US20090151214A1

US20090151214A1 - Gun cleaning tool kit

Info

Publication number: US20090151214A1
Application number: US12/001,573
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicholas Williams
Original assignee: Otis Patent Trust
Current assignee: Otis Patent Trust
Priority date: 2007-12-12
Filing date: 2007-12-12
Publication date: 2009-06-18
Also published as: WO2009076257A1

Abstract

A firearm cleaning kit that can be used to clean the breech of a firearm and, when not in use, may be stored in a relatively compact space. The firearm cleaning kit of the present invention includes a receiver brush, an end brush, a pick, a punch pin, a scraper, an angled pick, and at least one long rod.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of cleaning kits for firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With each use, the breech and bore of a firearm accumulate fouling and debris. Most fouling and debris originates from the firearm itself, such as: propellant residue (i.e., carbon deposits), priming compound, and ammunition casings (i.e., copper fragments). But fouling and debris may also originate from the environment if the firearm is used outdoors, such as: dirt, sand, mud, moisture, and plant matter.
Automatic and semi-automatic rifles are particularly susceptible to fouling and debris due to the frequency with which they fire successive rounds of ammunition. Modern automatic and semi-automatic rifles that utilize direct impingement gas operation (such as the M16, AR-15, and M4 rifles) are especially susceptible to fouling and debris due to the means by which they operate. Direct impingement enables a firearm to be manufactured with fewer moving parts—which, consequently, results in increased reliability and decreased maintenance—by harnessing the energy of the high-pressure combustion gases that are generated each time a bullet is fired. When a bullet is fired, the explosion from the gunpowder causes combustion gases rapidly to propel the projectile down the bore of the rifle until the projectile exits the bore at the crown of the firearm's muzzle. By diverting a relatively small amount of the combustion gases, via a small tube, into the rifle's bolt carrier, the rifle's action can be cycled rapidly and efficiently. An unintended consequence of direct impingement gas operation, however, is that the combustion gases typically carry fouling and debris from the bore directly into the rifle's action. As a result, after successive firing, the rifle's action will accumulate undesirable levels of fouling and debris. Yet another drawback of direct impingement is that as the diverted combustion gases expand and cool, matter that was vaporized when the bullet's propellant was ignited will condense and become deposited on the intricate components that comprise the rifle's action.
For all types of firearms, fouling and debris in the breech or bore can result in a decrease in the firearm's accuracy and precision, and may even endanger the operator. Consequently, regular cleaning is one of the most basic and essential elements of proper maintenance for any firearm. Because the breeches of firearms typically contain numerous intricate components, a variety of cleaning tools are needed. Military personnel need to be able to clean their weapons in the field, preferably immediately after shooting so that their firearm is ready for use at all times, so there is a need for the various cleaning tools and rod to be made available as a lightweight, compact, and easy to use firearm cleaning kit. For reasons of convenience, civilians who shoot and clean firearms also have a need for a lightweight, compact, and easy to use firearm cleaning kit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a firearm cleaning kit that can be used to clean the breech of a firearm and, when not in use, may be stored in a relatively compact space. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a firearm cleaning kit that includes a plurality of cleaning tools. The present invention includes a plurality of rods that have threaded connectors affixed at one or more of their ends. The rods may be coupled together via the threaded connectors at their ends in order to couple the rods together and thereby enable the firearm's operator to clean hard-to-reach parts of the breech. The rods may be de-coupled after cleaning to facilitate compact storage of the present invention.
The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a receiver brush that has a male threaded connector at one end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods. The receiver brush further includes a plurality of bristles mounted substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the receiver brush.
The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes an end brush that has a base with a longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles mounted substantially parallel to that axis. The end brush further has a male threaded connector at one end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a pick that has a generally cylindrical body portion that has a substantially rigid wire extending longitudinally from one end. The pick further has a male threaded connector at one end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a punch pin that is made of a rigid material and can be used to depress a receiver pivot pin of a firearm. The punch pin that is part of the present invention has a male threaded connector at one end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a scraper that has a tapered end that can be used to scrape fouling and debris from the breech of a firearm. The tapered end of the scraper may be either symmetric or asymmetric. The scraper that is part of the present invention has a male threaded connector at one end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes an angled pick that can be used to clean in and among the intricate components found in a firearm's breech. The angled pick that is part of the present invention has a male threaded connector at one end, which is capable of coupling with one of the rods.
