U.S. patent number RE38,247 [Application Number 09/305,823] was granted by the patent office on 2003-09-16 for firearm cleaning device.
Invention is credited to Robert L. Wickser, Jr..
United States Patent |
RE38,247 |
Wickser, Jr. |
September 16, 2003 |
Firearm cleaning device
Abstract
A gun cleaning and safety device stored and transported inside
the barrels of a gun, excluding live ammunition during transport.
The device has a locking extendable ramrod (22,24), which
accommodates a ramrod tip (26) designed to increase the surface
area of a disposable cleaning element. The base of each unit has a
cartridge-like end (10) which contains a pin (12), a spring (14), a
container (16) for oil and/or solvent and serves as a handle for
its ramrod. Cartridge-like end (10,12,14) allows the innocuous
release of a gun's hammer when a live cartridge is not present in
the chamber.
Inventors: |
Wickser, Jr.; Robert L. (San
Francisco, CA) |
Family
ID: |
24508320 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/305,823 |
Filed: |
May 5, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
625951 |
Apr 1, 1996 |
05628136 |
May 13, 1997 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/95; 102/442;
15/104.52; 89/1.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A
29/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41A
29/00 (20060101); F41A 29/02 (20060101); F41A
029/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;42/95 ;15/104.52
;102/442 ;89/1.25 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Johnson; Stephen M.
Claims
I claim:
1. A convenient and economical cleaning and safety device that is
stored inside a firearm barrel comprising: (a) a striker cartridge,
comprising a base that conforms to a firearm chamber and a
non-deforming surface with spring energy absorption means, (b) a
chemical holding container that conforms to a firearm chamber and
barrel, in shape, (c) a rod capable of being secured at variable
lengths by a twisting and locking method capable of force
transmission in compression and rotation, (d) a cleaning element
holding tip, capable of holding large disposable cleaning elements,
(e) an interconnecting means between the above-listed elements.
2. A gun cleaning device, the components thereof comprising: a
rigid rod having a first and a second end, a hollow coaxial
cylindrical rod sliding over and attached to said first end of said
rigid rod, a container for liquids attached to the second end of
said rigid rod, a rod end containing a slotted opening for a
cleaning patch or towel attached to an end of said hollow coaxial
cylindrical rod, a flexible ring attached near the end of the rod
end containing the slotted opening, a striker cartridge assembly
attached to the end of said container for liquids, said gun
cleaning device having at least two positions, including: an
extended position for cleaning the gun barrel and chamber, and a
retracted position for storage within said gun barrel.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to guns, specifically to an improved
cleaning and safety device for firearms.
2. Description of Prior Art
Previously guns were cleaned with implements that had to be left at
home or carried separately from the firearm. Gun stores and gun
catalogues offer cleaning kits for removing the residue left behind
from burned gunpowder. One kit consists of a ramrod with a loop at
the end. Another device consists of a ramrod surrounded with wool
or "wooly rod". After repeated uses the "wooly rod" is too filthy
to hold additional soot and is ineffective. An effective cleaning
of the cleaning kit is not practical and the wooly rod becomes
useless.
A striker cartridge or "snap cap" (which does not clean a shotgun)
is a device that allows the hammer inside the shotgun to release
without damaging the hammer or firing pin. Gun cleaning ramrods,
oil, cleaning solvent and striker cartridges are sold
separately.
My firearm cleaning device incorporates the best aspects of a
ramrod with a loop at the end, oil and/or solvent containers,
striker cartridges and is shaped to be carried in the barrel of a
gun. Originally the ramrod (with a loop at the end) for placing a
patch usually made out of absorbent cloth was the preferred way to
clean the barrels of shotguns. However the patch placed in the
barrel is too small to remove the considerable amount of gunpowder
residue that tends to accumulate and a new patch would have to be
applied several times to complete the job.
In my firearm cleaning device the loop tip of a ramrod and a larger
disposable cleaning element, such as a paper towel, can be used to
remove more soot faster and with less effort. The striker cartridge
along with a reservoir for holding oil and/or cleaning solvent
serves as a handle for the ramrod and all can be stored inside the
barrel of a gun.
In the instance of a double barreled shotgun both units of this
firearm cleaning device can be carried in the firearm. This allows
the owner of a gun to have a storage compartment for both oil and
cleaning solvent, which creates a convenient way to clean a firearm
after using it.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Patterson, U.S. Pat. No.
