AMMUNITION HOLSTER

Abstract

An ammunition holster and a method for manufacturing an ammunition holster is provided. The ammunition holster can comprise a clip shaped rigid frame and a pocket assembly affixed to the frame. The pocket assembly can comprise a plurality of fabric pockets, each defining a cavity with an opening of at least a one and one-eighth inch diameter to accommodate an ammunition magazine placed within the cavity. The method for manufacturing an ammunition holster can include stitching a pocket to a fabric substrate and affixing the substrate to a clip shaped rigid frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage device and more particularly to a storage device for holding ammunition.

2. Description of the Related Art

Security personnel, police officers, military personnel, and other personnel, who carry a weapon, often need to carry additional items, such as a flashlight, handcuffs, and additional ammunition. In some cases, these items are carried on a duty belt, but a duty belt can have limited carrying space. In addition, a duty belt may not be configured to carry a variety of ammunition sizes. Also, a duty belt may be manufactured from materials that stain easily, such as leather, or that can be contaminated by bodily secretions, including blood.

A vehicle is also used to store ammunition and other additional items, including a flashlight and handcuffs. A glove box, a center console, and a trunk of a vehicle can each provide storage space, but each lacks quick accessibility. For instance, both the glove box and center console must first be opened and, in some instances, first unlocked, before items, like ammunition, can be accessed. In addition, the glove box and the center console are limited in space. A trunk, though with additional space, requires an occupant to exit the vehicle and open the vehicle before accessing anything stored in the trunk.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to storing additional ammunition and provide a novel and non-obvious apparatus and method for an ammunition holster. In an embodiment of the invention, a clip shaped rigid frame can be provided. A pocket assembly can be affixed to the frame. The pocket assembly can comprise a plurality of fabric pockets; each of the fabric pockets can define a cavity with an opening of at least a one and one-eighth inch diameter to accommodate an ammunition magazine placed within the cavity.

A method for manufacturing an ammunition holster can also be provided. The method can include stitching a pocket to a fabric substrate. The pocket can comprise a width of at least two and one-eighth inches and a height of at least four and one-half inches. Once the pocket is stitched to the substrate, the pocket can define a cavity with an opening of at least one and one-eighth inch diameter to accommodate an ammunition magazine placed within the cavity. The method can further include affixing the substrate to a clip shaped rigid frame.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an ammunition holster holding two ammunition magazines in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a technical drawing of a front view of an ammunition holster in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a technical drawing of a top view of an ammunition holster showing pocket apertures in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is an engineering drawing of the back of an embodiment of an ammunition holster;

FIG. 3B is an engineering drawing of the back of an embodiment of an ammunition holster showing a clip shaped rigid frame in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3C illustrates one possible shape for the clip shaped rigid frame in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a top view of an ammunition holster in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a back view of an ammunition holster in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4C shows the clip shaped rigid frame in profile in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide for an ammunition holster. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the ammunition holster can include a plurality of pockets, configured to hold an ammunition magazine, for instance, a forty five caliber, fifteen round double stacked magazine. The plurality of pockets can further be coupled to a rigid frame that is bent to form clips. Of note, the clips are shaped in such a way to allow the ammunition holster to be attached to a motorized vehicle. In one instance, the ammunition holster can clip onto the door of a car. In this way, an occupant of the vehicle can quickly and easily access an ammunition magazine as opposed to when an ammunition magazine is stored in a glove box, which first requires the glove box to be first opened, wasting valuable time. In addition, if the ammunition magazine is just placed loose in the door of a vehicle, the ammunition magazine can be buried beneath other items as well as move during the movement of the vehicle. Of note, additional pockets can be configured to hold additional items, such as handcuffs, a flashlight, and other ammunition, such as a rifle magazine. Of further note, the pockets are configured in such a way where the ammunition magazine is secure so that when the door of a vehicle is opened or closed, the items, including the ammunition magazine do not fall out. Of even further note, the pockets are configured so that a user can access the ammunition with one hand; in other words, one hand does not need to hold the holster, while the other hand extracts the ammunition.

