The invention relates to an adjustable tension device for use in connection with concealed carry holsters and other accessories meant to be worn under an outer layer of clothing in a concealed fashion. Specifically, the invention provides a tension device that can be mounted on the accessory device where the user is able to adjust the dimensions of the tension device via the use of interchangeable extension arms.
Belt-worn accessories, such as holsters, are often worn inside of clothing in a concealed manner. It is often desirable to use a leverage or tension member in connection with concealed accessories to hold the accessory close to the body of the wearer by providing a point of leverage that pushes against the interior of the wearer's waistband and belt or clothing. Many concealed accessories are capable of adjustment relative to the wearer's body, which can move a non-adjustable tension device to a position where the tension device is no longer in contact with the wearer's waist and/or belt, thereby making the tension device less effective. Thus, there exists a need for an adjustable tension device that allows the user to easily customize the dimensions of the tension member in coordination with the wearer's preferred orientation for the concealed accessory in question. The dimensions that can be varied are the length or thickness of extension arm, where thickness is measured from contact area (the grip area) of the extension arm facing the user's belt or clothing adjacent the belt, through the extension arms side facing the user, such as the user's waistline. For the cylindrical extension arm, the thickness is the diameter of the cylinder.
In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention is an adjustable tension device comprising: a fixed arm, wherein said fixed arm comprises a base and a lower arm, and a second arm, wherein the lower arm comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the lower arm is attached to the base and said second end is attached to a second arm, and the end of the second arm distal from the lower arm comprises an attachment point; preferably the fixed arm components are integral with each other; and a plurality of extension arms, wherein each extension arm comprises a length and thickness, a first end, and one or more grip areas, and wherein, for each extension arm, the first end comprises an attachment point operable to fixedly attach to the attachment point of the fixed arm' second arm; wherein the length or thickness of at least one extension arm of the plurality of extension arms is different from the length or thickness of another extension arm of the plurality of extension arms.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:
The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. Within the descriptions of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional) on the invention.
The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective configurations. It is contemplated that features of one configuration may be beneficially incorporated in other configurations without further recitation.
The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations or be entirely separate. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the disclosure, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure.
The present invention comprises an adjustable tension device 10. As shown in
Lower arm 115 comprises first member 130 which extends away from base 110. In the embodiment shown in the attached Figures, first member 130 extends away from base 110 along all three-dimensional axes, namely, the horizontal and vertical planes in which base 110 is found, as well as the plane perpendicular to the plane of base 110. As shown, for example, in
In the disclosed embodiments of
As shown in these figures, the tension device 10 is mounted on a holster accessory device 100. As shown, the holster 100 has an inside wall 100a and an outside wall 100b, defining a hollow therebetween to contain a handgun. The two walls are joined on a front barrel edge 100c and a rear trigger edge 100d, where a flat portion 300 is located interior to the rear trigger edge 100d. At the upper end or belt-end of the outside wall 100a is mounted a belt clip 205, (or belt retainer) which, when the holster is worn, a belt and/or clothing extends through the belt clip 205, to maintain the holster in place against the wearer's body, such as adjacent the wearer's waist. As shown in this embodiment of a holster, the adjustable tension device 100 is mounted on the outside wall 100a below the belt clip 205 on the flat portion 300 of the holster 100. The intent is to position the tension arm so that the attached extension arm 200 is separated from the belt clip 205, but preferably at the height of the belt clip 205 with the top of the extension arm 200 preferably at the top of the opening 205a in belt clip 205. See
Moving long lower arm 115 away from base 110, after bend 135, lower arm 115 further comprises second member 137, where second member 137 extends upwardly in a direction generally parallel to the vertical orientation of base 110 (and vertically with respect to the accessory). It should be generally recognized that second member 137 need not be parallel to the vertical orientation of base 110; rather, second member 137 need only extend generally in a direction that will allow extension arm 200 to come into contact with a user's belt or other article of clothing such that device 10 is able to provide tension between the user's clothing and the accessory attached to device 10 to draw the accessory into the users; body.
Second member 137 further comprises attachment port 140, (see
Device 10 further comprises extension arm 200. As shown in the various Figures, one embodiment of extension arm 200 is a cylindrical member comprising an attachment point 205 on one end and notched endcap 207 on the opposite end. Extension arm 200 further comprises one or more circumferential grip areas 210 operable to add friction between extension arm 200 and the user's belt or clothing. In an exemplary embodiment, grip areas 210 are cross-hatched grooves carved into the surface of member 200; in other embodiments, grip areas 210 are rough or frictional surfaces layered on top of, or otherwise attached to, the outer surface of each extension arm 200 via an adhesive or other bonding technique. It should be generally recognized that grip areas 200 may comprise any rough surface. It should be further appreciated that extension arm 200 may be any shape so long as grip areas 210 face outward from the user's body when extension arm 200 is fixed to lower arm 115. The extension arms 200 shown in the Figures is cylinders. For a screw or bolt connection, a cylinder is a preferred shape. But other shapes of the extension arm are possible if the connection between the extension arm 200 and the second arm 137 is an orientated connection, where the parts have only one orientation hat couples. For instance, the crossed hatch paddle shown in D919,964 (incorporated by reference) can be used as the gripping part or frictional area of the extension arm.
In an exemplary embodiment, attachment point 205 is a male threaded portion operable to be fixedly received by a female threaded port. In alternative embodiments, attachment point 205 can comprise any male connection point, such as a snap-in extension, a locking extension, a quick connection, or other means of fixedly connecting to lower arm 115 at attachment port 140.
As shown in the various Figures, extension arm 200 comes in a variety of lengths. For example, long length 250, medium length 260, and short length 270 as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, notched endcap 207 comprises one or more indentations 209 which allow the user to interface a screwdriver or other equivalent tool with endcap 207, thereby allowing the user to rotate member 200 in a manner that aids in securing member 200 to lower arm 115. Indentations 209 may be configured to accept any manner of tool, such as flat-head, Philips, hex-headed (i.e., such as an Allen wrench), or star-headed (torx) screwdrivers. In an alternative embodiment, indentations 209 may come in a variety of patterns, including those depicted in U.S. Design Pat. No. D869,945, which is incorporated herein by reference.
In an alternative embodiment, attachment port 140 can be a male connection point, and attachment point 205 can be a corresponding female connection point.
In practice, the user would select the proper length of extension arm 200 based on the orientation of the accessory. For example, if the user wears a holster such as holster 20 in combination with an adjustable belt retainer 2 as shown in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No US 2015/0097011, which is incorporated herein by this reference, then the user will be able to adjust the alignment of the holster at an angle to the associated belt retainer/clip. Where the holster is oriented such that the device 10 is closer to the user's belt line, a short extension arm (such as short length 270) might be more appropriate. By contrast, where the holster is oriented such that the device 10 is farther from the user's belt line, a longer extension arm (such as long length 250) might be more appropriate.
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 63/254,966, filed on Oct. 12, 2021, and which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63254966 | Oct 2021 | US |