Patent Application
20110209379
This application relates to cleaning kits for firearms. More particularly, embodiments according to this application relate generally to gun barrel cleaning devices, and more particularly, to a firearm barrel cleaner having a shaft for use with one or more cleaning tools.
There presently exists a genuine need for a firearm barrel cleaning device having a rigid or flexible shaft that is capable of cleaning a particular model firearm or a wide range of firearm barrels quickly and efficiently in combination with a plurality of different cleaning tools or cleaning tips.
Accordingly, it is an aspect of this application to address in whole or in part, at least the foregoing and other deficiencies in the related art.
It is another aspect of this application to provide in whole or in part, at least the advantages described herein.
It is another aspect of the present application to provide firearm cleaning kits that expedites the cleaning process.
It is another aspect of the present application to provide firearm cleaning kits including quick release connectors for use with a cleaning shaft or cleaning tips capable of withstanding moderate to high pulling stresses.
It is another aspect of the present application to provide firearm cleaning kits with quick release connectors between at least one cleaning shaft and at least one cleaning tip that connect and release by first and second movements in or along different directions (e.g., perpendicular directions).
It is another aspect of the present application to provide firearm cleaning kits with connectors between at least one shaft and at least one cleaning tip that connect and release by a first movement in a radial direction and a second pivoting movement to rotatably attach aligned to a longitudinal axis.
It is another aspect of the present application to provide firearm cleaning kits with universal couplings between at least one shaft and at least one cleaning tool that connect and release by a reversible radial, longitudinal and pivoting movements.
It is another aspect of the present application to provide firearm cleaning kits with universal couplings between at least one shaft and at least one cleaning tool that connect and release without using corresponding external and/or internal threads.
Another aspect of the present application is to provide firearm barrel cleaner which can clean a wide range of firearm barrels quickly and efficiently.
Still another aspect of the present application is to provide a gun barrel cleaner container that is compact and can fit within a sportsman's clothing pocket for easy storing and transporting of the gun barrel cleaner.
It is yet another aspect of the present application to provide an improved method of attaching a gun barrel cleaning tip to the flexible shaft to effect a more efficient cleaning of a gun barrel.
In one embodiment, a firearm barrel cleaner can include a firearm barrel cleaner comprising a shaft substantially unyielding in an axial direction; at least one cleaning attachment; at least one universal couplings, each coupling to include an engagement recess, said at least one universal coupling fixedly attached to the shaft or at least one cleaning attachment; and at least one universal tip fixedly attached to the other of the shaft or the at least one cleaning attachment, each of said universal cleaning tip to include a stem connector, the stem connector comprising a first engaging portion, and a second portion projecting from one end of each universal cleaning tip to the first engaging portion, where the second portion is smaller than the first portion, the engagement recess comprising a radial opening, a longitudinal slot extending between the radial opening and an end of the universal coupling, a first outer portion of the longitudinal slot sized to pass the second portion and a second inner portion of the longitudinal slot sized to pass the first engaging portion.
In another embodiment, a firearm cleaning kit can include a gun barrel cleaner comprising a firearm barrel cleaning shaft substantially unyielding in an axial direction and laterally bendable for compact coiling; at least one cleaning attachment; means for securing the at least one cleaning attachment to the firearm barrel cleaning shaft, the means for securing comprising extending means for inserting in a first direction and for rotating to a second orientation, and recessing engagement means for releasing the extending means in the first direction and for attaching the extending means in the second direction; wherein the at least one cleaning attachment is attachable and detachable to the firearm barrel cleaning shaft using the means for securing, and the extending means fixedly attached to the firearm barrel cleaning shaft or the at least one cleaning attachment, and the recessing engagement means fixedly attached to the other of the firearm barrel cleaning shaft or the at least one cleaning attachment.
In yet another embodiment, a method of using a firearm cleaning shaft can include a firearm barrel cleaning shaft extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end; a plurality of cleaning tools having a utility end and a distal attachment end; attaching a first cleaning tool to the firearm barrel cleaning shaft by radially inserting the attachment end into an engagement recess near the second end of the firearm barrel cleaning shaft and pivoting the inserted attachment end to align with a longitudinal axis of the firearm barrel cleaning shaft; and detaching the first axially aligned tool from the second end of the firearm barrel cleaning shaft by pivoting the attachment end of the first cleaning tool in the engagement recess to extend radially from the engagement recess and moving the attachment end radially out of the engagement recess of the firearm barrel cleaning shaft.
