U.S. patent application number 12/469795 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for multi-function equipment case.
Invention is credited to Dan Romano, Dan Sisto.
Application Number | 20090302076 12/469795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41399371 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090302076 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Romano; Dan ; et
al. |
December 10, 2009 |
MULTI-FUNCTION EQUIPMENT CASE
Abstract
The present invention provides a multi-function equipment case
that integrates keeper technology with equipment cases.
Specifically, under the present invention, an equipment case will
include a compartment for holding a piece of equipment and at least
one keeper strap secured to an outer surface of the compartment.
The keeper strap(s) not only allows for attachment of the
multi-function equipment case to a duty belt, but it also binds the
duty belt to a pants belt. This integrated device eliminates the
wasted space caused by having to use keepers separate and apart
from the case.
Inventors: |
Romano; Dan; (Clifton Park,
NY) ; Sisto; Dan; (Ballston Lake, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Keohane & D'Alessandro
1881 Western Avenue, Suite 180
Albany
NY
12203
US
|
Family ID: |
41399371 |
Appl. No.: |
12/469795 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61054853 |
May 21, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/199 ;
224/675 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F
5/021 20130101; A45F 2003/144 20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F
3/14 20130101; A45F 2200/0516 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/199 ;
224/675 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-function equipment case, comprising: a compartment for
holding a piece of equipment; and at least one keeper strap secured
to an outer surface of the compartment for attaching the
multi-function equipment case to a duty belt, and for binding the
duty belt to a pants belt.
2. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, the at least one
keeper strap comprising a plurality of keeper straps.
3. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, the at least one
keeper strap comprising a single keeper strap.
4. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, the at least one
keeper strap being stitched to the outer surface.
5. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, the at least one
keeper strap being adhered to the outer surface.
6. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, each of the at
least one keeper strap comprising snaps for securing a first end of
the at least one keeper strap to a second end of the at least one
keeper strap.
7. The multi-function equipment case of claim 1, further comprising
a swivel positioned between the outer surface and the at least one
keeper strap, the swivel allowing the compartment to be rotated.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to equipment cases
for duty belts and the like. Specifically, the present invention
relates to multi-function equipment cases having integrated
keeper(s) that not only secure the equipment case to a duty belt,
but also secure/bind the duty belt with a dress/pants belt.
RELATED ART
[0002] For emergency (police, fire, EMS) and military personnel,
duty belts are an everyday part of life. Such belts allow an
individual to carry many pieces of equipment around his/her waist
for easy access. In many instances, the individual is required to
carry certain pieces of equipment, which limits the individual's
ability to lighten his/her duty belt. As time goes on, more and
more pieces of equipment are being added to the duty belt. For
instance, today a police officer's duty belt will likely hold a
firearm, multiple clips of ammunition, pepper spray, one or two
sets of handcuffs, a baton, a cellular phone, a radio, and possibly
a taser. In addition, four or more keepers are typically utilized
to bind the duty belt to the pants belt. This keeps the duty belt
from rotating about the individual's mid-section. Each keeper can
have a width of approximately one inch (or more). Thus, using four
keepers consumes valuable real estate on the duty belt.
[0003] In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for a solution
that solves at least of the deficiencies of the related art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In general, the present invention provides a multi-function
equipment case that integrates keeper technology with equipment
cases. Specifically, under the present invention, an equipment case
will include a compartment for holding a piece of equipment and at
least one keeper strap secured to an outer surface of the
compartment. The keeper strap(s) not only allows for attachment of
the multi-function equipment case to a duty belt, but it also binds
the duty belt to a pants belt. This integrated device eliminates
the wasted space caused by having to use keepers separate and apart
from the case.
[0005] Under the present invention, the keeper strap(s) can be
secured to the case using and methodology now known or later
developed. For example, the keeper strap(s) can be stitched,
adhered, pinned/nailed, etc. to the case. In addition, each keeper
strap typically includes complimentary snaps that allow one end of
the strap to be secured to another end of the same strap. Still
yet, a swivel can be positioned between the outer surface and the
keeper strap(s). This allows for the case to be free rotated while
keeping the keeper strap(s) stationary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] These and other features of this invention will be more
readily understood from the following detailed description of the
various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0007] FIGS. 1-2 depict isometric views of an illustrative
equipment case having integrated keeper straps according to the
present invention.
[0008] FIGS. 3-4 depict front and back views of the illustrative
equipment case of FIGS. 1-2.
[0009] FIGS. 5-6 depict side views of the illustrative equipment
case of FIGS. 1-2.
[0010] FIGS. 7-8 depict top and bottom views of the illustrative
equipment case of FIGS. 1-2.
