U.S. patent application number 11/150841 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 for gun barrel cleaning device with quick-detachable cleaning implement.
This patent application is currently assigned to Michaels of Oregon Co.. Invention is credited to Thomas K. M. Peterson.
Application Number | 20060277811 11/150841 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37522794 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060277811 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peterson; Thomas K. M. |
December 14, 2006 |
Gun barrel cleaning device with quick-detachable cleaning
implement
Abstract
A gun barrel cleaning device includes a quick-detachable
coupling mechanism releasably coupling a handle to a cleaning
implement for cleaning a gun barrel bore. A thrust bearing is
preferably provided for supporting the cleaning implement on the
handle and for facilitating axial rotation of the cleaning
implement relative to the handle. The gun barrel cleaning device
may comprise part of a gun barrel cleaning kit, which may include a
variety of different cleaning implements. A novel sheath for
storing a gun barrel bore-cleaning implement is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Peterson; Thomas K. M.; (New
Ulm, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
2405 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 400
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
US
|
Assignee: |
Michaels of Oregon Co.
Oregon City
OR
|
Family ID: |
37522794 |
Appl. No.: |
11/150841 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/95 ;
15/104.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 29/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/095 ;
015/104.2 |
International
Class: |
F41A 29/00 20060101
F41A029/00 |
Claims
1. A gun barrel cleaning device, comprising: a handle; an elongate
gun barrel cleaning implement sized for insertion into a gun
barrel; and a quick-detachable coupling mechanism releasably
coupling the handle to the cleaning implement, the quick-detachable
coupling mechanism including a male part having an axis, a female
part receiving the male part coaxially therein, and a latching
device, located within the handle, slidably movable axially between
an unlatched position in which the cleaning implement is detachable
from the handle and a latched position preventing the cleaning
implement from being detached from the handle.
2. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising a
thrust bearing supporting the cleaning implement on the handle and
facilitating rotation of the cleaning implement relative to the
handle.
3. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 1 wherein, further
comprising a spring for biasing the latching device toward the
latched position.
4. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 1 wherein: the
quick-detachable coupling mechanism includes a detent ball; one of
the male part and the female part of the quick-detachable coupling
mechanism is supported at an end of the cleaning implement and
includes a circumferential groove; and the other of the male part
and the female part is supported on the handle and includes an
axial bore and radially extending passage along which the detent
ball is movable between a first position seated in the
circumferential groove and a second position retracted from the
circumferential groove.
5. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 4 wherein the latching
device includes a recess aligned radially with the passage to
permit movement of the detent ball from the first position to the
second position and a latched position wherein the latching device
interferes with movement of the detent ball from the first position
to the second position.
6. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 4 wherein the male part
is supported on the handle, the axial bore is formed in the male
part, and the latching devise is supported in the axial bore.
7. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 1 wherein an outer
circumferential mounting groove is formed in an end of the cleaning
implement.
8. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the latching
device is axially movable to force the male and female parts of the
quick-coupling mechanism apart.
9. A gun cleaning kit including the gun barrel cleaning device of
claim 1.
10. A gun barrel cleaning device comprising: a handle; an elongate
cleaning implement having an axis; a quick-detachable coupling
mechanism releasably coupling the handle to the cleaning implement,
the quick-detachable coupling mechanism including a latching device
slidably movable between an unlatched position in which the
cleaning implement is detachable from the handle and a latched
position preventing the cleaning implement from being detached from
the handle; and a plurality of thrust bearings at a first end of
the handle and a plurality of thrust bearings at a second end of
the handle supporting the cleaning implement on the handle and
facilitating rotation of the cleaning implement about its axis
relative to the handle.
11. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 10 wherein the thrust
bearing includes ball bearings.
12. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 10 wherein the thrust
bearing includes a first thrust bearing part that bears the load of
axial movement of the cleaning implement in a first direction and a
second thrust bearing part that bears the load of axial movement of
the cleaning implement in a second direction opposite the first
direction.
13. (canceled)
14. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 10 wherein: the
quick-detachable coupling mechanism includes a male part having an
axis, a female part receiving the male part coaxially therein, and
a detent ball; one of the male part and the female part is
supported in an end of the cleaning implement and includes a
circumferential groove; and the other of the male part and the
female part is supported on the handle and includes an axial bore
and a radially extending passage along which the detent ball is
movable between a first position seated in the circumferential
groove and a second position retracted from the circumferential
groove.
15. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 14 wherein the latching
device includes a recess aligned radially with the passage to
permit movement of the detent ball from the first position to the
second position and a latched position wherein the latching device
interferes with the movement of the detent ball from the first
position to the second position.
16. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 10 wherein the latching
device is axially movable to force the male and female parts of the
quick-coupling mechanism apart.
17. A gun cleaning kit including the gun barrel cleaning device of
claim 10.
18. A gun barrel cleaning device, comprising: a handle; a cleaning
implement sized for insertion into a gun barrel; and a
quick-coupling mechanism releasably coupling the handle to the
cleaning implement, the quick-coupling mechanism comprising a male
part having an axis, a female part receiving the male part
coaxially therein, and a detent ball, one of the male part and the
female part supported at an end of the cleaning implement and
having a circumferential groove, and the other of the male part and
the female part supported on the handle and having an axial bore
and a radially extending passage along which the detent ball is
movable between a first position seated in the circumferential
groove and a second position retracted from the circumferential
groove, the quick-coupling mechanism further comprising a latching
device, located within the handle, slidably movable relative to the
other of the male part and the female part between an unlatched
position wherein a recess of the latching device is aligned
radially with the passage to permit movement of the detent ball
from the first position to the second position and a latched
position wherein the latching device interferes with movement of
the detent ball from the first position to the second position.
19. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 18, further comprising
a thrust bearing supporting the cleaning implement on the handle
and facilitating rotation of the cleaning implement relative to the
handle.
20. The gun barrel cleaning device of claim 18 wherein the latching
device is axially movable to force the male and female parts of the
quick-coupling mechanism apart.
21. A gun cleaning kit including the gun barrel cleaning device of
claim 18.
22-25. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application relates to gun barrel cleaning devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Known gun barrel cleaning devices include a handle connected
to an elongate rod or flexible cable, cord, or other length of
material supporting a brush, swab, or other type of cleaning jag
that is pushed or pulled through the bore of the gun barrel to
remove residue or debris. In most known cleaning devices, the rod
or other cleaning implement is either permanently connected or
threadably attached to the handle. To prevent damage to rifled
surfaces of the bore, the cleaning implement should be allowed to
rotate as it moves through the barrel. In some bore cleaning
devices, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,556,494 of
Cooper and 3,208,302 of Lewis et al., the handle includes one or
more bearings for reducing frictional resistance to rotation of the
cleaning implement about its longitudinal axis relative to the
handle under axial loading conditions that occur when pushing and
pulling the cleaning implement through the gun barrel.
[0003] Many gun cleaning devices include cleaning rods comprising
multiple rod sections threadably attached end-to-end. Some known
cleaning systems provide for a variety of cleaning implements of
different sizes and types that are selectively threadably
attachable to the handle for cleaning guns of different calibers
and types. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,674,218 of Boftomly and 4,901,465 of
Hsu disclose examples of such interchangeable implement systems.
However, the threaded connection used in these systems is somewhat
inconvenient, subject to inadvertent loosening during use, and
prone to damage or stripping of threads.
[0004] Other known detachable connections between handles and
implements of a gun cleaning device require the use of collets or
other attachments specially sized to fit the particular size of
cleaning rod or implement selected. The various sizes of tools and
collets required to fit cleaning rods and implements of various
diameters are subject to being misplaced or lost due to their small
size.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,223 of Sipple et al. describes a gun
cleaning tool having a handle and multiple removable tip elements
for cleaning various hard-to-reach surfaces of a gun. The handle
includes an axial bore sized to fit a shank portion of each tip
element, and a spring-clip latch mechanism that moves transversely
of the axis of the handle to engage a recess in an outer side of
the shank to thereby retain the tip element within the handle. To
release the tip from the handle, a push-button mechanism in the
side of the handle is depressed and moved transversely of the
handle axis to displace the spring clip from the recess. Sipple et
al. provides for a threadless, quick-detachable connection between
the handle and various interchangeable implements. However, the
cleaning tool of Sipple et al. is not suitable for cleaning the
bore of a gun barrel and, due to the structure of the latch
mechanism, the cleaning implements are not rotatable relative to
the handle when attached thereto.
[0006] The present inventors have recognized a need for improved
gun barrel cleaning devices and systems.
