Retainer Or Positioner For Article Held By Receiver Patents (Class 224/242)
  • Patent number: 6112962
    Abstract: Holstering systems for hand weapons comprise a track structure provided as a holster for such hand weapons. Each hand weapon may be provided with an adapter complementary with the track structure. The holster may be a standard holster for different types of elongate hand weapons that may have adapters interfacing with such standard holster. Such holsters may have an accommodation for accessories. Security holsters prevent accidental and unauthorized removal of weapons from holsters, such as with the aid of detents, sensors of a hand of a wearer, or other detent deactivators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Laser Products Ltd.
    Inventor: John Wallace Matthews
  • Patent number: 6098858
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holder (1) for receiving an object (8) provided with a button (7), such as a cellular telephone. The holder (1) is provided with a receiving passage (5) for receiving the button (7), a resilient stop (10) for securing the button (7) in the receiving passage (5) when the object (8) provided with a button (7) is arranged in the holder, and a device for releasing the resilient stop (10), comprising a push button (12) located opposite the opening of the receiving passage. The holder (1) is characterized in that the releasable stop (10) and the push button (12) is one integral unit (13) which is pivotally arranged about an axis of rotation in the holder, wherein at least one resilient element is provided for countering rotation of the integral unit (13). Moreover the push button (12) is so arranged relative to the axis of rotation, that the resilient stop (10) may be released by pushing the push button (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Lise-Lotte Laugesen
  • Patent number: 6085951
    Abstract: A handgun holster with an auxiliary or supplementary latching device is disclosed. The holster includes a body which defines a pouch for holding a handgun and includes a strap which extends over or around a portion of the handgun to hold it in place in the holster when the free end of the retention strap is secured to the holster as by a snap fastener. In the preferred embodiment the holster includes a thumbreak which is used to allow the wearer to separate the snap fastener by downward movement of the wearer's thumb to separate the snap fastener parts and allow the handgun to be withdrawn. A supplementary latching device is present which is movable from a latching to an unlatching position. Several different embodiments of the invention are illustrated including a molded plastic latch which encircles a holster thumbreak and is slidable longitudinally along the thumbreak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Bianchi International
    Inventors: Robert J. Beletsky, Anthony G. Lefeber, Carl R. Eerdmans
  • Patent number: 6085952
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a tool holder for use by fishermen, handymen and the like. The tool holder comprises a holster portion having a pocket of a size for holding a tool, the pocket being formed from a front and base connected together along the sides thereof and having an open top. The tool holder includes a belt loop portion for attaching the holder to the belt of a user. The holster portion is suspended from the belt loop portion through a moveable connection which allows the holster portion movement from front to back and side to side simultaneously. This allows the holster portion to remain suspended in a generally vertical orientation independent of the movement of the user thereby reducing the possibility of interference of the holster to freedom of movement of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Gordon David Garland
  • Patent number: 6059156
    Abstract: An attachment system for temporarily attaching a portable apparatus, such as a mobile phone, to a belt or the like. The system preferably comprises a pocket-shaped apparatus casing (2), a holder (10) connected to a back plate, by means of which the apparatus can be temporarily attached to the casing, fastening members (42, 44), by means of which the casing can be fastened to a belt, the dashboard of a car or the like, and an annular connecting member (36) attached to the portable apparatus, by means of which the apparatus in a given position can be connected to the holder in the back plate by means of a gap (40) formed in the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Markku Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 6053386
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a serpentine tube which is wide enough to store a tennis ball and allow a tennis ball to roll or otherwise translate within the tube. The serpentine tube has an opening for receiving tennis balls and a dispenser for facilitating selective sequential removal a tennis ball. Gravity causes the tennis balls to roll to the bottom of the tube to a dispenser. The container may be worn by the user by conventional over the shoulder and around the waist straps. The container may be flipped to accommodate both right handed and left handed players. The container may also be pressurized to above atmospheric pressure to increase the life of the tennis balls contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Winston C Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5992716
