Patent Publication Number: US-6701657-B1

Title: Universal firearm cleaning system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates in general to accessories for firearms and, more particularly, to a firearm cleaning system with a container for waste collection and universal barrel fastener. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The most important part of firearm maintenance is properly cleaning the barrel of the gun. When a bullet is fired through a barrel&#39;s bore, many small particles such as gunpowder residue or bullet shavings are deposited throughout the bore. With each successive bullet firing, these fouling particles are essentially “ironed” into the bore. This typically results in reducing the accuracy of rifles and pistols. The only way to maintain firearm accuracy and increase the life of the barrel is to remove these particles by frequently cleaning the bore. 
     A rifle gun bore is typically cleaned with a cleaning rod, brush and patches or by a cable that pulls a bristled swab through the bore. To clean a rifled bore, one must first remove the bolt from the action to gain access to both ends of the bore. A solvent soaked patch is then pushed through the bore with a cleaning rod equipped with a jag tip. A brush tip on the cleaning rod is then used to remove the stubborn particles. The wire bristles are particularly effective at reaching the tight spaces between the lands and the grooves, which make up the rifling. If the bullet being fired is manufactured with a copper jacket, copper particles are being deposited into the bore. A copper fouled bore must soak in a copper solvent long enough for the solvent to react with the copper particles in the gun barrel. It is important to follow the directions when using a copper solvent. Once the particles and residue have been loosened from the bore walls, fresh cleaning patches are pushed through the bore. The soft cleaning patch acts as a squeegee to push the chemicals and fouling out of the bore. Fresh patches of the appropriate size are continuously pushed through the bore one at a time until they come out clean. With each pass of the cleaning rod, the solvent, debris and patches spill out of the muzzle. This debris and solvent can soil clothing, carpet, walls and other surrounding surfaces as well as deposit a mound of trash to clean up at the end of the process. The brush produces a very widespread splattering effect upon exiting the bore. In addition to the physical litter, the chemicals and associated fumes used in the process can be hazardous to inhale or through contact with the skin. 
     The rifle barrel&#39;s crown is located at the muzzle end of a rifle barrel. It is the finished edge of the lands and grooves that release the projectile. If the bore is cleaned from the muzzle end, the cleaning rod can act as a file on the crown as it slides over the edges. The effects of this cleaning method can ultimately damage the bore&#39;s crown and destroy the rifle&#39;s accuracy. Therefore, the cleaning rod should always be driven from the breech end of the rifle barrel in the same direction that the bullet travels. 
     Many shotgun barrels can be removed from their actions. This is the best way to clean this type of barrel. Separation of the barrel from the action will eliminate the possibility of contaminating the action, or firing mechanism. Removing all traces of fouling from inside the shotgun barrel can reduce the possibility of corrosion and guarantee a long life for the barrel. Each time the shotgun is fired, it leaves many small particles inside the bore. These particles must be removed with a solvent that is formulated to remove the shot particles and gunpowder fouling. Scrubbing the barrel with a bore brush is a good way to remove the fouling. This process results in a very soiled area around the barrel due to the splattering effect of the large brush upon exiting the bore. Patches are also pushed to clean out the final traces of fouling, which spill out of the bore of the firearm barrel. 
     There is limited prior art to suggest ways to deal with the problems associated with cleaning firearms using the standard tools. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,550 prior art depicts a device that attaches to the muzzle of some barrels. This device is designed to keep the cleaning rod from exiting the barrel out of control. It offers no protection from the chemicals and debris that is generated during the firearm cleaning process. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,975 suggests an accessory to guide the cleaning rod and another accessory to collect the debris generated during firearm cleaning. The debris collection feature requires an empty soda bottle be supplied in order to become operational. Thus, the device arrives as an incomplete unit. In addition, the soda bottle required for the device has a small diameter opening. This design limits the size of gun bore to which the prior art device can be attached. Rubber fingers are positioned in a circular position to grab the barrel, however they provide very little stability and poor alignment on the barrel. Prior art of the device also depicts a square cut out which allows for a small front sight blade on the barrel. This design limits the type of barrel that can be attached to the accessory. 
