US20060005446A1

US20060005446A1 - Ramrod handle

Info

Publication number: US20060005446A1
Application number: US10/886,460
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Lee; Ronald Desmarais
Original assignee: Ox Yoke Originals Inc
Current assignee: OX-YOKE ORIGINALS Inc; Ox Yoke Originals Inc
Priority date: 2004-07-07
Filing date: 2004-07-07
Publication date: 2006-01-12

Abstract

A handle for the ramrod of a muzzle loading firearm which has storage means for the ramrod on its barrel is releasably attached to the ramrod and movable between a first locked position wherein it is coaxial with the ramrod and a second locked position wherein it is perpendicular to the ramrod, the handle having a seating surface which allows it to be stored on the firearm barrel regardless of the cross sectional shape of the firearm barrel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an improved handle for ramrods of the type as used with firearms of the muzzle-loading type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With muzzle-loading firearms, a ramrod is provided comprising a cylindrical tool having a diameter substantially similar to the bore of the barrel of the firearm. In use, the ramrod is inserted into the open end or muzzle of the barrel of the firearm for several purposes such as: tamping powder and a bullet previously inserted into the barrel; or, with the addition of appropriate removal means, removing a bullet or other unwanted material lodged in the barrel; or, with the addition of appropriate cleaning means, cleaning the bore of the barrel.
In view of the relatively small diameter of most ramrods, a handle for ramrod manipulation is a virtual necessity for accomplishing either the tamping function, or the removal function, or the cleaning function.
A wide variety of ramrod handles is disclosed in the prior art. However, most are either permanently affixed to the ramrod or, if removable therefrom, must be stored separately from the firearm, such as in a pouch or the like.
In addition, many prior art handles can function only with a particular ramrod or weapon and are not universally adaptable for use with a wide variety of ramrods or weapons.
Accordingly, a need exists for a ramrod handle, which is easily removable from and attachable to the ramrod, is readily storable upon the weapon with which the ramrod is used, and is universally adaptable for use with a wide variety of ramrods or weapons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of a ramrod handle which is easily removable from and attachable to the ramrod, can be readily stored upon the weapon with which the ramrod is used, and is universally adaptable for use with a wide variety of ramrods or weapons.
Another object is the provision of a handle, which may be releasably locked to the ramrod and, in a storage mode, to the barrel of the firearm.
A still further object is to provide a handle, which is so constructed that when it and a ramrod are locked in a storage mode relative to the barrel of a firearm, unwanted rattling of the ramrod against the barrel is precluded.
An additional object is to provide a handle which is so constructed that when it and a ramrod are locked in a storage mode relative to the barrel of a firearm, the interior of the handle is protected from becoming fouled by muzzle debris, while accidental movement of the handle to an open position, wherein it is disposed in front of the firearm muzzle, is also precluded.
The storage mode of the handle of the invention and a ramrod relative to a firearm is achieved as follows:

- a. the handle is positioned adjacent the end of the ramrod and disposed in parallel relation thereto;
- b. the handle is snapped onto the ramrod to bring the two members into a coaxial relationship;
- c. the ramrod is threadedly engaged with a connector means which is sleeved by the handle and mounted for sliding rectilinear movement relative to an interior bore within the handle;
- d. the connector means and attached ramrod are slid rectilinearly inwardly relative to the interior bore in the handle to a locked position wherein pivotal swinging movement between the handle and ramrod is blocked; and
- e. the ramrod, and the attached handle, are slid rectilinearly inwardly relative to a storage means provided on the firearm barrel until an end of the ramrod bottoms relative to the storage means, with the handle now being in contact with an adjacent surface of the barrel of the firearm.

The use mode of the handle and ramrod relative to a firearm is achieved as follows:

