US20040134945A1 - Throat height adjustment in a belt loop or belt clip - Google Patents
Throat height adjustment in a belt loop or belt clip Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040134945A1 US20040134945A1 US10/704,202 US70420203A US2004134945A1 US 20040134945 A1 US20040134945 A1 US 20040134945A1 US 70420203 A US70420203 A US 70420203A US 2004134945 A1 US2004134945 A1 US 2004134945A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- keeper
- outer walls
- track
- belt clip
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
- A45F5/02—Fastening articles to the garment
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
- A45F5/02—Fastening articles to the garment
- A45F5/021—Fastening articles to the garment to the belt
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
- A45F5/10—Handles for carrying purposes
- A45F5/102—Handles for carrying purposes with means, e.g. a hook, receiving a carrying element of the hand article to be carried
Definitions
- This application relates to belt clips and belt loops for supporting an object on a wearer's belt or waistband.
- Belt clips having an inverted U-shaped profile are known for grasping a belt or waistband. Such clips are commonly mounted to an object for supporting the object on a person's belt or waistband and may include a spring element for grasping the waistband or belt. Because such clips are not bounded at their lower ends, they are subject to tilting on the belt or waistband, especially under the influence of a lateral force or torque applied to the clip or the object being supported by the clip.
- belt loops are known devices for suspending a pouch or holster from a belt, such as a duty belt of the type commonly used by law enforcement officers.
- a belt loop large enough to fit a 2 inch (5.1 cm) wide duty belt, for example, is subject to tilting when used with a belt of shorter height, such as a 11 ⁇ 4 inch (3.2 cm) wide dress belt.
- a loose fit can allow tilting of the loop on the officer's belt and may adversely affect the officer's ability to quickly and cleanly draw the handgun from the holster when needed.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,741 of French which is owned by the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference, describes a belt loop having a pair of flexible elongated securement members extending downwardly along an inner wall of the belt loop and coupled, via a pair of threaded fasteners, to an opposing outer wall of the belt loop.
- the fasteners When the fasteners are tightened, the securement members are drawn toward the outer wall to clamp a belt between the securement members and the outer wall.
- the clamping action of this device helps to prevent sliding of the belt loop along the belt, but does not change the height of the belt loop's throat opening.
- the present inventors have, thus, recognized a need for a belt loop or clip that can be easily adjusted to define a throat opening of a selected height for fitting belts and waistbands of different widths and sizes, and to inhibit tilting.
- a throat opening is bordered by a pair of opposing inner and outer walls that extend downwardly from an upper bridge portion.
- the inner and outer walls of a belt clip preferably have free ends distal of the bridge portion that are resiliently biased toward each other for grasping an item such as a belt or waistband.
- the inner and outer walls preferably define an inverted generally U-shaped structure for attachment to a belt or waistband of a wearer's trousers.
- a lower bridge portion spaced apart from the upper bridge portion spans between the inner and outer walls, so that a closed loop is formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, the upper bridge portion, and the lower bridge portion, collectively, which define a throat opening of the belt loop for receiving a belt.
- a keeper is adjustably mounted to one of the inner and outer walls of a belt hanger (hereinafter the “supporting wall”) and is selectively positionable along the supporting wall to define a height dimension of the throat opening for receiving belts of different heights.
- the throat opening is bounded at its top by the bridge portion, at its front and back by the respective outer and inner walls, and at its bottom by a jaw of the keeper, which extends from the supporting wall toward the opposite wall of the belt loop or belt clip.
- the keeper is interposed between the upper and lower bridge portions to define a selectively positionable upper or lower bound of the throat opening.
- a waistband clip embodiment requires no adjustment of the keeper prior to attachment to a waistband.
- the keeper concentrates the resilient grasping force along a relatively small surface area of the jaw to thereby increase friction and securely grip the waistband of a user's trousers between the jaw and the opposing wall.
- a track is formed along the supporting wall of the belt clip or belt loop.
- a body of the keeper may define one or more channels that fit with the track for supporting the keeper on the supporting wall for sliding movement along the track in the vertical direction.
- At least one of the keeper and the track preferably includes a set of vertically spaced engagement features for engagement with corresponding lock features of the other of the keeper and the track.
- the engagement features and lock features may include detents, stop blocks, notches, tabs, pawls, spring members, ratcheting devices and combinations thereof that interlock to releasably secure the keeper at a selected vertical position along the track.
- the track and engagement features are incorporated in a first unitary structure with the belt loop or belt clip, and the lock features are incorporated in a second unitary structure with the keeper.
- the keeper may be adjustably secured to the supporting wall by a fastener, such as a screw, thereby allowing the keeper to be precisely positioned at any location along the supporting wall.
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a belt clip in accordance with a preferred embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the belt clip of FIG. 1, shown attached to a belt, which is illustrated in broken lines;
- FIG. 3 is an auxiliary rear perspective view of the belt clip of FIG. 1, with a keeper of the belt clip omitted;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the belt clip of FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of opposite sides of the keeper of the belt clip of FIG. 1.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are respective front and rear perspective views of a belt clip 100 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment.
- belt clip 100 is shown attached to a wearer's duty belt 104 , which is illustrated in broken lines.
- belt clip 100 includes a body 110 having an inner wall 112 and an opposing outer wall 114 that are joined by a resilient bridge portion 116 .
- Inner and outer walls 112 and 114 have respective inner and outer free ends 122 and 124 located distal of bridge portion 116 , so as to form an inverted, generally U-shaped structure 126 defining a throat opening 130 .
- Free ends 122 and 124 are biased toward each other so that they will tend to grasp an item placed therebetween and are preferably flared outwardly, as shown, to facilitate sliding installation of belt clip 100 onto a belt 104 or waistband.
- a keeper 140 is slidably mounted to inner wall 112 , as described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, but may also be mounted to outer wall 114 in an alternative embodiment (not shown).
- a belt loop is used in the place of belt clip 100 .
- the belt loop embodiment is similar to the belt clip in that it includes inner and outer walls and an upper bridge portion.
- the belt loop also includes a lower bridge portion spaced apart from the upper bridge portion and spanning between the inner and outer walls, so that a closed loop is formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, the upper bridge portion, and the lower bridge portion, collectively, which define a throat opening of the belt loop for receiving a belt.
- belt hanger is used herein to describe generally belt clips, belt loops, and any other device adapted to be suspended from or attached to a wearer's belt or waistband, thereby forming a base for attachment and/or support of another object, such as a pouch or holster, for example.
- FIG. 3 is an auxiliary view of belt clip 100 of FIG. 1, with keeper 140 omitted for clarity.
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of belt clip 100 .
- body 110 may include an attachment point 148 for securing an object to body 110 .
- attachment point 148 is integrally formed in body 110 in the form of a dovetail style mounting rail 150 that is sized and configured to fit a battery-powered tactical illuminator (not shown) of the type sold under the trade name M3TM by Insight Technology, Inc. of Londonderry, N.H., USA See also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,854.
- Body 110 includes a guard shelf 152 for protecting a lens portion of the tactical illuminator from contact with other objects that might otherwise cause damage to or inadvertent activation of the tactical illuminator.
- Dovetail mounting rail 150 also called a Picatinny rail or WEAVERTM mount
- T-shaped beam 154 includes a T-shaped beam 154 extending vertically along outer wall 114 and multiple rail stops 156 spaced apart along an outer face 158 (FIG. 1) of T-shaped beam 152 to define one or more transverse slots 162 therebetween.
- Attachment point 148 is not limited to the dovetail mounting rail 150 of the preferred embodiment and the term “attachment point” is defined broadly to encompass any means or mechanism for connecting an object to body 110 or supporting an object on body 110 , either directly or indirectly.
- belt clip 100 can be used to carry any of a variety of objects that a user may want to carry on his or her waistband or belt, such as pouches, holsters, weapons, cameras, flashlights, radios, handheld mobile telephones, ammunition magazines, duty gear, stun guns, keys, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), for example.
- PDAs personal digital assistants
- attachment point 148 may include threaded fasteners, hook-and-loop type fasteners, stitching, webbing, or another device that can connect mounting body 110 to a holster, pouch, or other carried object.
- attachment point 148 may include a J-shaped hook for hanging an object from belt clip 100 .
- attachment point 148 is omitted entirely, and belt clip 100 is integrally formed with the pouch, holster, or other object to be carried on the user's belt or waistband.
- Body 110 (including inner and outer walls 112 and 114 , bridge portion 116 , and attachment point 148 ) is preferably a unitary structure that is injection molded of a high-strength thermoplastic resin, such as KYDEXTM brand acrylic/polyvinyl chloride (acrylic/PVC) alloy sold by Kleerdex Company of Aiken, S.C., USA.
- KYDEXTM brand acrylic/polyvinyl chloride (acrylic/PVC) alloy sold by Kleerdex Company of Aiken, S.C., USA.
- Such a simple mold design generates a single mold parting line extending longitudinally along body 110 , including both sides of inner and outer walls 112 and 114 .
- body 110 may be formed using an extrusion method or by using other manufacturing processes and/or materials, for example by stamping of metal such as spring steel.
- keeper 140 is preferably formed as a unitary structure, for example, by injection molding using a resin such as KYDEXTM, by stamping a metal such as steel, or by other means.
- keeper 140 is adjustably mounted to at least one of the inner and outer walls of belt clip 100 , which include at least one supporting wall.
- inner wall 112 is the supporting wall.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of keeper 140 showing an inner side 172 and an outer side 174 of keeper 140 .
- keeper 140 is selectively positionable along inner wall 112 to define a height dimension “H” (FIG. 2) of throat opening 130 .
- Throat opening 130 is bounded at its top by bridge portion 116 , at its front and back by the respective outer and inner walls 114 and 112 , and at its bottom by a jaw 180 of keeper 140 , which extends from the supporting inner wall 112 toward outer wall 114 .
- jaw 180 may interrupt a loop opening that has fixed upper and lower bounds.
- jaw 180 may define a selectably movable lower bound of a throat opening that is bounded at its upper end by a top bridge portion of the belt loop; or jaw 180 may define a selectably movable upper bound of a throat opening that is bounded at its lower end by a bottom bridge portion of the belt loop.
- keeper 140 may serve a purpose other than a lower bound of throat opening 130 in a belt clip.
- jaw 180 preferably includes a ramp portion 184 that provides a lead-in to facilitate sliding of belt clip 100 onto a belt, waistband, or other support strip.
- Jaw 180 also preferably includes a shelf portion 186 extending in a generally horizontal direction, generally perpendicular to inner and outer walls 112 and 114 , to prevent belt clip 100 from inadvertently sliding off the wearer's belt 104 or waistband. Shelf portion 186 may also be inclined in the direction of upper bridge portion 116 to “bite” into the belt 104 or waistband for preventing slippage.
- jaw 180 may prevent belt clip 100 from rocking or twisting relative to belt 104 .
- shelf portion 186 desirably has a width “x” that is wide enough to extend across a substantial portion of inner wall 112 and a depth “d” that is sufficient to span between inner and outer walls 112 and 114 . Depth d may also be sized to maintain a parallel relationship between inner and outer walls 112 and 114 . The spacing of inner and outer walls 112 and 114 may be sufficient to allow belt clip 100 to slide along belt 104 , when desired.
- a clamping device of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,741, at column 3 , line 56 through column 4 , line 31 can be added to belt clip 100 .
- sliding can be prevented by sizing depth d so that inner and outer walls 112 and 114 are clamped firmly against belt 104 .
- Other means of preventing belt clip 100 from sliding along belt 104 may also be incorporated in belt clip 100 .
- Belt clip 100 advantageously may require no adjustment of the vertical position of keeper 140 prior to attachment to a waistband.
- a ridge 188 may be formed on jaw 180 where ramp portion 184 meets shelf portion 186 . Ridge 188 may provide a relatively small surface area where the grasping force of the inner and outer walls 112 and 114 is concentrated when belt clip 100 is clipped to a waistband or other oversize support strip, thereby increasing a frictional resistance to slipping, twisting, rocking, or disengagement of belt clip 100 .
- a track 196 is preferably formed along inner wall 112 of belt clip 100 .
- Track 196 may comprise a pair of rails 198 a and 198 b extending along the edges of inner wall 112 , which are thinner than a central beam 200 of inner wall 112 .
- keeper 140 preferably includes a pair of ears 204 a and 204 b extending from a main section 206 of keeper 140 . Ears 204 a , 204 b and main section 206 are configured to collectively define a channel 210 therebetween that fits with and straddles track 196 .
- Ears 204 a and 204 b ride on respective rails 198 a and 198 b to facilitate sliding movement vertically along track 196 .
- the preferred embodiments are desirably simple and inexpensive to manufacture, requiring two injection molded plastic parts that can be assembled manually or by machine, merely by inserting keeper 140 onto track 196 at inner free end 122 .
- the invention should not be construed as being limited to devices made of such simple 2-piece construction. Nor should the invention be limited to the particular means of assembly and sliding engagement of the preferred embodiment.
- track 196 may include of a slot extending along inner wall 112 and, in place of channel 210 , one or more pins, standoffs or dovetail shaped tabs may extend through the slot to slidably join keeper 140 to inner wall 112 .
- keeper 140 is slidably coupled to outer wall 114 , while keeper engages inner wall 112 to effect selective positioning of keeper 140 .
- keeper is guided by tracks on both inner and outer walls 112 and 114 .
- At least one of the keeper and the track preferably includes a set of vertically spaced engagement features 216 for engagement with corresponding lock features 230 of the other of the keeper and the track.
- the engagement features 216 and lock features 230 may include detents, stop blocks, notches, tabs, pawls, spring members, ratcheting devices and other structures, including combinations thereof, that interlock to releasably secure the keeper at a selected vertical position along the track.
- track 196 preferably includes a set of engagement features 216 in the form of corresponding sets of left and right notches 220 a and 220 b formed in spaced apart relation along respective rails 198 a and 198 b .
- Engagement features 216 may be molded into body 110 as a unitary structure with body 110 for simplicity of manufacture and economy.
- lock features 230 are preferably formed as a unitary structure with keeper 140 .
- Lock features 230 may include first and second outwardly extending cantilever arms 234 a and 234 b that extend laterally from main section 206 of keeper 140 .
- First and second stops 236 a and 236 b are formed at the ends of cantilever arms 234 a and 234 b and sized to seat in and engage notches 220 a and 220 b , respectively, to secure keeper at a selected one of a plurality of discrete vertical positions along track 196 .
- First and second thumb pads 238 a and 238 b are provided at distal ends of cantilever arms 234 a and 234 b , respectively, to facilitate manual disengagement of stops 236 a and 236 b simultaneously by flexing of cantilever arms 234 a and 234 b , and without the use of tools.
- each of the sets of notches 220 a and 220 b is spaced apart at 1 ⁇ 4-inch (0.64 cm) intervals to facilitate adjustment of the position of keeper 140 in 1 ⁇ 4 inch (0.64 cm) increments ranging from 11 ⁇ 4 inches (3.2 cm) to 21 ⁇ 4 inches (5.7 cm), to accommodate various belt widths.
- the 1 ⁇ 4-inch (0.64 cm) intervals of notches 220 a and 220 b allow belt clip 100 of the preferred embodiment to fit a 11 ⁇ 4 inch (3.2 cm) dress belt, a 11 ⁇ 2 inch (3.8 cm) pant belt, a 11 ⁇ 2 inch (4.4 cm) garrison belt, a 2 inch (5.1 cm) ULTRA® belt made by Michaels of Oregon Co., Oregon City, Oreg., USA, and a 21 ⁇ 4 inch (5.7 cm) duty belt.
- engagement features 216 and lock features 230 can be spaced more or less closely and can have a wider or small range of adjustment, if desired.
- engagement features 216 and lock features 230 can be reversed so that engagement features 216 are spaced apart along keeper 140 and lock features 230 are located on body 110 .
- keeper 140 may be adjustably secured to the supporting wall by a fastener, such as a set screw or bolt, thereby allowing keeper 140 to be precisely positioned at any location along the supporting wall, without limiting the position of keeper 140 to only the ones corresponding to the fixed engagement features of the preferred embodiment.
- keeper 140 is adjustably secured to the supporting wall by way of a friction jamb, for example a wedge, cam, lever, or other device that can be interposed between keeper 140 and the supporting wall to increase frictional forces and thereby prevent vertical movement of keeper 140 along the supporting wall.
- a friction jamb device can also be formed directly in keeper 140 , the supporting wall, and/or another part of the belt clip 100 . Friction jamb devices may also include a high friction material, such as rubber or a rubber-like material.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/424,538, filed Nov. 6, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference.
- This application relates to belt clips and belt loops for supporting an object on a wearer's belt or waistband.
- Belt clips having an inverted U-shaped profile are known for grasping a belt or waistband. Such clips are commonly mounted to an object for supporting the object on a person's belt or waistband and may include a spring element for grasping the waistband or belt. Because such clips are not bounded at their lower ends, they are subject to tilting on the belt or waistband, especially under the influence of a lateral force or torque applied to the clip or the object being supported by the clip.
- Similarly, belt loops are known devices for suspending a pouch or holster from a belt, such as a duty belt of the type commonly used by law enforcement officers. A belt loop large enough to fit a 2 inch (5.1 cm) wide duty belt, for example, is subject to tilting when used with a belt of shorter height, such as a 1¼ inch (3.2 cm) wide dress belt. When such a belt loop is used to support a handgun holster on the belt of a law enforcement officer, for example, a loose fit can allow tilting of the loop on the officer's belt and may adversely affect the officer's ability to quickly and cleanly draw the handgun from the holster when needed.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,741 of French, which is owned by the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference, describes a belt loop having a pair of flexible elongated securement members extending downwardly along an inner wall of the belt loop and coupled, via a pair of threaded fasteners, to an opposing outer wall of the belt loop. When the fasteners are tightened, the securement members are drawn toward the outer wall to clamp a belt between the securement members and the outer wall. The clamping action of this device helps to prevent sliding of the belt loop along the belt, but does not change the height of the belt loop's throat opening.
- The present inventors have, thus, recognized a need for a belt loop or clip that can be easily adjusted to define a throat opening of a selected height for fitting belts and waistbands of different widths and sizes, and to inhibit tilting.
- In a belt hanger device such as a belt clip or belt loop, a throat opening is bordered by a pair of opposing inner and outer walls that extend downwardly from an upper bridge portion. The inner and outer walls of a belt clip preferably have free ends distal of the bridge portion that are resiliently biased toward each other for grasping an item such as a belt or waistband. Together with the bridge portion, the inner and outer walls preferably define an inverted generally U-shaped structure for attachment to a belt or waistband of a wearer's trousers. In a belt loop embodiment, a lower bridge portion spaced apart from the upper bridge portion spans between the inner and outer walls, so that a closed loop is formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, the upper bridge portion, and the lower bridge portion, collectively, which define a throat opening of the belt loop for receiving a belt.
- In accordance with the invention, a keeper is adjustably mounted to one of the inner and outer walls of a belt hanger (hereinafter the “supporting wall”) and is selectively positionable along the supporting wall to define a height dimension of the throat opening for receiving belts of different heights. The throat opening is bounded at its top by the bridge portion, at its front and back by the respective outer and inner walls, and at its bottom by a jaw of the keeper, which extends from the supporting wall toward the opposite wall of the belt loop or belt clip. In a belt loop embodiment, the keeper is interposed between the upper and lower bridge portions to define a selectively positionable upper or lower bound of the throat opening.
- A waistband clip embodiment requires no adjustment of the keeper prior to attachment to a waistband. The keeper concentrates the resilient grasping force along a relatively small surface area of the jaw to thereby increase friction and securely grip the waistband of a user's trousers between the jaw and the opposing wall.
- In a preferred embodiment, a track is formed along the supporting wall of the belt clip or belt loop. A body of the keeper may define one or more channels that fit with the track for supporting the keeper on the supporting wall for sliding movement along the track in the vertical direction. At least one of the keeper and the track preferably includes a set of vertically spaced engagement features for engagement with corresponding lock features of the other of the keeper and the track. The engagement features and lock features may include detents, stop blocks, notches, tabs, pawls, spring members, ratcheting devices and combinations thereof that interlock to releasably secure the keeper at a selected vertical position along the track. Preferably, the track and engagement features are incorporated in a first unitary structure with the belt loop or belt clip, and the lock features are incorporated in a second unitary structure with the keeper. In alternative embodiments, the keeper may be adjustably secured to the supporting wall by a fastener, such as a screw, thereby allowing the keeper to be precisely positioned at any location along the supporting wall.
- Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a belt clip in accordance with a preferred embodiment;
- FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the belt clip of FIG. 1, shown attached to a belt, which is illustrated in broken lines;
- FIG. 3 is an auxiliary rear perspective view of the belt clip of FIG. 1, with a keeper of the belt clip omitted;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the belt clip of FIG. 1; and
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of opposite sides of the keeper of the belt clip of FIG. 1.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are respective front and rear perspective views of a
belt clip 100 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment. In FIG. 2,belt clip 100 is shown attached to a wearer'sduty belt 104, which is illustrated in broken lines. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2,belt clip 100 includes abody 110 having aninner wall 112 and an opposingouter wall 114 that are joined by aresilient bridge portion 116. Inner andouter walls free ends bridge portion 116, so as to form an inverted, generally U-shapedstructure 126 defining a throat opening 130.Free ends belt clip 100 onto abelt 104 or waistband. Akeeper 140 is slidably mounted toinner wall 112, as described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, but may also be mounted toouter wall 114 in an alternative embodiment (not shown). - In a second preferred embodiment, a belt loop is used in the place of
belt clip 100. The belt loop embodiment is similar to the belt clip in that it includes inner and outer walls and an upper bridge portion. However, the belt loop also includes a lower bridge portion spaced apart from the upper bridge portion and spanning between the inner and outer walls, so that a closed loop is formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, the upper bridge portion, and the lower bridge portion, collectively, which define a throat opening of the belt loop for receiving a belt. For convenience, the term “belt hanger” is used herein to describe generally belt clips, belt loops, and any other device adapted to be suspended from or attached to a wearer's belt or waistband, thereby forming a base for attachment and/or support of another object, such as a pouch or holster, for example. - FIG. 3 is an auxiliary view of
belt clip 100 of FIG. 1, withkeeper 140 omitted for clarity. FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective view ofbelt clip 100. With reference to FIGS. 1-4,body 110 may include anattachment point 148 for securing an object tobody 110. In the embodiment shown,attachment point 148 is integrally formed inbody 110 in the form of a dovetailstyle mounting rail 150 that is sized and configured to fit a battery-powered tactical illuminator (not shown) of the type sold under the trade name M3™ by Insight Technology, Inc. of Londonderry, N.H., USA See also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,854.Body 110 includes aguard shelf 152 for protecting a lens portion of the tactical illuminator from contact with other objects that might otherwise cause damage to or inadvertent activation of the tactical illuminator. Dovetail mounting rail 150 (also called a Picatinny rail or WEAVER™ mount) includes a T-shaped beam 154 extending vertically alongouter wall 114 andmultiple rail stops 156 spaced apart along an outer face 158 (FIG. 1) of T-shaped beam 152 to define one or moretransverse slots 162 therebetween. -
Attachment point 148 is not limited to thedovetail mounting rail 150 of the preferred embodiment and the term “attachment point” is defined broadly to encompass any means or mechanism for connecting an object tobody 110 or supporting an object onbody 110, either directly or indirectly. Furthermore,belt clip 100 can be used to carry any of a variety of objects that a user may want to carry on his or her waistband or belt, such as pouches, holsters, weapons, cameras, flashlights, radios, handheld mobile telephones, ammunition magazines, duty gear, stun guns, keys, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), for example. In alternative embodiments (not shown),attachment point 148 may include threaded fasteners, hook-and-loop type fasteners, stitching, webbing, or another device that can connect mountingbody 110 to a holster, pouch, or other carried object. In yet other embodiments,attachment point 148 may include a J-shaped hook for hanging an object frombelt clip 100. In still other embodiments,attachment point 148 is omitted entirely, andbelt clip 100 is integrally formed with the pouch, holster, or other object to be carried on the user's belt or waistband. - Body110 (including inner and
outer walls bridge portion 116, and attachment point 148) is preferably a unitary structure that is injection molded of a high-strength thermoplastic resin, such as KYDEX™ brand acrylic/polyvinyl chloride (acrylic/PVC) alloy sold by Kleerdex Company of Aiken, S.C., USA. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is designed for moldability to avoid the need in the mold for slides and other expensive high-maintenance tooling components that are sometimes required for molding of parts having more complex configurations. Such a simple mold design generates a single mold parting line extending longitudinally alongbody 110, including both sides of inner andouter walls body 110 may be formed using an extrusion method or by using other manufacturing processes and/or materials, for example by stamping of metal such as spring steel. Similarly,keeper 140 is preferably formed as a unitary structure, for example, by injection molding using a resin such as KYDEX™, by stamping a metal such as steel, or by other means. - As noted above,
keeper 140 is adjustably mounted to at least one of the inner and outer walls ofbelt clip 100, which include at least one supporting wall. In the preferred embodiment shown,inner wall 112 is the supporting wall. FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views ofkeeper 140 showing an inner side 172 and an outer side 174 ofkeeper 140. With reference to FIGS. 1-6keeper 140 is selectively positionable alonginner wall 112 to define a height dimension “H” (FIG. 2) ofthroat opening 130.Throat opening 130 is bounded at its top bybridge portion 116, at its front and back by the respective outer andinner walls jaw 180 ofkeeper 140, which extends from the supportinginner wall 112 towardouter wall 114. - In alternative embodiments, such as a belt loop (not shown),
jaw 180 may interrupt a loop opening that has fixed upper and lower bounds. In such alternative embodiments,jaw 180 may define a selectably movable lower bound of a throat opening that is bounded at its upper end by a top bridge portion of the belt loop; orjaw 180 may define a selectably movable upper bound of a throat opening that is bounded at its lower end by a bottom bridge portion of the belt loop. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatkeeper 140 may serve a purpose other than a lower bound of throat opening 130 in a belt clip. - With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6,
jaw 180 preferably includes aramp portion 184 that provides a lead-in to facilitate sliding ofbelt clip 100 onto a belt, waistband, or other support strip.Jaw 180 also preferably includes ashelf portion 186 extending in a generally horizontal direction, generally perpendicular to inner andouter walls belt clip 100 from inadvertently sliding off the wearer'sbelt 104 or waistband.Shelf portion 186 may also be inclined in the direction ofupper bridge portion 116 to “bite” into thebelt 104 or waistband for preventing slippage. Advantageously, whenkeeper 140 is adjusted so that the height H ofthroat opening 130 is closely matched to a width “W” of belt 104 (also referred to as the belt “height”),jaw 180 may preventbelt clip 100 from rocking or twisting relative to belt 104. To help prevent rocking,shelf portion 186 desirably has a width “x” that is wide enough to extend across a substantial portion ofinner wall 112 and a depth “d” that is sufficient to span between inner andouter walls outer walls outer walls belt clip 100 to slide alongbelt 104, when desired. If sliding is not desired, a clamping device of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,741, at column 3, line 56 through column 4, line 31, for example, can be added tobelt clip 100. Alternatively, sliding can be prevented by sizing depth d so that inner andouter walls belt 104. Other means of preventingbelt clip 100 from sliding alongbelt 104 may also be incorporated inbelt clip 100. -
Belt clip 100 advantageously may require no adjustment of the vertical position ofkeeper 140 prior to attachment to a waistband. To further facilitate use ofbelt clip 100 with a waistband, aridge 188 may be formed onjaw 180 whereramp portion 184 meetsshelf portion 186.Ridge 188 may provide a relatively small surface area where the grasping force of the inner andouter walls belt clip 100 is clipped to a waistband or other oversize support strip, thereby increasing a frictional resistance to slipping, twisting, rocking, or disengagement ofbelt clip 100. - Turning again to FIGS.1-4, a
track 196 is preferably formed alonginner wall 112 ofbelt clip 100.Track 196 may comprise a pair ofrails inner wall 112, which are thinner than acentral beam 200 ofinner wall 112. With reference to FIGS. 4-6,keeper 140 preferably includes a pair ofears main section 206 ofkeeper 140.Ears main section 206 are configured to collectively define achannel 210 therebetween that fits with and straddlestrack 196.Ears respective rails track 196. The preferred embodiments are desirably simple and inexpensive to manufacture, requiring two injection molded plastic parts that can be assembled manually or by machine, merely by insertingkeeper 140 ontotrack 196 at innerfree end 122. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to devices made of such simple 2-piece construction. Nor should the invention be limited to the particular means of assembly and sliding engagement of the preferred embodiment. - In alternative embodiments (not shown), other structures may be used in place of
track 196 andchannel 210 to facilitate adjustable movement ofkeeper 140 alongouter wall 114. For example, track 196 may include of a slot extending alonginner wall 112 and, in place ofchannel 210, one or more pins, standoffs or dovetail shaped tabs may extend through the slot to slidably joinkeeper 140 toinner wall 112. In yet other embodiments (not shown),keeper 140 is slidably coupled toouter wall 114, while keeper engagesinner wall 112 to effect selective positioning ofkeeper 140. In still further embodiments (not shown), keeper is guided by tracks on both inner andouter walls - At least one of the keeper and the track preferably includes a set of vertically spaced engagement features216 for engagement with corresponding lock features 230 of the other of the keeper and the track. The engagement features 216 and lock features 230 may include detents, stop blocks, notches, tabs, pawls, spring members, ratcheting devices and other structures, including combinations thereof, that interlock to releasably secure the keeper at a selected vertical position along the track. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, track 196 preferably includes a set of engagement features 216 in the form of corresponding sets of left and
right notches respective rails body 110 as a unitary structure withbody 110 for simplicity of manufacture and economy. - With reference to FIGS. 1, 2,5 and 6, lock features 230 are preferably formed as a unitary structure with
keeper 140. Lock features 230 may include first and second outwardly extendingcantilever arms main section 206 ofkeeper 140. First andsecond stops cantilever arms notches track 196. First andsecond thumb pads cantilever arms stops cantilever arms - Preferably, each of the sets of
notches keeper 140 in ¼ inch (0.64 cm) increments ranging from 1¼ inches (3.2 cm) to 2¼ inches (5.7 cm), to accommodate various belt widths. For example, the ¼-inch (0.64 cm) intervals ofnotches belt clip 100 of the preferred embodiment to fit a 1¼ inch (3.2 cm) dress belt, a 1½ inch (3.8 cm) pant belt, a 1½ inch (4.4 cm) garrison belt, a 2 inch (5.1 cm) ULTRA® belt made by Michaels of Oregon Co., Oregon City, Oreg., USA, and a 2¼ inch (5.7 cm) duty belt. Skilled persons will appreciate that engagement features 216 and lock features 230 can be spaced more or less closely and can have a wider or small range of adjustment, if desired. Furthermore, engagement features 216 and lock features 230 can be reversed so that engagement features 216 are spaced apart alongkeeper 140 and lock features 230 are located onbody 110. - In alternative embodiments (not shown),
keeper 140 may be adjustably secured to the supporting wall by a fastener, such as a set screw or bolt, thereby allowingkeeper 140 to be precisely positioned at any location along the supporting wall, without limiting the position ofkeeper 140 to only the ones corresponding to the fixed engagement features of the preferred embodiment. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown),keeper 140 is adjustably secured to the supporting wall by way of a friction jamb, for example a wedge, cam, lever, or other device that can be interposed betweenkeeper 140 and the supporting wall to increase frictional forces and thereby prevent vertical movement ofkeeper 140 along the supporting wall. Such a friction jamb device can also be formed directly inkeeper 140, the supporting wall, and/or another part of thebelt clip 100. Friction jamb devices may also include a high friction material, such as rubber or a rubber-like material. - It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.
Claims (32)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/704,202 US20040134945A1 (en) | 2002-11-06 | 2003-11-06 | Throat height adjustment in a belt loop or belt clip |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US42453802P | 2002-11-06 | 2002-11-06 | |
US10/704,202 US20040134945A1 (en) | 2002-11-06 | 2003-11-06 | Throat height adjustment in a belt loop or belt clip |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040134945A1 true US20040134945A1 (en) | 2004-07-15 |
Family
ID=32312828
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/704,202 Abandoned US20040134945A1 (en) | 2002-11-06 | 2003-11-06 | Throat height adjustment in a belt loop or belt clip |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040134945A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003287623A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004043187A2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004071231A2 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2004-08-26 | Rassias John N | Adjustable stabilizing belt attachment assembly |
US20070220718A1 (en) * | 2006-03-27 | 2007-09-27 | Kurt Eldracher | Personal audio device accessory |
US7314152B1 (en) * | 2004-05-28 | 2008-01-01 | Garrett Gregg A | Holster for a gun |
US20080019552A1 (en) * | 2006-03-27 | 2008-01-24 | Kurt Eldracher | Personal audio device accessory |
US20100264177A1 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2010-10-21 | Safariland, Llc | Adjustable belt mount for securing articles to belts of varying width |
US7866515B1 (en) * | 2004-02-12 | 2011-01-11 | Blackhawk Industries Product Group Unlimited Llc | Paddle platform |
US20140310855A1 (en) * | 2013-04-17 | 2014-10-23 | Norman E. Clifton, Jr. | Expandable Belt Loop |
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2003
- 2003-11-06 AU AU2003287623A patent/AU2003287623A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-11-06 WO PCT/US2003/035874 patent/WO2004043187A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-11-06 US US10/704,202 patent/US20040134945A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004071231A2 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2004-08-26 | Rassias John N | Adjustable stabilizing belt attachment assembly |
WO2004071231A3 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2005-06-02 | John N Rassias | Adjustable stabilizing belt attachment assembly |
US7866515B1 (en) * | 2004-02-12 | 2011-01-11 | Blackhawk Industries Product Group Unlimited Llc | Paddle platform |
US7314152B1 (en) * | 2004-05-28 | 2008-01-01 | Garrett Gregg A | Holster for a gun |
US20070220718A1 (en) * | 2006-03-27 | 2007-09-27 | Kurt Eldracher | Personal audio device accessory |
US20080019552A1 (en) * | 2006-03-27 | 2008-01-24 | Kurt Eldracher | Personal audio device accessory |
US7848512B2 (en) | 2006-03-27 | 2010-12-07 | Kurt Eldracher | Personal audio device accessory |
US20100264177A1 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2010-10-21 | Safariland, Llc | Adjustable belt mount for securing articles to belts of varying width |
US8770455B2 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2014-07-08 | Safariland, Llc | Adjustable belt mount for securing articles to belts of varying width |
US20140310855A1 (en) * | 2013-04-17 | 2014-10-23 | Norman E. Clifton, Jr. | Expandable Belt Loop |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2004043187A2 (en) | 2004-05-27 |
WO2004043187A3 (en) | 2004-07-08 |
AU2003287623A1 (en) | 2004-06-03 |
AU2003287623A8 (en) | 2004-06-03 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MICHAELS OF OREGON CO., OREGON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KINCAID, ROBERT;GREGORY, THOMAS M.;REEL/FRAME:015111/0814;SIGNING DATES FROM 20031217 TO 20031219 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: SECOND AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.;MIKE'S HOLDING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:015098/0441 Effective date: 20040827 |
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Owner name: ANTARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT, ILLINOIS Free format text: RELEASE AND ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNORS:MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.;MIKE'S HOLDING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:016470/0212 Effective date: 20050819 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MICHAELS OF OREGON CO., KANSAS Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR AND ASSIGNEE NAMES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 016470 FRAME 0212;ASSIGNORS:GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS SUBSEQUENT COLLATERAL AGENT;U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ORIGINAL COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:016489/0096 Effective date: 20050819 Owner name: MIKE'S HOLDING COMPANY, KANSAS Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR AND ASSIGNEE NAMES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 016470 FRAME 0212;ASSIGNORS:GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS SUBSEQUENT COLLATERAL AGENT;U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ORIGINAL COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:016489/0096 Effective date: 20050819 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |