U.S. patent application number 11/258506 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-26 for socket head attachment system for a baton scabbard.
Invention is credited to Kevin L. Parsons.
Application Number | 20070090138 11/258506 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37984397 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070090138 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parsons; Kevin L. |
April 26, 2007 |
Socket head attachment system for a baton scabbard
Abstract
A scabbard is provided for a baton. The scabbard includes a
baton receiver that receives the baton, a belt clip coupled to the
baton receiver and a socket head screw having a socket head and a
shaft that attaches the belt clip to the baton receiver. The socket
head screw includes the socket head having a relatively large
diameter compared to a diameter of the shaft and a socket head
recess disposed in the socket head, said socket head recess having
a relatively small diameter compared to a diameter of the shaft of
the socket head screw, said socket head recess extending through
the socket head and extending into the shaft of the socket head
screw.
Inventors: |
Parsons; Kevin L.;
(Appleton, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Welsh & Katz, Ltd.;Jon P. Christensen
22nd Floor
120 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
37984397 |
Appl. No.: |
11/258506 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/197 ;
224/666; 224/914 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2005/025 20130101;
A45F 2200/0566 20130101; A45F 2200/0575 20130101; F41C 33/045
20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/197 ;
224/666; 224/914 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/00 20060101
A45F003/00 |
Claims
1. A scabbard for a baton comprising: a baton receiver that
receives the baton; a belt clip coupled to the baton receiver; and
a socket head screw having a socket head and a shaft that attaches
the belt clip to the baton receiver, said socket head screw further
comprising the socket head having a relatively large diameter
compared to a diameter of the shaft; and a socket head recess
disposed in the socket head, said socket head recess having a
relatively small diameter compared to a diameter of the shaft of
the socket head screw, said socket head recess extending through
the socket head and extending into the shaft of the socket head
screw.
2. The scabbard as in claim 1 wherein the relatively large socket
head further comprises a diameter that is at least twice as large
as a diameter of the shaft of the socket head screw.
3. The scabbard as in claim 1 wherein the relatively large socket
head further comprises a diameter that is at least three times
larger than a diameter of the shaft of the socket head screw.
4. The scabbard as in claim 1 wherein the relatively large socket
head further comprises a depth, measured along a predominant axis
of the shaft, that is at least twenty-five percent less than a
diameter of the shaft.
5. The scabbard as in claim 1 wherein the socket head recess has a
diameter that is at least twenty-five percent less than a diameter
of the shaft.
6. The scabbard as in claim 1 wherein the receiver further
comprises a tubular body that is substantially continuous in an
annular and axial direction and a mounting flange disposed on an
outer surface of the tubular body proximate a first end of the
tubular body, said mounting flange defined by an unobstructed
planar mounting surface substantially surrounding a center
aperture, said planar mounting surface being substantially tangent
to an outer surface of the tubular body.
7. The scabbard as in claim 6 further comprises a belt clip
mounting plate with a peripheral mounting surface that is
complementary to the unobstructed mounting surface that couples the
belt clip to the baton receiver.
8. The scabbard as in claim 7 further comprising a plurality of
threaded bosses disposed within the unobstructed mounting
surface.
9. The scabbard as in claim 8 wherein the socket head screw further
comprises a plurality of socket head screws that engage the
threaded bosses through a corresponding plurality of apertures in
the belt clip mounting plate of the belt clip assembly to
detachably secure the belt clip mounting plate to the mounting
flange.
10. The scabbard as in claim 9 wherein the belt clip mounting plate
further comprises plastic.
11. The scabbard as in claim 10 wherein the belt clip mounting
plate further comprises a plurality of screw head recesses adapted
to receive the relatively large socket heads so that the relatively
large socket heads do not protrude from the recesses.
12. A support structure comprising: a substrate; a relatively soft
material; a socket head screw having a socket head and a shaft
adapted to attach the relatively soft material to the substrate,
said socket head having a relatively large diameter compared to a
diameter of the shaft; and a socket head recess disposed in the
socket head, said socket head recess having a relatively small
diameter compared to a diameter of the shaft of the socket head
screw, said socket head recess extending through the socket head
and into the shaft of the socket head screw.
13. The socket head screw system as in claim 12 wherein the support
structure further comprises a baton scabbard, the relatively soft
material further comprises a belt clip of the baton scabbard and
the substrate further comprises a baton receiver of the baton
scabbard.
