U.S. patent application number 09/436659 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-16 for cleaner for elongate bores.
Invention is credited to ORCUTT, CLIFTON G., SOLBERG, DOUGLAS G..
Application Number | 20020056219 09/436659 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23733307 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020056219 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SOLBERG, DOUGLAS G. ; et
al. |
May 16, 2002 |
CLEANER FOR ELONGATE BORES
Abstract
An elongate bore cleaner, such as would be used to clean the
inside of a barrel of a gun. The cleaner includes an elongate
member, such as a hollow rod, that has a handle at one end and a
cleaning member at the other. The handle is rotatably mounted
relative to the cleaning member so that the cleaning member can
rotate to fully engage the riflings in a gun barrel. The elongate
bore cleaner also includes a fluid dispenser, preferably located
adjacent the rear portion of the handle, the actuation of which
causes fluid to flow through a conduit and out of apertures that
are adjacent the cleaning member. Preferably, the fluid dispenser
is a squeeze bottle, and the hollow rod serves as the conduit.
Squeezing the squeeze bottle causes the cleaning fluid to travel
from the squeeze bottle, through the hollow rod, exiting near the
end of the rod, adjacent to the cleaning brush.
Inventors: |
SOLBERG, DOUGLAS G.;
(JUNEAU, AL) ; ORCUTT, CLIFTON G.; (BAINBRIDGE,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHALIK & WYLE PLLC
14645 BEL-RED ROAD
SUITE 103
BELLEVUE
WA
98007
|
Family ID: |
23733307 |
Appl. No.: |
09/436659 |
Filed: |
November 10, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 29/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/95 |
International
Class: |
F41A 029/00; F41A
031/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An elongate bore cleaner, comprising: a handle; an elongate
member extending from the handle; a fluid carrier member mounted on
the elongate member for rotation relative to the handle; a fluid
dispenser; and a conduit extending from the fluid dispenser to
adjacent the fluid carrier member; wherein actuation of the fluid
dispenser causes fluid in the fluid dispenser to flow from the
fluid dispenser, through the conduit, and out of the conduit
adjacent to the cleaning number.
2. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 1, wherein the elongate
member rotates with the fluid carrier member.
3. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 2, wherein the conduit
extends through the handle and the fluid dispenser is located on
the opposite side of the handle from the cleaner member.
4. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 3, wherein the elongate
member comprises a hollow rod, and wherein the conduit comprises
the inside of the hollow rod.
5. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 3, wherein the fluid
dispenser rotates with the fluid carrier member.
6. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 5, wherein the conduit
extends through the handle and the fluid dispenser is located on
the opposite side of the handle from the cleaner member.
7. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 6, wherein the elongate
member comprises a hollow rod, and wherein the conduit comprises
the inside of the hollow rod.
8. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 2, wherein the fluid
dispenser rotates with the fluid carrier member.
9. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 1, further comprising an
inner handle structure connected to the elongate member and upon
which the handle rotates.
10. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 9, wherein the fluid
dispenser is connected to the inner handle structure.
11. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 10, wherein the fluid
dispenser is located on the opposite side of the handle from the
fluid carrier member.
12. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 10, wherein the fluid
dispenser comprises a squeeze bottle, and wherein actuating in the
fluid dispenser comprises squeezing the squeeze bottle.
13. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 9, wherein the elongate
member extends into the inner handle structure.
14. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 13, wherein the inner handle
structure comprises: a nose piece on a side of the handle closest
to the fluid carrier member and mounted on the elongate member; and
a tail piece on the side of the handle opposite the fluid carrier
member and mounted on the elongate member.
15. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 14, wherein the handle is
rotatably mounted on the nosepiece and the tailpiece.
16. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 15, wherein the nose piece
and the tail piece each comprise a shoulder, and wherein the handle
is confined between the respective shoulders.
17. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 14, wherein the fluid
dispenser is mounted to the tailpiece.
18. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 17, wherein the fluid
dispenser comprises a squeeze bottle, and wherein actuating in the
fluid dispenser comprises squeezing the squeeze bottle.
19. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 17, wherein the conduit
extends through the nosepiece and the tailpiece.
20. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 19, wherein the elongate
member comprises a hollow rod, and wherein the conduit comprises
the inside of the hollow rod.
21. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 20, further comprising
apertures in the hollow rod and adjacent the fluid carrier member,
and wherein the fluid flows out of the apertures upon actuation of
the squeeze bottle.
22. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 1, wherein the elongate
member comprises a hollow rod, and wherein the conduit comprises
the inside of the hollow rod, and further comprising apertures in
the hollow rod and adjacent the fluid carrier member, and wherein
the fluid flows out of the apertures upon actuation of the squeeze
bottle.
23. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 1, wherein the elongate
member comprises a plurality of elongate hollow rods connected
end-to-end.
24. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 23, further comprising at
least one additional hollow rod so that the cleaner is capable of
extending into a longer elongate bore.
25. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 1, wherein the conduit is
configured such that surface tension of the fluid in the conduit is
sufficient to substantially prevent flow of fluid out of the
conduit absent actuation of the fluid dispenser.
26. An elongate bore cleaner, comprising: an inner handle structure
having first and second ends; a handle rotatably mounted on the
inner handle structure; an elongate member extending out of the
first end of the inner handle structure; a fluid carrier member
mounted on the elongate member; at least one aperture on the
elongate member adjacent the fluid carrier member; a fluid
dispenser attached to the second end of the inner handle structure;
and a conduit extending from the fluid dispenser, through the
handle, along the elongate member, to the at least one aperture;
wherein actuation of the fluid dispenser causes a fluid in the
fluid dispenser to flow though the conduit and out the at least one
aperture.
27. An elongate bore cleaner, comprising: a handle; an elongate
member extending from the handle; a fluid carrier member holder
mounted on the elongate member and configured to receive a fluid
carrier member that rotates relative to the handle; a fluid
dispenser; and a conduit extending from the fluid dispenser to
adjacent the fluid carrier member holder; wherein actuation of the
fluid dispenser causes fluid in the fluid dispenser to flow from
the fluid dispenser, through the conduit, and out of the conduit
adjacent to the cleaning number.
28. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 27, wherein the elongate
member rotates with the fluid carrier member holder.
29. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 28, wherein the conduit
extends through the handle and the fluid dispenser is located on
the opposite side of the handle from the cleaner member holder.
30. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 29, wherein the elongate
member comprises a hollow rod, and wherein the conduit comprises
the inside of the hollow rod.
31. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 29, wherein the fluid
dispenser rotates with the fluid carrier member holder.
32. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 31, wherein the conduit
extends through the handle and the fluid dispenser is located on
the opposite side of the handle from the cleaner member holder.
33. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 32, wherein the elongate
member comprises a hollow rod, and wherein the conduit comprises
the inside of the hollow rod.
34. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 28, wherein the fluid
dispenser rotates with the fluid carrier member holder.
35. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 27, further comprising an
inner handle structure connected to the elongate member and upon
which the handle rotates.
36. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 35, wherein the fluid
dispenser is connected to the inner handle structure.
37. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 36, wherein the fluid
dispenser is located on the opposite side of the handle from the
fluid carrier member holder.
38. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 36, wherein the fluid
dispenser comprises a squeeze bottle.
39. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 35, wherein the elongate
member extends into the inner handle structure.
40. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 39, wherein the inner handle
structure comprises: a nose piece on a side of the handle closest
to the fluid carrier member holder and is mounted on the elongate
member; and a tail piece on the side of the handle opposite the
fluid carrier member holder and mounted on the elongate member.
41. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 40, wherein the handle is
rotatably mounted on the nosepiece and the tailpiece.
42. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 41, wherein the nose piece
and the tail piece each comprise a shoulder, and wherein the handle
is confined between the respective shoulders.
43. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 40, wherein the fluid
dispenser is mounted to the tailpiece.
44. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 43, wherein the fluid
dispenser comprises a squeeze bottle, and wherein actuating in the
fluid dispenser comprises squeezing the squeeze bottle.
45. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 43, wherein the conduit
extends through the nosepiece and the tailpiece.
46. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 45, wherein the elongate
member comprises a hollow rod, and wherein the conduit comprises
the inside of the hollow rod.
47. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 46, further comprising
apertures in the hollow rod and adjacent the fluid carrier member
holder, and wherein the fluid flows out of the apertures upon
actuation of the squeeze bottle.
48. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 27, wherein the elongate
member comprises a hollow rod, and wherein the conduit comprises
the inside of the hollow rod, and further comprising apertures in
the hollow rod and adjacent the fluid carrier member holder, and
wherein the fluid flows out of the apertures upon actuation of the
squeeze bottle.
49. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 27, wherein the elongate
member comprises a plurality of elongate hollow rods connected
end-to-end.
50. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 49, further comprising at
least one additional hollow rod so that the cleaner is capable of
extending further into an elongate bore.
51. The elongate bore cleaner of claim 27, wherein the conduit is
configured such that surface tension of the fluid in the conduit is
sufficient to substantially prevent flow of fluid out of the
conduit absent actuation of the fluid dispenser.
52. An elongate bore cleaner, comprising: an inner handle structure
having first and second ends; a handle rotatably mounted on the
inner handle structure; an elongate member extending out of the
first end of the inner handle structure; a fluid carrier member
holder mounted on the elongate member and configured to receive a
fluid carrier member that rotates relative to the handle; at least
one aperture on the elongate member adjacent the fluid carrier
member holder; a fluid dispenser attached to the second end of the
inner handle structure; and a conduit extending from the fluid
dispenser, through the handle, along the elongate member, to the at
least one aperture; whereby a fluid in the fluid dispenser can be
supplied though the conduit and out the at least one aperture.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to cleaners, and
more particularly to a cleaner for an elongate bore such as the
barrel of a rifle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The inside of a gun barrel is cleaned periodically to remove
the buildup of oxidation material, combustion residue and galling
(metal to metal contact) by-products. To begin cleaning, the barrel
may or may not be removed from the rails or support that hold the
barrel in contact with the grip or stock of the gun. A cleaning
cloth, brush, or the like is pushed and/or pulled through the bore.
A cleaning fluid, such as a solvent, is typically used to enhance
the removal of the buildup.
[0003] A gun barrel can be cleaned, for example, by stuffing and
extracting a cleaning-fluid-soaked brush into the bore of the
barrel. U.S. Pat. Ser No. 4,674,218 to Bottomley discloses a
gun-cleaning device having a rod with a brush on one end. The rod
is rotatably mounted in the handle. Grasping the handle and
inserting the brush in a forward motion into a gun barrel causes
the brush to engage the rifling of the barrel, which in turn causes
the rod and the brush to rotate. This free rotation of the brush
provides the best engagement of the brush with the riflings, and
thus optimal cleaning of the riflings.
[0004] However, the use of a rifle cleaner such as is disclosed in
Bottomley can be messy. The brush for such cleaners is typically
dipped into a cleaning fluid, inserted into the bore of the barrel,
rotated by and then removed from the barrel, thereby removing or
loosening the various grit and dirt items within the barrel.
Dipping the brush into a separate container of cleaning solvent can
be a messy process, often resulting in spillage and fouling of the
environment. There is a need for a more efficient, and less messy,
device for cleaning the inside of a rifle barrel. Preferably, the
device would still provide rotation of the brush or cleaning number
so that the riflings in the barrel can be optimally cleaned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to a cleaner for elongate
bores, such as would be used to clean the inside of a barrel of a
gun. The cleaner includes an elongate member, such as a hollow rod,
that has a handle at one end and a cleaning member at the other.
