Pivotable Holster Mount Assembly

Abstract

Pivotable mount device attaches a holster to a belt plate and includes a belt plate interface, a holster interface, a slidable release mechanism, retainers, and a pivotable pivot disc. The pivotable mount device is operated by applying a force to a release actuator portion of the slidable release mechanism, thereby unlocking the holster interface from the belt plate interface. Once unlocked, the holster interface may freely pivot relative to the belt place interface in one embodiment and is limited to ninety degree (90°) pivoting in another embodiment.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/490,045, filed May 6, 2014, and entitled “Rotatable Mount Assembly Between Holster and Plate,” the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to holster devices, and more particularly to a mount assembly between a holster and a plate.

BACKGROUND

Law enforcement officers typically carry handheld objects on their belts using holsters. While many of the holster devices currently known provide a means for transporting useful tools like batons, nightsticks, electroshock weapons, pepper spray, and handcuffs, these devices are deficient in some respects.

Many devices are rigidly configured such that they remain in a stationary locked position relative to the wearer via an attachment to an officer's belt. In order to remove a firearm from a static holster, the firearm must be drawn along a long axis. When the officer is standing, this motion is a vertical, unconstrained and natural motion. While providing simplicity, such static holsters may be very inconvenient, and even dangerous, when an officer is in a seated position, especially when sitting inside of an automobile. For example, an officer seated in an automobile has a very limited space within which to move. Such limitation of movement becomes a serious problem given the fact that the officer's holster is then very hard to reach due to its fixed nature and awkward angle when the officer is in the seated position. The officer can no longer draw the firearm via a vertical, unconstrained motion because the firearm is horizontally oriented and the vehicle seat back limits the drawing motion in the horizontal direction. If the officer were to need his holstered gun or another tool in a moment's notice, his life could be endangered due to his inability to retrieve it in time.

Some known holster attachment mechanisms include a configuration such that they are rotationally adjustable via the use of a tool, such as an Allen wrench. Specifically, the tool can be used to loosen, or unlock, a holster from its position relative to a wearer's belt. The holster may then be pivoted to a new position and locked into place via the same tool. This configuration requires a process that is more cumbersome and time consuming than necessary, two concerns that are particularly relevant to officers, who may experience moments in which the difference between life and death is a few seconds.

Other known belt attachment devices include belt clips that include a clamp-on rotating portion. While such devices provide for convenient repositioning of a desired object via the device's rotatability, the nature of such belt clips is such that they are able to swing away from the user's body. Police officers frequently carry guns and other weapons that would be very dangerous in the wrong hands, and therefore require holsters that remain in close proximity to their bodies.

Still other known holster attachment mechanisms include a configuration such that a holster may be pivoted to various positions relative to a belt plate on a user's belt by engaging a release tab on the top portion of the mechanism. Once the release is engaged, the holster becomes unlocked and may be pivoted and locked into another preset position. The location of the release on these mechanisms promotes the unintentional engagement of a holster lock release, which is in close proximity to the mechanism's release tab. The accidental unlocking of a user's holster can lead to dangerous results if the user's weapon is then accessible, even briefly, to an individual who would use it to cause harm. Furthermore, having preset positions where the mechanism can be locked into place puts a substantial limit on the degree of repositioning that may be accomplished; that is, due do vastly differing preferences amongst individuals, there is a generally high probability that many users will not be able to obtain an optimal holster position.

Yet other known holster attachment mechanisms include a configuration that consists of a belt plate with three buttons attached to a device holder that contains a circular opening of approximately the same size as the buttons. Each button can engage the circular opening such as to lock the device holder in place relative to the belt plate in either a vertical, right-horizontal or left-horizontal position. Pushing a button inward causes it to disengage from the circular opening such as to unlock the device holder and allow it to be pivoted. The location of the button releases are such that a user may have to use one hand to engage the release while using the other hand to actually pivot the device holder. This creates a concern for users, especially police officers who need to consistently be ready for unexpected events and cannot afford to have more hands busy than necessary.

Given the foregoing, what is needed are devices which allow holsters to be pivotably adjusted quickly and easily. Additionally, devices are needed which allow holsters to be pivotably adjusted without the added necessity of a separate tool, which maintain a holster's close proximity to a user's body, which are not hindered by preset locking positions, and which are easily operable with one hand such that a user's holster will not become unintentionally unlocked.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. It is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the subject matter to be claimed, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the subject matter to be claimed.

