Patent Publication Number: US-2023133194-A1

Title: Ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to an ergonomic handle. More specifically, it relates to an ergonomic handle for a firearm cleaning apparatus, which may include an attached rod that has an attachment end to be used with a plurality of gun bore cleaning tools; the ergonomic handle reduces the strain on a user&#39;s hand and wrist when cleaning a gun bore. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Throughout the life of firearms, their bores may be affected by debris, moisture, rust, copper, carbon, and gunpowder residue. Therefore, firearm bores need to be regularly cleaned so they may function properly and prevent the formation of rust that leads to decay. To accomplish this, individual users and gunsmiths must be able to access the inside surface of a firearm bore and any carbon or residue therein. However, conventional cleaning rods are configured in line with the handle; such configurations can lead to excessive strain on a user&#39;s hand and wrist. Therefore, a new bore cleaner is needed to alleviate the stress on a user&#39;s hand and wrist. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the present disclosure, an ergonomic handle for a firearm cleaning apparatus may be comprised of a core that has a top end and a base; disposed in between the top end and base is a grip with two surfaces that are opposite each other, a finger-engaging surface and a palm-engaging surface. A bolster is disposed on the top end, above the palm-engaging surface, and a connector is disposed on the base below the finger-engaging surface where one end of a cleaning rod is attached to the connector. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure of an ergonomic handle for a firearm cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning rod where one end is attached to the connector, wherein the connector is a rolling bearing, and another end of the cleaning rod consists of an accessory end that may connect to a plurality of bore-cleaning devices. Such bore cleaning accessories may include a jag, a bore brush, a star chamber brush, a star chamber mop, a star chamber pad, a slotted tip, and combinations thereof. Additionally, the cleaning rod maybe be made from materials such as carbon fibers, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, coated steel, fiberglass, and their combinations. 
     Additional aspects of the present disclosure of an ergonomic handle for a firearm cleaning apparatus may include a connector that is permanently attached to the handle with an adhesive. The grip may be partially or fully surrounded by an overlaid material that may consists of a different material than the handle&#39;s core. In some embodiments, the material that is overlaying the grip may be applied as an over-mold which cannot be non-destructively separated. Such over-molded applications may define up to three separate finger-engaging portions on the finger-engaging surface and a palm engaging portion on the palm-engaging surface. In some instances, the material that is overlaying the grip may be textured. 
     The finger-engaging surface may include, in some embodiments, at least one indentation disposed above the base; these indentations may consists of at least half to three-fourths of the finger-engaging surface. Further aspects of the indentation may include may consists of a chamfered lip disposed above the indentation where the chamfer defines an angle between the top end and the finger-engaging surface between 120 and 145 degrees. 
     Some further aspects of the ergonomic handle for a firearm cleaning may include embodiments where there is an inward curvature of the palm-engaging surface below the bolster. 
     According to the present disclosure, a method for using an ergonomic handle for a firearm cleaning apparatus may comprise an ergonomic handle having a core that has a top end and a base; disposed in between the top end and base is a grip with two surfaces that are opposite each other, a finger-engaging surface and a palm-engaging surface. A bolster is disposed on the top end, above the palm-engaging surface having an inward curvature below the bolster, and a connector is disposed on the base below the finger-engaging surface where one end of a cleaning rod is attached to the connector, and another end has an accessory connection; connecting an accessory to the accessory connection; then inserting the accessory into a firearm barrel; then pushing and pulling the accessory within the firearm a plurality of times, and finally removing the accessory from the firearm barrel. Some methods may include the addition of a cleaning rod consisting of a carbon fiber material that is connected to a rolling bearing connector via an adhesive. A further step in the method of using the an ergonomic handle for a firearm cleaning includes adding a cleaning patch to an accessory attached to the accessory end and further saturating the cleaning patch with a cleaning solvent. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure of an ergonomic handle for a firearm cleaning apparatus may include a core that has a top end and a base; disposed in between the top end and base is a grip with two surfaces that are opposite each other, a finger-engaging surface and a palm-engaging surface; the grip consists of an over-molded textured overlay that covers both the finger-engaging surface and the palm-engaging surface having an inward curvature below the bolster. A connector disposed on the base below the finger-engaging surface is comprised of a rolling bearing that is connected to a carbon-fiber cleaning rod. The carbon-fiber cleaning rod and the ergonomic handle define an acute angle. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each and every example or every implementation of the disclosure. The description that follows more particularly exemplifies various illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description should be read with reference to the drawings. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description with respect to various examples in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective top view of an ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a cross-section along the plane A-A of the perspective top view of an ergonomic handle of the firearm cleaning apparatus of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2    is a front elevational view of an ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a right-side elevational view of an ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a left-side elevational view of an ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a back elevational view of an ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of an ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom view of an ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to an ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus that is used to clean the interior barrel (i.e., the bore) of a gun. Various embodiments of the ergonomic handle of a firearm cleaning apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the firearm cleaning apparatus disclosed herein. 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 firearm cleaning apparatus. 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 disclosure. 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. 