    Abstract: Disclosed is a releasable device for holding a tool in a holder, the tool for example being a hammer held in a hammer holder commonly used in the construction industry and having a loop loosely holding the hammer. The device is of flexible, stretchable material and has an aperture which may be pulled over a portion of the tool such as the hammer head to hold the tool to the holder. The device is secure to the loop of the hammer holder. Preferably, the device is a strip of flexible stretched material with an aperture and a series of holes and slits which permit the strap to be able to be looped around the hammer holder loop. The loop is releasably secured to a portion of the tool such as the head of the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Randolph S Riley
  • Patent number: 5975392
    Abstract: A toy backpack has a harness for securing a toy figure to the backpack, where the harness includes a pair of shoulder straps for engaging the shoulders of the toy figure, a leg strap for insertion between the legs of the toy figure, and a fastener for the shoulder straps to connect the shoulder straps with the leg strap to secure the toy figure to the backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Judith A. Miller, Christopher J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5957357
    Abstract: A device for holding objects, comprising a receptacle having a having a flexible wall, a potential space and at least one open end leading to the potential space, adapted for holding an object therewithin; a strap, forming a passage between the flexible wall and the strap; and a flexible elongated supporting member affixed to the flexible wall, having an encircling portion adapted to pass through the passage and around the receptacle. The device preferably comprises flexible front and rear panels, the front and rear panels being secured to each other along the respective sides and bottoms to form a potential space. The strap is preferably on the rear, forming a space between the rear panel and the rear strap, with the flexible elongated supporting member affixed to the rear panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Kallman Research Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Kallman
  • Patent number: 5950897
    Abstract: A storage box structure for hanging on a waist belt, which includes an elongated box body having an inner plate and a partition plate attached to the inner plate. An opening is provided in the inner plate and a hook passes through the opening. The hook is connected to one end of a rope that passes through a hole in the bottom of the storage box and extends from the interior of the box body to the outside of the box body. The other end of the rope is secured to the bottom of the box body by a snap. The box body also has provided with an insulation slot formed on a back wall thereof that can receive the free end of the hook. Engagement and disengagement of the hook with the insertion slot can be controlled by and the rope. The storage box can be firmly attached to a waist belt without dropping and without taking off the waist belt. In addition, when in use on a waist belt, the storage box can freely move up and down for accommodating a user's movements without causing any discomfort to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsien Kao
  • Patent number: 5915607
    Abstract: A holster for a side handle baton is formed from a single blank of leather or plastic. The blank is formed and stitched to provide a belt loop and a flared open ended pocket having an axis at an angle with the horizonal. The blank may be folded to provide a left hand or right hand holster. A notch in the upper edge of the pocket accepts the side handle when a baton is inserted to prevent rotation of the baton, and the baton forms a friction fit with the lower open end of the pocket. The method provides for making a baton holster with a unitary blank folded and fastened to form either a left hand or right hand holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Robert E. Newboult, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5855307
    Abstract: An inhaler or container holster which is strapped around a user's wrist and ready to use, End hook and loop fasteners on a wrist band hold an inhaler band to the user's wrist band while a second set of hook and loop end fasteners on an inhaler band hold the inhaler, The wrist band is generally perpendicular to the inhaler band which either totally or partially encircles and holds the canister containing the inhaler. The canister's end segments may be additionally secured to the inhaler band by elastic strap assemblies attached to the inhaler band which loop around the top and bottom of the canister at opposite ends. Ventolin or any other asthma or any other medication may be placed in the inhaler or container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventors: Joan F. Biddick, Sean T. Biddick
  • Patent number: 5839630
    Abstract: A baton holder for a side-handled baton is disclosed including a belt loop for wrapping around the user's belt and a pivotable baton holster attached to the belt loop by a swivel. The belt loop includes a handle cradle for cradling the side handle of the side-handled baton and a shaft cradle for cradling the shaft of the side-handled baton. The baton is held within the baton holster by a pair of tabs extending up from the handle cradle that are secured with both a snap and a hook and loop connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventors: Jacqueline M. Dunstan, Gary M. Grundy
  • Patent number: 5839633
    Abstract: A multimeter holster for securely carrying and easily deploying a multimeter is provided. The holster includes a front member, a rear member, and horizontal member. The front and rear members are attached at the sides to form a pocket for receiving the multimeter. A retaining strap across the bottom opening of the pocket engages the multimeter, thereby securing the multimeter in a fixed position within the pocket. The horizontal member is attached to the back member and wraps laterally around the pocket to capture the test leads of the multimeter and secure them to an outside edge of the pocket. An upper portion of the rear member is folded back and attached to a lower portion by a pair of fasteners to form a channel of selectable width for receiving the belt of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Steven William Fisher
  • Patent number: 5813162
    Abstract: A fishing rod supporting device allows a fisherperson to wear it at waist-level for hands-free support of a fishing rod. The fishing rod supporting device includes a cylindrical holder having an hollowed inside and a top open end and a bottom open end. A linked member is provided on the bottom of the cylindrical holder to selectively close and open the bottom open end of the cylindrical holder. A cushion pad having at least a pair of belts is provided for strapping the cushion pad to the body of the fisherperson. A coupler is used to connect the cylindrical holder to the cushion pad, which is capable of allowing the cylindrical holder to be rotatable within a specific angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventors: Steven Tse, Meng Chin Tseng
  • Patent number: 5813581
    Abstract: A pouch for a truncheon or baton having a body with an open upper end with a retaining flap to hold the truncheon in the pouch; and a lower end having at least one finger to enable the passage therethrough of the shaft of the truncheon when in the extended position, yet preventing unwanted extension of the shaft when the truncheon is placed in the pouch in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Hellweg International Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Albert Wilhelm Hellweg
  • Patent number: 5778495
    Abstract: An attachment for mounting an object on a belt or the like, including a spring clip having a U-shape with first and second arms joined at a bight, an arrangement for mounting the first arm of the clip on a face of the object, a pin support carried on the object, the pin support having spaced arms projecting from the face of the object and aligned openings in the spaced arms, and a pin for positioning in the aligned openings for maintaining the free end of the second arm in position between the pin and the face of the object. The free end of the second arm has an inward bend towards the first arm and an outward bend away from the first arm defining a groove for receiving the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Edward C. Paugh
  • Patent number: 5775556
    Abstract: A holster supports a shotgun at the side of a shooter above the ground in an opened condition. A seat supports the shotgun and spaced side walls extend upwardly to receive the pivotally connected barrel and stock portions of the shotgun therebetween so as to prevent the shotgun from sliding laterally off the seat. A mounting device is provided on one of the side walls for mounting the holster proximate the waist of the shooter. The seat has a front section for supporting the barrel portion of the shotgun and a rear section for supporting the stock portion of the shotgun. The front and rear sections lie in intersecting planes which extend downwardly at an obtuse angle from their line of intersection to support the barrel and stock portions of the shotgun at approximately the obtuse angle defined by the planes. A pad preferably of leather protects the surface of the shotgun from being scratched or marred by the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Barbara J. Bennett
    Inventor: Bruce L. Brandow
  • Patent number: 5704529
    Abstract: An artist portfolio that is worn as a backpack that includes a first storage compartment of rectilinear shape whose long axis is in the vertical plane. A plurality of webbing structures are affixed about the first compartment producing webbing loops for securing articles to the exterior of the compartment. A closure mechanism, such as a zipper, partially detaches the top lid of the first compartment permitting unobstructed access to the interior. The first compartment further includes a plurality of shoulder, anchor and waist straps for securing the portfolio to the upper body of the wearer. A second storage compartment of a predetermined shape is provided for housing additional articles. A plurality of upper cord lengths, locks, sleeves and eyelets are affixed at points as to allow the second compartment to be expanded and compressed about a predetermined volume. A plurality of closure mechanisms, such as zippers, permit unobstructed access to the interior of the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventors: Michael Santoro, Paul J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5699943
    Abstract: A belt-mounted flashlight holder includes a belt loop subassembly and a cradle subassembly that are pivotally connected to permit the mounted flashlight to be rotated to any of several detented rotational positions. The cradle subassembly can accommodate flashlights or batons of various diameters within a reasonable range and includes a flexible removable jaw that is forced by a cam against the barrel of the flashlight so that the elastic restoring forces in the movable jaw provide the force that retains the flashlight in the cradle. The flexibility of the movable jaw and cradle permits the flashlight to break away from the cradle in which it is held if the flashlight is jerked by an assailant or if the flashlight becomes caught on an object. The cam includes a high spot that renders it stable in both the locked and released positions. The belt loop subassembly includes provision for mounting the flashlight holder on a wall or other reasonably flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Centurion Safety Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Schaefer, Michael Capanna, James D. Scott
  • Patent number: 5634577
    Abstract: A truck storage box device for use in the bed of a pick-up truck, having a bottom, and a plurality of interconnected sides extending upward from the periphery of the bottom which intersect to provide an open top for access to the interior formed between the bottom and the sides. The bottom and sides form an open container in which a plurality of spaced pairs of opposed, elongated rails extend horizontally along opposite interior wall portions thereof in a spaced relationship with the bottom. Each pair of opposed rails is arranged to slidably receive and support a number of elongated trays thereon. Each of the trays is arranged to extend between pairs of opposed rails. Collectively, the pairs of opposed rails form a vertical array in which a number of trays can be supported on each pair of opposed rails in a vertically stacked arrangement from which one or more intermediate trays may selectively be slid horizontally from within the stacked vertical arrangement for access to their particular contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventors: James C. Pearson, Jr., Callie N. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5598958
    Abstract: Competition holsters for use with autoloading pistol and revolver handguns. They include a protrusion with a trigger guard recess and a trigger guard retainer which is cantilevered from the outside of the body into the trigger guard at a compound angle to hold the handgun in the holster. The frame of the handgun extends over an elongated surface at the top of the body. The handgun is, in actuality supported on a cradle at the muzzle region and on the lower side of the trigger guard. A muzzle tensioner in the form of an inverted J is adjustable secured to the body in the muzzle region. A belt loop assembly including mating partial spherical surfaces secures the body for universal spherical angular adjustment. Further adjustments include the compressive force on the trigger guard retainer. All of the adjustments may be made with the holster in place on the shooter's gun belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventors: Willis N. Ryan, III, Kerby C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5597102
    Abstract: A device to be used with a mobile station, comprising a body to be attached e.g. to a belt with an attachment plate and a fastener attached to the mobile station with a fitting piece. The body includes control flanges bent inward from two opposite sides and from below to guide the fastener which comprises a neck and a wider end consisting of a flange placed behind the guide flanges. The body also includes a projection or a similar structure acting against a spring force, resisting the upward movement of the fastener when said fastener is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Anssi Saarikko, Lassi Lahti, Pekka Niemi, Robert Hellier, Matti Makkonen
  • Patent number: 5593074
    Abstract: A holster for a flash light having a barrel and having a lamp housing wider than that barrel comprises a sheath for part of the flashlight having a first bore adapted to receive the lamp housing, and having a narrower second bore adapted to receive the barrel. Holster and flashlight combinations may use that holster. In one such combination, the flashlight has its barrel extending through the first and second bores of the sheath of the holster, and has its lamp housing projecting from such barrel above the first bore of that sheath. In another combination, the flashlight has its lamp housing in the first bore of the sheath, and has its barrel projecting from the lamp housing above the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Laser Products Ltd.
