Abstract:
The tool for expanding a bore swab is a device adaptable for uses such as cleaning, as an applicator or for polishing the inside of a bore or cavity. One embodiment of the tool allows the insertion of a swab, smaller than the bore, into a work piece and provides a means to increase the radial size of the swab as needed. This is accomplished in one embodiment by forming or placing a swab on the tool, which includes a rod with a head and a sleeve. When the sleeve is moved in an axial direction towards the head, the swab expands in radial size. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/959,027, filed 2013 Aug. 12 by the present inventor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Pat. No. 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 268,004 
                 Nov. 25, 1882 
                 Davis 
               
               
                 684,981 
                 Oct. 22, 1901 
                 Drummond, Layman 
               
               
                 690,393 
                 Jan. 07, 1902 
                 Bishop 
               
               
                 860,180 
                 Jul. 16, 1907 
                 Aird 
               
               
                 1,450,037 
                 Mar. 27, 1923 
                 Heiman 
               
               
                 1,786,520 
                 Dec. 30, 1929 
                 Darling 
               
               
                 2,637,865 
                 May 13, 1948 
                 Posson 
               
               
                 2,862,218 
                 Nov. 08, 1956 
                 Krone 
               
               
                 4,291,477 
                 Sep. 29, 1981 
                 Carlton 
               
               
                 4,547,924 
                 Oct. 22, 1985 
                 Brygider 
               
               
                 4,813,169 
                 Mar. 21, 1989 
                 Calliebe 
               
               
                 4,858,360 
                 Aug. 22, 1989 
                 Hardin 
               
               
                 4,866,871 
                 Sep. 19, 1989 
                 Rivers 
               
               
                 4,873,778 
                 Oct. 17, 1989 
                 Stipp 
               
               
                 4,962,607 
                 Oct. 16, 1990 
                 Baldwin 
               
               
                 5,060,336 
                 Oct. 29, 1991 
                 LaLonde 
               
               
                 5,628,136 
                 May 13, 1997 
                 Wickser 
               
               
                 5,651,207 
                 Jul. 29, 1997 
                 Knight 
               
               
                 5,657,570 
                 Aug. 19, 1997 
                 Sigier Emmanuel 
               
               
                 US 6,378,236 B1 
                 Apr. 30, 2002 
                 Solberg 
               
               
                 US 6,981,345 
                 Jan. 03, 2006 
                 Gunn 
               
               
                 US 7,481,015 B2 
                 Jan. 27, 2009 
                 Mays 
               
               
                 US 8,429,846 B2 
                 Apr. 30, 2013 
                 Krieger 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Bores and tubes, which are easiest accessed from one end and that require cleaning, polishing or the application of coatings, are common. Examples of such can be found in firearms, industrial equipment, musical instruments, food and pharmaceutical processing equipment and other places. Effective and efficient performance of these cleaning and application tasks presents challenges due to the inherent limited accessibility of the work piece. 
     One such example is that of a muzzleloading firearm barrel. Typically, these are addressed using a rod with a tip attached on the end. The tip is used to hold a piece of cloth called a patch or swab that fits tightly within the bore. Some of these tips are simple loops used to secure the patch, others are jags. Jags are tips, normally of a fixed diameter, slightly smaller than the bore to be cleaned. A cloth patch is placed over and around the jag, which is then held in place by friction when inserted inside the bore to be wiped. Alternatively, a fixed diameter, pliable, mop-like-swab may have been used. Other implements have been used on the end of rods such as brushes and scrapers. These have been used to loosen debris, making them easier to remove when followed by a patch or swab. 