470,254 (1892), in that my device does not have a rod with a
shouldered knob or a spiral thread formed around the ramrod. My
firearm cleaning device has a locking extendable ramrod, which
accommodates a ramrod tip designed to increase the surface area of
a disposable cleaning element.
My firearm cleaning device differs from True, U.S. Pat. No. 852,748
(1907), Gardner, U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,109 (1952), Goodwin, U.S. Pat.
No. 2,897,525 (1953), Ingalls, U.S. Pat. No. 3,137,957 (1964),
Malesky et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,627 (1983), Williams et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,673 (1988), Black et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,776,125 and Yeadon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,074 (1991) in that my
firearm cleaning device does not have an elongated flexible shaft
or cable. My firearm cleaning device is stored inside the barrel of
a gun and has a built in striker-cartridge in the end of the
ramrod.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Southgate, U.S. Pat. No.
1,067,383 (1913) and Geltner, U.S. Pat. No. 2,744,275 (1956) in
that the locking mechanism of my device's rod are different.
Southgate's locking mechanism which is employed for each of its
several sections will fail the moment the user applies a clockwise
with pushing motion. To clean the barrel of a firearm without
twisting the ramrod is unrealistic. Geltner's rod locking mechanism
works on only one side of his ramrod's sections the moment pressure
is applied to the other side of any of the ramrod's sections they
won't work.
My firearm cleaning device differs from McGavisk, U.S. Pat. No.
1,229,991 (1917) in that my device does not have a threaded rod
connected to a disk, or a means for closing the muzzle end of a
gun's barrel to prevent oil from leaking out of the barrel. My
device does not include or need an oil retainer for the barrel of a
gun.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Olberding, U.S. Pat. No.
1,526,177 (1925) in that my device does not have coaction catches
at the meeting ends to hold a rod in either the extended or
contracted position or a screw stem for securing a patch.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Belding, U.S. Pat. No.
1,532,223 (1925) and Eckert, U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,293 (1966) in that
my device does not have a stop collar or stop means for its ramrod.
Belding or Eckert's invention would be superfluous in conjunction
with my device.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Dake, U.S. Pat. No.
1,665,257 (1928) in that Dake shows the cleaning patch detachable,
whereas the patch in my device is held to rod.
My gun cleaning device differs from Jack, U.S. Pat. No. 2,405,308
(1946) in that my device does not have a metallic shell element
provided with a plunger in a bore or a design having the same
weight as a live cartridge. My device is designed not to be
mistaken for a live round which eliminates the possibility of
deadly consequences for its owner.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Hoard, U.S. Pat. No.
2,594,778 (1952) and Doyle, U.S. Pat. No. 2,985,979 (1961) because
both show moisture reduction and rust prevention methods, which
incorporates plugs, a far different invention than mine.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Huckabee, U.S. Pat. No.
2,763,081 (1956), Healey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,284 (1990) and
Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,508 (1991) in that my firearm cleaning
device is not a ridged locked-rod type of disabling or sealing
device. The striker-cartridge aspect of Healey's firearm cleaning
device is a resilient material, whereas mine is spring
operated.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Lewis et al., U.S. Pat. No.
3,208,302 (1965) because by device does not contain a releasable
locking mechanism in its handle. My device is designed to obviate
the need of a swivel handle in its ramrod.
My firearm cleaning device differs from McConnell, U.S. Pat. No.
3,564,746 (1971) in that my device does not have a plunger or a cap
that can be unscrewed if the plunger needs to be replaced because
of damage by repeated use. My device contains a pin that is non
deforming and designed not to need replacement. McConnell's
invention does not have a rim around the breech end, is positioned
by hand and is hand-held during use as a snap cap substitute.
My firearm cleaning device differs from DiProspero, U.S. Pat. No.
4,010,565 (1977) in that my firearm cleaning device does not have a
tip end which is received in a cylindrical member, having a reduced
size cylindrical end, for fitting into a cylindrical cup. My
firearm cleaning device has a collapsible rod and stores oil and or
solvent instead of patches in the handle. My firearm cleaning
device is designed to be stored inside the barrel of a gun and has
a built in striker cartridge in the handle of the ramrod.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Cech, U.S. Pat. No.
4,100,693 (1978) in that Cech's claim 1 has an impact element
arranged eccentrically to the cartridge jacket's longitudinal axis,
and the impact element is rotatably mounted in this opening. In
addition Cech further claims a cartridge jacket wall with openings
and a sleeve-like insert. The sleeve like insert contains a known
chemical substance diffusing a corrosion-preventing gas, is
replaceably mounted within the generally tubular side wall, and
supplied to at least one additional opening serving to feed the gas
to the breech area of a shotgun. Cech has no attachment for oil or
cleaning solvent containers, no two piece extendable ramrod and no
rod tip to accommodate a disposable cleaning element.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Jurich, III, U.S. Pat. No.
4,195,381 (1980), Zurek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,137 (1988),
Stephan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,509 (1991), and Selleck, U.S. Pat. No.
5,075,998 (1991), in that my firearm cleaning device does not have
an attached brush(s), a plurality of short, parallel shafts which
are mechanically coupled to a triangularly shaped adaptor, a drive
unit with drive wheels, a mechanism on a head segment for cleaning
the magazine receiver of a pistol or a gun cleaning rod with a
swivel handle. My firearm cleaning device is stored inside the
barrel of a gun and has a built in striker cartridge in the handle
of the ramrod.
My firearm cleaning device differs from DiProspero, U.S. Pat. No.
4,222,142 (1980) in that my firearm cleaning device is not a
multi-functional tip for a cleaning rod. My firearm cleaning device
does not claim the diverging bristle patterns claimed by
DiProspero.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Carlton, U.S. Pat. No.
4,291,477 (1981) in that my firearm cleaning device does not
compress a spongeous cleaning element between one end of a hollow
annular compression sleeve and a retaining member. My firearm
cleaning device is designed to be stored inside the barrel of a
gun, has a built in striker-cartridge, and storage compartments for
oil and/or cleaning solvents in the handle of the ramrod and uses a
ramrod with a disposable cleaning surface.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Rupp et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,315,780 (1982) in that my firearm cleaning device is not a liquid
composition.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Beers, U.S. Pat. No.
4,328,632 (1982), Blase, U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,750 (1989), Blase,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,368 (1991), and Shi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,744
(1994) in that my firearm cleaning device does not use compressed
gas or compressed fluid cartridges to propel cleaning wads through
the barrel of a firearm. My firearm cleaning device uses a ramrod
with a disposable cleaning surface attached by hand and is
repeatedly moved back and forth inside the barrel. Given any
experience with cleaning firearms, it does not seem that one pass
or even several passes of a gas-or fluid-propelled wad would do as
effective cleaning job as my firearm cleaning device.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Izumi, U.S. Pat. No.
4,501,081 (1985) in that my firearm cleaning device is not designed
to replace the firing pin of a gun. The firing pin is protected by
a stroker-cartridge in my firearm cleaning device.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Bottomley, U.S. Pat. No.
4,674,218 (1987) in that my firearm cleaning device does not have a
cleaning rod with a threaded inboard end cap which is sleevable
upon the rod and is threadable into the inboard bore so as to be
walked into tight interengagement with the handle. My firearm
cleaning device is designed to be stored inside the barrel of a
gun, has a built in striker-cartridge, and storage compartments for
oil and/or cleaning solvents in the handle of the ramrod and uses a
ramrod with a disposable cleaning surface.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Schneider, U.S. Pat. No.
4,698,932 (1987) in that his firearm cleaning device varies in
diameter, depending on direction of travel inside the barrel of a
gun. My firearm cleaning device could clean the barrel of a gun in
both directions of rod travel.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Brown, Jr. et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 4,803,792 (1989), in that my firearm cleaning device is
not guidably positioned in a carrier sleeve which, at its front
end, cooperates with a breech mounting plug to loosely limit its
sidewise movement and which at its back end cooperates with a
close-clearance-defining bore of a plug-like guide sleeve.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Rivers, U.S. Pat. No.
4,866,871 (1989) in that my firearm cleaning device does not have a
rod mounted in a sleeve, a gun cleaning element attached to the rod
or a mounting means attached to the sleeve for slidably guiding the
rod along a sleeve.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Stipp, U.S. Pat. No.
4,873,778 (1989) in that I do not claim a foam-type disposable
cleaning element.
