Firearm with dual charging handles

Abstract

A firearm with dual charging handles is a rifle having a frame defining an elongated bolt passage, a bolt assembly received within the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and a rearward retracted position, a first elongated charging handle having a rear end extending rearward of the rear aperture of the frame, an intermediate portion received in the aperture, and a forward end within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt, the frame defining an elongated slot parallel to the bolt passage and communicating therewith, and a second charging handle having a handle portion external of the bolt passage, an intermediate portion extending through the slot, and a contact element adapted to operably contact the bolt. The first charging handle may have a T shape. The second charging handle may include a dust cover overlaying the slot.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A rifle comprising:
 a frame defining an elongated bolt passage;   a bolt assembly including a bolt received within the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and a rearward retracted position;   the frame having a rear portion defining a rear aperture;   a first elongated charging handle having a rear end extending rearward of the rear aperture of the frame, an intermediate portion received in the aperture, and a forward end within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt;   the frame defining an elongated slot parallel to the bolt passage and communicating therewith; and   a second charging handle having a handle portion external of the bolt passage, an intermediate portion extending through the slot, and a contact element adapted to operably contact the bolt.   
     
     
         2 . The rifle of  claim 1  wherein the first charging handle has a T shape. 
     
     
         3 . The rifle of  claim 1  wherein the second charging handle includes a dust cover overlaying the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The rifle of  claim 1  wherein the second charging handle includes a folding handle. 
     
     
         5 . The rifle of  claim 1  wherein the frame includes an elongated rail coextensive with the slot, and the second charging handle defines a channel slidably receiving the rail, such that the movement of the second charging handle is constrained by the rail. 
     
     
         6 . The rifle of  claim 1  wherein the slot is defined in a lateral side of the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The rifle of  claim 1  wherein the bolt has a first forward facing surface adapted to be engaged by the first charging handle, and a second forward facing surface separate from the first forward facing surface adapted to be engaged by the second charging handle. 
     
     
         8 . The rifle of  claim 7  wherein the first forward facing surface is on an upper portion of the bolt assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The rifle of  claim 7  wherein the second forward facing surface is on a lateral portion of the bolt assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The rifle of  claim 7  wherein the first and second forward facing surfaces are on a forward portion of the bolt assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A rifle comprising:
 a frame defining an elongated bolt passage;   a bolt assembly including a bolt received within the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and a rearward retracted position;   a first charging handle having a first handle portion external of the bolt passage and a first contact portion within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt;   a second charging handle having a second handle portion external of the bolt passage and a second contact portion within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt; and   the bolt having a first forward facing portion registered with the first contact portion, and having a second forward facing portion registered with the second contact portion, such that the first and second charging handles remain stationary in response to movement of the bolt to the retracted position.   
     
     
         12 . The rifle of  claim 11  wherein the first charging handle has a T shape. 
     
     
         13 . The rifle of  claim 11  wherein the frame defines an elongated slot receiving a portion of the second charging handle, and wherein the second charging handle includes a dust cover overlaying the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The rifle of  claim 13  wherein the frame includes an elongated rail coextensive with the slot, and the second charging handle defines a channel slidably receiving the rail, such that the movement of the second charging handle is constrained by the rail. 
     
     
         15 . The rifle of  claim 13  wherein the slot is defined in a lateral side of the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The rifle of  claim 11  wherein the second charging handle includes a folding handle. 
     
     
         17 . The rifle of  claim 11  wherein the bolt has a first forward facing surface adapted to be engaged by the first charging handle, and a second forward facing separate from the first forward facing surface adapted to be engaged by the second charging handle. 
     
     
         18 . The rifle of  claim 17  wherein the first forward facing surface is on an upper portion of the bolt assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The rifle of  claim 17  wherein the second forward facing surface is on a lateral portion of the bolt assembly 
     
     
         20 . The rifle of  claim 17  wherein the first and second forward facing surfaces are on a forward portion of the bolt assembly.