     The swab or patch could be used dry or soaked with a liquid for coating the bore. The patched tip or swab would be inserted into the bore, using the rod to push it down the length and then pull it back out. The swab or patch could then be cleaned or replaced. 
     I have found a problem with this method; it pushes debris down the bore, leaving them at the far end when the assembly is pulled out. Once debris is at the inaccessible end it becomes increasingly difficult to remove. Repetition of this method only deposits more debris at the far end. In the case of the muzzle loading firearm, this debris reduces reliability by blocking the small hole used for ignition of the powder. 
     A second problem I have found is that the patch and tip assembly often become stuck within the bore. This is most common with the patch and jag combination. As the patch travels down the bore, it picks up debris. When the direction is reversed, the patch material and debris jam between the jag and bore surface being cleaned. These jams are often difficult to resolve and always increase the time required to perform the cleaning task. 
     Another problem I found occurs when patches or swabs are used to apply a liquid to the bore, such as a lubricant. A portion of the liquid, which is initially applied to the patch or swab, is squeezed out while the tight fitting patch or swab is compressed during insertion into the bore. This results in the loss of some of the liquid and prevents the uniform, controlled application to the far end of the bore. 
     Prior available implement designs are directed at maintaining fit and radial force of the patch or swab as applied to the bore or the convenient application of liquids and have not addressed the above described problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment a rod with an enlarged annular end about which a patch is wrapped or a tubular swab is placed over. Said rod fits within a tube that can be manipulated from the end opposite the patch or swab, in an axial direction opposite that of the rod, thus compressing the patch or swab against the enlarged annular end. 
     ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: a tool that allows the insertion of a patch or swab at a size smaller than the work piece bore and can be expanded at any point within, thus can be used to pull debris from the far end towards insertion point, that can increase or decrease radial force of a patch or swab upon the bore providing the ability to reduce radial force in the event of a jam or in order to control the removal of debris or application of coatings. Other advantages and features of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
       In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetical suffixes. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the basic components. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectioned side view of the head area of one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a partially sectioned view of the collar area near the handle. 
         FIGS. 4A to 4D  show a progression of one embodiment of the tool being used. 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  show a progression of one embodiment of the tool being used in an alternate method. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Drawings - Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 head 
                 12 rod 
               
               
                   
                 14 enlarged end of sleeve 
                 16 sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 18 collar 
                 20 handle 
               
               
                   
                 22 patch/swab 
                 24 annular recess 
               
               
                   
                 26 work piece 
                 28 recess/concave 
               
               
                   
                 30 tubular swab 
                 31 slit 
               
               
                   
                 32 groove 
                 34 snap ring 
               
               
                   
