U.S. patent application number 12/001573 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for gun cleaning tool kit.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Otis Patent Trust. Invention is credited to Nicholas Williams.
Application Number | 20090151214 12/001573 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40751375 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090151214 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Nicholas |
June 18, 2009 |
Gun cleaning tool kit
Abstract
A firearm cleaning kit that can be used to clean the breech of a
firearm and, when not in use, may be stored in a relatively compact
space. The firearm cleaning kit of the present invention includes a
receiver brush, an end brush, a pick, a punch pin, a scraper, an
angled pick, and at least one long rod.
Inventors: |
Williams; Nicholas; (Turin,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARJAMA MULDOON BLASIAK & SULLIVAN LLP
250 SOUTH CLINTON STREET, SUITE 300
SYRACUSE
NY
13202
US
|
Assignee: |
The Otis Patent Trust
Lyons Falls
NY
|
Family ID: |
40751375 |
Appl. No.: |
12/001573 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 29/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/95 |
International
Class: |
F41A 29/02 20060101
F41A029/02 |
Claims
1. A firearm cleaning kit constructed of a plurality of cleaning
tools comprising: a first rod having a first and a second end, said
first end containing a male threaded connector, said second end
containing a female threaded connector; a receiver brush having a
base with a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, said
base containing a plurality of bristles mounted substantially
transverse to the longitudinal axis, said first end containing a
male threaded connector capable of releasably engaging the female
threaded connector of said first rod; an end brush having a base
with a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, said base
containing bristles mounted substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis, said second end containing a male threaded
connector capable of releasably engaging the female threaded
connector of said first rod; a pick having a generally cylindrical
body portion with a first end and a second end, said first end
having a substantially rigid wire extending longitudinally from
said body portion, said second end having a male threaded connector
capable of releasably engaging the female threaded connector of
said first rod; a punch pin having an elongated first end and a
second end, said elongated first end having sufficient rigidity to
depress a receiver pivot pin of a firearm, said second end having a
male threaded connector capable of releasably engaging the female
threaded connector of said first rod; a scraper having a body with
a first and a second end, said first end being tapered to define a
scraping surface, said second end having a male threaded connector
capable of releasably engaging the female threaded connector of
said first rod; and an angled pick having a body portion with a
first and a second end, a blade, and a bent terminal section, said
first end of the body portion having a male threaded connector
capable of releasably engaging the female threaded connector of
said first rod, said blade having a longitudinal axis, a first end
attached to said body portion, a second end having a width that is
narrower than the width of the first end of the blade, and a
corrugation extending at least partially along the longitudinal
axis of the blade between said first and second ends of the blade,
said bent terminal section attached to said second end of the blade
and being configured to protrude at an angle relative to said
longitudinal axis of the blade.
2. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein said pick
has a body portion configured to have a first circumferential band
that is textured for ease of handling and a second circumferential
band that has a hexagonal cross-section.
3. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein the
bristles of said receiver brush have varying lengths configured to
form a notch.
4. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 3, wherein the
bristles of said receiver brush are made of a stiff polymer that is
solvent resistant.
5. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein the bent
terminal section of the angled pick protrudes 90 degrees relative
to the longitudinal axis of the blade.
6. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1 further including a
second rod having a first and a second end, at least one of said
first and second ends containing a female threaded connector.
7. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 6, wherein said first
rod, said second rod, and said scraper are made out of metal.
8. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein the first
end of said scraper is about 0.2' wide and about 0.02' thick.
9. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 6, wherein the first
end of said scraper is about 0.2' wide and about 0.02' thick.
10. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein said
second rod has a circumferential band that is textured for ease of
handling.
11. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 6, wherein said
second rod has a circumferential band that is textured for ease of
handling.
12. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, where the
elongated first end of said punch pin is about 0.1' in
cross-sectional diameter.
13. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1 further including a
small flashlight.
14. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 6 further including a
small flashlight.
15. An angled pick for incorporation in a firearm cleaning kit that
is configured for picking and scraping fouling and debris from the
breech of a firearm comprising: a body portion with a first and a
second end, a blade, and a bent terminal section, said first end of
the body portion having a male threaded connector, said blade
having a longitudinal axis, a first end attached to said body
portion, a second end having a width that is narrower than the
width of the first end of the blade, and a corrugation extending at
least partially along the longitudinal axis of the blade between
said first and second ends of the blade, said bent terminal section
attached to said second end of the blade and being configured to
protrude at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis of the
blade.
16. An angled pick according to claim 15, wherein said bent
terminal section is configured to protrude 90 degrees relative to
said longitudinal axis of the blade.
17. An angled pick according to claim 15, wherein said blade is
made of metal.