The cleaning tools of the preferred embodiment of the invention may be constructed from various metals, polymers, or other suitable materials. Each of the cleaning tools of the preferred embodiment are configured such that it may releasably attach to one or more of the long rods that are provided. The rods of the preferred embodiment may be coupled together through compatible threaded connectors. According to an embodiment of the invention, a firearm cleaning kit includes cleaning tools that are each made of brass, a sufficiently rigid polymer, or similar materials in order to prevent scratching the bore of a firearm.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a firearm cleaning kit is provided that includes cleaning tools and rods that are all sufficiently small and lightweight so as to minimize the amount of storage space the firearm cleaning kit requires. Another embodiment of the invention may further include a small flashlight in order to facilitate cleaning of a firearm in lowlight conditions or simply to enable the user better to illuminate the interior of the breech of a firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are characteristic of the preferred embodiment of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims. The invention itself may be best be understood, with respect to its organization and method of operation, with reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a firearm cleaning kit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the receiver brush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the punch pin shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the angled pick shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the end brush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the scraper shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the pick shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the first rod having a male threaded connector and a female threaded connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the second rod having two female threaded connectors shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the angled pick shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the angled pick shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 shows a front view of the angled pick shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 shows a back view of the angled pick shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the angled pick shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of the angled pick shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an embodiment of a firearm cleaning kit 10 is shown that includes a receiver brush 20, a punch pin 30, an angled pick 40, an end brush 50, a scraper 60, a pick 70, a first rod 80, and a second rod 90. It should be understood that the cleaning tools of firearm cleaning kit 10 may be suitable for use in one or more models of firearms, and therefore should not be limited to cleaning only a particular type of firearm.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiver brush 20 of the firearm cleaning kit 10 includes a base 21 that has a plurality of bristles 22 mounted substantially transverse to the long axis of base 21. In the embodiment shown, the plurality of bristles 22 have varying lengths configured to form a notch 24 in order to facilitate improved cleaning of round or angled objects. The receiver brush 20 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as having a base 21 that is has a width that is sufficiently narrow in order to enable the operator to insert receiver brush 20 into the breech of a firearm with enough tolerance to manipulate the receiver brush 20 in various directions while cleaning. A male threaded connector 23 is affixed to one end of base 21 in order to enable receiver brush 20 to be releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80.
The firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes punch pin 30 that can be used to depress various parts of a firearm, such as a receiver pivot pin. Referring to FIG. 3, the punch pin 30 has an elongated end 31 that is made of a material, such as a polymer or a metal, that is sufficiently rigid to resist breaking when punch pin 30 that is firmly pressed against a firearm. A male threaded connector 32 is affixed to punch pin 30 in order to enable it to be releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80. As shown in the particular embodiment in FIG. 3, the end 33 of punch pin 30 may be blunt in order to prevent scratching or marring the surface of a firearm when punch pin 30 is pressed against it.
The firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes an angled pick 40 having a generally cylindrical body 41 that has a blade 42 secured to one end. Referring to FIG. 4, one end of the blade 42 is secured to the body 41. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the end of the blade 42 that is secured to the body 41 is wider than the opposite end of the blade 42, where a bent terminal section 43 is attached. The relatively narrow width of the blade 42 where the bent terminal section 43 attaches enables the operator to use the angled pick 40 to access small areas within the breech of a firearm. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-15, the bent terminal section 43 protrudes at an approximate right angle relative to the surface of the blade 42. In other embodiments, the bent terminal section 43 may protrude at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the surface of the blade 42. The bent terminal section 43 enables the operator to use angled pick 40 to scrape and pry fouling and debris around and among the intricate components within the breech of a firearm. For example, the configuration of bent terminal section 43 of angled pick 40 is especially well suited for cleaning the locking lugs of an AR-15, M4, and M16 rifles. Along the length of the blade 42 is a corrugation 44 that extends at least part of the way between the portion of the blade 42 that is secured to the body 41 and the portion of the blade 42 to which the bent terminal section 43 is attached. Because the blade 42 is relatively thin, the corrugation 44 enhances its rigidity while allowing the overall construction of angled pick 40 to remain lightweight and compact. As can be seen in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the corrugation 44 is convex on one face of the blade 42 and concave on the opposite face of blade 42. A male threaded connector 45 is affixed to angled pick 40 in order to enable it to be releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80.
The firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes an end brush 50 that has a base 51 having a plurality of bristles 52 extending from one end. Referring to FIG. 5, the end of the base 51, which is opposite the end having the bristles 52, includes a male threaded connector 53 that enables end brush 50 to be releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the bristles 52 of end brush 50 have a suitable length and are constructed of a suitable material to facilitate the cleaning and lubrication of intricate portions of the breech of a firearm. To minimize deterioration of the bristles 52 from prolonged contact with the types of solvents typically used to clean firearms, the bristles 52 may be constructed of suitable solvent resistant material. End brush 50 has a body portion 54 that has a shape or texture to facilitate tightly coupling end brush 50 to rod 80 with a tool such as a pair of pliers or a small wrench. Body portion 54 also enables the operator more easily to couple and decouple end brush 50 to rod 80 by hand—without the use of any tools. In the embodiment of end brush 50 shown in FIG. 5, body portion 54 has a hexagonal cross-section. In an alternative embodiment, body portion 54 may have any cross-section but includes a textured circumferential band consisting of knurling that is integral to and formed from base 51. The textured circumferential band of such alternate embodiments may consist of another material, such as rubber or a polymer, that has been added to the surface of base 51. When end brush 50 is used to apply lubricant to a firearm, body portion 54 will assists the operator to grip end brush 50 and ensure it is securely attached to rod 80 and will not accidentally become decoupled while inserted in a firearm's breech.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes a scraper 60 that, at one end, has a body 61 that has a tapered section 62 terminating in a scraping surface 63. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the cross-section of body 61 is symmetrically narrowed by tapered section 62. In an alternate embodiment, tapered section 62 may asymmetrically narrow the cross-section of body 61. Any force an operator applies to the scraper 60 will result an increased amount of pressure, due to the relatively small surface area of scraping surface 63 that comes into contact with the fouling and debris, such as carbon deposits, that the operator desires to remove from the firearm. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the scraping surface 63 is approximately 0.2″ wide and 0.02″ thick in order to enable the scraper 60 also to be used to drive a standard flathead screw. The end of body 61 opposite the tapered section 62 has a male threaded connector 64 affixed in order to enable scraper 60 to be releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80. In one embodiment, scraper 60 is constructed out of a rigid but sufficiently soft material, such as brass, that will minimize the etching or marring of the firearm when the scraper 60 is used to remove any fouling and debris.
The firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes a pick 70 that has a generally cylindrical body 71 with a substantially rigid wire 72 extending longitudinally from one end. Referring to FIG. 7, the substantially rigid wire 72 is sufficiently thin to enable the operator to remove fouling and debris from small crevices in and between the intricate components in the breech of a firearm. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the generally cylindrical body 71 further includes a portion having a textured circumferential band 73 and also a portion that is hexagonal in cross-section 74. The textured circumferential band 73 enables the operator more easily to couple and decouple pick 70 to rod 80 or even to manipulate pick 70 without coupling it to rod 80. The textured circumferential band 73 may consist of knurling that is integral to and formed from base 71 or it may consist of another material, such as rubber or a polymer that has been added to the surface of base 71. The hexagonal cross-section 74 also enables the operator more easily to couple and decouple pick 70 to rod 80 by hand without the use of any tools. The end of body 71 opposite the wire 72 has a male threaded connector 75 affixed in order to enable pick 80 to be releasably coupled to the female threaded connector 81 of rod 80.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the firearm cleaning kit 10 further includes a first rod 80 that has a female threaded connector 81 at one of its ends and a male threaded connector 82 at the opposite end. Rod 80 may be constructed out of a soft material, such as brass or a polymer, in order to prevent scratching or marring the surface of a firearm during cleaning.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, an embodiment of the firearm cleaning kit 10 may further include a rod 90 that has a female threaded connector 91 at one of its ends. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, rod 90 has a second female threaded connector 92 at the opposite end from female threaded connector 91. By having two female threaded connectors 91 and 92, rod 90 is capable of simultaneously, releasably coupling the male threaded connector 82 of rod 80 as well as one of the other components of firearm cleaning kit 10. Coupling rod 90 to rod 80 enables the operator to employ extended reach and/or leverage when using the components of firearm cleaning kit 10 to clean a firearm. When decoupled, rods 90 and 80 facilitate compact storage of firearm cleaning kit 10 in small compartments such as standard soft pouches used to store firearm cleaning kits. Rod 90 may be constructed out of a soft material, such as brass or polymer, in order to prevent scratching or marring the surface of a firearm during cleaning.
While the present invention has been described with reference to a particular preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment and that various modifications and the like could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A firearm cleaning kit constructed of a plurality of cleaning tools comprising:

