US20130228601A1

US20130228601A1 - Ankle Holster

Info

Publication number: US20130228601A1
Application number: US13/785,404
Authority: US
Inventors: David M. Velarde
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-05
Filing date: 2013-03-05
Publication date: 2013-09-05
Also published as: US20130231598A1

Abstract

An ankle holster is disclosed herein. A foot portion is provided which is shaped to extend beneath at least a portion of an underside of a foot. A leg portion is provided which is movably connected to the foot portion. The leg portion is shaped to surround at least a portion of a leg. A mounting means is provided for mounting a holster to the leg portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/603,566, filed Sep. 5, 2012, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,704, filed on Mar. 5, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/638,870, filed on Apr. 26, 2012, each of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to an ankle holster for securing an object, such as for example a firearm or other object, to an ankle of a wearer, and more particularly, to an ankle holster having apparatus for providing bracing support to the ankle and for limiting movement of the holster in relation to the ankle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous designs of carrying devices for securing tools and other articles to a body of a person are known in the art. For example, in the field of firearms and firearm accessories, it is known to provide a holster or other similar carrying device to secure a firearm or accessory to the body of a user, for example to facilitate hands-free carrying of the firearm or firearm accessory. The term “holster” is often used to refer specifically to a carrying device for securing a firearm, and in particular a handgun, to the body of a user. However, as used herein, the term “holster” will be understood to include a carrying device for securing arty of a number of articles, such as for example firearms, ammunition, ammunition magazines, flashlights, knives, hand tools, navigation devices, communication devices, aiming devices, personal protection devices, non-lethal weapons, handcuffs and other restraint devices, personal documents, etc. For convenience, the term “article” as used herein will be understood to include any of a number of articles, including but not limited to the above-discussed articles, which a user may desire to secure to the user's body.
Ankle holsters for securing articles, and in particular firearms, to an ankle of a person are usually designed with a strap or belt to wrap around the ankle of the lower leg of the person, often just above the protruding ankle bone. Firearms are relatively heavy items, and when secured in these types of ankle holsters, they have a tendency to sling around during the articulated movement of the lower leg, especially when the wearer is engaging in intense physical activity such as running, kicking, crawling, etc. Thus, unless the ankle holster is secured tightly against the lower leg, shifting of the ankle holster and associated firearm may occur. Such shifting can result in compromised support of the ankle joint, impairing smooth articulated movement of the wearer's leg and leading to discomfort and/or injury to the wearer. Such shifting can also result in decreased accessibility of the item carried in the holster by the user. In the case of a firearm secured in the holster, it is important for fast access and drawing of the firearm that the holster remain at a fixed position in relation to the leg, so that when a hand reaches down to withdraw the firearm, the firearm is in the fixed position in relation to the leg as expected by the wearer. In the case of so-called “retention holsters,” in which the holster is made to fit a firearm snugly to establish a releasable frictional connection between the firearm and the holster, shifting of the holster along the length of the wearer's leg can impede, and even prevent, drawing of the firearm from the holster.
To discourage shifting of an ankle holster and associated firearm in relation to the wearer's leg, it is customary to secure the belt or wrap of the ankle holster very tightly around the leg, often times so tightly that vascular circulation to the wearer's ankle and foot is constricted or restricted. Such tight securement of the ankle holster can result in discomfort to the user, such as for example by allowing the firearm and/or holster to dig into the skin and flesh in the wearer's leg. Such discomfort can be significant, and can even result in physical injury, and is especially likely when the ankle holster is worn for extended periods of time or through intense physical activity.
In light of the above, there is a need in the art for a holster which allows securement of a firearm or other article to an ankle portion of a leg of a wearer, and which provides support to the ankle of the user while limiting movement of the holster in relation to the wearer's leg. Furthermore, there is a need for an ankle holster which limits movement of the holster along the length of the wearer's leg during removal of an article from the holster, but which also allows for increased comfort to the wearer of the holster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially-exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the foot portion of the ankle holster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top down view of the foot portion of the ankle holster of FIG. 1, showing the attachment members of the foot portion in a flattened configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the foot portion of the ankle holster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 perspective view of the ankle holster of FIG. 1, showing a holster exploded therefrom and ankle wraps secured thereto;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 7 is a partially-exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the ankle holster of FIG. 1 worn on a leg of a wearer, with a holster and associated firearm mounted thereon;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of an ankle holster worn on a leg of a wearer, with a pair of holsters and associated firearm magazine and handcuffs mounted thereon;

FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a holster for use in carrying a cellular device; and

FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a holster for use in carrying personal documents.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept, an ankle holster for securing an article to an ankle portion of a leg of a wearer while providing support to the ankle of the wearer and limiting movement of the holster in relation to the wearer's leg is disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the ankle holster 10 includes generally a foot portion 12 movably, and preferably rotatably, connected to a leg portion 14 by attachment members 16, 18. As will be further discussed below, at least one holster 20 (see FIG. 5) is secured along an exterior surface of the leg portion 14 by suitable fasteners, such that an article 64 may be retained within the holster 20 when a wearer's leg and foot are disposed within the leg portion 14 and foot portion 12, respectively, and thereby held against the wearer's leg for convenient access thereto by the wearer.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the foot portion 12 includes a foot plate 22 which is generally sized and shaped to extend along a bottom portion of a wearer's foot beneath the wearer's ankle (not shown). In one embodiment, the foot plate 22 is defined by a fiat plate of substantially rigid material. In another embodiment, the foot plate 22 is defined by a panel of flexible material, such as for example fabric, plastic, or the like. In yet another embodiment, the foot plate 22 is defined by a panel having a shape which is generally contoured to a portion of an underside of a wearer's foot. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, first and second attachment members 16, 18, are secured at first ends 28, 30 thereof to opposite medial 24 and lateral 26 sides of the foot plate 22 and are configured to extend upwardly from the foot plate 22 along opposite medial and lateral sides of the wearer's ankle. In the illustrated embodiment, respective first ends 28, 30 of the first and second attachment members 16, 18 are secured to respective medial and lateral sides 24, 26 of the foot plate 22 by integral connection, and both the foot plate 22 and attachment members 16 are formed from a flexible material. Thus, in the present embodiment, the first and second attachment members 16, 18 may flex in relation to the foot plate 22. It will be understood that other suitable connections exist which may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), respective first ends 28, 30 of the first and second attachment members 16, 18 are secured to respective medial and lateral sides 24, 26 of the foot plate 22 by suitable hinges, such that the first and second attachment members 16, 18 are rotatable about respective first ends 28, 30 in relation to the foot plate 22. In another embodiment (not shown), the attachment members 16, 18 are fabricated from a rigid, material, such that the attachment members 16, 18 are fixed with respect to the foot plate 22.
In several embodiments, the first and second attachment members 16, 18 are configured such that they may conform to a wearer's ankle. For example, as discussed above, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a foot portion 12 wherein the foot plate 22 and attachment members 16, 18 are integrally formed of flexible and elastomeric material. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the first and second attachment members 16, 18 are asymmetrically provided along the foot plate 22 such that they are offset from one another with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the foot plate 22. Stated differently, the first and second attachment members 16, 18 each define first and second sides 74, 76, 78, 80, respectively. The first sides 74, 78 of the respective first and second attachment members 16, 18 are offset from one another by a longitudinal offset distance 82 with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the foot plate 22. In certain embodiments, the longitudinal offset distance 82 may be approximately one centimeter in order to accommodate the ankle bones of the wearer and maximize the comfort experienced by the wearer. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that the longitudinal offset distance may vary considerably without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the foot portion 12 of FIG. 1. As is shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the first and second attachment members 16, 18 are of different lengths. More specifically, in the several embodiments, one of the first and second attachment members 16, 18 defines a longer length dimension than the length dimension defined by the other attachment member 18, 16. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the medial side attachment member 16 is approximately one centimeter longer than the lateral side attachment member 18. In other embodiments, the first and second attachment members 16, 18 are equal in length.