     Both of the previously mentioned prior art accessories are only useful when cleaning certain types of firearms from the breech. They cannot be used on firearm being cleaned from the muzzle end or breach end, or used on both ends of a gun barrel at the same time. These prior art patents can only be used on firearms with a very limited diameter of gun barrel and with only a small front blade sight. These prior art patent accessories cannot accommodate gun barrels of largely varying diameters with any type of sight system. In the case of the first prior art, part of the system requires the user to supply a used, screw on type pop bottle to render the device useful. 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a universal firearm cleaning system that comes complete as a functioning unit, ready to be used, without the need to acquire additional components. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a universal firearm cleaning system that may be used on firearms with any diameter barrel. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a fastener for the universal firearm cleaning system or other accessory that is quickly and easily removed from the barrel. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a universal firearm cleaning system that can be installed on a barrel of a gun without interference from sighting system. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a universal firearm cleaning system that may be attached to the gun barrel at the breech end or the muzzle end. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a universal firearm cleaning system with the ability to be used as a shield only, with the end cap of the universal firearm cleaning system removed to allow access to the bore. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The universal firearm cleaning system can be installed on virtually any type of gun barrel. It catches all cleaning patches, debris and splatter spilling out of a gun barrel during the firearm cleaning process. The preferred embodiment comprises a fastener for securing the firearm cleaning system to the barrel of a gun with a waste container for the collection of solvent and debris. The waste container has at least one removable end cap. The waste container further includes a second end cap that forms an opening for receiving a gun barrel when the fastener is secured to the barrel. The fastener includes a first and second tong with protruding tabs, in opposing adjacent positions that rotate about a rod through the tabs, acting as an axis and securing the fastener to support piece. A spring is positioned to rest against the first and second tong so as to exert a pressure to resist movement of the tongs from the adjacent or closed position. This spring pressure secures the fastener to the gun barrel when the gun barrel is situated between the tongs. By pinching the two tong handles together with the thumb and forefinger, the tongs can be easily opened. The portion of the tong that comes into contact with the gun barrel preferably has a pad to protect the gun barrel or tube from any damage. Once the cleaning procedure is complete, the universal firearm cleaning system can be quickly removed from the firearm. The waste container can then be opened to properly dispose of the debris. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal view of a bolt-action firearm with the universal firearm cleaning system of the present invention installed on the muzzle. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed transparent view of the universal firearm cleaning system of the present invention installed on a rifle barrel with a hooded front sight. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates use of the present invention when the cleaning system attached to the muzzle of a lever action rifle barrel with one end cap removed to facilitate access to the bore. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates another feature of the present invention with use of the cleaning system attached to the muzzle and breach end of a shotgun barrel at the same time with one end cap removed to facilitate access to the bore. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is best understood in relation to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like elements of the various drawings. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal view of a typical bolt-action rifle  2  with the firearm cleaning system  4  of the present invention installed. The firearm cleaning system  4  includes a barrel fastener assembly  6  and waste container assembly  8 . In this illustration, the barrel fastener  6  is attached to the gun barrel  3  by pinching the handles  15  (referred to separately herein as handles  15   a  and  15   b  where appropriate) between your thumb and forefinger. The waste container  8  is attached to the barrel fastener  6 , which is positioned over the muzzle  20  of the rifle  2 . The barrel fastener  6  includes tongs  18  that can accommodate various diameters of gun barrels  3  and any type of sight system, as explained in detail below. 
     Once the bolt is removed from the bolt-action rifle  2 , an appropriate bore cleaning guide should be inserted into the chamber  12 . This will protect the chamber from debris as well as guide the cleaning rod  10 . The cleaning rod  10  is then inserted thru the chamber  12  at the breech end  17  of the gun barrel  3 . The chamber  12  leads to the bore of the gun barrel  3 . The handle  11  should spin freely on the cleaning rod  10  and is used to push cleaning tips  9  through the bore  16 . The cleaning rod tip  9  exits the muzzle  20  of the gun barrel  3 . The muzzle  20  has been placed within the waste container  8  through an opening  24  on the fastener  6  end of the waste container. The fastener  6  has been installed on the muzzle  20  to secure the waste container  8  to the bolt-action firearm  2 . Thus, when the cleaning rod tip  9  of the cleaning rod  10  is pushed through the bore  16  and out the muzzle  20 , the waste container  8  catches all splattered solvent  29  and other debris  27  dripping from the muzzle  20 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the cleaning system  4  in more detail. In this example, the fastener  6  attaches the waste container  8  to the barrel  3 . The fastener  6  includes two tongs  18   a  and  18   b  that have been curved on the mating surfaces to readily clamp onto a cylindrical object. The curved mating surfaces of the tongs  18  preferably are padded (not shown) to prevent scratching to the gun barrel  3  when attached. 
