Implements, such as tools, weapons, and the like, may be encased in a holster for protection of the implement and/or the user, while providing access to the implement. For example, a holster may allow a user to conveniently carry the implement, safely retaining the implement until needed. When the implement is to be used, the user may withdraw the implement from the holster, and then return it to the holster when finished. In some cases, such as with a handgun for example, the holster may allow the user to conceal the implement, or to conceal the fact that the user is carrying the implement.
In the case of a handgun, the holster should reasonably protect the handgun and the user, and should be convenient to the user for ready use. However, the holster should also be versatile enough to be comfortably carried by the user, such as when it is worn on the person of the user for an extended length of time. The holster should also be rigid and stable enough to allow the handgun to be repeatedly drawn and re-holstered, usually with the same hand.
At times it can be desirable to carry an implement such as a handgun in various locations on the user, for instance on a leg or thigh of the user. However, when doing so, it is desirable that the holster or holster mount provides versatility in accessing the handgun, as well as a high level of protection to the user and also to the handgun. It can also be desirable for the holster or holster mount to be securely attached to the user, particularly in military or law enforcement applications, or the like, such as where the user may be engaged in running, jumping, climbing, or other physical activities.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
For this discussion, the devices and systems illustrated in the figures are shown as having a multiplicity of components. Various implementations of devices and/or systems, as described herein, may include fewer components and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Alternately, other implementations of devices and/or systems may include additional components, or various combinations of the described components, and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Shapes and/or dimensions shown in the illustrations of the figures are for example, and other shapes and or dimensions may be used and remain within the scope of the disclosure, unless specified otherwise.
Introduction
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a thigh mount assembly (“assembly”), to mount and to support an implement (such as a handgun, for example), an implement holster (such as a handgun holster or shell, for example), or the like, along with one or more accessories (duty pouches such as magazine carriers, a baton holder, a pepper spray canister, flashlight, or other carriers or accessories, for example) in a variety of configurations. Alternately, the thigh mount assembly may be used as a support for additional accessories (e.g., weapons, tools, instruments, supplies, etc.) as desired, such as accessories that are desired to be carried on the person of the user (or other convenient carry arrangements).
The assembly includes one or more removable or permanent attachment devices (“pouch mounts”) that may be used to temporarily or permanently attach the one or more accessories, as well as multiple attachment points that may also be used in like manner. The implement, implement holster, and accessories are intended to be removable from the thigh mount assembly when desired by the user, but are intended to remain securely attached to the thigh mount assembly until intentionally removed.
The assembly is arranged to be worn on a user's person, such as on the user's upper leg (for example) for temporarily and safely carrying the implement and accessories, while making the implement and accessories easily accessible to the user. In various examples, the assembly can be coupled to the user's clothing or gear for securing the assembly to the user in a desired configuration. In alternate embodiments, the assembly can also be worn on another part of a user's person, or it can be used to support an implement or implement holster in another location, not on a user.
Techniques and devices are discussed with reference to example handgun holsters, magazines, and accessories illustrated in the figures. However, this is not intended to be limiting, and is for ease of discussion and illustrative convenience. The assembly is designed and constructed to accommodate a multitude of support applications. For instance, the techniques and devices discussed may be applied to any of various implements, weapons, tools, instruments, supplies, cases, case designs, canisters, combinations, and the like, and remain within the scope of the disclosure.
Implementations are explained in more detail below using a plurality of examples. Although various implementations and examples are discussed here and below, further implementations and examples may be possible by combining the features and elements of individual implementations and examples.
Example Thigh Mount Assembly
An example thigh mount assembly (“assembly”) 100, as detailed in
Referring to
As shown in
For example, the main plate 102 may include a center section 106 or like panel and two side sections 108 or like panels, on either side of the center section 106, as shown in
When worn on the outside of the user's thigh (see
The main plate 102 of the thigh mount assembly 100 provides a rigid surface to attach one or more objects, including substantially heavy objects. For instance, the main plate 102 provides an attachment base for a handgun holster or other implement or implement holster, as well as for one or more duty pouches or other accessories (which can be attached to the main plate 102 directly, or attached to the main plate 102 using a pouch mount 104).
The main plate 102 and the pouch mounts 104 may be comprised of injection molded polymers, such as Nylon and the like. Three-dimensional printing may also be used to form the main plate 102 and/or the pouch mounts 104 using a suitable polymer, or polymer/fiber composite. A single layer or multiple layers of materials may be used to form the main plate 102. Alternate materials (which may be used alone or in combination with polymers and/or each other) may include fiberglass, carbon fiber, other composites, metals, alloys, and so forth. Materials and thickness of components may be selected for desired strength combined with light weight. In some embodiments, the main plate 102 is comprised of laminated layers of different materials, which may include combinations of any of the materials listed above. In other embodiments, a portion (such as the center section 106 or one or both side sections 108) may be comprised of multiple laminated layers.
Referring to
The holster mounting attachment points 110 may be located at the center section 106 of the main plate 102, as shown in
In various embodiments, the holster attachment points 110 may be sized and spaced to accommodate a specific implement holster or adapter, or they may be generally disposed to accept a number of holsters, backers, adapters, cases, etc. Holster mounting holes 110 may be tapped/threaded to receive screws or bolts or they may not be threaded so as to accommodate a variety of fasteners. In an alternate embodiment, attachment points 110 may include attachment connectors or hardware for coupling generic or a specific holster, backer, or adapter.
As shown at
In an implementation, as shown at
As illustrated, pouch mounts 104 are attached to the main plate 102 via the associated pouch mount holes 502 in the main plate 102 and the mounting holes 112 of the pouch mounts 104. A pouch mount 104 may be removably attached to the main plate 102 using screws or other removable fasteners, tabs in slots, tongue in groove, snaps, and so forth. Alternately, a pouch mount 104 may be permanently attached to the main plate 102 using screws, bolts, adhesives, or any other combination of fasteners. In an embodiment, a pouch mount 104 may be integral to the main plate 102 (e.g., formed as part of the main plate 102).
A pouch mount 104 is a rigid or semi-flexible plate-like component, where the rigidity is based in part on the material and the thickness of the pouch mount 104. As shown at
As shown at
In alternate embodiments, techniques may be used in combination to attach the pouch mounts 104 to the main plate 102. For example, the pouch mounts 104 and the main plate 102 may include complementary tabs and slots, tongue and grooves, or the like to allow the pouch mounts 104 to engage a portion of the main plate 102. The techniques may be used in combination with mounting holes (112 and 502) and fasteners or other techniques.
When the pouch mount 104 is attached to the main plate 102, there may be a gap 116 between the pouch mount 104 and the main plate 102 to accommodate a strap or other connecting component of the accessory to be mounted to the pouch mount 104. For instance, some accessories may include a belt loop, strap, clip, or other connecting component. The connecting component may be positioned behind the pouch mount 104 within the gap 116, while the pouch mount 104 is attached to the main plate 102. The accessory may be held to the main plate 102 and pouch mount 104 by the connecting component in that way.
In various embodiments, the gap 116 may be formed from the shape of the pouch mount 104 and/or the main plate 102. For instance, the structure of the pouch mount 104 may include an extension on the back side, at least at the locations of the mounting holes 112. Such an extended portion of the pouch mount 104 can result in a gap 116 at other locations around the perimeter of the back side of the pouch mount 104.
In some examples, the curved overall shape of the pouch mount 104 forms the gap 116, since only some portions (e.g., at the sides) of the pouch mount 104 may make contact with the main plate 102 when the pouch mount 104 is attached, due to the curvature.
In other embodiments, the gap 116 is present due to the pouch mount 104 being recessed at the back of the pouch mount 104. For example, the back of the pouch mount 104 may be recessed in a top-to-bottom arrangement, forming the gap 116. Alternately, the back of the pouch mount 104 may be recessed in a side-to-side arrangement, or other arrangement to form the gap 116.
In some embodiments, a pouch mount 104 is disconnected from the main plate 102, either partially or fully, to attach an accessory to the pouch mount 104 and main plate 102. In one example, one side of the pouch mount 104 may be disconnected from the main plate 102 with the fasteners loosened or removed. The connecting component of the accessory can be positioned behind the pouch mount 104 (e.g., a belt loop may be positioned around the pouch mount 104, a strap or clip may be positioned behind the pouch mount 104, etc.), and the one side of the pouch mount 104 is reattached to the main plate 102. In other embodiments, the connecting component (e.g., a clip or similar component) may be attached to the pouch mount 104 (for instance, using the gap 116) without disconnecting the pouch mount 104 from the main plate 102.
The accessories are securely attached to the pouch mounts 104 and the main plate 102, while remaining removable when desired by the user. To remove an accessory, the one side of the pouch mount 104 may be disconnected from the main plate 102 with the fasteners loosened or removed. The connecting component of the accessory can be removed from behind the pouch mount 104 (e.g., a belt loop may be removed from around the pouch mount 104, a strap or clip may be removed from behind the pouch mount 104, etc.), and the one side of the pouch mount 104 can be reattached to the main plate 102. In other embodiments, the connecting component (e.g., a clip or similar component) may be removed from the pouch mount 104 (for instance, using the gap 116) without disconnecting the pouch mount 104 from the main plate 102.
In an alternate embodiment, the opening 114 in the interior of the pouch mount 104 may be used to couple an accessory to the pouch mount 104. For example, the accessory may have a connecting component shaped to insert into the opening 114 when aligned at a predetermined rotational angle. Once inserted, the accessory may be rotated to lock the accessory to the pouch mount 104. The opening 114 may also be used in other ways to secure an accessory to the pouch mount 104 or the main plate 102. In other alternative embodiments, other techniques may be used to attach an accessory to the main plate 102 via the pouch mount 104.
Referring to
As shown at
As shown at
In various implementations, the straps 702, 704 and/or main plate 102 may include additional or alternate components for coupling the straps 702, 704 to the main plate 102 (e.g., clamps, clips, buckles, snaps, hooks, loops, etc.).
No pouch mounts 104 are shown attached to the main plate 102 in the views of
In the example arrangement of
The upper straps 702 are threaded through the upper strap openings 120 of the main plate 102, and are secured to the user's belt or other item of clothing or gear to hold the main plate 102 in a desired position. The upper straps 702 may include loops at the bottom end, or include other connection components for securing the upper straps 702 to the main plate 102. The upper straps 702 may also include loops at the top end, or include other connection components for securing the upper straps 702 to the user's clothing or gear. The thigh mount assembly 100 may be worn on either leg, and the example holster may be mounted in either a left or right-handed orientation on the main plate 102.
In various embodiments, flexible components of the assembly 100, including the straps 702 and/or 704 may be comprised of flexible polymers, TPEs, aramids, ballistic materials, natural or synthetic leathers, other textiles, or the like. In some embodiments, the straps 702 and/or 704 may be comprised of a single layer or multiple layers of materials. The multiple layers may be selected to provide various desired characteristics for the straps 702, 704, such as strength, comfort, resilience, utility, weight, and so forth. In many examples, all layers may contribute to desired light weight, strength, and resilience. In some implementations, the straps 702, 704 include one or more reinforcement layers comprising a metal, a metal alloy, a metallic composite, other composite(s), ballistic nylon, or the like.
In an implementation, a strap 702 and/or 704 includes an adjustment portion (not shown) coupled to one end of the strap 702, 704 to provide retention of the strap 702, 704 to the user. In the implementation, the adjustment portion can interface with a fastener of a closure portion at another end of the strap 702, 704. The adjustment portion and the closure portion temporarily couple together the ends of the strap 702, 704 when the strap 702, 704 is wrapped around the user. In one example, the adjustment portion comprises hook and loop fasteners, or the like. In the example, the adjustment portion may be inserted through an opening 120, 122, and looped back on itself or on the strap 702, 704, temporarily coupling the adjustment portion to the other end of the strap 702, 704.
The illustrations of
The second configuration at
The illustrations of
The third configuration at
For example, in an implementation, the assembly 100 includes one or more accessory pouches 1400, such as the example accessory pouches 1400 shown in
Accessory pouches 1400 may be comprised of a textile material, such as a ballistic nylon, for example, or a polymer, a composite, a metal, an alloy, or combinations of these and/or other materials.
In various implementations, the thigh mount assembly 100 may include additional or alternate components, or have different shapes or sizes than those illustrated.
As discussed above, the techniques, components, and devices described herein with respect to the implementations are not limited to the illustrations of
It is to be understood that an assembly 100 may be implemented as a stand-alone device or as part of a system (e.g., integrated with other components). In various implementations, additional or alternative components may be used to accomplish the disclosed techniques and arrangements.
In the various example embodiments illustrated in
Various implementations and examples are discussed herein, and further implementations and examples may be possible by combining the features and elements of individual implementations and examples.
Conclusion
While various discreet embodiments have been described throughout, the individual features of the various embodiments may be combined to form other embodiments not specifically described. The embodiments formed by combining the features of described embodiments are also within the scope of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/959,379, filed Jan. 10, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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6149042 | Rassias | Nov 2000 | A |
8196792 | Clifton, Jr. | Jun 2012 | B2 |
9759515 | Yeates | Sep 2017 | B2 |
20120174341 | Rogers | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20200292273 | Shearer | Sep 2020 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210215456 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62959379 | Jan 2020 | US |