Information
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Patent Grant
-
6305540
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Patent Number
6,305,540
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Date Filed
Friday, May 19, 200024 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, October 23, 200123 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 206 320
- 206 804
- 206 817
- 206 305
- 150 165
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A holster (100) includes an adjustable depth pocket (101) for receiving at least a portion of a portable radio (102) in the pocket (101). The portable radio (102) includes an interface, such as a user interface (120, 122), and the holster (100) includes access openings (124, 126). An adjustable false bottom (130) in the pocket (101) is adjustable to provide a variable depth in the pocket (101). When the portable radio (102) is received in the pocket (101) the user interface (120, 122) and the access openings (124, 126) are substantially aligned thereby the user interface (120, 122) is accessible from outside the holster (100) via the access openings (124, 126).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to the field of holsters and carrying cases, and more particularly to an adjustable depth holster or carrying case for carrying different size and/or dimension articles therein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Holsters and carrying cases are commonly used for storing articles contained therein. The articles typically are contained in a pocket or enclosure within the holster or carrying case such that the article is protected from external hazards, and in certain applications the article is easily accessible from access opening in the holster or carrying case. For example, a user interface such as a keypad or a display may be accessible from outside of a holster or carrying case when the portable communication device is stored therein. Typically, the access opening or openings in a holster or carrying case are closely aligned with a user interface of a portable communication device that will be stored in the holster or carrying case. When a user inserts the portable communication device into the holster or carrying case the portable communication device is disposed on an inner bottom surface of the holster or carrying case such that the height of the portable communication device brings the user interface in close alignment with the access openings in the side wall of the holster or carrying case. The height of the user interface on the radio is closely matched with the depth of the pocket in the holster or carrying case.
It is common for portable communication devices to have variable dimensions according to certain features included with particular products. For example, a large battery pack may be included with a portable communication device such as to provide very long battery life and extended use. On the other hand, certain users may wish to have a smaller form factor and would appreciate a smaller battery pack being included with the portable communication device. In another example, a speaker may be larger for certain products than for others depending on an application. This variable size speaker may require a variable form factor and/or height dimension for a portable communication device.
Conventionally, a holster and/or carrying case is customized for each product embodiment. Accordingly, when two separate products have two different height dimensions and/or form factors a different holster and/or carrying case will be offered for each of the product embodiments. The only relevant difference between the two product embodiments with respect to the holster and/or carrying case is the height dimension and/or form factor that varies from product-to-product. Unfortunately, by customizing holster and/or carrying case to a particular embodiment of a product with a particular height dimension and/or form factor requires increased inventory of different holsters and/or carrying cases where the primary difference is in the depth of a pocket in the holster and/or carrying case. The additional inventory, regrettably, consumes additional costs in a manufacturing and marketing operation. Additionally, if a user of a portable communication device desires to alternate between two product form factors and/or height dimensions it would normally require utilizing two different holsters and/or carrying cases.
For example, a user of a portable communication device under certain application may require a large long life battery pack while in other applications may prefer a smaller lighter weight product to carry around. If a user would use only a single large holster or carrying case the smaller portable communication device would likely bounce around in the larger pocket, and may even spill out of a top because the device is not secured into the pocket. This dual device application would require the user to store two holsters and/or carrying cases for the two different height dimensions and/or form factor products, the primary difference being in the combination of the portable communication device with the large or smaller battery pack for a particular application. In this case, the user is burdened with the unnecessary additional cost of purchasing a second holster and/or carrying case for the alternative height dimension and/or form factor.
Therefore, there is a need to simplify and reduce the inventory of holsters and/or carrying cases that a manufacturing and/or marketing operation or a user must maintain to be able to carry product of different height dimension and/or form factor in a respective holster and/or carrying case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a front planar view of a portable communication device stored in a holster and/or carrying case, with a portion of the holster and/or carrying case being broken away to expose the inside features, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a front planar view of a portable communication device stored in an alternative arrangement of the holster and/or carrying case of
FIG. 1
with a portion of the holster and/or carrying case being broken away to expose the inside features.