     The tongs  18  (referred to separately herein as tongs  18   a  and  18   b  where appropriate) as situated in opposing adjacent positions. Tabs  30  (referred to separately herein as tabs  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  and  30   b  where appropriate) protrude outward from the tongs  18   a  and  18   b . Each tong  18   a  and  18   b  has two tabs  30  so that tong  18   a  includes tabs  30   b  and  30   c  while tong  18   b  includes tabs  30   a  and  30   d . The tabs  30  are positioned on each tong such that the sides of the tabs  30   a  and  30   b  are abutting when the tongs  18   a  and  18   b  are placed side by side. Similarly, the sides of tabs  30   c  and  30   d  are abutting when the tongs  18   a  and  18   b  are adjacent. Each tab  30  forms an opening that is aligned when tongs  18   a  and  18   b  are facing each other. A rod  26  fits through the openings formed on the tabs  30  and thus holds the tongs  18   a  and  18   b  together in alignment. The tongs  18   a  and  18   b  are able to rotate about the rod  26 , with the rod  26  acting as an axis. 
     A torsion spring  28  is coiled around the rod  26  and positioned on the rod  26  so that the spring  28  is between tabs  30   a ,  30   b  and tabs  30   c , and  30   d . The spring  28  includes two legs  32  (referred to separately herein as legs  32   a  and  32   b  where appropriate). The first let  32   a  lays adjacent to tong  18   a  while leg  32   b  lays adjacent to tong  18   b . The legs  32  thus act to exert opposing pressure on the tongs  18   a  and  18   b . This pressure resists movement of the tongs  18   a  and  18   b  from their closed position. Another embodiment may exchange the torsion spring  28  for a compression spring (not shown) placed between the handles  15 . A person skilled in the arts may suggest other ways to provide the spring pressure, however any type of spring may serve the same purpose. The tongs  18   a  and  18   b  are opened via finger pressure on the tong handles  15   a  and  15   b . The opened tongs  18  can be placed about a gun barrel  3  and the handles  15  released. The pressure from the spring  28  holds the tongs  18   a  and  18   b  securely about the barrel  3 . Thus, by opening and closing the tongs  18   a  and  18   b , the fastener  6  may be easily secured to a gun barrel  3  and easily removed from the gun barrel  3 . Hence the fastener  6  may be secured about gun barrels  3  with largely varying diameters—any diameter that fits within the tongs  18  when open. In addition, since the top of the tongs  18  are independent, they can accommodate any type of front sight mechanism from front blades (not shown) to hooded sights  21  (FIG. 2) to tall front sight pin systems (not shown). 
     The fastener  6  is attached to the waste container  8  by an elongated support piece  34  or fastener mount. The support piece  34  forms a rectangular or square opening. Tabs  36   a  and  36   b  are situated on each side of the rectangular opening of the support piece  34  and protrude upwards. The tabs  36   a  and  36   b  form openings in which the rod  26  also fits. The handles  15  of the tongs  18  are situated through the opening in the support piece  34 . The formed openings on the tabs  36  on the support piece  34  align with the formed openings on the tabs  30  on the tongs  18 . The rod  26  is positioned through tabs  30  and tabs  36  thus connecting the tongs  18  to the support piece  34 . The rod  26  preferably has some type of head and/or other mechanism to keep it firmly in place between the tabs  36 . Thus the support piece  34  becomes the fastener mount, which connects to the waste container  8 . 
     The waste container  8  is attached to the support piece  34 . The waste container  8  includes a first end cap  38 . The support piece  34  is attached to the end cap  38 . In the preferred embodiment, the support piece  34  and end cap  38  are formed together and are considered a single piece. The end cap  38  forms an opening  24  that is preferably circular to allow insertion of a gun barrel  3 . The opening  24  formed in the end cap  38  should be of sufficient size to allow insertion of most sizes of gun barrels  3  without being too large to allow the debris and cleaning fluid to escape. Thus, the mechanism of the fastener  6  allows the universal firearm cleaning system  4  to be attached to virtually any firearm, providing distinct improvements over prior art. 
     The waste container  8  also includes a container bin  40 . The container bin  40  is preferably a circular tube and at least partially transparent though a person of skill in the art would appreciate that any other shape, transparency or color of bin may serve the same purpose. The waste container bin  40  collects the debris, cleaning fluid and cleaning patches used during the cleaning process. Inclusion of the waste container  8  provides a distinct improvement over prior art in that the unit is ready to use and is self-contained. 
     In the preferred embodiment, end cap  38  is friction fit to the container bin  40 . The end cap  38  in this example is formed to fit snugly about the sides of container bin  40  but may be removed by firmly sliding the end cap  38  away from the container bin  40 . For example, if the end cap  38  has cylindrical sides that are formed with a circumference only slightly greater than the container bin  40 , then the end cap  38  will fit securely around the container bin  40  but can be removed with reasonable outward force. A person of skill in the art would appreciate that the end cap  38  may be removably attached to the waste container bin  40  using other methods such as hooks, clips or screw-on type threads. In an alternative embodiment, the container bin  40  may be attached to the end cap  38  with another means to open and empty the container bin  40 . In either case, the fastener  6  is attached to the waste container  8  which can be opened by some means and emptied of the cleaning debris  27  at a convenient time. 
     The waste container  8  also includes a second end cap  42 . Similarly to end cap  38 , second end cap  42  is also friction fit to the waste container bin  40 . The second end cap  42  is formed to fit snugly about the sides of waste container bin  40  but may be removed by firmly sliding the second end cap  42  away from the container bin  40 . A person of skill in the art would appreciate that the second end cap  42  may be removably attached using other methods (not shown) such as hooks, clips or screw-on threads. Another embodiment may feature an attached second end cap  42  with an access door (not shown) on the distal end of the container bin  40 , which can be opened easily. 
     In FIG. 3, a lever action rifle  5  is depicted with a universal firearm cleaning system  4  attached to muzzle  20 . With a lever action rifle  5 , it is impossible to pass a cleaning rod, pushing from the breach end  17  of the barrel  3  without removing the barrel  3  from the gun  5 . It is also undesirable to push the firing debris from the bore into the chamber  12  using a cleaning rod. The removable second end cap  42  of the preferred embodiment creates an important advantage in use of the waste container  8  on a lever action rifle  5 . By removing the second end cap  42 , a cable type cleaning system (not shown) may be pulled from the chamber  12  and out through the muzzle  20 , thereby utilizing the waste container  8  as a shield. If you must use a cleaning rod driven from the muzzle end  20 , it may be inserted through the container bin  40  and into barrel  3 . The waste container  8  will shield against debris and fluid that splatters from the cleaning rod tip during the cleaning procedure. It is helpful to keep the barrel  3  level during the cleaning process with the second end cap  42  removed. 
     In addition, since the second end cap  42  is removable, the container bin  40  may easily be cleaned of debris. By removing the end cap  38  as well, the universal firearm cleaning system  4  may be completely disassembled for a thorough cleaning. With at least one entrance to the container bin  8 , be it a removable second end cap  42  or an access door in the second end cap  42 , the feature provides distinct improvements over prior cleaning systems. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates another advantage of the present invention. Shotgun barrels can typically be removed from the action, which is the best way to clean this type of barrel  3 . As depicted, one universal firearm cleaning system  48   a  is installed on the muzzle end  20 . A second universal firearm cleaning system  48   b  is installed on the breach end  17  of a gun barrel  3 . The first cleaning system  48   a  is attached to the muzzle  20  to collect the cleaning patches and splattering solvent. The second cleaning system  48   b  is attached to the breach end  17  of the gun barrel  3 . The distal second end cap  42  of the second cleaning system  48   b  has been removed so that a cleaning rod  10  may easily be inserted into the gun barrel  3 . This application is most useful when using a cleaning brush to clean the barrel  3 . When the cleaning brush is removed from the bore  16 , it flings cleaning solvent in every outward direction away from the cleaning brush. The universal firearm cleaning system  48   b  with the second end cap  42  removed acts as a shield, effectively containing the splattering chemicals. By using the two firearm cleaning systems  48   a  and  48   b  at the same time, the gun barrel  3  may be cleaned without distributing chemicals and a mess throughout the immediate area. 
     Although the Detailed Description of the invention has been directed to certain exemplary embodiments, various modifications of these embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments may be suggested to those skilled in the art. The invention encompasses any modifications or alternative embodiments that fall within the scope of the Claims.