Telescoping cleaning staff for artillery and method of use

Abstract

The invention is directed to a telescoping cleaning staff that can be expanded to an elongated configuration for use within artillery (e.g., cleaning and maintenance of artillery) and collapsed to a reduced-length configuration for travel. The cleaning staff of the present invention is light weight, easy to expand and collapse, and can fit conveniently in a backpack or other sack, which is easily transportable by an artillery operator. When expanded, the telescoping cleaning staff can support at least about 150 pounds of force in tension or compression and thus is an effective tool for maintaining artillery.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/616,061, filed on Oct. 5, 2004, and entitled “Telescoping Cleaning Staff for Artillery and Method of Use” by Vazquez, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to cleaning staffs, and more particularly to telescoping cleaning staffs used for cleaning and/or maintaining artillery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Artillery, especially tube artillery, such as mortars, howitzer, cannons, and field guns, are typically cleaned between fired shots. Generally, the artillery is cleaned with a brush to remove hot embers from the barrel of the weapon. If these hot embers are not removed they could cause subsequently loaded shells to explode prematurely (e.g., within the barrel), thereby potentially resulting in harm or injury to the artillery operator. In between fired shots, maintenance work is also performed on the artillery. For example, unexploded shells are extracted from the barrel prior to loading new ammunition.

Generally, the barrel of the artillery is cleaned and maintained with an elongated rod including a maintenance tool (e.g., brush, extractor) at one end. This elongated rod is referred to as a cleaning staff. The length of the cleaning staff is sized to complement the particular artillery to be cleaned. For example, a 4 foot cleaning rod can be used to clean a mortar having a 3.5 foot barrel length.

Due to their length, conventional cleaning staffs are difficult to carry and transport, especially out in the field where artillery operators may be involved in constant action, motion, and travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in one embodiment, remedies the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a telescoping cleaning staff that can be expanded to an elongated configuration for use within artillery (e.g., cleaning and maintenance of artillery) and collapsed to a reduced-length configuration for travel. The cleaning staff of the present invention is light weight, easy to expand and collapse, and can fit conveniently in a backpack or other sack, which is easily transportable by an artillery operator. When elongated, the cleaning staff has good mechanical properties (e.g., a four foot cleaning staff can support at least 150 pounds of force in either compression or tension). The cleaning staff can include an attachment device at one end, which allows for different tools, such as brushes or extraction devices to be secured to the cleaning staff.

In one aspect, the invention provides a telescoping cleaning staff for artillery. The telescoping cleaning staff includes a body including a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments being translatable so as to form an elongated body.

Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include one or more of the following features. Each of the plurality of segments can interlock with an adjacent segment to form the elongated body. The segments can include one or more buttons which lock adjacent segments together. Each of the segments can include a constant cross-sectional profile. The shape of the profile can be selected so as to fit comfortably within the hand of a user (e.g., circular or rounded edges). The shape of the profile can be selected so as to minimize rolling of the cleaning staff (e.g., a triangular profile, a rounded triangular profile, a hexagonal profile, a rounded hexagonal profile). In some embodiments, the cleaning staff includes one or more expanders so as to provide a positive stop during expansion of telescoping segments. One end of the cleaning staff can include an attachment element to allow for tool attachment (e.g., a brush, extractor, cutting tool). Another end of the cleaning staff can include a handle. The plurality of segments can be made from aluminum. In some embodiments, the plurality of segments can be made from a composite, such as a composite of epoxy and woven or aligned fibers. When in a collapsed configuration, the telescoping cleaning staff can have a length less than about 17 inches long. When expanded, the telescoping cleaning staff can have a length of about 48 inches long.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of expanding an unexpanded telescoping cleaning staff for artillery. The method includes translating at least one of a plurality of segments which form the telescoping cleaning staff for artillery to expand the telescoping cleaning staff; and securing the telescoping cleaning staff in an expanded configuration. In some embodiments, translating includes rotating and advancing at least one of the plurality of segments. The telescoping cleaning staff can be secured in the expanded configuration by, for example, interlocking adjacent segments together. The method can further include attaching a tool to an end of the cleaning staff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment of a cleaning staff in an expanded configuration and in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a picture of another embodiment of the cleaning staff in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cleaning staff labeled A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cleaning staff labeled B in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the cleaning staff shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a telescoping cleaning staff 10 can be used to clean and maintain the barrel of a piece of artillery, such as, for example, a mortar. The telescoping cleaning staff 10 includes a plurality of segments 15 (e.g., 4 segments labeled 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d) that have the same cross-sectional profile, but different outer diameters. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the segments 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d have a circular cross-sectional shape, but the outer diameter of 15a is approximately 1 inch, the outer diameter of 15b is approximately 1.25 inches, the outer diameter of 15c is approximately 1.50 inches, and the outer diameter of 15d is approximately 1.75 inches. Segments 15b, 15c, and 15d are hollow inside (e.g., tubular) and thus as a result, segment 15a can fit within segment 15b, segment 15b can fit within segment 15c, and segment 15c and fit within segment 15d to form a collapsed or unexpanded configuration. The collapsed configuration can be sized (e.g., approximately 17 inches in length) to fit within a sack or backpack for convenient travel.

When the segments are extended to form the expanded configuration, each of the plurality of segments is positively locked in place using a securing device, such as, for example a tapered helical nut that drives a first cam through an opening 20 on an adjacent segment and a second cam into a groove within the segment. An end of each of the plurality of segments 15 can include an expander 25 that provides for proper placement of the tube when expanded. The expander 25, which can be a simple collar secured to a segment by a fastener, allows each segment to be expanded to a predetermined length and/or position to be locked with an adjacent segment.