FIG. 3
is a front planar view of a holster and/or carrying case, with a portion of the holster and/or carrying case being broken away to expose the inside features, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a front planar view of a holster and/or carrying case, with a portion of the holster and/or carrying case being broken away to expose the inside features, according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5
is a front planar view of a holster and/or carrying case, with a portion of the holster and/or carrying case being broken away to expose the inside features, according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
This invention utilizes a new and novel holster and/or carrying case, (hereinafter generally referred to as a “holster”), to securely carry devices of different sizes in various dimensions and/or devices of different form factors. Generally, the holster is adjustable to securely accommodate a device in a pocket of the holster, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As will be discussed in detail below, a preferred holster includes at least one adjustable strap that serves to provide a variable depth of a pocket in the holster to securely receive a device or article in the pocket.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, an exemplary holster
100
is illustrated according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A holster
100
, in this example, contains a pocket
101
for carrying an object, such as a wireless communication device
102
. In this example, the wireless communication device comprises a portable radio
102
. The portable radio
103
includes a battery pack
103
for power source. The battery pack
103
is oversized, in this example, to provide extended battery life to the portable radio
102
. The portable radio
102
includes an antenna
104
to facilitate wireless communication via the radio
102
.
The portable radio
102
, according to this example, is secured in the pocket
101
and additionally held in place by a strap
106
that extends across a top surface of the portable radio
102
. The strap
106
is mechanically coupled to the holster
100
at a joint
107
about one end of the strap
106
and at a snap closure
108
about the other end of the strap
106
. The snap closure
108
on the strap
106
mates to a snap catch
110
on the holster
100
to fasten the end of the strap
106
to the holster
100
. The strap
106
, of course, can be mechanically coupled to the holster
100
in other ways that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the discussion above. For example, hooks and eyelets or other types of fasteners can be used in place of the snap closure
108
and snap catch
110
in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Also, a binding, stitching, or other form of fastening could be used about the other end of the strap
106
to mechanically couple that end to the holster
100
. The strap
106
makes sure that an object, such as a portable radio
102
is securely received in the pocket
101
, and that it does not bounce around loose in the pocket
101
possibly causing damage to the portable radio
102
, discomfort to a wearer of the holster
100
, and a possible opportunity to spill the portable radio
102
out of the top opening of the holster
100
.
The portable radio
102
includes an interface, such as a user interface. The user interface, a shown, provides a keypad
122
, e.g., a collection of keys or buttons, and a display
120
, for a user of the portable radio
102
to communicate, such as to send and receive voice audio messages and view displayable information with the portable radio
102
. The holster
100
includes a set of access openings
124
,
126
that is substantially aligned with the user interface of the portable radio
102
. Specifically, a first set of access openings
126
in the holster
100
are aligned with the keys of the keypad
122
on the portable radio
102
when the portable radio
102
is received in the pocket
101
of the holster
100
. A separate access opening
124
, in this example, is provided for the display
120
of the portable radio
102
. When the portable radio
102
is located in the pocket
101
of the holster
100
, the depth of the pocket
101
is substantially conforming with the height of the user interface of the radio
102
such that the set of access openings
124
,
126
, of the holster
100
is substantially aligned with the keys of the keypad
122
and the display
120
. In this way, a user of the portable radio
102
can continue to use the portable radio
102
from the outside of the holster
100
while the radio
102
is contained in the pocket
101
of the holster
100
.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a strap
130
is fitted inside the pocket
101
of the holster
100
. One end of the strap
130
is secured to the holster
100
at a joint
132
. This joint
132
preferably comprises a stitching-or binding to mechanically couple the strap
106
to the holster
100
. However, other fastening or retaining mechanism may be used here, as may be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art after the discussion presented above. A length of the strap
130
inside the pocket
101
of the holster
100
runs about the outer surface of the portable radio
102
device and a portion of the strap
130
exits through a slot
133
in the side wall of the holster
100
. An end of the strap
106
is captured to the outer surface of the holster
100
by a fastener or retainer. In this example, the fastener or retainer comprises a snap closure
134
that mates to a snap catch
136
on the outer surface of the holster
100
. However, other fastening or retaining mechanisms may be used to capture and hold in place the end of the strap
130
to the outer surface of the holster
100
.
As can be seen in this example, the strap
130
inside the pocket
101
of the holster
100
extends on the bottom inner surface of the pocket
101
in the holster
100
. The portable radio
102
rests on top of the strap
130
on the bottom of the holster
100
. Therefore, the full depth of the pocket
101
in the holster
100
is available to receive a portable radio
102
. The user interface of this portable radio
102
is located at a predetermined first height on the portable radio
102
relative to the bottom of the portable radio
102
. A set of access openings
124
,
126
, in the holster
100
is located at a predetermined first depth in the pocket
101
in the holster
100
. When the portable radio
102
is received in the pocket
101
in the holster
100
, a shown, the user interface, such as the display
120
and the keypad
122
, substantially aligns with the set of access openings
124
,
126
, in the holster
100
. The user interface is therefore accessible by a user from outside the holster
100
. The predetermined first height of the user interface on the portable radio
102
is substantially conforming to the predetermined first depth of the access openings
124
,
126
, in the pocket
101
in the holster
100
.