14. The socket head screw system as in claim 13 wherein the
relatively large screw head is at least twice as large as the screw
portion of the socket head screw.
15. The scabbard as in claim 12 wherein the relatively large socket
head further comprises a depth, measured along a predominant axis
of the shaft, that is at least twenty-five percent less than a
diameter of the shaft.
16. The socket head screw system as in claim 12 wherein the
relatively small diameter socket head recess further comprises a
socket head recess diameter that is less than three quarters a
diameter of the shaft of the socket head screw.
17. The scabbard as in claim 12 wherein the relatively soft
material further comprises plastic.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field of the invention relates to scabbards for police
batons and more particularly to attachment devices for assembling
scabbards used to carry batons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Police and security personnel are often required to carry
weapons of intermediate force such as nightsticks or batons. Batons
are available in a variety of sizes, usually consisting of three
telescoping sections. In the retracted position, an expandable
baton is only approximately one-third of its extended length.
[0003] In order for a baton to be of maximum utility to the officer
or other baton user, it should be able to be carried by the officer
at all times while on duty, and without interfering with the
mobility of the officer when it is not needed. On the other hand,
the baton must be able to be quickly deployed by the officer
whenever needed.
[0004] When not in use, batons are usually carried in a scabbard
that may be attached to a waist belt of the officer. In general, a
baton scabbard can be used to enable the efficient use and
transport of a baton. The scabbard should allow for a wide range of
deployment or withdrawal directions that may be required when in
pursuit or subduing a subject. The scabbard should secure the baton
to the officer during the officer's daily activities, such as when
the officer is pursuing a subject and may be required to run, jump,
climb over walls or fences or move quickly up or down stairs. The
scabbard should secure the baton in a manner which allows for full
body movement by the officer. It should allow the officer to
comfortably carry the baton throughout the day including when the
officer is standing or sitting.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,878 to Parsons, assigned to the assignee
of the present invention, is an example of a baton scabbard that
substantially meets the needs of police officers. While Parsons is
effective, it is also relatively complex to construct. Because of
the importance of the safety of police officers a need exists for a
baton scabbard that has the functionality of Parsons, but is less
complex and easier to manufacture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a baton scabbard in
accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the belt clip assembly of FIG.
1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of the closed-loop belt
clip of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a front view of the baton scabbard of FIG. 1 with
the belt clip assembly being show rotated into alternate
positions;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of the scabbard of FIG. 1 showing a
belt of a user in phantom;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side cut-away view of the scabbard of FIG.
5;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of the scabbard of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a side view of the scabbard of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a rear, perspective view of the scabbard receiver
of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 10 are views of opposing, mating structures of FIG. 1
including a back view of the belt clip assembly, shown on the left
and a back view of the receiver shown on the right; and
[0016] FIG. 11 is an end and side view of a socket head screw that
may be used with the scabbard of FIG. 1.
SUMMARY
[0017] A scabbard is provided for a baton. The scabbard includes a
baton receiver that receives the baton, a belt clip coupled to the
baton receiver and a socket head screw having a socket head and a
shaft that attaches the belt clip to the baton receiver. The socket
head screw includes the socket head having a relatively large
diameter compared to a diameter of the shaft and a socket head
recess disposed in the socket head, said socket head recess having
a relatively small diameter compared to a diameter of the shaft of
the socket head screw, said socket head recess extending through
the socket head and extending into the shaft of the socket head
screw.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a low-profile support
structure (e.g., a baton scabbard) 10 shown generally in accordance
with an illustrated embodiment of the invention. Also shown in FIG.
1 is a baton 12 (shown in phantom) disposed within the scabbard
10.
[0019] The scabbard 10 includes a baton receiver 14 and a belt clip
assembly 16. The receiver 14 is constructed of a relatively thin,
lightweight tubular body 18 (FIG. 5) that is substantially
continuous in the axial and annular directions. The tubular body 18
may be fabricated of any appropriate light weight material (e.g.,
plastic, delrin, acetel, polycarbonate, etc.).
[0020] The upper portion of the tubular body 18 (adjacent the belt
clip assembly 16) may be provided with a slanted top 19 (FIG. 5).
The slanted top 19 may be slanted downward on an outside of the
receiver 14 from horizontal by some appropriate angle 17 (e.g.,
eight degrees) to facilitate easy insertion of the baton 12 into
the scabbard 10.
[0021] The tubular body 18 may also include a baton stop tab 36
(FIG. 9) disposed along a lower, second end of the tubular body 18.
The baton stop tab 36 extends inwardly from the tubular body 18
towards a center of the annulus of the tubular body 18. The baton
stop tab 36 is of such size as to leave a distance 38 that is
sufficient to allow a distal end of the baton 12 to pass through,
but insufficient to allow a second end (handle) of the baton 12 to
pass through.
[0022] The use of the stop tab 36 allows the scabbard 10 to receive
the baton 12 in either the extended or retracted state. In the
retracted state, the baton 12 may be received within the scabbard
10 as shown in FIG. 1. In the extended state, a first and second
sections of the baton 12 may extend past the stop tab 36 with only
the upper handle portion contained within the tubular body 18.
[0023] The receiver 14 includes a substrate (e.g., a mounting
flange) 20 (FIG. 9). Under one preferred embodiment, the mounting
flange is an extension of the wall of the tubular body 20 that
forms a relatively flat surface. The relatively flat surface is
substantially tangent to the tubular body 18.
[0024] The mounting flange 20 may be formed as an integral part of
the tubular body 18 using some appropriate process (e.g., injection
molding, ultrasonic welding, etc.). Under another preferred
embodiment, the mounting flange 20 may be formed separately and
attached to the tubular body 18 by attachment devices (e.g.,
screws, rivets, etc.).
[0025] Disposed on an outside surface of the mounting flange 20 is
an unobstructed peripheral mounting surface (flange surface) 22 for
the belt clip assembly 16. The peripheral mounting surface is
unobstructed because it doesn't have sides extending upwards from
the outside edge of the mounting surface 22 that would otherwise
make the mounting surface wider than necessary. The peripheral
mounting surface 22 lies within a single plane that is
substantially tangent to an outer surface of the tubular body 18.
The peripheral surface 22 may form a continuous surface around the
periphery of the flange 20, as shown in FIG. 9, or may be
discontinuous in some areas around the periphery.
[0026] Located within the peripheral mounting surface 22 may be one
or more apertures 24, 26, 28. The center aperture 26 may extend
between the plane of the peripheral mounting surface 22 and the
interior of the tubular body 18, as may be more clearly seen in
FIGS. 6 and 10.
[0027] Disposed within the center aperture 26 may be a leaf spring
30. The spring 30 may have a continuously curved center portion
(FIGS. 6 and 7) that engages and secures the baton 12 within the
tubular body 18 of the scabbard 10. The continuously curved center
portion has been found to allow much easier insertion and removal
of the baton from scabbard 10. A post 32 on the flange 20 may
engage an aperture 34 within the leaf spring 30 to hold the spring
30 in the proper, operational position.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the belt clip assembly 16.
The belt clip assembly 16 may include a belt clip mounting plate 40
fabricated of a relatively soft material (e.g., plastic) and a
closed-loop belt clip 42. The belt clip mounting plate 40 may also
include a peripheral mounting surface (clip surface) 44 that is
complementary to the peripheral mounting surface 22 of the flange
20. Complementary in this case means that the clip mounting surface
44 has substantially the same shape and lies in the same plane as
the flange surface 22 during use.
[0029] Disposed along an inside edge of clip surface 44 is a
projecting ridge 46. The projecting ridge 46 functions as an
alignment mechanism for the mechanical junction between the
receiver 14 to belt clip assembly 16.
[0030] Attachment of the belt clip assembly 16 to the flange 20 may
be accomplished via the aid of the ridges 46 and an attachment
mechanism. In one preferred embodiment, a set of metal bosses 48,
50, 52 (FIG. 9), each with a female thread 54, may be
ultrasonically welded into apertures disposed within the flange
surface 22. A complementary set of apertures 54, 58, 60 allow the
relatively soft material of the belt clip mounting plate 40 to be
secured to the substrate provided by the flange 20 via screws 62,
64, 66 that engage the bosses 48, 50, 52 through the belt clip
mounting plate 40.
[0031] The closed-loop belt clip 42 may be secured to the belt clip
mounting plate 40 via a post 68 that extends through an aperture 70
in the belt clip mounting plate 40. Once the post 68 has been
inserted through the aperture 70 a suitable circular push-on
external retaining ring 76 (e.g., available from Truarc
Manufacturing Co.) may be disposed on a protruding end of the post
68. A set of wave washers 72, 74 between the retaining ring 76 and
belt clip mounting plate 40 may urge the closed-loop belt clip 42
and belt clip retaining plate 40 into contact.
[0032] Disposed between the belt clip mounting plate 40 and
closed-loop belt clip 42 are a series of respective ridges 76 and
slots 78 disposed on respective sides of the belt clip mounting
plate 40 and closed-loop belt clip 42 and extending radially
outwards from the post 68. The ridges 78 and slots 80 are
complementary in that the ridges 78 are sized to fit into the slots
80 to retain a selected position.
[0033] The receiver 14 is rotatable with respect to the belt clip
assembly 16. To select a different orientation between the receiver
14 and belt clip assembly 16, user may simply install the scabbard
10 on his belt 82, grasp and rotate the receiver 14 to a desired
position. As the user rotates the receiver 14, the interaction of
the tapered edges of the ridges 78 and slots 80 cause the wave
washers 72, 74 to compress thereby releasing the receiver 14 to
rotate to a new position where the ridges 78 may engage new slots
80.
[0034] The closed-loop belt clip 42, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5,
6 and 8 has a belt space 84 that completely encircles the belt 82.
Disposed within the belt space 84 is an adjustable spacer 86. A
pair of slots 87 extend along a wall of the closed-loop belt clip
42 in a direction across a width of the belt (i.e., transverse to a
direction of the belt 84). A pair of screws 92, 94 may engage the
spacer 86 through the slots 87. By loosening the screws 92, 94, the
spacer 86 can be moved vertically to accommodate any width belt
worn by a user.
[0035] Disposed between the belt clip plate 40 and the closed-loop
clip 42 may be an allen wrench 88 held within an allen wrench slot
90 (FIGS. 2 and 3). In order to facilitate easy adjustment of the
spacer 86 or assembly or disassembly (and replacement of parts),
screws 62, 64, 66, 92, 94 may all be allen screws of a single size
that are removable through use of the wrench 88.
[0036] The allen wrench 88 may be inaccessible when the scabbard 10
is in the position shown in FIG. 1. Not only is the allen wrench 88
inaccessible in the position shown in FIG. 1, but the allen wrench
88 cannot fall or and be lost while the scabbard 10 is in the
position shown in FIG. 1. Access to the allen wrench 88 and removal
from the scabbard 10 may be accomplished by rotating the receiver
14 to the position shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4.
[0037] The belt clip assembly 16 may be assembled to the receiver
14 by bringing the flange surface 22 into proximate contact with
the clip surface 44 (FIG. 8). Final alignment of the flange surface
22 to the clip surface 44 occurs when the ridge 46 enters the
apertures 24, 28 and engages the inner edge of the flange
peripheral mounting surface 22.
[0038] When the flange surface 22 is aligned with the clip surface
44 the apertures 56, 58, 60 are complementary to the bosses 48, 50,
52 in that the apertures 56, 58, 60 lie directly above the threaded
bosses 48, 50, 52. The belt clip assembly 16 may then be secured to
the receiver 14 via screws 62, 64, 66.
[0039] Once the belt clip assembly 16 has been secured to the
receiver 14, the ridges 46 contact and slightly deform upon
contacting the inner edge of the flange surface 22, thereby
establishing an interference fit between the flange 20 and belt
clip assembly 16. The interference fit prevents lateral movement
between the belt clip assembly 16 and receiver 14. In addition, the
relatively large surface area of the flange surface 22 and
complementary clip surface 44 distributes the direct and shock
loading of use over a relatively large surface area.
[0040] The ridge 46 eliminates any lateral loading on the screws
62, 64, 66. The screws 62, 64, 66 are therefore subject exclusively
to axial loading. The relatively large surface area of the flange
surface 22 and clip surface 44 reduces the force per unit area
(lbs/in.sup.2) to a relatively low level.
[0041] The distribution of forces over a relatively large area
allows the mounting flange 22 to be reduced in size and to occupy
only a portion of the length of the receiver 14. As shown in the
figures, the mounting flange 22 occupies an area of less than
one-half of the length of the receiver 14.
[0042] In another embodiment of the invention, the screws 62, 64,
66 are socket head screws that are specially adapted for support
structures, such as the baton scabbard 10 and similar applications.
