Abstract:
The disclosed portable gun cleaning system is comprised of multiple components, including a variety of gun cleaning implements. These components can be combined to create gun cleaning kits used to clean a wide variety of types and sizes of guns. The system includes a t-handle, a flexible cable for improved portability, individual cleaning implements and quick connect couplings to attach the cleaning implements and the t-handle to the flexible cable. After a cleaning implement is attached to the flexible cable with a quick connect coupling, the cable is fed through the breech of a gun and the t-handle is attached to the opposite end of the flexible cable with a quick connect coupling. The cleaning implement is then pulled through the barrel of the gun. The t-handle is then removed using the quick connect coupling and the process is repeated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/548,889, titled PORTABLE GUN CLEANING SYSTEM, filed Oct. 19, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a portable gun cleaning system. The system herein includes compact field kits that allow users to clean their guns faster, easier and more effectively than the existing products in the marketplace. 
         [0003]    Prior gun cleaning systems rely on attaching cleaning implements to a rod or flex cable by threading them together (screwing a male threaded coupling into a female threaded receiver). The handle is also attached using a threaded coupling. The system disclosed herein uses a quick connect coupling to attach a flexible cable to a t-handle on one end and a cleaning implement (brush, mop, jag, etc.) on the other end. The quick connect is much faster than the threaded coupling. Instead of screwing components together, a user simply snaps them together. Instead of unscrewing components apart from each other, the user presses a release and pulls them apart. Since components are attached and disconnected many times during the cleaning of a gun, the time savings can be substantial. 
         [0004]    A threaded coupling connecting a handle to a cable does not allow cleaning implements to rotate. The quick connect t-handle disclosed herein allows the flex cable to spin, which allows the attached cleaning implements to spin as they follow the lands and grooves in the gun&#39;s bore. Other systems drag the cleaning implements across the lands and grooves, potentially missing fouling in the barrel. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The disclosed system is comprised of multiple gun cleaning components. These components can be combined to create gun cleaning kits or can be packaged as individual components. The system can be used to clean a wide variety of types and sizes of guns. The system includes a flexible cable for improved portability that attaches a t-handle to individual cleaning implements. In some embodiments, the system may include a fixed rigid rod instead of a flexible cable. The flexible cable is attached to the desired cleaning implement using a quick connect coupling and then is fed through the breech of a gun. Then the t-handle is attached to the opposite end of the flexible cable with a quick connect coupling. The cleaning implement is then pulled through the barrel of the gun. The t-handle is then removed using the quick connect coupling and the process is repeated. 
         [0006]    Reference is made throughout the present disclosure to certain aspects of one embodiment of the gun cleaning system and its components described herein. Such references to aspects of the presently described system do not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this disclosure are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the disclosed portable gun cleaning system. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a bottom view of the exterior of the case of one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a front view of the exterior of the case of one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2C  is a top view of the exterior of the case of one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2D  is a side view of the exterior of the case of one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2E  is a back view of the exterior of the case of one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2F  is a top left front view of the exterior of the case of one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of the interior of the case of one embodiment of the disclosed system showing the components of the system within the case. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a view of the interior of the case of one embodiment of the disclosed system showing the components of the system within the case. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a left front view of the disclosed t-handle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the disclosed t-handle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the disclosed t-handle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4D  is a front view of the disclosed t-handle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  is a left front view of one embodiment of the disclosed slotted jag cleaning implement. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  is a back view of one embodiment of the disclosed slotted jag cleaning implement. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosed slotted jag cleaning implement. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5D  is a front view of one embodiment of the disclosed slotted jag cleaning implement. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of one example of the butterfly cleaning patch according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating the method for attaching a cleaning patch to a slotted jag cleaning implement according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a left front view of one embodiment of the disclosed brush cleaning implement. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  is a back view of one embodiment of the disclosed brush cleaning implement. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8C  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosed brush cleaning implement. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8D  is a front view of one embodiment of the disclosed brush cleaning implement. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9A  is a left front view of one embodiment of the disclosed mop cleaning implement. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9B  is a back view of one embodiment of the disclosed mop cleaning implement. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9C  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosed mop cleaning implement. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9D  is a front view of one embodiment of the disclosed mop cleaning implement. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  illustrates one example of the process by which the male quick connect coupler is received by the female quick connect coupler, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11A  is a left front view of one embodiment of the disclosed quick connect adapter. 
           [0036]      FIG. 11B  is a back view of one embodiment of the disclosed quick connect adapter. 
           [0037]      FIG. 11C  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosed quick connect adapter. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11D  is a front view of one embodiment of the disclosed quick connect adapter. 