    Inventor: John W. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5586707
    Abstract: A holder for a scorecard includes a scorecard retaining unit which is secured to a wearer's waist in a freely slidable relationship. The retaining unit may be comprised of three generally planar sections joined together at their ends with one section having a scorecard retained on its inside face and one section having two loops attached to its outside face. The freely slidable association of the unit relative to the wearer's waist is accomplished by an outer elongated strip which surrounds a wearer's waist, passes through the two loops on the retaining unit and is attached at its ends to a belt which also surrounds the wearer's waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Christopher F. Haskell
  • Patent number: 5582338
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a tool holder 10 is provided for carrying a cutting implement, such as a pair of lopping shears 15, having a plurality of blades 16a and 16b attached by a pivot 18 to a pair of elongated handles 20a and 20b. The tool holder includes a support backing 12, containing a plurality of vertically extending slots 34a and 34b. A waist belt 32 may be passed through the vertically extending slots so that the tool holder may be suspended from the waist belt. A support frame 42 is also attached to the support backing. A rigid cap 14 for housing the blades 16a and 16b of the lopping shears 15 is fastened to the support frame 42 and the support backing 12. The rigid cap comprises a convex surface having a longitudinal edge 14a and a latitudinal edge 14b, wherein the longitudinal edge is attached to the support backing 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Kazutaka Tamura
  • Patent number: 5570824
    Abstract: A novel belt pack system includes a pack having an adjustable length belt attached thereto. An adjustable length, three-point stabilizer strap arrangement is connected to each side of the pack and belt. A water bottle and its associated carrier, a carrier for carrying items such as a cassette tape player or the like and/or a fold-up bag can be attached to the belt. The belt has a fastener material, such as known hook and loop material or other means such as snaps and the like, on a surface thereof. The pack has a first, main compartment which is large enough to hold a pair of shoes and a smaller compartment which is separated from the main compartment for carrying keys, a shirt, etc. When worn, the belt extends around the waist of a wearer and the pack abuts the wearer's small of the back. The pack may include an outer compartment formed of a mesh material which is separated from the interior compartments by an outer wall of the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventors: Scott B. Lyon, Bruce W. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5540368
    Abstract: An improved multi-purpose holster apparatus suitable for holding a variety of objects including flashlights, mobile telephones, tools, etc., wherein the apparatus comprises a rigid or semi-rigid frame defining a channel for receiving a belt, a female adapter protruding from the frame, an object support adapter which supports the object to be mounted to the frame and a male adapter extending from the object support adapter which mates with the female adapter for mounting the object and the object support adapter to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Ronald Oliva
  • Patent number: 5537678
    Abstract: A holster (201) serves to protect an information display (202) in a selective call receiver (200) from breakage due to an impact in an area proximate to the information display (202). When the selective call receiver (200) is retained in the holster (201) in a first orientation, a second portion (207) of the holster contiguously covers an opening in the housing where the information display (202) is positioned. The second portion (207) protects the information display by shunting energy from the impact into at least a front section (204) of the selective call receiver's housing and the holster (201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. King, Jorge N. Castilla, Randall S. Pennington
  • Patent number: 5518155
    Abstract: A handgun holster includes a system for simultaneously contacting the trigger guard and muzzle of a handgun in the holster to prevent the handgun from being removed until desired by the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Richard N. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 5511707
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device used to assist a person in carrying heavy, bulky, box-like objects having essentially square corners. The device is attached to the person such as buy attachment to a belt or pants or the like. The device is preferably of one piece construction having a vertical and horizontal portion. The vertical portion has a metal clip or the like for attachment to the person and a horizontal or shelf like portion extends outwardly at approximately 90 degrees from the vertical portion and has a 90 degree or "V" notch formed therein into which a corner of a box-like structure is placed for carrying and thereby limiting the load on the hands and arms of the person carrying the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Greg Reichert
  • Patent number: 5511311