a first rod having a first and a second end,

said first end containing a male threaded connector,

said second end containing a female threaded connector;

a receiver brush having a base with a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end,

said base containing a plurality of bristles mounted substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis,

said first end containing a male threaded connector capable of releasably engaging the female threaded connector of said first rod;

an end brush having a base with a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end,

said base containing bristles mounted substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis,

said second end containing a male threaded connector capable of releasably engaging the female threaded connector of said first rod;

a pick having a generally cylindrical body portion with a first end and a second end,

said first end having a substantially rigid wire extending longitudinally from said body portion,

said second end having a male threaded connector capable of releasably engaging the female threaded connector of said first rod;

a punch pin having an elongated first end and a second end,

said elongated first end having sufficient rigidity to depress a receiver pivot pin of a firearm,

a scraper having a body with a first and a second end,

said first end being tapered to define a scraping surface,

and

an angled pick having a body portion with a first and a second end, a blade, and a bent terminal section,

said first end of the body portion having a male threaded connector capable of releasably engaging the female threaded connector of said first rod,

said blade having a longitudinal axis, a first end attached to said body portion, a second end having a width that is narrower than the width of the first end of the blade, and a corrugation extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis of the blade between said first and second ends of the blade,

said bent terminal section attached to said second end of the blade and being configured to protrude at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis of the blade.

2. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein said pick has a body portion configured to have a first circumferential band that is textured for ease of handling and a second circumferential band that has a hexagonal cross-section.

3. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein the bristles of said receiver brush have varying lengths configured to form a notch.

4. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 3, wherein the bristles of said receiver brush are made of a stiff polymer that is solvent resistant.

5. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein the bent terminal section of the angled pick protrudes 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the blade.

6. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1 further including a second rod having a first and a second end, at least one of said first and second ends containing a female threaded connector.

7. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 6, wherein said first rod, said second rod, and said scraper are made out of metal.

8. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein the first end of said scraper is about 0.2′ wide and about 0.02′ thick.

9. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 6, wherein the first end of said scraper is about 0.2′ wide and about 0.02′ thick.

10. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, wherein said second rod has a circumferential band that is textured for ease of handling.

11. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 6, wherein said second rod has a circumferential band that is textured for ease of handling.

12. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1, where the elongated first end of said punch pin is about 0.1′ in cross-sectional diameter.

13. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 1 further including a small flashlight.

14. A firearm cleaning kit according to claim 6 further including a small flashlight.

15. An angled pick for incorporation in a firearm cleaning kit that is configured for picking and scraping fouling and debris from the breech of a firearm comprising:

a body portion with a first and a second end, a blade, and a bent terminal section,

said first end of the body portion having a male threaded connector,

16. An angled pick according to claim 15, wherein said bent terminal section is configured to protrude 90 degrees relative to said longitudinal axis of the blade.

17. An angled pick according to claim 15, wherein said blade is made of metal.

18. An angled pick according to 15, wherein said blade is made of substantially rigid polymer.