Adjustable Belt Loop Assembly For Pistol Holsters And The Like

Abstract

A main body is adapted for operable connection supporting a pistol holster and has a longitudinal belt slot with an adjustment bar extending longitudinally within the slot. The adjustment bar is formed by longitudinally telescoped parts spring pressed longitudinally outwardly and each having a block formed thereon projecting forwardly and rearwardly into vertical adjustment slots of the main body. Normally longitudinally outwardly interengaged teeth are formed between the adjustment bar blocks and sides of the main body adjustment slots, which teeth may be disengaged for adjustment bar vertical bar movement upon oppositely longitudinally inward movement of the adjustment bar parts.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holsters and the like, and more particularly, to such an assembly which may be adapted for supporting virtually any form of pistol holster on virtually any width of belt. Furthermore, the adjustable belt loop assembly of the present assembly is of relatively simple and quickly adjusted form, yet provides for secure convenient belt loop adjustment so as to retain a supported holster against unwanted movement relative to the belt on which it is mounted. Still additionally, despite the simplicity and wide versatility of the present adjustable belt loop assembly, it may be incorporated in the particular holster within the space confines of the prior assemblies so as to minimize bulkiness and provide for maximum pistol holster concealability.

Many prior belt loop assemblies for pistol holsters have heretofore been provided, most of which have merely consisted of a common belt loop formed through the holster and receiving the belt or shoulder strap of the person intended to carry the pistol. In view of the belt loop being of a predetermined size, the person wearing the holster must use a corresponding width of belt which snugly fits the belt loop if the holster is to be properly retained against unwanted movement during the usual movement by the individual. Of course, with the conventional belt loop, belts and straps of smaller size may be received therethrough but in such circumstance, the holster will only be held loosely and can create the danger of the pistol becoming dislodged from the holster by the holster movement relative to the belt or strap.

Certain attempts have been made to provide belt loop assemblies for holsters which may be selectively adjusted in order to custom fit a particular belt or strap width. In most cases, however, these adjustable belt loop assemblies have been of the type which will only permit a single belt width adjustment and once such adjustment has been made, the person using the holster is still confined to a single width of belt or strap thereafter. Where it has been attempted to provide repeatedly selectively adjustable belt loop assemblies, the size and bulkiness thereof have been greatly increased, increasing the overall bulkiness of the holster and pistol retained therein with consequent difficulty in concealability of the pistol and holster beneath the wearer's outer garments.

Although bulkiness is always objectionable, whether the holster and pistol are worn by sportsmen or anyone, concealability becomes a major factor for licensed persons required to carry the pistol and holster at a concealed location. Sportsmen and other such persons must carry the pistol holster at locations where they are readily apparent and not concealed, but police detectives and similar types of guard personnel are required to carry the pistol and holster concealed beneath outer garments such as the coat of an ordinary business suit. In other words, except under special circumstances, most police detectives are required to present the appearance of an average businessman and their attire is normally that of a usual business suit, yet these police detectives must be armed and concealability of a pistol and holster is an important factor if the normal businessman appearance is to be maintained.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holsters and the like wherein repeated selective adjustability of the belt loop assembly may be accomplished so as to adapt the particular holster to virtually any width of belt or shoulder strap. According to the principles of the present invention, the unique adjustable belt loop assembly includes a somewhat conventional belt loop formed through the appropriate portion of the holster and having a conveniently selectively adjustable locking bar mounted therein which bar will serve to block the unused portion of the belt loop and serve as a bearing surface for the belt or strap upon which the holster is mounted. The belt loop of the holster will thereby always conform to the particular width of belt or strap being used while retaining the holster securely thereon and against unwanted movement relative thereto.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holsters and the like having the foregoing advantageous attributes, yet which does not add to the bulkiness of the holster and may be adapted for use with present holster constructions. The blocking or adjustment bar within the holster belt loop is formed so as to normally securely grip portions of the holster adjacent the belt loop and may be selectively released from such gripping for movement to a new blocking location within the belt loop. Such gripping between the blocking or adjustment bar and the holster surrounding the belt loop is obtained through projecting portions on the adjustment bar engaging in vertical slots formed in the holster so as to not require additional space and conveniently fit within the normal confines of the belt loop portion of any conventional pistol holster.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holsters and the like having the foregoing unique convenience in repeated adjustability and compactness while still being capable of provision at a minimum of expense due to the relative simplicity thereof. Substantially the entire adjustable belt loop assembly, with the exception of a single metal spring, may be formed of easily moldable materials, such as plastic and the like, by virtue of the basic and uncomplicated shapes of the various parts. Furthermore, with this wide versatility in material selection, the final form of the construction still gives all of the advantages of ready adjustability and secure belt or strap retainment during use of the holster incorporating the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pistol holster incorporating a preferred embodiment of the adjustable belt loop assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, front elevational view of the pistol holster and adjustable belt loop assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the pistol holster and adjustable belt loop assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 4-4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 5-5 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENT CONTEMPLATED

Referring to the drawings, a pistol holster is generally indicated at 10 and includes a unique adjustable belt loop assembly generally indicated at 12 incorporated therein and formed in conformance with the principles of the present invention. The pistol holster 10 generally is of the formfitting type, molded from a resilient, but semirigid plastic and adapted to a specific model of pistol in order to retain the same securely therein. Although the adjustable belt loop assembly of the present invention is readily adaptable to virtually any type of pistol holster, the particular form of adjustable belt loop assembly 12 illustrated herein is secured in a particularly formed recess of the holster 10 and is secured in such recess by use of conventional fasteners 14 in the usual manner.

More particularly to the principles of the present invention, the adjustable belt loop assembly 12 includes a main body 16 having a belt slot 18 formed generally longitudinally therethrough. The belt slot 18 is of somewhat usual form but having increased vertical dimensions and preferably being closed at both the upper and lower vertical extremities 20 and 22 thereof. Furthermore, longitudinally spaced sets of transversely spaced and aligned adjustment slots 24 are formed in the main body 16 extending generally vertically thereof and all opening transversely into the inner confines of the belt slot 18.

As probably best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the adjustment slots 24 all extend preferably from the lower vertical extremities 22 of the belt slot 18 vertically upwardly to a location spaced downwardly from the belt slot upper vertical extremities 20, the adjustment slots bordering the forward edge of the belt slot opening rearwardly into such belt slot and the adjustment slots bordering the rearward edge of the belt slot opening forwardly into such belt slot. Also, all of the adjustment slots 24 have a series or plurality of longitudinally inwardly projecting adjustment teeth 26 formed on longitudinally outward sides thereof. In other words, as seen in FIG. 2, the adjustment teeth 26 of the adjustment slots 24 all face longitudinally inwardly relative to the longitudinal extension of the belt slot 18 so that the adjustment teeth of one set of the adjustment slots longitudinally inwardly face the adjustment teeth of the other of the sets of adjustment slots.

The embodiment of the adjustable belt loop assembly of the present invention is completed by an adjustment bar generally indicated at 28 positioned within a lower portion of the belt slot 18 and generally extending longitudinally thereof. As shown, the adjustment bar 28 includes a longitudinally extending, at least partially hollow, cylindrical part 30, partially end-telescoping a longitudinally extending, smaller diameter, preferably solid, cylindrical part 32, the free ends of these cylindrical parts extending longitudinally outwardly of the belt slot 18. A coil compression spring 34 is retained captive within the hollow cylindrical part 30 and longitudinally against the internal part of the solid cylindrical part 32 so as to constantly resiliently urge the cylindrical parts 30 and 32 oppositely longitudinally outwardly of the belt slot 18.

A gripping block 36 is secured to each of the cylindrical parts 30 and 32 of the adjustment bar 28, said gripping blocks being positioned at the locations of the main body adjustment slots 24 when the adjustment bar 28 is within the belt slot 18. The gripping blocks 36 extend transversely forwardly and rearwardly of the belt slot 18 into the adjustment slots 24 and have a series or plurality of adjustment teeth 38 formed on longitudinally outward surfaces thereof facing and longitudinally interengaging with the adjustment teeth 26 within the adjustment slots 24. Also, the adjustment slots 24 of the main body 16 are of sufficient longitudinal widths spaced larger than the longitudinal widths of the adjustment bar gripping blocks 36 to permit longitudinally inward movement of the gripping blocks for disengagement of the gripping block adjustment teeth 38 from engagement with the adjustment teeth 26 of said adjustment slots.

Thus, with the adjustment bar 28 positioned extending longitudinally in the belt slot 18 and the gripping blocks 36 thereof extending transversely into the adjustment slots 24 of the main body 16, the coil spring 34 will normally urge the adjustment bar parts 30 and 32 longitudinally outwardly causing the interengagement between the adjustment teeth 26 and 38 of the main body 16 and the gripping blocks 36, thereby retaining the adjustment bar 28 securely at a preset location with upper surface portions 40 of the gripping blocks 36 effectively vertically blocking the belt slot 18. Merely by depressing the adjustment bar parts 30 and 32 longitudinally inwardly relative to each other, however, will cause further compression of the coil spring 34 and further longitudinal telescoping between these parts, moving the gripping blocks 36 longitudinally inwardly away from interengagement with the main body 16 and permitting vertical movement of the adjustment bar 28 within the belt slot 18 to a new selected blocking position. In this manner, the effective, unblocked vertical portion of the belt slot 18 may be selectively changed to any vertical width desired within the limits of the adjustability of the adjustment bar 28 so as to adapt the belt slot for proper size to receive a determined vertical width of belt therein, such as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2 and indicated at 42, it being preferred that the belt will always be relatively closely vertically confined between the upper vertical extremity 20 of the belt slot 18 and the upper surface portions 40 of the gripping blocks 36.

Thus, a unique adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holsters and the like is provided according to the principles of the present invention and it is evident that, even though very secure adjustability is provided, the overall size of the belt loop assembly will not increase the bulkiness of the pistol holster. At the same time, however, quick and simple adjustability is provided so that the particular pistol holster will always be securely retained on a belt or strap of the user and excessive movement therebetween will not be permitted. Still further, in view of the simplicity of the belt loop assembly construction, the entire assembly, preferably excluding the coil spring 34, may be formed of any of the rigid, long-wearing plastics, for instance, all of the main body 16 and the adjustment bar 28, excluding the coil spring 34, may be molded from such a plastic in the usual economical manner.

Claims

I claim:

1. In an adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holsters and the like, the combination of: a main body adapted for operable connection supporting a pistol holster and the like, said main body having a longitudinal belt slot formed therethrough with vertically spaced upper and lower closed belt slot extremities; and an adjustable bar within said main body belt slot extending longitudinally thereof and vertically blocking said belt slot, selectively releasable means on said adjustment bar normally engaged with said main body retaining said adjustment bar in a selected belt slot blocking position and selectively releasable for movement of said adjustment bar vertically between a plurality of belt slot blocking positions to selectively vary the unblocked vertical size of said belt slot between said adjustment bar and one of said slot extremities, said adjustment bar releasable means normally being engaged with said main body longitudinally of said main body belt slot and being releasable from said main body for said movement of said adjustment bar by movement of said releasable means longitudinally of said main body belt slot.

2. An adjustable belt loop assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said adjustment bar releasable means includes engagement blocks on said adjustment bar normally engaged with said main body longitudinally of said main body belt slot and releasable from said main body engagement upon movement of said blocks longitudinally of said main body belt slot.

3. An adjustable belt loop assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said adjustment bar releasable means includes a pair of blocks spaced longitudinally of said main body belt slot and having teeth thereon interengaged with teeth of said main body during said main body block engagement, resilient means normally urging said blocks into engagement with said main body and permitting movement of said blocks longitudinally of said main body belt slot from said main body engagement for said adjustment bar movement.

4. An adjustable belt loop assembly as defined in claim 1 in which longitudinally spaced sets of forward and rearward adjustment slots are formed in said main body extending vertically and opening into said main body belt slot; in which a vertical series of longitudinally inwardly projecting engagement teeth are formed along longitudinally outward sides of each of said main body adjustment slots; in which said adjustment bar includes longitudinally telescoped elongated parts having a compression spring engaged therebetween and urging said parts oppositely longitudinally outwardly of said main body belt slot; and in which said adjustment bar releasable means includes a block on each of said adjustment bar parts, one of said blocks being received forwardly and rearwardly into each set of said main body engagement slots and normally urged into longitudinal engagement by its respective adjustment bar part with said engagement slot longitudinally outward sides, said blocks having longitudinally outward-facing teeth formed thereon normally interengaged with certain of said teeth of said engagement slot longitudinally outward sides, said blocks being releasable from said main body upon movement of said adjustment bar parts longitudinally inward compressing said compression spring.

5. In an adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holsters and the like, the combination of: a main body adapted for operable connection supporting a pistol holster and the like, a longitudinal belt slot formed through said main body having at least a closed upper extremity; and an adjustment bar extending longitudinally within said main body belt slot vertically spaced from said belt slot upper extremity, said adjustment bar having upper surface portions downwardly blocking said main body belt slot and confining a belt received longitudinally through said belt slot vertically between said adjustment bar upper surface portions and said belt slot upper extremity, said adjustment bar including relatively longitudinally movable parts normally spring urged longitudinally outwardly, and selectively releasable means on said adjustment bar normally engaged with said main body retaining said adjustment bar in a selected belt slot blocking position and selectively releasably permitting vertical movement of said adjustment bar within said belt slot to a plurality of different selected belt slot blocking positions, said adjustment bar releasable means including a projecting part on each of said adjustment bar parts normally longitudinally outwardly engaged with said main body adjacent said main body belt slot and released from said engagement by relative longitudinally inward movement of said adjustment bar parts.

6. An adjustable belt loop assembly as defined in claim 5 in which said adjustment bar releasable means includes a forwardly and rearwardly projecting block on each of said adjustment bar parts within said main body belt slot; and in which longitudinally spaced sets of forwardly and rearwardly aligned adjustment slots are formed in said main body at forward and rearward sides of said main body belt slot extending vertically and opening into said main body belt slot, said sets of main body adjustment slots receiving said blocks of said adjustment bar releasable means forwardly and rearwardly therein with said blocks being normally engaged longitudinally outwardly with sides of said slots and released form such engagement upon relative longitudinally inward movement of said adjustment bar parts.

7. An adjustable belt loop assembly as defined in claim 5 in which said adjustment bar includes longitudinally telescoped parts normally spring urged longitudinally oppositely outwardly; in which said adjustment bar releasable means includes a block on each of said adjustment bar parts projecting forwardly and rearwardly from said adjustment bar parts and relative to forward and rearward sides of said main body belt slot, said blocks forming said adjustment bar upper surface portions, said blocks having longitudinally outwardly projecting teeth formed thereon forwardly and rearwardly of said adjustment bar parts; and in which said main body has longitudinally spaced sets of adjustment slots formed extending vertically within forward and rearward surfaces bordering said main body belt slot and opening into said belt slot, longitudinally outward sides of said main body adjustment slots having longitudinally inwardly projecting teeth formed thereon, said main body adjustment slots receiving projecting edge portions of said adjustment bar part blocks forwardly and rearwardly therein with said adjustment slot and block teeth normally longitudinally interengaged while being selectively disengageable upon increased longitudinally inward telescoping of said adjustment bar parts.

8. In an adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holsters and the like, the combination of: a main body adapted for operable connection supporting a pistol holster and the like, said main body having a longitudinal belt slot formed therethrough with vertically spaced upper and lower closed belt slot extremities; and an adjustable bar within said main body belt slot extending longitudinally thereof and vertically blocking said belt slot, selectively releasable means on said adjustment bar normally resiliently urged into engagement with said main body retaining said adjustment bar in a selected belt slot blocking position and selectively releasable solely by finger pressure applied thereto for movement of said adjustment bar vertically between a plurality of belt slot blocking positions to selectively vary the unblocked vertical size of said belt slot between said adjustment bar and one of said slot extremities.

9. In an adjustable belt loop assembly for pistol holster and the like, the combination of: a main body adapted for operable connection supporting a pistol holster and the like, a longitudinal belt slot formed through said main body having at least a closed upper extremity; and an adjustment bar extending longitudinally within said main body belt slot vertically spaced from said belt slot upper extremity, said adjustment bar having upper surface portions downwardly blocking said main body belt slot and confining a belt received longitudinally through said belt slot vertically between said adjustment bar upper surface portions and said belt slot upper extremity, and selectively releasable means on said adjustment bar normally resiliently urged into engagement with said main body retaining said adjustment bar in a selected belt slot blocking position and selectively releasable solely by finger pressure applied thereto permitting vertical movement of said adjustment bar within said belt slot to a plurality of different selected belt slot blocking positions.