18. An angled pick according to 15, wherein said blade is made of
substantially rigid polymer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of cleaning
kits for firearms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] With each use, the breech and bore of a firearm accumulate
fouling and debris. Most fouling and debris originates from the
firearm itself, such as: propellant residue (i.e., carbon
deposits), priming compound, and ammunition casings (i.e., copper
fragments). But fouling and debris may also originate from the
environment if the firearm is used outdoors, such as: dirt, sand,
mud, moisture, and plant matter.
[0003] Automatic and semi-automatic rifles are particularly
susceptible to fouling and debris due to the frequency with which
they fire successive rounds of ammunition. Modern automatic and
semi-automatic rifles that utilize direct impingement gas operation
(such as the M16, AR-15, and M4 rifles) are especially susceptible
to fouling and debris due to the means by which they operate.
Direct impingement enables a firearm to be manufactured with fewer
moving parts--which, consequently, results in increased reliability
and decreased maintenance--by harnessing the energy of the
high-pressure combustion gases that are generated each time a
bullet is fired. When a bullet is fired, the explosion from the
gunpowder causes combustion gases rapidly to propel the projectile
down the bore of the rifle until the projectile exits the bore at
the crown of the firearm's muzzle. By diverting a relatively small
amount of the combustion gases, via a small tube, into the rifle's
bolt carrier, the rifle's action can be cycled rapidly and
efficiently. An unintended consequence of direct impingement gas
operation, however, is that the combustion gases typically carry
fouling and debris from the bore directly into the rifle's action.
As a result, after successive firing, the rifle's action will
accumulate undesirable levels of fouling and debris. Yet another
drawback of direct impingement is that as the diverted combustion
gases expand and cool, matter that was vaporized when the bullet's
propellant was ignited will condense and become deposited on the
intricate components that comprise the rifle's action.
[0004] For all types of firearms, fouling and debris in the breech
or bore can result in a decrease in the firearm's accuracy and
precision, and may even endanger the operator. Consequently,
regular cleaning is one of the most basic and essential elements of
proper maintenance for any firearm. Because the breeches of
firearms typically contain numerous intricate components, a variety
of cleaning tools are needed. Military personnel need to be able to
clean their weapons in the field, preferably immediately after
shooting so that their firearm is ready for use at all times, so
there is a need for the various cleaning tools and rod to be made
available as a lightweight, compact, and easy to use firearm
cleaning kit. For reasons of convenience, civilians who shoot and
clean firearms also have a need for a lightweight, compact, and
easy to use firearm cleaning kit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the background, it is therefore an object of the
present invention to provide a firearm cleaning kit that can be
used to clean the breech of a firearm and, when not in use, may be
stored in a relatively compact space. These and other objects,
features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a firearm
cleaning kit that includes a plurality of cleaning tools. The
present invention includes a plurality of rods that have threaded
connectors affixed at one or more of their ends. The rods may be
coupled together via the threaded connectors at their ends in order
to couple the rods together and thereby enable the firearm's
operator to clean hard-to-reach parts of the breech. The rods may
be de-coupled after cleaning to facilitate compact storage of the
present invention.
[0006] The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a
receiver brush that has a male threaded connector at one end, which
is capable of coupling with one of the rods. The receiver brush
further includes a plurality of bristles mounted substantially
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the receiver brush.
[0007] The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes
an end brush that has a base with a longitudinal axis and a
plurality of bristles mounted substantially parallel to that axis.
The end brush further has a male threaded connector at one end,
which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
[0008] The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a
pick that has a generally cylindrical body portion that has a
substantially rigid wire extending longitudinally from one end. The
pick further has a male threaded connector at one end, which is
capable of coupling with one of the rods.
[0009] The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a
punch pin that is made of a rigid material and can be used to
depress a receiver pivot pin of a firearm. The punch pin that is
part of the present invention has a male threaded connector at one
end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
[0010] The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a
scraper that has a tapered end that can be used to scrape fouling
and debris from the breech of a firearm. The tapered end of the
scraper may be either symmetric or asymmetric. The scraper that is
part of the present invention has a male threaded connector at one
end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
[0011] The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes
an angled pick that can be used to clean in and among the intricate
components found in a firearm's breech. The angled pick that is
part of the present invention has a male threaded connector at one
end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
[0012] The cleaning tools of the preferred embodiment of the
invention may be constructed from various metals, polymers, or
other suitable materials. Each of the cleaning tools of the
preferred embodiment are configured such that it may releasably
attach to one or more of the long rods that are provided. The rods
of the preferred embodiment may be coupled together through
compatible threaded connectors. According to an embodiment of the
invention, a firearm cleaning kit includes cleaning tools that are
each made of brass, a sufficiently rigid polymer, or similar
materials in order to prevent scratching the bore of a firearm.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, a firearm
cleaning kit is provided that includes cleaning tools and rods that
are all sufficiently small and lightweight so as to minimize the
amount of storage space the firearm cleaning kit requires. Another
embodiment of the invention may further include a small flashlight
in order to facilitate cleaning of a firearm in lowlight conditions
or simply to enable the user better to illuminate the interior of
the breech of a firearm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The novel features that are characteristic of the preferred
embodiment of the invention are set forth with particularity in the
claims. The invention itself may be best be understood, with
respect to its organization and method of operation, with reference
to the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a firearm cleaning kit
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the receiver brush shown
in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the punch pin shown in
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the angled pick shown in
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the end brush shown in
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the scraper shown in FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the pick shown in FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the first rod having a
male threaded connector and a female threaded connector shown in
FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the second rod having two
female threaded connectors shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the angled pick shown in
FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 11 shows a side view of the angled pick shown in FIG.