The user interface of the portable radio
102
is accessible by a user through the access openings
124
,
126
, in the holster
100
such that a user of the portable radio
102
is able to manipulate the keypad
122
, for example, and view the display
120
. Additionally, other exemplary configurations of a portable radio
102
may include other interfaces that would be accessible via substantially aligned access openings in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For example, an audio jack interface (not shown) on the portable radio
102
would be accessible for mating with and external microphone, ear piece, or headset plug (not shown) via an access opening (not shown) in the holster
100
. As a second example, an infrared IrDA interface (not shown) on the portable radio
102
may be accessible through an access opening (not shown) in the holster
100
such that the portable radio
102
may be able to send and receive infrared data while being located in the pocket
101
in the holster
100
. As a third example, a power input jack (not shown) on the portable radio
102
can be accessible by an external power source cable plug (not shown) via a substantially aligned access opening (not shown) in the pocket
101
in the holster
100
. In this way, an external power source can provide power to a portable radio
102
even when the portable radio
102
is secured in the holster
100
. This arrangement of access openings, as discussed above, can significantly increase the available functions and associated value added to a user when the portable radio
102
is inserted into the holster
100
.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, a portable radio
102
is shown located in the holster
100
with the strap
130
forming a false bottom in the pocket
101
of the holster
100
. In this example, the portable radio
102
has dimensions including a predetermined second height of an interface, such as a user interface
120
,
122
. Access openings,
124
,
126
, in the holster
100
, substantially aligned with the user interface
120
,
122
when the false bottom created by the strap
130
supports the portable radio
102
within the pocket
101
of the holster
100
as shown. The set of access openings
124
,
126
, in the holster
100
is located at a predetermined second depth in the pocket
101
in the holster
100
, the predetermined second depth substantially conforming with the predetermined second height thereby substantially aligning the access openings,
124
,
126
, in the holster
100
, with the user interface
120
,
122
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the oversized battery pack
103
(see
FIG. 1
) has been removed in this configuration of the portable radio
102
. This configuration, for example, may be desirable by a user when a lighter weight product (with a smaller and lighter battery power source) is more important than having the maximum extended battery life provided by the oversized battery pack
103
.
In this example, the snap closure
134
about an end of the strap
130
is unsnapped from the first position snap catch
136
on the holster
100
and the end of the strap
130
with the snap closure
134
is extended to a second position snap catch
138
on the outer surface of the holster
100
, such that when the snap closure
134
is snapped and secured to the snap catch
138
the stretched strap
130
creates a false bottom in the pocket
101
of the holster
100
as shown. This false bottom creates a predetermined second depth in the pocket
101
which is in conformance with a predetermined second height for an interface of a portable radio
102
device, as shown. The interface, such as a user interface
120
,
122
, on the portable radio
102
is substantially aligned to the access openings
124
,
126
, in the pocket
101
of the holster
100
such that the user interface
120
,
122
, is accessible by a user via the access openings
124
,
126
.
In this example, with the extended strap
130
creating a predetermined second depth “false bottom” in the pocket
101
, besides a user interface, such as a keypad
122
and a display
120
, the portable radio
102
may include other types of interfaces (not shown) that are accessible via other access openings (not shown) in the holster
100
. Access openings (not shown) can be located in the holster
100
to provide external access to these other interfaces (not shown). For example, an external microphone or ear piece or head set may be plugged in, through an access opening, to an interface, such as audio jack, on the portable radio
102
. Additionally, for example, an IrDA interface on the portable radio
102
may be communicatively coupled to an external IrDA equipped device that is enabled to communicate via IrDA data communication with the portable radio
102
. As another example, an external power supply (not shown) may be coupled to the portable radio
102
via an access opening (not shown) in the holster
100
, where the access opening has been substantially aligned with a power supply interface, such as a power jack, (not shown) on the portable radio
102
. As discussed above, many different configurations of interfaces can be substantially aligned to access openings in the holster
100
, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. The ability to substantially align many different interfaces with access openings provides significant value to a user of the new and novel holster
100
and of at least one portable radio
102
. The adjustable depth of the pocket
101
, compare for example the two exemplary pocket depths of the pocket
101
shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, allows different portable radio
102
configurations and/or form factors to be used with the same holster
100
according to preferred embodiments of the present invention.
One end of the strap
130
has been shown coupled to an interior wall of the holster
100
with the other end of the strap
130
exiting at a slot in an opposing wall in the holster
100
and then being secured by a snap closure
134
to a catch, such as the snap catch
138
, on an external surface of the holster
100
. However, the adjustable false bottom mechanism for the pocket
101
of a holster
100
can vary significantly within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as will be discussed below with respect to a number of alternative preferred embodiments.
As illustrated in
FIG. 3
, a holster
300
includes a pocket
301
of adjustable depth for receiving at least a portion of an object such as a portable radio
102
(not shown in
FIG. 3
) in the pocket
301
. A first end of a strap
320
exits via a first slot
308
in the holster
300
and a second end of the strap
320
exits via a second slot
310
in the holster
300
. Each end of the strap
320
includes a snap closure
322
,
324
, as shown. A set of snap catches, such as four snap catches
330
,
332
,
334
,
336
, is located about an outer wall of the holster
300
to provide four snap positions for the snap closure
322
about the first end of the strap
320
. Similarly, a set of snap catches, such as four snap catches
340
,
342
,
344
,
346
, is located about an outer wall of the holster
300
to provide four snap positions for the snap closure
324
about the second end of the strap
320
. The four snap positions on the two outer walls of the holster
300
, as shown, provide significant flexibility for the strap
320
to be progressively adjusted in the pocket
301
to provide a variety of predetermined depths for the pocket
301
. These predetermined depths can be substantially conforming to a variety of predetermined heights of interfaces in different portable radios
102
or other objects that can be received in the pocket
301
. In this way, by adjusting the depth of the pocket
301
, for example, the access openings
302
,
306
, may be substantially aligned to a user interface
120
,
122
, on the portable radio
102
when the portable radio
102
is received in the pocket
301
.
When the portable radio
102
is received in the pocket
301
in the holster
300
, as shown, the user interface, such as the display
120
and the keypad
122
, substantially aligns with the set of access openings
302
,
306
, in the holster
300
. The user interface is therefore accessible by a user from outside the holster
300
. By further adjusting the depth of the pocket
301
, such as by repositioning the first snap closure
322
across the snap catches
330
,
332
,
334
,
336
, and the second snap closure
324
across the snap catches
340
,
342
,
344
,
346
, the pocket
301
may receive other objects, such as other portable radios
102
with varying dimensions while allowing interfaces in the portable radios
102
to be substantially aligned with a set of access openings in the holster
300
. This is a significant advantage of the present invention.
As illustrated in
FIG. 4
, according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, a holster
400
includes a pocket
401
having adjustable depth. A set of access openings
402
,
406
, in the holster
400
are substantially aligned to an interface (not shown) of an object, such as a portable radio
102
, when the portable radio
102
is received in the pocket
401
. The adjustable depth of the pocket
401
is provided by a strap
420
having a first snap closure
422
about one end of the strap
420
and a second snap closure
424
about a second end of the strap
420
. The first snap closure
422
mates to one of first at least one snap catch
430
,
432
,
434
, located inside the holster
400
, and the second snap closure
424
mates to one of second at least one snap catch
440
,
442
,
444
, located inside the holster
400
. By repositioning the first snap closure
422
across the first at least one snap catch
430
,
432
,
434
, and repositioning the second snap closure
424
across the second at least one snap catch
440
,
442
,
444
, the false bottom and depth of the pocket
401
can be adjusted. The first and second at least one snap catch
430
,
432
,
434
,
440
,
442
,
444
, are preferably located in a recess or channel (not shown) portion in the wall of the holster
400
. This recess or channel portion allows the snap closures and catches to snap securely while preventing a sliding object, such as a portable radio
102
, being inserted in, or being removed from, the pocket
401
from being scratched or damaged by any protruding snap catch in the holster
400
.
The variable depth of the pocket accommodates different dimensions for an object, such as a portable radio
102
, to substantially align an interface in the portable radio
102
with access openings
402
,
406
, in the holster
400
. By utilizing the snap features inside the holster
400
, as discussed above, the exterior surfaces of the holster
400
can remain a smooth finish. This may be useful, in particular applications, to provide a smooth external surface of the holster
400
for a user to wear without concern that an externally located snap catch may damage another object coming in contact with the holster
400
. Additionally, a user may prefer to wear an externally smooth holster
400
, for example, to increase wearing comfort against user's skin, and to decrease the possibility of damaging clothes or other objects.