In the illustrated embodiment, the foot portion 12 conforms to the right foot and ankle of a wearer. One of skill in the art will recognize that the wearer's medial malleolus may frequently be disposed forward of and higher than the wearer's lateral malleolus. Thus, the presently illustrated example embodiment foot portion 12 is designed to accommodate this arrangement by its longitudinal offset distance 82 and the difference in length of the attachment members 16, 18. Because the first attachment member 16 provided to the medial side 26 of the foot plate 22 is disposed forward of the second attachment member 18 provided to the lateral side 24 of the foot plate 22, the foot portion 12 may conform to the wearer's ankle having a medial malleolus forward of the lateral malleolus. Further, because the medial side attachment member 16 is longer than the lateral side attachment member 18, the foot portion 12 may conform to the wearer's ankle having a medial malleolus superior to their lateral malleolus. In other words, the medial side attachment member 16 may be positioned to extend substantially over the wearer's leading and superior medial malleolus, while the lateral side attachment member 18 may be positioned to extend substantially over the wearer's following and inferior lateral malleolus. It will be understood that the above-described configuration may be reversed to conform to a wearer's left foot without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. One of skill in the art will also recognize that the any and all arrangements, dimensions, and/or orientations discussed herein, including the lengths of the respective first and second attachment members, as well as their positions relative to one another and the foot plate 22, are merely example embodiments of the present general inventive concept. Accordingly, the disclosed arrangements, dimensions, and/or orientations may be modified without departing from the scope or spirit of the present general inventive concept.
With reference to FIG. 3, in several embodiments, notches 84 are defined along the foot plate 12 on opposing sides of the first ends 28, 30 of each attachment member 16, 18 to further enable the foot portion 12 to conform to the wearer's ankle and foot. Such notches 84 allow the first and second attachment members 16, 18 to conform to and extend up the wearer's ankle while also permitting the foot plate 22 to conform to the sole of the wearer's foot. In certain embodiments, respective inner surfaces of the attachment members 16, 18 may further include a series of alternating ridges and grooves 86 proximate the first ends 28, 30 of the first and second attachment members 16, 18. The ridges and grooves 86 act to maintain the flexible nature of, while also providing strength to, the attachment members 16, 18, and further serve to discourage the attachment members 16, 18 from flaring out away from the wearer's ankle during use. While the illustrated embodiment depicts both notches 84 and alternating ridges and grooves 86, it will be understood that the foot plate 12 may be constructed to include either, both, or none of these features without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 5, in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept, in one embodiment the leg portion 14 includes a lateral upright plate 36 sized and shaped to conform to a lateral region of a leg of a wearer, and a medial upright plate 38 sized and shaped to conform to an opposite medial region of the same leg of the wearer. As discussed above, in the illustrated embodiment, the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 are disposed asymmetrically with respect to one another, such that the ankle holster 10 is configured to fit either a right or left leg of a wearer, but not both. In other embodiments, the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 are disposed symmetrically with respect to one another, such that the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 are effectively interchangeable. In these embodiments, the ankle holster 10 may be reversible such that it may be worn on either the right or left leg of the wearer.
The leg portion 14 further includes a plurality of adjustable wraps 40 configured to secure the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 in place against the leg of the wearer. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 each define a plurality of slots 42 extending along opposite front 44 and rear 46 edges of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38. The slots 42 are configured in relation to one another along the front and rear edges 44, 46 of the plates 36, 38 such that the slots 42 may receive therethrough one or more flexible wraps 40 (see FIG. 2), thereby joining the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 along the front and rear edges 44, 46 thereof and allowing the combined plates 36, 38 and wraps 40 to substantially surround a calf portion of a wearer's leg (see FIGS. 6 and 7). In one embodiment, two slots 42 are disposed along each front and rear edge 44, 46 of each plate 36, 38, and each slot 42 of each plate 36, 38 is aligned to correspond with an opposite slot 42 of the other plate 36, 38. In this embodiment, one wrap 40 is provided to be received through and extend between each pair of corresponding slots 42. However, those of skill in the art will recognize other configurations for the slots 42 and wraps 40 which may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In several embodiments, each wrap 40 is fabricated from a flexible, quick release fastener material, such as for example hook and loop fabric, belt with suitable latch, etc.
In several embodiments, the positioning of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 in relation to the foot portion 12 is adjustable. For example, in some embodiments, each of the respective second ends 32, 34 of the first and second attachment members 16, 18 is movably, and preferably rotatably, connected to one of respective lower ends 37, 39 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each of the first and second attachment members 16, 18 is rotatably connected to one of respective lower ends 37, 39 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 by suitable hinges 48. In other embodiments, the position of attachment between the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 and the attachment members 16, 18 is adjustable along the attachment member second ends 32, 34, such that the overall length of the ankle holster 10 is selectively adjustable. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of an ankle holster 10′, in which the foot plate 22′ and attachment members 16′, 18′ are fabricated from a flexible material, such that the attachment members 16′, 18′ are flexible about the foot plate 22′. In this embodiment, each of the first and second attachment member second ends 32′, 34′ is receivable within an appropriate slot 41 defined by the lower ends 37′, 39′ of the lateral and medial plates 36′, 38′, such that the first and second attachment member second ends 32′, 34′ may be secured to one of respective lower ends 37′, 39′ of the lateral and medial plates 36′, 38′ by a suitable fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, adhesive, or the like. Thus, the effective distance between the foot plate 22′ and the lateral and medial plates 36′, 38′ may be selectively adjusted by adjusting the degree of insertion of the first and second attachment member second ends 32′, 34′ within the corresponding slots 41.
FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of an ankle holster 10″. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, a plurality of through openings 50 are defined along each attachment member second end 32″, 34″, each through opening 50 being adapted to removably receive the hinge 48 of the corresponding plate 36, 38 therein, such that the position of the rotatable connection between each plate 36, 38 and its respective attachment member 16″, 18″ is adjustable along the attachment member second end 32″, 34″ by repositioning the hinges 48 from one through opening 50 to another. Those skilled in the art will recognize other devices for allowing adjustability of the positioning of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 in relation to the foot portion 12, and such devices may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Referring again to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, at least one padded lining 58 is provided along inner surfaces 60, 62 of the plates 36, 38 to improve comfort of the ankle holster 10 to the wearer. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a padded lining 58 is provided along each inner surface 60, 62 of each plate 36, 38. Each padded lining 58 is sized and shaped to conform generally along its corresponding inner surface 60, 62, and also to conform along associated portions of the wearer's leg. In certain embodiments, each padded lining 58 is fixed along its associated plate inner surface 60, 62 as by adhesive or other suitable fastener. In other embodiments, each padded lining 58 is removably secured along its associated plate inner surface 60, 62 as by suitable releasable fasteners, such as for example hook and loop fasteners, frictional connections, snaps, or the like. It will be understood that other fasteners exist which are suitable for securing the at least one padded lining 58 along the plate inner surfaces 60, 62. Furthermore, it will be understood that inclusion of the at least one padded lining 58 is not necessary to accomplish the ankle holster 10 of the present general inventive concept.
As discussed above, at least one outer surface 52, 54 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 of the leg portion 14 of the ankle holster 10 is adapted to carry a holster 20 secured thereto. In some embodiments, the holster is fixed against a corresponding outer surface of the lateral and medial plates. In other embodiments, the holster 20 is removably secured against a respective outer surface 52, 54 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 5, a mounting bracket 56 is provided which is adapted to be secured to at least one outer surface 52, 54 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38. The mounting bracket 56 is also sized and shaped to allow mounting of a holster 20 thereto. In several embodiments, the mounting bracket 56 defines suitable fasteners to assist in fastening the mounting bracket 56 to at least one holster 20. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the mounting bracket 56 defines a plurality of through bores 68 adapted to mate with and receive a fastening mechanism of the holster 20, such as for example a screw, pin, tab, or other such fastening mechanism. In another embodiment, the mounting bracket 56 is fixed to the holster by an integral connection. Those skilled in the art will recognize other suitable devices for securing the mounting bracket 56 to the holster 20, and such devices may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 56 is directly securable to the at least one outer surface 52, 54 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38. In other embodiments, such as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the mounting bracket 56 is securable to a mounting sleeve 88, which is in turn secured to one of the outer surfaces 52, 54 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting sleeve 88 is secured to an outer surface 52, 54 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38, such as for example by a suitable fastener or by integral connection. The mounting sleeve 88 includes an outer surface 66 defining a plurality of lips 70 overhanging the outer surface 66 along peripheral edges of the outer surface 66. The lips 70 are configured to allow slidable receipt of the mounting bracket 56 between the lips 70 and an outer surface of the mounting sleeve 88, and to limit separation of the received portion of the mounting bracket 56 from the outer surface 66 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 66. Thus, with the portion of the mounting bracket 56 slidably received between the lips 70 and the mounting block outer surface 66, one or more fastening mechanisms may be configured to engage the mounting bracket 56 to prevent slidable withdrawal of the holster 20 and associated mounting bracket 56 from the mounting sleeve 88.
It will be understood that, in addition to the illustrated embodiments, the mounting bracket 56 may be sized and shaped in any of a large number of configurations to allow mounting of a holster 20 to an outer surface 52, 54 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38 through conventional means of the type known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, it will be understood that the ankle holster 10 may include an of a large number of shapes and configurations of holsters 20 for securing numerous types of articles 64 to a wearer's ankle without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, with reference to FIG. 8, in one embodiment the ankle holster 10 includes a holster 20 of the type suitable for receiving and carrying a firearm 64 secured to an outer surface 52, 54 of the lateral and medial plates 36, 38. More specifically, the holster 20 as shown in FIG. 8 is a polymer-type retention holster for a firearm. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the ankle holster 10′″ includes a first holster 20′ which is adapted to hold and carry a firearm magazine 64′ and a second holster 20″ which is adapted to hold and carry a pair of handcuffs 64″.
FIG. 10A illustrates another type of holster 20′″ which may be used with the ankle holster 10 to hold and carry a cellular device 64′″, such as for example a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, tablet, electronic reader, or other such device. As shown in FIG. 10A, in one embodiment, the holster 20′″ includes a lower housing 90 defining an interior cavity 92 which is sized and shaped to receive a cellular device 64′″ therein. The holster 20′″ may optionally include a cap 94 which is configured to at least partially seal the interior cavity 92 to limit removal of the cellular device 64′″ therefrom. In the embodiment of FIG. 10B, the holster 20″″ is configured to hold and carry personal documents 64″″, such as for example a passport, identification, or other personal documents. In the embodiment of FIG. 10B, the lower housing 90′ and cap 94′ are contoured to better conform to the leg of a wearer during use. In addition to the above-discussed embodiments, it will be recognized by one of skill in the art that the holster 20 may be a configured to hold any of several numbers and types of articles, such as for example firearms, ammunition, ammunition magazines, flashlights, knives, hand tools, navigation devices, communication devices, aiming devices, personal protection devices, non-lethal weapons, handcuffs and other restraint devices, personal documents, cards and identification, or the like, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
From the foregoing description, it will be understood that an ankle holster 10 has been described herein which provides a fastening means for securing a holster proximate an ankle of a wearer with improved stability of the holster in relation to the wearer's ankle. Furthermore, it will be understood that the ankle holster of the present general inventive concept provides improved support to help stabilize the associated ankle of the wearer, while also allowing for improved comfort to the wearer. It will be understood that, when an ankle holster constructed in accordance with the present general inventive concept is worn by a wearer, and the wearer attempts to draw a firearm from the holster, the foot of the wearer bears against the foot plate, thereby allowing the wearer to apply positive resistance to the ankle holster against upward sliding along the leg of the wearer, and thereby further improving the stability of the holster in relation to the wearer's ankle.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

