Patent Application
20240164510
Holster devices have been used for many years to hold and carry items. Holster devices can provide several benefits when holding or carrying items, including protecting the items, making the items easier to carry or transport, or restraining or securing the items.
To experience the full benefits of using a holster device to hold or carry an item, the holster device must be appropriately sized for the item. This can cause issues when users have a need for several different items of varying sizes. Typically, the solution is for a user to have separate holster devices appropriately sized and configured for each separate item. This is inefficient because it requires users to have a holster device for each item. Moreover, in some instances a holster device is attached to another carrying device, such as a backpack, belt, clothing, storage container, or similar gear, and consequently, switching items requires removing and affixing a new holster to the carrying device, which is inconvenient for the user. For example, some users, such as first responders, have a need to carry different items depending on the type of incident they are responding to. Consequently, if those items cannot be held by the same holster device that the user is already wearing or otherwise has prepared, the user must take time to find a new holster and swap it out. If a single holster can carry different items of varying sizes, the user can more efficiently switch out items while using a single holster which may or may not be further affixed to other gear, including possibly their clothing.
Accordingly, a need exists for a universal holster device that allows the user to carry items of varying sizes and shapes while still providing a snug fit to the item so that the standard benefits of a holster device are achieved. A further need exists for the user to be able to selectively adjust the universal holster device in an easy and efficient manner.
The present invention is directed generally to a universal holster device for adjustably holding items of various sizes. The universal holster device can be configured to selectively adjust the effective size of a main cradle that the item is received in. In particular, adjustments can be made to the positioning of a connected bottom and back panel to change the effective height of the main cradle.
In one embodiment, the adjustable holster device includes a front panel, an intermediate panel, a back panel, a back pocket configured for receiving the back panel and at least a portion of the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel may be made up of a first intermediate panel portion and a second intermediate panel portion. The back panel may be connected to and extend from the second intermediate panel portion. A lateral flex line may be provided between the first intermediate panel portion and the second intermediate panel portion. A lateral flex line may also be provided between the intermediate panel and the back panel. Each lateral flex line may be constructed such that it is more flexible than a remainder of the intermediate panel or back panel, and may be in the form of a relief such in or adjacent to the intermediate panel such that the intermediate panel is thinner at the lateral flex line than it is in the areas adjacent to the lateral flex line. A cradle can be at least partially defined by the intermediate panel and may be adapted for receiving at least one of the objects. One or more visible markings or lines may be provided on the intermediate panel and/or back panel to indicate to a user where the intermediate panel and/or back panel should be aligned with respect to another portion of the adjustable holster device to achieve a certain configuration of the cradle.
A fastener may secure at least the back panel in place in order to define a size, e.g., height, of the cradle. The fastener can include a first fastening member attached to the back panel and second fastening member attached within the back pocket. In one embodiment, the fastener is a hook and loop fastener having a hook member and a loop member, and the first fastening member is one of the hook member and the loop member and the second fastening member is the other of the hook member and the loop member. The adjustable holster device can include an adjuster sheet configured to be selectively insertable between the hook member and the loop member to effect separation thereof and to permit the back panel to be selectively movable within the back pocket. The adjuster sheet can be a thin sheet made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. When the first and second fastening members are not fastened together, the back panel is configured for being selectively movable relative to (in and out of) the back pocket. When the first and second fastening members are fastened together, the back panel is held in a fixed location within the back pocket. The size, e.g., height, of the cradle is adjustable by moving the back panel relative to the back pocket.
In order to adjust a height of the cradle of the adjustable holster device, the adjuster sheet may be inserted between the hook member and the loop member to interrupt an attachment therebetween. Once separated, the back panel and/or intermediate panel can be selectively movable relative to the back pocket thereby lengthening or shortening a bottom portion of the cradle. The back panel and/or intermediate panel may be positioned so as to locate the back panel and/or intermediate panel to a specific position that corresponds to a configuration of the adjustable holster device that generally conforms to an object to be held by the adjustable holster device. Once in the desired position, the adjuster sheet is removed from between the hook member and the loop member allowing the hook member and the loop member to reattach together.
In further embodiments, the adjustable holster device can include side panels. Each side panel can have a first side panel portion and a second side panel portion, which may selectively overlap one another. An additional fastener may be provided, wherein a first fastening member of the fastener is attached to the first side panel portion and a second fastening member is attached to the second side panel portion. When the first and second fastening members are separated from one another, the second side panel portion is configured for being selectively movable to overlap a larger or smaller area of the first side panel portion, or vice versa, in order to adjust a depth of the cradle.
Objects and advantages pertaining to the universal holster device and its adjustment may become apparent upon referring to the example embodiments illustrated in the drawings and disclosed in the following written description or appended claims.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. It will be appreciated that any dimensions included in the drawing figures are simply provided as examples and dimensions other than those provided therein are also within the scope of the invention.
The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
The present invention is directed generally to a universal holster device 10 as illustrated in the various figures. The holster device 10 may include an adjustable envelope, pocket, or cradle 12 adaptable such that the holster device 10 can accommodate items of various sizes, including various heights, widths, depths, and/or volumes. One embodiment of the invention is adapted for holding a two-way radio 110. As discussed in further detail below, the device 10 is designed to adjust so that it can hold, for example, radios of various heights, including both a short radio 112 and a tall radio 114. It will be appreciated that such short and tall radios 112 and 114 may differ in size due to their differently-sized battery attachments and configurations.
While the holster device 10 is primarily described herein in connection with holding a radio 110, it will be appreciated the device 10 may be adapted to hold other items which come in a variety of sizes including, but not limited to, cellular phones, tablets, battery packs, liquid containers such as water bottles, medical equipment, firearms, or any other item, currently known or hereafter developed, that is suitable for being carried by the device 10. The universal holster device 10 provides several benefits when holding any of these items, including but not limited to protecting the items, making the items easier to carry or transport, or restraining or securing the items. As discussed below, the device 10 is designed to selectively adjust to receive and hold different-sized items while maintaining a its functionality and fit to each item.
Turning to the figures,
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the first configuration (i.e., the configuration adapted for holding shorter objects as shown in
Additionally, the first side of hook and loop fastener 32 and the second side of hook and loop fastener 64 may be interchangeably selected to be either the hook side or the loop side so long as they are configured to allow fastening to each other. That is, if the first side of the hook and loop fastener 32 is the hook side, then the second side of the hook and loop fastener 64 should be the loop side, and vice versa. It will be appreciated that the hook and loop fasteners may be VELCRO® or any other suitable material.
In one embodiment of the invention, as best illustrated in
It will be appreciated that despite the foregoing descriptions referencing a first configuration and second configuration for a short radio 112 and tall radio 114, the invention is not limited to merely two configurations but accounts for any multiple of configurations to meet several different sizes of a held item. Thus, the exact positioning of the primary adjustable intermediate panel 22 and secondary adjustable intermediate panel 24 need not be in exactly the configurations contemplated above. Those are merely used for ease of understanding. Moreover, while the figures only show one or two lateral flex lines 80 per device 10, a device 10 could embody any number of flex lines to more easily facilitate a wide array of adjustments between configurations for a given device 10.
The adjustments contemplated above are facilitated by interrupting or breaking and then reaffixing the first side 32 and second side 64 of a hook and loop fastener within the back pocket 60. Because hook and loop fasteners are typically pulled apart, this breaking apart of these hook and loop fasteners is not easily done due to their positioning on the inside of the back pocket 60. Therefore, the present invention uses an adjuster 90 to slide between the first side 32 and second side 64 of the hook and loop fastener to break them apart. This adjuster 90 can be made of any material so long as it is thin and rigid enough to slide between the hook and loop portions to break them apart. One embodiment contemplates the use of plastic because it is rigid enough to break the hook and loop portions apart while still providing some amount of flexibility. For example, the adjuster 90 may be constructed of plastic, fiberglass, composite materials, laminated materials, metal, wood, or any other suitable material currently known or hereafter developed.
To make an adjustment, the adjuster 90 is slid into the back pocket 60 through the pocket opening 62 as illustrated in
In one embodiment, additional width and depth adjustments are permitted by using adjustable fasteners on the side straps or panels 70 as best illustrated in
Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations, locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the invention.
Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any of the individual embodiments described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of how the various features of the subject matter herein may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.
The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus may include values outside of the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from and including the lower and the upper values, in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure.
As used herein, “a,” “an,” or “the” can mean one or more than one. For example, “an” image can mean a single image or a plurality of images.
The term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A and/or B” herein can include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Likewise, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and/or C” can include at least the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).
As used herein, the term “about” when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, can include variations of +/−20%, more preferably +/−10%, even more preferably +/−5% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to reproduce the disclosed methods and systems.
The constructions described in the accompanying materials and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown, and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.” Many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/427,036, filed on Nov. 21, 2022, to John Bachman, entitled “Universal Holster and Method of Adjusting Same,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63427036 | Nov 2022 | US |