As noted above, the belt clip mounting plate 40 may be fabricated
of plastic. The plastic material of the belt clip mounting plate 40
represents a relatively soft material that must be mounted to a
substrate (i.e., the mounting flange 20). The relative softness of
the plastic causes a situation where a conventional metal screw
head would easily pull through the surrounding plastic of the
apertures 56, 58, 60. Alternatively, if the screws 62, 64, 66 were
to be tightened too much, the bosses 48, 50, 52 will pull free of
the plastic material of the flange 20. In order to avoid these
problems, the socket head screws 62, 64, 66 are provided with a
number of distinguishing features.
[0043] FIG. 11 shows a side, partially cut-away view of the socket
head screws 62, 64, 66. As shown in FIG. 11, the screws 62, 64, 66
include a head portion 100 and a shaft (threaded portion) 102. The
head portion 100 may be provided with a relatively large socket
head 104. Relatively large, in this context, means that the
diameter A of the head 104 is at least twice as large as a diameter
D of the shaft 102. In one preferred embodiment, the diameter A of
the head 104 is at least three times the diameter D of the shaft
102.
[0044] In addition to having a relatively large diameter head 104,
the head 104 also has a depth H measured along a predominant
(longitudinal) axis 108 of the screw 62, 64, 66 that is relatively
thin. A relatively thin head depth means that the depth of the head
H is less than 75% of the diameter D of the shaft 102.
[0045] The use of screws 62, 64, 66 with a relatively large head
diameter allows for the use of a larger shaft 102 (as measured by a
diameter D) than would otherwise be possible without the risk of
pull-out. In order to further optimize the use of larger diameter
screw portions 102, the apertures 56, 58, 60 may be provided with
recesses 67 in the belt clip mounting plate 40. The recesses 67 are
provided with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter A of the
screw head 104 and with a depth that is slightly greater than a
depth H of the screw head 104. The result is that the heads 104 of
the screws 62, 64, 66 do not protrude out of the recesses 67
thereby allowing the closed-loop belt clip 42 to rotate freely
without the heads 104 interfering with the rotation.
[0046] For a number of reasons (discussed below), the screws 62,
64, 66 may also be provided with a relatively small hex (alien)
wrench aperture 106. A relatively small wrench aperture 106 means
that a diameter J of the aperture 106 is less than 75% of the
diameter D of the screw portion (shaft) 102.
[0047] It should be noted that because of the relatively thin depth
H of the screw head 104, the aperture 106 extends through the head
portion 100 into a portion 110 of the shaft 102 where the shaft 102
abuts the head portion 100. More specifically, the depth T of the
recess 106 exceeds the screw head depth H. The depth T may be
determined by squaring a diameter D of the screw portion 108 and
dividing by two times the diameter J of the recess 106. A
proportionality factor may also be applied to the result to
accommodate the relative hardness of the screws 62, 64, 66.
[0048] The relatively small diameter J of the recess 106 may be
used in combination with the depth T of the recess 106 to limit the
torque that may be applied to the screw 62, 64, 66. In this regard,
the diameter J and depth T may be controlled to allow the allen
wrench to break before the bosses 48, 50, 52 pull out of the flange
20.
[0049] In general, the diameter J of the wrench recess 106 may be a
consideration in choosing the depth H of the screw head 104. It
should be noted in this regard that if a conventional wrench size
aperture were chosen based upon the diameter D of the shaft 102,
then the thickness of the intervening wall 112 that connects the
head portion 100 and shaft 102 would not be of sufficient thickness
and strength to resist shearing forces and failure. In accordance
with illustrated embodiments, a single relatively small wrench
diameter J is selected to accommodate all of the screws 62, 64, 66,
92, 94 within the scabbard 10 based upon the loading of the screws
62, 64, 66, 92, 94. The depth T of the recess 106 may be adjusted
according to the force on the screws 62, 64, 66, 92, 94 and the
requirement that the allen wrench fail before damage occurs to the
screw head recess 106. In general, the hex wrench 88 within the
recess 90 is provided to accommodate that diameter J chosen for the
screws 62, 64, 66, 92, 94.
[0050] A specific embodiment of a baton scabbard has been described
for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention
is made and used. It should be understood that the implementation
of other variations and modifications of the invention and its
various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and
that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments
described. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present
invention and any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents
that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying
principles disclosed and claimed herein.
* * * * *