My firearm cleaning device differs from French, U.S. Pat. No.
4,890,406 (1990) in that my firearm cleaning device is not for a
muzzle loading gun and does not claim a ramrod of two different
concentric materials.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Hsu, U.S. Pat. No.
4,901,465 (1990) in that my firearm cleaning device does not have a
plurality of section which are detachably interconnected with one
another and which can be stored in its tubular casing.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Frigon et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,022,176 (1991) in that my firearm cleaning device is not an
external holding device for storing a ramrod on the barrel of a
shotgun or other firearm. My firearm cleaning device is designed to
be stored inside the barrel of a gun.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Mekler, U.S. Pat. No.
5,171,925 (1992), in that my firearm cleaning device uses a ramrod
with a disposable cleaning surface attached by hand and is not a
pull-through device for cleaning gun barrels as Mekler shows.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Tellechea, U.S. Pat. No.
5,204,483 (1993) in that my firearm cleaning device is not a shaft
having cylindrical members and bushings to prevent the shaft from
scraping the internal surface of the barrel during cleaning. My
firearm cleaning device does not require bushings to prevent its
shaft from scraping the barrel of a gun because my firearm cleaning
device's shaft is made from a material that will not harm metal. My
firearm cleaning device is stored inside the barrel of a gun.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Peterson, U.S. Pat. No.
5,233,124 (1993) in that my firearm cleaning device does not
provide a cartridge case simulator for which a bullet is to be
positioned for subsequent identification of a desired location
relative to an intended corresponding cartridge case or a gauge
shaft for reciprocal movement along the axial aligned passage and
duct.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Stengel, U.S. Pat. No.
5,357,705 (1994) in that my firearm cleaning device does not
provide a wire brush for cleaning a firearm or a moveable handle so
either end of the device can be used for cleaning. My firearm
cleaning device is designed to ride within a gun's barrel, and
provides storage for oil and/or solvent. Stengel does not provide
protection of a firearm's firing pin from damage during cleaning;
mine is a striker cartridge.
My firearm cleaning device differs from Darrow, U.S. Pat. No.
5,435,090 (1995) in that Darrow shows an interrupted rim and a
solid energy absorbing core. Darrow has no attachment for oil or
cleaning solvent containers or a two piece extendable ramrod.
Darrow's firearm cleaning device contains a top part tapped and
threaded for a brush which is not part of my firearm cleaning
device.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
The Firearm Cleaning Device is designed to travel inside that
barrels of a firearm. The system contains either one or two units.
Each unit contains a cartridge-like end. The cartridge-like end
accommodates a pin which is backed by a spring. The cartridge end
(or stroker cartridge) is designed to absorb the motion of a
firearm's hammer by giving the firing pin something to hit which
has the similar amount of resistance as an actual live cartridge's
primer. The benefits of this are: 1. the prevention of the gradual
shearing of the firing pin from its connecting hammer. 2. the
prevention of damage by deformation to the gun's hammer(s). 3. the
prevention of possible deterioration to the (hammer and firing
pin's) spring by allowing a safe and innocuous release of the
spring's tension.
Further objects and advantages of this invention are: (a) it
provides a ramrod tip which will accommodate a disposable cleaning
surface such as a paper towel; (b) it provides more surface area
for the disposable cleaning surface; (c) it provides ease of use;
(d) it provides a built-in safety mechanism for shotguns; (e) it
provides a built-in striker cartridge; (f) it provides built-in
reservoirs for cleaning fluid; and (g) it provides convenience for
transportation.
DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the parts of the firearm cleaning
device.
FIG. 2-A shows the firearm cleaning device in its extended
position.
FIG. 2-B shows the firearm cleaning device in the compressed
position.
FIG. 3 shows oil or chemical storage for another firearm barrel
(such as a double-barreled shotgun).
Reference Numerals In Drawings 10 pin case 12 pin 14 spring 16
bottle 18 washer 20 rod seat 22 rod 24 slip rod 26 rod tip 28 ring
50 fastener 54 fastener 56 lock pin 58 lock spring 60 fastener 80
bottle 82 bottle top
DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1 TO 3
The Firearm Cleaning Device consists of a pin case 10 which holds a
movable pin 12. A spring 14 resides at the end of the pin 12 and
both the spring 14 and the pin 12 are housed by the pin case 10.
