Multipurpose holster

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a worker with a means for keeping tools close at hand while working. The apparatus comprises a holster member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material and engageable with a user's belt or a user's waistband. Such holster member includes a back portion having on of a pair of slots formed therein for engagement with such user's belt and a clip member attached to such back portion for engagement with such user's belt or waistband. A pocket member is affixed to the back portion for holding at least one tool. A ring member is engageable with one of the back portion and the pocket member for holding a hammer, such ring member being disposed at a predetermined angle from one of the back portion and the pocket member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/913,682 filed Apr. 24, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a tool holster, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to multipurpose tool holster that can carry both a hammer and a utility knife.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Holsters are worn to provide a means for keeping tools close at hand while working. Typical holster designs are only capable of holding one specific tool. This requires the worker to purchase and wear multiple holsters on their belt. In tight working conditions, such as bathrooms, closets and crawlspaces, these multiple attachments on the worker's belt increase the chances of the holster, and subsequently the worker, becoming hooked or snagged onto surrounding items such as ladder frames, exposed beams or even nails. All in all the multiple holsters can become a problem in confined areas.

[0004] Thus, it would be advantageous if there were an apparatus or a means by which the number of holsters needed to carry the tools necessary for the worker could be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an apparatus for providing a worker with a means for keeping tools close at hand while working. The apparatus comprises a holster member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material and engageable with a user's belt or a user's waistband. Such holster member includes a back portion having one of a pair of slots formed therein for engagement with such user's belt or a clip member attached thereto for engagement with such user's belt or waistband. A pocket member is affixed to the back portion for holding at least one tool. A ring member is engageable with one of the back portion and the pocket member for holding a hammer, such ring member being disposed at a predetermined angle from one of the back portion and the pocket member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a holster that can serve more than one purpose.

[0007] Another object of the present invention to provide a holster that can carry a hammer.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention to provide a holster that can be engaged with a user's belt or waistband.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention to provide a holster that is made of leather.

[0010] In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly when such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective drawing of the holster member according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side perspective drawing of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the holster member having a clip attached to a back side thereto for engagement with a user's belt or waistband.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

[0015] In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for providing a worker with a means for keeping tools close at hand while working. The apparatus 10 comprises a holster member 2 having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material and engageable with one of such user's belt or such user's waistband. Such holster member 2 includes a back portion 4 having one of a pair of slots 6 formed therein for engagement with such user's belt and a clip member 14 attached to a back side thereof for engagement with a user's belt or a user's waistband. A pocket member 8 is affixed to a front side of the back portion 4 for holding at least one tool. A ring member 12 is engageable with one of the back portion 4 and such pocket member 8 for holding a hammer, such ring member 12 is disposed at a predetermined angle from one of back portion 4 and pocket member 8.

[0016] It is presently preferred that such predetermined angle is generally a right angle and also that such ring member 12 is securely affixed to an exterior portion of the back portion 4 of the holster 2. It is also preferred that such ring member 12 is immobile, that is it does not change the angle with the holster 2 in order to make removal and replacement of such hammer easy with a minimum amount of trouble that could happen if the ring member 12 were free to move. This is particularly important when physical movement is restricted due to the location of the project. Such ring member 12 is made of metal and it is preferred that such metal be steel. It is also presently preferred that such ring member 12 be attached to an exterior portion of both the back portion 4 and the pocket member 8. Further, it is preferred that the ring member 12 be attached by means of rivets.

[0017] The pocket member 8 can be affixed to the back portion 4 by various means such as rivets, snaps and sewing. Although any means would be acceptable it is presently preferred that such pocket member 8 be affixed to the back portion 4 by means of rivets.

[0018] The slots 6 that are formed in the back portion 4 are used to slide a user's belt therethrough thereby securing the apparatus 10 to such user's belt. If the clip member 14 is used it is affixed to the back side of the back portion 4, and such clip member is engageable with either a user's belt or waistband. It should be noted that such back portion 4 has an aperture 16 disposed closely adjacent a top of the back portion 4 of the holster 2. Such aperture 16 permits the holster 2 to be hung on a peg or a nail when not in use.

[0019] Such predetermined material for forming such holster 2 is selected from plastic, modified rubber, and leather and it is presently preferred that predetermined material is leather.

[0020] Such pocket 8 can be used to hold a variety of tools, however, it is primarily designed for holding a utility knife.

[0021] Thus, the present invention provides a multipurpose holster used to hold both a hammer and a utility knife. The holster is constructed of durable, rugged materials such as plastic, modified rubber and leather. It is preferred that it be constructed of leather and preferably cowhide. There is an integrated loop (pair of slots) at the top of the holster which is used to slide the user's belt therethrough to secure the holster in place. The holster consists of a back portion and a pocket member which is affixed to the back portion. A steel loop or ring is affixed to the holster's exterior for holding the hammer.

[0022] While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a worker with a means for keeping tools close at hand while working, said apparatus comprising: (a) a holster member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material and engageable with one of a user's belt and a user's waistband, said holster member including: (i) a back portion having one of slots formed therein for engagement with such user's belt and a clip member attached to a back side thereto for engagement with one of such user's belt and waistband; (ii) a pocket member affixed to a front side of said back portion for holding at least one tool; and (b) a ring member engageable with one of said back portion and said pocket member for holding a hammer, said ring member disposed at a predetermined angle from one of said back portion and said pocket member.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined angle is generally a right angle.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said ring member is securely affixed to an exterior portion of both said back portion and said pocket member.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said ring member is immobile in order to ensure that removal and replacement of such hammer is with a minimum amount of trouble.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said ring member is made of metal.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said metal is steel.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said pocket member is affixed to said back portion by means of rivets, snaps and sewing.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said pocket member is affixed to said back portion by means of rivets.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said slots formed in said back portion are used to slide a user's belt therethrough and secure said apparatus to such user's belt.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material for forming said holster is selected from plastic, modified rubber, and leather.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined material is leather.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one tool being held by said pocket is a utility knife.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said ring member is secured to said back member and said pocket member by means of rivets.

14. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said clip member is engageable with such user's belt.

15. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said back portion of said holster has an aperture disposed closely adjacent a top of said back portion.