Abstract:
A Tactical retainer belt is disclosed. This invention allows for the correct fitment of any sidearm, any magazine, and any tactical accessories without the need to purchase additional gear or pouches, thus lowering long-term costs for the user. This system allows the user the ability to rapidly adjust to mission or job changes by accommodating any load out.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates tactical gear, and more particularly to retaining belts for tactical gear. 
     Current holsters limit the ability to carry accessory items (e.g. flashlights, tourniquets, batteries, magazines). They also require the user to purchase model-specific holsters, magazine pouches, and accessory pouches. Current belts also require the user to remove their belt from belt loops in order to remove their holster and accessory pouches. Conventional holsters and accessory pouches offer little in the way of concealed compartments for storing sensitive items (e.g. identity documentation, money, keys, maps, small quantities of medicine). Conventional tactical systems are not built with the strength required to double as a climbing harness. Individuals require a separate harness in order to rappel or climb. 
     Other systems currently utilized are built for specific sidearm models, and all require the additional purchase of accessory pouches. None solve this issue and none can double as a climbing harness. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a tactical retainer belt that allows for the correct fitment of any sidearm, any magazine, and any tactical accessories without the need to purchase additional gear or pouches, thus lowering long-term costs for the user. This system allows the user the ability to rapidly adjust to mission or job changes by accommodating any load out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a tactical belt includes a double layer outer belt having an inner web and an outer web, a first fastener layer attached to an outwardly facing surface of the inner web, a second fastener layer attached to an inwardly facing surface of the outer web, wherein the first and second fastener layers are releasably joined; an inner belt having a fourth fastener layer along an outwardly facing surface thereof for cooperative engagement with a third fastener layer along an inwardly facing surface of the inner web; and a buckle to join a first end and a second end of the outer belt. In some embodiments, the inner belt is adapted to be threadingly received through a belt loop of a user&#39;s pants. 
     In some aspects of the invention, the tactical belt may also include an insert having at least one sidewall defining a cavity therein; and a fastener layer attached to an exterior surface of the at least one sidewall, the fastener layer adapted to be received in a retention point defined between a separated portion of the inner web and the outer web. The insert is adapted to receive a tactical accessory, which may be a handgun, a flash light, a magazine. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, the tactical belt may be equipped with a comfort pad having a fastener material attached to and extending along an upper aspects of the comfort pad, wherein the comfort pad fastener material is configured to engage with a cooperating interior fastener layer attached to an outer surface of the inner belt. 
     In yet other aspects of the invention, the tactical belt may also be equipped with a harness assembly. The harness assembly may have a pair of leg straps forming a releasable loop adapted to encircle a user&#39;s leg. The leg straps are operatively attachable to the outer belt via a hook loop defined at a first end of the leg straps. In some embodiments, the leg straps include buckle to releasably join a second end of the leg straps at a point proximal the hook loop. The harness assembly may also include a back strap operatively connected between an intermediate portion of the leg strap and a midpoint of the comfort strap. The back strap may also be adjustable in length via one or more square rings. The back strap may be connected to the leg strap and the comfort strap via one or more b-rings operatively coupled via a loop of material sewn to the leg strap and the comfort strap. The leg straps are preferably attached to a common D-ring operatively attached to the comfort strap. In some embodiments, the second end of the leg strap is fitted with a buckle and is configured for cooperative engagement with a corresponding buckle operatively attached to an intermediate portion of the leg strap proximal to the belt slot. In other embodiments, a comfort cover is formed as a padded sleeve to cover at least an aft portion of the leg straps. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a tactical belt shown in use. 
         FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the tactical belt shown in use. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of the tactical belt. 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the tactical belt taken from  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an alternate embodiment shown in use. 
         FIG. 6  is a back view of an alternate embodiment shown in use. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an alternate embodiment shown in use. 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment shown in use. 
         FIG. 9  is an exterior view of an alternate embodiment (lying flat). 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the  14  illustrating the zipper. 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the  26  unzipped. 
