Gun-cleaning Tool and System

Abstract

A gun-cleaning device deploys a plurality of different tool pieces that connect to a rod or shaft that is inserted down the gun barrel. The tool pieces are adapted to be received by a latch mechanism disposed at the distal end of the rod or shaft. The latch mechanism does not protrude beyond the diameter of the shaft, yet is readily actuated with one finger to release the tool pieces without touching the tool itself. The tool pieces themselves are optionally configured to be either freely rotating or fixed with respect to the shaft axis when engaged by the latch mechanism.

1 . A gun-cleaning device comprising:
 a) a smooth elongated shaft having at the distal end a circular opening to an inner bore and a recessed latch,   b) a gun-cleaning tool adapted to be received by the recessed latch,   c) wherein the elongated shaft has a concave external recess for accessing an actuator portion of the latch to release said gun-cleaning tool.   
   
   
       2 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the end portion of said gun-cleaning tool to be received by the recessed latch is a circularly symmetric barb attached to the probe portion of said gun-cleaning tool by a circular minor shaft such that said gun-cleaning tool can freely rotate independent of the rotation of said shaft. 
   
   
       3 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 2  wherein said gun-cleaning tool terminates at the end distal from the barb with a probe selected from the group consisting of a mop, a jag and a patch holder. 
   
   
       4 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the latch is an armature that pivots about a rotary axle disposed transverse to said shaft to engage and disengage a detent portion at the end of the armature. 
   
   
       5 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 4  wherein a detent portion of the armature is biased by a spring to engage a mating feature of said gun-cleaning tool to be received by the latch. 
   
   
       6 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 5  wherein the spring is a coil spring disposed under the portion of the armature that is within the concave recess. 
   
   
       7 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein said gun-cleaning tool has a cylindrical ballast portion that extends outward along the circumference defined by the outer diameter of the shaft. 
   
   
       8 . A gun-cleaning tool according to  claim 1  further comprising a handle for attachment to the portion of said shaft distal from the latch. 
   
   
       9 . A gun-cleaning device comprising:
 a) a smooth elongated shaft having at the distal end a circular opening to an inner bore and a recessed latch,   b) a gun-cleaning tool having a circularly symmetric barbed end to be received by the recessed latch such that said gun-cleaning tool can freely rotate independent of the rotation of said shaft.   
   
   
       10 . A gun-cleaning kit according to  claim 9  wherein the latch is an armature that pivots about a rotary axle disposed transverse to said shaft to engage and disengage a detent portion at the end of the armature. 
   
   
       11 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 9  wherein a detent portion of the armature is biased by a spring to engage a mating feature of the gun-cleaning tool to be received by the latch. 
   
   
       12 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 9  wherein the elongated shaft has a concave external recess for accessing an actuator portion of the latch to release the gun-cleaning tool and the spring is a coil spring disposed under the portion of the armature that is within the concave recess. 
   
   
       13 . A gun-cleaning device according to  claim 9  wherein the tool has ballast that extends co-linearly outward along the circumference defined by the outer diameter of the shaft. 
   
   
       14 . A gun-cleaning tool according to  claim 9  further comprising a handle for attachment to the portion of said shaft distal from the latch. 
   
   
       15 . A kit for adapting a gun-cleaning device to receive quick disconnect gun-cleaning cleaning tools, the kit comprising:
 a) a first smooth elongated adapter having a first threaded coupling at the distal end to attach to a rod for insertion in the gun barrel,   b) a second smooth elongated adapter having a second threaded coupler at the proximal end to attach a thread terminated gun-cleaning tool,   c) wherein the proximal end of said first smooth elongated adapter has a circular opening to an inner bore and a recessed latch,   d) wherein the distal end of said second threaded adapter is configured for releasable engagement within the inner bore of said first threaded adapter.   
   
   
       16 . A kit for adapting a gun-cleaning device according to  claim 15  wherein the recessed latch in the first adapter has a concave external recess for accessing the actuator portion of the latch to release the gun-cleaning tool. 
   
   
       17 . A kit for adapting a gun-cleaning device according to  claim 15  wherein the distal end of said second threaded adapter that engages the recessed latch has a circularly symmetric barb such that the tool can freely rotate independent of the rotation of the rod or shaft attached to said first adapter during the cleaning process. 
   
   
       18 . A kit for cleaning a gun, the kit comprising:
 a) a smooth elongated shaft having at the distal end a circular opening to an inner bore and a recessed latch,   b) a first gun-cleaning tool having a circularly symmetric barbed end connected to the probe portion of said first gun-cleaning tool by a circular minor shaft, the detent portion of the latch grasping the portion of the barb adjacent the minor shaft such that said first gun-cleaning tool can freely rotate independent of the rotation of said smooth elongated shaft.   c) a second gun-cleaning tool having a circularly symmetric barbed end connected to the probe portion of said first gun-cleaning tool by a plate, the detent portion latch grasping the portion of the barb adjacent the plate such that said first gun-cleaning tool is restrained from rotating with respect to said smooth elongated shaft by the detent.   
   
   
       19 . A kit for cleaning a gun according to  claim 18  wherein the elongated shaft has a concave external recess for accessing an actuator portion of the latch to release the gun-cleaning tool. 
   
   
       20 . A kit for cleaning a gun according to  claim 18  wherein the latch is an armature that pivots about a rotary axle disposed transverse to said smooth elongated shaft.