Novel features that are characteristic of the embodiments of the application are set forth with particularity in the claims. The application 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:
One embodiment of a firearm cleaner or firearm cleaning kit, generally denoted as 10, is shown perspectively in
In the example shown, the flexible shaft 12 is a multi-strand braided wire with plastic coating. Other materials could be used for coating the multi-strand braided wire, e.g., vinyl, polyethylene, or polypropylene. The plastic-coated wire may be conveniently coiled and stored (e.g., in the pocket) when not in use. The flexible shaft 12 should be longer than the firearm barrel to be cleaned. Selectively detachable and attachable to the universal coupling recess 14a and 14b are exemplary interchangeable cleaning tips or cleaning tools 20, 22, 26, 28, and 30. The cleaning tools 20, 22, 26, 28, and 30 can be used for cleaning firearm barrels. Additional different cleaning tools may be used.
Exemplary cleaning tools 20 and 22 each have a cleaning patch receiving slot 32 and 34 therein, respectively. Cleaning tools 20, 22 can secure a cleaning patch. The cleaning patch can include at least one slit through which the cleaning tools 20, 22 can be respectively placed in order to secure the cleaning patch for cleaning. Cleaning tool 20 is dimensioned to pass through and effectively clean (e.g., when combined with a cleaning patch) a rifle barrel and cleaning tool 22 is dimensioned to pass through and effectively clean a shotgun barrel. Exemplary cleaning tools for interchangeable use within firearm barrel cleaner 10 can include various sizes corresponding to various types, models, or makes of firearms. A quick-connect stem 36 capable of detachably engaging either universal coupling recess 14a or 14b can be provided at one end of cleaning tool 20. Because it is dimensioned for cleaning a shotgun barrel, cleaning tool 22 has a larger radial dimension, but can also include quick connect stem 38 at an end of a shank of the cleaning tool 22.
Embodiments of a connector can include an engagement between universal coupling recess 14a or 14b and one of stems 36, 38, 50, 60, 70.
Another exemplary attachment for the shaft 12 can be exemplary cleaning tool 30 that can include a bore brush. The bore brush cleaning tool 30 can include a core 68 defining a first end 74 and a second end 72. In the example shown, the core 68 can be made of brass and includes a stem 70 on the first end 74 to couple to the universal coupling recess 14a and 14b (e.g., of the shaft 12). The core 68 further includes a hollowed-out or tubular segment on the second end 72 into which a brush portion 76 is inserted. Once inserted, the second end 72 may be formed to secure the brush portion 76 in place. The brush portion 76 can include wire-wound strands of brass securing a plurality of bristles 78. The bristles 78 are preferably brass to aid in scraping residue from the barrel of a firearm.
Exemplary cleaning tool 26 can include a T-shaped handle including an elongated portion 44 having a smooth transverse bore 46 therethrough. Located within bore 46 is a cylindrical bar 48. One end of cleaning tool 26 has a quick-connect stem 50 for detachable engagement with either coupling 14a or 14b. Firearm barrel cleaner 10 is capable of withstanding significant pulling force or pressure without breaking. Cleaning tool 26 facilitates the application during gun barrel cleaning of moderate to high pulling pressure by providing structure by which an individual can securely grip the gun barrel cleaner.
In one embodiment as shown in
Exemplary cleaning tool 28 can include a gun barrel bore obstruction remover. Cleaning tool 28 has a cylindrical body portion 52 dimensioned for cleaning a rifle barrel. Cleaning tool 28 can have a concave face 56 at one end and a quick-connect stem 60, at the other end. Concave end face 56 can assist in the safe removal of bullet obstructions. Quick-connect stem 60 is dimensioned to detachably engage either universal coupling recess 14a or 14b. When attached to shaft 12, cleaning tool 28 operates to dislodge a gun barrel bore obstruction by impacting the obstruction. Because of this, cleaning tool 28 is preferably solid and manufactured from a fairly heavy material so as to provide sufficient impacting weight.
