Gun Tool

Abstract

A gun tool includes multiple tools specially configured for working on a gun. An example of the gun tool includes a choke tube wrench having a shape that permits insertion of the choke tube wrench into a variety of different sized choke tubes, so that the single choke tube wrench can be used to insert or remove a variety of different choke tubes. Some embodiments include retractable tools. Further, some embodiments include a bit driver coupled to an end. In some embodiments, spare bits can be stored in a bit storage compartment having a spring-loaded access door.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/293,971, titled GUN TOOL, filed on Jan. 11, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to hand tools and more particularly, to hand tools having rotatable, on-board and removable implements as well as hand tools that are adapted to adjust and maintain firearms.

BACKGROUND

Working with guns requires an assortment of various tools. These tools can be easily lost or misplaced. As a result, a particular tool that is needed for a desired task may not be quickly and easily located when it is needed. Further, the collection of all of the tools necessary to work on a gun is heavy and consumes a lot of space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example gun tool.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the gun tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the gun tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the gun tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a center cross sectional left side elevational view of the gun tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear elevational view of the gun tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the gun tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the gun tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example choke tube wrench of the gun tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example gun tool.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another example gun tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

Some embodiments of the gun tool disclosed herein include implements that are best suited for firearms maintenance and adjustment. A combination of tools that fits the variety of makes and models of firearms is useful to hunters and shooters, for example, to allow them to have a single, compact and ergonomic frame to house the implements best suited for use on firearms.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate various views of an example of a gun tool 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective side view. FIG. 2 is a top elevation view. FIG. 3 is a bottom view. FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view. FIG. 5 is center cross sectional side elevation view. FIG. 6 is a front elevation view. FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view.

In some embodiments, gun tool 100 includes a body 102; rotatable tools 104; driver 106; bit storage 108; axles 110, 112, and 114; and bits 116.

In some embodiments, body 102 has an ergonomic shape and configuration forming a solid handle that is wide and rounded. The shape and configuration of body 102 permits body 102 to be used by people with different hand sizes and different strengths and weaknesses. The body 102 is also designed to fit the multitude of working positions. Some embodiments include a solid, stacked frame that follows the natural shape of hands and wrist working positions. The girth and mass of the gun tool 100 can be leveraged in any working position to exert force and provide comfort.

In some embodiments one or more of the components of the gun tool are made of stainless steel. Other embodiments include other materials, such as plastic, wood, rubber, carbon fiber, other materials, or combinations of these.

Rotatable tools 104 are included in some embodiments which are useful for a variety of functions. In some embodiments, rotatable tools 104 (shown in FIG. 3) include pin punch 122; choke tube wrench 124; knife 126; torx wrenches 128, 130, and 132; and hex wrenches 134 and 136. Rotatable tools 104 are connected to body 102 by axles 110 or 112 that extend through gun tool 100 at opposite ends. Rotatable tools 104 are retractable into body 102 by rotating the tools from an extended position to a retracted position.

Some embodiments include pin punch 122. The pin punch 122 is useful for a variety of purposes, such as for removing mounting pins securing the trigger assembly to the gun's receiver. A gun's trigger assembly is removable for maintenance, inspection and cleaning. The trigger assembly is held in the gun's receiver with mounting pins. Pin punch 122 can be used for removal of these mounting pins.

Pin punch 122 is rotatable around axle 110 to extend pin punch 122 from the retracted position shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, pin punch 122 includes one or more stop positions, such as a 90 degree stop to extend the pin punch 122 at a right angle to body 102, and a 180 degree stop to extend pin punch 122 straight out from body 102. Inclusion of pin punch 122 in gun tool 100 provides a convenient tool for removal of such mounting pins. Further, body 102 of gun tool 100 includes a solid handle frame that can be used to apply extra pressure with the operator's hand directly onto body 102. A hammering motion can also be used (e.g., against surfaces of body 102 opposing pin punch 122) to remove a seated pin.

Choke tube wrench 124 is provided in some embodiments. A more detailed view of an example choke tube wrench 124 is illustrated in FIG. 9. Choke tube wrench 124 is a single tool that is useful for removal of shotgun choke tubes of a variety of different sizes. An example of a choke tube wrench is illustrated more clearly in FIG. 9. In this example, choke tube wrench 124 has a tapered stair-stepped design, with each step being sized for use with one of the six standard shotgun sizes, including 0.410, 28 gauge, 20 gauge, 16 gauge, 12 gauge and 10 gauge.