Having thus described the aforementioned invention, what is claimed is:

1. An ankle holster comprising:

a foot portion shaped to extend beneath at least a portion of an underside of a foot;

a leg portion movably connected to said foot portion, said leg portion being shaped to surround at least a portion of a leg; and

a mount for mounting a holster to said leg portion.

2. The ankle holster claim 1, said leg portion being rotatably connected to said foot portion.

3. The ankle holster of claim 1, said foot portion further comprising:

a foot plate shaped to extend beneath at least a portion of an underside of a foot, said foot plate defining a medial side and a lateral side; and

first and second attachment members, said first attachment member being secured at a first end thereof to said lateral side and said second attachment member being secured at a first end thereof to said medial side, said first and second attachment members each having an opposite second end rotatably connected to said leg portion.

4. The ankle holster of claim 3, each said first and second attachment members being integrally formed with said foot plate.

5. The ankle holster of claim 3, said foot plate being shaped to conform to an underside of a foot.

6. The ankle holster of claim 3, said foot plate, said first and second attachment members, or both being of an elastomeric material.

7. The ankle holster of claim 3, said foot plate having notches bounding said first ends of said first and second attachment members.

8. The ankle holster of claim 3, said first and second attachment members having a plurality of alternating ridges and grooves proximate said first ends thereof.

9. The ankle holster of claim 3, said first and second attachment members being symmetrically provided to said foot plate.

10. The ankle holster of claim 3, said foot plate defining a longitudinal dimension, said first and second attachment members being longitudinally offset from one another.

11. The ankle holster of claim 10, said first and second attachment members defining a longitudinal offset distance substantially equal to one centimeter.

12. The ankle holster of claim 10, said second attachment member secured to said medial side of said foot plate being longitudinally forward of said first attachment member secured to said lateral side of said foot plate.

13. The ankle holster of claim 3, said first and second attachment members each defining a length dimension, said length dimension of said second attachment member being greater than said length dimension of said first attachment member.

14. The ankle holster of claim 13, said length dimension of said second attachment member being greater than said length dimension of said first attachment member by a distance substantially equal to one centimeter.

15. The holster of claim 3, said leg portion further comprising:

a lateral plate sized and shaped to generally conform to a lateral portion of a leg, said lateral plate being hinged to a second end of said first attachment member; and

a medial plate sized and shaped to generally conform to a medial portion of a leg, said medial plate being hinged to a second end of said second attachment member.

16. The ankle holster of claim 15, said leg portion further including at least one wrap configured to releasably join said lateral and medial plates to allow said leg portion to surround a leg.

17. The ankle holster of claim 16, said lateral and medial plates defining a plurality of slots for receiving said at least one wrap.

18. The ankle holster of claim 15, said mount including at least one mounting bracket securable to at least one of said lateral and medial plates, said mounting bracket being shaped to allow a holster to be mounted thereto.

19. The ankle holster of claim 18, said mount further including at least one mounting sleeve secured to at least one of said lateral and medial plates, said mounting sleeve being sized and shaped to engage said mounting bracket to secure said mounting bracket to said mounting sleeve.

20. The ankle holster of claim 18 further including a holster mounted to said mounting bracket.

21. The ankle holster of claim 20, said holster being fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polymer, leather, and fabric.

22. The ankle holster of claim 21, said holster being shaped to receive therein at least one of a firearm, a unit of ammunition, an ammunition magazine, a flashlight, a knife, a hand tool, a navigation device, a communication device, an aiming device, a personal protection device, a non-lethal weapon, and a pair of handcuffs.

23. The ankle holster of claim 22, said holster being a retention holster.

24. The ankle holster of claim 15, said leg portion further including at least one padded lining disposed along at least one of said lateral and medial plates.

25. The ankle holster of claim 24, said leg portion further including a pair of padded linings, each padded lining being disposed along and being sized and shaped to conform to an inner surface of one of said lateral and medial plates.

26. The ankle holster of claim 25, each said padded lining being releasably secured to a corresponding inner surface of one of said lateral and medial plates.