    Abstract: A knife having a sliding blade which may slide from a retracted position to an extended position. A locking member is pivotally connected to the blade and travels with the blade as the blade moves within a handle. A finger on the locking member engages with a recess to selectively lock the blade within the handle. By rocking the locking member forward, against the pressure of a spring, the blade is pushed outwardly from the handle until the finger automatically seats in an extension notch provided in the handle. Retraction of the knife is accomplished by rocking the locking member forward and pulling rearwardly thereon to force the blade back into the handle. A sheath for the knife engages the locking member to automatically lock the knife within the sheath upon insertion into the sheath. Upon extraction of the knife from the sheath, the blade is automatically extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Walter W. Collins
  • Patent number: 5501382
    Abstract: A universal tool holder (100) including a holster (110) and a rigid mounting panel (120) attached to and extending above the holster (110). The holster (110) defines an epitrochoidal cavity (1) which includes a biasing crease (2) along the rear convex wall (119). The holder (100) includes a belt mounting means (124a, 124b) and a wall mounting means (125a, 125b) which are formed as part of the panel (120). The lower opening of the holster defined by the lower edge (114) has a surface area that is at least fifty percent as great as the projected surface area defined by the upper edge (113), thereby permitting insertion of a large variety of tools (90) into the holster (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Edward H. Webb
  • Patent number: 5477999
    Abstract: A spray container storage and retrieval system encompassing both an apparatus and method enabling quick, safe retrieval of a spray container from a holster.In a first embodiment, a spray container with a forward trigger is stored in a specially designed sleeve having a special surface for securing the forward trigger from the discharge position. In a second embodiment, a flanged sleeve facilitates the springing displacement of a spray container having a safety flap over the discharge button and is intended to be used with a flap holster, and with a spray container which has no discharge button which can be utilized with a specialized structure on the sleeve. The third embodiment includes an open holster having an inwardly disposed locking groove which engages a pin collar fitted about the upper portion of a spray container, which can be re-used on subsequent spray containers by removing it from the used spray container and re-installing it on the new spray container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: William F. Blankenship, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5462214
    Abstract: An assembly for operatively supporting a camera from an individual's body which includes a storage case having an adjustable body encircling belt and a tripod stand having a vertically adjustable camera engaging unit mounted thereto. The tripod stand includes locking elements at the base of each of its legs which are selectively engageable with cooperative locking elements mounted to the surface of the storage case whereby when the locking elements of the legs of the tripod stand and the storage case are engaged, the assembly is supported from the individuals body leaving the individual free to use their hands without having to support the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Brian Buswell
  • Patent number: 5458266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a carrying system for a portable weapon having a rigid support plate, a locking device to secure the weapon on the support plate, and at least one retaining strap. The locking device has a manually controlled movable finger and an elastic element for returning the finger to a locking position where it engages a groove in the weapon to lock the weapon against the support plate. The movable finger is automatically manipulated by the thumb of the shooter's hand, when the shooter grasps the weapon, to release the locking finger from the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Patrice Pichot
  • Patent number: 5452829
    Abstract: A holster (10) for a selective call receiver having a liquid crystal display comprises a plastic housing (12) for removably retaining the selective call receiver and a substantially clear lens (14) integrally formed in the plastic housing providing protection to the display and allowing a user of the portable communication product to view the liquid crystal display while the selective call receiver is retained within the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. King, Randall S. Pennington, Dan R. Blanton
  • Patent number: 5450993
    Abstract: A carry holder (100) includes a housing (110) having a pocket (120) for receiving a portable product (160), and a latching mechanism (130, 140, 150) to help secure the portable product (160) within the pocket (120). The latching mechanism (130, 140, 150) includes a latch retainer (130), integral to the housing (110), a latch (140) formed to engage the latch retainer (130), and an elastic member (150) having a portion (152) mechanically coupled to the latch (140), and another portion (153) mechanically coupled to the housing (110). The latch (140) and elastic member (150) are pivotable about the pocket (120) such that latch (140) is selectively engageable with the latch retainer (130) to secure the portable product (160) within the pocket (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Graciela L. Guerrero, Julio C. Castaneda, Randall P. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5419477