The pin case 10 together with a pin 12 and a spring 14 is connected
to bottle 16. The bottle 16 is fastened to the pin case 10 by
fasteners 50. The bottle 16 end is threaded and is connected to rod
seat 20. A washer 18 made of a soft material resides inside rod
seat 20. A rod 22 connects to the rod seat 20.[.).]. . The rod 22
is fastened to the rod seat 20 by fastener 54. The end of rod 22
(not connected to rod seat 20) contains a pin .[.50.].
.Iadd.56.Iaddend., a spring .[.52.]. .Iadd.58 .Iaddend.and fastener
60.[.).]. , which keeps the spring .[.50).]. .Iadd.58 .Iaddend.and
pin .[.52.]. .Iadd.56 .Iaddend.in place. The rod 22 is also
connected to a slip rod 24. The slip rod 24 is fastened to the rod
22 by fastener .[.64.]. .Iadd.62.Iaddend.. A rod tip 26 connects to
the slip rod 24 by fastener 64. Ring 28 made from a soft material
resides on the outside end of the rod tip 26.
The accompanying unit of the Firearm Cleaning Device consists of a
pin case 10 which holds a moveable pin 12. A spring 14 resides at
the end of the pin 12 and both the spring 14 and the pin 12 are
housed by the pin case 10. The pin case 10 together with pin 12 and
spring 14 are connected to bottle .[.16.]. .Iadd.80.Iaddend.. The
bottle .[.16.]. .Iadd.80 .Iaddend.is fastened to the pin case 10 by
fasteners 50. For a second barrel, pin case 10 together with pin 12
and spring 14 (which are the same size and shape for both) are
connected to bottle .[.80.]. . The bottle's .[.16.]. .Iadd.80
.Iaddend.end is threaded and connects to bottle top 82. The bottle
top .[.80.]. .Iadd.82 .Iaddend.opens without being removed from the
bottle .[.16.]. .Iadd.80.Iaddend..
OPERATION--FIGS. 1 TO 3
The striker cartridge (assembly of 10, 12, and 14) is connected to
bottle 16 or 80 which can store any of several kinds of oils or
cleaning solvents. The oil, solvent or both oil and solvent can be
used in unison with the other parts of the firearm cleaning device
to effectively clean a firearm without carrying any additional
materials to the location of where the firearm is to be used. Each
unit has a bottle connected to the striker cartridge but one unit
has a two-piece telescoping ramrod (assembly of 22, 24, and 26)
which, in its extended and compressed positions, .Iadd.is capable
of being secured at various lengths by a twisting and locking
method capable of force transmission in compression and rotation,
and .Iaddend.locks in place using a double locking mechanism. The
telescoping gives the unit's ramrod the additional length to allow
it to effectively cover the length of a gun's barrel. A knurled
ramrod tip allows the user of any of a number of items that can be
used as cleaning patches (to remove soot) but paper towels are
especially effective. .Iadd.The ramrod end includes a slotted
opening for a cleaning patch or towel..Iaddend.
Since the firearm cleaning device is stored in the barrel of a
firearm (such as a double-barrelled shotgun) when not in use, there
is no possibility of live rounds residing in the barrel. This
creates a new safety feature for firearms.
SUMMARY, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
Accordingly, the reader will see that the firearm cleaning device
which includes built-in striker cartridges and receptacles for oil
and/or solvent, can be used to clean a firearm easily and
conveniently. In addition, when the device is not in use it acts
(because it resides in the barrels of a gun) to prevent the
possible storage of live ammunition in a firearm. When the firearm
is being fired, the device is easily kept in the shooter's pocket
or carrying case.
Furthermore, the firearm cleaning device has the additional
advantages in that: it provides convenience for transportation. it
provides a built-in safety mechanism for shotguns; it prevents the
gradual shearing off of a gun's firing pin from its connecting
hammer and deformation to the gun's hammer; it prevents possible
deterioration to the (hammer and firing pin's) spring by allowing a
safe and innocuous release of the spring's tension;
Although the description above contains many specificities, this
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the firearm
cleaning device but as merely providing illustrations of some of
the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example
the two units of this invention can have other shapes and sizes.
Such as the proper shape and size to accommodate the different
calibers and gauges of center fire firearms.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the
examples given.
* * * * *