing on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, the body of the charging handle includes a stem and a bezel, the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end of the charging handle, or a combination thereof. Moreover, in particular embodiments, the charging handle includes a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever, the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle, pulling on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch, and pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever.

[0013] In addition, various other embodiments of the invention are also described herein, and other benefits of certain embodiments may be apparent to a person of skill in this area of technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawings provided herewith illustrate, among other things, examples of certain aspects of particular embodiments. Other embodiments may differ. Various embodiments may include aspects shown in the drawings, described in the specification (including the claims), known in the art, or a combination thereof, as examples.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of a firearm that includes a charging handle;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the firearm of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along section B-B in FIG. 1, illustrating the charging handle;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 3;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a left side detail view of part of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrating the charging handle and inside catch;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a top detail view of part of the firearm of FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrating part of the charging handle including the latch, spring, levers, bezel, and part of the stem;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a top view of the charging handle of the firearm of FIGS. 1-4;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the charging handle of FIG. 7 of the firearm of FIGS. 1-4;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a top cross-sectional view of the charging handle of the firearm of FIGS. 1-4; taken along section A-A in FIG. 8, illustrating, among other things, the latch and spring; and

[0024] FIG. 10 is a front view of the charging handle of FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

[0025] This patent application describes, among other things, examples of certain embodiments, and certain aspects thereof. Other embodiments may differ from the particular examples described in detail herein. Various embodiments are or concern firearms, for example, having improvements over the prior art. Different embodiments include firearms (e.g., 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4), charging handles (e.g., 70 shown in FIGS. 1-10) for firearms, and methods concerning charging handles or firearms, as examples.

[0026] As used herein, a charging handle is a component or assembly of a firearm that is operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator of the firearm to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round. As used herein, a "charging handle" includes a body of the charging handle and can also include parts within or pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle. But as used herein, a "charging handle" does not include other components of the firearm, such as the bolt assembly, that, unlike the body of the charging handle, move relative to the receiver when the firearm is fired, and does not include other parts of the firearm that do not move (e.g., rearward) with the body of the charging handle when the charging handle is operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator of the firearm to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round. In a number of embodiments, for example, a firearm (e.g., 10) includes a charging handle (e.g., 70) that includes a latch (e.g., 91 shown in FIGS. 5-7) that secures the charging handle within the firearm.

[0027] In various embodiments, the latch (e.g., 91) includes a hook or catch (e.g., 72 shown in FIGS. 5-7, 9, and 10) that engages a feature in the firearm (e.g., 10), such as a feature in the receiver or upper receiver (e.g., 11 shown in FIGS. 1-6) of the firearm. Such a feature can be an indentation, projection, edge, corner, or hole, as examples. In the embodiment illustrated, for example, the feature that hook or catch 72 engages is hole 52 shown best in FIG. 5 but also shown in FIGS. 4 and 6). In particular embodiments, multiple features are provided that the latch or catch can engage. In some embodiments, a spring (e.g., 99 shown in FIGS. 6 and 9) biases the latch (e.g., 91), for example, relative to the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle (e.g., 70). The spring (e.g., 99) can be a component of the charging handle (e.g., 70), and can be a helical spring, for instance, as shown, for example, loaded in compression.

[0028] In various embodiments, the spring (e.g., 99), a portion, or even a majority of the latch (e.g., 91), or both, are located inside the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle (e.g., 70), for example, within a hollow (e.g., 97 shown in FIGS. 6 and 9) inside the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle. As used herein, a hollow is a space that is defined on at least two opposite sides by solid surfaces that are held in place relative to each other. In this context, the solid surfaces are surfaces (i.e., interior surfaces) of the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle. Further, as used herein, a "majority" is determined using mass or volume (e.g., of the latch). In the embodiment illustrated, spring 99 is located entirely within hollow 97 of body 85 of charging handle 70 and latch 91 is located within hollow 97 of body 85 of charging handle 70 except for catch 72 (or part of catch 72) as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. Other embodiments, however, may differ.

