Firearm cleaning device and method

A disposable firearm cleaning device and method are disclosed for cleaning the chamber and bore of a firearm, especially in the field. The cleaning device comprises a rupturable compressed gas cartridge which is supported in the chamber of the firearm in spaced relation to the walls thereof. A puncturing pin actuable by the firing pin of the firearm is adapted to rupture a disc on the end of the cartridge to release the compressed gas which flows between the cartridge and chamber walls and out the bore of the firearm to clean the chamber and bore.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to new and useful improvements to devices and 
methods for cleaning debris and dirt from firearms, such as rifles, 
shotguns, or the like, and more particularly to disposable firearm 
cleaning devices and methods which are convenient and specially adapted 
for use in the field. 
Deposits of dirt, moisture, metal, burnt powder and similar foreign matter 
and debris on the interior side walls of the shell chamber and barrel or 
bore of a firearm is a common phenomenon. If uncorrected, such deposits 
not only cause the inside surfaces of the firearm to become scratched and 
corroded, but also can create a dangerous condition, particularly if the 
barrel becomes blocked by debris. 
The bore of a firearm is conventionally cleaned by means of an elongated 
metal rod which includes cleaning implements, such as a brush or abrasive 
packs on one end. This technique is essential to proper maintenance of a 
firearm, but has been found to be bulky, tedious and inconvenient to use 
in the field. 
Various attempts to obviate the aforementioned convenience problem have 
been described in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,632 
discloses a gun cleaning device which is of similar size and appearance to 
a standard shell and thus convenient to carry and use in the field. A 
compressed gas cartridge, upon discharge, is propelled through the gun 
barrel pushing a cleaning wad through the same. One disadvantage of this 
prior art device is the fact that the shell chamber, where the device is 
seated prior to activation, is not cleaned in the process. A further 
disadvantage of this device is that, upon activation, the compressed gas 
cartridge is rapidly discharged from the barrel opening in a manner 
similar to a projectile with the potential for causing injury and/or 
property damage. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 938,836, there is similarly disclosed a gun cleaning 
device comprising a shell-like compressed gas cylinder which is punctured 
and drives out a "cleaning bullet" for cleaning the bore as it passes 
therethrough. However, this device also fails to clean the shell chamber 
portion of the firearm. 
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing limitations and shortcomings of the prior art 
devices, it should be apparent that there still exists a need in the art 
for a convenient, field usable and disposable cleaning device capable of 
simultaneously flushing both the shell chamber and the firearm bore or 
barrel with compressed gas and which will not project a solid, bullet-like 
projectile capable of causing serious human injury or property damage. 
It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to fulfill that need 
by providing a disposable firearm cleaning device having configurations 
similar to those of standard shells and, hence, is convenient to use and 
carry and which effectively and safely cleans both the shell chamber and 
the barrel or bore walls of a firearm. 
More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a firearm 
shell chamber and bore cleaner, especially for use in the field, 
comprising a cartridge containing a compressed gas, such as CO.sub.2 or 
the like, which upon discharge will effectively flush deposits of dirt, 
moisture, metal, burnt powder and the like and which may, at the option of 
the user, propel an attachable lightweight lubricated cleaning wad through 
the firearm barrel to further loosen and remove such deposits and to apply 
a lubricant to the inside wall of the barrel. 
It is another object of this invention to provide a firearm cleaner of the 
aforesaid type wherein the cartridge is centrally positioned within the 
chamber by a plurality of fins or struts which are secured to a mounting 
structure. 
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device of the aforesaid 
type wherein a self-contained, spring-biased pin in the device which is 
capable of quickly penetrating and rupturing the gas cartridge closure cap 
and activating the device. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a safe, convenient and 
economical method of cleaning a firearm in the field using the device of 
the aforesaid type. 
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent by reference to the more detailed description which follows, as 
well as to the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the 
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate 
like elements throughout the several views, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 
a preferred embodiment of the cleaning device of the present invention 
used in connection with a firearm designated generally by reference 
numeral 10. In particular, the firearm 10, a shotgun for example, includes 
a receiver 12, fore-end 14, barrel 16 and stock 18. Also included in such 
conventional firearm is a trigger guard 20, and trigger 22 conventionally 
connected by a mechanism (not shown) to a firing pin 32 (FIG. 4) which is 
driven forwardly in the receiver 12 through an opening the rearward end of 
chamber 24. 