     Existing gun bore cleaning devices rely on handles that are based on screwdriver handle technology where the cleaning rod is coaxial to the handle itself. This arrangement is sufficient to clean a gun barrel; however, that arrangement leads to extra stress on a user&#39;s wrist when the rod is pushed and pulled within a gun barrel. Further, when a cleaning rod is equipped with a cleaning accessory on one end, friction can be significantly increased when the cleaning rod is inserted into a firearm bore due to the nature of the accessories and the increased drag they cause inside a firearm bore. One of the improvements of this disclosure is the reorientation of the user&#39;s hand on a more ergonomic handle. The vertical orientation of the handle grip allows the user to have more leverage when pushing and pulling a cleaning rod within a gun barrel while reducing the stress on the user&#39;s wrist. Additionally, many different accessories may be attached to the accessory end of the cleaning rod, such as a jag, a bore brush, a star chamber brush, a star chamber mop, a star chamber pad, and a slotted tip. The accessory connection of the present disclosure is not limited to the previous list; any barrel cleaning accessory may be structured and configured in a way to allow attachment to the accessory connection. 
     A cleaning rod with a jag attachment and solvent patch takes considerable force to move within a gun barrel; by improving the handle of the gun rod to be in a vertical orientation, stress may be reduced on the user, and cleaning may be enhanced. Adding a rolling bearing to the connection between the cleaning rod and the ergonomic handle adds additional stress reduction on both the user&#39;s wrist and the firearm itself; a rotatable accessory will have less chance of damaging the internal surface of the firearm barrel. The cleaning rod itself may be constructed of carbon fibers, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, coated steel, or fiberglass. There is no limit to the material that may be chosen for the construction of the cleaning rod; the only limitation is on materials that would harm the interior of a gun barrel. 
     An example of one embodiment may be seen in  FIG.  1   , where an ergonomic handle, connector, and cleaning rod are fully displayed. The ergonomic handle can have a core and a bolster, wherein the core can be comprised of a top end, a grip, and a base opposite the top end. In some embodiments, the core and the bolster of the ergonomic handle can be hollow, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A . In other embodiments, one or both of the core and the bolster may be solid while the remaining component(s) are hollow. 
     The view of  FIG.  1    shows the device, where the ergonomic handle can be comprised of a bolster  115  disposed on the top end  110  of the core near the rear and top of the device. Directly below the top end  110  can be the grip  130  that can be covered by an overlay material  130 M; just below the bolster  115  may be a palm engaging surface  130 B. The bolster  115  can provide an additional leverage point and can help to prevent a user&#39;s hand from slipping off of the ergonomic handle  100 ; this is a vast improvement over screwdriver type cleaning rod handles where a user would need more grip strength to prevent slippage. The bolster  115  overhangs the palm engaging surface  130 B by the inclusion of an inward curvature disposed on the palm engaging surface  130 B just below the bolster  115 . On the opposite side of the grip  130  with respect to the palm-engaging surface  130 B may be a finger-engaging surface  130 A. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the finger-engaging surface  130 A can contain two indentations  130 D to provide engagement for three fingers. 
