Ambidextrously operable firearm receiver assembly

#The present invention relates generally to firearms and, more particularly, to a firearm receiver assembly and charging handle that accommodate right and left hand operation of the various control features associated with operation of an underlying firearm.

#Although some firearm users are ambidextrous and can efficiently and accurately operate right or left handed firearms, it is readily appreciated that many firearms are provided in right-hand and left-hand models. The respective hand nomenclature is used to designate use of the firearm by the respective dominant hand of the shooter being associated with the trigger and/or stock. Such a designation allows use of the shooters dominant eye for sighting and positions the controls associated with operation of the firearm, such as safeties, magazine catches, bolt catches and casing discharge openings for comfortable interaction and operation by the shooter. Providing firearms in right and left hand model constructions increases manufacturing costs and requires attention by consumers to a firearm having the appropriate or desired right handed or left handed construction.

#In an effort to improve manufacturing efficiencies and provide more uniform product platforms, some manufacturers provide what have been termed ambidextrously operable firearms but some such firearms fail to adequately consider the orientation of the shooter and the shooters hands to the both the firearm and each of the controls associated with sustained operation of the firearm. Such considerations are more endemic in rifle configuration and particularly semi or fully automatic firearms wherein maintaining a visual target acquisition is commonly preferred or desired even during interaction with one or more of the controls associated with operation of the underlying firearm. In repeat fire rifle configurations, such controls can commonly include a safety selector, a bolt catch or release, a magazine catch or release, and operation of a charging handle to maintain a desired ready to discharge configuration of the underlying firearm.

#The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an exemplary firearm equipped with a receiver assembly according to one embodiment to the present invention;

#FIG. 1 shows a firearm assembly or simply a firearm 40 equipped with a receiver assembly 52 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Firearm 40 includes a barrel 48 that extends between a muzzle 50 and receiver or receiver assembly 52. A stock 54 extends generally rearward from receiver assembly 52. Receiver assembly 52 supports a trigger assembly 56 such that trigger assembly 56 is disposed between a butt 58, defined by stock 54 of firearm 40, and barrel 48. Trigger assembly 56 includes a trigger body 57 that is preferably bounded by a trigger guard 59 configured to limit unintended interaction with trigger body 57.

#Firearm 40 includes a magazine 60 that is commonly associated with accommodating multiple rounds of ammunition and is commonly removable from receiver assembly 52. As is commonly understood, user interaction with trigger body 57 of trigger assembly 56 is associated with discharging firearm 40 when a fire control selector assembly or selector 61, commonly termed a SAFETY or FIRE selector, is disposed in one or more FIRE of LIVE position(s). As disclosed further below, it is appreciated that safety 61 can be provided in various configurations intended to accommodate a no-fire or safe condition, a semiautomatic fire condition, a burst fire condition, and/or a fully automatic fire condition. Those skilled in the art readily appreciate that the respective fire conditions are termed in a manner indicative of a discharge rate or an inability to discharge ammunition from firearm 40 via user or shooter interaction with trigger body 57.

#In some configurations, a hand guard 42 extends along barrel 48 generally forward of receiver assembly 52 and includes one or more rows of engagement interfaces 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 and/or mount adapters 44, 46 associated with securing accessories to firearm 40. One or more accessories 72, 74, such as optics, such as a site or a scope 72, or other accessories such as a bi-pod 74, can be associated with a respective accessory mount devices 76, 78 that is disposed between the respective accessory 72, 74 and the underlying accessory engagement interface.