SUMMARY
[0007] A gun barrel cleaning device includes a quick-detachable
coupling mechanism releasably coupling a handle to a cleaning
implement that may be sized for insertion into and cleaning of a
gun barrel bore. The quick-detachable coupling mechanism includes a
male part having an axis, a female part receiving the male part
coaxially therein, and a latching device slidably movable between
an unlatched position and a latched position. When the latching
device is in the unlatched position, the cleaning implement is
readily detachable from the handle. When the latching device is in
the latched position, the cleaning implement is prevented from
being detached from the handle. A thrust bearing is preferably
provided for supporting the cleaning implement on the handle and
for facilitating rotation of the cleaning implement about its axis
relative to the handle.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, one of the male and female parts
of the quick-detachable coupling mechanism includes an axial bore
and a detent ball movable along a radially extending passage in
response to sliding movement of a latching device for engagement or
disengagement with a circumferential groove in the other of the
male and female parts of the quick-detachable coupling device. In a
preferred embodiment, the latching device is slidably movable
axially between an unlatched position wherein a recess of the
latching device is aligned radially with the passage to permit
movement of the detent ball and release of the coupling, and a
latched position wherein the latching device interferes with
movement of the detent ball to prevent the coupling from releasing.
In other embodiments, the latching device is movable rotatably or
in another direction or manner for releasing the quick-detachable
coupling mechanism.
[0009] A gun barrel cleaning kit may include a variety of different
cleaning implements, each of which typically includes one of the
male and female parts of the quick-detachable coupling mechanism
sized to engage a corresponding mating part of the quick-detachable
coupling mechanism in the handle. A novel sheath for storing a
cleaning implement is also disclosed herein. The sheath includes an
inwardly extending mounting shoulder that engages an outer
circumferential groove of the cleaning implement, to thereby
support the cleaning implement such that its working end does not
touch the bottom of the sheath.
[0010] Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which
proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a gun cleaning kit
including a handle, a padded handle grip, multiple interchangeable
gun barrel cleaning implements, and a sheath for storing one of the
gun barrel cleaning implements;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the handle of FIG. 1
connected to a cleaning implement via a quick-detachable coupling
mechanism;
[0013] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the gun cleaning device
of FIG. 2A shown with a latching mechanism of the quick-detachable
coupling mechanism depressed axially to an unlatched position;
[0014] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the gun cleaning device
of FIG. 2B shown with the latching mechanism moved further axially
so as to eject the cleaning implement from the handle; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of one of the
cleaning implements stored in the sheath of FIG. 1. Detailed
Description of Preferred Embodiments
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] With reference to FIG. 1, a gun cleaning kit 10 includes a
handle 12 and a variety of gun cleaning implements 14
interchangeably connectable to the handle. Each cleaning implement
14 may be inserted into a protective storage sheath 16 for storage
and shipping, as described below in detail with reference to FIG.
3. Cleaning implements 14 may be provided in a variety of different
lengths and gages sized to clean firearms of different calibers and
various types of gun barrel bores. In addition, cleaning implements
14 may be equipped with a variety of different brushes, swabs, or
jags at their working ends 18 for different cleaning applications.
An optional grip 20 is press fit or otherwise secured around handle
12 to provide a comfortable and slip-resistant gripping surface for
handle 12. Each of the cleaning implements 14 is preferably formed
of a rigid, one-piece rod 34 for precision and durability. However,
in some embodiments (not shown), cleaning implements 14 include
collapsible multisection rods or flexible shafts or cables for
compact storage and improved portability. Cleaning rod 34 may be
made of any of a variety of materials, such as brass, aluminum,
stainless steel, or plastic, for example, and may be coated with
protective coatings. In some embodiments, a threaded brass fitting
(not shown) is swaged onto the working end of the rod, shaft, or
cable, for replaceably fastening standard-sized cleaning brushes,
jags, and other standard or nonstandard cleaning attachments
thereto.
[0017] Grip 20 is preferably formed of a plastic or elastomeric
material coated with a soft foam material. However, other materials
may be used for grip 20. An outer surface of grip 20 may be of a
simple cylindrical shape, as shown, or may include contours for
providing a more ergonomic gripping surface. When grip 20 is
installed on handle 12 (not shown), a closed end 22 of grip 20
preferably covers a latch release button 24 of handle 12. The
closed end 22 of grip 20 is sufficiently flexible so as to allow
latch release button 24 to be manually depressed from the outside
of grip 20 for actuating a quick-detachable coupling mechanism 30,
which is described below with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. In
some embodiments (not shown), grip 20 may be open at both ends, so
that latch release button 24 is directly accessible through one of
the open ends of the grip. In still other embodiments (not shown),
the latch release mechanism used is operable in a different manner
and grip 20 is substantially rigid at its closed end 22.
