Ambidextrous Controls

Abstract

An ambidextrous bolt catch mechanism assembly is disclosed. The ambidextrous bolt catch mechanism assembly contains a primary bolt catch, a secondary bolt catch lever containing a top thumb-actuated portion and a bottom thumb-actuated portion, wherein the top thumb-actuated portion is positioned to engage an outer surface of a dust cover, a bolt catch spring positioned between the primary bolt catch and the secondary bolt catch lever, a primary bolt catch plunger positioned between the bolt catch spring and the primary bolt catch, and a secondary bolt catch plunger positioned between the bolt catch spring and the secondary bolt catch lever.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ambidextrous bolt catch mechanism assembly comprising:
 a primary bolt catch;   a secondary bolt catch lever comprising a top thumb-actuated portion and a bottom thumb-actuated portion, wherein the top thumb-actuated portion is positioned to engage an outer surface of a dust cover;   a bolt catch spring positioned between the primary bolt catch and the secondary bolt catch lever;   a primary bolt catch plunger positioned between the bolt catch spring and the primary bolt catch; and   a secondary bolt catch plunger positioned between the bolt catch spring and the secondary bolt catch lever.   
     
     
         2 . The ambidextrous bolt catch mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the primary bolt catch is configured to move between an open position and a blocking position and back again; wherein the secondary bolt catch lever is configured to move between lower position and a raised position. 
     
     
         3 . The ambidextrous bolt catch mechanism assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the secondary bolt catch lever is in the lower position when the primary bolt catch is in the open position; wherein the secondary bolt catch lever is in the raised position when the primary bolt catch is in the blocking position. 
     
     
         4 . The ambidextrous bolt catch mechanism assembly of  claim 2 , wherein activating the top thumb-actuated portion places the primary bolt catch in the open position. 
     
     
         5 . The ambidextrous bolt catch mechanism assembly of claim  5 , wherein activating the bottom thumb-actuated portion places the primary bolt catch in the blocking position. 
     
     
         6 . The ambidextrous bolt catch mechanism assembly of  claim 2 , wherein applying pressure to a top surface of the dust cover activates the top thumb-actuated portion and places the primary bolt catch in the open position.