Patent Application
20110047853
This invention relates generally to the field of cleaning kits for firearms.
With each use, the breech and bore of a firearm accumulate fouling and debris. Most fouling and debris originates from the firearm itself, such as propellant residue (i.e., carbon deposits), priming compound, and ammunition casings (i.e., copper fragments). But fouling and debris may also originate from the environment if the firearm is used outdoors, such as: dirt, sand, mud, moisture, and plant matter. The presence of such materials can moderately to severely compromise the efficacy of a firearm absent proper periodic cleaning of its barrel. For example, the short term build-up of materials within a firearm barrel can undesirably delay the release time of a bullet or other form of ammunition fired from the firearm. Also, materials that remain within a firearm's barrel for a prolonged period of time can cause corrosion or other significant degradation of the firearm's components, thus potentially necessitating expensive repair or replacement of the firearm. Failure to remove the residue and debris may even pose a safety hazard to the operator. Therefore, proper cleaning is one of the most important elements of firearm ownership.
Although the design of firearm cleaning devices has varied over time, they tend to fall into one of two general design categories: rigid devices and flexible devices. Despite differences in their design, firearm barrel cleaning devices are generally used in similar ways, namely by being inserted within the firearm to loosen or dislodge (e.g., by one or more of brushing, scraping and/or rinsing actions) unwanted materials from within the barrel. The dislodged materials are then removed from the barrel through the use of one or more additional devices.
Because the breeches of firearms typically contain numerous intricate components, a variety of cleaning tools may be needed to thoroughly clean the firearm. A tool cleaning kit may contain brushes, a punch pin, a scraper, and a pick, to name a few. Firearm owners may purchase kits containing the required tools to thoroughly clean a particular model of firearm. Although the kits can be useful and may be advantageous for certain applications, the cleaning process can be time-consuming. Military personnel need to be able to clean their weapons in the field, preferably immediately after shooting so that their firearm is ready for use at all times. Therefore, there is a need to decrease the time and steps required to thoroughly clean a firearm.
In view of the background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a firearm cleaning kit that expedites the cleaning process.
In one aspect, the cleaning kit includes a case having first and second compartments joined along a fold line, and a fastener, such as a zipper, joining together the first and second compartments of the case. At least one of the compartments includes a pocket. A flexible cleaning rod having a first end and a second end is removably stored in the pocket. A tool compartment is secured to the fold line.
The tool compartment includes a plurality of tool-holding cavities, and a firearm barrel cleaning device is secured within one of the tool-holding cavities. The barrel cleaning device includes a body portion, a swab, and a brush. The swab is fixed to a first end of the body portion, and has an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the firearm barrel so as to contact the barrel at all points around its circumference. A brush is also affixed to the body portion proximate to the swab, and has a plurality of filaments arranged and sized to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the firearm barrel and less than the diameter of the swab.
In another aspect of the invention, the swab is positioned at a tip of the first end of the body portion, and the brush is positioned adjacent the swab.
In another aspect of the invention, the swab is non-abrasive and absorbent.
In another aspect of the invention, the swab is comprised of a plurality of twisted fibers having a nap, and the height of the nap is more than half the inner diameter of the barrel.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for cleaning residue from an inner diameter of a firearm barrel is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a firearm having a barrel, wherein the barrel defines a breech end, a muzzle end, and an inner diameter, and the inner diameter of the barrel has residue thereon. The method for cleaning further includes providing a cleaning rod having a first end and a second end, and a firearm barrel cleaning device attached to the second end.
The barrel cleaning device has a body portion, a swab affixed to a first end of the body portion, the swab having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the firearm barrel, and a brush affixed to the body portion, the brush proximate to the swab and having a plurality of filaments, the plurality of filaments arranged and sized to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the firearm barrel and less than the diameter of the swab. The method of cleaning further includes the steps of securing the firearm barrel cleaning device to the first end of the cleaning rod, inserting the second end of the cleaning rod through the barrel of the firearm, and moving the firearm barrel cleaning device through the length of the barrel in a single direction such that the plurality of filaments scrapes the residue and the swab captures the residue thus scraped.
The novel features that are characteristic of the preferred embodiment of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims. The invention itself may be best be understood, with respect to its organization and method of operation, with reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to
The kit 10 further includes a fastener 20 to secure the first compartment 14 to the second compartment 16 when the case 12 is in the closed position. The fastener 20 in the disclosed embodiment is a zipper, configured to zip along three sides of the case 12. Other fastener configurations are possible. For example, the fastener 20 may be one or more snaps, flexible strips such as VELCRO® brand fasteners, or ties. The fastener 20 in the preferred embodiment is a silent zipper due to its strength, ease of use, and quiet operation.