In some embodiments, the plurality of segments 15 are extended to the expanded configuration, by rotating the outer most segment (e.g., 15d) and axially advancing that segment away from the remaining collapsed segments. In some embodiments, the plurality of segments 15 are extended by simply advancing (i.e., no rotation is used). Once extended, the segment is then locked into position by the securing device, thereby preventing accidental collapse of the cleaning staff during use (e.g., cleaning or maintenance). Each segment can be extended in a likewise fashion to form the expanded configuration.

Each of the plurality of segments 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are formed from a light weight but strong metal, such as aluminum, or from a composite material, such as for example, fiberglass or carbon-fiber disposed in a resin. When in the expanded configuration (e.g., 48 to 60 inches), the cleaning staff 10 has enough strength so as to be able to support at least about 150 pounds of force in tension and/or compression. In some embodiments, the cleaning staff 10 has enough strength to support about 200 pounds of force in tension and/or compression. In certain embodiments, the cleaning staff 10 has enough strength to support about 300 pounds of force in tension and/or compression. As a result of its strength, a portion of adjacent segments may overlap each other to minimize stresses at overlap areas 30.

An attachment device 35 is secured to one end of the cleaning staff 10. The attachment device includes a connection (e.g., a threaded connector) which can mate with a number of different tools, such as for example, a brush, an extractor, or a cutter. As a result, the tools are interchangeable and the cleaning staff 10 can be used for a number of different cleaning and maintenance procedures.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a cleaning staff 10′ for artillery. This embodiment also includes 4 telescoping segments 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d and the tool attachment device 35 (see FIG. 3). Cleaning staff 10′ has six depressable buttons (only three buttons are in view in FIG. 2, the remaining three buttons are on the opposing side of the cleaning staff 10′). The buttons 50 fit through openings 20 on the segments and are used as the securing devices to lock the cleaning staff 10′ in the expanded configuration. (See FIG. 4, showing a button extending through the opening 20 on an adjacent segment.)

Referring to FIG. 5, cleaning staff 10′ has a rounded triangular shape or profile. As a result, the cleaning staff 10′ fits comfortably in an operators hand and provides a good surface to grip. In addition, the profile of cleaning staff 10′ eliminates rolling of the cleaning staff. For example, when an artillery operator places the cleaning staff down on a surface, he or she does not have to worry about the cleaning staff rolling away from the position in which the operator placed the staff down, because the angles present in the profile minimize rolling of the cleaning staff 10′.

While a number of exemplary embodiments have been discussed, other embodiments are also possible. For example, while cleaning staff 10 has been described as including four segments, a cleaning staff in accordance with the present invention can include any number of multiple segments (e.g., 2 segments, 3 segments, 4 segments, 5 segments, 6 segments). The plurality of segments making up the cleaning staff can be modular. That is, one or more of the segments can be removed to form a cleaning staff with a shorter expanded configuration. Similarly, one or more segments can be added to form a cleaning staff with a longer expanded configuration. As a result, the telescoping cleaning staff 10 of the present invention can be used in an number of different artillery devices which may have differing barrel lengths.

Embodiments of the invention can also feature different cross-sectional profiles than the profiles described above (e.g., circular profile, rounded triangular profile). For example, cleaning staff 10 can have a triangular cross-sectional profile, a square cross-sectional profile, or a rectangular cross-sectional profile. These angular profiles can be slightly contoured or rounded (e.g., rounded triangular profile as shown in FIG. 5) to provide the user with a comfortable surface to grip.

It is also possible to add a handle (e.g., a strap or a t-bar) to an end of the cleaning staff (i.e., the end opposite the end including the attachment connector 35). The handle provides a location at which the user could apply torque to the cleaning staff more easily.

Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described herein will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited only to the preceding illustrative descriptions.

Claims

1. A telescoping cleaning staff for artillery comprising:

a body including a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments being translatable so as to form an elongated body.

2. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of segments interlock with an adjacent segment to form the elongated body.

3. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of segments has a cross-sectional profile that minimizes rolling.

4. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of segments has a cross-sectional profile shape selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular, and hexagonal.

5. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1 further comprising one or more buttons to lock two adjacent segments together.

6. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1 further comprising one or more expanders.

7. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1 further comprising an attachment element to allow for tool attachment.

8. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 7, wherein the attachment element is connectable to a brush.

9. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 7, wherein the attachment element is connectable to an extractor.

10. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments comprise aluminum.

11. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments comprise a composite.

12. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of segments has a length less than about 17 inches long.

13. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein the elongated body has a length of about 48 inches long.

14. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, further comprising a handle.

15. A method of expanding an unexpanded telescoping cleaning staff for artillery, the method comprising:

translating at least one of a plurality of segments which form the telescoping cleaning staff for artillery to expand the telescoping cleaning staff; and

securing the telescoping cleaning staff in an expanded configuration.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein securing the telescoping cleaning staff in an expanded configuration comprises locking adjacent segments together.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

attaching a tool to an end of the cleaning staff.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein translating at least of the plurality of segments to expand the telescoping cleaning staff includes rotating and advancing at least of the plurality of segments.

19. An expandable artillery cleaning staff comprising:

a plurality of translatable segments, each of the segments including a locking device to maintain adjacent segments in an expanded configuration; and

a detachable tool disposed on an end portion of one of the plurality of translatable segments.

20. The expandable artillery cleaning staff of claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of translatable segments has a cross-sectional profile shape selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular, and hexagonal.