The present invention relates generally to tool holders, namely, air gun holster pouches, and methods of using the same.
Air guns are common tools used in many fields, such as, for example, construction, manufacturing, and automotive production. Examples of air guns include nail guns, staple guns, impact guns, pneumatic tools, and other air-operated equipment. Air guns may have significant weight and must be carried by workers over extended shifts. Workers frequently secure air guns to hammer holders or other improvised devices, which can lead to accidents where the air gun falls or causes the worker to lose his balance.
In one embodiment, a mountable tool holster is disclosed. The mountable tool holster comprises a tool holster and an elongated reinforced backing. The tool holster includes a support arm having a first end spaced apart from a second end. A first leg extends generally perpendicular to the first end and a second leg extends generally perpendicular to the second end. The holster is attached to a front side of the elongated, reinforced backing.
In one embodiment, a mountable tool holster is disclosed. The mountable tool holster comprises a tool holster and an elongated, reinforced backing. The tool holster includes a support arm having a first end spaced apart from a second end. A first leg extends generally perpendicular to the first end and a second leg extends generally perpendicular to the second end. The holster is attached to a front side of the elongated, reinforced backing. An upper edge of the support arm is above the midpoint of a major axis of the elongated reinforced backing. A back side of the elongated reinforced backing comprises a padding system. The padding system includes a first resilient component with a rubberized outer face and a second resilient component with a fabric covered outer face. An upper portion of a backside of the elongated, reinforced backing comprises a clip, a belt sleeve, or both.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the air gun holster pouch 2 includes a holster 4 that includes a support arm 12, having a first end 14 spaced apart from a second end 16; a first leg 18 extending generally perpendicular to the first end 14; and a second leg 20 extending generally perpendicular to the second end 16. The air gun holster pouch 2 also includes an elongated, reinforced backing 6, wherein the holster 4 is attached to a front side 8 of the elongated, reinforced backing 6.
As used herein, “generally” is indicated to cover minor variations from a direction. For example, generally can include the direction (e.g., perpendicular or parallel) and deviations from the direction of ±10 degrees, or ±5 degrees, or ±2.5 degrees.
In some embodiments, the first leg 18 is coupled to the first end 14 at a lower end 30 of the first leg 18. In some embodiments, the second leg 20 is coupled to the second end 16 at a lower end 32 of the second leg 20. In some embodiments, the first leg 18 and the second leg 20 are generally parallel.
In some embodiments, the first leg 18, the second leg 20, or both 18, 20, include an attachment portion 17a, 17b, having a generally rectangular cross-section. In some embodiments, the first leg 18, the second leg 20, or both 18, 20 can include at least one orifice 19, or at least two orifices 19, or at least three orifices 19, in the attachment regions 17a, 17b, respectively. As shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiment, as shown in
In some embodiments, a distance (dSAL) between a bottom edge 22 of the elongated, reinforced backing 6 and a lower edge 26 of the support arm 12 is at least 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the distance (dSAL) between a bottom edge 22 of the elongated, reinforced backing 6 and an lower edge 26 of the support arm 12 is at least 3 inches, or is at least 3.5 inches, or is at least 4 inches, or is at least 4.25 inches, or is at least 4.5 inches. In some embodiments, the distance (dSAL) is 8 inches or less, or 7 inches or less, or 6 inches or less.
In some embodiments, a back side 10 of the elongated, reinforced backing 6 comprises a padding system 52, comprising first resilient component 54 and a second resilient component 56. The first resilient component 54 can be at a lower end of the elongated, reinforced backing 6, while the second resilient component 56 can be adjacent to, and above, the first resilient component 54.
The first resilient component 54 can be formed of a rubber material. Examples of rubber materials include, but are not limited to, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or combinations thereof. An outer surface of the first resilient component 54 can be the raw rubber sheet in order to provide a no-slip surface and enhance the user's control of the air gun supported in the air gun holster pouch 2.
The height (hfrc) of the first resilient component 54 can be at least 1 inch, or at least 1.5 inches, or at least 1.75 inches, or at least 2 inches. The height (hfrc) of the first resilient component 54 can be 4 inches or less, or 3.5 inches or less, or 3 inches or less, or 2.5 inches or less.
The second resilient component 56 can extend above the first resilient component 54. In some embodiments, the first resilient component 54 and the second resilient component 56 overlap less than 1 inch, or less than 0.5 inches, or less than 0.25 inches.
In some embodiments, the second resilient component 56 can be formed of a rubber or foam with a fabric backing exposed. The rubber or foam material can be formed of a material selected from, but not limited to, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or combinations thereof. The fabric backing can be formed of a woven material comprising nylon, Lycra®, Spandex®, combinations thereof, and other suitable materials.
The height (hsrc) of the second resilient component 56 can be at least 1 inch, or at least 1.5 inches, or at least 2 inches, or at least 2.5 inches, or at least 3 inches. The height (hsrc) of the second resilient component 56 can be 6 inches or less, or 5.5 inches or less, or 5 inches or less, or 4.5 inches or less, or 4 inches or less.
In some embodiments, the upper, back portion of the air gun holster pouch 2 includes a belt clip 60, a belt sleeve 62, or both 60, 62. In some embodiments, the belt clip 60 can be attached to a belt sleeve flap 64. In some embodiments, the belt sleeve flap 64 extends from a top of the elongated, reinforced backing 6. A proximal end of the belt sleeve flap 64 can be folded while a distal end of the belt sleeve flap can be secured to the elongated, reinforced backing 6. In some embodiments, the belt sleeve flap 64 can be secured to the elongated, reinforced backing by belt sleeve rivets 66. In some embodiments, a belt sleeve rivet 66 can be the same rivet 21 that passes through one of the orifices 19 in the first or second legs 18, 20. For example, in some embodiments, the belt sleeve rivet 66 can pass through the lowest orifice 19 in the respective legs 18, 20.
In some embodiments, a continuous binding 68 can extend along the perimeter of the elongated, reinforced backing 6 and the belt sleeve flap 64. This is clearly shown in the various views of
As shown in
In some embodiments, the back facing 80 can be a woven material or a non-woven materials. For example, the back facing 80 can be a series of materials with the first resilient component 54 at the bottom, the second resilient component 56 in the middle, and a fabric material 82 at the top of the back facing. As shown in
In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 76 can be a sheet of material formed of plastic, wood, metal, or a combination thereof. Where the reinforcing member 76 is a plastic sheet or board, the reinforcing member can be formed of a material including, but are not limited to, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyesters, combinations thereof, and other durable polymer materials. In some embodiment, the reinforcing member 76 can be sheet with a thickness of at least 1/32″, or at least 1/16″, or at least 3/32″. In some embodiment, the reinforcing member 76 can be sheet with a thickness of ¼″ or less, or 3/16″ or less, or 5/32″ or less, or ⅛″ or less. The thickness of the reinforcing member 76 can be such that the reinforcement member 76 maintains a substantially planar shape when placed under an appropriate load.
In some embodiments, the reinforced backing 8 is designed to bow or deform when placed under a load typically experienced during use (e.g., with an air gun hanging from the support arm 12). When under load (e.g., from an air gun), the reinforced backing 8 can bow away from a user, causing the air gun holster pouch 2 to have a concave shape with respect to the user. The concave shape of the deformed air gun holster pouch 2 allows air flow behind the air gun holster pouch 2 to cool the user's skin under the air gun holster pouch 2. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 76 is omitted.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the holster 4 can be formed of a single piece of material. In some embodiments, both legs 18, 20 and the support arm 12 are formed from a single piece of material. For example, the holster 4 can be formed (e.g., cast, molded, or punched) as a single piece. In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the first leg 18 is coupled to the first end 14 at a lower end 30 of the first leg 18, and the second leg 20 is coupled to the second end 16 at a lower end 32 of the second leg 20.
