Rifle cleaning tool

Abstract

A breech chamber cleaning tool is provided. The breech chamber cleaning tool has a bar angled so as to form at one end a handle for gripping the tool by hand and at the other end a head for scraping the breech chamber.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a breech chamber of a rifle, the method comprising: providing a breech chamber cleaning device comprising a bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is a handle and the second end is a breech chamber scrape tool, the bar further comprising a cranked portion with a fixed angle, the cranked portion being located between the handle and the breech chamber scrape tool so as to ease positioning of the breech chamber scrape tool within a breech chamber of a rifle; gripping the handle of the breech chamber cleaning device and inserting the breech chamber scrape tool of the breech chamber cleaning device into the breech chamber from one side of the breech chamber; and pushing the breech chamber scrape tool against an inner surface of the breech chamber and moving the breech chamber scrape tool within the breech chamber so as to scrape debris from the breech chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising positioning a flannelette over the breech chamber scrape tool of the breech chamber cleaning device; inserting the breech chamber scrape tool of the breech chamber cleaning device with the flannelette into the breech chamber from one side of the breech chamber; and moving the breech chamber scrape tool and flannelette within the breech chamber.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein during the pushing and moving of the breech chamber scrape tool, a user's hand is offset from the sides of the breech chamber.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the breech chamber scrape tool is offset from a longitudinal axis extending through the cranked portion.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the bar is substantially square or rectangular in cross-section along an entire length between the first end and the second end.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the breech chamber scrape tool has a face and associated edges for scraping a base of the breech chamber and/or one or more faces and associated edges for scraping the sides of the breech chamber.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the breech chamber scrape tool, handle and cranked portion are integrally formed as a single component such that the fixed angle is maintained and not capable of being adjusted.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the handle is formed by a region wider than the remainder of the bar section.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the bar is rigid to maintain a shape thereof while in use.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cranked portion of the bar comprises a section angled at about 100 to 200 to a section adjacent the handle and a section adjacent the breech chamber scrape tool.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the bar has a width of about 5 to 10 mm.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the breech chamber scrape tool is angled at about 90 to the handle.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of the breech chamber scrape tool is one quarter to one third of the length of the bar.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the breech chamber scrape tool is between about 15 and 40 mm in length.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of the breech chamber cleaning device is between about 50 and 100 mm.

16. A breech chamber cleaning device for cleaning a breech chamber of a rifle, the breech chamber cleaning device comprising: a bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is a handle and the second end is a breech chamber scrape tool, the bar further comprising a cranked portion with a fixed angle, the cranked portion being located between the handle and the breech chamber scrape tool so as to ease positioning of the breech chamber scrape tool within a breech chamber of a rifle.

17. The breech chamber cleaning device of claim 16, wherein the breech chamber scrape tool is offset from a longitudinal axis extending through the cranked portion.

18. The breech chamber cleaning device of claim 16, wherein the bar is substantially square or rectangular in cross-section along an entire length between the first end and the second end.

19. The breech chamber cleaning device of claim 18, wherein the breech chamber scrape tool has a face and associated edges for scraping a base of the breech chamber and/or one or more faces and associated edges for scraping the sides of the breech chamber.

20. The breech chamber cleaning device of claim 16, wherein the breech chamber scrape tool, handle and cranked portion are integrally formed as a single component such that the fixed angle is maintained and not capable of being adjusted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a breech cleaning tool of the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a head of the breech chamber cleaning tool of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of a breech chamber cleaning tool according to one embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of a brush tool attachment and a cap of a brush for the brush tool attachment;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of a pointed tool attachment;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a side view of a rifle cleaning tool having the breech chamber cleaning tool of FIG. 3 and the tool attachments of FIGS. 4 and 5;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the rifle cleaning tool of FIG. 6; and

(9) FIG. 8 shows the steps for cleaning a rifle using the rifle cleaning tool of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

(10) Referring to FIG. 3, a breech chamber cleaning tool is indicated generally at 20. The breech chamber cleaning tool 20 has a bar section 22. The bar section 22 is angled to form a region 32 that forms part of a handle 24, and to form a head 26.

(11) At an end of the bar section 22 furthest from the head 26 a region 32 is substantially linear. Progressing along the length of the bar section 22 towards the head 26, moving from right to left as shown in FIG. 3, the bar section 22 is angled. The angling creates a region 28 angled, in the same plane, from the region 32 of the bar section so as to form a crank in the bar section 22. The region 28 is angled approximately 150 from region 32. The bar section in the region 28 is tapered from the region 32 to an end nearest the head. The bar section 22 is then angled again so as to form region 30 that is substantially parallel to region 32. The bar section 22 is further angled so as to form the head 26. The angle of the head 26 to the region 30 is approximately 90.

(12) The width of the head 26 is tapered in the plane of the tool as shown in FIG. 3 so as to be narrowest at a point furthest from the remainder of the bar section 22. In the present embodiment, the thickness at the narrowest point of the head is 4 mm and the thickness of the widest part of the head 26 is 7 mm. In alternative embodiments, the head may not be tapered, or may only be tapered at one side, for example the side of the head furthest the handle of the tool.

(13) The side surfaces (i.e. those in alignment with the plane of FIG. 3) of the head are substantially planar. However, as illustrated in FIG. 7, in alternative embodiments said surfaces may be facetted or have a curved profile into and/or out of the plane of FIG. 3.

(14) At an end of the breech chamber cleaning tool furthest from the head 26, i.e. adjacent region 32, there is positioned an circular section 34 having a hole 36 therethrough. The circular section 34 forms part of the region of the tool that can be used as a handle 24. As described later, the circular section 34 and the hole 36 are used to create a pivotal connection with other tool attachments.

(15) The breech chamber cleaning tool has a substantially rectangular cross section along the majority of the length thereof. In this embodiment, the width of the bar section is approximately 7 mm.

(16) Referring to FIG. 4 a brush tool attachment is indicated generally at 38. The brush tool attachment 38 has a bar section 40 which is angled to form a first region 42 and a second region 44. The second region 44 being angled from the first region 42 by approximately 150. A mount 46 is formed on the end of the second region 44. In this embodiment, the mount 46 has a ridge 47 spaced from the end of the brush tool attachment and protruding radially therefrom.

(17) Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the mount 46 is provided to receive removable brush 69. Removable brush 69 has a cap portion 68 for positioning over the mount 46 of the brush attachment tool 38. When the cap portion 68 is positioned on the mount 46, the ridge 47 interlocks with an internal groove 49 of the cap portion 68, so as to lock the brush 69 in position with respect to the brush tool attachment 38. In alternative embodiments any suitable mount may be used, for example any suitable catch configuration or a screw connection.

(18) The brush 69 has bristles 70 protruding at a right angle to the second region 44 of the bar section 40. In this embodiment the bristles 70 and the cap 68 are made from polyamide, for example nylon 610. However, in alternative embodiments any suitable material may be used, for example any suitable plastics, metallic or elastomeric material. In other embodiments the cap 68 may be made from a different material to the bristles 70. In further alternative embodiments, the cap may have bristles on two or more sides, for example on opposing sides of the cap portion.

(19) In the present embodiment the brush 69 is removable from the brush tool attachment 38. However, in alternative embodiments the brush may be integrally formed with the brush tool attachment. The brush may have two sets of bristles positioned on opposing sides of the brush tool arrangement.

(20) Referring back to FIG. 4, at an end of the brush tool attachment 38 furthest from the mount 46 is positioned a circular section 48 with a central hole 50. In the present embodiment the circular section 48 and central hole 50 are of the same dimensions as the circular section 34 and hole 36 of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20.

(21) Referring to FIG. 5, a pointed tool attachment is indicated generally at 52. The pointed tool attachment 52 comprises a bar section 54 having a first region 56 and a second region 58. The first region 56 of the bar section is of constant width, and the second region 58 is tapered from the first region 56 to a point at the end of the second region. A circular section 60 with a central hole 62 is formed at an end of the bar section furthest the point of the second region 58. The circular section 60 and central hole 62 have the same dimensions as the circular section 34, 48 and central hole 36, 62 of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 and the brush tool attachment 38.

(22) Connected to the circular section 60 and protruding therefrom is a projection 64. It can be seen in FIG. 7 that the projection 64 has a thickness greater than the bar section 54 and extends from a lower side of the tool attachment 52, i.e. into the plane of FIG. 5 as well as extending in the plane of FIG. 5. The profile of the projection 64 in the plane shown in FIG. 5 is substantially linear. However, it can be seen from FIG. 7 that the profile of the projection 64 into the plane of FIG. 5 is curved, so as to form a lip at an end furthest from the bar section 54. As will be seen later the projection 64 and lip can be used to hook onto other tool attachments.

(23) Each of the tool attachments, including the breech chamber cleaning tool are made from mild steel. However, in alternative embodiments any suitable metals or plastics material may be used. In the present embodiment, each tool attachment is formed by stamping. Forming the tool attachments using stamping eases the manufacturing process and reduces associated costs. However, in alternative embodiments each or one or more of the tool attachments may be made from cutting the tool attachment from a plate, or by forming bar stock, or by a moulding process, or by any other suitable manufacturing method.

(24) Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a rifle cleaning tool is indicated generally at 66. The rifle cleaning tool comprises the breech chamber cleaning tool 20, the brush tool attachment 38 and the pointed tool attachment 52.

(25) The tool attachments are connected together via the circular sections 34, 48, 60 by a clip fitting through the holes 36, 50, 62. The clip being of a type so as to permit relative rotational motion of the tool attachments, i.e. a pivotal connection is formed.

(26) In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the projection 64 of the pointed tool attachment 52 is hooked onto the breech chamber cleaning tool 20. The projection 64 holds the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 in a fixed position relative to pointed tool attachment 52. This means that in use of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20, the pointed tool attachment 52 can be used as part of the handle of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20.

(27) A method of cleaning a rifle with the rifle cleaning tool of FIGS. 6 and 7 will now be described with reference to FIG. 8. Firstly, labelled 72 in FIG. 8, the rifle is disassembled to a state suitable for cleaning. Details of this step varies with the type of rifle used and is standard for all rifle cleaning processes so will not be described in further detail here.

(28) At 74 in FIG. 8, the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 is selected. When the rifle cleaning tool 66 is not in use all the tool attachments, i.e. the breech chamber cleaning tool 20, the brush tool attachment 38 and the pointed tool attachment 52 are rotated so as to be aligned and positioned one on top of the other. In this way the rifle cleaning tool takes up the minimum amount of space when not in use. To select the breech chamber cleaning tool 20, the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 is rotated out of alignment with the other two tool attachments. The projection 64 of the pointed tool attachment 52 then hooks onto the bar section 22 of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 so as to hold the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 in position with respect to the pointed tool attachment 52.

(29) In the next step 76, the breech chamber (also known as the bolt extension or bolt extension chamber) of the rifle is scraped clean with the head 26 of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20. To do this, the rifle cleaning tool 26 is gripped in the region of the handle 24 of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20. A suitable grip is to use a thumb and two fingers. It is suitable to grip the tool in the circular region and a portion of the pointed tool attachment 52 and/or brush tool attachment 38, i.e. the other tool attachments form part of the handle.

(30) Advantageously, provision of a handle 24 of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 so close to the head 26, when compared to the breech cleaning tool with extension rod of the prior art, allows a user to apply increased pressure and have increased feedback. Increased pressure can improve the cleaning of the rifle.

(31) The head 26 is then positioned in the breech chamber by inserting the head 26 of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 into an inner region of the rifle from a region to one side of the rifle and the breech chamber, and then moving the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 downwards so as to insert the head into the breech chamber. The head 26 may be rotated and/or twisted so as to be in a desired orientation. Insertion of the head 26 into the chamber in this manner means that the hand is to one side of the breech chamber during cleaning of the breech chamber. It also means that the angle with which the head 26 can be positioned in the breech chamber is not restricted by a bore through which an extension rod is inserted (as with breech chamber cleaners of the prior art). The breech chamber cleaning tool 20 does not need to be inserted through a bore of the rifle which means that the head 26 can have increased dimensions compared to the breech chamber cleaning tools of the prior art.

(32) Once the head 26 is inserted in the breech chamber, a user applies a force to push the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 against the base and/or walls of the breech chamber. At the same time as applying a pushing force the head 26 is slid and/or rotated so as to scrape debris from the breech chamber. During use, the hand of the user is offset from the sides of the breech chamber.

(33) The scraping action continues for a time as desired.

(34) The head 26 is then removed from the breech chamber and cleaned if required.

(35) In the next step 78, a flannelette is positioned over the head 26. As previously described, the head 26 of the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 is then inserted in the breech chamber from one side of the breech chamber. The flannelette and head 26 are rotated and moved in the breech chamber as required to remove any debris disturbed during the scraping process.

(36) Steps 76 and 78 can be repeated as desired. For example, a white or light coloured flannelette may be used, and steps 76 and 78 may be repeated until the flannelette used to cover the head 26 is substantially unmarked when removed from the breech chamber.

(37) In alternative embodiments, a flannelette may be positioned over the head of the tool in step 76, removing the need for step 78. In such an embodiment, the breech chamber may be cleaned by scraping with the flannelette positioned over the head in a similar way as described for step 78 of the previously described method.

(38) When compared to the cleaning methods of the prior art, the present method was found to provide improved cleaning of the breech chamber.

(39) In the described embodiment, no chemical solvents were used. However, in alternative embodiments solvents may be used as required. The type of solvents suitable for such applications are well known in the art.

(40) In the next step 80 the brush tool attachment 38 is used to brush the roof and base of the breech chamber. To do this, the breech chamber cleaning tool 20 is unhooked from the projection 64 of the pointed tool attachment 52 and rotated to be aligned with the pointed tool attachment 52. The brush tool attachment 38 is then rotated away from the other tool attachments. Optionally the projection 64 of the pointed tool attachment 52 can be hooked onto the brush tool attachment 38 so as to fix its position with respect to the pointed tool attachment 52.

(41) The cap 68 of the brush 69 is then positioned on the mount 46 of the brush tool attachment 38, if it is not already in position. To clean the roof of the breech chamber the brush 69 is positioned so that the bristles 70 are in a direction towards a region formed by the angling of the brush tool attachment 38, i.e. the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The brush tool attachment is then inserted to the region of the breech chamber in a manner similar to that previously described. The brush 69 is then used to brush the roof of the breech chamber.

(42) Once the roof of the breech chamber is sufficiently brushed, the brush 69 is removed from the region of the breech chamber. The brush 69 is then removed from the mount 46, rotated through 180 so as to be facing away from the region formed by the angling of the brush tool attachment, and positioned back on the mount 46. In a similar manner to that described for brushing the roof of the breech chamber, the base of the breech chamber is brushed.

(43) As desired, the brush may be used to clean any other regions of the rifle.

(44) In the next step 82, the pointed tool attachment 52 is used to clean intricate parts of the rifle. The intricate parts cleaned are the parts that are often undesirably cleaned using the firing pin of the rifle. To select the pointed tool attachment 52, the tool attachments are rotated in a manner similar to that described previously. The projection 64 of the pointed tool attachment 52 then hooks on to one or both of the other tool attachments.

(45) The rifle can then be reassembled in a form ready to use.

(46) Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the tool attachments may not be pivotally connected. In such embodiments, each tool attachment may be provided as a separate component. Alternatively, the breech chamber cleaning tool and/or one or more of the tool attachments may be attached to a multi-tool, or additional tool attachments may be added to the rifle cleaning tool. The multi-tool or additional tool attachments may be other rifle cleaning tools or may be other useful tool attachments such as a knife.