                 36 indentation 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  3   
     First Embodiment 
     One embodiment of the tool is illustrated in  FIG. 1  (side view),  FIG. 2  (sectioned view, head area) and  FIG. 3  (partially sectioned view near handle). In this embodiment the parts are made of metal and/or plastic. The tool  FIG. 1  has a cylindrical rod  12  of sufficient length to access the length of work piece. The rod  12  is attached to a handle  20  at one end. The rod  12  fits within a tubular sleeve  16  which is of a length shorter than the rod  12  and is enlarged at end  14 . Sleeve  16  moves freely upon rod  12 . The diameter and length of rod  12  and sleeve  16  are proportionate to the work piece. Attached to the sleeve  16  at the end nearest handle  20  is a collar  18  which is secure to the sleeve  16  while allowing the free movement of rod  12  through it. Collar  18  exterior surface may be textured such as with circumferential diamond knurling as shown. 
     The portion of rod  12  opposite handle  20 , and exposed from the sleeve, has straight knurling parallel to rod axis. The rod  12  has a female thread to accept the mating thread of a cylindrical head  10 . Head  10  is shown attached to rod  12  and may include exterior texturing such as circumferential diamond knurling shown. The size of the head  10  is proportionate to the work piece bore. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a patch/swab  22  typically made of a pliable material such as woven cloth, felt or foam sheet. A tubular swab  30  is shown and which may be made of a preformed felt, foam rubber, cotton fiber or other pliable material. Tubular swab  30  may also be slit  31  along the axis through one wall cross section allowing access to inside diameter along entire axis. The size of the patch or swab is determined by the size of the work piece bore. 
     Patch will be a term used to describe the cut material prior to being formed into a swab. Swab will be the term used to describe a patch that has been formed about the tool or a separate type of preformed swab material such as a tubular swab  30 . 
     Looking at  FIG. 2  the sectioned view reveals an annular recess  24  in head  10 . The end of rod  12  is shown tapered down providing a gradual transition between rod  12  basic diameter and the minor diameter of annular recess  24 . Also revealed is a recess/concave  28  area at end of head  10 . This recess/concave  28  area may be shaped differently in order to fit the object it is likely to act upon such as a conical projectile. Also seen in  FIG. 2  is a portion of sleeve  16 . 
     In  FIG. 3  the sectioned view of collar  18  reveals a snap ring  34  which is captive in a groove  32 . The snap ring  34  is shown positioned within a indentation  36  formed in the rod  12  (not sectioned). Also seen are the sleeve  16  and a portion of the handle  20 . 
     OPERATION 
     FIGS.  4 A- 4 D and  5 A- 5 C 
     The user of the above described embodiment has multiple options as to how they use the tool. Some of these options will be described in the following. 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  show the tool being used with a patch  22  to form an undersized swab which, is inserted into the bore of a work piece  26  then expanded at the user&#39;s desired location to the desired size. In order to accomplish this, the user first wraps a patch  22  around rod  12  as seen in  FIG. 3A . The straight knurling of the rod  12  assists in preventing the patch  22  from slipping while being wrapped around the rod  12 . After patch  22  is completely wrapped about rod  12 , it is moved towards head  10  where it is slid into the annular recess  24  (visible in  FIG. 2 ) of head  10 , thus preventing the unwrapping of patch  22 . Next as seen in  FIG. 4C  the assembly is inserted into the work piece bore  26  to the user&#39;s desired location. Then at the handle  20  end of the tool, the user can push sleeve  16  towards head  10 , typically using their thumb against collar  18  while maintaining the rod  12  static position at handle  20 . The results of this action are seen in  FIG. 4D  wherein the enlarged end  14  of sleeve  16  has compressed the patch/swab  22  against the head  10 . The result of this compression is the increased diametrical size of patch/swab  22 . The user can then manipulate the assembly, to and fro, as they see fit to achieve the desired cleaning or application. Upon removal from work piece  26  the patch/swab  22  can be removed and replaced with clean, unused one. 
     Similar results to the above can be achieved using a preformed tubular swab  30  in place of cloth patch. To install the tubular swab  30  onto the rod  12  the head  10  can be removed swab  30  slid onto rod  12  then head  10  replaced. Alternatively, the tubular swab  30 , when made from an elastic material, can be pulled over head  10  into place between head  10  and enlarged end  14  of sleeve  16  as seen  FIG. 1 . If a slit  31  is present along axis of tubular swab  30  it can be installed onto rod  12  between head  10  and enlarged end  14  of sleeve  16  by passing rod through slit  31  in tubular swab  30  until rod is within center of tubular swab  30 . Once tubular swab  30  is in place on rod  12  the assembly can be inserted into work piece  26 , expanded to a larger diameter and manipulated in the same manner as previously described using the wrapped patch/swab  22 . 
     Alternatively, the same embodiment of the tool can be used as seen in  FIGS. 5A-5C . The patch  22  is placed before head  10  and pushed down bore of work piece  26  and seen in  FIG. 5B . If additional radial force of patch/swab  22  upon bore of work piece  26  is desired, the sleeve  16  can be manipulated towards head  10 , as described above, to compress and expand patch/swab  22  as seen in  FIG. 5C . 
     The sleeve  16  and collar  18  assembly can be kept from inadvertently moving along rod  12  by moving the collar  18  towards handle  20  until snap ring  34  enters indentation  36  in rod  12  as seen on  FIG. 3 . 
     In addition, the described embodiment can be used with other implements such as brushes, pullers and retrieval worms, commercially available which can be threaded into the end of rod  12  in place of head  10  using standard threads. Also, this embodiment can be used to push objects ahead of it, such as projectiles, using the recess/concave  28  area of head  10  as seen in  FIG. 2  to maintain the assemblies centered position in respect to the item it acts upon and minimize damage thereto. 
     Alternative Embodiments 
     Some of the additions and alternatives to the above described embodiment are described in the following using nomenclature used on previously described figures for reference. 
     Various different materials may be used to increase compatibility and durability with work piece and substances the tool may encounter in use. The cross sections of rod  12 , head  10 , and sleeve  16 , described as cylindrical in the above first embodiment, may be made in various sizes and shapes such as polygonal. Multiple head  10  diameters may be made to allow rod  12  effective use on multiple work piece bore sizes. The head  10  may be formed at the end of rod  12  as one homogeneous piece. The tapered portion of the rod  12  where it meets head  10  may be of different angles in order to allow patch/swab  22  to transition to annular groove  24  uninterrupted. This may included no angle or, in the case of an annular recess  24  with a minor diameter larger than the rod  12  diameter, increase to allow the gradual transition between diameters. This is with the understanding that the diameter of the annular recess  24  may be determined in part by the work piece size. The head  10  may be made without annular recess  24 . The recess/concave  28  may be shaped other than concave in order to fit the object it is likely to act upon such as a conical projectile. The handle  20  may include a means to allow the rod  12  to rotate at point of attachment such as a bearing. The inclusion of handle  20  and collar  18  may be excluded. The enlarged end  14  of sleeve  16  may be of different shapes and/or sizes or excluded entirely. The head  10  may be textured, knurled, grooved or smooth on its circumferential surface. The rod  12  may be textured, knurled, grooved or smooth on its circumferential surface. The rod  12  and sleeve  16  may be mated with additional sections extending the reach of the tool. The inclusion of a taper or increasing the diameter of rod  12  from a smaller basic diameter increasing in size towards the head  10  which would force the swab to increase in diameter when sleeve  16  is moved towards the head  10  as described in the above first embodiment. 
     Advantages 
     From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my deep bore cleaning rod and applicator with expandable swab become evident: 
     (a) Debris can be removed from far end of work piece bore without first pushing debris towards far end of bore by inserting swab into bore with swab in its minor diameter state then, upon reaching a desired location, expanding swab allowing user to pull debris towards insertion point. 
     (b) The loss of liquids applied to the swab will be reduced by first inserting swab containing liquid into work piece bore in its minor diameter state then expanding swab when completely within bore minimizing loss of liquid at point of insertion. 
     (c) The event of a stuck or jammed swab will be reduced by allowing the user to incrementally remove debris or apply coatings. 
     (d) In the event a swab does become stuck or jammed, radial force of swab upon work piece can be reduced making it easier to remove. 
     (e) User is able to control the amount of radial force swab directs upon bore of work piece at any point. This is advantageous for number of applications including the controlled cleaning of specific areas of a work piece as well as the controlled polishing or removal of material when used with abrasives. 
     (f) The tool can be used to perform other tasks such as pushing a projectile down a bore like a ram rod or as a rod to affix a brush or other implement onto in order to extend the reach of the implement. 
     (g) The expanding swab feature makes it adjustable to bore sizes within its limits so that one tool may fit a range of work piece bore sizes. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the tool for expanding a swab within a bore of various embodiments can be used in a controllable manner to clean the bore of a work piece by removing debris and coatings. It also can be used to apply coatings and polish as well as used with abrasive materials forming abrasive swabs. In addition, it can be used to push items before it as well as used as an extension for other implements. Furthermore, the tool for expanding a swab within a bore has the additional advantages in that:
         it can be produced in various lengths and diameters to better fit the intended application;   its advantages can be realized in numerous examples of work pieces;   it can be made using numerous types of materials resulting in compatibility with numerous work piece materials and substances it may contact during its use;   it can be attached to and operated by an actuator or robotic device allowing for the remote operation.       

     While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the embodiments but merely providing examples of some of several embodiments. Many other variations are possible. 
     Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.