    Abstract: A towel protector includes a waterproof inverted bag provided with a suspension grommet for suspending the bag from a golf cart or the like. Another grommet in the wall of the bag allows passage of a towel suspension cord. The exterior part of the cord is provided with a spring loaded toggle abutting against the grommet. The pressing of a release button of the toggle allows free passage of the cord through the toggle and into the bag. The opening at a lower end of the bag is large enough to allow free movement of towels suspended at the end of the cord out of and back into the bag, as the toggle and the cord are manipulated by the user. The device presents an advantage over known towel protectors in that it is extremely simple in structure and convenient in use as the user does not have to reach into the protective bag to pull the towels out or otherwise manipulate the protecting cover. The towel protector is primarily intended for use as a golf towel protecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Pamela M. Verge
    Inventor: Ronald J. Verge
  • Patent number: 5392975
    Abstract: The spray container storage and retrieval system of the present invention encompasses both an apparatus and method enabling quick, safe retrieval of a spray container from a holster.In a first embodiment, a spray container with a forward trigger is stored in a specially designed sleeve having a special surface for securing the forward trigger from the discharge position. In a second embodiment, a flanged sleeve facilitates the springing displacement of a spray container having a safety flap over the discharge button and is intended to be used with a flap holster, and with a spray container which has no discharge button which can be utilized with a specialized structure on the sleeve. The third embodiment includes an open holster having an inwardly disposed locking groove which engages a pin collar fitted about the upper portion of a spray container, which can be re-used on subsequent spray containers by removing it from the used spray container and re-installing it on the new spray container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: William F. Blankenship, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5388740
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a tool holder for use by fishermen, handymen and the like. The tool holder comprises a holster portion having a pocket of a size for holding a tool, the pocket being formed from a front and base connected together along the sides thereof and having an open top. The tool holder includes a belt loop portion for attaching the holder to the belt of a user, the belt loop portion being attached to the holster portion through a movable connection. The holster portion has a closure tongue attached to the front near the top opening and has one part of a two part releasable securing means attached thereto, the second part of the two part releasable securing means being attached to the base. The closure tongue is movable between an open position falling away from the holster to allow free access to the pocket and a closed position with the tongue being centrally located and protected by the portion of the tool projecting from the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Gordon D. Garland
  • Patent number: 5375749
    Abstract: Multi-purpose holster apparatus is provided which is suitable for holding a variety of objects including portable tools, mobile telephones, flashlights, cameras, etc. The holster employs a rigid or semi-rigid frame which has a section which mates with a corresponding section on the object to be holstered. The frame is attachable to a belt or a waistband to allow a rapid drawing of the object that is holstered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Ronald Oliva
  • Patent number: 5373980
    Abstract: A camera lens case (10) is provided, having a generally tubular case body (4) with a plurality of adjustment strap assemblies (18) attached thereto such that the case body (14) may be constricted inward so as to closely support lenses (12, 54, 56 contained therein even when the lenses (12, 54, 56 may differ as to size or shape, or when the lenses are of irregular shape. A case lid (16) is flexibly attached to the case body (14) for securing the lenses (12, 54, 56 within the lens case (10) and a zipper (48) is provided for holding the case lid (16) closed. A belt loop (52) is provided for optionally carrying the camera lens case (10) thereby. The camera lens case (10 ) may optionally be used as a divider within a larger conventional camera bag (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: PHO
    Inventors: Galen A. Rowell, Hans M. Wain
  • Patent number: 5358161
    Abstract: A spackle pall holder for holding a spackle pan having a closed bottom end, an open top end, and inclined peripheral walls. The holder is an open top holder having inclined peripheral walls, a bottom wall, and a clip assembly located on one of the inclined peripheral walls of the holder adjacent to the open top. The clip assembly enables the holder to be detachably attached to the belt of a person. The clip should be large enough and of suitable construction to ensure that the weight of the holder, the pan, and the spackle compound contained within the pan are adequately secured to the belt. The holder has a shape approximating that of the spackle pan to provide a frictional engagement therebetween. Alteratively, the inclination of the peripheral walls of the spackle pan is greater than that of the side walls of the holder to substantially eliminate friction therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Rocco Perugini
