STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

An accessory holder for securing an accessory to a user, the holder comprising a first generally rigid portion; an interface; and a second generally rigid portion adjustably coupled to the first portion via the interface, the first and second portions defining an interior, the second portion being moveable relative to the first portion between at least a first position and a second position to vary a length of the interior by manipulation of the interface; wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is configured to be coupled to an item of apparel of a user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/057,441, filed May 30, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in it entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of storage devices, and more particularly, to a storage device or holder configured to hold a radio or similar device and accommodate devices having varying lengths.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to an accessory holder for securing an accessory to a user, the holder comprising a first generally rigid portion; an interface; and a second generally rigid portion adjustably coupled to the first portion via the interface, the first and second portions defining an interior, the second portion being moveable relative to the first portion between at least a first position and a second position to vary a length of the interior by manipulation of the interface; wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is configured to be coupled to an item of apparel of a user.

Another embodiment relates to a method of configuring a radio holder, the method comprising providing a radio holder having a first portion and a second portion adjustably coupled to the first portion, the first and second portions defining an interior configured to receive a radio; positioning the second portion in a first position relative to the first portion; securing a first radio having a first length within the interior; moving the second portion from the first position to a second position; and securing a second radio having a second length different from the first length within the interior

Another embodiment relates to a radio holder for securing a radio to an item of apparel of a user, the holder comprising a generally rigid first member having a coupler configured to couple the first member to an item of apparel of a user; a generally rigid second member slidably coupled to the first member, the first and second member forming an interior, the first member including a plurality of apertures each configured to receive at least one projection extending from the second member, thereby enabling the user to slidably adjust the second member between a plurality of positions relative to the first member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holder according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the holder of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the holder of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows is an exploded view of the holder of FIG. 1 and a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the holder and device of FIG. 4A in an extended position according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the holder of FIG. 1 with a device within the holder according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the holder of FIG. 1 in an unextended position and holding a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the holder of FIG. 1 in an unextended position and holding a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the holder of FIG. 1 in an unextended position and holding a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9A is an exploded view of a holder and a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the holder and device of FIG. 9A according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10A an exploded view of a holder and a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the holder and device of FIG. 10A according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11A an exploded view of a holder and a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the holder and device of FIG. 11A according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a holder 10 (e.g., a storage device, accessory holder support, holster, container, etc.) is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Holder 10 is configured to support and/or secure a device 20 (e.g., a radio, flashlight, baton, etc.). Holder 10 may include a main body 12 (e.g., a first portion or member, an outer or upper member, etc.) and an extending portion or extension 14 (e.g., a second portion, a lower or extending member, an inner member, etc.). Body 12 and extension 14 may be secured in position relative to one another via an interface 16 (e.g., a series of mating slots/projections, a series of snap fit engagement positions, one or more hook and loop fasteners, threaded fasteners, buttons, etc., and/or any combination thereof). Holder 10 may further include a support member 18 (e.g., an attachment member, clip, loop, hook, ring, strap, etc.) configured to permit attachment of holder 10 to a user's apparel or other item (e.g., a vest, belt, bag, item of clothing, etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment, main body 12 may be formed by a front wall 22, a rear wall 24, and opposing side walls 26, 28, and may have generally open top and bottom ends. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, extension 14 may be formed by a front wall 40, a rear wall 42, opposing side walls 44, 46, and a bottom wall 48, and have a generally open top end. While main body 12 and extension 14 are shown as having generally rectangular cross-sections, it should be understood that other cross-sections may be utilized and the present disclosure is not limited to any specific cross-section for main body 12 and/or extension 14. For example, according to various exemplary embodiments, the appropriate cross-sections may be selected to provide a “snug” fit for a particular device, such as device 20 (e.g., a radio, etc.). In some embodiments, a compressible material such as a foam or other material may be used with holder 10 (e.g., with main body 12 and/or extension 14) to facilitate securing devices within holder 10.

According to an exemplary embodiment, main body 12 and extension 14 may be made from a rigid or semi-rigid polymer material, such as a polycarbonate or other material. According to various other embodiments, other materials may be used in conjunction with or in place of a polymer material. Furthermore, main body 12 and/or extension 14 may include additional cut-out portions, apertures, etc. to accommodate features such as buttons, knobs, display screens, and so on (see, e.g., FIGS. 9A-11B).

Main body 12 and extension 14 are intended to provide a secure holder for device 20. Extension 14 may be slidably received within main body 12 and secured at a variety of positions relative to main body 12 such that holder 10 may accommodate devices having a wide variety of lengths. For example, as shown in the FIGURES, holder 10 may be configured in a first length or configuration (e.g., a normal position, an unextended position, etc.) such that the front and side walls of main body 12 and extension 14 are generally aligned (see, e.g., FIGS. 6-8). In this first configuration, holder 10 may be configured to hold or otherwise support a device such as device 20 (or a number of different devices having lengths the same as, similar to, or within a predetermined range of, the length of device 20).

