Handheld storage tube having an externally integrated firestarter

Abstract

A handheld survival tool that incorporates a storage tube and a firestarting device into one ergonomic unit. Tinder and small survival items are stored within the device while a ferrocerium rod and scraper are stored externally. The replaceable scraper is fastened to one of the storage tube caps which allows the storage tube to be used as a handle for holding the scraper which greatly increases directional control while generating sparks. The ferrocerium rod is tethered to the opposite storage tube cap and secured within a sheath which prevents loss of the ferrocerium and provides a larger mechanism for holding the ferrocerium rod during spark generation. This device greatly improves upon the use, reliability, and function of prior fire-starting devices.

Claims

1. A handheld storage tube comprising: a storage tube, being an elongated hollow and ridged structure having threads formed at a first end and a second end which correspond and re-movably mate with threads of a first end cap and a second end cap, respectively, to create an enclosed and accessible area within said storage tube; a replaceable ferrocerium rod, being re-movably linked to said first end cap by means of a swivel; a sheath, being a second elongated and open ended hollow structure into which said replaceable ferrocerium rod is inserted and stored, said sheath being either a separate structure externally attached parallel to said storage tube's outer curved surface or said sheath being a physical extension of and outer curved surface of said storage tube; wherein said first end cap is re-movably linked to said replaceable ferrocerium rod by means of a swivel; wherein second end cap has a flat mounting tab extending perpendicularly from a diameter of a flat end surface of said second end cap, said flat mounting tab having a void milled through a center of a face of said flat mounting tab, wherein the void is dimensioned as to preserve enough surface area of said face of said flat mounting tab as to accommodate; the mounting of a replaceable scraper to a remaining surface area of said face of said flat mounting along one edge of said void with a portion of an edge of said scraper protruding into said void, and an insertion of said replaceable ferrocerium rod through said void; wherein said replaceable scraper is flat and elongated with a screw hole near opposite ends of said scraper as to allow said replaceable scraper to be re-movably attached by use of screws to said flat mounting tab of said second end cap; and two replaceable elastomeric gaskets, each gasket being re-movably placed at the base of said threads of said first end cap and said threads of said second end cap, respectively, to create a waterproof seal while said first end cap and said second end cap are fully threaded onto said storage tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) Fig.1 is an exploded isometric view showing the invention in the preferred embodiment in which the invention is machined from aluminum stock and the storage tube having female threads which increase internal storage space, the sheath is made of leather, or other similar material, and the ferrocerium rod is secured to the first end cap by means of a two axis link combined with a split ring.

(2) Fig.2 is an exploded isometric view showing the same invention having male threads on the storage tube ends.

(3) Fig.3 is an exploded isometric view showing the same invention with an alternative sheath 10, in which the sheath 10 and the storage tube 8 are formed together as one unit, either by being welded together, formed through an extrusion process, formed through casting, or other similar manufacturing process. The function and use of both embodiments are identical, and the alternative embodiment shown in Fig.3 is simply to provide a faster and simpler means of manufacturing without deviating from the objects, use, or function of the invention disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) With reference to FIG. 1, this invention is shown in its preferred embodiment. This invention is a handheld cylindrical storage tube 8 incorporating; a sheath 10 for the external storage of a ferrocerium rod 1, and an externally mounted and replaceable scraper 15. Each of the storage tube's ends may possess either male or female threads which correspond to and removably mate with the male or female threads of the first end cap 6 and the second end cap 12. The threaded mating of the storage tube 8 and end caps 6 and 12, is made waterproof by incorporating two O-rings 7, which are located at the base of each of the male threads. The central exterior surface area of the storage tube walls is machined down to create the circumferential ribs 11 which prevent the sheath wrap 9 from sliding off of the storage tube 8. The sheath 10, as shown in Fig.1, is formed from a suitably sized and shaped leather piece. The sheath 10 is folded and stitched to the sheath wrap 9, which is formed from a suitably sized and shaped leather piece. The sheath wrap 9 is wrapped around the exterior circumference of the storage tube 8, and its two facing edges are stitched together to secure the sheath wrap 9 around and to the outer surface of the storage tube 8. The ferrocerium rod 1 is secured and stored within the sheath 10 when not in use.

(5) The ferrocerium rod 1, has an attachment hole 2, drilled radially through either end of the ferrocerium rod 1, where a split ring 3 is secured through the attachment hole 2 and to the first end cap swivel 4. The first end cap swivel 4 is fastened with a shoulder bolt 5 into a threaded hole 17 drilled and tapped axially into the flat external surface of the first end cap 6. The means of swively linking the ferrocerium rod 1 and first end cap 6 allows the first end cap 6 to rotate independently of the ferrocerium rod 1 and re-movably mate or un-mate from the threads of the storage tube 8 and prevents the ferrocerium rod 1 from sliding out of the sheath 10 until the first end cap 6 is unthreaded from the storage tube 8; second, the swivel link between the first end cap 6 and ferrocerium rod 1 essentially creates a larger mechanism for the user to grip while using the ferrocerium rod 1; third, the linking of the ferrocerium rod 1 to the first end cap 6 reduces the likelihood of misplacing or losing the ferrocerium rod 1 or the first end cap 6 while using the device.

(6) The second end cap 12 is formed with a scraper mounting tab 13, which extends perpendicularly from the diameter of the flat end surface of the second end cap 12. A void is milled through the center of the face of the scraper mounting tab 13. The void, having adequate dimensions as to retain enough surface area of the face of the scraper mounting tab 13 to permit the mounting of the scraper 15 to the remaining surface area of the face of the scraper mounting tab 13 along the bottom edge of the void, with a portion of the scraper's edge protruding into the void, while also permitting the insertion of the ferrocerium rod 1 through the scraper mounting tab 13 during spark generation.

(7) The scraper mounting tab 13 has two threaded screw holes 14, drilled perpendicularly through its face and along one side of the void to facilitate the mounting of the scraper.

(8) The scraper 15, is flat, rectangular, and made from hardened steel or any other material having the necessary physical characteristics which will allow it generate sparks when scraped along the surface of the ferrocerium rod 1. The scraper 15 is replaceable and re-movably attached to the scraper mounting tab 13 by fitting the two scraper screws 16 through the two threaded screw holes 14 located near each end of the scraper 15 and threading the scraper screws 16 into the threaded screw holes 14 of the scraper mounting tab 13. The scraper 15 can be mounted on either side of the scraper mounting tab 13 for left or right hand use.

(9) When the user of this invention needs to start a fire; they simply unscrew the first end cap 6, slide the ferrocerium rod 1 from the sheath 10, remove a necessary amount of tinder from within the storage tube 8 and place tinder on the ground, grip the storage tube 8 in one hand with the second end cap 12 and attached scraper 15 held directly above the tinder pile, and scrape the ferrocerium rod 1 back across the scraper 15 to generate sparks that fall directly into the tinder pile. Once the fire is going, the ferrocerium rod 1 is slid back inside the sheath 10 and first end cap 6 is rethreaded to the storage tube 8.