US12716669 - Ambidextrous bolt release mechanism for firearm
This patent describes an ambidextrous bolt release mechanism for firearms that allows users to operate the bolt catch lever from either side of the firearm. The mechanism includes a transversely movable actuator plunger that engages a camming surface to release the bolt, enhancing usability for both left- and right-handed shooters.
Claim 1
1 . A firearm with ambidextrous bolt release mechanism comprising: a longitudinal axis; a barrel; a bolt slideably movable between a forward closed breech position in battery with the barrel and a rearward open breech position; a recoil spring biasing the bolt forward towards the closed breech position; a manually actuated bolt catch lever movably mounted on a first lateral side of the receiver, the bolt catch lever being axially elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the bolt catch lever being pivotably movable about a first pivot axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position; the bolt catch lever including a bolt catch protrusion configured and operable to selectively (1) engage a locking ledge formed on the bolt for holding the bolt in the open breech position when the bolt catch lever is in the engaged position, and (2) disengage the locking ledge for releasing the bolt from the open breech position forward when the bolt catch lever is in the disengaged position; a pivotably movable bolt catch operating lever pivotably movable about a second pivot axis, the bolt catch operating lever extending transversely from a second lateral side of the receiver to the first lateral side, the bolt catch operating lever comprising an operating end disposed on the second lateral side and a working end disposed on the first lateral side which is engageable with the bolt catch lever; wherein the bolt catch operating lever when pivoted in a first direction is configured and operable to rotate the bolt catch lever from the engaged position to the disengaged position. a longitudinal axis; a barrel; a bolt slideably movable between a forward closed breech position in battery with the barrel and a rearward open breech position; a recoil spring biasing the bolt forward towards the closed breech position; a manually actuated bolt catch lever movably mounted on a first lateral side of the receiver, the bolt catch lever being axially elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the bolt catch lever being pivotably movable about a first pivot axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position; the bolt catch lever including a bolt catch protrusion configured and operable to selectively (1) engage a locking ledge formed on the bolt for holding the bolt in the open breech position when the bolt catch lever is in the engaged position, and (2) disengage the locking ledge for releasing the bolt from the open breech position forward when the bolt catch lever is in the disengaged position; a pivotably movable bolt catch operating lever pivotably movable about a second pivot axis, the bolt catch operating lever extending transversely from a second lateral side of the receiver to the first lateral side, the bolt catch operating lever comprising an operating end disposed on the second lateral side and a working end disposed on the first lateral side which is engageable with the bolt catch lever; wherein the bolt catch operating lever when pivoted in a first direction is configured and operable to rotate the bolt catch lever from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
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USPTO PDF
https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12716669