[0029] Even further, in certain embodiments, the charging handle, for instance, the body of the charging handle, includes a stem and a bezel. In a number of embodiments, the stem is elongated. In the embodiment illustrated, for example, body 85 of charging handle 70 includes stem 76 and bezel 77. Some embodiments have two bezels. In some embodiments, the bezel (e.g., 77) is attached to the stem (e.g., 76), for instance, at a first end (e.g., 81) of the charging handle (e.g., where the operator grips the charging handle) and the hollow (e.g., 97) and the latch (e.g., 91) or the majority of the latch are located inside the stem (e.g., 76), for instance, as shown. In the embodiment illustrated, for example, stem 76 extends rearward to the curved broken line shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 at first end 81 of charging handle 70. The stem (e.g., 76) can be aluminum, for instance. In some embodiments, the stem (e.g., 76) has an axis (e.g., parallel to the axis of the barrel 13), the spring (e.g., 99) has an axis (e.g., about which the helix of the spring is wound) and the axis of the spring is lateral or perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis of the stem, for example (e.g., in the embodiment shown). As used herein, substantially perpendicular means perpendicular to within 15 degrees. Further, in some embodiments, the axis of the spring (e.g., 99) is lateral or perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis of the barrel (e.g., 13) of the firearm (e.g., 11), for example (e.g., as shown).

[0030] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate an example of an embodiment of a charging handle that includes a body and stem, specifically, charging handle 70, body 85, and stem 76. Other embodiments may differ. One or more other alternate embodiments, for example, are illustrated in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/920,026, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERNAL LATCH IN CHARGING HANDLE OF FIREARM, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/920,164, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERMEDIATE CHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER OF FIREARM, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/949,907, filed on Mar. 7, 2014, titled CHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER KEY OF FIREARM. These three provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. These other embodiments illustrate other options for engagement of the charging handle with the carrier, among other things. Still other alternatives are know in the art.

[0031] Further still, in some embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 70) further includes a right lever (e.g., 78) and a left lever (e.g., 79) opposite the right lever. In such embodiments, the operator can fold out and grip one or both of the levers (e.g., 78, 79, or both) when pulling the charging handle (e.g., 70). In a number of embodiments, for example, the operator pulls one or both of the levers (e.g., 78, 79, or both) in a rearward direction (i.e., opposite the direction that the bullet travels in the barrel when the firearm is fired) in order to load the first round, prepare the weapon for firing the first round, or both. In various embodiments, the right lever (e.g., 78) and the left lever (e.g., 79) are each pivotably attached at the first end (e.g., 81) of the charging handle (e.g., 70), for example, to the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle. As used herein, unless stated otherwise, an "end" of a charging handle (e.g., end 81) includes 25 percent of the length of the charging handle, for example, from the very tip of the charging handle (e.g., 70) toward the opposite end (e.g., 82). Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, first end 81 of charging handle 70 includes bezel 77, right lever 78, left lever 79, latch 91, spring 99, and part of stem 76, among other things. Other embodiments may differ. Further, for purposes of measuring from an "end" of a charging handle, unless stated otherwise, as used herein, the measurement is made from the very tip of the charging handle.

[0032] Even further still, in some embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., the body or stem of the charging handle) further includes a right side (e.g., 73 shown in FIGS. 6-10), a left side (e.g., 74) opposite the right side, a top side (e.g., 83 shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10), a bottom side (e.g., 84) opposite the top side, and a second end (e.g., 82) opposite the first end (e.g., 81). In various embodiments, the right lever (e.g., 78) is located on the right side (e.g., 73), the left lever (e.g., 79) is located on the left side (e.g., 74), the latch (e.g., 91, for instance, hook or catch 72) projects through the left side (e.g., 74) of (e.g., body 85 of) the charging handle (e.g., 70), or a combination thereof, as examples. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the latch (e.g., 91) is closer to the first end (e.g., 81, i.e., from the very tip of the charging handle) than to the second end (e.g., 82, i.e., from the very tip) of the charging handle (e.g., 70).

[0033] In a number of embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 70) includes a lever (e.g., 78, 79, or both) and pulling on the lever releases the latch (e.g., 91) and thereby releases the charging handle (i.e., from the remainder of the firearm, for example, firearm 10, or from the receiver, for example, 11). In this context, as used herein, when the charging handle is released (e.g., from the remainder of firearm 10 or from receiver 11), the charging handle typically, in a number of embodiments, does not completely separate from the receiver, but rather, is freed (e.g., from latch 91) to move (e.g., rearward) sufficiently to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round. In some embodiments, for example, the lever (e.g., 78, 79, or both) is pivotably attached to the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle (e.g., 70) and, in a number of embodiments, the latch (e.g., 91) is also pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle. Further, in various embodiments, pulling on the lever (e.g., 78, 79) causes the lever to rotate, for instance, where the lever is pivotably attached to the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle. In certain embodiments, for instance, the lever (e.g., 78, 79) rotates the latch (e.g., 91) where the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle, releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle. In various embodiments, for example, the lever(s), latch, or both, can pivot or rotate about a pin (e.g., a roll pin) or a fastener, such as a screw or bolt, for instance. In particular embodiments, for instance, pulling on the lever (e.g., 78, 79) causes the lever to contact or push the latch (e.g., 91).