The case 12 includes a first interior region 22 defined by the first compartment 14, and a second interior region 24 defined by the second compartment 16. A pocket 26 sewn into the first interior region 22 and/or the second interior region 24 of case 12 holds cleaning materials such as a flexible cleaning rod and bore patches (not shown).
The kit 10 further includes a tool compartment 28 secured to the fold line 18 of the case 12. In the disclosed embodiment, the tool compartment 28 comprises a backing 30 and at least one tool insert 32. The backing 30 may be made of a thin, rigid plastic. The tool insert 32 is secured to the backing 30, and is preferably composed of foamed rubber. The tool insert 32 contains a plurality of tool-holding cavities 34 to hold respective cleaning tools therein. In the example configuration shown, the tool-holding cavities 34 may contain a cleaning tip 60 and a barrel cleaning device 80, features and aspects of which will be explained in detail below. Other examples of cleaning tools held in the tool-holding cavities 34 include slotted tips, picks, adapters, handles, obstruction removers, mats, scrapers, and a bore reflector (all not shown). The tool compartment 28 may also be secured to the first interior region 22 and/or the second interior region 24 of the case 12.
Referring to
The first end 38 of the cleaning rod 36 may include a tee handle 44. The tee handle 44 may be of unitary construction or, as shown, may be comprised of an end adapter 46 and a bar 48. As shown in
Referring now back to
Referring to
To clean a firearm barrel with the cleaning apparatus described above, the cleaning patch 62 and the bore brush 66 are alternately moved through the barrel of the firearm. In one example, the cleaning patch 62 is first attached to the second end 40 of the cleaning rod 36. The first end 38 of the cleaning rod 36 is pushed through the barrel from breech to muzzle, then pulled through to drag the cleaning patch 62 through the bore to pick up dirt and abrasive particles. A solvent may be applied to the patch 62 to lubricate the bore and prevent sand or dirt from scratching the muzzle end of the barrel.
Next, the bore brush 66 is threadably coupled to the cleaning rod 36 and pulled through the bore in the same manner. The bore brush 66 serves to scrape the chamber of the firearm and loosen any residue adhered to the barrel. Any residue loosened by the bore brush 66 must be removed by the cleaning patch 62 prior to running the bore brush through the barrel again. If this important step is omitted, residue will be entrained in the bristles 78 of the bore brush 66 and be deposited in the chamber or bore the next time the brush is run through. The stiff bristles 78 will drag the residue through the bore, marring and scratching it.
As may be evident from the foregoing description, repeatedly exchanging the cleaning patch 62 and the bore brush 66 may become tedious and consumes time. In some situations, such as military environments, the firearm owner may chose to skip at least some of the exchanging steps if they are in a time-critical environment. This could lead to degradation or even malfunctioning of the firearm. The inventor has devised a barrel cleaning device 80 that alleviates the foregoing problems without sacrificing the thoroughness of the cleaning
Referring now to
The barrel cleaning device 80 further includes a swab 90 affixed to the body portion 82. The swab 90 is made of a soft, non-abrasive material that is also absorbent. The swab 90 has an outer diameter “D” that is greater than the inner diameter of the firearm barrel for which the barrel cleaning device 80 is intended. In this manner, the swab 90 will absorb a solvent, and fully contact the entire inner diameter of the barrel while being moved therethrough.
The barrel cleaning device 80 further includes a brush 92 affixed to the body portion 82, proximate to the swab 90. The brush 92 has a plurality of filaments 94 arranged and sized to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the firearm barrel and less than the diameter “D” of the swab 90. In the disclosed embodiment, the filaments 94 are brass. The brass filaments 94 are stiff to provide superior scraping action, but soft enough to prevent scratching the inner bore of the firearm. The body portion 82 of the barrel cleaning device 80 may include a wire-wound stem portion to reliably secure the filaments 94. The wire-wound stem may be secured to the body portion 82 by cold welding, for example.
As used herein, “proximate” means the brush 92 and swab 90 are spaced close enough to reliably work in tandem while disposed on the same tool. The brush 92 and swab 90 work in tandem because the residue scraped from the inner bore of the firearm does not re-deposit itself; it is quickly absorbed onto the swab. In a preferred example, the brush 92 is positioned adjacent the swab 90. In this manner, as the stiff filaments 94 scrape off the residue from the inner bore of the firearm, the filaments 94 will tend to “flick” the particles rearward (opposite to the motion of cleaning rod 36) directly onto the swab 90. The amount of residue re-deposited on the inner bore of the firearm during the cleaning process is thus minimized The diameter of the brush 92 is less than the diameter of the swab 90 to assure ease of movement through the bore on the part of the brush while simultaneously assuring the swab is adequately compressed to contact the entire bore and capture all the residue created by the brush.
