Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting plates for carrying holsterable items such as firearms and ammo clips and particularly to plates worn on the thigh of the user.
2. Relevant Art
There are a wide variety of gun holsters adapted to be worn on the leg and particularly on the thigh. What is desired is apparatus for holsterable items that is secure to the leg of the user and also more comfortable than devices known to the art. Moreover, through the use of a mounting plate, a wide variety of devices such as magazine pouches, flash-bang carriers, knife sheaths and the like. Finally the mounting plate should fit securely to the leg of a user, be comfortable, and be adaptable for use in wet or icy conditions.
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for securing holsterable items to the leg of a wearer comprising a vertically elongated mounting plate including a center panel having vertically disposed opposite side portions and two side panels, one side panel integrally and bendably attached along a vertical axis to one side portion of the center panel, another side panel integrally and bendably attached along another vertical axis to another side portion of the center panel. The side panels are arcuate in shape to conform to the shape of a leg of a wearer, and attaching means for removably securing the mounting plate to a leg of a wearer with the side panels snugly engaging a wearer's leg. Each side panel includes at least one elongate slot, the attaching means including at least one horizontally disposed strap having a first portion and a pair of spaced second portions threaded through each at least one elongate slot, the side panels being bendable adjacent respective the side portions to provide the plate generally conforming to the shape of the leg of a wearer. The side panels are curved to substantially conform to the shape of the leg of a wearer. Each panel includes an inner surface positionable adjacent the leg of a wearer and an outer surface and outside edge portions opposite the side edge portion. The strap is threaded through the slots to position the first portion of the strap adjacent the inner surface of the center panel. The strap is threaded through the slots to locate the pair of spaced second portions of the strap closely adjacent the outside edge portions to position each second portion of the strap between each edge portion and the leg of a wearer. Other aspects of the invention include an elongate vertical strap connected at one end to the center panel, releasable attaching means between one end of the strap and another end of the strap to provide a belt loop in a medial portion of the strap. The mounting plate has a passageway adjacent its upper end through which the vertical strap extends. The mounting plate portion above the passageway contacts the vertical strap and urges the vertical strap outwardly whereby a lower end of the mounting plate is urged inwardly.
Other aspects of the present invention include a vertical strap having upper and lower end portions and securing means for attaching the lower end portion of said vertical strap to the inner surface of the center panel, the first portion of the strap locatable between the lower portion of the vertical strap and the leg of a wearer. Each side panel includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of each side panel including a resilient securing tab for engaging the vertical strap to force said upper portion of the vertical strap away from the body of a wearer.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for securing holsterable items to a leg of a wearer comprising a vertically elongated mounting plate including a center panel having vertically disposed side portions and two spaced side panels integral with a respective side portion of the center panel, each side panel having an outside edge portion. Each side panel has a first pair of vertically spaced elongate slots located adjacent the center panel and a second pair of vertically spaced elongate slots located adjacent the outside edge portion. A first and second horizontally disposed strap is included, each strap having a first portion and a pair of spaced second portions, the first strap threaded through an upper first and second slot of each side panel, the second strap threaded through a lower first and second slot of each side panel. The side panels are bendable along a respective vertical axis adjacent respective side portions of the center panel to conform the plate to the shape of the leg of a wearer with the side panels snugly engaging a leg of a wearer when the straps are secured around such leg. The panels are curved to substantially conform to the shape of a leg of a wearer. Each panel includes an inner surface positionable adjacent the leg of a wearer and an outer surface and outside edge portions opposite the side edge portion. Each horizontal strap is threaded through respective slots to position the first portion of each horizontal strap adjacent the inner surface of the center panel. Each horizontal strap is threaded through respective slots to locate the pair of spaced second portions of each horizontal strap closely adjacent respective outside edge portions to position each second portion of each horizontal strap between the edge portions and the leg of a wearer. A vertical strap has upper and lower end portions and securing means for attaching the lower end portion of the vertical strap to the inner surface of the center panel, the first portion of each horizontal strap locatable between the lower portion of the vertical strap and the leg of a wearer. Each side panel includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of each side panel including a resilient securing tab for engaging the vertical strap to force the upper portion of the vertical strap away from the body of a wearer.
In addition, the invention includes an elongate vertical strap connected at one end to the center panel, releasable attaching means between the one end of said strap and another end of the strap to provide a belt loop in a medial portion of the strap. The mounting plate has a passageway adjacent its upper end through which the vertical strap extends. The mounting plate portion above the passageway contacts the vertical strap and urges the vertical strap outwardly whereby a lower end of the mounting plate is urged inwardly.
The novel features which are 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 objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
With respect now to the drawings,
The curvature of plate 10 derives principally by curved side panels 12, 13 integrally formed with central panel 14. Each side panel 12, 13 includes two pairs of substantially vertically disposed slots, one pair 17 located adjacent the outside edge 18 of side panels 12, 13 and another pair 19 located inwardly and adjacent edge portions 20 of center panel 14. The spacing between the upper pair of slots 17 and 18 is larger than the lower pair of slots 17 and 18 on each of the side panels 12, 13.
The upper portion 21 of each side panel 12, 13 is formed as a securing tab 22 that is arcuate in shape and having a spring-like resilience biasing outwardly against a strap mounted against inside surface 23 of center panel 14 as will be discussed hereinbelow.
Each side panel 12, 13 includes a pair of vertically oriented screw bases 24 for use in attaching various accessories such as magazine carriers to plate 10. Allen wrench holders 25 provide a means of carrying standard L-shaped Allen wrenches to allow a user to change the attachments of various accessories and holsters of the plate 10 as desired.
Horizontal straps 30 are threaded through slots 17 and 18 to place a portion of the straps 30 spanning between the panels 12, 13 against the leg of a user and between the edges 19 and a user to provide a comfortable and protected fit. The straps 30 overlie vertical strap 26 to force strap 26 against inside surface 29 of center panel 14 as clearly shown in
A harness 50 is formed by the mounting strap 26 and leg straps 30 to securely affix the back plate 10 to a user's leg and supported by strap 26 to a belt of a user or other vestment worn by a user adjacent the body of a user near the belt line of a user.
With respect to
Bolt/screw holes 24 are used for mounting accessories such as magazine carriers and the like. Long bolts or screws, including screw 27A, used to secure strap 26 may be used through holes 15, 16 to mount a holster 43 for a firearm, as shown in
With respect to
Tabs 22 and band 42 are rigid members that may vary in thickness to contact and vary the biasing force against the upper portion of the holster 43 outwardly to appropriately position the holster 43 and plates 10 and 40 respectively. The tabs 22 and band 40 provide cooperative positioning and securing of the back plates 10, 40 with the strap 26 so that the lower portions of side panels 12 and 13 of the plates 10, 40 are properly positioned and secure the respective plates 10, 40 to a leg of a user.
While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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6926182 | Cragg | Aug 2005 | B2 |
7320420 | Buis et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
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Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20060144882 A1 | Jul 2006 | US |