[0034] Moreover, in certain embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 70) includes a right lever (e.g., 78) and a left lever (e.g., 79), for instance, opposite the right lever, and the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached to the body (e.g., 85) of the charging handle (e.g., 70, for instance, at first end 81). In some embodiments, for example, pulling on at least one of the right lever (e.g., 78) or the left lever (e.g., 79) releases the latch (e.g., 91, for instance, from feature or hole 52) and thereby releases the charging handle (e.g., 70, from receiver 11). In particular embodiments, pulling on either the right lever or the left lever (e.g., pulling on either one or both of these levers) releases the latch, for instance, by rotating the latch. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, pulling on one of the right lever (e.g., 78) or the left lever (e.g., 79) causes both the right lever and the left lever to rotate which causes the latch to rotate and thereby releases the charging handle. In fact, in some embodiments, pulling on either lever causes one lever (e.g., only one lever) to contact (e.g., push on) the latch.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9, for example, in the embodiment illustrated, pulling on the left lever, 79 (i.e., pulling toward the left side of FIG. 9 or pulling toward the rear of the firearm) causes left lever 79 to pivot about its pivot point, contact and push on latch 91, causing latch 91 to rotate, which pulls hook or catch 72 into body 85 of charging handle 70 releasing charging handle 70 from firearm 10. In comparison, in the embodiment illustrated, pulling on the right lever, 78 (i.e., pulling toward the left side of FIG. 9 or pulling toward the rear of the firearm) causes left lever 78 to pivot about its pivot point, contact and push on left lever 79, which causes left lever 79 to pivot about its pivot point, contact and push on latch 91, causing latch 91 to rotate, which pulls hook or catch 72 into body 85 of charging handle 70 releasing charging handle 70 from firearm 10. In various embodiments, pulling on either the right lever or the left lever causes only one of the right lever or the left lever to contact or push on (or both) the latch to release the charging handle. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated, pulling on the left lever causes the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle, and pulling on the right lever causes the right lever to push the left lever which pushes the latch and releases the charging handle. In other embodiments, the left and right levers can perform opposite functions and the latch can be on the other side of the charging handle, as another example. Other examples may be apparent to a person of skill in the art.

[0036] In a number of embodiments, the firearm (e.g., 10) is a rifle. In particular embodiments, for example, the firearm (e.g., 10) is an assault rifle, such as an AR-15 or an M-16. In different embodiments, the firearm can be a semi-automatic firearm or a fully automatic firearm, as examples. Further, in particular embodiments, the firearm is a rifle configured to selectably (e.g., via operation of a selector lever) fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode. Other embodiments, however, may differ. For instance, in particular embodiments the firearm can be a pistol.

[0037] Other embodiments, besides firearms, include charging handles for firearms. Charging handle 70, described herein, is an example. Various embodiments include charging handles for a firearms, wherein the charging handle includes a body (e.g., 85 shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10), a latch (e.g., 91) that secures the charging handle within the firearm (e.g., 10), and a spring (e.g., 99) that biases the latch relative to the body. In a number of embodiments, the spring (e.g., 99) and a majority of the latch (e.g., 91) are located within a hollow (e.g., 97) inside the body (e.g., 85). In various embodiments, the lever (e.g., 91) is pivotably attached to the body (e.g., 85), the latch is pivotably attached to the body, pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body, the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body, the charging handle or the body includes a stem (e.g., 76) and a bezel (e.g., 77), and the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end (e.g., 81) of the charging handle.

[0038] In some embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 70) includes a right lever (e.g., 78) and a left lever (e.g., 79), for example, opposite the right lever, the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end (e.g., 81) of the charging handle, pulling on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch (e.g., 91), and pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever, which pushes the latch. For example, in the embodiment illustrated, pulling on left lever 79 (which is one of right lever 78 and left lever 79) causes left lever 79 (i.e., the one of the right lever or the left lever) to push latch 91, and pulling on right lever 78 (which is an other of the right lever or the left lever) causes right lever 78 (i.e., the other of the right lever or the left lever) to push left lever 79 (i.e., the one of the right lever or the left lever), which pushes latch 91.

