The described invention relates to pistol gun barrel cleaning apparatus and methods and more particularly to a method that avoids splatter and splash of cleaning fluids and oils.
The present invention is related to known apparatus and methods of use in the field, but is not disclosed in the composite prior art literature in a manner that would render the subject as lacking novelty or of being anticipated. The following documents represent the current state of the art. US2012/0124883 discloses an apparatus for cleaning the bore of a firearm barrel and includes an elongated flexible pull cord having a handle on a first end and a cleaning head on a second end. US20060277811 discloses a gun barrel cleaning device including a quick-detachable coupling mechanism releasably coupling a handle to a cleaning implement for cleaning a gun barrel bore. A novel sheath for storing a gun barrel bore-cleaning implement is also disclosed. US 2014/0123529 discloses a device for cleaning the barrel of a firearm comprising a longitudinal central member having a leading end and a trailing end; a tubular woven sheath surrounding the central member, and a radial protrusion formed of a polymer disposed about the central member and under the tubular woven sheath. U.S. Pat. No. 2,559,376 discloses a cleaning brush and one or more lubricating and sealing rolls wherein they may be easily and quickly renewed after they have become worn. U.S. Pat. No. 1,745,575 discloses an improved cleaner or scrubber by means of which the bores of firearms may be quickly, thoroughly, and properly cleaned and lubricated without the liability or danger of scratching or mutilating the gun. A novel sheath for storing a gun barrel bore-cleaning implement is also disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 9,366,496 discloses systems and methods for cleaning implements for firearms. In one embodiment, a cleaning implement may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a shaft extending between the ends, the shaft configured to be coupled to a cleaning rod. U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,000 discloses a gun barrel cleaner for cleaning the bore of a firearm without danger of contaminating the breech. US2005/0252405 discloses a firearm barrel cleaning shell including a casing carrying a primer at one of its ends and having an opening at the other of its ends. CN104544509 discloses a hollow cylinder, and a filter block with filter components installed in the hollow cylinder. U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,032 discloses a novel cleaning tool with a net-like carrier wound on an inner cylinder. This literature relates to the presently described invention.
The process of cleaning a gun bore involves the use of strong solvents, therefore a person carrying out such a process should wear rubber gloves, use eye protection, and make sure there is adequate ventilation. One object of the invention is to restrict solvent overspray. A further object of the invention is to assure as much as possible that solvent soaked patches and wipes do not come into contact with personnel including skin contact and especially inhalation. A still further object of the invention is to provide a simple and low cost apparatus and procedure that is easily learned and able to be safely carried out.
The apparatus used in the present invention procedure may include a pair of rigid or semi rigid tubes of a material that is resistant to gun cleaning solvents. The two tubes are of such relative diameters that a smaller of the two fits inside a larger of the two in a coaxial sliding and mutually rotational relationship. The smaller tube has an inside diameter sufficient for receiving a gun barrel to be cleaned. One end of each of the two tubes has an axially aligned “slot” cut through its wall, the slot being just wide enough to accept a gun sight or other exterior outcropping of the gun barrel with the slot of the smaller of the two tubes terminating at a relatively wider portion. With the gun barrel inserted into the smaller tube, the outcropping protrudes through the slot to a position beyond the outside diameter of the smaller tube. With the slots of the two tubes aligned, the outcropping also extends into and through the slot of the larger tube. The gun barrel is moved axially through the smaller tube until the outcropping enters the wider portion of the smaller tube's slot whereupon the larger tube may be rotated so that the sidewall of the larger tube's slot pushes the outcropping rotationally wherein the outcropping is moved within the wider portion of the smaller tube's slot thereby locking the gun barrel so that it is not able to move axially since the outcropping is no longer aligned with the initial portion of the slot. Because the two tubes are frictionally engaged, the position of the larger tube's slot prevents the gun barrel from rotating within the smaller tube.
The larger tube may have a cap on its proximal end, the cap having an axially aligned aperture sufficient in diameter to accept a gun cleaning rod which is used to clean the bore of the gun barrel. The cleaning process is initiated by inserting the distal end of the cleaning rod through the cap's aperture and then affixing a cleaning tool such as a bore brush (dipped in cleaning solution) to its distal end. After, the cleaning tool is inserted into the gun bore and the two tubes are joined as previously discussed, the cleaning rod is then pumped through the gun bore for cleaning action. A centering ring may be placed within the smaller tube in order to maintain axial alignment of the rod. The foregoing method may be repeated to assure bore cleanliness. Finally, the tubes may be separated enabling the rod to be fitted with a patch holder and patch(s) to clean-up the gun bore. Finally the bore may be lubricated using patches in the same way. The patches may be accumulated in the distal end of the smaller tube and when the bore conditioning steps are finished, the rod may be used to push the patches into a waste receptacle, eliminating the need for manual contact. Finally, the clean and conditioned gun barrel may be removed from the small tube by reversing the initial steps of its insertion and locking in place.
In this disclosure, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. Furthermore, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated.
Embodiments of the described apparatus are illustrated only as examples in the drawing figures accompanying the written description. Alpha-numerical call-outs are used to identify elements of the invention, wherein the same call-out refers to the same element as it may appear in the accompanying figures, wherein:
The present invention is now described in detail referring to the attached drawing figures.
The manner of assembly of the elements shown in
An inside diameter of second tube 40 is sufficient for receiving gun barrel 50 with slot 42 sufficient in width for receiving outcropping 52. Slot extension 42X is circumferentially offset with respect to slot 42. Axially aligned first slot 42 of first tube 20 may be extensive from a distal end of first tube 40. First slot 22 is sufficient in width for receiving outcropping 52. Centering ring 80 may be engaged within second tube 40. Cap 30 may be frictionally engaged with the proximal end of first tube 20 wherein cap 30 may have an axially positioned aperture 32 therein. Aperture 32 may be adapted by its diameter dimension and length for receiving and supporting gun cleaning rod 60 so it is axially aligned and positioned relative to cap 30, centering ring 80, and first 20 and second 40 tubes.
Methods for cleaning gun barrel 50 include the steps:
In the foregoing description; embodiments are described as a plurality of individual parts, and methods as a plurality of individual steps and this is solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some additional parts or steps may be added, some parts or steps may be changed or omitted, and the order of the parts or steps may be re-arranged, while maintaining the sense and understanding of the apparatus and methods as claimed.
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