US20180023920A1

US20180023920A1 - Slide Away Gun Belt

Info

Publication number: US20180023920A1
Application number: US15/656,279
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward G. Boggs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-07-24
Filing date: 2017-07-21
Publication date: 2018-01-25

Abstract

A belt attachment to support a firearm holster is disclosed. The belt attachment is configured to have a primary member comprising a first end and a second end to define a band of predefined length. The first end of the primary member is configured to have a plurality of holes and a buckle is attached to the second end of the primary member. A secondary member is fixedly attached to the primary member at a predetermined position, wherein the firearm holster is slidably attached via a free end of the second member. The primary member and the secondary member are locked together via one or more snap fasteners to selectively encompass the belt attachment around a user's waist thereby securely holding the firearm holster on the belt attachment. A method of using the belt attachment to hold the firearm holster is also disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to a belt attachment. More particularly, the invention disclosed herein is related to the belt attachment to support a firearm holster to quickly remove the holster without any hassle.

B. Description of Related Art

Handgun holsters are devices used to hold or restrict the undesired movement of a handgun. Typically, holsters are located where it can be easily withdrawn for immediate use. Currently, one of the most secure locations for carrying a weapon is to have the holster located on the belt. However, one of the most crucial drawbacks of using this style of wearable belt accessory is removing the holster or accessory from the belt. Especially in cases when there is pressure or stress such as during an event such as a gun show, demonstration, exhibit or any other type of distraction, it is always possible to remove the weapon or accessory from the holster before taking if off the belt. This leads to increasing the vulnerability of some problems and other misadventures.
Further, fixing the holster on the belt could be a bit cumbersome task as the wearer needs to hold up the pants and thread the belt through the loops and holster. If the handgun and holster needs to be removed in public, then holding up the pants, the holster, and the belt could be a juggling act with loss of control of one or more items. In the worst case, the pants might slide out of the user's grip and could be dropped on the floor, especially, if laden with heavy items in the pockets. This could be very embarrassing in a public venue. Furthermore, even worse, the handgun may drop and accidentally discharge, possibly injuring a bystander or the user.
Additionally, during heavy activity or if the weight of the firearm carried by a user is high, existing belts are prone to excessive wear and tear leading to failure of the belt. Furthermore, security personnel carry multiple items positioned or attached to their belts, for example, flashlights, keys, batons, etc. This adds to the load exerted on the belt and is inconvenient to the user. Hence, there is a need for a belt, which does not have to be unbuckled to install or remove a holster.
Few attempts have been made to resolve this issue by providing a belt holster. Prior art reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,001 A discloses an angle selectable belt loop supported holster wherein a rigid plate surrounds the fastener part and includes several detents in a circular array. However, the design of the belt is cumbersome and this requires T-nut and screws to fasten the holster on the belt.
Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for an apparatus, which aids a user to release the holster conveniently without unbuckling the belt. Furthermore, there is a need for a slidable firearm belt attachment, which aids in easier and quicker removal of the holster from the belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The invention disclosed herein addresses the above-mentioned need for an apparatus, which aids a user to release the holster conveniently without unbuckling the belt. Furthermore, the invention addresses the need for a slidable firearm belt attachment, which aids in easier and quicker removal of the holster from the belt. Furthermore, the slidable firearm belt attachment addresses the need for the belt, which could support a moderate load exerted on it and is simultaneously convenient for the user wearing it.
The belt attachment to support a firearm holster comprises a primary member configured to have a first end and a second end to define a band of predefined length wherein the first end is configured to have a plurality of holes and a buckle is attached to the second end of the primary member. A secondary member is fixedly attached to the primary member at a predetermined position, wherein the firearm holster is slidably attached via a free end of the second member. The primary member and the secondary member are locked together via one or more snap fasteners to selectively encompass the belt attachment around a user's waist thereby securely holding the firearm holster on the belt attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a user wearing a belt attachment supporting a firearm holster, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the belt attachment supporting the firearm holster.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a front view of a primary member overlaying a secondary member of the belt attachment, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of the primary member overlaying the secondary member of the belt attachment.

FIG. 5A exemplarily illustrates a female member of a snap fastener to lock the primary member and the secondary member of the belt attachment.

FIG. 5B exemplarily illustrates a male member of the snap fastener to lock the primary member and the secondary member of the belt attachment.

FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a set of articles to be stored in the holster of the belt attachment, according to a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a table listing all the size variants of the belt attachment for male and female clothing units respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a user wearing a belt attachment 100 supporting a firearm holster 112 which aids a user to release the holster 112 conveniently without unbuckling the belt attachment 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the belt attachment 100 supporting the firearm holster 112. The belt attachment 100 comprises a primary member 102 configured to have a first end 102 a and a second end 102 b to define a band of predefined length. The first end 102 a is configured to have a plurality of holes 104 and a buckle 106 is attached to the second end 102 b of the primary member 102. A secondary member 108 is fixedly attached to the primary member 102 at a predetermined position, wherein the firearm holster 112 is slidably attached via a free end 108 a of the secondary member 108. The primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 are locked together via one or more snap fasteners 110 to selectively encompass the belt attachment 100 around the user's waist thereby securely holding the firearm holster 112 on the belt attachment 100.
In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the firearm holster 112 comprises a hoop 116 to slidably receive the free end 108 a of the second member 108. This hoop 116 is configured to assist the user in sliding the firearm holster 112 in and out of the secondary member 108 of the belt attachment 100. Similarly, the firearm holster 112 could be slidably removed from the second member 108 without unbuckling the belt attachment 100. The firearm holster 112 is configured to receive and store a gun 114 of desired size. The primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 of the belt attachment 100 further comprises the plurality of holes 104 that are located 1.0″ apart with a 3.0″ end past the last hole to fit nicely in the adjacent belt loop by the buckle 106. Preferably, seven holes 104 could be provided to adjust the position of the belt attachment 100 on the clothing unit.
In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 which illustrates a front view of the primary member 102 overlaying the secondary member 108 of the belt attachment 100. The secondary member 108 is stitched to the primary member 102 at the predetermined position in an overlaying fashion. Therefore, the belt attachment 100 is effectively doubled in size and have a predefined width to support and distribute a weight of the firearm holster 112 along the belt attachment 100. The primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 are skived to make the joining at the predetermined position and are glued, clamped and then sewn around the perimeter to make the reinforcing design. In other embodiments, the primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 could be joined without skiving and can just be adhesively bonded and sewn together and a cross box sewing pattern could be used to increase the durability of the belt attachment 100. Similarly, the buckle 106 at the second end 102 b of the primary member 102 and the hoop 116 are placed and sewn in desired configuration. Additionally, a reinforcing rivet could be used to reinforce the installation of the buckle 106.
As shown in FIG. 3, the belt attachment 100 could be worn with or without a holster 112 and is decorative enough to be worn with clothing units. The belt attachment 100 is configured to fit most of the clothing units wherein the belt loops could easily receive the belt attachment 100 and distributes the weight of the firearm holster 112 between several belt loops. The belt attachment 100 is made in a plurality of colors selected from one of a black, a brown and a grey. Alternatively, the belt attachment 100 could be adorned with Conchos or embossed and have additional decorative stitching to enhance the appearance of the belt attachment 100. The edges of the ends of the primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 are smoothed and radiused to provide a quality feel when worn and allow it to move smoothly through the belt loops as required. This helps the user in conveniently placing and sliding the firearm holster 112 on the secondary member 108 by the quick release mechanism and positioning the firearm holster 112 on the desired location on the belt attachment 100.
As shown in FIG. 4 which illustrates a top plan view of the primary member 102 overlaying the secondary member 108 of the belt attachment 100. Preferably, the primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 are made from 0.25″ thick cured bull-hide leather material and manufactured from 1.5″ strips cut to length and shape using a specialty die and flywheel press. Once cut, the edges are radiused and smoothed. Then, the primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 could be dyed in gray, black, brown, or left natural to enhance the appearance of the belt attachment 100. However, other colors could be used based on the market requirements. Further, if needed, the belt attachment 100 could also be made from at least one of a cowhide, an alligator, an ostrich and a snake. The primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 of the belt attachment 100 is primarily designed to suit both the male and female clothing units. However, alternatively, the belt attachment 100 could be made in 1.0″ and 0.75″ width to support the female clothing units and simultaneously supporting heavy loads. FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a table listing all the size variants of the belt attachment 100 for male and female clothing units respectively.
As shown in FIG. 4, the ends (102 a, 102 b) of the primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 are trimmed such that they fit smoothly together when snapped. Further, they are adhesively bonded and then reinforced with the decorative stitch. The overlapping stitching pattern provided at the predetermined position is made strong using the parent material so that the belt attachment could have a very long operating life. Further, the buckle 106 comprises a prong 118 configured to pass through the holes 104 on the primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 to selectively encompass the belt attachment 100 around the user's waist as shown in FIG. 2.
In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 5A, the belt attachment 100 comprises the snap fasteners 110 in the primary member 102 and the secondary member 108 to provide a quick release mechanism for the user in unbuckling the belt attachment 100 from the clothing unit. These snap fasteners 110 are made in a brass or a silver plating material. The snap fasteners 110 are commercially available and are made from a 0.05″ thick brass stock in a specialty die using the flywheel press. The snap fastener 110 comprises a female member 110 a and a male member 110 b designed to grip the leather between them and be swaged in place permanently. The outer snap member has a curved top, which adds to the decorative finish of the belt as shown in FIG. 5B. The snap fastener 110 is supplied in a clear coat over the polished brass or nickel plated for a silver finish. The metal snap color complements the leather stain and capable of easily restraining the secondary member 108 with the firearm holster 112. The male member 110 a and the female member 110 b of the snap fastener 100 are swaged in place and does not loosen with heavy duty use. The female member 110 a extends outwards and fit snugly within the cap style mating male member 110 b on the secondary member 108.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the belt attachment 100 comprises an array of threads to part strength and is made of nylon. This material does not fray, is highly resistant to ultraviolet light, and flexes to move as the belt moves around in use. The thread is made in same color as the dyed color of the leather or could be supplied with a complementary color to stand out from the leather. Further, the adhesive used to bond the primary member and the secondary member is a non-toxic, water based contact adhesive that is formulated to join high quality leather together. This high energy adhesive remains flexible after joining the leather surfaces so it can move with the leather while maintaining its bond strength.
In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the holster 112 in the belt attachment 100 is also configured to support at least one of a knife 120 a, a flashlight 120 c, a mobile 120 b and a tool. The snap fasteners 110 in the belt attachment 100 holds the secondary member 108 in place with the primary member 102 of the belt attachment 100 to support the weight of the flashlight 120 c or the mobile 120 b.
In a different embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, a method of using the belt attachment 100 to support the firearm holster 112 is disclosed. The method comprises providing a standard primary member 102 of the belt attachment 100 with the adjoined secondary member 108 wherein the secondary member 108 is attached to the primary member 102 at the predetermined location. Sliding the firearm holster 112 via the free end 108 a of the secondary member 108 using the hoop 116 and pushing it to the desired position based on the convenience of the user. Snapping the primary member 102 and secondary member 108 together with the snap fasteners 110 to join them so that the belt attachment 100 is configured to pass through the belt loops in the clothing unit and locking it using the buckle. On the other hand, during unmounting the firearm holster 112 from the belt attachment 100, the snap fasteners 110 could be conveniently unlocked using the quick release mechanism and thereby sliding out the firearm holster 112 from the secondary member 108 of the belt attachment 100.
The belt attachment 100, according to the present invention, is configured to allow the user to easily attach, use, and remove the firearm holster 112 from the belt 100 without having to remove the belt 100 from the clothing unit. The dual member configuration of the belt attachment 100 and the use of strong snap fasteners 110 supports to retain the largest handgun 114, knife 120 a, or flashlight 120 c without coming unsnapped, even when engaged in vigorous exercise. The primary member remains to be in the clothing unit between the belt loops when the fire holster 112 is removed. The handgun 114, knife 120 a, flashlight 120 c, etc. is held securely in the optimum location on the hip for easy access and use, if required. The belt attachment 100 is configured to support up to a 20-pound load on the secondary member 108 without release. The decorative belts are designed for wear with all sorts of clothing and are supplied in various sizes and colors for female and male clothing units. The belt attachment 100 comes in all common sizes and is available in men and women clothing units. This eliminates the hassle unbuckling of belt 100 and allows for quick and easy removal of holsters 112 and other accessories. The belt 100 is virtually indistinguishable from conventional belt and the smaller size makes storage more convenient.
Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the above detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment developed herein, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.

Claims

1. A belt attachment to support a firearm holster comprising:

a primary member comprises a first end and a second end to define a band of predefined length, wherein the first end is configured to have a plurality of holes and a buckle is attached to the second end of the primary member;

a secondary member is fixedly attached to the primary member at a predetermined position, wherein the firearm holster is slidably attached via a free end of the secondary member,

wherein the primary member and the secondary member are locked together via one or more snap fasteners to selectively encompass the belt attachment around a user's waist thereby securely holding the firearm holster on the belt attachment.

2. The belt attachment of claim 1, wherein the firearm holster is configured to receive and store a gun of desired size.

3. The belt attachment of claim 1, wherein the firearm holster comprises a hoop to slidably receive the free end of the second member.

4. The belt attachment of claim 1, wherein the firearm holster is slidably removed from the second member without unbuckling the belt attachment.

5. The belt attachment of claim 1, is made from a leather material.

6. The belt attachment of claim 1, wherein the buckle comprises a prong configured to pass through the holes on the primary member and the secondary member to selectively encompass the belt attachment around the user's waist.

7. The belt attachment of claim 1, wherein the secondary member is stitched to the primary member at the predetermined position in an overlaying fashion.

8. The belt attachment of claim 1, wherein the snap fasteners in the primary member and the secondary member is configured to provide a quick release mechanism for the user in unbuckling the belt attachment.

9. The belt attachment of claim 1, wherein the snap fasteners are made in a brass or a silver plating material.

10. The belt attachment of claim 1, is configured to support at least one of a knife, a flashlight, a tool and a mobile.

11. The belt attachment of claim 1, wherein the primary member and the secondary member are configured to have a predefined width to support and distribute a weight of the firearm holster along the belt attachment.