[0011] FIGS. 9-10 depict isometric views of an illustrative
equipment case having integrated keeper straps according to the
present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 11-12 depict front and back views of the illustrative
equipment case of FIGS. 9-10.
[0013] FIGS. 13-14 depict side views of the illustrative equipment
case of FIGS. 9-10.
[0014] FIGS. 15-16 depict top and bottom views of the illustrative
equipment case of FIGS. 9-10.
[0015] FIG. 17 depicts a view of equipment cases according to the
present invention when in use.
[0016] FIGS. 18-19 depict an illustrative equipment case according
to the present invention with a swivel.
[0017] The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are
merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific
parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict
only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not
be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the
drawings, like numbering represents like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] In general, the present invention provides a multi-function
equipment case that integrates keeper technology with equipment
cases. Specifically, under the present invention, an equipment case
will include a compartment for holding a piece of equipment and at
least one keeper strap secured to an outer surface of the
compartment. The keeper strap(s) not only allows for attachment of
the multi-function equipment case to a duty belt, but it also binds
the duty belt to a pants belt. This integrated device eliminates
the wasted space caused by having to use keepers separate and apart
from the case.
[0019] Under the present invention, the keeper strap(s) can be
secured to the case using and methodology now known or later
developed. For example, the keeper strap(s) can be stitched,
adhered, pinned/nailed, etc. to the case. In addition, each keeper
strap typically includes complimentary snaps that allow one end of
the strap to be secured to another end of the same strap. Still
yet, a swivel can be positioned between the outer surface and the
keeper strap(s). This allows for the case to be free rotated while
keeping the keeper strap(s) stationary.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an illustrative equipment
case 10 according to the present invention is shown. In general,
equipment case 10 includes a compartment 12 for holding handcuffs
or the like and keeper straps 14A-B. As shown in FIG. 2, keeper
straps 14A-B are secured to an outer surface 16 of equipment case
10. Although two keepers straps 14A-B are shown in FIGS. 1-2, it
should be appreciated that any quantity could actually be provided.
FIGS. 3-4 show front and back views, respectively, of equipment
case 10. As shown in the side views of FIGS. 5-6, each keeper strap
14A-B includes complimentary (e.g., male-female) snaps 18A-B for
securing a first end 20A of keeper strap 14A-B to a second end 20B
of the same keeper strap 14A-B. FIGS. 7-8 depicts top and bottom
views of equipment case 10.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 9-10, another illustrative equipment
case 100 according to the present invention is shown. In general,
equipment case 100 includes a compartment 102 for holding a
cellular phone or the like and keeper straps 104A-B. As shown in
FIG. 10, keeper straps 104A-B are secured to an outer surface 16 of
equipment case 100. Although two keepers straps 104A-B are shown in
FIGS. 9-10, it should be appreciated that any quantity could
actually be provided. FIGS. 11-12 show front and back views,
respectively, of equipment case 100. As shown in the side views of
FIGS. 13-14, each keeper strap 104A includes complimentary (e.g.,
male-female) snaps 108A-B for securing a first end 110A of keeper
strap 104A to a second end 110B of the same keeper strap 104A.
FIGS. 15-16 depicts top and bottom views of equipment case 100.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 17, equipment cases 10 and 124 in use
in accordance with the present invention are shown. Specifically,
each case 10 and 124 includes at least one keeper strap 14A-B and
126, respectively. Each keeper strap 14A-B and 126 encircles both
duty belt 120 as well as pants/dress belt 122. This not only
secured the cases 10 and 124 to belts 120 and 122, but also serves
to bind belt 120 and 122 together. This prevents duty belt 120 from
moving laterally about the waist of the user independent of
pants/dress belt 122. As indicated above, previously, users were
forced to utilize independent keepers that were positioned side by
side with equipment cases on their duty belts. Such a configuration
wasted valuable space on the duty belt. With an integrated device
such as described herein, that space is recaptured so that
additional equipment can be carried.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 18-19, it is demonstrated that a
swivel mechanism can also be introduced in accordance with the
present invention. Specifically, complimentary (e.g., male-female)
swivel components 130A-B can be interposed between outer surface 16
of equipment case 10 and keeper straps 14A-B. The swivel mechanism
allows the case to be freely rotated while allowing keeper straps
14A-B to remain stationary.
[0024] The foregoing description of various aspects of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many
modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and
variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are
intended to be included within the scope of the invention as
defined by the accompanying claims. For example, although depicted
as being secured to a back outer surface of equipment cases, the
keeper straps could be attached to any outer surface. For example,
the keeper straps could be secured to a top, bottom, side, and/or
front outer surface(s) of an equipment case.
* * * * *