Dec 16, 2025

US12498188 - Charging handle for a firearm

The charging handle includes a latch assembly and a plunger that locks the latch assembly, preventing a lever of the latch assembly from rotating and thereby transitioning the latch from the relaxed position, in which the latch can engage the receiver of the firearm, to the released position. This configuration prevents the charging handle from inadvertently pulling the bolt carrier group of the firearm out of battery when snagged, which might otherwise render the firearm inoperable due to unintended operation of the charging handle.

Inventors: Austin Menard, Brandon Elias
Filing date: 2024-12-15

firearmcharging handlemechanism

The patent describes a charging handle for firearms that features a latch assembly and a plunger mechanism to prevent accidental disengagement of the bolt carrier group. This design ensures the firearm remains operable by avoiding unintended operation of the charging handle when snagged.

Claim 1

1 . A charging handle for a firearm, the charging handle comprising: a body, the body including a receiving area and a recess; a central shaft extending forwardly from the body, the central shaft being configured to engage a bolt carrier group of the firearm; a first lever pivotally coupled to the body; a latch pivotally coupled to the body, the latch having a relaxed position and a released position, and comprising a latch arm and a hook arm, with at least a portion of the latch arm disposed within the receiving area of the body; and a plunger slidably disposed within the recess of the body, the plunger having a resting position and a depressed position; wherein: in the resting position, the plunger prevents rotation of the first lever; and in the depressed position, the plunger allows rotation of the first lever, permitting the first lever to transition the latch from the relaxed position to the released position upon being pulled. a body, the body including a receiving area and a recess; a central shaft extending forwardly from the body, the central shaft being configured to engage a bolt carrier group of the firearm; a first lever pivotally coupled to the body; a latch pivotally coupled to the body, the latch having a relaxed position and a released position, and comprising a latch arm and a hook arm, with at least a portion of the latch arm disposed within the receiving area of the body; and a plunger slidably disposed within the recess of the body, the plunger having a resting position and a depressed position; wherein: in the resting position, the plunger prevents rotation of the first lever; and in the depressed position, the plunger allows rotation of the first lever, permitting the first lever to transition the latch from the relaxed position to the released position upon being pulled.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12498188

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12498188