Abstract:
A compactable paintball marker squeegee adapted to compact for carrying on the playing field for paintball games. The squeegee is designed to compact into smaller arrangements while providing the capability of wiping paint out a marker barrel. The present invention is designed such that the system will lock into an elongated position and may be unlocked and flipped closed with a single hand motion for compaction during play of a paintball game. Additional improvements provide for a protective design to provide improved insertion into clothing with a protected cleaning head, and improved cleaning head movements through a pear-shaped connection aperture for the pivoting head.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application hereby claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/659,539, filed on Sep. 9, 2003 now abandoned, which claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/452,433, filed on Mar. 5, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of elongated projectile barrel cleaning devices in general. In particular, the present invention relates specifically to a cleaning device for provide a squeegee action for cleaning the inside of a paintball marker. Known art in various other types of cleaning devices may be found in U.S. Class 15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning, Subclass 104.05 Inside, Subclass 104.16 Scraper, Cutter, Wiper or Brush, Subclass 104.062 Cleaner Plug Insertion or Removal Device, Subclass 104.68 Scraper Flue Cleaner, Subclass 104.31 Sewer, Subclass 143.1 Particular Handle, Subclass 144.1 Adjustable, Subclass 144.3 Variable Length; and Class 42 Firearms, Subclass 95 For Barrel Cleaning as well as in other classes and subclasses. 
     2. Description of the Known Art 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a solid elongated squeegee or pull through type of squeegee may be used to clean the inside of a market barrel. Details of a typical solid elongated squeegee include an inner solid tube holding a pivotal squeegee head and an outer spring biased tube to release the head and allow it to fold sideways for insertion into the barrel. The outer spring biased tube is then released to contact the inserted head to force the head into a perpendicular relationship for squeegee cleaning during removal from the barrel. Other cleaning devices include a foldable cleaner that uses a fluff or swab head on a split tube using a surgical tube connection to provide a folding action. The fluff head provide a wiping action for the inside of the barrel. However, the wiping action of the fluff head type of cleaner does not provide the level of cleaning associated with a squeegee type of action. 
     Several United States patents should be considered to understand cleaning devices. These include U.S. Pat. No. Des. 237,678, issued to Spencer on Nov. 18, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 393,115, issued to Bell et al. Mar. 31, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 43,573, issued to Crane on Jul. 19, 1864; U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,105, issued to Firman on Dec. 6, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 57,846, issued to Bausman on Sep. 11, 1866; U.S. Pat. No. 143,139, issued to Gould on Sep. 23, 1873; U.S. Pat. No. 312,206, issued to Jenks on Feb. 10, 1885; U.S. Pat. No. 426,912, issued to Butman on Apr. 29, 1890; U.S. Pat. No. 504,426, issued to Truax on Sep. 5, 1893; U.S. Pat. No. 569,060, issued to Roberts and McCormick on Oct. 6, 1896; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,484,267, issued to Bower on Oct. 11, 1949. Each of these patents are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 237,678 issued to Spencer on Nov. 18, 1975 describes a firearm chamber lubricating and cleaning device. This is a design patent which discloses the embodiment of the swab or fluff type head. It appears that a central joint or pivot is formed in the handle of this cleaning device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 393,115 issued to Bell et al. on Mar. 31, 1998 describes a cleaning device for paintball gun barrels. As this device does not fold, its usefulness is only in the description of the shape of the squeegee portion of the barrel cleaner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 43,573 issued to Crane on Jul. 19, 1864 discloses a gun-barrel scraper which describes a compactable and expandable instrument for cleaning the interior of a barrel of a gun. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,105 issued to Firman on Dec. 6, 1994 discloses a squeegee holder. This patent describes the use of a flexible squeegee and swab end cleaner that may be bent and contained within a holder placed around the compressed air tank of a paint or pellet gun. 
     Thus, it may be seen that these prior art patents are very limited in their teaching and utilization. The prior art fails to disclose an embodiment or apparatus for providing the necessary rigidity for a compactable rod used in a cleaner having a squeegee action. Thus, an improved compactable paintball marker squeegee is needed to overcome these limitations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a compactable paintball marker cleaner. 
     In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a compactable paintball marker cleaner is provided having a first arm with a first arm pivot end. The cleaner also has a second arm with both a second arm pivot end and a cleaner end. The second arm pivot end is pivotally connected to the first arm pivot end. An elastic squeegee scraper is connected to the second arm cleaner end to provide a compactable squeegee cleaner. 
     Additional advantages are found in the initial end of the first arm which has a first arm guide defining an offset insertion guide, a spreader body, and/or a tip encasing offset. The first arm may also define a compaction cavity so that a potion of the second arm can be compacted to nest in the compaction cavity of the first arm. 