In further illustration, FIG. 1 is a front view of an ammunition holster holding two ammunition magazines 125 in an embodiment of the invention. The ammunition magazine 125 can fit into a pocket 105 of the holster 195. The pocket 105 can be part of a pocket assembly 180. The pocket assembly 180 can comprise a plurality of fabric pockets 105; each of the fabric pockets 105 can define a cavity with an opening of at least a one and one-eighth inch diameter to accommodate an ammunition magazine 125 placed within the cavity. The pocket 105 can be formed from any material now known or later developed, including a polymer, such as plastic, or heavy duty stiff material, including nylon, such as ballistic nylon, or any other fabric. In one instance, a pocket 105 can be designed and manufactured to fit a forty five caliber, fifteen round double stacked magazine, where the pocket 105 may be at least four and one-half inches in height and at least two and one-eighth inches in width. Of note, the pockets 105 are not limited to fit one specific size and type of ammunition magazine 125. For example, a pocket 105 can be designed to fit a variety of different caliper, single stacked magazines, each usually containing ten rounds, which generally can range in width between one half an inch and five-eighths of an inch. In addition, in an embodiment, two single stacked magazines can be placed in a single pocket 105. Also, a pocket 105 can be designed to hold different caliber, double stacked magazines, including but not limited to forty caliber, forty five caliber, and nine millimeter magazines. Of further note, binding tape, ABS laminate, and rivets can also be used in the manufacturing of the ammunition holster 195. In addition, the pocket 105 can be formed by any method now known or later developed. In one instance, the pocket 105 can be stitched to a fabric substrate and the substrate affixed to a clip shaped rigid frame. Of further note, different seams 155, of varying widths, can be present throughout the pocket assembly 180. Of note, the open-ended pockets 105 allow a user to quickly access additional ammunition magazines 125 by grabbing the magazine 125. For example, a user can use his finger and thumb to quickly access a magazine 125. In one instance, there is at least one quarter of an inch between pockets 105 of similar size.

Of note, additional pockets 105 of varying size can also be provided. In one instance, the additional pocket 105 can be approximately two and seven-eights inches in width and four and half inches in height, while another pocket 105 can be ten and seven-eights inches in height and four and half inches in height. Optionally, in an embodiment, each pocket 105 can have a flap 145 with hook fasteners that can be coupled to loop fasteners on the pocket 105. In another embodiment, a flap 145 can be secured to a pocket 105 with rivets (not shown).

In further illustration, FIG. 2A is a technical drawing of a front view of an ammunition holster in an embodiment of the invention. The ammunition holster can have a plurality of pockets 205. Optionally, at least one pocket 205 can have an optionally flap 245 with hook fasteners 235 that can be coupled to loop fasteners 240 on the pocket 205. Of note, different seams 255 can be formed throughout the ammunition holster. The seams 255 can be of varying widths, for instance one seam 255 can be three-eighths inches wide and a different seam 255 can be a half an inch. Of further note, hook fasteners 235 and loop fasteners 240 can be of any size, including but not limited to one and one half hook and one and one half loop, respectively.

In further illustration, FIG. 2B is a technical drawing of a top view of an ammunition holster showing pocket apertures 206 in an embodiment of the invention. Pockets on a fabric substrate 250 can be created of varying dimensions. For example, a pocket can be designed with a width of two and one-eighth inches and a depth of one inch (and a height of four and one-half inches, not shown) creating a pocket aperture 206 of about two inches. In this way, a pocket can hold an ammunition magazine, such as a forty five caliber double stacked magazine. A pocket can also be designed with a width of three inches and a depth of one and one half inches (and a height of four and one-half inches, not shown) creating a pocket aperture 206 of about two and seven-eighths inches. Another pocket can be designed to have a depth of a half inch (and a height of four and one-half inches, not shown) and a pocket aperture 206 of ten and three-sixteenths inches. Of note, though each pocket was designed to be rectangular in shape, in actuality, the pocket can appear circular with a diameter of at least one and one-eighth inches.

