Ambidextrous firearm controls

Abstract

In various embodiments, a dust cover for a firearm is provided. The dust cover may define a body configured to rotate about a hinge pivot. The body may define an internal dust cover surface and an external dust cover surface. The external dust cover surface may be configured to align with and directly or indirectly actuate a button of the firearm.

1 . A dust cover for a firearm, the dust cover defining:
 a body configured to rotate about a hinge pivot, the body defining an internal dust cover surface and an external dust cover surface,   wherein the external dust cover surface is configured to align with and directly or indirectly actuate a button of the firearm.   
     
     
         2 . The dust cover of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to rotate about the hinge pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the dust cover comprises a biasing mechanism to bias the dust cover to the open position. 
     
     
         3 . The dust cover of  claim 2 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring that is associated with the hinge pivot and configured to force the dust cover open. 
     
     
         4 . The dust cover of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to rotate about the hinge pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to directly or indirectly actuate the button of the firearm when a force in an inward direction is exerted on it while the body is in the open position. 
     
     
         5 . The dust cover of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to rotate about the hinge pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to cover an ejection port of the firearm with the internal dust cover surface configured to face the ejection port. 
     
     
         6 . The dust cover of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of a perimeter of the dust cover is configured to substantially match a corresponding shape of a portion of perimeters of the button and one or more adjacent buttons of the firearm. 
     
     
         7 . The dust cover of  claim 1 , wherein the dust cover is configured to depress the button of the firearm without impinging any portion of one or more adjacent buttons. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly for a firearm, the assembly comprising:
 a bolt catch assembly comprising a button; and   a dust cover, the dust cover defining:
 a body configured to rotate about a hinge pivot, the body defining an internal dust cover surface and an external dust cover surface, 
 wherein the external dust cover surface is configured to align with and directly or indirectly actuate the button. 
   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the bolt catch assembly further comprises a bolt catch, and wherein the bolt catch rotates between a disengaged position and an engaged position when the button is directly or indirectly actuated by the external dust cover surface. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the bolt catch defines an angled engagement interface that is configured to facilitate the rotation of the bolt catch when the button is directly or indirectly actuated by the external dust cover surface. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the bolt catch assembly further comprises a bolt catch, and wherein actuation of the button directly or indirectly actuates the bolt catch of the bolt catch assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to rotate about the hinge pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the external dust cover surface is configured to depress the button of the bolt catch assembly when moved in an inward direction while in the open position. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the bolt catch assembly further comprises a bolt catch, wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to rotate about the hinge pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to directly or indirectly actuate the bolt catch of the bolt catch assembly when a force in an inward direction is exerted on the dust cover while the body is in the open position. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to rotate about the hinge pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the body of the dust cover is configured to cover an ejection port of the firearm with the internal dust cover surface configured to face the ejection port. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the button is an ambidextrous bolt catch engagement button and the bolt catch assembly further comprises an ambidextrous bolt catch release button that is adjacent the ambidextrous bolt catch engagement button, wherein a portion of a perimeter of the dust cover substantially matches a corresponding shape of a portion of perimeters of the ambidextrous bolt catch engagement button and the ambidextrous bolt catch release button. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the bolt catch assembly further comprises one or more other buttons that are adjacent the button, wherein the dust cover is configured to depress the button of the bolt catch assembly without impinging any portion of the one or more other buttons. 
     
     
         17 . A firearm comprising:
 a bolt catch assembly comprising a button; and   a dust cover, the dust cover defining:
 a body configured to rotate about a hinge pivot, the body defining an internal dust cover surface and an external dust cover surface, 
 wherein the external dust cover surface is configured to align with and directly or indirectly actuate the button. 
   
     
     
         18 . The firearm of  claim 17 , wherein an aft portion of the dust cover is configured to directly actuate the button when the dust cover is in an open position and when a forward portion of the dust cover is pressed inward. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm of  claim 17 , wherein the button is an ambidextrous bolt catch engagement button and the bolt catch assembly further comprises an ambidextrous bolt catch release button that is adjacent the ambidextrous bolt catch engagement button, wherein a portion of a perimeter of the dust cover substantially matches a corresponding shape of a portion of perimeters of the ambidextrous bolt catch engagement button and the ambidextrous bolt catch release button. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm of  claim 17 , wherein the bolt catch assembly further comprises one or more other buttons that are adjacent the button, and wherein the dust cover is configured to depress the button of the bolt catch assembly without impinging any portion of the one or more other buttons.