[0018] FIG. 2A shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a
gun barrel bore cleaning device 26 comprising handle 12 and one of
the cleaning implements 14 of FIG. 1 coupled via a quick-detachable
coupling mechanism 30. FIGS. 2B and 2C show how cleaning implement
14 is detached from handle 12. With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and
2C, cleaning implement 14 is shown truncated to omit a working end
18 thereof (FIG. 1). Rod 34 of cleaning implement 14 is preferably
rigidly connected to a female part 38 of coupling mechanism 30.
Preferably, several transverse grooves 40 are provided in cleaning
rod 34 near its mounting end 42 and inserted into a mounting bore
44 of female part 38 before a neck portion 46 of female part 38 is
swaged around mounting end 42. The swaging process causes some of
the material of neck portion 46 to flow into grooves 40 to form a
strong mechanical connection between female part 38 and cleaning
rod 34. The swaging process may leave distinctive pattern of swage
marks 48 (FIG. 3) around the outer diameter of neck portion 46.
Other attachment means, such as adhesives, welding, and threaded
fasteners may also be utilized. In still other alternative
embodiments, cleaning rod 34 and female part 38 may be formed of
unitary construction.
[0019] Female part 38 includes a bore 52 (FIG. 2C) sized to receive
a male part 54 of quick-detachable coupling mechanism 30 coaxially
therein. Axes 56a, 56b (FIG. 2C) of respective male and female
parts 54 and 38 are coincident with centerline 56. Male part 54 is
supported at an end of handle 12 and preferably comprises an end
portion of a sleeve section 60 of handle 12. At least one, and
preferably four, detent balls 66 are supported by male part 54 in
one or more radially extending passages 70 for movement between a
first position (FIG. 2A), seated in a circumferential groove 74
formed within bore 52 of female part 38, and a second position
(FIG. 2C), retracted from the circumferential groove 74. In a
preferred embodiment, four radially extending passages 70 are
symmetrically arranged in a cross pattern lying in a plane
perpendicular to the centerline 56 of sleeve section 60; however,
in other embodiments, passages 70 may be at an incline relative to
sleeve section 60. In the first position, detent balls 66 engage
circumferential groove 74 to prevent cleaning implement 14 from
being detached from handle 12. In the embodiment shown, radial
passages 70 communicate with an axial bore 76 of sleeve section 60.
A latching device 80 of the quick-detachable coupling mechanism 30
preferably includes an elongate plunger 84 axially movable within
the axial bore 76 between a latched position (FIG. 2A), wherein
plunger 84 interferes with movement of detent balls 66 to maintain
detent balls 66 in the first position, and an unlatched position
(FIGS. 2B and 2C), wherein a recess 88 of plunger 84 is aligned
radially with passages 70 to permit movement of detent balls 66
from the first position (FIG. 2A) to the second position (FIGS. 2B
and 2C) and to thereby allow decoupling of the female and male
parts 38, 54 of quick-detachable coupling mechanism 30.
[0020] A spring 92 is provided for biasing plunger 84 toward the
latched position (FIG. 2A) relative to sleeve section 60 and
relative to a handle body 94 in which sleeve section 60 is mounted.
Plunger 84 is actuated and moved toward the unlatched position
(FIGS. 2B and 2C) by grasping handle body 94 and manually
depressing the latch release button 24, which comprises an end of
plunger 84 that projects from handle 12. In the preferred
embodiment, spring 92 is captured in a counterbore 96 formed in a
butt end 98 of sleeve section 60 between the bottom of counterbore
96 and a spring retaining snap-ring 102 that seats in an outer
circumferential groove (unnumbered) in plunger 84. The travel of
plunger 84 and spring retaining snap-ring 102 is limited in the
latching direction (toward the top of FIGS. 2A-2C) by stop washer
106, which is retained by an outer retainer snap-ring 108 seated in
an inner circumferential groove 112 formed in sleeve section 60.
