Belt Clip Holder

Abstract

An improved belt-clip holder for various objects is disclosed. The holder may be of unitary construction and includes a belt-clip for securely attaching the holder to a user's belt or other suitable item. The unitary construction reduces the cost and complexity of the holder. The holder has front, back and side panels to hold and protect an object, such as a dipping tobacco tin, or a group of objects, such as a group of credit cards. The holder also may have bottom panels in some embodiments. A retainer, having an integral retaining lip, secures the held object or objects in the holder. A cavity formed by the lower edges of the front, back, and side panels, allows a user to push a held object upward in order to remove the object from the holder. The retainer is configured so that a user my disengage the integral retaining lip using the same hand used to push the held object upward via the cavity. In this manner, the holder allows for the secure retention of an object within the holder, and also for easy, single-handed, removal of the object by a user when such removal is desired.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a holder for a dipping tobacco tin, or other small, cylindrical objects, and for small square or rectangular objects.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Belt-clip holders are well known in the art. Cell phones are commonly held by such holders. By including retaining structures, belt-clip devices can securely hold an object. Unfortunately, belt-clip devices are relatively complex, with numerous parts and pieces, making such designs a poor choice for some applications. The complexity of such designs adds cost and reduces the robustness of the holder. In addition, belt-clip devices with retaining structures often require considerable effort to undo the retaining structure and remove the held device.

Belt-clip holders known in the art tend to rely on one of three means for retaining the held object. Some holders rely on the snug fit of the object in the holder. An example of such a holder might be a cell phone belt-clip holder using an elastic material for side panels, such that when a cell phone is placed in the holder, the elastic panels create a snug fit around the phone. This means of securing the held object works in some situations, but it does not provide much security. While this configuration allows for easy removal of the held object, it also allows for theft or loss of the object in some situations.

Some belt-clip holders use a strap of some sort across the top of the held object. An example might be a cell phone of wireless e-mail device holder made of leather or other similar material and having a small leather strap with a snap or other closure system. When a device is placed in such a holder, the user would then position the retaining strap over the device and snap it closed. To remove the device the strap must be unsnapped. This configuration provides for security, but it results in additional parts and also requires effort and focus to secure the device and to remove the device. Moreover, if a user simply inserts the device into this type of holder and forgets to secure the retaining strap, the device may easily fall out of the holder.

A third common retaining means is a retaining clip or member attached to the back of the holder. An example might be a cell phone holder that has a back panel and only partial side and/or bottom panels shaped to fit a specific phone. This type of holder is commonly used, and typically has a retaining clip that fits into a mated slot or groove on the top, back side of the cell phone. These holders provide reasonable security, because of the fit between the clip and the mated slot or groove on the phone.

There are, however, a number of problems with this third configuration. First, the holder does not provide any protection for the front of the held object. Cell phones carried in this type of holder can be scratched or more seriously damaged by being hit from the front. Second, it can be quite difficult to remove a phone from this type of holder. In order to securely retain the phone in a holder with no front panel, these holders tend to provide a very tight fit. The retaining clip is often difficult to release, and can require two hands for removal, making it a difficult and potentially dangerous operation. Attempting to remove a cell phone from such a holder while driving can be quite dangerous. Third, these holders must be mated to a specific object, typically a particular model of a cell phone. They are useless as holders for any other objects.

Though belt-clip holders are commonly used for cell phones, this type of holder is not widely used for another item commonly carried on the person of its users. Dipping tobacco is a type of smokeless tobacco designed for use between a person's cheek and gums. It is a finely ground tobacco, with a texture somewhere between that of snuff (i.e., a finely ground tobacco for sniffing directly into the nose) and chewing tobacco. Dipping tobacco is typically packaged in small, cylindrical tins. A standard-sized dipping tobacco tin measures just less than one inch in thickness and is about 2.5 inches across.

Users of dipping tobacco often carry a tin in order have the product available when an opportunity arises in which the product may be used. For this reason, many dipping tobacco users carry a tin of dipping tobacco in a back pocket of blue jeans or other pants, or in a pocket of a jacket or shirt.

When a tin of dipping tobacco is carried in a user's back pocket, the tin can become damaged and can cause discomfort when sitting. This practice also can lead to marking of a user's clothing. For example, a user who carries a tin of dipping tobacco in a back pocket of jeans may find that the jeans pocket is worn down in a ring around the outer circumference of the tin. This wear can result in tearing of the fabric of the back pocket over time.