The handle is rotatably mounted relative to the cleaning member so
that the cleaning member can rotate to maintain engagement with the
riflings in a gun barrel. In use, an individual grasps the handle
and thrusts the cleaning member into a rifle barrel. The rotatable
mounting of the cleaning member relative to the handle allows the
cleaning member to spin, for example when the cleaning member
engages the rifling on the inside of the rifle barrel.
[0006] The elongate bore cleaner also includes a fluid dispenser,
preferably located adjacent the rear portion of the handle, the
actuation of which causes fluid to flow through a conduit and out
of apertures that are adjacent the cleaning member. Preferably, the
fluid dispenser is a squeeze bottle, and the hollow rod serves as
the conduit. Squeezing the squeeze bottle causes the cleaning fluid
to travel from the squeeze bottle, through the hollow rod, exiting
near the end of the rod, adjacent to the cleaning brush.
[0007] The present invention provides both rotary cleaning and
dispensing of a fluid within a barrel, in an easy-to-assemble
cleaner. The design of the present invention requires little labor
and minimal parts. Bearings, glue, and conventional fasteners are
not required in assembly.
[0008] Other advantages will become apparent from the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings,
in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rifle cleaner embodying
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rifle cleaner
of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the section lines 3-3
of FIG. 1; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of a rifle cleaner
embodying the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1
shows an elongate bore cleaner 20 in accordance with the present
invention. The elongate bore cleaner 20 shown in the drawings is
designed and configured for cleaning of the bore of a rifle barrel.
However, the elongate bore cleaner 20 of the present invention can
be designed and configured for the cleaning of any elongate bore,
such as the inside of a pipe, for example. The bore could have any
shape, including, but not limited to, a circular cross section,
square cross section, or a cross section which is inconsistent
along its length.
[0014] Briefly described, the elongate bore cleaner 20 includes a
handle 22 connected by an elongate member (such as a hollow rod 24)
to a cleaning member (such as a brush 26). A fluid dispenser (such
as a squeeze bottle 28) is located at the distal end of the handle
22. The handle 22 is rotatably mounted relative to the brush 26, so
that the brush, the hollow rod 24, and the squeeze bottle 28 freely
rotate when a user holds the handle stationary. While holding the
handle 22, a user thrusts the brush 26 into a gun barrel (not
shown) and the rifling within the barrel rotates the brush.
Squeezing the squeeze bottle 28 permits a cleaning fluid (not
shown) to run along the hollow rod 24 and out of apertures 30 at
the end of the hollow rod, so that the cleaning fluid can be
applied when the brush is within the barrel bore, with minimal
soiling or mess.
[0015] Turning now to a description of the invention in more
detail, FIG. 2 displays an exploded perspective view of the
components of the elongate bore cleaner 20. As can be seen in that
drawing and in FIG. 3, the handle 22 is hollow and cylindrical, and
includes an outer knurled surface 32 to enhance gripping. The
handle 22 is preferably made of brushed aluminum, but could be made
of many other materials, such as plastic, other metals such as
steel, wood, or the like.
[0016] The handle 22 is mounted on an inner handle structure that
includes a front nosepiece 34 and a tailpiece 36. The front
nosepiece 34 includes a frustoconical front end 38 that tapers
outward to a central cylindrical portion 39. A reduced-diameter
back cylindrical portion 40 extends rearwardly from the central
cylindrical portion 39. The reduced-diameter back cylindrical
portion 40 has an outer diameter that is slightly less than the
inner diameter of the handle 22. An abrupt shoulder 42 is formed at
the intersection of the central flat portion 39 and the
reduced-diameter back portion 40. The front nosepiece 34 includes a
bore 44 that extends longitudinally along its length and through
its longitudinal axis.
[0017] The tailpiece 36 includes a forward cylindrical extension 46
attached to a larger diameter, cylindrical rear portion 48. An
abrupt shoulder 50 is formed at the intersection of the forward
cylindrical extension 46 and the cylindrical rear portion 48. The
rear end of the cylindrical rear portion 48 includes internal
threads 52. A bore 54 extends longitudinally along the length of
the tailpiece 36 and through its longitudinal axis.
