US20190219354A1

US20190219354A1 - Chamber cleaning device

Info

Publication number: US20190219354A1
Application number: US16/149,275
Authority: US
Inventors: Tanner Sprinkel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-01-18
Filing date: 2018-10-02
Publication date: 2019-07-18

Abstract

A chamber cleaning device may include an elongated body having a first end and a second end. A head may be coupled to the first end, and a motivator may be movably coupled to the second end. The motivator, body, and head may be aligned with a central axis. Preferably, four fingers may be movably coupled to the head. An end cap may be operably coupled to the motivator, and the end cap may have a beveled edge. The motivator may be operable to move the fingers towards and away from the central axis by drawing the beveled edge against the finger so that the beveled edge presses the finger away from the central axis.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/618,643, filed on Jan. 18, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of devices for cleaning firearms. More specifically, this patent specification relates to devices for cleaning portions of a firearm that are proximate to the chamber.

BACKGROUND

When Semi-Automatic and Fully-Automatic rifles are used, carbon and gunpowder residue build up within multiple areas of the firearm. One particular location for excessive carbon build-up is the locking lug recess proximate to the chamber in the AR-15/M-16/M-4 style rifles. This family of rifles is employed by NATO Forces around the world, and is the most produced firearm family of the 5.56 mm caliber. For individuals who employ this type of firearm in a multitude of climates and conditions, external debris to include sand, dirt, and rust is also a concern. Excessive build-up of carbon residue or other debris can lead to interruptions in the cycle of operations, including but not limited to, stoppages, bolt seizures and failure to extract. Unexpected stoppages can become life threatening for the operator in a kinetic environment.
The most well-known solutions to this problem area include a variety of wire brushes, cotton swabs, and scraping tools. First, brushes and cotton swabs that are flexible enough to reach behind the locking lugs are not rigid enough to scrape away debris or carbon that has become affixed to the locking lug recesses due to high heat and pressure. The lack of outward pressure to scrape against all parts of the lug recesses is where these designs fail.
Therefore, a need exists for novel devices for cleaning portions of a firearm that are proximate to the chamber, such as the locking lugs and their recesses. A further need exists for novel cleaning devices which are able to reach behind the locking lugs. There is also a need for novel cleaning devices which are rigid enough to scrape away debris or carbon that has become affixed to the locking lug recesses. Finally, a need exists for novel cleaning devices which are able to exert outward pressure to scrape against all parts of the lug recesses.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A chamber cleaning device is provided. The device may be suitable for cleaning portions of a firearm that are proximate to the chamber, such as the locking lugs and their recesses. The device is configured to provide a user-operated, manual adjustment feature to create full contact with the recess walls, thus accomplishing a more thorough cleaning. In some embodiments, the device may include an elongated body having a first end and a second end. A head may be coupled to the first end, and a motivator may be movably coupled to the second end. The motivator, body, and head may be aligned with a central axis. Preferably, two or more fingers may be movably coupled to the head so as to radiate from the central axis, and the motivator may be operable to move the fingers both towards and away from the central axis.
In further embodiments, the device may include an end cap that may be operably coupled to the motivator, and the end cap may have a beveled edge. The motivator may be operable to move the fingers towards and away from the central axis by drawing the beveled edge against the finger so that the beveled edge presses the finger away from the central axis.
In still further embodiments, the finger may be movably coupled to the head via a hinge and more preferably via a living hinge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an example of a chamber cleaning device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of an example of a chamber cleaning device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another example of a chamber cleaning device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective exploded view of another example of a chamber cleaning device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example of an end cap according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example of a chamber and locking lugs of a firearm, such as that common to AR-15/M-16/M-4 style rifles, according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a sectional elevation view of an example of a chamber and locking lugs of a firearm, such as that common to AR-15/M-16/M-4 style rifles, according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.
A new device for cleaning firearms is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.
The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate examples of a chamber cleaning device (“the device”) 100 according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an elongated body 11 having a first end 12 and a second end 13. A head 14 may be coupled to the first end 12, and a motivator 15 may be movably coupled to the second end 13. Preferably, the motivator 15, body 11, and head 14 may be aligned with a central axis 71. One or more fingers 31 may be movably coupled to the head 14, and the motivator 15 may be operable to move one or more of the fingers 31 towards and/or away from the central axis 71.
The device 100 may comprise a body 11 that may be generally elongated in shape having a first end 12 and an opposing second end 13. In some embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the body 11 may comprise an elongated rectangular prism shape, an elongated, hexagonal prism shape, or any other shape including combinations of shapes. Optionally, the body 11 may comprise one or more gripping depressions 16, protrusions, texturing, such as knurling, or any other surface feature which may facilitate manipulation of the body 11 by a user.
In some embodiments, the body 11 may be made from or may comprise a substantially rigid material, such as steel alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, other types of metal or metal alloys, ceramics such as alumina, porcelain, and boron carbide, earthenware, natural stone, synthetic stone, various types of hard plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, nylon, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) also known as acrylic, melamine, hard rubbers, fiberglass, carbon fiber, resins, such as epoxy resin, wood, other plant based materials, or any other material including combinations of materials that are substantially rigid.