     Further improvement may utilize a position lock that is adapted to secure the first arm in relation to the second arm to provide a rigid structure necessary for squeegee type cleaners. A unique design is provided wherein the position lock is adapted to be one hand operable for opening and closing the squeegee so that it may be quickly and easily used on the field of play. 
     Yet a further improvement provides for a closed position retention mechanism adapted to secure the first and second arms in a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the closed position retention mechanism uses a frictional engagement tab connected to the second arm that is adapted to frictionally engage the first arm. 
     A still further improvement teaches the use of a pear shaped scraper guide aperture for controlling the pivoting of the elastic squeegee scraper. 
     One embodiment teaches a compactable paintball marker squeegee that uses a first elongated body, a second elongated body adapted to be positioned in connection with the first elongated body to provide both an extended cleaning position and a compacted storage position along with a squeegee end cleaner connected to the second arm. 
     A further embodiment teaches a compactable paintball marker cleaner having a first arm defining a compaction cavity with a second arm adjustably connected to the first arm to be positioned in both an extend position and a compacted position, wherein at least a portion of the second arm is adapted to nest within the compaction cavity of the first arm. This embodiment also uses a cleaner head connected to the cleaning rod. 
     A still further embodiment teaches a paintball marker cleaner having an elastic squeegee scraper connected to an arm. The operation of this basic embodiment of the scraper is controlled by a pear shaped scraper guide aperture in the arm. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent by reviewing the following detailed description of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the compactable squeegee. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  along line A-A. 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a back view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a right side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the squeegee head pivoted into a compacted position. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the compactable squeegee of  FIG. 1  in a slightly open position. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cutaway view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  along line B-B. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13  is a back view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 16  is a right side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of the compactable squeegee of  FIG. 1  in a slightly closed position. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a cutaway view of the embodiment of  FIG. 18  along line C-C. 
         FIG. 20  is a left side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 21  is a back view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 24  is a right side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 25  is a top view of the squeegee in a fully open position with the squeegee perpendicular for use inside a marker barrel. 
         FIG. 26  is a cutaway view of the embodiment of  FIG. 25  along line D-D. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-26  of the drawings, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally shown as a compactable paintball marker squeegee  100 .  FIGS. 25 and 26  show the compactable paintball marker cleaner  100  in an extend position  102 , also referred to as a cleaning position  102  in which it operates as ram type squeegee. One unique aspect of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 8  which show the squeegee  100  in a compacted position  104 , also known as a storage position  104 . The compactable paintball marker squeegee  100  uses a first elongated arm  106  pivotally connected to a second elongated arm  144  for compaction while still provided the rigid capability for using a squeegee type of cleaner head  198 . 
     The first elongated arm  106  includes a tip protector  108  which provides several advantages. The tip protector  108  has a first arm guide  108  that allows for easy insertion of the squeegee  100  into a pocket or sleeve on clothing. A lanyard loop  109  is also provided in this guide  108 . One advantage of the tip protector  108  of the present invention is that it provides an offset insertion guide  110  to protect the cleaner head  198  during the insertion process. A still further advantage is provided by the tip protector  108  because it is widened to form a spreader body  112  to further protect the cleaner head  198  during the clothing insertion process. The tip protector  108  also has a curved internal radius to form a tip encasing offset  114  so that the head  198  may be pivoted into the tip encasing offset  114  for protection as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     The tip protector  108  of the first elongated arm  106  is connected to the main first body  116 . The main first body  116  is constructed from a first side wall  118  and a second side wall  122  connected to a base wall  120 . These walls define an elongated cavity  124  which operates as a compaction aperture  124 , also known as a compaction cavity  124 , along the length of the first elongated arm  106 . 
     The distal end of the first elongated arm  106  is shown as a first arm hinge wing end  128 , also known as a first arm pivot end  128 . The first arm pivot end  128  defines a left pivot pin aperture  130  and a right pivot pin aperture  132  as well as a left lock pin aperture  134  and a right lock pin aperture  136 . The first elongated arm  106  further defines a lock arm cavity  138  for the lock arm  184  which defines a pivot end cavity  140  allowing operation of the lock arm  184  and a spring seat  142 . 
     The second elongated arm  144  includes a second arm wing end  146 , also known a second arm pivot end  146  includes a hinge extension  156  defining a central pivot pin aperture  148  and a lock arm catch  150 . The first arm hinge wing end  128  and second arm wing end  146  are pivotally connected to provide the compacting action of the present invention. The second arm wing end  146  is connected to the main second body  152  which is constructed from a central wall  154 , also known as a center wall  154  and a back wall  160  in a T-shape. The lock arm catch  150  is shown as a lock encasing offset  158  which operates with the locking finger  186  of the lock arm  184 . 