[0018] The front nosepiece 34 and the tailpiece 36 are each
preferably formed as a single piece out of a low friction material
such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Polyethylene is
an exemplary material because of its tolerance to solvents.
However, the front nosepiece 34 and the tailpiece 36 could be
formed of various other materials, such as metal, wood, or other
plastics, for example.
[0019] The hollow rod 24 is preferably hollow metal tubing such as
steel or aluminum, and could be any elongate member formed of a
variety of different materials, including plastic or wood. The
hollow rod 24 includes a cleaning member end 60 and a handle end
62. A portion of the handle end 62 is designed to extend into the
inner handle structure, as is described further below. The
remainder of the hollow rod 24 is covered by a nylon cover or film
64 (best shown in FIG. 2). The nylon film protects a bore from
scratching during cleaning.
[0020] As described above, the hollow rod 24 includes apertures 30
at the cleaning member end 60. Female threads 66 are located just
beyond the apertures 30 for the receipt of male threads (not shown)
on the brush 26 or any other cleaning member. The female threads 66
serve as a cleaning member attachment, but any other type of
attachment could be provided so that different cleaning members,
such as swabs, jags, cleaning pads, and pieces of cloth, for
example, could be attached to the hollow rod 24. A knurl ring 68 is
located adjacent to the female threads 66, and provides a gripping
surface for attachment of the brush 26 or another cleaning
member.
[0021] A bore 72 extends along the length of the hollow rod 24,
along its longitudinal center. Preferably, the hollow rod 24 is
capped at the cleaning member end 60 just beyond the apertures 30.
In practice, cleaning fluid from the fluid dispenser or squeeze
bottle 28 travels along the bore 72 to and out the apertures 30.
The capped end of the hollow rod 24 prevents the cleaning fluid
from flowing out of the end of the hollow rod 24.
[0022] The squeeze bottle 28 is preferably formed of a flexible,
resilient material, so that a user can pinch the squeeze bottle
with, for example, a thumb and forefinger, to cause fluid in the
squeeze bottle to flow upward into the hollow rod 24 and out of the
apertures 30. The material for the squeeze bottle 28 is preferably
resilient so that it has an ability and bias to return to its
original shape after the application of force. One material that
has been found to be suitable for construction of the squeeze
bottle 28 is high density polyethylene (HDPE), but other materials
could be used.
[0023] The squeeze bottle 28 includes male threads 76 at one end
that are designed to match the female threads 52 on the tailpiece
36. A shoulder 77 (FIG. 3) is provided within the tailpiece 36 so
that the squeeze bottle 28 is tightly seated after being screwed
into the male threads 76, so that leaking is avoided.
[0024] To assemble the elongate bore cleaner 20, the handle 22 is
placed over the reduced-diameter back portion 40 of the nosepiece
34 and the forward extension 46 of the tailpiece 36. The
reduced-diameter back portion 40 of the nose piece 34 and the
forward extension 46 of the tail piece 36 abut one another within
the handle 22, leaving very small gaps (e.g., 0.020 in.) between
the ends of the handle 22 and the shoulders 42, 50.
[0025] The handle end 62 of the rod 24 is then press fit into and
through the bores 44, 54 in the nosepiece 34 and tailpiece 36. The
bores 44, 54 are dimensioned so that they fit tightly on the handle
end 62 of the hollow rod 24 and, after press fitting, cannot be
moved relative to the hollow rod without considerable effort. The
handle 22 is captured between the shoulders 42, 50 on the nosepiece
34 and tailpiece 36, respectively, and is seated on the
reduced-diameter back portion 40 and the forward extension 46. The
inner surface of the handle 22 and the outer surfaces of the
reduced-diameter back portion 40 and the forward extension 46 are
dimensioned so that the handle is free to rotate relative to the
reduced-diameter back portion 40 and the forward extension 46. As
described earlier, the surfaces of the reduced-diameter back
portion 40 and the forward extension 46 are preferably formed with
low friction material, which provides unimpeded rotation of the
handle 22 on the inner handle structure.