         FIG. 12  is a section view of the tactical belt taken from line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 13  is a section view of the tactical belt taken from line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 14  is a section view of the tactical belt taken from line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 15  is a section view of the tactical belt taken from line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a tactical belt assembly having a plurality of adjustable retention points, for the secure carriage of tactical equipment retained by the belt. 
     A user can utilize the system of the present invention in order to avoid purchasing multiple holsters, magazine pouches and accessory pouches for concealed carry or combat. An individual in the military, police force, or civilian sector can use this system to rapidly respond to changing mission requirements or job load outs without the need to purchase additional items. This tactical retaining belt enables personnel to quickly and efficiently organize and carry any sidearm(s), magazines or tactical accessories (e.g. flashlights, sharps, tourniquets, electronics etc.) and affords personnel the ability to quickly and rapidly remove all equipment by removing the entire load out as one piece. 
     In addition, this system affords personnel the ability to climb or rappel with the use of attachable leg straps, circumventing the necessity of purchasing or using a separate climbing harness. 
     As seen in reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a belt assembly  5  is illustrated worn by a user  80 . The belt assembly  5 , may be utilized to conveniently and securely carry a plurality of tactical items, such as: a pistol  56 , or like firearm; a magazine  72 ; a flashlight  58 ; and the like. It also serves as a base upon which to attach additional items, such as a repelling harness. 
     As best seen in reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the belt assembly  5  is formed of a plurality of layers, including an inner wrap belt  66 , an outer belt  70 , and an optional comfort belt  10 . The inner wrap belt  66  is preferably formed of a nylon web material that is covered on at least one surface by a layer of one of a hook or a pile material  68 . When donned by a user  80 , the inner wrap belt  66  is threaded through a plurality of conventional belt loops  78  around the waistline of a pair of pants  76  worn by the user  80 . The hook and pile material  68  of the inner strap  66  provides a mating surface for cooperative engagement with either an inner surface of the outer belt  70 , or the optional comfort belt  10 . Preferably, the inner wrap belt  66  is formed without a buckle assembly attached to its free ends. 
     The outer belt  70  is preferably formed of double layer of a nylon web material, having an inner web  14  and an outer web  20 . The opposed faces of the inner web  14  and the outer web  20  have are provided with a fastener material, which may be one of a cooperating hook or pile material layer, such as Velcro®. The inner web  14  is provided with a first fastener material  18  along an outwardly facing surface (facing outwardly from the user&#39;s body when the belt is worn) of the inner web  14 . The outer web  20  is provided with a cooperating layer of a second fastener material  22  along an inwardly facing surface (facing inwardly towards the user&#39;s body when the belt is worn) of the outer web  20 . The first fastener material  18  joins with the second fastener material  22  in cooperative engagement such that the inner web  14  and outer web  20  are releasably joined as a single belt. The inner web  14  and outer web  20  may thus be separated at a desired location and to a desired size to define a retention point for the carriage of a tactical accessory. 
     The inner web  14  is also provided with a third fastener material  16  layer along an inwardly facing surface of the inner web  14 . The third fastener layer  16  will have a layer selected to cooperatively engage with the fourth fastener material layer  68  provided along a length of the inner strap  66  in order to secure the outer belt  70  to the inner layer  66  and limit torsional or vertical movement of the belt assembly  5  about the user  80 . This configuration allows for quick removal of sidearm(s)  56  and tactical accessories carried by the outer belt  70  by removing the entire outer belt  70  of the retention system at once. The ends of the outer belt  70  are fitted with an adjustable buckle assembly  54 , which permits the user  80  to adjust the length of the outer belt  70 . The outer belt  70  is preferably formed as a single length of double-looped Nylon Web. 