In further embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a flexible material which may prevent damage and abrasion during contact with portions of a firearm. Optionally, the body 11 may comprise a substantially rigid material covered in or with a flexible material. Flexible materials may include natural and/or synthetic rubber material such as latex rubber, silicone foam, silicone rubber, rubber foam, urethane foam, plastic foam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, forms of the organic compound isoprene, Polyacrylate Rubber, Ethylene-acrylate Rubber, Polyester Urethane, flexible plastics, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), or any other flexible material including combinations of materials.
The device 100 may include a head 14 which may be coupled to the first end 12 of the body 11. In some embodiments, a head 14 may be coupled to the body 11 by being integrally formed with the body 11, although any other coupling method may be used. In preferred embodiments, the head 14 may comprise a shank 17 and the body 11 may comprise a shank aperture 18, and the head 14 may be coupled to the body 11 by inserting all or portions of the shank 17 within the shank aperture 18. Optionally, the shank 17 and shank aperture 18 may be asymmetrical in shape and complementary in shape (to each other) to prevent the body 11 and head 14 from rotating relative to each other.
The head 14 may comprise one, two, three, four (FIGS. 1-3), five, six, seven, eight (FIG. 4), or more, such as a plurality of fingers 31 which may be positioned anywhere on the head 14. Preferably, the fingers 31 may be positioned on the head 14 distally to the body 11. A finger 31 may be configured in any shape and size. In preferred embodiments, a finger 31 may be configured with a shape having one or more scraping edges 32. Generally, a scraping edge 32 may be formed by the intersection of two or more surfaces, and the scraping edge 32 may be used to contact and scrape or rub portions of a firearm, such as portions of a locking lug 201 that may be proximate to the chamber 202, in order to remove carbon buildup and other contaminants. For example, a finger 31 may comprise a generally rectangular prism shape as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The finger 31 may comprise two lateral surfaces 33 (extending generally perpendicularly to the central axis 71) coupled to a distal surface 34 (extending generally perpendicularly to the central axis 71) thereby forming two scraping edges 32 (one at each intersection of the distal surface 34 with a lateral surface 33). As another example, a finger 31 may comprise a generally rectangular prism shape having two lateral surfaces 33 extending from the head 14 and angled to meet each other at a single scraping edge 32.
In further embodiments, a finger 31 may comprise a length dimension (LD). Preferably, the LD of the finger 31 may be approximately equal to the distance between a locking lug 201 and the barrel face 203 of a barrel 200 of an AR-15/M-16/M-4 style. In some embodiments, the LD may be between approximately 0.25 inches to 0.35 inches. In preferred embodiments, the LD may be between approximately 0.27 inches to 0.33 inches. In further embodiments, a scraping edge 32 may extend approximately the entire LD of the finger 31 so that the scraping edge 32 may have a length of between approximately 0.25 inches to 0.35 inches.
All or portions of a finger 31, such as a scraping edge 32, may be made from or may comprise a substantially rigid material suitable for contacting portions of a firearm such as the locking lugs 201 and barrel face 203 of a barrel 200 of an AR-15/M-16/M-4 style. In preferred embodiments, all or portions of a finger 31, such as a scraping edge 32, may be made from or may comprise a polymer material that may be substantially rigid, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, nylon, and Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) also known as acrylic.
In some embodiments, one or more fingers 31 may be movably coupled to the head 14 via a hinge 19 which may be configured to enable the finger 31 to be moved towards and away from the central axis 71. In further embodiments, the device 100 may comprise at least two fingers 31 which may be movably coupled to the head 14 via a hinge 19. A hinge 19 may comprise any type of pivotal coupling such as a butt hinge, barrel hinge, butt/Mortise hinge, case hinge, flag hinge, strap hinge, H hinge, HL hinge, piano hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, concealed hinge, continuous hinge, T-hinge, double-acting hinge, Soss hinge, counterflap hinge, flush hinge, coach hinge, rising butt hinge, double action spring hinge, tee hinge, friction hinge, security hinge, cranked hinge or stormproof hinge, lift-off hinge, self-closing or self-positioning hinge, flexible material hinge, or any other type or style of hinge suitable for movably or pivotally coupling a finger 31 to the head 14.
In preferred embodiments, a finger 31 may be coupled to the head 14 via a wing 21, and the wing 21 may form a hinge 19 by being configured as a living hinge. A so-called “living” hinge, typically comprises a relatively flexible area between two relatively more rigid components, such as a line of thin plastic or flexible metal between thicker or more rigid portions, as is well known in the art. For example, a wing 21 may be made from plastic which may bend or flex towards and away from the central axis 71 thereby allowing the wing 21 to function as and form a living hinge. In some embodiments, and as perhaps best shown in shown in FIG. 3, a wing 21, forming a hinge 19, may movably couple a single finger 31 to the head 14. In further embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 4, a wing 21, forming a hinge 19, may movably couple two or more fingers 31 to the head 14. the device 100 may comprise at least two wings 21, each movably coupling at least one finger 31 to the head 14. In still further embodiments, each finger 31 may be movably coupled to the head 14 via a hinge 19, optionally formed by a wing 21 configured as a living hinge.
In further embodiments, one or more fingers 31 may comprise one or more debris depressions 28. A debris depression 28 may comprise a depression, recess, or the like, which may extend inwards towards the interior of the finger 31. While in some embodiments, a finger 31 may optionally be configured with a generally rectangular prism shape having a width approximately equal to the width between two adjacent locking lugs 201, a debris depression 28 may be disposed on a lateral surface 33 so that debris loosened by the scraping edges 32 may collect in the debris depression 28 and remain therein when the device 100 is removed past the locking lugs 201. By remaining in the debris depression 28, debris may not be disloged from contact with locking lugs 201 during removal of the device 100 since the debris depression 28 is recessed into the finger 31 a greater distance than the width of two adjacent locking lugs 201.