5;
[0026] FIG. 12 shows a front view of the angled pick shown in FIG.
5;
[0027] FIG. 13 shows a back view of the angled pick shown in FIG.
5;
[0028] FIG. 14 shows a top view of the angled pick shown in FIG. 5;
and
[0029] FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of the angled pick shown in FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an embodiment of a
firearm cleaning kit 10 is shown that includes a receiver brush 20,
a punch pin 30, an angled pick 40, an end brush 50, a scraper 60, a
pick 70, a first rod 80, and a second rod 90. It should be
understood that the cleaning tools of firearm cleaning kit 10 may
be suitable for use in one or more models of firearms, and
therefore should not be limited to cleaning only a particular type
of firearm.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiver brush 20 of the
firearm cleaning kit 10 includes a base 21 that has a plurality of
bristles 22 mounted substantially transverse to the long axis of
base 21. In the embodiment shown, the plurality of bristles 22 have
varying lengths configured to form a notch 24 in order to
facilitate improved cleaning of round or angled objects. The
receiver brush 20 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as having a base 21
that is has a width that is sufficiently narrow in order to enable
the operator to insert receiver brush 20 into the breech of a
firearm with enough tolerance to manipulate the receiver brush 20
in various directions while cleaning. A male threaded connector 23
is affixed to one end of base 21 in order to enable receiver brush
20 to be releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of
rod 80.
[0032] The firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes punch pin 30
that can be used to depress various parts of a firearm, such as a
receiver pivot pin. Referring to FIG. 3, the punch pin 30 has an
elongated end 31 that is made of a material, such as a polymer or a
metal, that is sufficiently rigid to resist breaking when punch pin
30 that is firmly pressed against a firearm. A male threaded
connector 32 is affixed to punch pin 30 in order to enable it to be
releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80.
As shown in the particular embodiment in FIG. 3, the end 33 of
punch pin 30 may be blunt in order to prevent scratching or marring
the surface of a firearm when punch pin 30 is pressed against
it.
[0033] The firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes an angled pick
40 having a generally cylindrical body 41 that has a blade 42
secured to one end. Referring to FIG. 4, one end of the blade 42 is
secured to the body 41. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the end of the
blade 42 that is secured to the body 41 is wider than the opposite
end of the blade 42, where a bent terminal section 43 is attached.
The relatively narrow width of the blade 42 where the bent terminal
section 43 attaches enables the operator to use the angled pick 40
to access small areas within the breech of a firearm. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-15, the bent terminal section 43
protrudes at an approximate right angle relative to the surface of
the blade 42. In other embodiments, the bent terminal section 43
may protrude at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the
surface of the blade 42. The bent terminal section 43 enables the
operator to use angled pick 40 to scrape and pry fouling and debris
around and among the intricate components within the breech of a
firearm. For example, the configuration of bent terminal section 43
of angled pick 40 is especially well suited for cleaning the
locking lugs of an AR-15, M4, and M16 rifles. Along the length of
the blade 42 is a corrugation 44 that extends at least part of the
way between the portion of the blade 42 that is secured to the body
41 and the portion of the blade 42 to which the bent terminal
section 43 is attached. Because the blade 42 is relatively thin,
the corrugation 44 enhances its rigidity while allowing the overall
construction of angled pick 40 to remain lightweight and compact.
As can be seen in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the corrugation
44 is convex on one face of the blade 42 and concave on the
opposite face of blade 42. A male threaded connector 45 is affixed
to angled pick 40 in order to enable it to be releasably coupled to
the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80.
