Patent Application
20240401906
The present invention relates generally to related to the field of firearms, and more particularly to a ramrod for use with muzzleloading firearms.
Generally, muzzleloading firearms are any projectile launcher in which the propellant charge and the projectile to be discharged are loaded into the launcher by way of the forward, open end of the launcher's barrel, called the muzzle. A typical loading operation for muzzleloading firearms (“muzzleloader”) comprises inserting a measured amount of propellant charge into the muzzle, followed by the insertion of the projectile into the muzzle. In many cases, wadding, which may be a piece of fabric, felt, cloth, card or the like is placed around/behind the projectile, such that the wadding is between the propellant charge and projectile after loading. To ensure optimum pressures within the barrel and proper launching of the projectile, a ramrod is utilized to drive the wadding and projectile down the barrel to ensure firm seating of the projectile and wadding on the propellant charge.
The ramrod is necessarily designed as a straight cylindrical rod that has a diameter that is smaller than the bore of the barrel to ensure proper loading of the projectile and wadding without damaging the barrel's bore after loading. Since a ramrod is essential to muzzleloader loading and cleaning operations, it is often stored on the underside of the barrel within metal ferrules (“thimbles”) for swift and easy access by the operator. When needed, the operator may remove the ramrod by sliding, or otherwise removing the ramrod from the thimbles on the barrel underside, insert the ramrod into the barrel via the muzzle, and repeatedly and vigorously move the ramrod up and down within the barrel to properly compact the projectile and propellant charge in the muzzleloader. After loading, the operator will remove the ramrod from the barrel, and subsequently secure the ramrod within the thimbles until needed again.
Conventional ramrods of the prior art often require disassembly and re-assembly prior to use in the field to load or reload the muzzleloader due to the length of ramrod required and receiver design. Currently when loading the muzzleloader, the ramrod must be removed from the thimbles, and any auxiliary handle to aid the user must be removed from the ramrod and set aside. The ramrod loading tip is then un-threaded rotated 180 degrees and re-threaded increasing the ramrod overall length (e.g., an additional 2 inches), allowing proper reload operations. The user then places the auxiliary handle on the end of the rod, opposite of the loading jag, and seats the bullet. The same process is utilized to clean the muzzleloader after loading. In some cases, the ramrods of the prior art include an adapter that allows the user to thread the auxiliary handle to the ramrod, if desired.
Traditional straight, cylindrical ramrods tend to create difficulty and discomfort to the user after prolonged loading operations. Additional concerns result from the interaction between the ramrod and the securing thimble, which may rattle, or otherwise create unwanted noise while hunting and tracking. Some prior art ramrods have attempted to address these concerns, such as U.S. Pat. No. 9,279,637 to Hunsaker; U.S. Pat. No. 9,991,089 to Hunsaker; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,279,637 to Emerson et al. However, a need still exists for a ramrod that can be utilized with a muzzleloader that address the above-mentioned problems.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ramrod which requires no disassembly to use during loading or cleaning operations.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a ramrod of an adjustable length which may be overall longer than the muzzleloader barrel length in a first position, and may be collapsed into a smaller, second position which is readily stowable within the muzzleloader thimble(s).
A further object of the present invention is to provide a ramrod including a removable loading tip to allow usage of different jags to perform a plurality of operations.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable ramrod which may be locked into a position to prevent premature extension or retraction which would cause harm during loading or create unwanted noise when secured within the muzzleloader thimbles.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to a device used with a muzzleloading firearm comprising an elongated ramrod outer body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The outer body first end may be adapted for insertion into the bore of a firearm, and the second end comprising a hollow portion, the outer body having an exterior size and shape permissible for insertion into the bore. An extension member may be movable within the outer body hollow portion from a retracted position wherein a first length of the extension member is within the outer body hollow portion, to an extended position wherein the first length of the extension member is outside the outer body hollow portion. The extension member includes a second length outside the outer body hollow portion. A clasping member may be coupled to an end of the extension member second length forming a pivot point, and may be movable between a stowed position in which the clasping member is generally aligned with the outer body longitudinal axis, and a working position in which the clasping member makes a substantial angle with respect to the outer body longitudinal axis.