A perspective view of an engagement recess for a universal coupling is shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The first portion 325 is dimensioned to longitudinally pass the stem 805 (e.g., first portion 810) and the second portion 327 is dimensioned to retain or lock the stem 805 (e.g., first portion 810). When the stem 805 has traveled along channel 320 as far as possible (e.g., reached the locking portion), the stem 805 can be pivoted from a radial orientation to a longitudinal orientation aligned with the longitudinal axis 340 of the coupling 300. For example, a longitudinal axis of the shank of the cleaning tool affixed to the stem can be aligned to the longitudinal axis 340 of the coupling 300 and/or shaft 12 when attached.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the stem 805 can enter to reach a bottom surface 345 of the radial opening 310 while positioned in an orientation radially extending from a surface 330 or a center longitudinal axis 340 of the coupling 300. The stem 805 can then pass longitudinally through the first portion 325 of the channel 320 while maintaining the same radially extending orientation. However, when reaching the smaller dimensions of the lower portion 324 of the channel 320 in the second portion 327 (e.g., in locking portion), additional longitudinal force will result in the stem 805 perpendicularly rotating (e.g., in a plane parallel to the plane of a side surface of the channel 320) until becoming axially aligned (e.g., the center axis) with the coupling 300. The stem 805 (e.g., first portion 810 and second portion 820) can be rotatably attached in the axially aligned position so that the stem 805 and/or universal coupling tip 800 (e.g., shank of the cleaning tool) can spin while axially aligned. When axial force is applied to pull the second end 18b of the shaft 12 opposite to the first coupling 14a attached to the universal coupling tip 300, the axial force can maintain the stem 805, and corresponding cleaning tool in an axially aligned operational position for cleaning (e.g., attached to the shaft 12). In this example, pulling the second end 18b of the shaft 12 through a firearm barrel followed by the first end 18a can keep an attached cleaning tool and stem 805 in the coupling 300 in the aligned portion.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, the engagement recess 305 can be attached to the end 1250 of a universal coupling adapter 1200 according to the application where the second end 1250′ of the universal adapter can include threads (e.g., internal) for threaded bore 1210 to match a corresponding external thread of a related art cleaning tool such as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Then, the bore brush cleaning tool 30 can be removed from the shaft 12. The bore brush cleaning tool 30 can be rotated from an axially aligned position to the position extending from the first portion 325 of the channel 320 in the first coupling 14a (operation block 1460). The radially extending bore brush cleaning tool 30 can be slid longitudinally toward and into the radial opening 310 of the engagement recess 305 in the first coupling 14a e.g., while maintaining a radially extending position (operation block 1470). Then, the bore brush cleaning tool 30 can be removed from the radial opening 310 of the engagement recess 305 in the first coupling 14a to separate the bore brush cleaning tool 30 from the first coupling 14a (operation block 1480). From operation block 1480, the process can end or a different cleaning tool can be attached to the first coupling 14a for cleaning the firearm. Although described in sequence, it is understood that operations described in the method of
In one embodiment, the cleaning tool can be inserted radially and immediately rotated to an axially aligned operational position. In such an embodiment, operation blocks 1430, 1470 would not be used. In another embodiment, the cleaning tool can be longitudinally slid or inserted in a position other than radially extended.
In another embodiment, an exemplary engagement recess (e.g., channel and/or radial opening) of the coupling (e.g., 14a, 14b, 300) can be angled, helical, or non-linear.
Alternate embodiments of the firearm barrel cleaner and methods of using same can include a flexible shaft 12 including various combinations including at least one universal coupling recess 14a and/or at least on universal coupling tip 800 (e.g., at one end of the flexible shaft 12). In one embodiment, the flexible shaft can include universal coupling (e.g., 14a) and tee-handle cleaning took (e.g., cleaning tool 26) at opposite ends 18a, 18b. In one embodiment, the flexible shaft can include universal coupling recess 14a and an internal threaded bore (e.g., bore 1210) at opposite ends. Alternatively, the universal coupling adapter 1200 can be attached to one end of flexible shaft 12.
In one embodiment, the attached portion of the cleaning tool having universal coupling tip 800 in universal coupling recess 300 at one end of the shaft 12 is configured to include a prescribed range of motion. For example, the range of motion in the attached portion can include movement between 0-10°, 1-20°, 0-30°, or 0-45° from the center axis. As shown in
In one embodiment, the attached portion of the cleaning tool having universal coupling tip 800 is configured to include an alignment urging member extending from the end 850 and positioned near the outer circumference of the end 850. For example, the alignment urging member can have a width less than the channel 320 or less than 50% of the width of the channel 320 and a height from the end 850 less than L3 (e.g., see
Embodiments of a firearm barrel cleaner and methods thereof according to the application can include a fastening member to cover the engagement recess during firearm cleaning operations. In one embodiment, the fastening member can be an annular ring or cylindrical sleeve. The fastening sleeve can be sized to move between a first position and a second position over the channel 320 and/or the radial opening 310. The fastening sleeve can be made of material such as but not limited to plastic, nylon, hardened plastic, or metal. The fastening sleeve can have a first position located along the shaft 12 or over a portion of the coupling 300. The fastening sleeve can be attached to the coupling 300 or move independently. In one embodiment, the fastening sleeve can cover 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% or more of the channel 320 or engagement recess 305. Further, the fastening sleeve can be used with various adapter couplings (e.g., adapter 1200) according to the application.