     An overlay material  130 M for the grip may be textured in some embodiments with a non-slip surface to provide users more purchase when gripping. For example, overlay material  130 M can be manufactured from a non-slip material providing a high friction coefficient such as, but not limited to, a natural or synthetic rubber or similar material. The overlay material  130 M may be overmolded around the grip  130 , and the grip  130  and overlay material  130 M can be structured and configured such that the grip  130  and overlay material  130 M substantially cannot be non-destructively separated. However, other embodiments may have overlay material  130 M and grip  130  manufactured separately, and structured and configured to be fit together after manufacture. 
     As described above and illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the core can further include a base  120  disposed on the bottom of the ergonomic handle  100 ; connected to the base may be connector  125  for cleaning rod  140  positioned below the finger-engaging surface. The connector  125  can be comprised of a connection for a cleaning rod  140  and a housing described further herein and illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , to allow the cleaning rod  140  to rotate when engaged within a firearm barrel. The bearings can reduce the chance of marring the inner surface of a firearm barrel by allowing the cleaning rod the ability to move with any rifling on the inner surface of a firearm barrel; this occurs primarily when the cleaning rod  140  has an accessory (not shown) attached to an accessory end  145  of the cleaning rod  140 . 
       FIG.  1 A  is the cross-sectional view taken from the line A-A of the ergonomic handle  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . In  FIG.  1 A , connector  125  is comprised of a housing  12511  that contains two bearings  125 B, a connection end  125 C, and rod  125 R along with two washer/spacer  125 W. 
     Connection end  125 C can be attached to both a cleaning rod  140  and a rod  125 R, wherein the cleaning rod  140  and the rod  125 R are attached with an adhesive to generate a non-reversible connection to the connection end  125 C. In some embodiments, the two bearings  125 B can be disposed on the opposite ends of the rod  125 R, wherein the two bearings  125 B are secured to the housing  12511  allowing the free rotation of the cleaning rod  140 , the connection end  125 C and the rod  125 R. In some embodiments, the bearings  125 B are rolling bearings. In some embodiments, the rod  125 R can be comprised of steel; however, other embodiments may use other construction materials for the rod. On the outside surface of each of the two bearings  125 B is a washer/spacer  125 W, shown clearly in  FIG.  1 A . A first washer/spacer  125 W is disposed between a bearing  125 B and the connection end  125 C, and a second washer/spacer  125 W is disposed on the outside of the bearing  125 B; both washer/spacers  125 W have the rod  125 R within their central opening and are coaxial with the rod  125 R. The housing  12511  can be disposed within the base  120  and can provide stability for the cleaning rod  140  that allows a user to apply more force when cleaning a firearm barrel. The connector  125 C in this embodiment can be made of brass; other materials are contemplated for use in the connector. In this embodiment, the housing  12511  can be comprised of metal; however other embodiments may include a housing  12511  that is comprised of plastic or any other suitable material. A locking nut (not shown) may be connected to the end of the rod  125 R to lock the two bearings  125 B securely in place. 
     Further, in the cross-section of  FIG.  1 A , the threading  145 A is shown for an accessory end  145  of a cleaning rod  140 . Any firearm barrel accessory provided with a threaded attachment may be connected to the accessory end  145  with the use of the threading  145 A. Examples of accessories that may be attached are a jag, a bore brush, a star chamber brush, a star chamber mop, a star chamber pad, or a slotted tip. These accessories may also include their own accessories, such as patches or swabs, which may subsequently be treated with firearm cleaning solutions and solvents. 
     In the example of  FIG.  2   , an embodiment of an ergonomic handle for cleaning a firearm is shown in a front elevation. As described above, finger-engaging section  130 A of the grip  130  can be covered in an overlay material  130 M and can be portioned into three finger sections  130 AS separated by two indentations  130 D. The connector  125  and the cleaning rod  140  are demonstrated as being coaxial in this view of  FIG.  2   ; the connector  125 C can be disposed within the housing  12511 , which in turn can be disposed within the base  120 . The coaxial nature of the cleaning rod  140  and the connector  125  is also clearly shown in  FIG.  2   ; all of the elements within the housing  12511  may be coaxial. 