[0039] Further, certain embodiments include combinations of features described herein and in one or more of patent applications that are incorporated by reference herein. All conceivable combinations of such features are contemplated including all conceivable combinations of the subject matter described herein and described in these different patent applications. For example, other embodiments contemplated include each of the embodiments described herein further including one or more of the embodiments claimed or described in each of these different patent applications.

[0040] Examples of methods include various methods of retaining or securing a charging handle (e.g., 70) within a firearm (e.g., 10). In various embodiments, such a method can include, for example, in any order, at least certain acts. Such acts can include, for instance, obtaining or providing a latch (e.g., 91) that secures the charging handle within the firearm, obtaining or providing a spring (e.g., 99) that biases the latch relative to the charging handle, locating the spring, a portion or a majority of the latch within the charging handle (e.g., within a hollow inside the charging handle, for instance, 97, for example, within body 85), or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, particular methods can include acts of obtaining or providing, as examples, other features, components, or aspects described herein. All possible combinations are contemplated. Further, methods described herein contain various acts. The order in which these acts are described is an example of the order in which these acts can be performed, but in other embodiments, unless stated otherwise herein, the acts may be performed in a different order. In some embodiments, acts may overlap or be performed at the same time, as another example.

[0041] Further, various embodiments of the subject matter described herein include various combinations of the acts, structure, components, and features described herein, shown in the drawings, described in documents that are incorporated by reference herein, or that are known in the art. Moreover, certain procedures can include acts such as manufacturing, obtaining, or providing components that perform functions described herein or in the documents that are incorporated by reference. The subject matter described herein also includes various means for accomplishing the various functions or acts described herein, in the documents that are incorporated by reference, or that are apparent from the structure and acts described.

[0042] Further, as used herein, the word "or", except where indicated otherwise, does not imply that the alternatives listed are mutually exclusive. Even further, where alternatives are listed herein, it should be understood that in some embodiments, fewer alternatives may be available, or in particular embodiments, just one alternative may be available, as examples.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising a charging handle comprising a body and a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm, wherein a majority of the latch is located within a hollow inside the body of the charging handle.

2. The firearm of claim 1 further comprising a spring that biases the latch relative to the body of the charging handle, wherein the spring is located inside the body of the charging handle.

3. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the charging handle comprises a lever and pulling on the lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle.

4. The firearm of claim 3 wherein: the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle; the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle; and pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle and the rotation of the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle.

5. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the body of the charging handle further comprises a stem and a bezel, wherein: the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end of the charging handle; and the hollow and the majority of the latch are located inside the stem.

6. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the charging handle further comprises a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever, wherein the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle.

7. The firearm of claim 6 wherein pulling on either the right lever or the left lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle.

8. The firearm of claim 6 wherein the charging handle further comprises a second end opposite the first end wherein: the latch is closer to the first end than to the second end of the charging handle; the body of the charging handle further comprises a stem extending from the first end to the second end; the body further comprises a bezel that is attached to the stem at the first end of the charging handle; and the hollow and the majority of the latch are located inside the stem.

9. The firearm of claim 6 wherein pulling on at least one of the right lever or the left lever causes at least one of the right lever or the left lever to contact the latch.

10. The firearm of claim 6 wherein: pulling on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle; and pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle.

11. The firearm of any of claim 1 wherein the firearm is a rifle configured to selectably fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode.

12. A firearm comprising a charging handle comprising a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm, the charging handle comprising a lever wherein puffing on the lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle.

13. The firearm of claim 12, the charging handle further comprising a spring that biases the latch relative to a body of the charging handle, wherein the spring is located inside the body of the charging handle.

14. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the lever is pivotably attached to a body of the charging handle; the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle; and pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle and the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle.

15. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the charging handle comprises a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever; and the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle.

16. The firearm of claim 15 wherein pulling on either the right lever or the left lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle.

17. The firearm of claim 15 wherein: pulling on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle; and pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle.

18. A charging handle for a firearm, the charging handle comprising a body, a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm, and a spring that biases the latch relative to the body, wherein the spring and a majority of the latch are located within a hollow inside the body.

19. The charging handle of claim 18 wherein: the lever is pivotably attached to the body; the latch is pivotably attached to the body; pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body; the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body; the body further comprises a stem and a bezel; and the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end of the charging handle.

20. The charging handle of claim 19 wherein: the charging handle comprises a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever; the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle; puffing on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch; and pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever.