Various types of holsters, carrying clips, and the like are known in the prior art for storing and carrying firearms. Typically, these types of holsters and clips are useful for arming an individual in environments outside of their home. In contrast, when considering home defense, the individual typically has to store the firearm in a concealed area such as an existing drawer or cabinet that is generally out of touch and sight from children or others who may be inexperienced with firearms.
Accordingly, needs exist for improved devices for supporting and storing firearms. It is to the provision of a hanger and adapter to support a gun holster meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
Briefly described, the present invention provides a clothes hanger made to support a gun holster and to an adapter for use with a clothes hanger to support the same. In one example embodiment, the hanger generally comprises a standard clothes hanger having a center panel for supporting the gun holster. The center panel can be integral with the hanger or separable (e.g., an adapter) to provide for removing the same therefrom. In example forms, the hanger generally includes a hook, two side arms supported by the hook, and a cross-rod extending between distal ends of the side arms. With the hook supporting the hanger, a gun holster can be supported by the panel. Advantageously, while supporting the gun holster, garments or other forms of clothing can be hung on the hanger to partially or completely conceal the holster.
Optionally, a securing strap can be provided on the center panel for securing the gun holster thereto.
In another example form, the invention relates to an adapter panel to be added to a clothes hanger for supporting a firearm holster, the clothes hanger having side arms and a cross-rod. The adapter panel includes an upper portion having first and second engagement portions for engaging the sidearms, a lower portion including third and fourth engagement portions for engaging the cross-rod, and a body portion extending between the upper portion and the lower portion and adapted to bear a firearm holster thereon. The adapter panel is configured to be slipped onto and straddle the cross-rod of the hanger and to be fastened to the side arms of the hanger.
Optionally, the adapter panel can include a securing strap for securing the firearm holster thereto.
In another example form, the invention relates to an adapter panel to be mounted to a clothes hanger. The clothes hanger includes side arms, a cross-rod and a hook. The adapter panel includes an upper portion having a yoke adapted to be slipped over the hook and supported therein, a lower portion, and a body portion extending between the upper portion and the lower portion and adapted to bear a holster thereon. The adapter panel is configured to straddle the cross-rod.
Optionally, the adapter panel can include a securing strap for securing the firearm holster thereto.
In another example form, the invention relates to an adapter panel to be mounted to a clothes hanger for supporting a holster. The clothes hanger is of the type having a hook, two side arms and a cross-rod. The adapter panel includes an upper portion having a loop for slipped over the hook, a lower portion shaped to rest against a side of the cross-rod of the hanger, and a body portion extending between the upper portion and the lower portion and adapted to bear a holster thereon. The adapter panel is configured to be slipped over the hook of the hanger and to abut against one side of the cross-rod.
Optionally, the adapter panel can include a securing strap for securing the firearm holster thereto.
The present invention relates to a clothes hanger made to support a gun holster and to an adapter for use with a clothes hanger to support the same. In one example embodiment, the hanger generally comprises a standard clothes hanger having a center panel for supporting the gun holster. The center panel can be integral with the hanger or separable (e.g., an adapter) to provide for removing the same therefrom. In example forms, the hanger generally includes a hook, two side arms supported by the hook, and a cross-rod extending between distal ends of the side arms. With the hook supporting the hanger, a gun holster can be supported by the panel. Advantageously, while supporting the gun holster, garments or other forms of clothing can be hung on the hanger to partially or completely conceal the holster.
In one aspect, the center panel is integral with the hanger and extends between the upper side arms and cross-rod of the hanger. The holster generally mounts directly to the center panel in a desired orientation wherein a pistol can be supported therein. In one form, a strap having a snap-like engagement feature is provided on the center panel to secure the pistol holster thereto.
In another aspect, the center panel is in the form of an adapter panel (e.g., separable) to be added to a standard hanger. The adapter panel generally comprises at least one engagement portion and a panel portion. The at least one engagement portion allows for the adapter panel to engage portions of the hanger, and the panel portion is provided for supporting the pistol holster. Generally, the at least one engagement portion of the adapter panel can be permanently or removably engaged to portions of the hanger. In some forms, the panel portion generally comprises a securing strap to secure the holster thereto.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
In example forms, the pistol holster can be secured to the center panel 40 with a securing strap 60. For example, in one example form, the strap 60 comprises a first or fixed end 62, a second or free end 64, and snaps or interengagement features 66, 67. The first end 62 is generally fixed to the panel 40 and the second end 64 includes the snap 66. As such, the second end 64 is free to engage or feed through a portion of the gun holster (e.g., belt loop or the like) wherein the snap 66 further secures to the snap 67 (which in turn, is secured to the panel). Preferably, the securing strap 60 can be configured to support the pistol holster in a plurality of orientations. For example, in some forms, it may be desired to configure the strap 60 secure the holster to the panel 40 so that the pistol (unshown) points in an upward direction when engaged with the holster. In other forms, a downward orientation or other orientation may be desired. Optionally, other forms of straps or securing features may be provided as desired.
Preferably, with the center panel supporting the pistol holster, and with or without the pistol inserted therein, the hanger 10 can still be utilized to hang garments or other forms of clothing. As such, the hanger 10 provides good accessibility when a pistol is present in the holster.
As depicted in
In commercial embodiments, the hanger-mounted gun holster supports and/or adapter panels and/or hangers of the present invention can be constructed from a variety of materials including but not limited to metals, plastics, composites, wood, or other available materials as desired. The securing strap can be formed from a variety of materials including but not limited to textiles, plastics, nylons, natural or other synthetic materials, and other materials as desired. Optionally, other forms of interengagement features and/or securing features may be provided to secure the gun holster to the panel.
It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only. Thus, the terminology is intended to be broadly construed and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. For example, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “one” include the plural, the term “or” means “and/or,” and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, any methods described herein are not intended to be limited to the sequence of steps described but can be carried out in other sequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein.
While the invention has been shown and described in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/752,014, filed Jan. 14, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61752014 | Jan 2013 | US |