Foldable Firearm With Ambidextrous Charging Handle Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding firearms require disassembly for ambidextrous operation of charging handles and lack efficient mechanisms for folding and unfolding, compromising user convenience and stability.
Innovation Solution
A foldable firearm design featuring an ambidextrous charging handle assembly with rotatably coupled charging handles and a slide racking mechanism, along with a foldable grip assembly that includes a pistol grip, trigger guard, and hand stop, allowing for seamless folding and unfolding without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional folding firearms use a folding cover as a butt stock, then shoulder support and stability during shooting are provided, but the device complexity increases and the firearm requires disassembly for ambidextrous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The charging handle assembly is divided into separate left and right handles that can independently fold along with the pistol grip. This segmentation allows each handle to be positioned for left-handed or right-handed operation without requiring disassembly of the entire firearm, resolving the contradiction between operational versatility and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The charging handles are designed with dynamic folding capability, allowing them to transition between extended and retracted positions along with the pistol grip. This dynamic design maintains stability during shooting when extended while enabling compact folding when not in use, and allows ambidextrous operation without disassembly
2Ease of operation
If the charging handle is fixed on one side of the firearm, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates for users requiring ambidextrous functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The charging handle assembly serves multiple functions: it can be operated from either the left or right side depending on user preference, and it integrates with the folding pistol grip mechanism. This multi-functionality allows a single assembly to replace what would traditionally require separate left-handed and right-handed configurations, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The charging handles are nested within the pistol grip structure, allowing them to fold together with the grip into a compact configuration. This nesting arrangement enables ambidextrous operation by providing charging handles on both sides while maintaining a compact form factor when folded, without requiring separate mechanisms for each hand
3Volume of moving object
If the firearm is designed to fold into a compact configuration, then the volume is reduced for portability, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to loss of stability during shooting
Solution Approach 1:
The pistol grip and charging handles are designed as dynamic folding components that can transition between a compact retracted position for portability and an extended position for stable shooting. When extended, they provide the necessary structural support and ergonomics for accurate firing, while when retracted, they reduce the overall volume of the firearm for easy storage and transport
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism is segmented into the pistol grip portion and the charging handle portions, allowing independent control of each component. This segmentation enables the user to extend only the necessary components for stable operation while keeping other parts compact, optimizing both portability and operational stability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a foldable firearm that collapses into a folded state under spring pressure. The foldable firearm may include a foldable grip assembly. The foldable grip assembly may include a foldable pistol grip, a foldable trigger assembly, a folding bar, and a foldable hand stop. The foldable grip assembly may fold into the top shell of the foldable firearm. The foldable firearm may also include an ambidextrous charging handle assembly that may include a bottom portion, a top portion, a guide bar, and two opposing charging handles. The charging handles may be pulled to unfold the foldable firearm, and/or butterflied such that pivoting one charging handle causes the other charging handle to pivot. The first-pivoted charging handle may then be pulled rearwards to unfold the firearm. The first-pivoted charging handle may then be pulled further rearwards to rack the slide of the foldable firearm.