US Patent 10012461 Ambidextrous charging handle

A charging handle for a rifle has a grip that is pivotable and slidable on a base connected to a bolt carrier through a rod. A latch mounted on the base engages the receiver of the rifle. The latch is pivotable on the base to release the charging handle from the receiver when cocking the bolt carrier. Pivoting of the latch is effected through a cam attached to the grip. The cam contacts a cam follower on the latch. Both pivoting and sliding motion of the grip relative to the base pivot the latch to effect release of the charging handle from the receiver.