The present disclosure is directed to belt mount assemblies which facilitate pivotable adjustment of a holster or other object attached to a plate on a user's belt. Devices in accordance with the present disclosure increase the ability of a user, such as an officer, to access a holstered tool, such as a weapon, while the user is in a seated or other position such that accessing the holstered tool becomes difficult, especially within an automobile, pivotable adjustment allows the user to keep a tool within easy access no matter what position the user is configured in. Compatible holsters may be made of metal, leather, or plastic, and may include other devices recognized by those of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s) as being capable of transporting tools of the nature described herein.

In order to adjust the holster relative to a belt plate on a user's belt, the following actions may be taken. First, the user must grip the holster or holstered tool which is connected to the belt mount. Second, the user actuates the lock release by, for example, using his thumb to press the lock release mechanism inward. Third, the user may pivot the holster to whatever position is most comfortable and best suited for retrieval of his tool from the holster.

In some aspects, all the components of the pivotable mount assembly are rigid and are formed from metallic materials. In other aspects, portions of the pivotable mount assembly maintain their rigidity but are made of plastic or other rigid non-metallic material as would be recognized by one of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s).

In some aspects, the slidable release mechanism functions within a groove that spans internally across the entire assembly. This allows for the slidable mechanism to be positioned on either the right or left side thereof. The release actuator may be of a shape and texture chosen to facilitate gripping and location of the release actuator with minimal or no visibility thereof.

In some aspects, the holster is limited to a 90 degree rotation to the left or the right relative to the belt plate, thereby preventing the contents of an attached holster from falling out.

Further features and advantages of the devices and systems disclosed herein, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the Detailed Description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a pivotable mount assembly connected to a holster and a belt plate;

FIG. 2 is a front side elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front side exploded view of the pivotable mount assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the belt plate assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the belt plate interface of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pivotable pivot disc of the belt plate assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a holster interface of the belt plate assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a slidable release mechanism of the belt plate assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is the opposite side elevational view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a view of a pivotable mount assembly having a channel and stop assembly for limiting the pivoting of the mount assembly, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a pivot disc of the assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front planar view of a belt plate interface of the assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the pivotable mount assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a right side elevational view of the pivotable mount assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a left side elevational view of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the pivotable mount assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 16, and showing the left side portion pivoted 90 degrees;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 17, and showing the left side portion pivoted 90 degrees;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 18, and showing the left side portion pivoted 90 degrees;

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 18=9, and showing the left side portion pivoted 90 degrees;

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 20, and showing the left side portion pivoted 90 degrees; and

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 21, and showing the left side portion pivoted 90 degrees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to pivotable mount assemblies for connecting a holster to a user via, for example, a belt plate. Devices in accordance with the present disclosure increase the ease of retrievability of a weapon or tool such as a gun, electroshock weapon, baton, pepper spray, handcuffs, and the like from a holster while the user is in a variety of positions, including a seated position. Such ease of retrievability is important, especially for officers who, for example, may need to quickly access a gun while seated in a squad car.

Pivotable mount assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure may interface with a holster, sheath, or other device configured to transport and provide access to handheld tools. For the purposes of the present disclosure, “holster” refers to any such holster, sheath, container, connection plate, or other device.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, “tool” refers generally to any handheld device including, but not limited to, hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, knives, multitools, other handheld construction implements, electronic devices, batons, nightsticks, electroshock weapons, pepper spray, guns and handcuffs.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, “belt plate” refers to any device worn on waist and shoulder belts or the like and configured to connect a holster to a user or a user's clothing. Such belt plates may be generally flat and of a rectangular, oval, or other similar shape.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a pivotable mount assembly 100 is mounted between a holster 102 and a belt plate 104, and is preferably formed from metallic or plastic material, or any similar material that would provide sufficient functionality as recognized by one of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. Pivotable mount assembly 100 functions to interface with holster 102 and belt plate 104, and includes a belt plate interface 106, a holster interface 108, a slidable release mechanism 110, a release actuator 112, spaced retainers 106a, and a pivotable pivot disc 114. Belt plate interface 106 and holster interface 108 connect to belt plate 104 and holster 102, respectively, via retainers 106a which may be inserted into sockets 310a and 320a (not shown in FIG. 1). Slidable release mechanism 110 contains spring 312 (not shown in FIG. 1) which may be compressed inward via applying physical force to release actuator 112 at the end of slidable release mechanism 110. Once compressed, holster interface 108 may freely pivot relative to belt plate interface 106 via pivotable pivot disc 114. pivotable pivot disc 114 may be circular, or of any shape and configuration as recognized by one of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s) so as to allow holster interface 108 to pivot relative to belt plate interface 106. When holster interface 108 is pivoted back to its initial position relative to belt plate interface 106, it will lock back into place.

