Patent Publication Number: US-6668480-B1

Title: System for cleaning gun barrels

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a system for cleaning gun barrels and more particularly, toward a system which allows the barrel of a gun to be cleaned in an efficient manner. 
     Often deposits of dirt, moisture, metal, burnt powder, and the like collect on the interior of a shell chamber and barrel of a firearm. Such deposits must be removed in order to assure the proper maintenance and functioning of the firearm, thereby avoiding potentially dangerous conditions. 
     One way to clean the barrel is by inserting an elongated metal rod with a brush or a similar type of cleaning device attached thereto into the barrel. This method, however, can be cumbersome and inconvenient to use. Furthermore, it may not be very efficient. 
     Another method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,368 to Blase. This patent discloses a disposable firearm cleaning device which includes a compressed gas cartridge which is placed within the chamber of a gun. A spring-loaded valve which may be actuated by the firing pin of the firearm releases the compressed gas which flows between the cartridge and chamber walls and out the bore of the firearm propelling a cleaning material through the barrel, thereby cleaning the chamber and bore. The problem with the device, however, is that using the firing pin of the gun to propel the cleaning device through the gun causes unnecessary wear on the gun. 
     Yet another method for cleaning the barrel of a gun is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,632 to Beers. This patent discloses a cleaning device which includes a casing having several cleaning layers such as an abrasive, a solvent, and a lubricant. A compressed gas cartridge disposed in the casing which is activated by the firing pin of the gun propels the cleaning layers through the barrel. Similar to the patent discussed above, this patent also relies on the mechanics of the gun in order to clean the barrel, thereby causing additional wear on the gun. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a system which functions independently of the gun for cleaning the barrel of the gun in a simple and efficient manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient method for cleaning the barrel of a gun. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for cleaning the barrel of a gun which operates independently of the gun. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a system for cleaning gun barrels which includes a compressible foam projectile, a cylinder of compressed gas, and means for connecting the projectile with the cylinder. The projectile resides within a nozzle which is secured to the connecting means. The cylinder is also secured to the connecting means. In order to clean the gun, the nozzle with the projectile inserted therein is placed within the barrel of the gun. The nozzle forms an airtight seal with the barrel. The compressed gas is released from the cylinder into the nozzle. The gas propels the projectile out of the nozzle and through the barrel. As the projectile travels through the barrel, it wipes the barrel clean. 
    
    
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the cleaning system of the present invention being used to clean the barrel of a gun; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the cleaning system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the nozzle of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line  6 — 6  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the nozzle and hose of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial exploded view of the hose, nozzle, and projectile of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing an alternative embodiment of the nozzle of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals have been used throughout the various figures to designate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a cleaning system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally as  10 . 
     The present invention essentially includes a compressible projectile  12  which may be made from polyurethane foam, felt, or the like, a source of compressed gas  14 , and means  16  for connecting the projectile  12  with the gas  14 . The projectile  12  may be generally cylindrical. The gas may be carbon dioxide, nitrogen, compressed air, other inert gases, or the like. The compressed gas may be contained in a bulb, cylinder, canister, or the like. A valve  18  is attached to an opening located at the top  20  of the cylinder  14 . When pressure is applied to the valve  18 , the valve  18  opens and releases the gas. (See FIG. 3.) The connecting means  16  is preferably a steel miesh reinforced flexible hose or the like. 
     A connecting member  22  is secured to the cylinder  14  and is used to attach the cylinder  14  to a first end  24  of the hose  16 . A nozzle  26  is secured to a second end  28  of the hose  16  via fastening means  30 . (See FIG. 3.) The fastening means  30  includes a screw threaded male end  32  of the nozzle  26  which fits with corresponding screw threads of the female connector  34  of the hose  16 . (See FIGS. 7 and 8.) While screw threads have been shown and described, it should be realized that this is by way of example only and that any type of fastening means known in the art may be used. For example, quick release fasteners may be used. The projectile  12  fits snugly within the nozzle  26 . (See FIG. 4.) 
     In order to clean a gun  36 , the nozzle  26  with the projectile  12  inserted therein is placed within the barrel  38  of the gun  36 . (See FIG. 2.) An airtight seal is formed between the nozzle  26  and the barrel  38  via O-ring  40  which is located on the nozzle  26 . A raised portion  42 , such as a shoulder or flange is located on the nozzle  26  generally behind the O-ring  40  and keeps the O-ring  40  in place. (See FIG. 5.) Alternatively, the outer surface of the nozzle may be tapered so that it will form an airtight seal with the barrel  38 , without the use of an O-ring. Such a modification is shown, for example, as nozzle  26   a  in FIG.  9 . In the non-tapered version, the outer diameter of the nozzle  26  is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the barrel  38  of the gun  36  so that the nozzle  26  fits snugly within the barrel  38 . (See FIG. 2.) It should be realized, however, that the size of the nozzle may vary in order to provide a proper fit within the barrel. Likewise, the size of the projectile may vary in order to fit various types of guns. 
     As the compressed gas is released from the cylinder  14 , it travels through the hose  16 , and into the nozzle  26 . The gas propels the projectile  12  out of the nozzle  26  and through the barrel  38 . As the projectile  12  travels through the barrel  38 , it expands and wipes the barrel  38  clean. Powder nitrate solvents may be used along with different types of projectiles to aid in cleaning the barrel. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.