U.S. patent application number 10/845348 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for firearm barrel cleaning shell.
Invention is credited to Deskins, Rufus Andrew.
Application Number | 20050252405 10/845348 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35308189 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050252405 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deskins, Rufus Andrew |
November 17, 2005 |
Firearm barrel cleaning shell
Abstract
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. A blast conduit is positioned within the casing so as to
receive the discharge from the primer and to direct the discharge
toward the opening in the casing. A projectile is positioned within
the casing and includes an ejectable plug that, before the
discharge of the primer, closes the opening in the casing. A
flexible tether connects the plug to an oil-saturated pad is
positioned adjacent the primer and a solvent-saturated pad
positioned between the plug and the oil-saturated pad.
Inventors: |
Deskins, Rufus Andrew;
(Springtown, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen R. Greiner, Esquire
GREINER LAW OFFICES, P.C.
Suite 110
6701 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda
MD
20817
US
|
Family ID: |
35308189 |
Appl. No.: |
10/845348 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/529 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 5/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/529 |
International
Class: |
F41C 007/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A firearm barrel cleaning shell, comprising: a casing having
opposed ends and carrying a primer at one of said ends and having
an opening at the other of said ends; a blast conduit being
positioned within said casing so as to receive the discharge from
said primer and to direct the discharge toward said opening; a
projectile being positioned within said casing, said projectile
including: an ejectable plug closing said opening; an oil-saturated
pad positioned adjacent said primer; a solvent-saturated pad
positioned between said plug and said oil-saturated pad; and, a
flexible tether connecting said plug, said oil-saturated pad and
said solvent-saturated pad.
2. The firearm barrel cleaning shell according to claim 1 wherein
said oiling pad includes: a first wiper ring being formed of a
substantially impermeable material and being dimensioned to snugly,
yet slidably, engage said casing and said blast conduit; and, a
first applicator ring being formed of an oil-saturated fibrous
material and being bonded to said first wiper ring, said first
applicator ring being dimensioned to snugly, yet slidably, engage
said casing and said blast conduit.
3. The firearm barrel cleaning shell according to claim 2 wherein
said cleaning pad includes a second wiper ring being formed of a
substantially impermeable material and being dimensioned to snugly,
yet slidably, engage said casing and said blast conduit; and, a
second applicator ring being formed of a solvent-saturated fibrous
material and being bonded to said second wiper ring, said second
applicator ring being dimensioned to snugly, yet slidably, engage
said casing and said blast conduit.
4. The firearm barrel cleaning shell according to claim 1 wherein
said tether comprises a length of string.
5. The firearm barrel cleaning shell according to claim 1 wherein
said tether has a tether segment connecting said plug to said
cleaning pad having a length that is about eight times that of said
casing.
6. A firearm barrel cleaning shell, comprising: a casing adapted
for positioning within the firing chamber of a firearm, said casing
having opposed ends and carrying a primer adapted to explosively
discharge gases upon being struck by the firing pin of a firearm at
one of said ends and having an opening at the other of said ends; a
blast conduit being positioned within said casing so as to define
an annulus between said blast conduit and said casing, said blast
conduit having an inner end positioned about said primer so as to
receive the discharge from said primer and also having an outer end
positioned adjacent said opening; a projectile being positioned
within said casing, said projectile including, said projectile
including: an ejectable plug closing said opening; an oiling pad
positioned within said annulus and adjacent said primer; a cleaning
pad positioned within said annulus and between said plug and said
oiling pad; and, a flexible tether positioned within said annulus
and connecting said plug, said oiling pad and said cleaning
pad.
7. The firearm barrel cleaning shell according to claim 6 wherein
said oiling pad includes: a first wiper ring being formed of a
substantially impermeable material and being dimensioned to snugly,
yet slidably, engage said casing and said blast conduit; and, a
first applicator ring being formed of an oil-saturated fibrous
material and being bonded to said first wiper ring, said first
applicator ring being dimensioned to snugly, yet slidably, engage
said casing and said blast conduit.