     The double loop configuration allows for customized placement and sizing of a retention point for sidearm  56  and other tactical accessories via a plurality of adjustable loops  36  that encircle the outer belt  70 . The loops  36  are configured to slide along the length of the belt system  70 . A pair of adjacent loops  36  may be positioned along the belt  70 , thereby forming and sizing the retention point between loops  36 . The user can remove and replace accessories (e.g. magazines, flashlights etc.) multiple times without re-sizing. This is because the friction created between the Nylon Tape loops  36  and belt  70  prevents unintentional changes in the size of the retention points. Once adjusted, the user will have to remove the belt in order to re-adjust retention points. This prevents any sidearm  56  or accessories from slipping out of, or not being easily returned to, the belt  70 . 
     An outer portion of Nylon Web ( 3 ) is attached to the inner portion via Hook-Pile-Tape ( 2 ) sewn onto the interior portion. This allows both parts of the system to be firmly attached, and easily detached. The Cobra Buckle ( 1 ) secures both ends of the outer portion of the system. 
     Heavyweight Thread ( 5 ) attaches all of the portions of Hook-Pile-Tape ( 2 ), and reinforces the Tactical Retaining Belt in case the user must place his or her full weight onto the belt. 
     The optional comfort belt  10  includes a pad that avoids user  80  discomfort in situations in which the user  80  may place great weight or strain on the belt assembly  70 , (e.g. climbing, rappelling, a fall etc.). 
     As seen in reference to  FIGS. 5-9 , an optional rappelling harness may be operatively coupled to the belt assembly  5 . The rappelling harness includes, a leg strap  44  formed to encircle a user&#39;s leg. A first end of the leg strap  44  has hook loop  50  defined at the end thereof. The hook loop  50  may be formed by folding the first end of the leg strap  44  over itself, which may be stitched or otherwise joined at a first seam to form the hook loop  50 . A belt slot  48  may be defined inwardly from the hook loop  50  and may be defined between the first seam and a second seam joining the free end of the leg strap  44  onto itself. 
     A back strap  52  is operatively connected between an aft portion of the leg strap  44 , and a midpoint of the comfort strap  10 . The aft strap  52  is adjustable in length via one or more square rings  40  adapted to receive the strap therein and provide a non-slipping securement of the back strap  52  under tension. The back strap  52  is connected to the leg strap  44  and the comfort strap  10  via one or more D-rings  38  operatively coupled via a loop of material sewn to the leg strap  44  and the comfort strap  10 . A left and a right back strap  52  may be attached to a common D-ring operatively attached to the comfort strap  10 . 
     A second end of the leg strap  44  is fitted with a buckle  42 , such as a cobra buckle, and is configured for cooperative engagement with a corresponding buckle  42  operatively attached to an intermediate portion of the leg strap  44  proximal to the belt slot  48 . The buckles  42  permit the user  80  to quickly secure the leg strap  40  around the legs, without the awkwardness of attempting to step through the loop formed by the leg strap. This allows for rapid preparation to climb or rappel, without the need of putting on a full harness. The leg strap  44  may also include a comfort cover  46 , which may be formed as a padded sleeve to cover at least an aft portion of the leg strap  44 . The user can adjust the leg straps  44  via a friction adapter for an individual, secure fit around thighs. 
     As seen in reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the belt assembly  5  may also be configured to solve the issue of concealment of sensitive items. The belt assembly, may be configured with a built-in compartment  28  formed by the layers of the outer belt  70 . An opening is defined in a surface of the Velcro layer  18  and may be secured between an open condition and a closed condition via a zipper  26 . The sensitive item compartment  28  may be sewn onto the worn side of the outer portion of the system, in the center of the belt  70 . The compartment  28  may contain small articles, such as keys  60 , identification cards, bank cards, or currency. 
