Firearm Cleaning Tool with Rotation-Resistant Cable and Composite Bristles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Firearm components, particularly the bolt and bolt carrier, accumulate tenacious discharge residue that is difficult to remove without scratching or damaging the components, due to their complex shapes and the tenacity of carbon and gunpowder residue.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning tool featuring a flexible brush adapter with a rotation-resistant cable and a brush attachment comprising intermixed soft copper alloy and stiff stainless steel bristles, arranged in multiple tiers or radii to effectively clean complex surfaces without causing damage, including a three-tiered brush attachment for precise engagement with the bolt carrier's interior and a two-tiered brush for accessing hard-to-reach areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hard scraping tools are used to remove tenacious discharge residue, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the firearm components may be scratched or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcomponent damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brush attachment incorporates bristles of varying hardness levels (soft, medium, and stiff bristles) in different zones to match the specific cleaning requirements of different firearm component surfaces. This allows effective residue removal from robust areas while protecting delicate surfaces from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The brush attachment uses a composite structure combining different bristle materials and hardness levels, along with a flexible adapter and rotation-resistant cable, to achieve both aggressive cleaning capability and protection against component damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If specialized scraping tools are used to clean complex-shaped components like bolt and bolt carrier, then residue removal is improved, but the complexity of the cleaning process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue removalVSAvoidcleaning process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible brush adapter allows the brush attachment to dynamically adapt to the complex three-dimensional geometry of firearm components like bolt and bolt carrier. The flexibility enables the bristles to reach into recesses and contours that rigid tools cannot access, simplifying the cleaning process for complex shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible adapter acts as a flexible transmission medium that can bend and conform to the irregular shapes of firearm components, allowing a single brush attachment design to effectively clean complex geometries without requiring multiple specialized rigid tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If a simple brush adapter is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the brush may rotate or unwind during use reducing cleaning effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadapter structureVSAvoidbrush stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation-resistant cable is pre-configured with a twisted construction that inherently resists unwinding during use. This preliminary structural design prevents the brush from rotating during cleaning operations, maintaining cleaning effectiveness without adding complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tool effectively removes residue from firearm components without scratching, ensuring cleanliness and longevity by utilizing the soft bristles for solvent retention and stiff bristles for aggressive cleaning, while the rotation-resistant cable prevents unwinding during use.

Implementation Method 1

soft bristles for solvent retention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

stiff bristles for aggressive cleaning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

rotation-resistant cable characterized by two or more layers of strands having differing directions of lay

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Data Source

PatentUS9057575B2Cleaning components for maintaining a firearm

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 THE OTIS PATENT TRUST

AI summary

A cleaning tool for maintaining a firearm includes a flexible brush adapter having a first end and an opposing second end. The flexible brush adapter includes a rotation-resistant cable characterized by two or more layers of strands having differing directions of lay. The cleaning tool further includes a brush attachment coupled to the flexible brush adapter at the second end thereof. The brush attachment includes a plurality of bristles. In one example, the brush attachment comprises a longitudinal twisted wire spine. The spine captures the plurality of bristles extending radially therefrom. The bristles include copper alloy bristles intermixed with stainless steel bristles.