Side Charging Handle for AR Upper Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charging assemblies on rifles require movement from a typical shooting orientation to charge the weapon, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An upper receiver assembly with a side charging handle that allows for charging without reorienting the weapon, featuring a bolt carrier, bolt, cam pin, and a side charger with a bolt carrier engagement member that moves the bolt carrier when the charging handle is pulled towards the butt stock, along with a hinged member for easy assembly and disassembly and a gas port aperture for gas tube integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the charging assembly is located on the top of the weapon toward the rear of the upper receiver, then the charging mechanism can be effectively integrated into the weapon structure, but the user must move from a typical shooting orientation to charge the weapon, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The charging handle is repositioned from the traditional top/rear location to the side of the upper receiver, changing the spatial dimension of access. This allows the user to charge the weapon while maintaining a standard shooting orientation, eliminating the need to reposition the weapon or change body stance. The side-mounted charging handle protrudes laterally from the upper receiver, providing ergonomic access without compromising the integrated structure of the charging mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a side charging handle is implemented, then ease of charging is improved by allowing charging from standard shooting position, but the upper receiver structure must be modified with additional channels and engagement members, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The side charging mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a charging handle portion for user manipulation, a bolt carrier engagement member for mechanical actuation, and a lateral channel for movement guidance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall integration. The charging handle can be manufactured as a separate assembly and attached to the upper receiver, reducing the complexity of modifying the entire receiver structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral channel in the upper receiver serves multiple functions: it guides the movement of the charging handle during the charging cycle, provides structural support for the side-mounted mechanism, and maintains alignment between the charging handle and the bolt carrier engagement member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing structural complexity while achieving the desired ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the charging handle extends through the channel of the upper receiver body with a bolt carrier engagement member, then the charging mechanism can be operated from the side without reorienting the weapon, but the integration of additional components increases the overall device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The charging handle and bolt carrier engagement member are merged into a single integrated component rather than separate parts. The charging handle directly incorporates the engagement member that interfaces with the bolt carrier, eliminating the need for additional linkages or intermediate components. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining the side-charging functionality, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An upper receiver assembly for an AR style rifle is provided. The upper receiver assembly includes an upper receiver body with a channel formed in a side of the body. Further, the assembly includes a bolt carrier operatively coupled within the upper receiver body. A bolt is coupled within the bolt carrier, wherein a cam pin is coupled to the bolt and extends through an aperture of the bolt carrier. The assembly also includes a side charger having a charging handle that extends through the channel of the upper receiver body. The side charger also includes a bolt carrier engagement member. The bolt carrier engagement member engages the bolt carrier and moves the cam pin in response to pulling the charging handle toward the butt stock of the weapon. This results in charging the rifle.