8. The firearm barrel cleaning shell according to claim 7 wherein
said cleaning pad includes a second wiper ring being formed of a
substantially impermeable material and being dimensioned to snugly,
yet slidably, engage said casing and said blast conduit; and, a
second applicator ring being formed of a solvent-saturated fibrous
material and being bonded to said second wiper ring, said second
applicator ring being dimensioned to snugly, yet slidably, engage
said casing and said blast conduit.
9. The firearm barrel cleaning shell according to claim 6 wherein
said tether comprises a length of string.
10. The firearm barrel cleaning shell according to claim 6 wherein
said tether has a tether segment connecting said plug to said
cleaning pad having a length that is about eight times that of said
casing.
11. A firearm barrel cleaning shell, comprising: a casing adapted
for positioning within the firing chamber of a firearm, said casing
having opposed ends and carrying at one of said ends a primer
adapted to explosively discharge gases upon being struck by the
firing pin of a firearm and having an opening at the other of said
ends; a blast conduit being centrally positioned within said casing
so as to define an annulus between said blast conduit and said
casing, said blast conduit having an inner end positioned about
said primer so as to receive the discharge from said primer and
also having an outer end in fluid communication with said inner end
for directing the discharge from said primer toward said opening; a
projectile being positioned within said casing, said projectile
including: an ejectable plug closing said opening; an oiling pad
positioned within said annulus and adjacent said primer; a
plurality of cleaning pads positioned within said annulus and
between said plug and said oiling pad; and, a pair of flexible
tethers positioned within said annulus and connecting said plug,
said oiling pad and said cleaning pads together in a train.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to ammunition and
explosives and, more particularly, to cartridges with bore cleaning
means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cleaning the barrel of a firearm has never been easy.
Typically, long-handled brushes and similar tools carrying powerful
solvents are used to manually scrub the internal surface of a
firearm barrel. Afterward, oil is placed in the barrel to inhibit
corrosion and excess oil is wiped up to prevent marring of the
gunstock. The process can be tedious and time-consuming and, if
poorly performed, can result in the premature deterioration of the
firearm. In extreme cases, the firearm can be rendered
inoperative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In light of the problems associated with the known methods
and apparatus for cleaning the barrels of firearms, it is a
principal object of the invention to provide a firearm barrel
cleaning shell that can quickly and effectively clean the barrel of
a firearm. The shell is intuitive to use and can be employed with
minimal training and without resort to additional tools.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in a firearm barrel cleaning
shell for the purposes described which is lightweight in
construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and dependable in
use.
[0005] Briefly, the firearm barrel cleaning shell in accordance
with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a
casing adapted for positioning within the firing chamber of a
firearm. The casing carries a primer at one of its ends adapted to
explosively discharge gases upon being struck by the firing pin of
a firearm and has an opening at the other of the ends. A blast
conduit is centrally positioned within the casing defining an
annulus between the blast conduit and the casing. The blast conduit
has an inner end positioned about the primer so as to receive the
discharge from the primer and, also, has an outer end in fluid
communication with the inner end for directing the discharge from
the primer toward the opening in the casing. A projectile is
positioned within the casing and includes an ejectable plug that
closes the opening in the casing. A pair of flexible tethers
connects the plug to an oiling pad positioned within the annulus
adjacent the primer and a number of cleaning pads positioned within
the annulus between the plug and the oiling pad.
[0006] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will become readily apparent upon further
review of the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention may be more readily described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm barrel cleaning shell in
accordance with the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the firearm
barrel cleaning shell of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of a barrel of a firearm
with the projectile of the firearm barrel cleaning shell being
discharged therefrom.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the projectile of the
firearm barrel cleaning shell with portions broken away.