In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a motivator 15 which may be configured to move one or more of the fingers 31 towards and away from the central axis 71. Preferably, a motivator 15 may be movably coupled to the second end 13 of the body 11. In other embodiments, a motivator 15 may be movably coupled anywhere on the body 11.
In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an end cap 22 which may be operably coupled to the motivator 15 and which may be operable to move one or more of the fingers 31 towards and away from the central axis 71. The end cap 22 may be aligned with the central axis 71 and positioned centrally between two or more fingers 31. In further embodiments, the end cap 22 may comprise a beveled edge 23 which may be drawn into contact with one or more fingers 31 of the device 100 via the motivator 15. The beveled edge 23 may press against the finger 31 and/or hinge 19 to cause the finger 31 to be moved towards and away from the central axis 71. Preferably, as a greater amount of beveled edge 23 is drawn into contact with a finger 31, the greater amount the finger 31 may be moved away from the central axis 71, and conversely, as a lesser amount of beveled edge 23 is drawn into contact with a finger 31, the greater amount the finger 31 may be moved towards the central axis 71. In further embodiments, the motivator 15 may be operable to move one or more fingers 31 away from the central axis 71 by drawing the beveled edge 23 towards the second end 12 so that the beveled edge 23 presses the finger 31 away from the central axis 71.
Any suitable method may be used to operably couple the motivator 15 to the end cap 22. In preferred embodiments, the motivator 15 may be operably coupled to the end cap 22 via a transfer bar 24. In some embodiments, a transfer bar 24 may be coupled to or within a motivator aperture 20 formed in the motivator 15, although any other coupling method may be used. Similarly, in some embodiments, a transfer bar 24 may be coupled to or within an end cap aperture 29 formed in the end cap 22, although any other coupling method may be used. In further embodiments, the end cap 22 may be movably coupled to the transfer bar 24 with threading 25. The motivator 15 may be rotated in a first direction to cause the transfer bar 24 to rotate in the first direction and the threading 25 may engage with the end cap 22 to draw the beveled edge 23 into contact with one or more fingers 31 thereby causing the fingers 31 to be moved away from the central axis 71. Conversely, the motivator 15 may be rotated in a second direction to cause the transfer bar 24 to rotate in the second direction and the threading 25 may engage with the end cap 22 to lessen the amount of the beveled edge 23 in contact with one or more fingers 31 thereby causing the fingers 31 to be moved towards the central axis 71.
In preferred embodiments, the end cap 22 may comprise one or more cap guides 26 for engaging with the head 14 to prevent the end cap 22 from rotating relative to the head 14. A head 14 may comprise a head guide 27, and a cap guide 26 may be movably engaged by the head guide 27 so that the end cap 22 may move towards and away from the first end 12 while the engagement between the cap guide 26 and head guide 27 prevent the end cap from rotating relative to the head 14. For example, a cap guide 26 may be configured as a protrusion and a head guide 27 may be configured as a channel, or vice versa, with the cap guide 26 being slidably received in the head guide 27, or vice versa.
A motivator 15 may be configured in any size and shape, preferably to allow the motivator 15 to be hand operated by a user. In preferred embodiments, a motivator 15 may be configured as a rotatable knob, wheel, or the like, which a user may rotate in a first direction to cause the fingers 31 to be moved away from the central axis 71 and a second direction to cause the fingers 31 to be moved towards the central axis 71, such as by an operable connection method comprising the motivator 15 coupled to a threaded end cap 22 via a threaded transfer bar 24. In other embodiments, a motivator 15 may be configured as a lever, sliding switch, or the like, which may be moved towards and away from the head 14 to cause the fingers 31 to be moved towards and away from the central axis 71, such as by an operable connection method comprising the motivator 15 slidably coupled to an end cap 22 via transfer bar 24. In alternative embodiments, a motivator 15 may be operable to move the fingers 31 both towards and away from the central axis 71 with any other suitable operable connection method.
While a user may manipulate or use the device 100 at their discretion, an example scenario is provided below to further understanding of the device 100. A user may insert the device 100, head 14 first, into the rear of the upper receiver of the firearm. The head 14 and its fingers 31 are configured to generally be the inverse of the chamber lug recesses 204 for easy insertion and minimal manipulation. Once the fingers 31 are within the lug recesses 204, the user may grasp the body 11 with one hand. The user then rotates the motivator 15, causing the threaded transfer bar 24 to pull the end cap 22 inward towards the body 11, thus spreading the fingers 31 radially away from the central axis 71 and creating outward pressure for the scraping edges 32 of the fingers on the interior walls 205 of the lug recess chamber 206. The user then rotates the entire device 100 to scrape the scraping edges 32 of the fingers 31 along the walls 205 of the lug recess chambers 206. While the fingers 31 scrape along the walls, the debris depressions 28 collect debris so that said debris is not left behind when the fingers 31 and device 100 is removed. Once the user has completed rotating the device 100 to clean the recess walls 205, the user may then grasp the body 11, and rotate the motivator 15 in a counter-clockwise motion in order to return the threaded transfer bar 24 and end cap 22 to its original state. The user then manipulates the device 100 in such a way that facilitates removal of the device 100 from the lug recess 204, thus removing the debris collected and creating a cleaner, debris-free lug recess chamber 206.
While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the device 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the body 11, head 14, motivator 15, and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A chamber cleaning device, the device comprising:

an elongated body having a first end and a second end;

a head coupled to the first end;

a motivator movably coupled to the second end, the motivator, body, and head aligned with a central axis; and

a finger movably coupled to the head, wherein the motivator is operable to move the finger both towards and away from the central axis.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the finger comprises length dimension between 0.27 inches to 0.33 inches.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the finger is movably coupled to the head via a hinge.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the finger is movably coupled to the head via a wing, the wing forming a living hinge.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the finger comprises a scraping edge.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the scraping edge is made of a polymer material.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the head comprises two fingers.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein each finger is movably coupled to the head via a hinge.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an end cap operably coupled to the motivator, the end cap having a beveled edge, wherein the motivator is operable to move the finger away from the central axis by drawing the beveled edge against the finger so that the beveled edge presses the finger away from the central axis.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the motivator is operably coupled to the end cap via a transfer bar, and wherein the end cap is movably coupled to the transfer bar with threading.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the end cap comprises a cap guide for engaging with the head to prevent the end cap from rotating relative to the head.

12. A chamber cleaning device, the device comprising:

an elongated body having a first end and a second end;

a head coupled to the first end;

a finger movably coupled to the head via a hinge, the finger comprising a scraping edge, wherein the motivator is operable to move the finger both towards and away from the central axis.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the finger comprises length dimension between 0.27 inches to 0.33 inches.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the finger is movably coupled to the head via a wing, the wing forming a living hinge.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the head comprises two fingers.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein each finger is movably coupled to the head via a hinge.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the scraping edge is made of a polymer material.

18. The device of claim 12, further comprising an end cap operably coupled to the motivator, the end cap having a beveled edge, wherein the motivator is operable to move the finger away from the central axis by drawing the beveled edge against the finger so that the beveled edge presses the finger away from the central axis.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the motivator is operably coupled to the end cap via a transfer bar, and wherein the end cap is movably coupled to the transfer bar with threading.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the end cap comprises a cap guide for engaging with the head to prevent the end cap from rotating relative to the head.