Holder 10 may further be configured in a second length or configuration (e.g., an extended position, etc.) such that extension 14 is offset relative to main body 12 and bottom 48 of extension 14 extends below the walls of main body 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 4B). In this second configuration, holder 10 may be configured to hold or otherwise support a device such as device 21 (or a number of different devices having lengths the same as, similar to, or within a predetermined range of, the length of device 21).

In order to secure extension 14 in position relative to main body 12, interface 16 may be used. According to an exemplary embodiment, main body 12 may be provided with a number of apertures 30, 32, extending along the length of main body 12, and extension 14 may be provided with one or more corresponding projections 50 (e.g., tabs, flanges, etc.) such that the position of extension 14 relative to main body 12 may be adjusted by engaging/disengaging projections 50 from apertures 30, 32. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, extension 14 may be secured in a first position to hold device 20 by projection 50 engaging aperture 30. As shown in FIG. 4B, in order to accommodate a longer device such as device 21, projection 50 may be disengaged from aperture 30, extension 14 may be moved downward relative to main body 12, and projection 50 may be engaged with aperture 32.

While in FIGS. 1-8 holder 10 is generally shown as having two different positions for extension 14 relative to main body 12, it should be understood that according to various exemplary embodiments, more or fewer positions may be utilized (e.g., 1, 3, 4, or more, etc.) by modifying the configuration of interface 16. For example, FIGS. 9A-11B show holders 110, 210, 310 that are positionable in four different configurations (e.g., such that the holders may accommodate radios that may be used with battery units of four different sizes, etc.). Furthermore, while interface 16 is shown as including one or more projections 50 that interface with a number of apertures 30, 32, it should be understood that other types of structural components may be used (e.g., indents/detents, spring-loaded members, mechanical fasteners, frictional interface(s), etc.). Further yet, while apertures 30, 32 and projections 50 are shown as being provided on the opposing side walls of main body 12 and extension 14, respectively, it should be understood that these features may be provided on any suitable surfaces of main body 12 and/or extension 14 (e.g., on the rear or front walls only, on a single side wall, etc.), and the locations of the apertures, projections, and/or other features may be reversed relative to main body 12 and extension 14. All such features and combination of features are deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, holder 10 may be configured to support devices having varying lengths such that the same amount or portion of each device extends beyond the top of main body 12. For example, a single radio may accommodate different sized battery packs, e.g., one that is longer than the other, such that the length of the radio changes based on which battery pack is used. A user may desire that a display screen and certain buttons, controls, etc., on the radio remain exposed (e.g., extend above main body 12) while the device is seated within holder 10, regardless of the size battery utilized. Holder 10 may be configured such it may be adjusted to leave the display screen, etc. exposed when the radio is used with either sized battery pack by adjusting the relative positions of main body 12 and extension 14 (e.g., between an “unextended” configuration for use with a smaller battery pack, and an “extended” configuration for use with a larger, relatively longer, battery pack).

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-11B, holders 110, 210, and 310 are shown according to various exemplary embodiments and are similar to holder 10 shown in FIGS. 1-8. As shown in FIGS. 9A-11B, holders 110, 210, 310 may further include one or more cut-out sections such as cut-outs 160, 162, 164 shown on main body 112 and cut-outs 166, 168 shown on extension 1 14. The cut-outs may be provided such that they provide easy access to portions of device 121 such as buttons, plug-ins, display screens, and so on. Main body 112 and extension 114 may also include one or more contoured edge portions to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance relative to a design using primarily right-angled edges. Furthermore, extension 114 may include a curved bottom surface as indicated by curved portion 170.

As shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, holder 110 includes a support member 118 and an intermediate support 119 that couples support 118 to main body 112. Support 118 may be a clip, such as a MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) clip (e.g., configured to be coupled to a traditional duty-belt or vest, etc.), or any other suitable support member. Intermediate support 119 may provide an adjustability feature to holder 110 such that main body 112 may be secured at an angle relative to support 118 (e.g., such that when holder 110 is secured to, for example, a duty belt, holder 110 is angularly offset relative to a generally upright position). Intermediate member 119 may also be a compliant member (e.g., a spring-loaded member, etc.) that permits a limited amount of rotational movement of main body 112 relative to support 118. This rotational movement reduces the risk of breakage of components due to stresses that may be generated during normal usage with a more rigid connection. According to one embodiment, support 118 may be secured to intermediate member 119 using a screw, rivet, or other suitable fastener (e.g., snap-fit, slide-fit, etc.), and intermediate member 119 may be secured to main body 112 using a sliding dovetail interface secured with a mechanical fastener such as a screw or other suitable fastener. Other methods of coupling main body 112, intermediate support 119, and support 118 may be used according to various other exemplary embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 10A-10B, holder 210 is similar to holder 110, except that holder 210 includes intermediate support 219 that provides a sliding dovetail mounting feature to couple support 218 to main body 212. Intermediate support 219 may be coupled to support 218 using any suitable means, including mechanical fasteners, a snap-fit, sliding-fit, or friction-fit, or any other suitable means.

As shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, holder 310 is similar to holders 110 and 210 except that holder 310 includes support 318 which includes a sliding dovetail feature to interface with main body 312 and a mounting member 322. According to an exemplary embodiment, mounting member 322 may be a knob or other type of projection or extension that is configured to engage a corresponding slot, aperture, or other feature in, for example, a support device provided on a traditional duty belt of a police officer or similar personnel. According to various other exemplary embodiments, other means of fastening mounting member 322 to holder 10 may be used in place of a sliding dovetail feature (e.g., mechanical fasteners, etc.).

It is important to note that for purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” shall mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. Such joining may also relate to mechanical, fluid, or electrical relationship between the two components.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the holder shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and/or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An accessory holder for securing an accessory to a user, the holder comprising:

a first generally rigid portion;

an interface; and

a second generally rigid portion adjustably coupled to the first portion via the interface, the first and second portions defining an interior, the second portion being moveable relative to the first portion between at least a first position and a second position to vary a length of the interior by manipulation of the interface;

wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is configured to be coupled to an item of apparel of a user.

2. The accessory holder of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a first sidewall having an inner sidewall surface and the second portion includes a second sidewall having an outer sidewall surface that substantially conforms to the configuration of the inner sidewall surface.

3. The accessory holder of claim 2, wherein the first portion has generally open top and bottom areas and the second portion extends through the open bottom area at least when the second portion is in the second position.

4. The accessory holder of claim 2, further comprising a support member rotatably coupled to the first portion, the support member being configured to attach to a duty belt of a user.

5. The accessory holder of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall has a first upper edge and the second sidewall has a second upper edge that is substantially aligned with at least a portion of the first upper edge when the second portion is in the first position.

6. The accessory holder of claim 2, wherein the second portion has a bottom sidewall that is substantially aligned with at least a portion of a bottom edge of the first sidewall when the second portion is in the first position.

7. The accessory holder of claim 1, wherein the second position comprises a plurality of different positions relative to the first position.

8. The accessory holder of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a projection provided on one of the first and second portion and at least two recesses provided on the other of the first and second portion.

9. The accessory holder of claim 8, wherein the projection is provided on the second portion and the at least two recesses are provided on the first portion.

10. The accessory holder of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are configured to receive a different one of a plurality of different-sized portable radios when the second portion is in each of the first and second position.

11. The accessory holder of claim 10, wherein the first and second portions are configurable such that a substantially equal length of each of the different-sized radios is exposed when the different-sized radios are positioned within the interior.

12. A method of configuring a radio holder, the method comprising:

providing a radio holder having a first portion and a second portion adjustably coupled to the first portion, the first and second portions defining an interior configured to receive a radio;

positioning the second portion in a first position relative to the first portion;

securing a first radio having a first length within the interior;

moving the second portion from the first position to a second position; and

securing a second radio having a second length different from the first length within the interior.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a bottom of the first portion is substantially aligned with a bottom of the second portion when the second portion is in the first position.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first radio extends a first distance above the interior and the second radio extends a second distance substantially equal to the first distance above the interior.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising operating the first radio while the first radio is secured within the interior.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion defines an aperture configured to provide access to the first and second radios while the first and second radios are secured within the interior.

17. A radio holder for securing a radio to an item of apparel of a user, the holder comprising:

a generally rigid first member having a coupler configured to couple the first member to an item of apparel of a user;

a generally rigid second member slidably coupled to the first member, the first and second member forming an interior, the first member including a plurality of apertures each configured to receive at least one projection extending from the second member, thereby enabling the user to slidably adjust the second member between a plurality of positions relative to the first member.

18. The radio holder of claim 17, wherein the at least one projection comprises first and second projections, the first and second projections each extending from each of a pair of sidewalls of the second member, and wherein the plurality of apertures comprises two groups of apertures, each group of apertures provided on a different one of a pair of sidewalls of the first member.

19. The radio holder of claim 17, wherein the first and second members are configured to enable operation of a radio secured within the interior while the first member is coupled to the item of apparel.

20. The radio holder of claim 17, wherein the coupler includes a support member removably and rotatably coupled to the first member.