           [0039]      FIG. 12A  is an illustration of one example of the disclosed cable according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 12B  depicts one example of the disclosed cable as it attaches the t-handle to a cleaning implement in one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover applications or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims attached hereto. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the presently disclosed gun cleaning system  10 , illustrating the parts which comprise the case  100  and the various components of the system. As shown in  FIG. 2A through 2F , the exterior of the case  100  may be comprised of a case top  1001 , case bottom  1002 , and slide lock  1006 .  FIG. 3A  illustrates how the various components of the system  10  fit into the case  100  in one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3B  further illustrates an example of how the various components fit into the case  100 . In this example, the case top  1001 , which includes a top case insert  1003  (see  FIG. 1 ), is configured to hold a t-handle  200  and a plurality of patches  400 . The case top  1001  may further include a clear door  1005 , configured to separate the components stored within case top  1001  from the components stored in case bottom  1002  when the case  100  is closed. Referring still to  FIG. 3B , the case bottom  1002 , which includes a bottom case insert  1004  (see  FIG. 1 ), is configured in this example to hold a flexible cable  800 , at least one brush  500 , at least one slotted jag  300 , and at least one mop  600 . The example shown in  FIG. 3B  includes two of each of the brush  500 , slotted jag  300 , and mop  600 . The case bottom  1002  may further comprise a slide lock  1006  which holds the case  100  closed. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4A through 4D  consist of several views of the t-handle  200 . The t-handle  200  includes a male quick connect coupler  2001  at one end, configured to connect with a female quick connect coupler as described later in this disclosure. The t-handle  200  further includes a mount  2002  which allows for rotation of the flex cable  800  (described below), allowing the brushes, jags, mops or other attached cleaning implements to spin as they follow the lands and grooves in the gun&#39;s bore. The presently disclosed system includes at least one slotted jag  300  that allows a user to use a jag with a flex cable system. An example of the slotted jag  300  is illustrated in  FIG. 5A through 5D . The slotted jag  300  includes a female quick connect coupler  3002  at one end, configured to connect with a male quick connect coupler as described later in this disclosure. The slotted jag  300  further includes a slot  3001  configured to receive a cleaning patch  400 , an example of which is depicted in  FIG. 6 . Traditional jags used with a fixed rod system are designed to be pushed through the bore of a gun. The disclosed system has a flexible rod or cable which works by pulling components through the bore. Traditionally, instead of a jag, flex cable systems utilize a slotted tip to pull cleaning patches through the bore. The slotted jag  300  provides far superior cleaning when compared to slotted tips. As illustrated in the diagram of  FIG. 7 , a cleaning patch  400  is inserted through the slot  3001  in the jag  300 . The patch  400  is then wrapped around and covers the jag  300 , which is fitted to the caliber of the bore being cleaned, providing a tight fit and constant friction as a user pulls the patch  400  through the bore of a gun. A slotted tip is not fitted to the caliber of the bore and relies on the bunching of the patch material to provide friction. 
         [0044]    In the preferred embodiment, the disclosed system includes unique patches specifically designed to work with the slotted jag  300  disclosed herein. These patches provide superior and uniform coverage in the bore as they are pulled through. Traditional patches tend to be rectangular or circular shaped and bunch up as they wrap around a jag or slotted tip.  FIG. 6  shows an example of the patch  400  described herein, which is a butterfly shape designed to fit perfectly around the disclosed slotted jag  300  as illustrated in the diagram of  FIG. 7 . The butterfly shape eliminates bunching and provides uniform contact through the entire length of the bore for a more thorough cleaning. In some embodiments, the butterfly-shaped patch may be replaced by any available cloth patch of any shape, such as rectangular or circular. The disclosed patch may be made of a brightly colored synthetic material to more clearly show dirt and to absorb better than traditional white cotton patches; any other woven cloth or material could be used for the patch. 
         [0045]    The system disclosed herein may include other cleaning implements, such as a brush, an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 8A through 8D , or a mop, an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 9A through 9D . Each cleaning implement included with the system  10  includes a female quick connect coupler  3002  at one end, configured to connect with a male quick connect coupler. 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , each female quick connect coupler  3002  is configured to connect with a male quick connect coupler  2001 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the female quick connect coupler  3002  of the slotted jag  300  is shown receiving a male quick connect coupler  2001 . The male quick connect coupler  2001  snaps into place when received by the female quick connect coupler  3002 . The male quick connect coupler  2001  may be, for example, on one end of the cable  800 , as depicted in  FIG. 12A and 12B .  FIG. 10  illustrates only one example of the cleaning implement which may use the quick connect method; a similar method may be used to connect any two of the disclosed system components which include a male quick connect coupler  2001  on one component and a female quick connect coupler on a second component. In some embodiments, the disclosed system may use a quick connect mechanism (male connector pin that fits into a female quick connect receiver), such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,039. In other embodiments, the system may use other connection means known in the art. 
         [0047]      FIG. 11A through 11D  illustrate an example quick connect adapter  700  which may be included with the system  10  or sold separately. The quick connect adapter  700  includes a male quick connect coupler  2001  on one end, configured to connect with a female quick connect coupler, and a threaded end  7002  which may be used to adapt to cleaning systems other than the system  10  disclosed herein. 
         [0048]      FIG. 12A  shows one example of the flexible cable  800  included in the system  10 . The cable  800  includes a female quick connect coupler  3002  on the first end and a male quick connect coupler  2001  on the second end. In some embodiments, the flexible cable  800  may be replaced by a rigid or fixed rod, which may be made of metal or any other rigid material.  FIG. 12B  depicts one example of the cable  800  as it attaches the t-handle  200  to a cleaning implement in one embodiment of the disclosed system. In this example, the female quick connect coupler  3002  on the first end of the cable  800  receives the male quick connect coupler of the t-handle  200 , using the method illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The male quick connect coupler  2001  on the second end of the cable  800  is received by the female quick connect coupler of the slotted jag  300  (which in this example is covered by the patch  400 ) using the method illustrated in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 12B  shows only one example of the cleaning implements which may be connected to the cable  800  using the quick connect method of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0049]    The disclosed system may combine components to create different portable gun cleaning kits (i.e. rifle cleaning kit, pistol cleaning kit, shotgun cleaning kit, AR-15 cleaning kit, etc.). Components of the system  10  may also be packaged independently or in small bundles. For example, slotted jags and brushes may be paired for different caliber guns and sold together. A person could buy a quick connect adapter  700 , a slotted jag  300  and a brush  500  and then use these components with a cleaning kit as disclosed herein or with any other cleaning kit. Many different components will be sold separately or combined in different combinations. 
         [0050]    For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its advantages, and the specified objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.