To unlock, a release actuator 112 is employed, and such release actuator 112 may be ribbed, ridged, or have a rough texture such as to facilitate gripping release actuator 112 and applying physical force thereto and thereby compressing spring 312 inside slidable release mechanism 110. Such texturing also facilitates location of release actuator 112 by touch rather than sight, thus enabling operation of slidable release mechanism 110 while the user is looking elsewhere. Release actuator 112 also includes such a shape as to be easily felt and gripped by a user. Such shape may include any geometry as recognized by those of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s) as would stand out from the rest of assembly 100 and facilitate contacting or gripping of release actuator 112. Release actuator 112 may protrude from either the right or left side of pivotable mount assembly 100 and extend from the periphery thereof. Such a configuration may allow pivotable mount assembly 100 to be operated with a single hand of a user. This is achieved by positioning release actuator 112 such that it may be easily accessed by a user's thumb while the rest of the user's hand grips pivotable mount assembly and pivots it when slidable release mechanism 112 is in the unlocked position.

Belt plate interface 106 and holster interface 108 may be rigid members of substantially similar size and geometries. Retainers 106a may be screws, bolts, pins, or any similar device as would be recognized by one of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s) as being able to securely hold rigid objects together and withstand a reasonable amount of force being applied to such rigid objects.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of pivotable mount assembly 100 is shown and include slidable release mechanism 110 which functions with the aid of spring 312, both of which are moveably positioned inside a groove 324 located on the interior surface of pivotable pivot disc 114 and a groove 302 located on the interior surface of holster interface 108. Holster interface 108 further includes a guide 304 that directs and controls the movement of slidable release mechanism 110 via containing a tab 1002 (not shown in FIG. 3). Spring 312 is contained between a post 306 on the interior surface of holster interface 108 and coupled to a knob 802 located on the interior side of the center portion of slidable release mechanism 110 (not shown in FIG. 3). Knob 802 is oriented in the direction of compression of spring 312. Slidable release mechanism 110 further comprises protruding stop 314. Stop 314 locks assembly 100 in place via insertion into a notch 316. Spring 312 applies force to release mechanism 110 and maintains stop 314 in notch 316 when stop 314 and notch 316 are aligned.

Pivotable pivot disc 114 is placed in the middle of holster interface 108 and belt plate interface 106. pivotable pivot disc 114 is secured for rotation via insertion of its inner portion into a groove 308 of holster interface 108, while its outer portion rests on a recess 318 within belt plate interface 106. The outer portion of pivotable pivot disc 114 has a diameter greater than the inner portion of pivotable pivot disc 114. In some aspects, pivotable pivot disc 114 further includes one or more sockets 322 (labeled, for clarity, only as socket 322a in FIG. 3) which receive retainers 328 (labeled, for clarity, only as retainer 328a FIG. 1). Retainers 328a may be bolts, screws, pins, or other objects recognized by one skilled in the relevant art as being able to retain objects together, and may comprise threaded end portions which may be configured to receive nuts 330 (shown in FIG. 3 as tee nuts, labeled only as nut 330a). Retainers 328 also pass through sockets within belt interface 108 and thereby hold assembly 100 together when fully secured by nuts 330.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, the connector formed by retainers 328 and nuts 330 in FIG. 3 may comprise pins, clips, and other devices that one of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s) would recognize as being able to securely hold rigid objects together.