[0034] The firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes an end brush 50
that has a base 51 having a plurality of bristles 52 extending from
one end. Referring to FIG. 5, the end of the base 51, which is
opposite the end having the bristles 52, includes a male threaded
connector 53 that enables end brush 50 to be releasably coupled to
the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80. In the particular
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the bristles 52 of end brush 50
have a suitable length and are constructed of a suitable material
to facilitate the cleaning and lubrication of intricate portions of
the breech of a firearm. To minimize deterioration of the bristles
52 from prolonged contact with the types of solvents typically used
to clean firearms, the bristles 52 may be constructed of suitable
solvent resistant material. End brush 50 has a body portion 54 that
has a shape or texture to facilitate tightly coupling end brush 50
to rod 80 with a tool such as a pair of pliers or a small wrench.
Body portion 54 also enables the operator more easily to couple and
decouple end brush 50 to rod 80 by hand--without the use of any
tools. In the embodiment of end brush 50 shown in FIG. 5, body
portion 54 has a hexagonal cross-section. In an alternative
embodiment, body portion 54 may have any cross-section but includes
a textured circumferential band consisting of knurling that is
integral to and formed from base 51. The textured circumferential
band of such alternate embodiments may consist of another material,
such as rubber or a polymer, that has been added to the surface of
base 51. When end brush 50 is used to apply lubricant to a firearm,
body portion 54 will assists the operator to grip end brush 50 and
ensure it is securely attached to rod 80 and will not accidentally
become decoupled while inserted in a firearm's breech.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the firearm cleaning kit 10
further includes a scraper 60 that, at one end, has a body 61 that
has a tapered section 62 terminating in a scraping surface 63. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the cross-section of body 61 is
symmetrically narrowed by tapered section 62. In an alternate
embodiment, tapered section 62 may asymmetrically narrow the
cross-section of body 61. Any force an operator applies to the
scraper 60 will result an increased amount of pressure, due to the
relatively small surface area of scraping surface 63 that comes
into contact with the fouling and debris, such as carbon deposits,
that the operator desires to remove from the firearm. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the scraping surface 63 is
approximately 0.2'' wide and 0.02'' thick in order to enable the
scraper 60 also to be used to drive a standard flathead screw. The
end of body 61 opposite the tapered section 62 has a male threaded
connector 64 affixed in order to enable scraper 60 to be releasably
coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80. In one
embodiment, scraper 60 is constructed out of a rigid but
sufficiently soft material, such as brass, that will minimize the
etching or marring of the firearm when the scraper 60 is used to
remove any fouling and debris.
[0036] The firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes a pick 70 that
has a generally cylindrical body 71 with a substantially rigid wire
72 extending longitudinally from one end. Referring to FIG. 7, the
substantially rigid wire 72 is sufficiently thin to enable the
operator to remove fouling and debris from small crevices in and
between the intricate components in the breech of a firearm. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the generally cylindrical body 71
further includes a portion having a textured circumferential band
73 and also a portion that is hexagonal in cross-section 74. The
textured circumferential band 73 enables the operator more easily
to couple and decouple pick 70 to rod 80 or even to manipulate pick
70 without coupling it to rod 80. The textured circumferential band
73 may consist of knurling that is integral to and formed from base
71 or it may consist of another material, such as rubber or a
polymer that has been added to the surface of base 71. The
hexagonal cross-section 74 also enables the operator more easily to
couple and decouple pick 70 to rod 80 by hand without the use of
any tools. The end of body 71 opposite the wire 72 has a male
threaded connector 75 affixed in order to enable pick 80 to be
releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod
80.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the firearm cleaning kit 10
further includes a first rod 80 that has a female threaded
connector 81 at one of its ends and a male threaded connector 82 at
the opposite end. Rod 80 may be constructed out of a soft material,
such as brass or a polymer, in order to prevent scratching or
marring the surface of a firearm during cleaning.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, an embodiment of the firearm
cleaning kit 10 may further include a rod 90 that has a female
threaded connector 91 at one of its ends. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 9, rod 90 has a second female threaded connector 92 at the
opposite end from female threaded connector 91. By having two
female threaded connectors 91 and 92, rod 90 is capable of
simultaneously, releasably coupling the male threaded connector 82
of rod 80 as well as one of the other components of firearm
cleaning kit 10. Coupling rod 90 to rod 80 enables the operator to
employ extended reach and/or leverage when using the components of
firearm cleaning kit 10 to clean a firearm. When decoupled, rods 90
and 80 facilitate compact storage of firearm cleaning kit 10 in
small compartments such as standard soft pouches used to store
firearm cleaning kits. Rod 90 may be constructed out of a soft
material, such as brass or polymer, in order to prevent scratching
or marring the surface of a firearm during cleaning.
[0039] While the present invention has been described with
reference to a particular preferred embodiment and the accompanying
drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment and that
various modifications and the like could be made thereto without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
* * * * *