Collapsible gun cleaning rod

Abstract

A collapsible gun cleaning rod including a plurality of elongated, tubular sections which fit together to form a rod having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the tubular section defining the proximal end portion being in screw engagement with the adjacent elongated tubular section, a biasing spring disposed within the proximal end portion, an inextensible strand fixed in the proximal end portion and extending through the plurality of elongated, tubular sections and fixed to the distal end portion, whereby, when either the proximal end portion or the tubular section adjacent thereto is rotated relative to each other, the gun cleaning rod is lengthened against the bias of the spring, causing the plurality of tubular elongated sections to fit together in the rigid manner relative to each other.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 2004-0156549-42 filed on Apr. 16, 2004, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved collapsible gun cleaning rod and more particularly to a collapsible gun cleaning rod formed of several tubular sections which can be folded into a collapsible state for convenient storage.

Various types of collapsible gun cleaning rods are known in the art. Generally, it is desirable or absolutely necessary to clean a gun barrel in a field camp, although a sportsman's firearm is typically cleaned at home. Usually, if a gun barrel bore becomes clogged with mud or snow while a sportsman is hunting, the hunter must remove the obstruction from the gun bore for his own safety. The firearm industry has long sought easy to carry, emergency cleaning rods for field cleaning firearms under adverse conditions. Conventional gun cleaning rods contain several tubular sections a tension cable disposed within the sections, a handle, and a cleaning brush. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,021 to Weiss discloses several tubular sections that can be folded together to form a compact package for storage. Running through the tubular sections is a tension cable provided with an enlargement abutting a shoulder disposed in the tubular element at the proximal end of the cleaning rod (FIG. 4A) and an enlargement abutting a shoulder in the distal tubular section (FIG. 4B). As best shown in FIG. 4A, the tubular element is threaded into a tubular handle whereby the effective length of the assembly of elements can be lengthened or shortened to apply tension to, or relax tension on, the cable. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, tension is applied to cable by a compression spring disposed within the tubular handle.

Korean Utility Model Patent 20-152,599 discloses a stick for cleaning the muzzle of a gun which includes several tubular sections, a tension cable extending through the sections, and a handle screwed to the proximal end of the stick. U.S. Pat. No. 2,070,844 to Riley discloses a cleaning rod for firearms, in which a threaded tubular element in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 at the proximal end of the cleaning rod is used to apply and relax tension in flexible connector. U.S. Pat. No. 1,348,145 to Arden discloses a collapsible gun cleaning rod employing a pivoted lever 32 in the handle for applying and relaxing tension on a flexible connector. The tension on the flexible connector is limited by a compression spring in a casing that houses the proximal end of the flexible connector.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,950 to Hertzberg and U.S. Pat. No. 6,1245,235 to Emerson et al. disclose a rod for use in the barrel of a gun. Each of the rods has a pivoted handle that can be positioned to form a “T” with the rod or stowed against the side of the rod. U.S. Pat. No. 2,379,577 to Harsted, U.S. Pat. No. 2,705,015 to Langlais, U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,133 to Hyman, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,037 to Clark disclose additional examples of rods or poles formed of tubular sections which contain a strand connector extending through the sections.

However, when such conventional gun cleaning rods are used for a long time, the tension cable tends to stretch, the screw threads become worn, and the handle does not freely move. Also, such conventional gun cleaning rods do not disclose effective mechanisms for applying and relaxing the tension in the strand connector and for freely rotating the tubular sections while a user is cleaning a gun barrel bore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved collapsible gun cleaning rod which eliminates the above problems encountered with conventional gun cleaning rods.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible gun cleaning rod formed of several sections that can be folded in a collapsed state for convenient storage such as packing storage disposed on a gun stock.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gun cleaning rod having several tubular sections with ends that fit into the end of an adjacent section. Mounted by threads to the distal end section is a short rod with a mechanism for holding a cleaning patch. The proximal end section is formed of two tubular elements that are coupled together by threads. The first of these tubular elements supports a tubular handle which moves relative to the tubular element between a folded position aligned with the tubular element and an extended position in which it forms a “T” with the tubular element and serves as a handle for the cleaning rod. The second of the tubular parts includes a distal end that fits into the end of the succeeding tubular section. An inextensible strand connector extends through the tubular sections with one end of the strand fastened to the distal end section. The proximal end of the cleaning rod is provided with an enlarged section disposed within the first tubular part of the proximal end section. The enlarged element engages a compression spring seated on a shoulder in the first tubular element. When the first tubular element is turned in a direction to extend the second tubular element, the spring applies tension to the strand so that when the tubular sections are fitted together, the cleaning rod is made rigid. When the first tubular element is turned in a direction to retract the second tubular element, the tension on the strand is relaxed so that the tubular sections can be separated and folded together into a collapsed, compact package.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible gun cleaning rod which is simple in structure, inexpensive to manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modification within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention in a partially collapsed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention in a folded configuration for storage;

FIG. 4 is a partial and enlarged side cross-sectional view showing a first tubular elongated section and a tubular elongated support of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial and enlarged side cross-sectional view showing the first tubular elongated section and the tubular elongated support of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention in a pressed spring configuration;

FIG. 6 is a partial, enlarged and explored side cross-sectional view showing the first tubular elongated section and the tubular elongated support of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial and enlarged side cross-sectional views of the first tubular elongated section and the tubular elongated support with a cylindrical rotor of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a handle of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, showing the improved collapsible gun cleaning rod of the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1, and shown in its assembled position. The collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, comprises a plurality of tubular elongated sections 10, 20, 30 and 40, a distal end elongated segment 50, a tubular elongated support 60 and a handle 70.