[0026] To finish construction, the squeeze bottle 28 is filled with
cleaning fluid and is threaded into the inner threads 52 in the
tailpiece 36 until it is tightly seated against the shoulders 77.
The brush 26 is threaded into the female threads 66, and the
elongate bore cleaner 20 is ready to clean a rifle barrel or
another bore, as appropriate.
[0027] The bore 72 of the hollow rod 24 serves as a conduit for the
flow of fluid from the squeeze bottle 28 to the apertures 30. The
bore 72 is preferably dimensioned so that surface tension of the
fluid within the bore is sufficient to prevent drainage or dripping
of the fluid when force is not applied to the squeeze bottle 28.
However, the squeeze bottle 28 and the bore 72 are preferably
configured and sized so that the surface tension can be overcome to
provide flow of the fluid when the squeeze bottle 28 is gently
squeezed by the thumb and forefinger of a user. Applicants have
found that an inside bore diameter of 0.080 in. is sufficient in
this regard for most solvent cleaning fluids.
[0028] In an alternate embodiment of an elongate bore cleaner 120
shown in FIG. 4, a number of rod segments 80, 82, and 84 form the
hollow rod 124. A first segment 80 is seated in the inner handle
structure and extends slightly outside the end of the nosepiece 34.
A third segment 84 includes the apertures 130, and a second segment
82 extends between the first and third segments. The second and
third segments 82, 84 can be removed for easy storage. In addition,
the second, central segment 82 could be eliminated for cleaning of
the inside of a shorter barrel, such as for cleaning the inside of
the barrel of a pistol. Alternatively, additional segments could be
added so as to clean the bore of a longer barrel.
[0029] As can be appreciated from above description, the present
invention provides an easy-to-assemble and
inexpensive-to-manufacture rifle barrel cleaner that provides
efficient cleaning of a rifle barrel with minimal mess. Because the
handle 22 is free to rotate relative to the brush 26, the brush can
rotate with the riflings within a gun barrel as the brush is thrust
into and pulled out of the barrel. A user holds the handle 22 and
the brush 26 is thrust into a rifle barrel. The brush 26, the
hollow rod 24, the inner handle structure (the nose piece 34 and
the tail piece 36), and the squeeze bottle 28 are rotated by the
brush's engagement with the riflings. The surface tension within
the hollow rod 24 prevents fluid from flowing out of the apertures
30. The user's application of pressure on the squeeze bottle 28
causes the fluid to flow through the hollow rod 24 and out of the
apertures 30, and into the barrel of the rifle.
[0030] The simplicity of the construction of the described
embodiment provides many advantages. For example, the device is
easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture, and requires minimal parts
and labor to produce. Alternate embodiments are also contemplated.
For example, as one alternative, the brush 26 could spin relative
to the hollow rod 24, and the handle 22 could be fixed relative to
the hollow rod. In addition, the hollow rod 24 could be replaced
with a solid rod, and a conduit for supplying fluid from the
squeeze bottle 28 or another fluid dispenser could be provided by a
tube that extends down the solid rod. The fluid dispenser, on the
other hand, could be located on the forward portion of the handle,
or within the handle, or even separately of the handle, and could
be actuated by a number of mechanisms, such as a trigger, a gaseous
cartridge, a plunger or piston arrangement (such as a syringe), or
other mechanisms that work either manually or automatically. The
teachings of the present invention can also be used with a rifle
cleaner that is automatically driven into and out of the rifle
barrel.
[0031] Moreover, although the above embodiment of the invention is
described with respect to the cleaning of rifles and dispensing of
a cleaning fluid, the present invention could be used for the
cleaning of a number of different types of bores. In addition, the
fluid dispenser of the present invention could be used to dispense
a number of different fluids, such as, for example, a lubricant. In
that manner, the cleaning member would be a fluid carrier or
spreader, which serves to apply the fluid to the inside of the bore
being cleaned.
[0032] Other alternatives are within the spirit of the present
invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated
embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described
above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *