Expandable Belt Loop

Abstract

An expandable belt loop that is preformed, flexible and resilient is joined to a base member that can be used as part of a belt mounting system for holsters for firearms, flashlights, batons, or other functional items. The belt loop has an internal barb that is engageable with a back side surface of a belt and with the base is slidable on a service belt to a desired position where the bias of the loop towards constriction and frictional binding together with the barb, fix it in place on the belt. The expandable belt loop has three different regions that snugly accommodate each of the three most common widths for service belts, as well as, belts intermediate in size, while its base member can be formed in different shapes for the purpose of attaching differing item carriers or holsters, as well as being formed integral with an item carrier holster.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an expandable belt loop that accommodates various belt widths. More specifically, the invention pertains to an expandable belt loop as previously described that is selectively slidable on a belt, includes means for holding the loop in a fixed position on the belt, and is otherwise well adapted to serve as part of a tactical belt mounting system for use by military, law enforcement and other first responders to belt mount items such as holsters for firearms, flashlights, batons, or other functional items.

2. Relevant Art

Belt mounting systems, including those particularly adapted for use by military and law enforcement personnel, have a storied history. Representative and/or exemplary patents in this field include:

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 1,495,925 for a “Belt Loop” issued May 27, 1924, to V. E. Quertermous.

(2) U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,303 for a “Belt Loop Stay” issued Apr. 11, 1989, to Mark J. Udelhofen.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,781 for a “Belt or Waistband Mountable Support for Article Carrier” issued Nov. 30, 1993, to Richard E. D. Nichols.

(4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,878 for a “Baton Carrier” issued May 10, 2005, to Kevin L. Parsons.

However, none of these systems and inventions provides or renders obvious the features taught and embodied in the instant invention. U.S. Pat. No. 1,495,925 (“Quertermous”) teaches a metal loop that is slidable on a belt and adapted to receive the loose end of the belt and hold it in close to the belt as well as to function as an article holder. It uses a metal spring to tightly grip a belt inserted therethrough, but makes no provision for (and makes no mention of the need to) accommodate various widths of belts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,303 (“Udelhofen”) teaches a belt loop stay that can be fabricated from a thermoplastic material having spring characteristics, is slidable on a belt, and is adapted to receive the loose end of the belt and hold it in close to the belt. It has a “bowed” side that presses against the belt parts named so as to press and hold them together, and is claimed to accommodate belts of different thicknesses, but makes no provision for (and makes no mention of the need to) accommodate various widths of belts U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,781 (“Nichols”) teaches a mounting device for suspending a holster or other article carrier from a wearer's waistband or belt and uses tabs (referred to as “prongs 32” in the specification) to engage the underside of the wearer's belt or waistband to prevent the device from being inadvertently pulled out on drawing a handgun therefrom. However, it does not teach or render obvious the protuberance or barb of the instant invention in terms of their design, location or function or otherwise render obvious its features and teachings. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,878 (“Parsons”) teaches a belt loop that is slidable on a belt (as in the examples previously cited) and makes some provision for belts of different widths by including inserts that can be used to reduce the size of the loop opening as needed to more snugly embrace and fit smaller width belts, but does not teach or render obvious the apparatus used in the instant invention for this purpose or otherwise render obvious its features and teachings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided an expandable belt loop that accommodates various belt widths (as well as some belt thicknesses). As described and shown, the expandable belt loop is joined to a base member that can be used as part of a belt mounting system for items such as holsters for firearms, flashlights, batons, or other functional items. Thus, the belt loop and base combination of the invention are intended to be slidable on a service belt (whether made of leather, webbing, or some other material) to a desired position despite the belt loop's bias towards constriction and frictional binding to the belt, and then due to closure or constriction of the loop (or some portion thereof) on the belt so as to bind and hold the loop in fixed position in relation to the belt, to also hold any accompanying mounted items in their desired position on the belt. In another aspect of the invention, the expandable belt loop of the invention is intended to accommodate the three most common widths of such service belts, as well as to accommodate some intermediate thicknesses and widths. In a still further aspect of the invention, the expandable belt loop system described is intended and designed to inhibit “rocking” motions with regard to the belt, such that the loop and any objects mounted thereon are firmly held in position and unable to rotate around an axis transverse to the surface of the belt. Finally, it is another object of the instant invention to provide a base member that can be formed in different shapes for the purpose of attaching differing item carriers or holsters, as well as being formed itself in the shape of an item carrier/holster.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by the provision of an expandable belt loop/system comprising a flexible loop joined to a somewhat planar base member with the expandable belt loop including some or all of the following features. First, the flexible loop is preferably formed and molded as an integral part of and/or extension of the base member, which completes and/or forms one side of the loop. Second, the belt loop is formed with and biased towards closure at a pinch point where a raised protuberance or barb is forced towards the base member so as to firmly grip a backside surface of a belt between the loop and base. Third, the expandable belt loop of the invention is formed with three defined regions, each of which is capable of snugly accommodating a belt of a specific size and binding the loop in position vis-à-vis the belt so as to prevent both sliding of the belt loop relative to the belt and rocking/canting of the belt loop relative to the belt.

The first region specified is formed and lies between the upper interior surface/end of the expandable loop and a transverse shelf/surface of the protuberance or barb, with the previously mentioned bias towards closure serving to bind the belt and prevent sliding, while the elongate juncture of the upper interior surface abutting the top of the belt (and the elongate juncture of the edge of the prong and the lower edge of the belt) serve not only to help bind the belt in position, but prevent canting/rocking of the expandable loop relative to a belt fitted to the first region. The second region specified is formed and lies between the upper interior end of the expandable loop and an intermediate end/ledge in and of the loop structure lying adjacent to the base, with the previously mentioned bias towards closure serving to force the protuberance or barb against the belt and prevent sliding, while the elongate juncture of the upper interior end and the top of the belt (and the elongate juncture of the intermediate end/ledge and the lower edge of the belt) serve not only to help bind the belt in position, but to prevent canting/rocking of the expandable loop relative to a belt fitting the second region. The third region specified is formed and lies between the upper interior end and a lower end spaced away from the base, so as to force curvature transverse to the width of a belt housed in this region so as to further increase binding pressure on the belt, while the elongate juncture of the upper interior end and the top of the belt (and the elongate juncture of the lower end and the lower edge of the belt) serve not only to further bind the belt in position, but to prevent canting rocking of the expandable loop relative to a belt fitting the third region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further object and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of are expandable belt loop in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic side elevational view of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a front elevational view FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a side elevational view FIG. 1A, in combination with, and having, a belt of a first width inserted therethrough;

FIG. 2B is a front elevational view and belt combination illustrated in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of FIG. 1A in combination with, and having, a belt of a second width inserted therethrough;

FIG. 3B is a front elevational view and belt combination illustrated in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a front elevational view of an expandable belt loop in combination with, and having, a belt of a third width inserted therethrough;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view and belt combination of FIG. 4A taken along line; B-B thereof;

FIG. 4C is a first perspective view of the expandable belt loop and belt combination of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is another perspective view of the expandable belt loop and belt combination illustrated in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of an expandable belt loop in combination with, and having, a substantially triangular base adapted for mounting a firearm holster;

FIG. 5B is a front elevational view of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D is another perspective view of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of the present invention in which two expandable belt loops are provided for a single base, with said loops having both single and multiple protuberance or barbs;

FIG. 6B is a schematic front elevational view of the expandable belt loops and base illustrated in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a front elevational view of the present invention wherein the base includes or incorporates an expandable holster, with the holster being particularly adapted to hold firearm magazines; and

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of FIG. 7A.

DESCRIPTION

With respect now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate the basic component parts of the invention and otherwise provide an introduction to its features. As will be noted from these drawing figures, the invention is generally comprised of two basic parts: a flexible and resilient preformed loop 1 and a base member 2 which is also flexible and resilient when integrally molded together. The flexible loop 1 is adapted to serve as a belt loop connecting the base member 2 (in the anticipated field of the invention) to a tactical/service belt of the type utilized by military, police, fire and/or other emergency or first responder personnel. The base member 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1C may be considered to represent a generic mount for the varieties of equipment and items used in the field by the anticipated users of the invention (as previously outlined). Particular and specific examples, illustrating alternate embodiments and applications/forms for the base member 2, are illustrated in FIGS. 5A-7B; however, these are not to be considered as limiting, but merely illustrative and exemplary.

As will also be noted, the flexible loop 1 is, in the preferred embodiments illustrated, and formed as an integral part of and/or extension of the base member 2, which completes and/or forms one side of the loop 1. The belt loop 1 and base member 2 combination can advantageously be molded/formed from various thermoplastic materials suitable for and/or known in the art; however, it is preferably and advantageously formed from a thermoplastic polyester elastomer such as DuPont Hytrel®, and specifically Hytrel® 5526, which is a medium modulus Hytrel® grade with nominal durometer hardness of 55D, and is specially recommended for injection molding applications requiring high flow properties.

Given the generic nature of the mount illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1C (as well as FIGS. 2A through 4D), the primary point of interest in these drawings is the unique expandable belt loop 1 of the invention. The features of belt loop 1 can best be understood by reviewing FIGS. 1A through 4D in sequence. As will first be noted in these figures, belt loop 1 is formed with and biased towards closure of a pinch point 1A where raised protuberance or barb 1B is forced against base member 2. In its closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1C, the belt loop 1 creates and defines a first region 4A with a maximum width “W1” equal to the distance between the upper interior end surface 1C and the transverse end surface of the protuberance or barb 1B. As such, it is adapted to contain a belt having width W1. This belt can have a maximum thickness “T1” defined by the inner diameter/thickness T1 of the loop 1 at upper end surface 1C as measured along a normal from base 2. However, even where it has a thickness approximately equal to the thickness “T2” as defined by the inner diameter/thickness T2 at pinch point 1A, it will be snugly held by frictional pressure due to the bias towards closure of pinch point 1A. Thus, the first region 4A of belt loop 1 (lying between upper end surface 1C of first region 4A and the transverse/shelf edge/surface 1B1 of prong 1B) is well adapted to snugly hold a belt having a width of W1 and a thickness varying between T1 (the normal thickness of a service belt) all the way down to T2. Typically, if the mount is design to accommodate belt widths from 1″ to 2½″, the protuberance or barb 1B would contact belt widths above 1½″. For example, if the mount was designed to accommodate belt widths up to 4″, contact of the protuberance or barb would occur above 2½″. As to thickness of the belts, these may typically vary from about ⅛′-⅜′.

Turning to FIGS. 2A through 3B, it will be seen that the expandable belt loop 1 of the invention is also quite capable of snugly holding belts having dimensions greater than those accommodated by the first region 4A. In fact, it can accommodate belts having dimensions all the way up to those of belt 3B (i.e., ranging from width W1 to width W2, and thickness T1 to T2) in a second region 4B lying between and defined by upper end interior surface 1C and a transverse shelf/surface 1D located where loop 1 joins base 2 intermediate the upper end interior surface 1C and the lower end interior surface 1E. Ideally, a belt exceeding the size of region 4A will be of the larger size illustrated in FIG. 3A for belt 3B, having a width W2 such that it is snugly held between its upper edge adjacent to and abutting upper end 1C and at is lower edge abutting and adjacent to ledge/surface 1D. However, as previously noted, region 4B can also accommodate belts of size intermediate that of belts 3A and 3C, such as the belt 3A shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In both cases, the pressure of protuberance or barb 1B bearing against the belt 3A or 3B will force it against base 2 and serve to steady the expandable belt loop 1, base 2 and any accompanying mounted apparatus in position vis-à-vis a belt engaged thereby. (As will also be noted in regard to FIGS. 1A-1C (as well as the other drawing figures), the surfaces/ledges where the invention abuts upper and lower edges of a belt inserted through belt loop 1 are elongate and serve to prevent rocking or canting of the expandable belt loop 1 and base 2 it relation to a belt inserted therethrough.

Finally, in terms of belt sizes, it can be seen from FIGS. 4A through 4D, that the expandable belt loop 1 of the invention is also capable of snugly holding belts having a width greater than that of belt 3B up to that of belt 3C (having dimensions W3 and thickness T1) in a third region 4C lying between and defined by upper end 1C and lower end 1E. Here, as before, the pressure of prong 1B bearing against the belt 3C will force it against base 2 and serve to steady it in position. However, there are two differences in this case. First, the curvature of the belt 3C itself made necessary by the positioning of lower end 1E away from base 2 creates an extra source of binding pressure on belt 3C to prevent it from moving, forcing it against protuberance or barb 1B. Second, rather than the curved and tapered edge of protuberance or barb 1B, it is primarily the longer length of the somewhat curved ramp edge 1B2 of protuberance or barb 1B that lies adjacent to, presses against, digs into the back side surface, and assists in binding belt 3C in position which has been selected by the user. This effect is greatly enhanced by the belt 3C being properly tightened around the waist of a user as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D.

FIGS. 5A through 7B provide examples illustrating alternate embodiments and applications/forms for the base member 2. Thus, FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate views of an expandable belt loop 1 in combination with, and having, a substantially triangular base 2A adapted for mounting a firearm holster. FIGS. 6A-6B provide views of an embodiment wherein two expandable belt loops 1 are provided for a single elongated base 2B, with said loops 1 having both single and multiple protuberance or barb 1B. Finally, FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate views of an embodiment wherein the base 2 includes or incorporates an expandable holster 2C, with said holster 2C being particularly adapted to hold firearm magazine which are shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D-667,216. It is noted that the base 2 may be affixed to the holster in other ways, as by stitching, by t-nuts, by rivets, or other ways well known in the art.

In view of the foregoing, it should be clear that numerous changes and variations can be made without exceeding the scope of the inventive concept outlined. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) of the invention herein described is/are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiment(s) is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

PARTS AND FEATURES ILLUSTRATED IN DRAWING FIGURES

• 1 Expandable Belt Loop
• 1A Pinch Point
• 1B Protuberance or Barb
• 1B1 Transverse End Surface of Prong
• 1B2 Curved Ramp Edge of Prong
• 1C Upper Interior End Surface of Loop
• 1D Transverse Shelf Surface Where Loop Joins Base
• 1E Lower Interior End Surface of Loop
• 2 Base for Expandable Belt Loop
• 2A Triangular Base for Mounting Firearm Holster
• 2B Elongated Base Bearing Two Expandable Loops
• 2C Base Formed as Expandable Holster for Clips
• 3A Belt with Width W1 and Thickness T1
• 3B Belt with Width W2 and Thickness T1
• 3C Belt with Width W3 and Thickness T1
• 4A First Region of Expandable Belt Loop Interior
• 4B Second Region of Expandable Belt Loop Interior
• 4C Third Region of Expandable Belt Loop Interior

Claims

1. An expandable belt loop, comprising: a flexible and resilient belt loop biased towards closure at a pinch point where one side of said loop is biased towards the other side of said loop so as to firmly grip an inside surface of a belt when inserted between said two sides;a raised barb on one side of said loop at said pinch point, thereby defining a barb side of said loop with the other side of said loop being a non-barb side of said loop; andwherein the expandable belt loop is formed with multiple regions, each of which is sized to snugly accommodate a belt of a specific width between an upper member and a lower member.