- a. the handle is grasped and, with the ramrod, is slid rectilinearly outwardly relative to the firearm whereby the ramrod is removed from the storage means and the handle is removed from contact with the barrel of the firearm;
- b. the connector member and attached ramrod are slid rectilinearly outwardly relative to the handle to an unlocked position wherein pivotal swinging movement between the handle and ramrod may be effected; and
- c. the handle is swung 90 degrees from its coaxial position relative to the ramrod to a position wherein it is perpendicular to the ramrod and ready for use by insertion of the ramrod into the bore of the barrel of the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a handle embodying a preferred form of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;
FIG. 5 is an end elevational view thereof on an enlarged scale;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view on an enlarged scale of the connector means of the handle of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the handle of the invention, a ramrod and a rifle barrel;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the handle of the invention following its attachment to a ramrod and its engagement with a rifle barrel in a storage mode; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handle of the invention following removal of the ramrod from the storage mode of FIG. 8 to a use mode, with one end of the ramrod now being positioned in the bore of the rifle barrel, and the handle having been swung 90 degrees relative to the opposite end of the ramrod to a position wherein it is perpendicular thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIGS. 7-9, a handle embodying a preferred form of the invention is generally indicated by 10; a ramrod, shown fragmentarily, is generally indicated by 12; and a firearm, also shown fragmentarily, is generally indicated by 14.
Firearm 14 includes a barrel 16 having a bore 18 which terminates at an outer free end in a muzzle 20, the barrel having a storage sleeve 22 formed integrally therewith.
Storage sleeve 22 is spaced rearwardly of muzzle 20, and is disposed in parallel relationship to bore 18 of barrel 16 for receiving and storing ramrod 12 therein, in a manner as shown in FIG. 8.
Ramrod 12, which is of cylindrical cross section and has a diameter substantially similar to that of bore 18 of firearm 14, is fabricated from thermoplastic, or metal, or wood, or composite material.
Handle 10 is fabricated from thermoplastic, or metal, or wood, or composite material, is substantially cylindrical in cross-section, and is of appropriate size as to be grasped readily by hand, as shown in FIG. 9.
As best seen in FIG. 4, handle 10 has an open end 23 and a closed end 25 and is provided on its central longitudinal axis with an interior bore 26 of circular cross section which has an open outer end 28 and a closed inner end 30.
A primary slot 32 is provided in a lower face 34 of handle 10 and is of appropriate width as to receive ramrod 12 therein in the manner of a press or snap fit.
Primary slot 32 communicates with interior bore 26 and extends longitudinally from handle open end 23 for approximately one half the length of the handle and terminates in a closed inner end 36.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of spaced, parallel, secondary slots 38 and 38′ is provided in handle 10, with slot 38 being disposed in a side wall 40 of the handle and slot 38′ being disposed in a side wall 40′ of the handle.
Each slot 38 and 38′is positioned adjacent closed end 25 of handle 10 and communicates with bore 26.
Secondary slots 38 and 38′ each extend along the approximate central longitudinal axis of the handle for approximately one-half the length of the handle with each slot having opposite, closed inner and outer ends 42 and 44, respectively.
As best seen in FIGS. 1-6, a connector means, generally indicated by 24, is mounted for rectilinear sliding movement in interior bore 26 of handle 10 and includes a semi-circular head 46 having a pin 48 extending transversely therethrough and outwardly from each side thereof on its approximate central transverse axis and a flat base 50 having a threaded stem 52 formed integrally therewith which extends outwardly therefrom on the central longitudinal axis of the connector means.
Pin 48 of connector means 24 is of appropriate size and configuration as to be receivable for sliding rectilinear movement in and relative to slots 38 and 38′ in side walls 40 and 40′ respectively of handle 10, with pin 48 serving the dual functions of capturing the connector within handle 10 while limiting sliding movement of the connector relative to the handle.
Ramrod 12 is provided on one of its ends with a threaded bore 54 of appropriate size to accept therein threaded stem 52 of connector means 24.
Stem 52 is of such size and thread design as to be receivable in the threaded bore provided in the ends of virtually all standard ramrods, whereby handle 10 is appropriate for use with a wide range of ramrods.
Handle 10 and ramrod 12 are joined by snapping the ramrod through primary slot 34 of the handle into interior bore 26 so that the handle and the ramrod are co-axially aligned, whereby stem 52 of connector means 24 may be threadedly engaged in bore 54 of the ramrod
Connector means 24 and ramrod 12 can now be slid axially relative to interior bore 26 of the handle, with pin 48 of the connector means sliding relative to secondary slots 38 and 38′ until head 46 of the connector means contacts closed inner end 30 of interior bore 26 and pin 48 contacts closed outer ends 44 of secondary slots 38 and 38′.
Closed inner end 30 of interior bore 26 and closed outer ends 44 of secondary slots 38 and 38′ together form stop means which limit the extent of axial movement of connector means 24 and ramrod 12 relative to handle 10, with the handle and ramrod now being locked in co-axial alignment, while lower wall 34 of the handle blocks any swinging clockwise pivotal movement of the connector means and the ramrod relative to interior bore 26 of the handle.
Thus, when handle 10 and ramrod 12 are in a storage mode on firearm barrel 16, accidental swinging movement of the handle to an open position in front of firearm muzzle 20 is precluded.
Following removal of handle 10 and ramrod 12 from a storage mode on firearm barrel 16, the co-axial alignment of handle 10 relative to ramrod 12 can be changed simply by sliding the ramrod and connector means 24 axially relative to interior bore 26 of the handle until pin 48 of the connector means contacts closed inner ends 42 of secondary slots 38 and 38′ of the handle, with the connector means now being in the position as shown in FIG. 4, wherein it is clear of lower wall 34 of the handle and positioned immediately adjacent and clear of first slot 32
Connector means 24 and ramrod 12 now may be swung downwardly in a clockwise direction, with the ramrod snapping into and through first slot 32 and pin 48 pivoting relative to slots 38 and 38′ of handle 10. The ramrod is now in a position wherein it is perpendicular to the handle, with one of its side faces contacting closed end 36 of first slot 32, thereby effectively precluding further clockwise swinging motion of the connector means and the ramrod
Thus, closed inner end 36 of first slot 32 serves as a stop, which limits the range of clockwise swinging movement of the ramrod past 90 degrees.
To return the ramrod to a coaxial position relative to the handle, the operation is reversed, with the ramrod first being swung in a counterclockwise direction relative to the handle.
An upper face 56 of handle 10 is provided with an arcuate depression 58 which extends longitudinally for the length of the handle, with the depression permitting the engagement or marriage of the handle with gun barrel 16 of firearm 14, as will appear.
Depression 58 is provided with a pair of spaced, parallel, upstanding, inwardly inclined ribs 60 and 62, each of which extends longitudinally for the length of the depression in closely spaced parallelism to an adjacent side edge of the depression.
Ribs 60 and 62 permit the handle to seat relative to firearm barrel 16, regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the barrel, be it round, hexagonal, oval or other shape, when handle 10 and ramrod 12 are placed in a storage mode on the firearm barrel.
For example, were ribs 60 and 56 not present, arcuate depression 58 of handle 10 would not seat properly relative to a firearm barrel of hexagonal cross-section.
In addition, when handle 10 and ramrod 12 are placed in a storage mode on firearm barrel 16, ribs 60 and 62 preclude unwanted rattling of the ramrod relative to the barrel.
When the handle is in a storage mode as seen in FIG. 8, its closed end 25 is facing the muzzle end of the barrel, thereby effectively protecting interior bore 26 and connector means 24 from being fouled by debris which may be emitted from muzzle 20 when the firearm is fired.
Further, when handle 10 and ramrod 12 are in a storage mode on the firearm barrel, accidental swinging movement of the handle to a position in front of the muzzle, is precluded.
Based on the foregoing, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the handle of the invention is easily removable from and attachable to a ramrod, is readily stowable upon the weapon with which the ramrod is used, and is universally adaptable for use with a variety of ramrods and weapons.