     A closed position retention mechanism  162  is shown mounted on the center wall  154  and is shown as a friction retaining projection  164 , also known as an engagement tab  164  which is adapted to wedge inside the compaction cavity  124  of the first elongated arm  106  to hold the squeegee  100  in a compacted position. 
     The distal end of the second arm defines a second arm tip end  166 , also known as a second arm cleaner end  166 . The second arm cleaner end  166  has a tip extension  168  which defines a pear-shaped aperture  170 , also known as a pear-shaped scraper guide  170 . This pear shaped scraper guide  170  provides additional control by providing a central pulling position and a variable offset for side pivot positions. As the squeegee  100  is pulled down the length of the marker barrel, the pear shaped scraper guide  170  guides the pin ears  208  of the cleaner head  198  to a central position in the barrel. The friction of the cleaner head  198  against the marker barrel pulls the cleaner head  198  into the narrow end  172  of the pear shaped aperture  170  and pivots the head  198  into a substantially perpendicular position for cleaning the barrel as shown in  FIGS. 25-26 . Once the cleaner head  198  is free from the marker barrel, the larger portion of the pear shaped scraper guide  170  allows the head to rest against the second arm tip end  166  and transfer any impacts which would break the pivoting connections used on prior art designs. Thus, the present invention improves the operation of the cleaner head  198  by allowing for increases breakage resistance while still providing for the requisite cleaning action. 
     The hinge  174  connecting the first elongated arm  106  to the second elongated arm  144  is a simple design using a pivot pin  176  with an appropriate pin diameter and pin length to wedge in place in the arms  106 ,  144  and provide a pivotal motion. 
     The position lock  182  uses a lock arm  184  having a locking finger  186  to engage the second arm  144 . The lock arm  184  is positioned so that a downward force will release the second arm  144  to allow pivoting movement of the arms  106 ,  144 . In this manner, the same operator hand that holds the squeegee  100  may press the lock release handle  190  to open the lock  182 . Thus, the lock is one hand operable. The lock arm  184  defines a pivot aperture  188  for providing the pivotal motion of the lock arm  184  on a lock pivot pin  194  held in place in the first elongated arm  106 . The lock arm  184  also includes the release handle  190  defining a spring recess  192  for retaining the lock spring  196  which biases the lock  182  in an engaged position. 
     The cleaner head  198  is attached to the end of the second elongated arm  144 . The cleaner head  198  is also known as a squeegee end cleaner  198  and includes a scraper tip  200  having a tip body  202  and a elastic squeegee scraper  210 . The tip body  202  includes a scraper support  204  connected to a pivot projection  206  having pin ears  208  for connection into the second elongated arm  144 . 
     Reference numbers used throughout the specifications and drawings refer to the following: 
     Compactable paintball marker squeegee  100   
     compactable paintball marker cleaner  100   
     an extend position  102   
     cleaning position  102   
     compacted position  104   
     storage position  104   
     first elongated arm  106   
     tip protector  108   
     first arm guide  108   
     lanyard loop  109   
     offset insertion guide  110   
     spreader body  112   
     tip encasing offset  114   
     main first body  116   
     first side wall  118   
     base wall  120   
     second side wall  122   
     elongated cavity  124   
     compaction aperture, compaction cavity  124   
     compaction cavity  124   
     first arm hinge wing end  128   
     first arm pivot end  128   
     left pivot pin aperture  130   
     right pivot pin aperture  132   
     left lock pin aperture  134   
     right lock pin aperture  136   
     lock arm cavity  138   
     pivot end cavity  140   
     spring seat  142   
     second elongated arm  144   
     second arm wing end  146   
     second arm pivot end  146   
     central pivot pin aperture  148   
     lock arm catch  150   
     main second body  152   
     central wall  154   
     center wall  154   
     hinge extension  156   
     lock encasing offset  158   
     back wall  160   
     closed position retention mechanism  162   
     friction retaining projection  164   
     engagement tab  164   
     second arm tip end  166   
     second arm cleaner end  166   
     tip extension  168   
     pear-shaped aperture  170   
     pear-shaped scraper guide  170   
     narrow end  172   
     hinge  174   
     pivot pin  176   
     pin diameter  178   
     pin length  180   
     position lock  182   
     lock arm  184   
     locking finger  186   
     pivot aperture  188   
     release handle  190   
     spring recess  192   
     lock pivot pin  194   
     lock spring  196   
     cleaner head  198   
     squeegee end cleaner  198   
     scraper tip  200   
     tip body  202   
     scraper support  204   
     pivot projection  206   
     pin ears  208   
     elastic squeegee scraper  210   
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will also be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.