2. The expandable belt loop of claim 1, wherein all of said multiple regions share the same upper member, formed by an upper interior surface of said belt loop.

3. The expandable belt loop of claim 2, wherein a first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface of the barb.

4. The expandable belt loop of claim 2, wherein a second said region of greater width than a first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface located on the non-barb side of said loop.

5. The expandable belt loop of claim 2, wherein a third said region of greater width than a first and second said region has a lower member formed by a lower interior surface of said belt loop.

6. The expandable belt loop of claim 1, further comprising a base member forming a side of said loop, wherein said base member is: adapted for connection of an equipment holster and shaped as an equipment holster.

7. An expandable belt loop comprising: a flexible and resilient belt loop biased towards closure at a pinch point where one side of said loop is biased towards the opposite side of said loop so as to firmly grip an inside surface of a belt when inserted between said two sides and said opposite side includes a base member;a raised barb on the side of said loop opposite said base member at said pinch point, thereby defining a barb side of said loop;wherein the expandable belt loop is formed with multiple regions, each of which is sized to snugly accommodate a belt of a specific width between an upper member and a lower member; andwherein all of said multiple regions share the same upper member, formed by an upper interior surface of said belt loop adjacent said base member.

8. The expandable belt loop of claim 7, wherein a first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface of the barb.

9. The expandable belt loop of claim 8, wherein a second said region of greater width than the first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface located where the loop joins the base member.

10. The expandable belt loop of claim 9, wherein a third said region of greater width than the first and second said regions has a lower edge member formed by a lower interior surface of said belt loop, which lower interior surface is spaced away from said base member.

11. The expandable belt loop of claim 8, wherein a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the first said region is firmly pressed by a portion of the loop opposite the base member and adjacent the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure.

12. The expandable belt loop of claim 9, wherein a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the second said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure.

13. The expandable belt loop of claim 10, wherein a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure.

14. The expandable belt loop of claim 10, wherein a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed and maintained in position by curvature of the belt transverse to its width caused by spacing the lower interior surface away from the base member, forcing the belt more strongly against the barb.

15. An expandable belt loop, comprising: a flexible and resilient belt loop biased towards closure at a pinch point where one side of said loop is biased towards the opposite side of said loop so as to firmly grip a belt when inserted between said two sides and said opposite side includes an inside surface of a base member;a raised barb on the side of said loop opposite said base member at said pinch point, thereby defining a barb side of said loop;wherein the expandable belt loop is formed with multiple regions, each of which is sized to snugly accommodate a belt of a specific width between an upper member and a lower member;wherein all of said multiple regions share the same upper member, formed by an upper interior surface of said belt loop adjacent said base member;wherein a first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface of the barb;wherein a second said region of greater width than the first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface located where the loop joins the base member; andwherein a third said region of greater width than the first and second said regions has a lower edge member formed by a lower interior surface of said belt loop, which lower interior surface is spaced away from said base member.

16. The expandable belt loop of claim 8, wherein at least one of: a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the first said region is firmly pressed by a portion of the loop opposite the base member and adjacent the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure,a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the second said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure,a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure, anda belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed and maintained in position by curvature of the belt transverse to its width caused by spacing the lower interior surface away from the base member, forcing the belt more strongly against the barb.

17. The expandable belt loop of claim 7, wherein said base member is adapted for connection to an equipment holster and shaped as an equipment holster.

18. The expandable belt loop of claim 14, wherein said base member is adapted for connection to an equipment holster and shaped as an equipment holster.

19. The expandable belt loop of claim 15, wherein said base member is adapted for connection to an equipment holster and shaped as an equipment holster.

20. The expandable belt loop of claim 10, wherein at least one of: a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the first said region is firmly pressed by a portion of the loop opposite the base member and adjacent the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure,a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the second said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure,a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure, anda belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed and maintained in position by curvature of the belt transverse to its width caused by spacing the lower interior surface away from the base member, forcing the belt more strongly against the barb.