MULTI-FUNCTION EQUIPMENT CASE

Abstract

The present invention provides a multi-function equipment case that integrates keeper technology with equipment cases. Specifically, under the present invention, an equipment case will include a compartment for holding a piece of equipment and at least one keeper strap secured to an outer surface of the compartment. The keeper strap(s) not only allows for attachment of the multi-function equipment case to a duty belt, but it also binds the duty belt to a pants belt. This integrated device eliminates the wasted space caused by having to use keepers separate and apart from the case.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to equipment cases for duty belts and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to multi-function equipment cases having integrated keeper(s) that not only secure the equipment case to a duty belt, but also secure/bind the duty belt with a dress/pants belt.

RELATED ART

For emergency (police, fire, EMS) and military personnel, duty belts are an everyday part of life. Such belts allow an individual to carry many pieces of equipment around his/her waist for easy access. In many instances, the individual is required to carry certain pieces of equipment, which limits the individual's ability to lighten his/her duty belt. As time goes on, more and more pieces of equipment are being added to the duty belt. For instance, today a police officer's duty belt will likely hold a firearm, multiple clips of ammunition, pepper spray, one or two sets of handcuffs, a baton, a cellular phone, a radio, and possibly a taser. In addition, four or more keepers are typically utilized to bind the duty belt to the pants belt. This keeps the duty belt from rotating about the individual's mid-section. Each keeper can have a width of approximately one inch (or more). Thus, using four keepers consumes valuable real estate on the duty belt.

In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for a solution that solves at least of the deficiencies of the related art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention provides a multi-function equipment case that integrates keeper technology with equipment cases. Specifically, under the present invention, an equipment case will include a compartment for holding a piece of equipment and at least one keeper strap secured to an outer surface of the compartment. The keeper strap(s) not only allows for attachment of the multi-function equipment case to a duty belt, but it also binds the duty belt to a pants belt. This integrated device eliminates the wasted space caused by having to use keepers separate and apart from the case.

Under the present invention, the keeper strap(s) can be secured to the case using and methodology now known or later developed. For example, the keeper strap(s) can be stitched, adhered, pinned/nailed, etc. to the case. In addition, each keeper strap typically includes complimentary snaps that allow one end of the strap to be secured to another end of the same strap. Still yet, a swivel can be positioned between the outer surface and the keeper strap(s). This allows for the case to be free rotated while keeping the keeper strap(s) stationary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1-2 depict isometric views of an illustrative equipment case having integrated keeper straps according to the present invention.

FIGS. 3-4 depict front and back views of the illustrative equipment case of FIGS. 1-2.

FIGS. 5-6 depict side views of the illustrative equipment case of FIGS. 1-2.

FIGS. 7-8 depict top and bottom views of the illustrative equipment case of FIGS. 1-2.

FIGS. 9-10 depict isometric views of an illustrative equipment case having integrated keeper straps according to the present invention.

FIGS. 11-12 depict front and back views of the illustrative equipment case of FIGS. 9-10.

FIGS. 13-14 depict side views of the illustrative equipment case of FIGS. 9-10.

FIGS. 15-16 depict top and bottom views of the illustrative equipment case of FIGS. 9-10.

FIG. 17 depicts a view of equipment cases according to the present invention when in use.

FIGS. 18-19 depict an illustrative equipment case according to the present invention with a swivel.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention provides a multi-function equipment case that integrates keeper technology with equipment cases. Specifically, under the present invention, an equipment case will include a compartment for holding a piece of equipment and at least one keeper strap secured to an outer surface of the compartment. The keeper strap(s) not only allows for attachment of the multi-function equipment case to a duty belt, but it also binds the duty belt to a pants belt. This integrated device eliminates the wasted space caused by having to use keepers separate and apart from the case.

Under the present invention, the keeper strap(s) can be secured to the case using and methodology now known or later developed. For example, the keeper strap(s) can be stitched, adhered, pinned/nailed, etc. to the case. In addition, each keeper strap typically includes complimentary snaps that allow one end of the strap to be secured to another end of the same strap. Still yet, a swivel can be positioned between the outer surface and the keeper strap(s). This allows for the case to be free rotated while keeping the keeper strap(s) stationary.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an illustrative equipment case 10 according to the present invention is shown. In general, equipment case 10 includes a compartment 12 for holding handcuffs or the like and keeper straps 14A-B. As shown in FIG. 2, keeper straps 14A-B are secured to an outer surface 16 of equipment case 10. Although two keepers straps 14A-B are shown in FIGS. 1-2, it should be appreciated that any quantity could actually be provided. FIGS. 3-4 show front and back views, respectively, of equipment case 10. As shown in the side views of FIGS. 5-6, each keeper strap 14A-B includes complimentary (e.g., male-female) snaps 18A-B for securing a first end 20A of keeper strap 14A-B to a second end 20B of the same keeper strap 14A-B. FIGS. 7-8 depicts top and bottom views of equipment case 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-10, another illustrative equipment case 100 according to the present invention is shown. In general, equipment case 100 includes a compartment 102 for holding a cellular phone or the like and keeper straps 104A-B. As shown in FIG. 10, keeper straps 104A-B are secured to an outer surface 16 of equipment case 100. Although two keepers straps 104A-B are shown in FIGS. 9-10, it should be appreciated that any quantity could actually be provided. FIGS. 11-12 show front and back views, respectively, of equipment case 100. As shown in the side views of FIGS. 13-14, each keeper strap 104A includes complimentary (e.g., male-female) snaps 108A-B for securing a first end 110A of keeper strap 104A to a second end 110B of the same keeper strap 104A. FIGS. 15-16 depicts top and bottom views of equipment case 100.

Referring now to FIG. 17, equipment cases 10 and 124 in use in accordance with the present invention are shown. Specifically, each case 10 and 124 includes at least one keeper strap 14A-B and 126, respectively. Each keeper strap 14A-B and 126 encircles both duty belt 120 as well as pants/dress belt 122. This not only secured the cases 10 and 124 to belts 120 and 122, but also serves to bind belt 120 and 122 together. This prevents duty belt 120 from moving laterally about the waist of the user independent of pants/dress belt 122. As indicated above, previously, users were forced to utilize independent keepers that were positioned side by side with equipment cases on their duty belts. Such a configuration wasted valuable space on the duty belt. With an integrated device such as described herein, that space is recaptured so that additional equipment can be carried.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-19, it is demonstrated that a swivel mechanism can also be introduced in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, complimentary (e.g., male-female) swivel components 130A-B can be interposed between outer surface 16 of equipment case 10 and keeper straps 14A-B. The swivel mechanism allows the case to be freely rotated while allowing keeper straps 14A-B to remain stationary.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. For example, although depicted as being secured to a back outer surface of equipment cases, the keeper straps could be attached to any outer surface. For example, the keeper straps could be secured to a top, bottom, side, and/or front outer surface(s) of an equipment case.

Claims

1. A multi-function equipment case, comprising:

a compartment for holding a piece of equipment; and

at least one keeper strap secured to an outer surface of the compartment for attaching the multi-function equipment case to a duty belt, and for binding the duty belt to a pants belt.

2. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, the at least one keeper strap comprising a plurality of keeper straps.

3. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, the at least one keeper strap comprising a single keeper strap.

4. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, the at least one keeper strap being stitched to the outer surface.

5. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, the at least one keeper strap being adhered to the outer surface.

6. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, each of the at least one keeper strap comprising snaps for securing a first end of the at least one keeper strap to a second end of the at least one keeper strap.

7. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, further comprising a swivel positioned between the outer surface and the at least one keeper strap, the swivel allowing the compartment to be rotated.