Holster interface 108 further includes one or more holster sockets 310 (labeled, for clarity, only as socket 310a in FIG. 3) that may receive retainers similar to retainers 32a for the purpose of attaching holster interface 108 to holster 102 or similar device as recognized by one of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s). Corresponding nuts similar to nut 330 may also be used. Similarly, belt plate interface 106 comprises one or more sockets 320 (labeled, for clarity, only as socket 320a in FIG. 3) with built in washers receivers which may be used to receive retainers and connect assembly 100 to belt plate 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, perspective views of belt plate interface 106 are shown. The outer portion of belt plate interface 106 may include notches 316 (labeled as notches 316a-b in FIG. 4). Recesses engage slidable release mechanism 110, thereby locking assembly 100 in position. In some aspects, assembly 100 may be assembled for use with left handed holsters or right handed holsters. In such aspects, belt plate interface 106 includes two notches 316.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of the inner portion of pivotable pivot disc 114 is shown. In some aspects, pivot disc may include guides 602. Guide 602 slidably interfaces with portions of release mechanism 110 in order to stabilize release mechanism 110.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the inner portion of holster interface 108 is shown. In some aspects, groove 304 may span an entire width of holster interface 108, thereby enabling assembly 100 to be configured for left handed or right handed use.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, various views of slidable release mechanism 110 are shown. Knob 802 serves as the interface to connectively couple slidable release mechanism 110 to spring 312. In various aspects, release actuator 112 may be of a shape and texture chosen to facilitate gripping and location of release actuator 112 with minimal or no visibility thereof.

The holster side of slidable release mechanism 110 includes protruding release actuator 112 and knob 802 as described in FIG. 8. Additionally, the holster side of slidable release mechanism 110 may have an elongated tab 1002 running centrally along its entire length. Elongated tab 1002 may function inside of guide 304 to stabilize and control the movement of slidable release mechanism 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, a front perspective view and a cutaway view along cut line 1101 of assembly 100 are shown. Slidable release mechanism 110 moves within groove 302. Spring 312 is contained by knob 802 on slidable release mechanism 110 and post 306 on holster interface 108, thereby exerting an outward force on release mechanism 110 and locking assembly 100 with stop 314 and notch 316 are aligned. Applying force to protruding release actuator 112 of slidable release mechanism 110 causes release mechanism 110 to move inward toward the center of assembly 100, thereby freeing notch 316 and allowing holster interface 108 to pivot freely relative to belt plate interface 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, various views of pivotable mount assembly 100 and portions thereof are shown according to another embodiment of the invention Assembly 100 may include a channel and stop assembly for limiting the rotation of the mount assembly 100. Recess 318 of belt plate interface 106 contains stop 1302. Stop 1302 may extend into a channel 1304. Channel 1304 may be a cutout portion of a portion of an edge of pivot disc 114 between the outer wall of recess 318 of belt plate interface 106. Channel 1304 may span 180 degrees or more around the top portion of pivotable pivot disc 114. Ridge 1306 on the bottom portion of pivotable pivot disc 114 limits rotation of pivot disc 114 by contacting stop 1302. In some aspects, Ridge 1306 is positioned to prevent pivoting substantially greater than ninety degrees left or right relative to belt plate interface 106.

Referring briefly now to FIGS. 16-21, various views of pivotable mount assembly 100 in its locked position are shown and applicable to both embodiments of the invention.

Referring briefly now to FIGS. 22-27, various views of pivotable mount assembly 100 with holster interface 108 pivoted 90 degrees are shown.

While various aspects of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons of reasonable skill in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

In addition, it should be understood that the figures, which highlight the structure, methodology, functionality and advantages of the present disclosure, are presented as examples only. The present disclosure is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be implemented in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the relevant art(s) who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of this technical disclosure. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present invention in any way.

Claims

1. A pivotable mount assembly, comprising

a holster interface configured to receive a holster at an outer holster interface portion, the holster interface including an inner holster interface portion, a circular recessed groove, a horizontally oriented and inward opening holster interface channel, and a centrally located post positioned in the holster interface channel;

a belt plate interface configured to receive a belt plate at an outer belt plate interface portion, the outer belt plate interface including a circular recess, an inner surface of the circular recess defining a belt plate interface opening, the belt plate interface including an inner belt plate interface portion, and a first belt plate interface notch, the first belt plate interface notch opening toward the belt plate interface opening;

a pivotable pivot disc interconnected for pivoting the holster interface and the belt plate interface, the pivot disc being inserted into the belt plate interface at the belt plate interface opening, the pivot disc including a pivot disc inner portion, and a horizontally oriented pivot disc groove, the pivot disc groove and the holster interface channel forming a horizontally oriented conduit; and

a slidable release mechanism positioned within the horizontally oriented conduit, and movable between a locking position and a pivoting position, the release mechanism including a release actuator extending horizontally from the release mechanism and an opening positioned over the post for limiting movement of the release mechanism, the opening over the post further including a spring contacting the post and the release mechanism, the release mechanism including a stop configured to align with and insertably connect with the first belt plate interface notch when the release mechanism is in the locking position.

2. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, the belt plate interface further including a stop positioned at a top circular recess portion;

the pivot disc further including a top pivot disc edge portion including a first shoulder and a second shoulder positioned to pivotably contact the stop; and

the first shoulder and the second shoulder limit pivoting of the pivot disc.

3. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the release actuator includes a ridged outer surface.

4. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the release actuator is a vertically oriented tab.

5. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a holster mounted to the holster interface at the outer holster interface portion.

6. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 5, further comprising:

a belt plate mounted to the belt plate interface at the outer belt plate interface portion.

7. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, the holster interface including a plurality of spaced connection points for connecting the holster interface to the holster.

8. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, the belt plate interface including a plurality of spaced connection points for connecting the belt plate interface to the belt plate.

9. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, the belt plate interface further including a second belt plate interface notch, the second belt plate interface notch positioned opposite the first belt plate interface notch and opening toward the belt plate interface opening, the second belt plate notch configured to slidably receive the release mechanism stop.

10. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 9, being selectively configurable and usable for operation with a right handed holster and a left handed holster.

11. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer holster interface portion is a flat angled surface.

12. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, the holster interface channel further including a groove, the slidable release mechanism further including a tab slidably positioned within the groove.

13. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, the pivot plate including a pivot disc outer portion having a diameter approximately equal to a belt plate interface circular recess outer diameter, the pivot disc outer portion being seated at the belt plate circular recess.

14. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is constructed of a substantially rigid polymer.

15. A pivotable mount assembly, comprising

a holster interface configured to receive a holster at an outer holster interface portion, the holster interface including an inner holster interface portion, a circular recessed groove, a horizontally oriented, and inward opening holster interface channel, and a centrally located post positioned in the holster interface channel;

a belt plate interface configured to receive a belt plate at an outer belt plate interface portion, the outer belt plate interface including a circular recess, an inner surface of the circular recess defining a belt plate interface opening, the belt plate interface including an inner belt plate interface portion, and a first belt plate interface notch, the first belt plate interface notch opening toward the belt plate interface opening, the belt plate interface further including a stop positioned at a top circular recess portion;

a pivotable pivot disc interconnected for pivoting of the holster interface and the belt plate interface, the pivot disc being inserted into the belt plate interface at the belt plate interface opening, the pivot disc including, at a pivot disc inner portion, a horizontally oriented pivot disc groove, the pivot disc groove and the holster interface channel forming a horizontally oriented conduit, the pivot disc further including a top pivot disc edge portion including a first shoulder and a second shoulder positioned to pivotably contact the stop, the first shoulder and the second shoulder limiting rotation of the pivot disc; and

a slidable release mechanism positioned within the conduit and movable between a locking position and a rotating position, the release mechanism including a release actuator extending horizontally from the release mechanism and an opening positioned over the post for limiting movement of the release mechanism, the opening further including a spring contacting the post and the release mechanism, the release mechanism including a stop configured to align with and insertably connect with the first belt plate interface notch when the release mechanism is in the locking position.

16. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 15 wherein the stop and the edge portion limits the pivoting therebetween to substantially ninety degrees (90°).

17. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 15, the belt plate interface further including a second belt plate interface notch, the second belt plate interface notch positioned opposite the first belt plate interface notch and opening toward the belt plate interface opening, the second belt plate notch configured to slidably receive the release mechanism stop.

18. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 15, being selectively configurable and usable for operation with a right handed holster and a left handed holster.

19. The pivotable mount assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a belt plate mounted to the belt plate interface at the outer belt plate interface portion.

20. The pivotable mounting assembly of claim 19 wherein the release mechanism actuator is actuatable from a forward position adjacent to the inward side of the holster.