US Patent 8997620 Handle assembly for charging a direct gas impingement firearm

A firearm includes a receiver. A bolt carrier is moveable relative to the receiver between a firing position and a rearward position. A hand guard is coupled to the receiver. A gas tube is disposed at least partially within and fixed relative to the hand guard. A handle assembly is at least partially disposed in the hand guard and is moveable between a forward position and a charging position. The handle assembly has a body and an elongated member extending from the body toward the bolt carrier. The elongated member is disposed about the gas tube and is movable relative to the gas tube between the forward and charging positions. The elongated member engages the bolt carrier to move the bolt carrier from the firing position to the rearward position when the handle assembly moves from the forward position to the charging position.