     In the example of  FIG.  3   , an embodiment of an ergonomic handle for cleaning a firearm is shown in a right-side view. As illustrated, bolster  115  can protrude into the plane defined by the palm-engaging surface. In other embodiments, the bolster  115  may extend further beyond the plane defined by the palm-engaging surface as illustrated in the protrusion of  FIG.  3   ; embodiments with such extensions of bolster  115  can also include an inward curvature disposed on the palm engaging surface  130 B just below the bolster  115  to insure that a user&#39;s hand does not slip from the ergonomic handle. Furthermore, the angle of deflection of the bolster  115  may be more acute or oblique with respect to the plane defined by the top end  110 . The bolster  115  enhances the stability of a user&#39;s grip on the ergonomic handle  100  by providing a point of purchase for a user&#39;s hand. In traditional screwdriver handle configurations for firearm bore cleaning devices, such purchase is lacking; a user&#39;s hand could easily slide forward when applying pressure leading to their hand slipping off of the screwdriver handle, which may lead to harm from the user&#39;s hand impacting the firearm. 
     In this embodiment of an ergonomic handle  100 , both the right and left sides are symmetrical, as demonstrated in the left side view of  FIG.  4    and the right side view of  FIG.  3   ; other embodiments may include changes in the overlay material  130 M of the grip  130  that favor a right-handed user or a left-handed user. Such handed configurations will see changes to both the palm-engaging section  130 B and the finger-engaging section  130 A. Further, as illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the cleaning rod  140 , when attached to the connector, and the ergonomic handle can define an acute angle. For example, the angle defined by cleaning rod  140  and the ergonomic handle can be between 45 and 89 degrees, as illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . 
     In the example of  FIG.  5   , the rear elevation view shows a bolster  115  that has the same width as the ergonomic handle  100  and is protruding directly from the top end  110 . In some embodiments, the grip of the core may have a shorter width than the ergonomic handle  100 . Therefore, the overlay material  130 M can surround a perimeter of at least a portion of the grip  130  to make the width of the ergonomic handle  100  uniform. 
     In the examples shown in  FIG.  6   , the top side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure demonstrates the alignment of the ergonomic handle  100  and the cleaning rod  140 ; all visible parts of this embodiment can be centered on the plane that runs from the palm-engaging section  130 B to the accessory connection  145 . Again, in this embodiment of the ergonomic handle  100 , both the right and left sides of the ergonomic handle  100  are symmetrical; as described earlier, other embodiments may include differential configurations for right-handed and left-handed users. Cleaning rod  140  can be maintained in its central location to provide proper distribution of user applied force, whether by a right-handed or left-handed user when using the device to clean a firearm barrel. 
     In the example of the ergonomic handle  100  shown in  FIG.  7   , the bottom view of an embodiment of the present disclosure demonstrates the alignment of the ergonomic handle  100  and the cleaning rod  140 ; all visible parts of this embodiment can be centered on the plane that runs from the palm-engaging section  130 B to the accessory connection  145 . In this embodiment, again, both the right and left sides of the ergonomic handle  100  are symmetrical. 
     An ergonomic handle  100  can be used to clean a firearm by having a user grip the ergonomic handle  100  then connect an accessory, wherein the accessory is equipped with a threaded end, to an accessory end  145  by attaching the accessory&#39;s threaded end to the threading  145 A of the accessory end  145 ; any such threaded accessory such as a jag, a bore brush, a star chamber brush, a star chamber mop, a star chamber pad, or a slotted tip may be attached to the accessory end  145 . Once attached, the combined cleaning rod  140  and accessory can be inserted into a firearm barrel; the user, while still gripping the ergonomic handle  100  can begin pushing and pulling the ergonomic handle  100  a plurality of times so the accessory can remove the unwanted residue within the firearm barrel. Once the desired amount of cleaning has been achieved by the user, the combined cleaning rod  140  and accessory can be removed from the firearm barrel. The cleaning rod  140  used within the barrel can be comprised of a carbon fiber material; such a material will reduce the possibility of marring the inner surface of a firearm barrel when the combined cleaning rod  140  and accessory are pushed and pulled within the barrel. Additionally, the combined cleaning rod  140  and accessory may spin freely within the barrel with the assistance of the rolling bearings  125 R connected to the opposite end of the cleaning rod  140  within the housing  125 . 
     Some accessories that can be attached to the accessory end  145  may include their own attachable accessories; for instance, an accessory can be combined with a cleaning patch that may be saturated with a solvent to assist in the removal of residue within a firearm barrel. 
     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.