  • Patent number: 5332136
    Abstract: Disclosed is a support apparatus for an optical instrument, such as a camera or binoculars. A generally rectangular mounting platform for holding the instrument in a preferred attitude includes a first securing slot for removable attachment of the instrument to the platform. A second securing slot provides removable attachment of additional accessories, such as an elongate brace comprising a plurality of interengaged tubes for telescoping extension of the brace. The brace extends downwardly from the platform when engaged therewith, providing a propping capability of the brace. Further, the elongate brace includes a belt engagement clip at its distal end such that the brace may be rested between a belt of a person and an associated garment adjacent to the belt for improved anchoring of the brace. The platform may provide two upwardly curved end portions for cradling a binocular therebetween, and a strap for holding the binocular in place on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: John H. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 5287995
    Abstract: A personal defense system having a protective spray container with an upper end spray actuator, a dispensing cap constructed and arranged to house the spray actuator and have a fixed relationship with the dispensing nozzle thereof, a holster for the container having an interlocking structure with the dispensing cap to prevent relative rotation, and also including a security system releasably attached to the hoister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Redman, Randall D. Lytle
  • Patent number: 5274318
    Abstract: Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a portable wireless communication unit having an electronic communication device with an integrally formed U-shaped frame housing mounted externally thereto. A power pack for supplying electrically power to the communication device, is adapted to be mounted removably latchably within the frame housing. The power pack includes an apparel clip mounted externally to one of the power pack faces for enabling the communication unit to be supported from the wearing apparel of a user. A resilient spring finger disposed on the power pack is latchably received within a groove disposed in the frame housing, to retain releasably, the power pack in a confronting relationship within the frame. An integrally formed flange forming part of the power pack, cooperates with an elongated slit-like groove in the frame housing to facilitate the proper alignment of the power pack when received within the frame housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventors: Svein T. Nordberg, David B. Rose
  • Patent number: 5238163
    Abstract: A visor attached toothpick holder adapted to be mounted on the interior sun visor of an automobile, pickup truck or similar vehicle to support a plurality of toothpicks in a convenient access position to the operator of a vehicle thereby enabling the vehicle operator to gain access to, remove and use the toothpick while maintaining full control of the vehicle and full attention to driving conditions. The toothpick holder is in the form of a receptacle having a clip thereon for securing the receptacle to an edge of a sun visor together with a resilient cap having a slit therein which receives and frictionally grips a plurality of toothpicks with one tapered end of the toothpicks projecting outwardly from the cap to provide access thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventors: Clifford E. Leach, Carl G. Brown
  • Patent number: 5236113
    Abstract: A handgun holster having security straps releasably attached by a fastener system including hook-and-loop fastener material, with a protective cover overlying a portion of the mated hook-and-loop fastener material located on the holster. The protective cover is constructed of a flexible sheet-like material and helps to define a snug tube or pocket for receiving a portion of a security strap bearing the mating portion of the hook-and-loop fastener material thereon. The cover holds the two portions of the fastener material together in mating confrontation and covers an end of the strap to prevent it from easily being separated from the holster. Alternatively, a loop-carrying portion of fastener material is attached to a holster with the loops facing toward the body of the holster and a strap having the hook-carrying portion of the fastener is placed between the body of the holster and the loop-carrying fastener material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Michaels of Orgeon Co.
    Inventor: Glenn Wisser
  • Patent number: 5232137
    Abstract: Apparatus for carrying a spray can including an elongated support element, a receptacle for receiving the end of the spray can having a spray valve element and flexible arms for releasably retaining the spray can in position. The receptacle and the flexible arms are releasably attached at predetermined locations on the elongated support element by flexible lock elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Mark E. Devine