The firearm cleaning device 30 of the present invention may be used for a 
variety of different types of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, 
pistols and revolvers. As best seen in FIG. 3, the present forearm 
cleaning device 30, comprises a compressed gas cartridge 40 which is 
sealed on its rearward end by a rupturable disc 41. Sleeve means 42 is 
centrally mounted (as by welding) on the forward end of the cartridge 40 
adjacent the rearward or chamber end of barrel 16. Sleeve means 42 
receives a barrel swab comprising a stem 43 on which is mounted a cleaning 
wad 50. At the rearward end of the cartridge 40 positioned adjacent to the 
firing pin 32 (FIG. 4) is a structure 36 supporting a spring-biased pin 34 
adapted to puncture the disc 41 in response to activation by forward 
movement of the firing pin 32. The cartridge 40 is centrally positioned 
within the chamber in spaced relation to the chamber sidewalls by a 
plurality of fins or struts 38 which are secured to a ring 39 and flange 
37 which forms a part of the structure 36. The diameter of cartridge 40 is 
preferably greater than the diameter of the barrel 16, but less than the 
diameter of the chamber 24 resulting in annular space 44 through which the 
discharging gas can escape upon rupture of disc 41. 
In the use and operation of the present firearm cleaning device, which is 
similar in size and shape to an unfired shell, the device 30 is inserted 
in the chamber with a freshly lubricated barrel swab. The chamber is then 
closed so that the device 30 is situated in the position illustrated in 
FIG. 1. The firearm is pointed in a safe direction, and the firing pin is 
actuated by a hammer in receiver 12 when trigger 22 is pulled. The firing 
pin 32 strikes the spring-biased pin 34 which, in turn, strikes and 
ruptures disc 41 and is retracted from the disc by the spring 35 thereby 
releasing the CO.sub.2 or other suitable gas, such as nitrogen, air, etc. 
from the cylinder 40. The escaping gas is deflected by structure 36 and 
rapidly flows forwardly to the annular space 44 formed between the 
compressed gas cylinder 40 and the chamber walls (as shown by the arrows 
in FIG. 4) thereby removing debris from the chamber walls. The escaping 
gas continues to flow forwardly to the barrel 16 (as shown by the arrows 
in FIG. 3) removing debris and propels the barrel swab and its cleaning 
wad 50 through the barrel 16. As wad 50 travels through the barrel, it 
wipes the inner surface of the barrel 16 to loosen any residual dirt, 
burnt powder, moisture or other debris which is then carried through the 
bore 16 and out the free end of the barrel. 
Alternatively, at the discretion of the user, the device may be used 
without the barrel swab and its cleaning wad 50 if, for example, the bore 
is blocked or if the quantity of dirt and debris in the bore 16 is such 
that it may impede safe or effective passage of wad 50 through the bore 
16. A lubricant may also be incorporated in the compressed gas in a 
conventional manner, especially for use without a barrel swab. 
As the CO.sub.2 is discharged, the device 30 including the cartridge 40 is 
retained in place in the chamber 24 in the same manner as a live shell 
would be retained, that is, by a conventional mechanism (not shown) which 
grips the flange 37. Even if the device were not gripped in such a 
fashion, the relative diameters of the cartridge 40 and barrel 16 would 
prevent the cartridge from being projected through the barrel. Following 
activation, the spent cartridge and discharged barrel swab and cleaning 
wad 50, all composed of inexpensive materials, may be disposed of in a 
conventional manner. 
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present 
invention provides an extremely simple and economical device for cleaning 
both the chamber and barrel walls of a firearm while in the field. The 
present invention also is safer to use than the known prior art cleaning 
devices described above because cleaning is accomplished without 
projecting a hard or otherwise dangerous object which can injure the user 
or persons standing nearby or damage property. 
It will be appreciated that many modifications and variations of the 
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and within 
the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and 
intended scope of the invention.