Carrying a tin of dipping tobacco in one's back pocket also poses a risk that the tin will be forcibly moved around and may inadvertently open while in the user's pocket. When this happens, product is lost, and the user's clothing may be stained by the dark-colored tobacco. If a user with a tin of dipping tobacco in his or her back pocket perspires, the moisture of the perspiration may enter the tin, if its lid does not seal well. The lids of these tins are thin, and may also be damaged if the tin strikes a sharp object. This type of damage could result in loss of the tobacco, as well.

Dipping tobacco users also face problems when they carry the tins in shirt or jacket pockets. If a tin is carried in a shirt pocket, the tin may fall out if the person bends over to pick up something or to tie a shoe. Users of dipping tobacco may engage in rough, physical activities such as horseback riding, rodeo, ATV riding, and other activities. A tin of dipping tobacco placed in a shirt pocket during such activities would likely fall out at some point. Carrying a tin of dipping tobacco in a jacket pocket is only convenient when the user is wearing a jacket, and, even then, the tin may not be securely maintained.

An improved means of carrying a tin of dipping tobacco or other object is needed. The object should be securely held while in the holder and should be carried on the user's person or clothing so that the product is available when the user desires it. The holder should protect the object from damage and should allow for easy removal by the user. The holder should be robust and capable of withstanding the rigors of the environment in which the product would be used. It would be most desirable for the holder to be capable of securely holding an object, and allowing for removal of the object using a single hand. It would be advantageous if the holder would securely hold the object as soon as it is inserted into the holder, without requiring any additional actions by the user. It also would be beneficial for the holder to be inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

Existing solutions do not meet these needs. As explained above, carrying a tin of dipping tobacco in the pocket of one's pants, shirt, or jacket poses a number of problems. Belt-clip holders are known for a variety of objects, including dipping tobacco tins, but the prior art holders fail to meet all the needs identified above. The belt-clip holders of the prior art provide certain advantages, but none meet the combination of needs listed above. These needs, however, are met by the present invention.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the following descriptions of the invention. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the holder of the present invention includes a belt clip having a resilient upper bend, a resilient lever body, and a retaining member; a back panel connected to the belt clip; two arcuate side panels connected to the back panel; a front panel having an integral retainer and being connected to the two arcuate side panels such that a cavity is formed by lower edges of the back panel, the two arcuate side panels, and the front panel; wherein the integral retainer and the cavity are configured so that a user may remove a held object from the holder using a single hand; and, wherein the holder is of a unitary construction.

In another embodiment, the present invention has front, back, and side panels, but is square or rectangular in shape, rather than arcuate. Other characteristics are as set forth above, and as disclosed in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a back view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a back view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, a front view of the holder 10 of the present invention is shown. The front panel 12 of the holder 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Three characteristics of the holder 10 can be seen in this illustration. First, the upper part of the holder 10 forms an integral retainer 14. The integral retainer 14 has an integral retaining lip 16, which is not visible in FIG. 1, but is described below. The top of the belt-clip 30, which is described in detail below, is seen above the retainer 14.

The second characteristic of the front panel of the embodiment of the holder 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is the arcuate lower section of the front panel 18. Two separate sections 18 are shown and are generally arcuate to match the cylindrical shape of a standard dipping tobacco tin. This preferred embodiment is a holder designed for dipping tobacco tins. The third characteristic shown in FIG. 1 is the removal cavity 20, which is located at the bottom of the holder 10. The front panel 12 has a curved lower edge 26, which forms one of four sides of the cavity 20.

In FIG. 2, the holder 10 is shown in side-view. In this view, the retainer 14 and its integral retaining lip 16 can be seen at the upper end of the front panel 12. The back panel 22, which has the approximately the same outline as the front panel 12, is also shown in profile in FIG. 2. One of two arcuate side panels 24 is shown, positioned between the lower parts of the front panel 12 and back panel 22.