The design of choke tube wrench 124 allows the user to apply a greater torque when inserted in the two slots of a choke tube. Additionally, some embodiments of choke tube wrench 124 include two positive stops, including a positive stop at about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees. This can make it much easier for a user to remove and replace the choke tubes. For example, when the 90 degree angle is used, the user can grasp body 102 of gun tool 100 and exert a large amount of force to seat or unseat a choke tube in a barrel. When the 180 degree angle is used such that the choke tube wrench 124 extends straight out from body 102, the body 102 can be rotated by the user more quickly, to increase the speed of rotation of the choke tube wrench 124. This allows the choke tube to be inserted or removed more quickly.

In addition, some embodiments of choke tube wrench 124 include a screwdriver tool 138 at a distal end. The screwdriver tool 138 is formed at an end of choke tube wrench 124. In this example, screwdriver tool 138 is a slotted screwdriver that is machined into the end of choke tube wrench 124, and can be used, for example, to adjust the windage and/or elevation turrets of a riflescope.

Some embodiments of gun tool 100 include one or more of the following: a choke tube wrench 124 and a scope wrench. Implements that are designed to remove and replace choke tubes are included in some embodiments. Some embodiments include one implement that works with most of the manufactured choke tubes, providing greatly improved functionality. The number of wrenches required to turn a choke out of the threading of a shotgun barrel is therefore greatly reduced.

Knife 126 is included in some embodiments of gun tool 100. Knife 126 is rotatable from a retracted position to an extended position about axle 110.

Some embodiments include one or more sets of torx wrenches 128, 130, and 132 and/or hex wrenches (also known as Allen wrenches). These wrenches can be used for a variety of purposes, such as to tighten or remove fasteners used to mount a rifle scope. Some embodiments of the gun tool include a set of the torx and hex wrenches that are sized to fit the most commonly used gun fasteners. Further, wrenches are configured to rotate out from the frame and durable enough to exert the needed torque to tighten the fasteners, such as to properly mount the riflescope to a gun.

Wrenches 128, 130, 132, 134, and 136 can include a variety of different sizes and configurations. For example, hex, torx, or other wrenches can be used. An example embodiment includes the following tool sizes. An example of torx wrench 128 is a T20 torx wrench. An example of torx wrench 130 is a T15 torx wrench. An example of torx wrench 132 is a T10 torx wrench. An example of hex wrench 134 is a 5/32″ hex wrench. An example of hex wrench 136 is a 3/32″ hex wrench. Other embodiments include other sizes, configurations, and quantities of wrenches.

Wrenches 128, 130, 132, 134, and 136 are rotatable around axles 110 and 112 between retracted and extended positions.

Some embodiments of gun tool 100 further include driver 106. In this example, driver 106 has a hexagonal shape and is configured to receive bits 116. In some embodiments, driver 106 is magnetic to hold bits 116 more securely therein. When a bit 116 is inserted into driver 106, gun tool 100 can be used as a screwdriver or wrench, depending on the particular configuration of bit 116.

Additionally, some embodiments include one or more adapters to mate with separate components, to allow such components to be inserted into the driver to extend the functionality of the tool. For example, a brush or cleaning pad with a hex end can be coupled to the driver in some embodiments, such as to permit cleaning of the lenses of optical equipment.

Bit storage 108 is provided in some embodiments to store bits 116 when bits 116 are not in use. The bits 116 can include screwdriver bits or other types of bits. By storing the bits 116 within gun tool 100, the bits 116 can be kept with the gun tool at all times, which reduces the chance that bits 116 will be misplaced, lost, or otherwise not easily located when they are needed.

In some embodiments, bit storage 108 includes a spring-loaded access door 140. Access door 140 encloses bits 116 within bit storage 108. A tab 142 permits access door 140 to be opened, by pivoting access door 140 about axle 114. When access door 140 is opened, bit storage 108 can be easily accessed for insertion or removal of bits 116. In some embodiments, access door 140 is spring-loaded with a spring 144 (shown in FIG. 5) to maintain access door 140 in an upright position while an operator is removing or replacing bits 116 in bit storage 108. The tension provided by the spring 144 also helps to keep the access door 140 closed during use.

Some embodiments include a containment system within bit storage 108, such as a magnetic containment system. The magnetic containment system holds the bits 116 in a slot and also operates to magnetize the bits 116 themselves.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the example gun tool 100 shown in FIG. 1. In addition to the example exemplary components described above, FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment that further includes left side decoration plate 150, left side bolster/frame 152, left side liner 154, washers 156, door spring assembly 158, bit storage block 160, torx tensioner 162, knife tensioner 164, choke wrench tensioner 166, pin punch tensioner 168, right side liner 170, right side bolster/frame 172, right side decoration plate 174, assembly screws 176, spacer 178, spacer 180, spacer 182, and washers 184. The components can be assembled together as illustrated in FIG. 8 to form the assembled gun tool 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

Some embodiments include one or more of the following: a magnetic driver, an on-board storage bay, and a spring-loaded access door.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the example choke tube wrench 124. In this example, choke tube wrench is formed of a sheet of material, such as metal. An end of choke tube wrench is tapered to form a slotted screwdriver, which is useful for adjusting the windage and elevation turrets of a rifle scope, for example, or for adjusting or removing slotted screws.