Another embodiment of the firearm barrel cleaner according to the present application can be for cleaning handguns or pistols. In the handgun barrel cleaner, a plurality of cylindrical cleaning tubes, which can be selectively attached to and detached from each other are used as a variable length rigid cleaning shaft. For example, a first cylindrical cleaning tube or rod can have a universal coupling (e.g., coupling 300 or recess 305) and a threaded internal bore at opposite ends. A plurality of second cylindrical cleaning tubes or rods can have identical threaded internal bores respectively at one end and corresponding external threaded stems respectively at their other ends. First and second cylindrical cleaning tubes can be selective threadable and detachable engagement to form a variable length rigid cleaning shaft for use with the cleaning tools 20, 22, 26, 28, 30 using the universal coupling (e.g., recess 305 or coupling 300) of the first cylindrical bore. Further, one or more different sized universal coupling adapters 1200 can be included or used with the exemplary handgun barrel cleaning kit or shaft according to the application.
In operation, the exemplary handgun barrel cleaner only requires assemblage of those components necessary to accomplish the particular cleaning task desired. Relatively short individual lengths for first cylindrical rod and second cylindrical rods are preferable for storage, and cleaning of most pistol barrels and chambers. In one embodiment, lengths of the first and second cylindrical rods can be three inches.
Embodiments of a firearm barrel cleaner can be contained in a compact container. Dimensions of the container are important in that they allow container to be conveniently inserted within a typical shirt, pants, or coat pocket for carrying. An exemplary container with a short cylindrical shape can have dimensions of approximately 3 and 178 inches in diameter and 1 inch in height. For example, the container may be a rigid can (e.g., with a bottom and a lid) or a collapsible soft sided flexible material (e.g., having two portions and a zipper). Firearm barrel cleaner 10 and cleaning patches and cleaning solutions are all designed to fit within container.
As already noted, fixedly attached to at least one of the opposite ends of shaft 12 are universal coupling recess 14a and 14b and fixedly attached to one end of the shank of cleaning tools or attachments 20, 22, 26, 28, and 30 can be tips 800 (e.g., stems 36, 38, 50, 60, 70). For example, universal coupling recess 14a, 14b, and/or 300 can be manufactured of brass and fixedly attached by being crimped or cold welded. Brass is preferable since it is a “soft” metal which is less likely to scratch or otherwise damage a gun barrel. The universal coupling tip 800 can be manufactured of brass and fixedly attached by being crimped or cold welded onto the ends of the cleaning tools, cleaning shafts, or adapters.
Embodiments of quick connectors, cleaning shafts, and cleaning tools including firearm cleaning kits including the same and methods for using the same according to the application have been described with universal coupling recesses on the shaft and universal coupling tips on the cleaning tools or attachments; however, the universal coupling tips can be attached to the shaft (e.g., shaft 12) and universal coupling recesses can be on the cleaning tools. Further, embodiments can interchange or use universal coupling adapters on one or both of the shaft and cleaning tools. In addition, for example, the universal coupling adaptors can be fitted with an engagement recess or a stem.
Exemplary embodiments of universal coupling recess and universal coupling tips were described according to the application. In one embodiment, universal coupling recess can be considered a female connector configuration and universal coupling tip can be considered a male connector configuration.
As described herein, the radial opening 310 is not intended to be limited to a uniform circular hole. Other apertures shaped to pass an engagement end of stem 805 can be used. For example, the radial opening can include other cross-sectional shapes such as but not limited to rectangle, polygons, triangle, oval, slot or the like, and can increase or decrease in size or change shape or not extend radially.
Other configurations for the channel 320 can be used that can insert and longitudinally align the stem to a universal coupling recess.
As described herein, the stem 805 is not intended to be limited to shapes or configurations shown in the application as other shapes and configurations can be used to radially and/or longitudinally pass through the universal coupling recess to be aligned longitudinally to the coupling. For example, exemplary universal coupling tips can include other cross-sectional shapes such as but not limited to rectangle, polygons, triangle, oval, slot or the like, and can increase or decrease in size or change shape.
While the present invention has been described with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be understood that the true spirit and scope of the invention should be determined only with respect to claims that can be supported by the present specification. Further, while in numerous cases herein wherein systems and apparatuses and methods are described as having a certain number of elements it will be understood that such systems, apparatuses and methods can be practiced with fewer than the mentioned certain number of elements. Also, while a number of particular embodiments have been set forth, it will be understood that features and aspects that have been described with reference to each particular embodiment can be used with each remaining particularly set forth embodiment.