The body portion 82, connector portion 88, and wire-wound stem are preferably made of brass for durability and corrosion protection. In one example, the swab 90 is made of a plurality of twisted fibers that are also secured in the wire-wound stem portion. The twisted fibers define a nap, the nap having a height that is greater than half the inner diameter of the firearm barrel. This nap height similarly assures the swab 90 is adequately compressed to contact the entire bore and capture the residue created by the brush. The twisted fibers may be looped or frayed, but the frayed configuration provides superior absorbency.
Referring to
The action of the shotgun is first opened as if inserting a shell. The first end 38 of the flexible cleaning rod 36 is pushed down the barrel from breech to muzzle. The first end 38 may have an obstruction remover (not shown) to dislodge any mud or snow from the barrel. An initial cleaning and lubrication step is performed as described above using the cleaning tip 60 and the cleaning patch 62. Solvent is applied to the cleaning patch 62 to lubricate the bore and prevent sand or dirt from scratching the muzzle end of the barrel. The solvent may be Otis O85® Ultra Bore® solvent from Otis Technologies, Lyons Falls, NY. The cleaning rod 36 with patch 62 is pulled out through the muzzle in the direction of the shot. If needed, e.g., the rod 36 and patch 62 pulls hard, the tee handle 44 may be secured to the first end 38 of the rod.
After the initial cleaning and lubrication step, the cleaning tip 60 is removed and the brush 92 is secured to the second end 40 of the cleaning rod 36. The first end 38 of the flexible cleaning rod 36 is pushed down the barrel from breech to muzzle as before, and a few drops of solvent are applied to the swab 90. The first end 38 of the rod 36 is grasped and pulled through the muzzle. The tee handle 44 may be utilized, if needed. The swab 90 gives 360-degree coverage so the entire surface of the chamber, forcing cone, barrel and choke are cleaned with one pull.
After the barrel cleaning device 80 has been pulled through the bore, it is not necessary to re-attach the cleaning tip 60 and cleaning patch 62 to clean the residue out of the bore. The swab 90 accomplishes this function, saving time and process steps. After wiping down the swab 90 to remove the residue, the barrel cleaning device 80 may be re-inserted from the breech and the cleaning process may be repeated.
Referring now to
The barrel cleaning device 80 may have utility cleaning tubular devices other than gun barrels, particularly when the tube cleaning requires application of a cleaning solvent and a wire-brushing action. In one example, the barrel cleaning device 80 may be used to remove soft and light scale deposits in ferrous or non-ferrous tubes, such as heat exchanger tubes, boiler tubes, or condenser tubes. The cleaning device 80 offers an advantage over present cleaning methods which require multiple separate cleaning steps. For example, one current method to remove scale deposits from the inside of a heat exchanger tube includes a first step for applying de-scaling chemicals, a second step to collect and remove excess de-scaling chemicals, a third step for mechanical scrubbing of the scale deposits, and a fourth step to remove the scale deposits from the inside of the tube. Utilizing the cleaning device 80 of the present invention, the scale deposits may be removed in a single step. In one example, a de-scaling chemical is applied to the swab 90 and the cleaning device 80 is inserted into the tube and agitated in a forward and backward motion. The chemicals on the swab 90 help dissolve the scale, and the filaments 94 on the brush 92 scrape the scale from the inside of the tube walls. The filaments 94 may be nylon, brass, or stainless steel. The removed scale is collected on the swab 90 for easy removal from the tube.
Other applications for the cleaning device 80 are contemplated. In another example, the cleaning device 80 is used to deburr and remove debris from the inside of a tube that has been cut or machined off. The cutting process often leaves sharp edges and filings on the inside of the tube. In this example, the filaments 94 may be brass or stainless steel. A solvent is applied to the swab 90 and the cleaning device 80 is inserted into the tube. By utilizing a twisting, forward and backward motion, the filaments 94 of the cleaning device 80 will deburr the sharp internal edges of the tube and the swab 90 will simultaneously remove debris such as metal filings.
In other applications, the cleaning device 80 may be utilized to apply protective, inhibitive, or preventative coatings to the inside of a tube or duct during a cleaning process. In one example, a mold-inhibiting chemical is applied to the swab 90 during routine cleaning of air conditioner heat exchanger tubes or ducts. The filaments 94 may have soft bristles for removing dust or soot within a duct.
The cleaning device 80 of the present invention may be used in laboratory environments to clean and sterilize glassware. In one example, the filaments 94 of the cleaning device 80 may comprise stiff nylon. A cleaning/sterilization agent may be applied to the swab 90. As the glassware is cleaned, the filaments 94 remove debris, while the swab 90 collects the debris. The cleaning device 80 may similarly be used to clean and sterilize tubes or conduits in food processing industries.
While the present invention has been described with reference to a particular preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment and that various modifications and the like could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