Claims

1. In combination with a ramrod for a firearm having a barrel of the muzzle-loading type with means on the barrel for storing the ramrod, the improvement which comprises, a handle for the ramrod, and connector means on the handle for releasably interconnecting the handle and ramrod, said connector means being axially slideable and pivotally swingable relative to the handle.

2. In the combination according to claim 1, including means on the handle for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm when the handle is attached to the ramrod and the ramrod is stored on the barrel of the firearm.

3. In combination with a ramrod for a firearm having a barrel of the muzzle-loading type with means on the barrel for storing the ramrod, the improvement which comprises, a handle for the ramrod, first means on the handle for releasably interconnecting the handle and ramrod, said first means being axially slideable and pivotally swingable relative to the handle between a position wherein the handle and ramrod are in coaxial alignment and a position wherein the handle and ramrod are each perpendicular to the other, and second means on the handle for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm when the handle is attached to the ramrod in a position of coaxial alignment and the ramrod is stored on the barrel of the firearm.

4. In a handle for the ramrod of a firearm having a barrel of the muzzle-loading type with means on the barrel for storing the ramrod, the improvement which comprises, an interior bore in the handle, a connector member in said interior bore, means for releasably attaching the connector member to the ramrod, the connector member being axially slideable and pivotable relative to said interior bore, and stop means on the handle for limiting the range of sliding and pivotable movement of the connector member.

5. In the combination according to claim 4, including means on an exterior surface of the handle for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm when the handle is attached to the ramrod in a position of coaxial alignment and the ramrod is stored on the barrel of the firearm.

6. In the combination according to claim 1, wherein said connector means is disposed in an interior bore in the handle.

7. In the combination according to claim 3, wherein said second means comprises a depression in an exterior surface of the handle and ribs in the depression for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm.

8. In the combination according to claim 3, wherein said second means comprises, a longitudinally-extending depression in an exterior surface of the handle and a pair of spaced, parallel, longitudinally-extending, inclined ribs in said depression for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm.

9. In the combination according to claim 1, including stop means on the handle for limiting the range of axially slideable and pivotally swingable movement of said connector means relative to the handle.

10. In a handle according to claim 4, wherein said stop means comprise, a closed end on said interior bore, a pair of slots in the handle communicating with said interior bore and having closed ends, a pin on the connector member extending into and axially slideable relative to said slots, and a slot in the handle having a closed end and an open end and communicating with said interior bore, with the ramrod extending into said slot.

11. In a handle according to claim 4, wherein said means for releasably attaching the connector member to the ramrod is a threaded stem on the connector member receivable in a threaded bore in the ramrod.