Side edges of the choke tube wrench 124 are machined to include a stepped configuration. Each pair of steps (one from each side) is sized to form a wrench that can be used to remove or install a choke tube having a matching size. Multiple sizes of choke tubes can therefore be installed or removed using the single choke tube wrench 124. In this example, the choke tube wrench includes a 0.410 sized wrench 190, a 28 gauge wrench 192, a 20 gauge wrench 194, a 16 gauge wrench 196, a 12 gauge wrench 198, and a 10 gauge wrench 200. In this example, the 0.410 sized wrench is formed of the pair of steps that are closest to the distal end of the wrench. Other sizes can be used in other embodiments, and a different quantity of steps can be included in yet further embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example gun tool 202. In this example, gun tool 202 includes multiple tools, including a choke tube wrench 124 and a clip 204, such as a carabiner, a loop, a hook, a hanger, or other device for temporarily or permanently fastening the gun tool 202 to a person or another object. The choke tube wrench 124 includes, in some embodiments, a screw driver tip 138. An example of the choke tube wrench 124 is illustrated in FIG. 9.

In this example, choke tube wrench 124 is coupled to clip 204. Clip 204 permits the gun tool 202 to be fastened to another object, such as a belt, belt loop, tool box, key chain, gun strap, jacket, or other object.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another example gun tool 212. In this example, gun tool 212 includes multiple tools, such as a choke tube wrench 124, a bottle opener 214, and a compass 216. Gun tool 212 also includes a body 218. Other embodiments include other configurations, more or additional components, or other combinations of components.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A gun tool comprising a choke tube wrench having a distal end and side edges, wherein the side edges have a stepped configuration, the stepped configuration increasing from first steps nearest to the distal end to the last steps furthest from the distal end, wherein distances between the steps of the side edges are each sized to permit insertion within a choke tube of a gun.

2. The gun tool of claim 1, wherein the choke tube wrench is formed of a sheet of material having a thickness.

3. The gun tool of claim 1, wherein the distances between the steps are sized for insertion within choke tubes of standard sizes.

4. The gun tool of claim 3, wherein the standard sizes include: 0.410, 28 gauge, 20 gauge, 16 gauge, 12 gauge, and 10 gauge.

5. The gun tool of claim 1, further comprising a driver coupled to an end of the gun tool, the driver having a hex shaped receptacle sized to receive a bit therein.

6. The gun tool of claim 5, further comprising a bit storage compartment configured to store bits therein.

7. The gun tool of claim 6, further comprising a pivoting spring-loaded access door.

8. A gun tool comprising:

a body;

a set of retractable tools pivotally coupled to the body;

a driver coupled to an end of the body and arranged and configured to receive bits therein; and

a bit storage compartment formed in the body including bit holders arranged and configured to hold bits when not inserted in the driver.

9. The gun tool of claim 8, wherein the set of retractable tools comprises a set of torx wrenches and a set of hex wrenches, wherein the sizes of the wrenches are sized for work on a gun.

10. The gun tool of claim 9, wherein the set of retractable tools further comprises a knife and a pin punch.

11. The gun tool of claim 9, wherein the set of hex wrenches includes a 5/32 inch hex wrench and a 3/32 inch hex wrench.

12. The gun tool of claim 11, wherein the set of torx wrenches includes a T20 torx wrench, a T15 torx wrench, and a T10 torx wrench.

13. The gun tool of claim 8, wherein the bit storage compartment includes an access including an open position providing access to the bit storage compartment and a closed position in which the access door encloses an opening of the bit storage compartment to contain bits therein.

14. The gun tool of claim 13, wherein the access door is spring-loaded to support the access door in the open position.

15. A gun tool comprising a body and a plurality of tools coupled to the body, the plurality of tools including at least a choke tube wrench having a distal end and side edges, wherein the side edges have a stepped configuration, the stepped configuration increasing from first steps nearest to the distal end to the last steps furthest from the distal end, wherein distances between the steps of the side edges are each sized to permit insertion within a choke tube of a gun.

16. The gun tool of claim 15, further comprising a bottle opener coupled to the body.

17. The gun tool of claim 15, further comprising a compass coupled to the body.

18. The gun tool of claim 15, further comprising a clip.

19. The gun tool of claim 18, wherein the clip is selected from a carabiner, a loop, a hook, and a hanger.

20. The gun tool of claim 15, wherein the choke tube wrench pivots between an extended position and a retracted position, and when in the retracted position the choke tube wrench is positioned within the body.