FIG. 2 also illustrates the integral belt-clip 30, which extends from the back panel 22. The belt-clip 30 has an upper bend 32, a lever panel 34, and a belt-retaining member 36, all of which are illustrated in FIG. 2. The belt-clip 30 shown in FIG. 2 is configured to slip over a belt or other thin, flat material, such as the front of a pocket. The holder 10 may be configured so that the belt-clip 30 will slip over a thicker material, such as an automobile visor, by lengthening the top portion of the upper bend 32. This alteration would allow the lever panel 34 to move farther away from the back panel 22, thus accommodating thicker materials. Such changes are well-known in the art. The belt-clip 30 is not limited to designs made to work only on belts or other thin materials. The term belt-clip is used more broadly to identify this general type of clip.

In use, the lower end of the lever panel 34 is pulled a small distance away from the back panel 22, thus creating an opening between the belt-retaining member 36 and the back panel 22. The belt-clip 30 is then moved over a belt or other suitable object and the lever panel 34 will return to its normal position. This moves the belt-retaining member 36 back to, or near to, the back panel 22, and the belt-retaining member 36 thus secures the holder 10 to a user's belt or other suitable object. The holder 10 may be attached to a belt, the front of a pocket, to a sun visor of an automobile, or any other generally-flat surface.

The arcuate side panels 24 form the sides of the holder 10, and may help secure a tin in the holder 10. In a preferred embodiment, the side panels 24 each form an arc of about 65-70°. The side panels 24 end before reaching the bottom of the holder 10, and leave a cavity 20, which spans an arcuate distance of about 60-70°. This aspect of the design is best seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. This configuration results in a total arcuate distance from the top of one arcuate side panel 24 to the top of the opposite arcuate side panel 24 of about 190°. Because this arc extends beyond 180°, the distance between the upper edges of the arcuate side panels 24 is slightly less than the full width of the holder 10. This feature provides an advantage in certain applications.

When the holder 10 is designed for use as a dipping tobacco tin holder, it is advantageous, though not essential, to use the particular configuration described in the prior paragraph. The inner diameter of the holder 10 in such an application is sized to match the outer diameter of a standard-sized dipping tobacco tin. Because in the configuration just described, the upper edges of the side panels 24 have a side-to-side distance that is less than the full width of the holder 10 (i.e., less than an inside diameter of the holder). This configuration requires that a tin of dipping tobacco be forced into the holder 10. To insert a tin into a holder 10 of the configuration just described, the tin must be slightly compressed, the side panels 24 of the holder 10 must flex, or some combination of the two must occur.

Once a dipping tobacco tin is inserted into the holder 10 described above, the arcuate side panels 24 will help hold the tin in the holder 10. The side panels 24 wrap around the tin to a small extent, and thus help hold the tin in the holder 10. Described differently, when a tin is placed in a holder 10 of this configuration, slightly more than half of the tin will be positioned below the upper edges of the arcuate side panels 24. This configuration is advantageous because it provides a very secure hold for a tin of dipping tobacco without required undue force to insert or remove the tin from the holder 10. Because dipping tobacco tins may be used in particularly rugged environments, the additional security and protection afforded by this embodiment are desirable.

The holder 10 is preferably made of a resilient and moderately flexible material, such as nylon. Such materials provide natural resilience, and thus allow the lever panel 34 to be moved away from the back panel 22, and also create a holding force as the lever panel 34 tries to return to its normal position. The resilient nature of the material is also important to the operation of the retainer 14. Finally, some flexibility and resilience is necessary in the side panels 24 if the configuration described above is utilized (i.e., if the side panels 24) extend around more than 180° of a held cylindrical object.

The integral retaining lip 16 of the retainer 14 is shaped to allow for easy insertion of a dipping tobacco tin into the holder. As shown in FIG. 2, the integral retaining lip 16 may be angled in such a manner than a dipping tobacco tin will easily slide over the lip 16, but will then be securely held in the holder 10 by the retaining lip 16. The resilient nature of the material used to make the holder 10 allows that upper part of the front panel 12 to push away from the dipping tobacco tin during insertion with minimal force applied by the user.

In use, a tin of dipping tobacco is held in place in the holder 10 by the front panel 12, the retainer 14, with integral retaining lip 16, the back panel 22, and the arcuate side panels 24. The side panels 24 may extend up to or beyond the lower half of the tin. This arrangement, which was also described above as leaving a cavity spanning about 60-70°, securely holds the tin and protects it from damage. This arrangement also allows a user to easily push upward, using at least one finger, on a held tin via the cavity 20.