As shown in
FIG. 5
, according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, a holster
500
includes a pocket
501
having adjustable depth. A rigid, or semi-rigid, panel
510
provides a false bottom for the pocket
501
. The false bottom is adjustable to vary the depth of the pocket
501
. The panel
510
comprises a polycarbonate material. The panel
510
is fitted within the dimensions of the side walls of the pocket
501
in the holster
500
providing a false bottom inside the pocket
501
in the holster
500
. The dimensions of the panel
510
preferably extend substantially to the dimensions of the inner walls of the pocket
501
. However, the dimensions of the panel
510
can be significantly smaller than the dimensions of the inner walls of the pocket
501
while providing the false bottom for the pocket
501
.
The panel
510
, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is mechanically coupled to at least one strap
512
,
514
, that can extend from the panel
510
upwardly in the pocket
501
and can be secured to an inner wall or to an outer wall of the holster
500
. The at least one strap
512
,
514
, includes a snap closure
524
,
528
, about the end of the at least one strap
512
,
514
. A snap catch (not shown in
FIG. 5
) can be located at a desired depth along an inner wall of the pocket
501
in the holster
500
. Alternatively, at least one snap catch
526
,
532
,
530
,
534
, is located on the outer wall of the holster
500
. The at least one strap
512
,
514
, exits the holster
500
through respective at least one slot
520
,
522
. The snap closure
524
,
528
, about the end of the at least one strap
512
,
514
, mates with respective at least one snap catch
526
,
532
,
530
,
534
, to position the false bottom at a plurality of predetermined depths in the pocket
501
. In this example, as shown in
FIG. 5
, a first strap
512
includes a snap closure
524
that can be snapped to one of two snap catches
526
,
532
, to provide two positions for varying the depth of the pocket
501
. A second strap
514
similarly includes a snap closure
528
that can be snapped to one of two snap catches
530
,
534
, to provide two positions for varying the depth of the pocket
501
. The first and second straps
512
and
514
, as shown, are mechanically coupled to first and second dimensions of the panel
510
providing the adjustable false bottom in the pocket
501
. The first and second dimensions are substantially perpendicular to each other.
When the end of the at least one strap
512
,
514
, is snapped and secured to the holster
500
, the panel
510
forms a false bottom that can support, for example, the portable radio
102
at a predetermined depth in the pocket
501
. When the portable radio
102
is received in the pocket
501
, an interface (not shown in
FIG. 5
) in the portable radio
102
is substantially aligned with the access openings
502
,
506
. The interface is therefore accessible from outside the holster
500
via the access openings
502
,
506
.
Although the examples discussed above illustrate incremental steps of adjustment for the variable depth pocket
101
of a holster
100
it may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a variable depth pocket
101
can be adjusted in very coarse steps or very fine steps, or alternatively, in a continuously variable adjustment that would allow the variable depth pocket
101
in a holster
100
to be used in many different applications. For example, a pressure catch feature that does not require mating to any particular predetermined position on a strap can be utilized on an outside wall of the holster
100
to provide continuously variable adjustment to the length of the strap along the outer wall and thereby adjusting continuously the inner depth of the pocket
101
according to the position of the false bottom.
By being able to adjust the depth of a pocket
101
to match different dimensions, form factors, and heights of particular interfaces of devices that are to be located in the pocket
101
of the holster
100
, the present invention provides significant advantages. Specifically, an interface can be substantially aligned to access openings in the walls of the holster
100
for varying dimensions of products to be received in a pocket
101
in the holster
100
. Therefore, a single holster
100
can conveniently serve different product dimensions, form factors, and heights for interfaces on the product to be used in combination with the holster
100
. This is a significant advantage not available in any known prior art holster.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
- 1. A holster comprising:a pocket for receiving at least a portion of an electronic device in the pocket, the holster comprising at least one access opening associated with the pocket; an adjustable false bottom in the pocket to provide an adjustable depth in the pocket, the adjustable false bottom being adjustable to provide a plurality of depths in the pocket relative to the at least one access opening, the plurality of depths substantially conforming to a respective plurality of heights of a plurality of interfaces of electronic devices, respectively, such that one of the plurality of interfaces is substantially aligned with the at least one access opening of the holster when an electronic device is received in the pocket, thereby the one interface being accessible from outside the holster via the at least one access opening; and wherein at least one strap mechanically coupled to the adjustable false bottom and to the holster to provide support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket where the at least one strap is used to continuously adjust the relative position of the adjustable false bottom in the pocket and further wherein the at least one strap comprises first and second straps, and the first and second straps are mechanically coupled to the adjustable false bottom at first and second dimensions of the adjustable false bottom, respectively, and the first dimension is substantially perpendicular to the second dimension, and the first and second straps are mechanically coupled to the holster, thereby providing support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket.
- 2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a portable radio and the interface comprises a user interface, and wherein the user interface is accessible by a user from outside the holster via the at least one access opening to operate the portable radio in the holster.
- 3. The holster of claim 1, further comprising:at least one slot on at least one wall of the holster, the at least one strap being guided through the at least one slot, respectively, and being mechanically coupled to the adjustable false bottom in the pocket and to an outer at least one surface of the holster to provide support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket.
- 4. The holster of claim 1, wherein an outer at least one surface of the holster comprises first and second fasteners located at first and second positions for mechanically coupling the at least one strap at the first and second positions and thereby positioning the adjustable false bottom in the pocket to a first and second depth, respectively.
- 5. The holster of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap comprises a single strap mechanically coupled to the adjustable false bottom and to the holster, and the adjustable false bottom comprises an at least semi-rigid panel, to provide support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket.
- 6. A method comprising the steps of:adjusting a location of a false bottom in a pocket of a holster thereby providing a depth for at least one access opening in the holster, the depth substantially conforming with a height of an interface of an electronic device such that when at least a portion of the electronic device is received in the pocket the interface is accessible from outside of the holster via the at least one access opening; securing the false bottom to the holster to provide support for the electronic device in the pocket; and wherein the false bottom comprises at least one strap, and wherein the adjusting step comprises the step of positioning the at least one strap along a surface of the holster, and further wherein the securing step comprises the step of securing the at least one strap to the holster at the positioned location on the surface of the holster and providing a depth to the false bottom for at least one access opening in the holster where the at least one strap comprises first and second straps, and wherein the first and second straps are mechanically coupled to the adjustable false bottom at first and second dimensions of the adjustable false bottom, respectively, and wherein the first dimension is substantially perpendicular to the second dimension, and the first and second straps are mechanically coupled to the holster, thereby providing support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket.
- 7. A holster for receiving a portable radio having a user interface, the holster comprising:a pocket for receiving at least a portion of a portable radio in the pocket, the holster comprising at least one access opening associated with the pocket; and an adjustable false bottom in the pocket to provide an adjustable depth in the pocket, the adjustable false bottom being adjustable to provide a plurality of depths in the pocket relative to the at least one access opening, the plurality of depths substantially conforming to a respective plurality of heights of a plurality of interfaces of portable radios, respectively, such that one of the plurality of interfaces is substantially aligned with the at least one access opening of the holster when a portable radio is received in the pocket, thereby the one interface being accessible from outside the holster via the at least one access opening; and at least one strap mechanically coupled to the adjustable false bottom and to the holster to provide support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket wherein the at least one strap comprises first and second straps, and wherein the first and second straps are mechanically coupled to the adjustable false bottom at first and second dimensions of the adjustable false bottom, respectively, and wherein the first dimension is substantially perpendicular to the second dimension, and the first and second straps are mechanically coupled to the holster, thereby providing support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket.
- 8. The holster of claim 7, wherein the interface comprises a user interface, and wherein the user interface is accessible by a user from outside the holster via the at least one access opening to operate the portable radio in the holster.
- 9. The holster of claim 7, wherein the adjustable false bottom is continuously adjustable to a plurality of depths in the pocket.
- 10. The holster of claim 7, wherein the at least one strap continuously adjust the relative position of the adjustable false bottom in the pocket.
- 11. The holster of claim 7, further comprising:at least one slot on at least one wall of the holster, the at least one strap being guided through the at least one slot, respectively, and being mechanically coupled to the adjustable false bottom in the pocket and to an outer at least one surface of the holster to provide support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket.
- 12. The holster of claim 7, wherein the outer at least one surface of the holster comprises first and second fasteners located at first and second positions for mechanically coupling the at least one strap at the first and second positions and thereby positioning the adjustable false bottom in the pocket to a first and second depth, respectively.
- 13. The holster of claim 7, wherein the adjustable false bottom comprises an at least semi-rigid panel, to provide support for the adjustable false bottom in the pocket.
US Referenced Citations (11)