Individual utility belt section

Abstract

A strap-like clip-on accessory retainer or holder for attachment to the user's belt or waistband for the convenience of carrying handy tools, such as knives, pouches for holding small items, tapes, etc. like a utility belt. The accessory retainer or holder allows belt accessories to be attached to the waistband of trousers, shorts, skirts, etc., with or without a belt, as well as to any other wearable or non-wearable material having a thin edge. The inventive strap-like accessory retainer or holder can accommodate several accessories at once and can, therefore, be used to assemble semi-permanent “kits” of accessories that are commonly used together in particular applications. With the belt's clip-on or clamp-on construction, it can supply the secondary function of a waist belt (to harness accessories) without the necessity of serving the primary function (to adjust waistband circumference).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to utility belts. More particularly, the present invention relates to a strap-like accessory retainer for attachment to a user's belt or waistband for carrying items.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The use of utility belts adapted to carry accessories such as tools or tool cases, knife cases, or pouches is well known. Such belts have the disadvantage of requiring belt loops for wearing in some instances and the belt must be removed to remove the accessories. It would be desirable to provide an accessory retainer similar to a utility belt, for easy access to the accessories, but does not require belt loops or the removal of the belt to remove or add accessories. It would also be desirable to provide a system having two or more interchangeable accessory retainers which are easily fastened to and removed from a waist band or standard belt, each retainer carrying a different set of accessories.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,766 B1, issued Apr. 3, 2001, to Kwon describes a belt-mounted apparatus for carrying golf accessories. The device comprises a belt saddle-clip with a plurality of tee holders and ball marker holders. This device would not hold standard accessories such as utility pouches or knife holders since they cannot be mounted and retained between the belt and the carrying apparatus of Kwon.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,438, issued Aug. 24, 1999 to Price describes a utility belt having adjustable means and strip loops, ring, hooks, and pockets for holding various small items. The utility belt of Price cannot receive standard accessories such as utility pouches or knife holders which are intended to slide onto a belt for mounting due to the various rings, hooks, or loops, and even if these were removed, the belt must be removed from the wearer to mount or remove these types of accessories.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,023, issued Feb. 17, 1998, to Billish describes a pen holder with a clip attachment to a user's belt. As in '766 to Kwon, this device would not hold standard accessories such as utility pouches or knife holders since they cannot be mounted and retained between the belt and the carrying apparatus of Kwon.

[0008] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, an individual accessory retainer or holder solving the aforementioned problems is desired

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is a partial utility belt in the form of a strap-like structure or holder for attachment to the user's belt or waistband for the convenience of carrying handy tools, such as knives, pouches for holding small items, electronic devices, measuring tapes, etc.

[0010] A first embodiment comprises a holder having a retainer portion and a base portion permanently hinged at one end with a mating releasable fastener system at the other end so that accessories may be slipped over the end of the retainer, which is then fastened to the base. Clips or clamps are permanently mounted, molded or otherwise attached to the base.

[0011] A second embodiment comprises a rigid or semi-rigid strap-like accessory retainer that completely detaches from the base to facilitate removal or installation of accessories. The base is a rigid or semi-rigid strap-like structure with clips/clamps at each end for securing the base to clothes or other supporting materials. Grooves or fasteners are provided opposite the clips/clamps for easily and securely attaching the accessory retainer.

[0012] A third embodiment comprises a flexible strap-like accessory retainer with clips or clamps attached to or molded to each end. Accessories are slipped over low profile clips/clamps before attaching the device to the user's belt or waistband. Releasing one clip/clamp from its supporting material allows the removal or installation of accessories without completely removing the device.

[0013] A fourth embodiment comprises a variant of the second embodiment that does not require release of a clip/clamp from the supporting material. Releasable, clip-on buckles are used at the ends of the strap.

[0014] A fifth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment but the strap-like structure snaps at both ends onto clips by conventional snaps.

[0015] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a strap-like accessory retainer or holder which is about a quarter of the length of a full belt and which is attached to the users clothing by clips rather than extending and buckling around the entire waist of an individual

[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide an accessory holder as above, having a base portion attached to the users clothing by clips and a retainer portion for carrying items.

[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide an accessory holder as above where the retainer portion is hinged to the base portion at one end, and snaps to the base portion at the other end.

[0018] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an accessory holder as above where the retainer portion is snapped to the base portion at both ends, allowing complete removal of the retainer portion from the base.

[0019] Still another object of the invention is to provide a strap-like accessory retainer where releasable clip-in buckles are located at the ends of the strap to clip to separate clothing engaging clips.

[0020] Sill another object of the invention is to provide a strap-like accessory retainer having rotatable clips for allowing the installation of accessories in a first position and for engaging clothing in a second position.

[0021] Still another object of the invention is to provide a strap-like accessory retainer where a strap snaps at both ends to separate clothing engaging clips.

[0022] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0023] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an individual strap-like accessory holder having a hinged base according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2A is a view in perspective of the strap-like accessory holder of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 2B is a front view in elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

[0027] FIG. 2C is a front view in elevation of a strap-like accessory holder having an accessory retainer fully removable from the base.

[0028] FIG. 3A is a rear view of a strap-like accessory retainer or base, having rotatable clothing engaging clips.

[0029] FIG. 3B is a detail side view of the clamping clip of FIG. 3A in an open configuration.

[0030] FIG. 3C is a side view of the clamping clip as in FIG. 3B in a closed configuration.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the strap-like accessory retainer of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the belt section of the present invention

[0033] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention is a strap-like accessory retainer or holder for attachment to the user's belt or waistband for the convenience of carrying handy tools, such as knives, pouches for holding small items, electronic devices, measuring tapes, etc. in the manner of a utility belt. The accessory retainer or holder allows belt accessories to be attached to the waistband of trousers, shorts, skirts, or other clothing with or without a belt, as well as to virtually any other wearable or non-wearable material having a thin edge. The accessory retainer or holder allows its user to easily transfer accessories, normally harnessed to the waist by a belt, to other convenient places, permitting a multitude of possibilities, not only for carrying and storing accessories as a unit, but also for quickly and conveniently situating a set of belt accessories in a work area (e.g., at a workbench or in an outdoor cooking area) by clipping (or clamping) the assembly to some other supporting material.

[0035] The inventive strap-like accessory or holder can accommodate several accessories at once and can, therefore, be used to assemble semi-permanent “kits” of accessories that are commonly used together in particular applications. With the belt's clip-on or clamp on construction, it can supply the secondary function of a waist belt (to harness accessories) without the necessity of serving the primary function (to adjust waistband circumference).

[0036] Accessories need not be removed from the accessory retainer or holder in order to remove an accessory from it. Furthermore, there is no need to unbuckle or remove the accessory retainer or holder to unsnap, open, or remove the article of clothing to which it is attached. The accessory retainer or holder and harnessed accessories can be removed and attached without removal of the accessories from the belt or holder and, therefore, they can effectively form a unit which is quickly and easily installed on any appropriate surface. This unit can be composed of any set of belt accessories harnessed by the accessory retainer or holder, providing limitless possibilities for virtually any application, from camping and hiking to carpentry, etc.

[0037] The inventive accessory retainer or holder functions as an intermediary device used in securely attaching various tools and accessories commonly worn on a waist belt to the waistband of clothing or any other structure or material with a thin edge for clipping or clamping. Appropriate accessories are generally any tool or device housed in a holster or sheath, or any article or equipment supplied with a closed strap or clip which allows it to be attached to a standard waist belt.

[0038] The inventive accessory retainer or holder can accommodate one or more accessories at a time, and can be removed or attached to clothes or other materials without removing the accessories. The accessory retainer or holder obviates the need to wear a belt to harness tools and accessories to one's person, by functioning as a supporting structure for belt-worn accessories and by providing a means for attachment of supported accessories to clothes or other accommodating structures via clipping or clamping devices that form part of the structure of the accessory retainer or holder. There are many ways to construct the accessory retainer or holder which would effectively provide the functional operation of the inventive product.

[0039] The inventive accessory retainer or holder can be constructed in various ways, yet still perform its function without compromising the basic novel concept. Differences in construction reflect options for securing accessories onto the accessory retainer or holder and for clipping or clamping the accessory retainer or holder to articles of clothing or other materials, but do not reflect changes in functional properties. The use of clips/clamps, clasps and/or hinges is an integral part of the design, but the particular design of clips/clamps, clasps, and hinges is not critical to the inventive concept. In essence, any suitable clip/clamp, clasp, and/or hinge mechanism (including fusion of base and accessory retainer at one or both ends) could be substituted for corresponding items in the disclosed design without affecting its function or utility. Furthermore, the inventive belt or holder may be constructed without clasps or hinges. In general, the accessory retainer or holder construction includes two or more clips/clamps for securing the belt or holder to a supporting substrate (e.g., clothes). These clips/clamps are generally mounted to the base structure near the ends of a strap-like accessory retaining structure. These two structures can be one or more pieces depending on the sophistication of the model. One or more accessory clips may be incorporated between the two end clips/clamps for central support of the strap-like base.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an environmental view in perspective of the inventive strap-like accessory holder 10 mounted on waist band W of pants P worn by user U, wherein accessory retainer 12 serves as a tool or utility belt for mounting knife holder 14 and utility pouch 16. The accessory holder 10 is mounted so that the user's left hand LH and right hand RH may easily be used to withdraw tools from holders 14 and 16 such as a knife from holder 14 as shown.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown a perspective view and an elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention wherein hinged accessory holder 20 includes base 22 made of relatively stiff material, and accessory retainer 24 made of relatively flexible material attached at one end by hinge 26 to allow rotation relative to each other in opening and closing the holder 20 for mounting or removal of accessories as desired. The end opposite the hinge 26 is removably secured by clasp snap head 28 located in multiple station groove 30 and clasp snap seat 32. Multiple station groove 30 allows the adjustment of snap head 28 relative to accessory retainer 24 to allow for curvature and varying number of tool holders mounted thereon. Simple spring clips 24 (not shown in FIG. 2B) are fastened to the side of base 22 opposite snap seat 32 for sliding over the waistband of the user for mounting for use. Also see FIG. 3A which is a depiction similar to a rear view of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B where base 22 supports clamps as shown as a substitute for simple clips 34.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 2C there is shown an elevation view of an embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 2A and 2B having clasp snap heads 28 and multiple station grooves 30 at each end of an accessory retainer 25 so as to be completely removable from base 22 (see FIG. 2A) for mounting and removing tool holders as desired.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C there is shown a rear view of another embodiment of the present invention and end views of the clamps in an open and a closed position, respectively, wherein strap-like accessory retainer 40 includes a relatively flexible accessory retainer 41 having clamps 42, each having an outer leg 43 and an inner leg 44 at an apex 45, and clamp sliders 46, each having a short outer leg 47 and a long slotted inner leg 48 connected to apex 49 and movable in groove 50 to alternately open (clamp body apex 45 and clamp slider apex 49 spaced apart) and close clamp 42 (clamp body apex 45 and clamp slider apex 49 closed together) so as to allow mounting and securing to the waist band of the user. As is seen in FIGS. 3B and 3C, Groove 50 begins in and extends from outer leg 43 around apex 45 and ends in inner leg 44 and is so sized and disposed as to completely receive clamp slider 46. At least one of the clamps 44 is rotatable so as to align the clamp 42 with accessory retainer 41 for allowing the sliding of tool holders onto and off of accessory retainer 41. Clamp slider long slotted inner leg 48 is slotted to allow mounting of swivel 56 by means of mounting stem 52 fitting within the slot (not shown) of inner leg 48 to body inner clamp leg 44 at connection 54 while allowing slider 46 to slide between the extended position and the closed position. (See FIG. 5, below, which shows a similar clamp 84 having the slotted slide feature 87.) Swivel 56 is inserted through accessory retainer 41 through an aperture (not shown) to allow rotation of clamp 42.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of another embodiment 60 of the invention, wherein a flexible accessory retainer 62 is removably inserted into buckle receivers 64 by means of buckle inserts 66 mounted on each end of accessory retainer 62. Clamps 68 are mounted on buckle receivers 64 and are opened and closed by slider 70 in the manner of clamps 42 of the embodiment of FIG. 3A above. Clip 72 may be useful in folding flexible retainer 62 for storage or for holding buckle insert 66 when removed from buckle receiver 64. This embodiment is particularly useful for attachment to a back pack, etc.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment 80 of the invention wherein accessory retainer 82 is a relatively stiff strap having snap clamps 84 near each end. Snap on clamps 84 have opening sliders 86 with slots 87 to allow movement relative to snap heads 88, and operate similar to clamps 42 of FIG. 3A. Snap heads 88 are removably attached to accessory retainer 82 by snap seats 90. In this configuration, one or both clamps 84 may be removed for ease in mounting or removal of accessories.

[0046] The inventive belt or holder may be made of plastics, fabrics, leather, metals, or combinations of such materials, and may be rigid or flexible. Flexible models accommodate the variable curvature of the human waist, as well as facilitating applications of the belt or holder other than to secure accessories to the waist (for example, attachment of accessories to a strap on a backpack or belt bag).

[0047] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims

Claims

1. A utility holder comprising:

a strap-like accessory retainer portion having first and second ends;

a strap-like base portion generally coextensive with said accessory retainer portion and having first and second ends corresponding thereto;

means for removably fastening said accessory retainer portion to said base portion proximate at least one common end;

said accessory retainer portion having an outer side and a common side with said base portion, said base portion having an inner side;

means for removably attaching said base portion to an article of clothing proximate said first and said second ends, respectively;

whereby said accessory retainer portion is unfastened for mounting accessories thereon; and

whereby said accessory retainer portion is fastened for retaining said accessories thereon.

2. The utility holder of claim 1, further comprising a hinge portion permanently connecting said accessory retainer portion and said base portion at a first common end.

3. The utility holder of claim 1, wherein said means for removably attaching said accessory portion to said base portion is a snap having a head and a receiver.

4. The utility holder of claim 3, wherein said snap head is mounted on said common side of said accessory retainer portion and facing said snap receiver mounted on said base portion common side.

5. The utility holder of claim 4, wherein said accessory retainer portion defines a lengthwise oriented multiple station groove for adjustably mounting said snap head.

6. The utility holder of claim 1, wherein said means for removably fastening said accessory retainer portion to said base portion is located proximate each said common end.

7. The utility holder of claim 5, wherein said means for removably fastening said accessory retainer portion to said base portion is located proximate each common end.

8. The utility holder of claim 1, wherein said means for removably attaching said base portion to an article of clothing comprises a clip or clamp located proximate each end of said base portion and attached to said inner side thereof so oriented as to be attachable to a waist band of an article of clothing being worn by a user.

9. The utility holder of claim 1, wherein said accessory retainer is relatively flexible and said base portion is relatively stiff, said base portion being sufficiently flexible so as to conform to the waist of a user when mounted thereon.

10. A strap-like utility accessory retainer comprising:

a strap-like accessory retainer having a first end and a second end and an inner side and an outer side; and

a clip or clamp located proximate each of said first and said second ends of said accessory retainer and attached to said inner side of said accessory retainer;

at least one of said clips or clamps having one of a first characteristic of a profile sufficiently low as to allow accessories to be slipped over said clip or clamp, and a second characteristic of being removably attached to said accessory retainer, for mounting on or removal of said accessories from said accessory retainer.

11. The strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 10, having at least one clamp rotatable relative to said accessory retainer so as to allow alignment with said accessory retainer during mounting or removal of said accessories and to allow rotation to a position normal to said accessory retainer for mounting to an article of clothing.

12. The strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 10, having at least one clamp having a snap head and said accessory retainer having at least one snap head receiver for removably attaching at least one clamp to said accessory receiver whereby said removably attached clamp is removed for mounting or removal of accessories an attached for mounting on an article of clothing.

13. The strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 11, said clamp having a clamping body having two legs joined at an apex, a groove in each said leg opening at said apex, and a slider having a first leg, a second leg and an apex, said slider second leg having a centrally located groove extending lengthwise of said second leg, said clamping body having mounting means attached in said groove and within said groove of said slider second leg, whereby said slider is movable to an open clamp position when said apexes are spaced, and a closed clamp position when said apexes are adjacent.

14. The strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 13, wherein said mounting means is a swivel and said accessory retainer has an aperture therein for rotatably receiving said clamp swivel.

15. The strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 13, wherein said mounting means is a snap head and said accessory retainer has a snap receiver mounted on the inside thereof for removably attaching said clamp swivel.

16. The strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 10, wherein said accessory retainer is made of leather or plastic.

17. A buckled, strap-like utility accessory retainer comprising:

a flexible strap-like accessory retainer having a first and a second end and inner and outer sides;

said flexible accessory retainer having a buckle insert permanently attached to at least one of said first and second ends, said buckle insert having a profile such as to allow the mounting on and removal of accessories from said flexible accessory retainer;

a buckle receiver having an inner side and an outer side for receiving each of said at least one buckle inserts; and

a clip or clamp located on an inner side of each said buckle receiver; and

a clip or clamp located on said inner side of said flexible accessory retainer proximate said other of said first and said second ends;

whereby each said buckle receiver is removably attachable to an article of clothing or other article having a sharply defined edge sufficient to receive said clip or clamp; and

whereby each said buckle insert is removable from said buckle receiver for mounting on and removal of accessories from said accessory retainer.

18. The buckled, strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 17, wherein said flexible accessory retainer has a buckle insert permanently attached to each of said first and second ends for removable insertion into said buckle receivers.

19. The buckled, strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 17, said clamp having a clamping body having two legs joined at an apex, a groove in each said leg opening at said apex, and a slider having a first leg, a second leg and an apex, whereby said slider is movable to an open clamp position where said apexes are spaced, and a closed clamp position where said apexes are adjacent.

20. The buckled, strap-like utility accessory retainer of claim 17, wherein said accessory retainer is a woven polymeric web and said buckle insert and receivers are made of plastic.