# US 2016/0258698 A1 · Charging Handle Assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258698 A1 - Document ID: US20160258698A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/058,486 - Filed: 2016-03-02 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-02 - Inventors: Jo Won Seuk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258698A1 ## CPC - F41A 3/72: Operating handles or levers; Mounting thereof in breech-blocks or bolts {(F41C7/02, F41C7/06 take precedence)} - F41A 35/06: Adaptation of guns to both right and left hand use - F41A: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE ## Abstract The charging handle assembly uses a magnetic latching mechanism to replace the spring loaded latch mechanism common on conventional M16/AR-15 style weapons. The magnetic latching mechanism consists of magnetically attracting plugs mounted to or within the upper receiver and the charging handle. The magnetic attraction between the adjacent plugs provides the locking force to secure the charging handle in the closed position while still allowing the user to manually pull the handle to the open position when necessary. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A charging handle assembly for a weapon having a receiver, the assembly comprising: a charging handle operatively mounted to the receiver for extensible movement between an open position and a closed position; and a latch mechanism for securing the charging handle in the closed position, the latch mechanism includes a first magnetically attracting part adapted to mount to the receiver, and a second magnetically attracting part mounted to the charging handle where the second magnetic attracting part is approximate the first magnetic attracting part when the charging handle is in the closed position and where the second magnetic attracting part is spaced from the first magnetic attracting part when the charging handle is in the open position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein one of the first magnetically attracting part and the second magnetically attracting part is composed of oppositely poled magnetic material, and the other of the the first magnetically attracting part and the second magnetically attracting part is composed of a magnetically attracting material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first magnetically attracting part is embedded within the receiver, and the second magnetically attracting part is embedded within the charging handle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first magnetically attracting part is embedded within the receiver. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The assembly of claim 4 wherein the second magnetically attracting part extends from charging change to overlie the first magnetically attracting part when the charging handle is in the closed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the charging handle includes an elongated rod part, a handle part connected to the rod part, and an arm part extending from and parallel to the rod part, the second magnetically attracting part mounted to the arm part. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The assembly of claim 6 wherein the second magnetically attracting part is a rotatable disc. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first magnetically attracting part is a cap affixable to the receiver. ### Claim 9 A firearm comprising: a receiver; a charging handle operatively mounted to the receiver for extensible movement between an open position and a closed position; and a latch mechanism for securing the charging handle in the closed position, the latch mechanism includes a first magnetically attracting part mounted to the receiver, and a second magnetically attracting part mounted to the charging handle where the second magnetic attracting part is approximate the first magnetic attracting part when the charging handle is in the closed position and where the second magnetic attracting part is spaced from the first magnetic attracting part when the charging handle is in the open position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) the latch mechanism of claim 9 wherein one of the first magnetically attracting part and the second magnetically attracting part is composed of oppositely poled magnetic material, and the other of the first magnetically attracting part and the second magnetically attracting part is composed of a magnetically attracting material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9 wherein the receiver has a receiver bore therein, the first magnetically attracting part is embedded within the receiver bore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9 wherein the charging handle has a handle bore therein, the second magnetically attracting part is embedded within the handle bore. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The firearm of claim 9 wherein the first magnetically attracting part is a cap affixed to the receiver.