Side Charger Upper Receiver Assembly for Firearms
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charging handle location on AR-15 platform firearms, typically at the top rear of the upper receiver assembly, results in gas blowback towards the operator and requires movement away from the typical shooting position for charging, especially when a suppressor is used.
Innovation Solution
A side charger upper receiver assembly with a slider, side charging handle, and paddle mechanism that allows for lateral access, utilizing rails and a pivotable paddle to engage and disengage, enabling ergonomic and efficient charging without moving away from the shooting position, while maintaining the firearm in a stable position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the charging handle is located at the top rear of the upper receiver assembly, then the firearm can be charged, but gas blowback occurs toward the operator's face and the operator must move away from the typical shooting position
Solution Approach 1:
The charging handle is relocated from the traditional top-rear position to the lateral side of the upper receiver assembly. This dimensional change in handle placement moves the charging interface from a vertical/top orientation to a side orientation, allowing the operator to charge the firearm from a lateral approach rather than from behind the weapon, thereby eliminating gas blowback exposure while maintaining charging functionality
2Ease of operation
If the charging handle is located at the top rear of the upper receiver assembly, then the firearm can be charged, but the operator must move away from the typical shooting position
Solution Approach 1:
By repositioning the charging handle to the lateral side of the upper receiver, the operator can maintain the typical shooting position and charge the firearm without repositioning the body. This side-mounted configuration allows charging to occur from the same standing position used during firing, eliminating the need to move away from or reorient the body relative to the weapon
3Ease of manufacture
If a suppressor is used on the firearm, then suppressed shooting is achieved, but gas blowback toward the operator's face is intensified
Solution Approach 1:
The side-mounted charging handle configuration fundamentally changes the operator's interaction geometry with the firearm. When a suppressor is attached, the lateral charging approach allows the operator to remain positioned to the side rather than directly behind the weapon, thereby avoiding the direct path of hot gases and propellant residue that would otherwise be directed toward the operator's face during both firing and charging operations
Data Source
AI summary
An upper receiver assembly includes a side charger upper receiver body with an upper receiver raceway that extends along a portion of a lateral side of the side charger upper receiver body. A first and second rail along at least a portion of a length of the upper receiver raceway. A slider is movable along the upper receiver raceway parallel to a body axis which is coaxial with the side charger upper receiver body and a paddle pivotably mounted to the side charging handle, the paddle movable between an engaged position engaged with the first rail and the second rail and a disengaged position disengaged from the first rail and the second rail.