In further illustration, FIGS. 3A-3B are engineering drawings of the back of an embodiment of an ammunition holster. Specifically, FIG. 3A is a back view of a rigid frame 375 in an embodiment of the invention. The rigid frame 350 can be manufactured from any material now known or later developed, including but not limited to plastic, for instance acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The rigid frame 375 can be manufactured using any technique now known or later developed, including injection molding, extrusion, vacuum forming, and machining. In one embodiment, the rigid frame 375 can be made of a flat singular piece of one-eighth inch ABS. Initially, prior to bending, as seen in FIG. 3A, the rigid frame 375 can be approximately eight and one eighth inches in height and twenty three and seven eights inches in length. The rigid frame 375 can then be bent to create a clip shaped rigid frame 355, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3C illustrates one possible shape for the clip shaped rigid frame 355, though the rigid frame 375 can be bent to any shape. Of note, the invention is not limited to the rigid frame 375 shape illustrated in FIG. 3A; in other words, different shape and sized rigid frames 375 can be used allowing different shaped and sized clip shaped rigid frames 355 to be created. Of note, in another embodiment, a rigid clip can be manufactured as a separate component and coupled to a rigid frame 375. In this instance, the number and location of rigid clips coupled to a rigid frame 375 is not limited. In a different embodiment, a rigid clip can be manufactured as a separate component and be coupled to a pocket assembly, which may or may not be further coupled to a rigid frame 375.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an ammunition holster in an embodiment of the invention. The ammunition holster can have a plurality of pockets 405 stitched to a fabric substrate 450. The pockets 405 can be of different sizes. In addition, the pockets can have a flap 445. The pockets 405 on a fabric substrate 450 can be coupled to a clip shaped rigid frame 455. The method of affixing the clip shaped rigid frame 455 to the pockets 405 on a fabric substrate is not limited, but can include a hook and loop fastener assembly, rivets, glue, bonding cement, and tape. The clip shaped rigid frame 455 can be shaped to allow the ammunition holster to be coupled to a motorized vehicle, including, for instance, the inside door of a car.

FIG. 4B is a back view of an ammunition holster in an embodiment of the invention. A clip shaped rigid frame 455 can be affixed to a fabric substrate 450. A plurality of pockets can be stitched to the fabric substrate 450 to create a pocket assembly.

FIG. 4C shows a bent rigid clip 455 in profile in an embodiment of the invention. A clip shaped rigid frame 455 can be coupled to a pocket assembly. The pocket assembly can include a plurality of fabric pockets 405. The method of affixing the clip shaped rigid frame 455 to the pocket assembly is not limited, but can include a hook and loop fastener assembly, rivets, glue, bonding cement, and tape. Optionally, some pockets 405 can include a flap 445. Optionally, the clip shaped rigid frame 455 can be integrated with the fabric used to make the pockets 405. In other words, the fabric can be stitched in such as way that the clip shaped rigid frame 455 is covered with fabric, but the clip shaped rigid frame 455 does not need to be covered with the fabric.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows:

Claims

1. An ammunition holster comprising:

a clip shaped rigid frame;

a pocket assembly affixed to the frame, the assembly comprising a plurality of fabric pockets, each of the fabric pockets defining a cavity with an opening of at least a one and one-eighth inch diameter to accommodate an ammunition magazine placed within the cavity.

2. The ammunition holster of claim 1, wherein the fabric pockets define a cavity with an opening of at least two inches.

3. The ammunition holster of claim 1, wherein the fabric pockets define a cavity with an opening of at least two and seven-eighths.

4. The ammunition holster of claim 1, wherein the fabric pockets define a cavity with an opening of at least ten and three-sixteenth inches.

5. A method of manufacturing an ammunition holster comprising:

stitching a pocket to a fabric substrate, the pocket comprising a width of at least two and one-eighth inches and a height of at least four and one-half inches, the pocket once stitched to the substrate defining a cavity with an opening of at least one and one-eighth inch diameter to accommodate an ammunition magazine placed within the cavity; and,

affixing the substrate to a clip shaped rigid frame.