Stop washer 106 and counterbore 96 define an axial travel "B" of
plunger 84 that is greater than a distance "A" between a distal end
116 of plunger 84 and a floor 118 of female part 38 when female and
male parts 38, 54 are coupled, so that plunger 84 is movable an
axial distance sufficient to press distal end 116 against floor 118
and forcibly eject female part 38 from male part 54, i.e., to force
the female and male parts 38, 54 apart.
[0021] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the male part
(rather than the female part) of the quick-detachable coupling
mechanism is mounted to the end of cleaning implement 14 for
seating in axial bore 76 of sleeve section 60, and the latching
device comprises a collar or sleeve slidably supported around
sleeve section 60 and movable axially to selectively inhibit or
allow radially outward movement of detent balls 66. The
quick-detachable coupling mechanism and collar type latching device
of this alternative embodiment may be similar to the
quick-detachable coupling mechanisms described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,663,796 of Helling et al. and 6,070,501 of Braun et al., for
example. In still other alternative embodiments (not shown),
latching device 80 is a plunger or collar that is rotatably
actuated (rather than axially movable) to selectively inhibit or
allow movement of detent balls, as described for example in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,152,645 of Sanford and 6,511,100 of Le Clinche. In
still other embodiments, female and male parts 38, 54 may be formed
in shapes other than cylindrical, such as rectangular, for example.
In yet other alternative embodiments, detent mechanisms not
employing balls or circumferential grooves may be used to perform
the same operational functions of the ball detent quick-detachable
coupling mechanisms described above. For example, circumferential
groove 74 may be replaced by one or more sockets each aligned
radially with one of the passages 70. Thus, the scope of the terms
"quick-detachable coupling mechanism" and "detent mechanism" should
be construed expansively unless otherwise indicated by the
context.
[0022] Sleeve section 60 is rotatably supported on handle body 94
via a first thrust bearing 132 and a second thrust bearing 134
located near opposite ends of handle 12. Thrust bearings 132, 134
facilitate axial rotation of cleaning implement 14 relative to
handle 12 as cleaning implements 14 pass through a rifled gun bore,
thereby preventing damage and wearing of rifling surfaces inside a
rifle bore. Two sets of thrust bearings are provided in the
preferred embodiment, to facilitate axial rotation during both
pushing and pulling of cleaning implement 14 through a gun barrel
bore.
[0023] First and second thrust bearings 132, 134 include respective
first and second sets of ball bearings 142, 144 retained in
respective first and second counterbores 152 (FIG. 2C), 154 formed
in opposite ends of handle body 94 via first and second bearing
retaining rings 162,164 that snap into first and second outer
circumferential grooves 172, 174 in sleeve section 60. First and
second shoulders 182,184 of respective counterbores 152, 154 form
inner bearing races for thrust bearings 132, 134, and retaining
washers 192, 194 form outer bearing races of thrust bearings 132,
134. Retaining washers 192, 194 also cooperate to hold sleeve
section 60 to handle body 94. In an alternative embodiment (not
shown), ball bearings 142, 144 are replaced by solid bushings, such
as flat washers formed of a low-friction material like DELRIN.RTM.
acetal resin sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Skilled
persons will appreciate that a solid bearing material could also be
used to provide thrust bearing functionality in two opposing
loading directions via a single bearing, by using a structure such
as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,302 of Lewis et al. at
column 2, lines 6-13 and FIG. 3 thereof.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of
cleaning implement 14 shown inserted into and stored in sheath 16.
With reference to FIG. 3, sheath 16 includes a tube 302 that is
preferably formed of a transparent extruded plastic material that
allows cleaning implement 14 to be examined from outside sheath 16.
A cap 306 is provided at one end of tube 302. At the other end is a
collar 310 including an inwardly extending shoulder 314 formed of a
resilient material. When cleaning implement 14 is inserted into
sheath 16, shoulder 314 seats in an outer circumferential mounting
groove 320 formed in female part 38, to thereby support cleaning
implement 14 so that its working end 18 does not touch cap 306 at
the bottom of sheath 16, thereby protecting working end 18 from
damage during storage and transport.
[0025] Throughout the specification, reference to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or "some embodiments" means that a particular
described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at
least one embodiment. Thus appearances of the phrases "in one
embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in some embodiments" in
various places throughout this specification are not necessarily
all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described
features, structures, characteristics, and methods may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in
the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be
practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other
methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known
structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described
in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.
[0026] It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that
many changes may be made to the details of the above-described
embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the
invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be
determined only by the claims.
* * * * *