     A detail sectional view of the comfort pad  10  and its relationship to the other layers of the belt assembly  5  is shown in reference to  FIG. 12 . The comfort pad  10  is positioned proximal to the back or lumbar spinal area of a user  80 . An outer surface of the comfort pad  10  includes a layer of hook and pile fastener material  12  attached to and extending along the upper aspects of the comfort pad  10 . The comfort pad fastener material  12  is configured to engage with a cooperating interior fastener layer  16  attached to the inner belt  14 . The detail view shown illustrates the compartment  28  and the zipper  26  in an outer layer of the inner belt. An inner belt exterior fastener layer  18  is attached to an exterior surface of the inner belt  14  and is configured for cooperative engagement with an outer belt interior fastener layer  22  operatively attached to an interior surface of the outer belt  20 . As previously indicated, the exterior surface of the outer belt  70  may also have an outer fastener layer  24  along certain portions of the outer belt  70 . The D-ring  28  for attachment of the leg strap  52  is illustrated attached to an outer surface of the comfort pad  10  at a lower aspect thereof. 
     A detail sectional view of a holster opening for a firearm  56  is illustrated in reference to  FIG. 13 . The optional comfort pad  10  is positioned adjacent to the user&#39;s body  80 . The comfort pad fastener layer  12  is shown attached to the comfort pad  10  and cooperatively couples to the interior fastener layer of the inner belt  14 . A holster insert  32  has an outer surface having a fastener layer  62  that cooperatively engages with the exterior fastener layer  18  of the inner belt  14  and the outer belt interior fastener layer  22 . The holster insert  32  defines a holster opening for receiving a portion of the firearm  56  therein. Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the holster insert  32  may have a substantially C-shaped clip. The holster insert  32  may be formed of a resilient plastic or metallic material. Alternatively, the holster insert  32  may be formed from the same web material as selected for the belts. The holster insert  32  may also be provided with a latch  34 , which may be secured around the butt of the weapon  56  to retain the weapon  56  within the holster insert  32 . 
     An embodiment of a slot insert  30 , adapted to receive other tactical gear, such as a flashlight  58  is shown in reference to  FIG. 14 . The layers are depicted as previously described for the holster insert  32 . In this instance the slot insert  30  has a fastener layer  64  on its outer surface. The fastener layer  64  is adapted for cooperative engagement with the exterior fastener layer  18  of the inner belt  14  and the outer belt interior fastener layer  22 . 
     A detail sectional view of a loop  36  about the belt assembly  5  is illustrated in reference to  FIG. 15 . In this case, the interior surface of the loop  36  is positioned adjacent to the comfort pad fastener layer  12 . The loop  36  encircles the inner belt  14  and the outer belt  20  and their associated fastener layers. The loop  36  may be formed from a nylon web material that is stitched into a solid loop via reinforced stitching. 
     As will be appreciated, in the regions between adjacent loops  36 , that do not form a retention point, the exterior fastener layer  18  of the inner belt  14  cooperatively engages with the interior fastener layer  22  of the outer belt layer  20  to maintain the inner belt  14  and the outer belt  20  in an attached relation. In the regions between adjacent loops  36 , with an insert, the retention points may be as described in the foregoing. 
     The Nylon Web of the straps may be joined via stitch to the Hook-Pile-layers with a heavyweight thread along the portions designated. The reinforcement stitches may be placed with a high-speed, bar tacking machine. The D-rings and Cobra Buckle may be permanently secured via three rows of bar tack stitches on the right-hand portion, and by friction adapter on the left hand side. The friction adapter may be kept in place via a reinforced bar tack stitch. 
     In donning the belt assembly  5 , prior to securing the Cobra buckle, the Nylon Tape loops  36  are slid down the belt, thus allowing the user to create retention points along the belt  5 . The nylon tape is stitched into a solid loop via reinforced stitching. In between the two levels of Nylon Web on the outer belt there are one-sided portions of Hook-Pile-Tape in order to avoid sticking/retention issues for the user. 
     Additionally: This invention could be utilized by anyone that needs to carry handheld equipment. For example, carpenters, electricians, mechanics, etc. all require hand-tools. This belt can be used to retain any type of handheld devices or tools. The Tactical Retaining Belt is not limited to tactical purposes only, and may be utilized for recreational purposes, such as camping, rappelling, rock climbing, and a myriad of other activities. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.