[0012] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Referring now to the FIGS., a firearm barrel cleaning shell
in accordance with the present invention is shown at 10. Shell 10
includes a casing 12 supporting a primer 14 at one of its ends and
having an opening 16 at the other of its ends. A blast conduit 18
is centrally positioned within casing 12 to receive the discharge
from primer 14 and to direct the discharge toward opening 16. A
projectile 20 is positioned within casing 12 and has an ejectable
plug 22 initially closing opening 16. Plug 22 is joined by a pair
of tethers 24 to an oiling pad 26 adjacent primer 14. A number of
cleaning pads 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d are connected to tethers 24
between plug 22 and oiling pad 26. When struck by a firing pin,
primer 14 explosively discharges gases into conduit 18 and, via
conduit 18, against plug 22 with sufficient force to expel
projectile 20 from casing 12.
[0014] Casing 12 has an end cap 30 from which a tube 32 extends.
End cap 30 includes a circular base plate 34 having a central
aperture 36 within which primer 14, being a small tube containing
explosive typically for firing the main charge of a big gun, is
affixed. A retaining sleeve 38 is integrally formed with the
periphery of base plate 34 and surrounds primer 14 at a distance.
The inner end of tube 32 is tightly wedged within sleeve 38 and the
outer end thereof is remote from plate 34. The outer end of tube 32
is provided with an inwardly projecting lip 40 about its periphery
that defines opening 16.
[0015] Conduit 18 comprises a hollow cylinder 42 having an integral
stabilizing hoop 44 at one end of cylinder 42. Cylinder 42 has a
diameter sufficient to snugly receive primer 14 within one of its
ends and to define an annulus 46 between itself and tube 32.
Preferably, the inner end of cylinder 42 having hoop 44 rests
against plate 34 and receives primer 14 therein and the outer end
of cylinder 42 engages plug 22. The periphery of hoop 44 presses
tightly against the inside of tube 32 to ensure that tube 32 cannot
exit casing 12 upon discharge of primer 14 and the passage of
projectile 20 from casing 12.
[0016] Plug 22 is a plastic disk sized to fit snugly within the
outer end of tube 32. As shown, plug 22 abuts lip 40 and, prior to
discharge of primer 14, is retained by lip 40 within tube 32. Upon
discharge of primer 14, the center of plug 22 is hit by primer
gasses exiting conduit 18 slightly deforming both plug 22 and lip
40 permitting plug 22 to exit tube 32 through opening 16.
[0017] Oiling pad 26 includes a wiper ring 48 to which is bonded an
oil applicator ring 50. Wiper ring 48 is formed of impermeable
plastic and is initially positioned within annulus 46 abutting hoop
44. Wiper ring 48 is dimensioned to snugly, yet slidably, engage
tube 32 along the outer surface of wiper ring 48 and conduit 18
along the inner surface of wiper ring 48. Applicator ring 50 is
adhesively fastened to the side of wiper ring 48 facing opening 16
and is separated from hoop 44 by wiper ring 48. Applicator ring 50,
like wiper ring 48, is dimensioned to snugly, yet slidably, engage
tube 32 and conduit 18. Applicator ring 50 is formed of tightly
compacted organic or inorganic fibrous material and is saturated
with oil of a kind suitable for treating barrel 52 of firearm
54.
[0018] Each of cleaning pads 28a-28d includes a wiper ring 56
having a solvent applicator ring 58 bonded thereto. Each wiper ring
56 is formed of impermeable plastic and is positioned within
annulus 46 between plug 22 and oiling pad 26. Each wiper ring 56 is
dimensioned to snugly, yet slidably, engage tube 32 along the outer
surface thereof and engage conduit 18 along the inner surface
thereof. An applicator ring 58, however, is adhesively fastened to
the side of each wiper ring 56 facing opening 16. Each applicator
ring 58 is dimensioned to snugly, yet slidably, engage tube 32 and
conduit 18. Each applicator ring 58 is formed of tightly compacted
organic or inorganic fibrous material and saturated with solvent of
a kind suitable for cleaning firearm barrel 52.