In some embodiments, the device comprises a detent housing coupled to the extension member first length and the outer body hollow portion. The detent housing comprises an engagement channel extending along a length of the detent housing. A locking element of the extension member first length may engage the engagement channel as the extension member is moved from the retracted and extended positions. The locking element may extend through an opening in the outer body when the extension member is in the extended position. The detent housing may include a plurality of engagement channels, wherein the extension member includes a plurality of locking elements. The detent housing may include a locking channel extending perpendicular to the engagement channel. The detent housing may comprise a cut-out section along a length of the detent housing including a lever arm hingeably coupled to the detent housing such that a portion of the lever arm extends through an opening in the outer body when the extension member is in the extended position. The engagement channel may include a detent location such that movement of the extension member to the extended position provides tactical feedback to the user. The extension member may include a plurality of indicia or graduation along the first length, wherein each of the plurality of indicia or graduations corresponds to each of the plurality of locking channels
The device may comprise a removable loading jag coupled to the outer body first end at a connection portion on an end of the loading jag, wherein the loading jag further comprises an accessory end opposite the connection portion. The accessory end may comprise a concave portion or serrated edges. The extension member may be rotatable within the outer body to a locked position wherein movement of the extension member between the extended position and the retracted position is prohibited. The extension member first length may comprise an end cap sized to engage an interior wall of the outer body hollow portion during movement of the extension member between the extended position and the retracted position.
The present invention also provides a method of using a ramrod for a muzzleloading firearm, comprising the steps of providing a ramrod comprising an elongated ramrod outer body having a hollow portion and an exterior size and shape permissible for insertion into the bore, an extension member movable within the outer body hollow portion, and a clasping member coupled to an end of an extension member second length forming a pivot point. The method comprises moving the clasping member from a stowed position in which the clasping member is generally aligned with an outer body longitudinal axis to a working position in which the clasping member makes a substantial angle with respect to the outer body longitudinal axis, and moving the extension member from a retracted position wherein a first length of the extension member is within the outer body hollow portion to an extended position wherein the first length of the extension member is outside the outer body hollow portion.
In one or more embodiments, the ramrod further comprises a detent housing coupled to the extension member first length and the outer body hollow portion, the detent housing comprising an engagement channel extending along a length of the detent housing. The extension member first length comprises a locking element engaged with the engagement channel such that locking element is moved along the engagement channel during the steps of moving the extension member from the retracted position to the extended position. The detent housing may further comprise a locking channel extending perpendicular to the engagement channel, and the method may further include the steps of rotating the extension member within the outer housing to a locked position wherein movement of the extension member between the extended position and the retracted position is prohibited. The locking element may extend through an opening in the outer body when the extension member is in the extended position such that movement of the extension member between the extended position and the retracted position is prohibited. The locking element may extend through an opening in the outer body when the extension member is rotated to the locked position.
The method may further comprise the steps of urging the locking element into the opening of the outer body, and rotating the extension member from the locked position to an unlocked position wherein movement of the extension member between the extended position and the retracted position is permitted. The method may further comprise the steps of urging the locking element into the opening of the outer body, and moving the extension member from the locked position to an unlocked position wherein movement of the extension member between the extended position and the retracted position is permitted.
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “include” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements. components, and/or groups thereof.
Relative terms such as “below,” “above,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal.” “vertical,” “top,” “bottom,” “rear,” “front,” “side,” or the like may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element or component to another element or component as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Additionally, in the subject description, the words “exemplary,” “illustrative,” or the like are used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily intended to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or design. Rather, use of the words “exemplary” or “illustrative” is merely intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
In describing the embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to
The present invention provides a ramrod which requires no disassembly to use. The ramrod may comprise an adjustable length which may be overall longer than the muzzleloader barrel length, and may be collapsed into a position which is readily secured within the muzzleloader thimble(s). They ramrod of the present invention may include a removable loading tip to allow usage of different jags to perform a plurality of operations.
Referring to
An inner body or extension member 80 may be included within the ramrod outer body 22 and may be movable within the outer body second end 26 from a retracted position where a portion of the length of extension member 80 is within outer body 22 (See
A detent housing 60 may be installed, mounted, inserted, or otherwise attached to the hollow portion 23b of the body's second end 26, and is described in further detail below. An extension arm 80 may be housed within an interior portion of detent housing 60, an interior of the outer body 22, or both. Extension arm 80 includes a clasping member 40 mounted at pivot point 81 (See
When in its working position, the clasping member 40 will provide a substantial area against which a user's palm may be pressed to facilitate loading or cleaning operations within the muzzleloader's bore.
Detent housing 60 is now further described with reference to
Operating the extension member 80 within detent housing is now described with reference to
In some embodiments, both ends of the engagement channel 62a, 62b may include locking channels disposed perpendicular to the engagement channel, so the ramrod may include an extended and locked position, as well as the retracted and locked position. In other embodiments of the present invention, engagement channel(s) 62 may include one or more locking channels along the length of the engagement which would other embodiments would permit incremental or fractional extension of the extension member. for example, ¾ extension, ⅔ extension, ⅓ extension and ¼ extension. The engagement channel(s) may similarly include a plurality of detent locations so that the user can tactically feel the extension/retraction progress of the extension member as it is moved in direction D. Extension member may similarly include of indicia or graduations which may indicate to the user the overall length of the ramrod and may correspond with any of the plurality of locking channels, so as to ensure the proper length specified for the muzzleloader barrel.
In some embodiments, extension member 80 may comprise an endcap 84 to prevent further movement of the extension member in direction D. Endcap 84 may comprise a rigid material such as light-weight metals/alloys, or a resilient material such as an organic/inorganic polymeric material, rubber, and the like. Endcap 84 may be sized so as to engage with the interior walls of the outer body hollow portion 23b to prevent unnecessary movement of the extension member in the direction opposite direction D.
In some embodiments, locking protrusion(s) may be sized so as to extend from the interior of the outer body 22 to an exterior portion of the outer body upon engagement of the locking protrusion(s) 82 in an extended, or an extended and locked position. In such embodiments, the locking element may comprise a biasing element 82′ (See
In some embodiments the detent mechanism may be engaged upon movement of the extension member to the extended position, without further rotation of the extension member to the locked position.
With reference now to
Extension member 80 may be coupled to detent housing 160 at end 184 within outer body 22. A retaining member 161 comprising a plurality of annular portions 161a, 161b of varying outer diameters may be placed in sliding engagement with extension member 80. Annular portion 161a may be sized to be received by the inner diameter of the ramrod body in a manner similar to that of the aforementioned retaining member. After coupling with the ramrod outer body 22, retaining member 161 will limit movement of the detent housing 160 to the interior portion of the ramrod body. In some embodiments, the interior of the ramrod body may include a guide track or similar mechanism to ensure proper movement and engagement of the detent mechanism as the extension member is moved to the extended and locked position. In other embodiments the detent mechanism may be engaged upon movement of the extension member to the extended and/or extended and locked position.
Turning now to
Referring now to
The method of using the ramrod of the present invention of one or more embodiments is described as follows. During loading operations, ramrod 20 is removed from the muzzleloader's securing thimble(s) and ramrod extension member 80 may be extended by pulling the clasping member 40 in a direction along the ramrod longitudinal axis 23. After reaching a mechanical stop or limiter, the user may rotate the extension member 80 with respect to the body axis 23. After reaching a particular angle of rotation, for example 90-degrees, a locking protrusion/biasing element may be released through the ramrod aperture 21 to the exterior of outer body 22, forming a detent mechanism between the ramrod and the extension member. The clasping member 40 may be folded into a working position subsequent to locking the extension member 80 into the extended position or may be placed into the working position prior to extension. To return the ramrod to the retracted and stowed position, the user may subsequently depress the locking protrusion/biasing element to release the detent mechanism and subsequently rotate extension member 80 to an unlocked position, where the extension member 80 may be translated back within the ramrod body interior such that extension member 80 is in the retracted position. Clasping member 40 may be subsequently folded back into the stowed position, and the ramrod may be reinserted within the thimbles until further use is necessitated.
Thus, the present invention provides one or more of the following advantages: a ramrod which requires no disassembly to use; an adjustable ramrod which can include a length longer than the muzzleloader barrel length; and a ramrod with removable loading tip to allow usage of different jags to perform a plurality of operations.
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with one or more specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Thus, having described the invention,