The plurality of tubular elongated sections contains ends which fit into the end of an adjacent section. As shown in FIG. 2, screw threads 51 are provided on the endmost elongated segment 50 for engaging with the adjacent section in forming the distal end of the cleaning rod. Segment 50 contains an end portion 52 for holding a cleaning patch (not shown). The proximal end section is formed of the first tubular elongated section 10 and the tubular elongated support 60 which are coupled together by supporting threads 11.

The tubular elongated support 60 carries a hollow tubular element 61 that is pivoted for movement relative to the tubular part between a folded position aligned with the tubular part and an extended end position in which it forms a “T” with the tubular part, and serves as a handle 70 for the cleaning rod. The first tubular elongated section 10 includes the endmost elongated segment 50 that fits into the end of the succeeding tubular section such as the fourth section 40 through a threaded segment 51.

An extensible strand connector 2 such as a stainless steel cable extends through the sections 10, 20, 30 and 40 and is fastened at one end to the distal end section 40 and at the other end to the tubular elongated support 60 which is provided with a spring 65 (FIG. 5) disposed therein.

The compression spring 65 is seated on a shoulder in the tubular elongated support 60. When the tubular elongated support 60 is turned in a direction to retract the first tubular elongated section 10, the tension on the strand connector 2 is relaxed, whereby the tubular sections 10, 20, 30 and 40 can be separated and folded together into a collapsed compact package (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the tabular elongated support 60 includes the hollow tubular element 61 disposed on the inside thereof. The hollow tubular element 61 contains a raised portion 64, an inner thread 62 disposed on the inside thereof and a tubular narrow end portion 63 (FIG. 6). The tubular elongated support 60 further includes a stopping ring 67 disposed at the lower end thereof, and a groove 68 disposed between the ring 67 and the lower end of the tubular elongated support 60 (FIG. 5).

The first tubular elongated section 10 includes an external support thread 11 for securely fastening section 10 with the internal thread 62 of the tubular elongated support 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the first tubular elongated section 10 further includes an enlarged portion 12 disposed at one end thereof for firmly fitting into the hollow tubular element 61 of the tubular elongated support 60 when the tubular elongated section 10 engages with the tubular elongated support 60.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 4 and 5, the spring 65 is disposed within the hollow tubular element 61 of the tubular elongated support 60. At this time, the spring 65 is restricted by the raised portion 64 in the hollow tubular element 61.

The inextensible strand connector 2 extends through the first, second, third and fourth sections 10, 20, 30 and 40, and is connected to a rotor 66. When the sections 10, 20, 30 and 40 are assembled together with the tubular elongated support 60, the rotor 66 compresses the spring 65 against its bias, as shown in FIG. 5. The rotor 66 can be, for example, a rotating solid ball or a cylindrical element 66′ (FIGS. 7 and 8). Also, a washer and a bearing can be used instead of the rotor 66 or the cylindrical rotor 66′.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, the handle 70 for the gun cleaning rod includes a slot 71 disposed at one end thereof and a pair of elastic arms 72 disposed on both sides of the slot 71. The width of the opening slot 71 is wider than the diameter of the groove 68 and is a little smaller than the diameter of the hollow tubular element of the tubular elongated support 60 and the diameter of the stopping ring 67. Both elastic arms 72 have a pair of small inwardly extending stoppers 73 and 74. Therefore, the pair of elastic arms 72 defining the opening slot 71 of the handle 70 are slidingly engaged within the groove 68 and disposed between the elastic arms 72 and the end of the lower end of the tubular elongated support 60 for slidingly moving the elastic ring 67 within the opening slot 71 in the up and down direction when the collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 is assembled and folded.

As shown in FIG. 2, each tubular section 80 of the tubular elongated sections 10, 20, 30 and 40 is firmly and smoothly inserted into each hole of an adjacent elongated section when the collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 of the present invention is assembled. At this time, if necessary, the tubular section 80 can be a separate element which is first inserted a distance into an elongated section, for example section 40 where it is fused to the inside of the section. The part that extends from the end of section 40 can then be inserted into the adjacent tubular section. As shown in FIG. 6, the enlarged portion 12 of the external thread 11 can be enlarged by conventional pressing methods.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 2 and 3, the collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 according to the present invention is assembled by a user as follows. After the user grasps the folded collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 (FIG. 3), it is held to hang down vertically, and the elongated sections 10, 20, 30 and 40 are assembled together by inserting section 80 into the hole 81 of the adjacent tubular section as shown in FIG. 1.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the external thread 11 of the first tubular elongated section 10 stays at the entrance of the internal thread 62 of the tubular, narrow end portion 63. When the user rotates the first tubular elongated section 10 or the tubular elongated support 60, the thread engagement starts and finally the enlarged portion 12 of the first section 10 reaches the entrance of the internal thread 62, so that both threads 11 and 62 are engaged tightly together (FIG. 5).

Referring to FIG. 5, as the external thread 11 of the first tubular elongated section 10 is engaged with the internal thread 62 of the tubular narrow end part 63, the strand connector 2 containing the rotor 66 or cylindrical rotor 66′ is tightened to the extent that the threads 11 and 62 are engaged with each other. Therefore, the strand connector 2 compresses the spring 65 which is held in position by the raised portion 64 of the tubular elongated support 60. That is, the spring 65 is compressed against its normal bias.

Even though the spring 65 is in a compressed state, the tubular sections 20, 30, and 40 can be rotated freely since the compressed spring 65, which is elastic, provides a degree of elasticity between the tubular portion. Also, the tubular elongated support 60 can be freely rotated through the supporting ring 67 which is movably disposed in the pair of elastic arms 72 of the handle 70. Therefore, the collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 of the present invention can be used to effectively clean the gun bore because the sections 20, 30 and 40, and the support 60 with the section 10 can be freely rotated to freely wipe the gun bore.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first tubular elongated section 10 is firmly fixed to the internal thread 62 of the tubular elongated support 60 through the enlarged portion 12 of the external thread 11. Therefore, when the user cleans the gun bore, the support 60 and the first section 10 cannot be separated from each other even though the user pushes and pulls the cleaning rod 1.

Even though the inextensible strand connector 2 is stretched a little bit by long term use, because the strand connector 2 is connected to elastic spring 65, the elasticity of the spring 65 can compensate for the stretching of the strand connector 2. Therefore, the collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 according to the present invention is durable.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 1 and 3, the collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 according to the present invention is folded by a user as follows. When the first tubular elongated section 10 is released by loosening the engaging threads 11 and 62 from each other, the sections 10, 20, 30 and 40 separate from each other as shown in FIG. 2.

Thereafter, if the tubular elongated support 60 disposes within the opening slot 71 of the handle 70 is folded in the opening part direction, the tubular support 60 engages the pair of elastic arms 72. At this time, if the user pushes the tubular support 60 into the pair of elastic arms 72, the tubular support 60 is inserted into the opening slot 71 of the handle 70 as shown in FIG. 3. The folded gun cleaning rod 1 can then be stored in a convenient location such as a compartment provided in the gun stock (not shown).

At this time, even though the tubular elongated support 60 is folded in the opening slot 71 of the handle 70, the elongated support 60 can not be separated from the opening slot 71 of the handle 70 due to the presence of internal stoppers 73 and 74. On the contrary, when the gun cleaning rod 1 is assembled, the stopping ring 67 is in contact with internal stopper 73 and erects, upright, the tubular elongated support 60 which extends from the pair of elastic arms 72, and the support 60, the sections 10, 20, 30 and 40, and the endmost elongated segment 50 form a “T” shaped handle 70.

The collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 according to the present invention has a number of advantages, which includes improving the rotor 66 or cylindrical rotor 66′ attached to the end of inextensible strand connector 2, providing the first elongated section 10 with the external support thread 11 and an enlarged portion 12, utilizing a stopping ring 67 and grooves 68 of the tubular elongated support 60 dispose within the opening slot 71 and providing a pair of elastic arms 72 and internal stoppers 73 and 74.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible gun cleaning rod which comprises:

a plurality of elongated, tubular sections which fit together to form a rod having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion,

the tubular section defining the proximal end portion being coupled by screw threads with the adjacent elongated tubular section and constrained for movement relative to the adjacent elongated tubular section by the screw threads,

a spring seated within the proximal end portion,

an inextensible strand having an end abutment disposed in the proximal end portion and confronting the spring, the inextensible strand extending through the spring and the plurality of elongated, tubular sections and fixed to the distal end portion, whereby, when either the proximal end portion or the tubular section adjacent thereto is rotated relative to each other, the gun cleaning rod is lengthened against the bias of the spring, causing the plurality of tubular elongated sections to fit together in a rigid manner relative to each other.

2. The collapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 1, wherein a handle is pivotally attached to the proximal end portion of the gun cleaning rod forming a “T” configuration with respect thereto, said handle containing a slot which is adapted to substantially accommodate a portion of the elongated tubular section defining the proximal end portion, whereby the handle can be rotated to align with and accommodate said portion of the proximal end portion.

3. The collapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 1 wherein the plurality of elongated tubular sections contain male and female end portions which fit together to define the gun cleaning rod.

4. The collapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 1 wherein the distal end portion is provided with a configuration for attaching a cleaning patch thereto.

5. The collapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 1 wherein the proximal end portion has internal threads and the adjacent elongated tubular section has external threads.

6. The collapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 5, wherein the end portion of said adjacent elongated tubular section is gradually enlarged to establish a tight engagement with the proximal end portion.

7. (canceled)

8. The collapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 1, wherein the rotation of the tubular sections defining the proximal end portion, simultaneously increases the tension and locks the tension in the inextensible strand.