[0019] Tethers 24 are lengths of string positioned within annulus
46 midway between tube 32 and conduit 18 and 180.degree. apart.
Tethers 24 extend from one end of cylinder 42 to the other end and
their opposite ends are affixed in a suitable manner to plug 22 and
wiper ring 48. Additionally, tethers 24 are affixed to each of
wiper rings 56.
[0020] A pair of tether segments 24a connect plug 22 to cleaning
pad 28d. Prior to the discharge of primer 14, segments 24a are
coiled side-by-side within annulus 46 and serve as spacers between
plug 22 and cleaning pad 28d. Segments 24a have a length sufficient
to permit plug 22 to travel to the end of firearm barrel 52, i.e.,
about eight times the length of casing 12, upon discharge of primer
14 without pulling upon or moving any of pads 26 or 28a-28d thereby
ensuring the highest possible acceleration and initial velocity of
pads 26 and 28a-28d through barrel 52.
[0021] A pair of tether segments 24b connects each of pads 26 and
28a-28d together in the manner of a train. Prior to the discharge
of primer 14, segments 24b are coiled side-by-side within annulus
46 and serve as spacers between pads 26 and 28a-28d. Segments 24b
have a length that permits fluid from each one of pads 26 and
28a-28d to contact barrel 52 for a period of time that maximizes
the cleaning of barrel 52 before such is wiped a way by a trailing
one of the pads, i.e., about two times the length of casing 12.
[0022] The use of firearm barrel cleaning shell 10 is
straightforward. First, shell 10 is loaded into barrel 52 in a
conventional matter. Then, with barrel 52 pointed in a safe
direction, the trigger of firearm 54 is pulled so as to cause a
firing pin to contact primer 14. The impact of the firing pin upon
primer 14 causes primer 14 to explosively discharge gases into
conduit 18. The gasses are conveyed to plug 22 that is, then,
driven forcefully past lip 40 and from opening 16. Now, plug 22
travels down barrel 52 drawing tether segments 24a behind it. When
plug 22 reaches the end of barrel 52 and all slack is taken from
tether segments 24a, cleaning pad 28d is pulled down barrel 52. A
thin film of solvent is applied by applicator ring 58 of cleaning
pad 28d along the length of barrel 52 with any solvent residue
being immediately drawn from barrel 52 by wiper ring 56 of cleaning
pad 28b. The barrel cleaning process is repeated as cleaning pads
28c, 28b and 28a follow closely behind cleaning pad 28d down barrel
52 each being pulled by the momentum of plug 22 conveyed through
tethers 24. Thus, in a process akin to obtaining a smooth shave
with a multi-blade razor, each cleaning pad 28a-28d scrubs barrel
52 more than the one that preceded it down barrel 52 resulting in
maximum cleaning.
[0023] Oiling pad 26 serves as a caboose to the train formed by
plug 22 and cleaning pads 28a-28d. Being pulled by tethers 24 down
barrel 52, applicator ring 50 deposits a thin film of oil along the
length of barrel 52 with oil residue being drawn from barrel 52 by
wiper ring 48. Projectile 20 having passed through barrel 52 and
dissipating all of its energy can be picked up and discarded
properly. Casing 12, now absent projectile 20, can be removed from
firearm 54 and similarly discarded.
[0024] With barrel 52 being cleaned and oiled, firearm 54 can be
stored in a safe and dry location for subsequent reuse without fear
of undue corrosion. No additional applications of cleaning
compositions or oils are necessary. The entire cleaning and oiling
process using shell 10 requires only seconds to complete.
[0025] While shell 10 has been described with a high degree of
particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that modifications may be made thereto. For example, the number of
oiling and cleaning pads 26 and 28a-28d might be increased or
decreased as a manufacturer sees fit to tweak the oiling and
cleaning properties of shell 10. Therefore, it is to be understood
that the present invention is not limited to the single shell
embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *