Firearm cleaner and method of use

Abstract

A firearm cleaning device with a cartridge-shaped handle and a slotted cleaning connector for securing a disposable cleaning patch, both of which are removably engaged with an extendable ramrod. The cleaning device can be securely stored in the barrel of firearms of different action types and the cartridge-shaped handle fits in the chamber to allow the innocuous release of the hammer when a live cartridge is not present. Thus, the firearm cleaning device is conveniently stored while protecting the firearm and acting as a safety device.

1 . A firearm cleaning device comprising:
 a rod having a first end and a second end, the rod is variably extendable and retractable along a longitudinal axis;   a conical adapter having a first end and a second end;   a cartridge-shaped handle having a chamber within the handle; and,   a cleaning adapter, wherein the cleaning adapter is removably engaged to the first end of the rod, the second end of the rod is removably engaged to the first end of the conical adapter, the second end of the conical adapter is removably engaged to the cartridge-shaped handle, and the resultant engagement of the cleaning adapter, rod, conical adapter, and cartridge-shaped handle is adapted to reside in a barrel of the firearm for transport and storage.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the rod comprises an outer sleeve, the rod having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer sleeve enabling the rod to slide in and out of the outer sleeve telescopically. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 2  wherein the rod further comprises at least one spring loaded button and at least one receptacle on the outer sleeve of the rod for receiving the at least one button. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the second end of the conical adapter is fitted to the cartridge-shaped handle to form a liquid-tight seal. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the resultant engagement of the cleaning adapter, rod, conical adapter, and cartridge-shaped handle is adapted to reside in the barrel of a non-break-open action firearm for transport and storage. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 5  wherein the rod further comprises at least one spring loaded ball bearing, the at least one ball bearing removably engages an inner wall of the first end of the conical adapter. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge-shaped handle comprises a snap-cap or a spring-loaded cap for the innocuous release of a firing pin. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning adapter comprises a cylinder with a slot traversing a longitudinal axis of the cylinder for the placement of a disposable cleaning element. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning adapter comprises small protrusions to securely hold the disposable cleaning element in place. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning adapter is knurled to securely hold the disposable cleaning element in place. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning adapter further comprises an O-ring to reduce contact between the device and the barrel and eliminate subsequent noise when the device is stored in the barrel. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning adapter is removably engaged to the first end of the conical adapter and the second end of the conical adapter is removably engaged to the cartridge-shaped handle. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm cleaning device of  claim 12  wherein a tip of the cleaning adapter is threaded to receive a cleaning implement for cleaning the chamber or the choke of a firearm. 
     
     
         14 . A method for using a firearm cleaning device, the firearm having a barrel with a muzzle end and a breech end, comprising:
 removing the cleaning device of  claim 1  from the barrel;   attaching a disposable cleaning element to the cleaning adapter of the device;   adjusting the length of the rod to be greater than the length of the barrel;   holding the firearm cleaning device by the handle;   inserting the cleaning device into the breech end; and,   pushing the cleaning adapter with disposable cleaning element through the barrel and out the muzzle end, thus removing residue from the barrel.   
     
     
         15 . The method for using a firearm cleaning device of  claim 14  further comprising:
 disengaging the cartridge-shaped handle from the conical adapter; 
 dispensing a liquid from the cartridge-shaped handle into the barrel; and, 
 re-engaging the cartridge-shaped handle to the conical adapter. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method for using a firearm cleaning device of  claim 14  comprising:
 disengaging the cleaning adapter from the rod; 
 disengaging the rod from the conical adapter; 
 engaging the cleaning adapter to the conical adapter; 
 attaching a disposable cleaning element to the cleaning adapter of the device; 
 holding the firearm cleaning device by the handle; 
 inserting the cleaning device into the breech end; and, 
 inserting the cleaning device into the muzzle end. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method for using a firearm cleaning device of  claim 14  further comprising:
 disengaging the cleaning adapter from the rod; 
 disengaging the rod from the conical adapter; 
 engaging the cleaning adapter to the conical adapter; 
 attaching a cleaning implement to the end of the cleaning adapter of the device; 
 holding the firearm cleaning device by the handle; 
 inserting the cleaning device into the breech end; and, 
 inserting the cleaning device into the muzzle end. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method for storing a firearm cleaning device in a non-break-open action firearm comprising:
 disengaging the conical adapter of  claim 1  from the rod;   inserting the cartridge-shaped handle and conical adapter into a chamber of the non-break-open action firearm as if it were a live round;   engaging the cleaning adapter to the first end of the rod;   adjusting a length of the rod to be longer in length than a length of the barrel;   inserting the second end of the rod into the muzzle end of the barrel;   pushing the rod through the barrel; and,   engaging the second end of the rod to the first end of the conical adapter