In some embodiments, the support arm 12 comprises a support arm strip 36 having a uniform support arm strip thickness (tSAS). In some embodiment, the support arm strip 36 does not extend the entire length of the support arm 12. As used herein, “uniform thickness” refers to an average thickness plus or minus a tolerance of less than 10% or less than 0.1″.
In some embodiments, the support arm strip 36 can be 0.5 to 4 inches wide (wstrip). In some embodiments, the support arm strip 36 can be at least 0.75 inches wide, or at least 1 inch wide, or at least 1.5 inches wide. In some embodiments, the support arm strip 36 can be 3.5 inches wide or less, or 3.25 inches wide or less, or 3 inches wide or less.
In some embodiments, the support arm 12 comprises a first support arm side 40 extending generally perpendicular from the first leg 18 and a second support arm side 42 extending generally perpendicular from the second leg 20. The support arm strip 36 extends from a distal end of the first support arm side 40 to a distal end of the second support arm side 42. The portion of the support arm strip 36 extending from the first support arm side 40 to the second support arm side 42, can be perpendicular to both the first support arm side 40 and the second support arm side 42. As shown in
In some embodiments, the length (Lproj) of the first support arm side 40 and the second support arm side 42 can, independently, be between 0.25 inches and 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length (Lproj) of the first support arm side 40 and the second support arm side 42 can, independently, be at least 0.25 inches, at least 0.5 inches, at least 0.75 inches, or at least 1 inch. In some embodiments, the length (Lproj) of the first support arm side 40 and the second support arm side 42 can, independently, be 3 inches or less, 2.5 inches or less, 2 inches or less, 1.75 inches or less, 1.5 inches or less, or 1.125 inches or less, or 1 inch of less.
In some embodiments, as evident from
As shown in
As shown in the figures, the support arm strip 36 can be generally flat (i.e., generally planar with a uniform thickness). The support arm strip 36 can have a height (hSAS) of 0.5 to 6 inches, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the support arm strip height (hSAS) can be at least 0.5 inches, or at least 0.75 inches, or at least 1 inch, or at least 1.125 inches, or at least 1.25 inches. In some embodiments, the support arm strip height (hSAS) can be 5 inches or less, or 4 inches or less, or 3 inches or less, or 2 inches or less. In some embodiments, the support arm strip height (hSAS) can be generally uniform between the first support arm side 40 and the second support arm side 42.
As best shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the length (Lproj) of the first projection 40 and the second projection 42 can, independently, be between 0.25 inches and 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length (Lproj) of the first projection 40 and the second projection 42 can, independently, be at least 0.25 inches, at least 0.5 inches, at least 0.75 inches, or at least 1 inch. In some embodiments, the length (Lproj) of the first projection 40 and the second projection 42 can, independently, be 3 inches or less, 2.5 inches or less, 2 inches or less, 1.75 inches or less, 1.5 inches or less, or 1.125 inches or less, or 1 inch of less.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In order to appreciate the benefits of the air gun holster pouch 2 described herein, it is important to understand how the device works. Current air guns are sold with plastic hooks that quickly break off. These hooks are generally used in connection with hooks and conventional hammer holder loops or rings.
The air gun holster pouch 2 is designed to be used with an air gun 70 with a bracket 72 (such as an L-shaped bracket) attached to it. The bracket 72 can be attached to a distal end of the handle of the air gun, as shown in
In use, the air gun holster pouch 2 can be secured to a base, such as the user's belt, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
The outward flex of the air gun holster pouch 2 provides a channel for air to pass behind the elongate reinforced backing 6. The air movement cools the user. In some embodiments, as shown in
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/001,664, “Air Gun Holster Pouch and Method of Using the Same,” filed May 22, 2014, and U.S. Application Serial No. 61/942,854, “Hand Tool Toolbelt,” filed Feb. 21, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62001664 | May 2014 | US | |
61942854 | Feb 2014 | US |