When a user wishes to remove the dipping tobacco tin from the holder 10, only a small force is needed to move the retainer 14, and its integral retaining lip 16, far enough from the dipping tobacco tin to allow for removal of the tin. The front panel 12 is also shaped so that the retainer 14 is of a narrower width than the main body of the front panel 12. This design facilitates movement of the retainer 14 relative to the body of the holder 10, and allows for easy insertion and removal of the dipping tobacco tin.

The belt-clip 30 is similarly formed of a relatively narrow piece of material, thus allowing this component to similarly benefit from the resilient nature of the material used to construct the holder 10. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer 14 and the belt-clip 30 are of approximately the same width. If, however, a stronger gripping force is desired by the belt-clip 30, that component may be made wider, which will increase the force needed to move the lever panel 34 of the belt-clip 30.

The cavity 20 is formed by the lower edges of the front panel 12, the back panel 22, and the two arcuate side panels 24. The front panel 12 and back panel 22 have arcuate shaped lower sections, but do not form a full arc around the bottom of the holder 10. Indeed, the front panel 12 and back panel 22 have inwardly curved surfaces 26 at their lower edges. The arcuate side panels 24 end at each end of the inwardly curved surfaces 26 of the front panel 12 and back panel 22. This configuration creates a cavity 20 at the bottom of the holder 10.

The cavity 20 is sized to allow a user to insert at least one finger into the bottom of the holder 10 to force the dipping tobacco tin out. The front panel 12 and its retainer 14 are sized and shaped so that a user may push the retainer 14 and integral retaining lip 16 away from the dipping tobacco tin using the thumb or palm of the hand, while simultaneously inserting at least one finger into the cavity 20 and pushing upward on the dipping tobacco tin.

This operation is easy to perform and requires only one hand. It allows a user to quickly and easily remove a tin of dipping tobacco with a single hand, but also securely retains the tin until such removal is desired. The combination of these two results is highly desirable. Dipping tobacco is sometimes used by persons who engage in intense and rough activities like rodeo and ATV (all-terrain-vehicle) riding. It is very important that a tin of dipping tobacco be held very securely during such activities. It is also important for a user to be able to access the dipping tobacco tin using a single hand, because the user may need to use his or her other hand to hold onto whatever he or she is riding on or in at the time. The design disclosed herein provides these desirable advantages.

In a most preferred embodiment, the entire holder is made of nylon. The side panels 24 extend about 60° around the lower sides of the holder 10. The cavity 20 covers about 60°, forming an opening that is about 30 mm wide, which is just over one inch wide. A cavity of approximately one inch width is of sufficient size to allow most users to push upward on a held object using one finger, and possibly the tips of two fingers. It is, therefore, desirable that the cavity be at least approximately one inch wide. This sizing is based on use by males, as females tend to have narrower fingers. If a holder according to this invention is made especially for women, the cavity width could be reduced. These and other similar modifications to accommodate different users are within the scope of the present invention.

The holder 10 in this preferred embodiment is about 70 mm wide, measured from the outside top edge of one side panel 24 to the other side panel 24. The front panel 12 is about 72 mm from top to bottom, while the back panel 22 is slightly larger, or about 73 mm from top to bottom. This results in the top of the belt-clip 30 extending a small distance above the top of the retainer 14 of the front panel 12. This can be seen in FIG. 1, where the top of the belt-clip 30 can be seen just above the top of the front panel 12. The retainer 14 and belt-clip 30 in this embodiment are about 20 mm wide. The integral retaining lip 16 and the belt-retaining member 36 are angled at about 20° relative to the front panel 12 and lever panel 34, respectively, and have lip surfaces that are about 2 mm across. The belt-clip 30 extends for a length of about 63 mm along the back panel 22, and ends just above the upper edge of the cavity 20, as shown in FIG. 3.

In this preferred embodiment, the front panel 12, back panel 22, and arcuate side panels 24 are about 2.5 mm in thickness. The belt-clip 30 varies in thickness, with the upper bend 32 being about 4.5 mm thick, and the lever panel 34 being about 3 mm thick. This configuration provides added strength in the upper bend 32 while allowing sufficient flexibility of the lever panel 34.

The holder 10 is preferably of unitary construction. By unitary construction, it is meant that the entire holder 10, once constructed, is a single, unitary piece without additional parts or pieces beyond the basic panels described herein. No hinges, screws, or pins are needed. The resiliency of the material used and the size and shape of the panels allows for the necessary movement and retaining forces.

It is not, however, necessary, that the holder 10 be manufactured as a single piece or of a single type of material. For example, the front panel 12 and back panel 22 may be formed as separate pieces from the arcuate side panels 24, and these pieces may then be secured to each other to form the main body of the holder 10. This would result in a holder 10 of unitary construction, as described above, because the holder 10 would be a single, unitary piece once constructed. The pieces may be secured using a thermal bonding process, adhesive, or other means. The belt-clip 30 also may be formed separately and then bonded to the back panel 22. Alternatively, the entire holder 10 may be formed in a unitary process as a single piece.

Similarly, the parts of the holder 10 may be made of the different, but compatible, materials. The front panel 12 and belt-clip 30 require use of a somewhat flexible and resilient material. Nylon is used in a preferred embodiment. The back panel 22 and the arcuate side panels 24, on the other hand, may not require use of a resilient or flexible material. If such flexibility is not required, and if more structural rigidity is desired, these panels may be constructed of a more rigid material like polyethylene. It should be noted, however, that in one preferred embodiment, the side panels 24 do benefit from being somewhat flexible. If the side panels 24 extend around more than 180° of a held cylindrical object (e.g., a dipping tobacco tin), using flexible material for the side panels 24 may provide some benefit, as described above. In other embodiments, such flexibility may not be advantageous, and a more rigid material might be used.

The holder 10, however, is still considered to be of unitary construction if different materials are used for certain of the panels. This remains true so long as the panels and parts described herein are made of compatible materials and lack additional parts like hinges, screws, pins, and the like. For example, if the front panel 12 and belt-clip 30 are made of resilient nylon, and the back panel 22 and arcuate side panels 24 are made of polyethylene, the holder 10 would still be of unitary construction.

The unitary nature of the resulting holder 10 provides another advantage. By eliminating the need for additional parts, pieces, and materials, the cost and complexity of manufacturing the holder 10 is reduced. The holder also is more robust, with no small, mechanical parts to break or fail during use. The result is a reliable, but simple to make, holder 10 that provides key benefits to users at an acceptable cost.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, where front and back views, respectively, of a square or rectangular holder 10 are shown. The front panel 12 has the same integral retainer 14, and a cavity 20 is still formed at the bottom of the holder 10. Two sides of the cavity 20 are formed by the lower edges 26 of the front and back panels, as with the embodiments described above.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, however, differs in the nature of the sides and bottom of the holder 10. The holder 10, being generally square in shape rather than round, the side panels 40 are straight, rather than arcuate in shape. Moreover, there are separate bottom panels 42 in this embodiment. The cavity 20 is formed by the lower edges 26 of the front and back panels and by the inner edges of the bottom panels 42. The lower ends of the front panel 12 and back panel 22 are generally squared in shape, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. The holder 10 may be longer or shorter, wider or more narrow, as necessary for the particular application.

Though FIG. 2 shows a rounded embodiment of the holder 10, the belt-clip 30 shown in FIG. 5 is of the same construction as that shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, the retainer 14 and its integral retaining lip 16 are of the same construction in the squared embodiment as in the rounded embodiment shown in FIG. 2. These features of the squared embodiment, therefore, can be fully understood by reference to FIG. 2.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be used to hold a variety of square or rectangular objects. The specific size and shape of the holder 10 will depend upon the application for which it is to be used. For example, this embodiment might be useful for holding a group of credit cards and possibly some cash. The cards and cash might be secured using a money clip, rubber band, or other means. The means of holding the cards and cash together in this example are not in any way a part of the present invention. The cards and cash could be inserted into the holder, and secured by the retainer 14 and integral retaining lip 16. The cards and cash could be removed using a single hand as described above in connection with the dipping tobacco tin holder embodiment.

The square or rectangular shaped embodiment of the invention also might be used to hold cell phones, wireless e-mail devices, pagers, small music players (e.g. mp3 players), small cameras, or other small objects that are generally square or rectangular in shape. The advantages of the present invention would be beneficial for all such uses, namely the protection provided to the held object, the security provided without requiring extra steps to retain the object, and the easy removal. The holder in this embodiment also may be of unitary construction, as described above, thus providing additional advantages.

While the preceding description is intended to provide an understanding of the present invention, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations on the structure and methods described above and all other equivalent arrangements that are within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A holder for a dipping tobacco tin or other small, cylindrical object, comprising:

a. a belt clip having a resilient upper bend, a resilient lever body, and a retaining member;

b. a back panel connected to the belt clip;

c. two arcuate side panels connected to the back panel;

d. a front panel having an integral retainer and being connected to the two arcuate side panels such that a cavity is formed by lower edges of the back panel, the two arcuate side panels, and the front panel; i. wherein the integral retainer and the cavity are configured so that a user may remove a held object from the holder using a single hand; and, ii. wherein the holder is of a unitary construction.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein the integral retainer further comprises a retaining lip configured to allow easy insertion of an object into the holder and to securely hold the object once it has been fully inserted into the holder.

3. The holder of claim 1 wherein the cavity is at least approximately one inch in width, measured from lower edges of the two side panels.

4. The holder of claim 1 wherein the side panels each extend around approximately 60° of the outer circumference of the holder, and the cavity extends around approximately 60° of the circumference of the holder, such that the two side panels and the cavity, taken together, extend around approximately 180° of the circumference of the holder.

5. A holder for a dipping tobacco tin or other small, cylindrical object, comprising:

a. a belt clip;

b. a back panel connected to the belt clip;

c. two arcuate side panels connected to the back panel; and,

d. a front panel having an integral retainer and being connected to the two arcuate side panels such that a cavity is formed by lower edges of the back panel, the two arcuate side panels, and the front panel, and wherein the integral retainer and the cavity are configured so that a user may remove a held object from the holder using a single hand.

6. The holder of claim 5, wherein the holder is of unitary construction.

7. The holder of claim 5, wherein the back panel, front panel, and side panels are sized to accommodate a standard-sized dipping tobacco tin.

8. The holder of claim 7, wherein the side panels have an arcuate length so that a side-to-side measurement from an upper edge of a first arcuate side panel to an upper edge of a second arcuate side panel is less than an inside diameter of the holder.

9. The holder of claim 5, wherein the integral retainer further comprises a retaining lip configured to allow easy insertion of an object into the holder and to securely hold the object once it has been fully inserted into the holder.

10. The holder of claim 5, wherein the cavity has a width sufficient to allow an intended user to insert at least one finger into the cavity.

11. The holder of claim 5, wherein the front panel and belt-clip are constructed of a resilient material.

12. The holder of claim 5, wherein the belt clip further comprises a resilient upper bend, a resilient lever body, and a retaining member.

13. A holder for a dipping tobacco tin or other small, cylindrical object, comprising:

a. a belt clip;

b. a back panel connected to the belt clip;

c. two arcuate side panels connected to the back panel; and

d. a front panel having an integral retainer and being connected to the two arcuate side panels such that a cavity is formed by lower edges of the back panel, the two arcuate side panels, and the front panel, and wherein the holder is of a unitary construction.

14. The holder of claim 13, wherein the integral retainer and the cavity are configured so that a user may remove a held object from the holder using a single hand.

15. The holder of claim 13, wherein the cavity has a width sufficient to allow an intended user to insert at least one finger into the cavity.

16. The holder of claim 13, wherein the front panel and belt-clip are constructed of a resilient material.

17. The holder of claim 13, wherein the integral retainer further comprises a retaining lip configured to allow easy insertion of an object into the holder and to securely hold the object once it has been fully inserted into the holder.

18. The holder of claim 13, wherein the holder is constructed of nylon.

19. A holder, comprising:

a. a back panel, having an integral belt clip;

b. first and second side panels, each side panel connected to the back panel;

c. first and second bottom panels connected to the first and second side panels, respectively, and the bottom panels also connected to the back panel; and,

d. a front panel having an integral retainer, the front panel being connected to the two side panels and the two bottom panels such that a cavity is formed by lower edges of the back panel and front panel and inner edges of the two bottom panels, and wherein the integral retainer and the cavity are configured so that a user may remove a held object from the holder using a single hand.

20. The holder of claim 19, wherein the holder is of unitary construction.