Abstract:
An adjustable belt mount includes a belt mount body and a generally L-shaped belt sizing insert. The belt mount body defines a belt aperture adapted to receive a belt therethrough, and first and second belt sizing slots being spaced and extending parallel to each other and communicating with the belt aperture. The belt mount body also includes a forward extension adapted to releasably connect an accessory thereto. The belt aperture is adapted to receive belts of various widths therethrough. The belt sizing insert is arranged in the belt aperture, and includes a planar portion carrying a retaining body extending from a first side thereof and releasably received by either of the first and second belt sizing slots, to accommodate belts of differing widths, and a delimiting portion extending generally perpendicular from a second side thereof. The delimiting portion can thereby form varying predetermined width passageways within the belt aperture.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/214,203, filed Apr. 21, 2009, the contents of which application are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to belt mounts, and more particularly, to belt mounts adapted for mounting accessories to belts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Known in the art are standardized mounting rail systems for mounting scopes, lights, and similar accessories to compatibly-equipped firearms. One such mounting rail system is called the Picatinny rail system. A Picatinny rail is a bracket used on a firearm to provide a standardized mounting platform. The rail comprises a series of ridges interspersed with flat “spacing slots”. 
         [0004]    Also known in the art is an adjustable belt clamp to which articles can be attached. The belt clamp fastens onto a belt and is adjustable to accommodate belts of various widths. See, for example, U.S. Patent Publications 2007/0226958 to Clifton, Jr. and 2008/0313861 to Clifton, Jr. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved belt mount. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable belt mount includes a belt mount body and a generally L-shaped belt sizing insert. 
         [0006]    The belt mount body has defined therein a belt aperture adapted to receive a belt therethrough, and first and second belt sizing slots being spaced and extending parallel to each other and communicating with the belt aperture. The belt mount body can also include a forward extension adapted to releasably connect an accessory thereto. 
         [0007]    The belt aperture is adapted to receive belts of various widths therethrough and can be formed between an inner generally rectangular wall and a spaced outer generally rectangular wall substantially parallel thereto and having end walls therebetween, with the belt sizing slots extending substantially parallel to the end walls. 
         [0008]    The generally L-shaped belt sizing insert is arranged in the belt aperture, and includes a planar portion carrying a retaining body extending from a first side thereof and releasably received by either of the first and second belt sizing slots, to accommodate belts of differing widths, and a delimiting portion extending generally perpendicular from a second side thereof. The delimiting portion can thereby form varying predetermined width passageways between itself and one of the end walls. 
         [0009]    The belt mount is envisioned to be constructed primarily of glass-filled nylon, although other materials might also be used, depending on the application and user preferences and requirements. 
         [0010]    These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a left side perspective view of an adjustable belt mount including a body and a removable belt sizing insert, in accord with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the body of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 1  with the belt sizing insert removed; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the belt sizing insert of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a left side view of the body of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 2  with the belt sizing insert removed to allow the belt mount to accept a 2.25 inch wide belt; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a left side view of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 1  with the belt sizing insert positioned to allow the belt mount to accept a 2 inch wide belt; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a left side view of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 1  with the belt sizing insert positioned to accept a 1.125 inch wide belt or a 1 inch wide belt; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a left side view of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 1  with the belt sizing insert positioned to allow the belt mount to accept a 1.5 inch wide belt carried in a lower portion of the body of the belt mount; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a left side view of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 1  with the belt sizing insert positioned to allow the belt mount to accept a 1.5 inch wide belt carried in an upper portion of the body of the belt mount; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of a wearer equipped with the belt mount shown in  FIG. 1  secured to a belt in preparation to attaching a light to the belt mount; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of the wearer equipped with the belt mount secured to the belt shown in  FIG. 11  with the light attached to the belt mount; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjustable belt mount including a body and a removable belt sizing insert, in accord with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the belt sizing insert of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a right side view of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a rear view of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a front view of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a left side perspective view of an adjustable rail light mount attached to the belt mount of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a left side view of the adjustable rail light mount of  FIG. 20  attached to the belt mount of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  is a top plan view of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 13  with forward and rearward portions separated to accept a belt; 
           [0035]      FIG. 25  is a rear perspective view of  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 26  is a right side view of the belt mount shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 27  is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of an adjustable belt mount including a body and a removable belt sizing insert, in accord with the present invention, but with the belt sizing insert removed; 
           [0038]      FIG. 28  is a rear elevational view of the body of the belt mount of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 29  is a left side elevational view of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 30  is a left side elevational view of the belt mount of  FIG. 27  with the removable belt sizing insert inserted into the body of the belt mount; 
           [0041]      FIG. 31  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 32  is a top plan view of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 33  is a rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an adjustable belt mount including a body and a removable belt sizing insert, in accord with the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 34  is a rear elevational view of the belt mount of  FIG. 33 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 35  is a right side elevational view of  FIG. 34 ; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 36  is a top plan view of  FIG. 34 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    Embodying the principles of the present invention is an adjustable belt mount for securing articles to belts that fall within an adjustable range of widths. A preferred embodiment of the adjustable belt mount is depicted in  FIGS. 1-12  and designated generally by reference numeral  10 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the belt mount  10  comprises a body  12  and a belt sizing insert  14 . A belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) is inserted through the body  12  of the belt mount  10 , as described below with reference to  FIGS. 6-10 , to secure the belt mount  10  to the belt  92 . The sizing insert  14  can be inserted into the body  12  of the belt mount  10  in different locations and in different attitudes, as described below with reference to  FIG. 6  and with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . The location of the sizing insert  14  dictates a maximum width for any belt  92  that is to be received into the body  12 . The body  12  can still receive belts  92 , however, even when the belt sizing insert  14  is entirely removed from the body  12 , as described below with reference to  FIG. 6 . In the present embodiment, the belt mount  10  is constructed of glass-filled nylon. In alternate embodiments, a belt mount  10  can be constructed of other materials, such as sturdy plastic. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the body  12  of the belt mount  10  comprises a belt aperture  18 , a pair of spaced sizing slots  19 , a forward extension  20 , and a rail  36 . The belt aperture  18  extends substantially the length of the body  12  of the belt mount  10  and is used to receive the belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). The forward extension  20  is located forward of the belt aperture  18  and substantially above a lower portion  16  of the body  12 . The forward extension  20  contains a plurality of dished out areas  23  (see  FIG. 2 ) that are included to reduce material costs and the weight of the body  12 , as is commonly known in the art of plastic molding. The sizing slots  19  extend through a wall  22  of the body  12  that is positioned between the belt aperture  18  and the forward extension  20  and into a portion of the forward extension  20 . Each sizing slot  19  is dimensioned for receiving the belt sizing insert  14  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 ), as described below with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . The rail  36  is supported by the forward extension  20  and is positioned forward thereof. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the rail  36  of the body  12  of the belt mount  10  is used to receive accessories, such as scopes, lights, and similar devices, that are compatible with the rail  36 , as is known in the art. The rail  36  comprises ridges  38  with intervening slots  40 . Opposing sides  44  of the rail  36  slope inwardly at approximately a forty-five degree angle. A top surface of an upper portion  42  of the rail fails to rise above top surfaces of the ridges  38 , while a top surface of a lower portion  41  of the rail does rise above the top surfaces of the ridges  38 . 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the belt sizing insert  14  is generally L-shaped and comprises a plurality of dished out areas  32  (see  FIG. 5 ), a planar portion  25 , and a delimiting portion  30 . The dished out areas  32  are included to reduce material costs and the weight of the sizing insert  14 , as is commonly known in the art of plastic molding. The delimiting portion  30  is formed integral with the planar portion  25 . The delimiting portion  30  extends substantially perpendicuarly from an end  29  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the planar portion  25  and also extends the length thereof, thereby accounting for the generally L-shape of the sizing insert  14 . 
         [0052]    Continuing with  FIGS. 4 and 5 , extending from an upper surface  31  of the planar portion  25  is a pair of spaced guide tabs  26  and a retaining body  28 . The retaining body  28  is located between the pair of guide tabs  26 , with opposing ends of the retaining body  28  formed integral with a respective end of each guide tab  26 . A top surface of the retaining body  28  extends forward of top surfaces of the guide tabs  26 . The guide tabs  26  are used to guide the belt sizing insert  14  into one of the sizing slots  19  (see  FIGS. 1-3  and  6 - 10 ), while the retaining body  28  is used to secure the sizing insert  14  within the sizing slot  19 , as described below with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
         [0053]    Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a receiving detent  24  is located approximately in the center of the top surface of the retaining body  28 . The receiving detent  24  is a shallow circular depression used for receiving a locking boss  21  (see  FIGS. 6-10 ) of the body  12  (see  FIGS. 1-3  and  6 - 10 ) of the belt mount  10 , as described below with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . When the receiving detent  24  encounters the locking boss  21 , the locking boss  21  snaps into the receiving detent  24 , thereby securing the sizing insert  14  within the body  12  of the belt mount  10 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , as mentioned above with reference to  FIG. 1 , the belt sizing insert  14  is inserted into one of the sizing slots  19  of the body  12  of the belt mount  10 , thereby dictating a maximum width for any belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) that is to be received into the body  12 . To do so, the guide tab  26  of the sizing insert  14  is placed into the sizing slot  19  and the guide tab  26  and the retaining body  28  of the sizing insert  14  are pushed into the sizing slot  19 . The retaining body  28  frictionally engages the sizing slot  19  as it passes through the sizing slot  19 , until the sizing insert  14  snaps into place. The snapping into place occurs when the receiving detent  24  of the sizing insert  14  encounters the locking boss  21  of the body  12 , whereupon the locking boss  21  snaps into the receiving detent  24 , thereby securing the sizing insert  14  within the body  12 . To remove the belt sizing insert  14  from the body  12 , pressure is applied to a side of the belt sizing insert  14  to force the sizing insert  14  out of the sizing slot  19 . Note that the belt sizing insert  14  can be inserted into the body  12  with either the delimiting portion  30  of the sizing insert  14  nearer an upper portion  17  of the body  12  than an opposing end of the planar portion  25  of the sizing insert  14 , or with the delimiting portion  30  nearer the lower portion  16  of the body  12  than the opposing end of the planar portion  25 . 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , when the belt sizing insert  14  is removed from the body  12  of the belt mount  10 , any belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) with a width of up to approximately 2.25 inches can be inserted into the belt aperture  18  of the body  12  of the belt mount  10 . To do so, an end of a belt  92  of appropriate width is inserted into the belt aperture  18 , and the belt  92  is moved through the belt mount  10  until a desired position along the length of the belt  92  is reached. The belt mount  10  is positioned on the belt  92  such that the upper portion  17  of the body  12  is nearer the head of a wearer  90  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) while the lower portion  16  of the body  12  is nearer the feet of the wearer  90 . 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , the belt sizing insert  14  is inserted into the belt aperture  18  of the body  12  of the belt mount  10  to dictate the maximum width for any belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) that is to be received into the body  12 . To do so, the sizing insert  14  is pushed into one of the sizing slots  19  of the body  12 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . The sizing insert  14  can be inserted into the selected sizing slot  19  either with the delimiting portion  30  of the sizing insert  14  nearer the upper portion  17  of the body  12  than the opposing end of the planar portion  25  of the sizing insert  14 , or with the delimiting portion  30  nearer the lower portion  16  of the body  12  than the opposing end of the planar portion  25 . The belt  92  can now be inserted into the belt aperture  18  of the body  12  of the belt mount  10 . To do so, the end of the belt  92  of appropriate width is inserted into the belt aperture  18 , and the belt  92  is moved through the belt mount  10  until a desired position along the length of the belt  92  is reached. The belt mount  10  is positioned on the belt  92  such that the upper portion  17  of the body  12  is nearer the head of the wearer  90  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) while the lower portion  16  of the body  12  is nearer the feet of the wearer  90 . 
         [0057]    Continuing with  FIGS. 7-10 ,  FIG. 7  shows a placement of the belt sizing insert  14  that permits belts  92  of up to approximately two inches in width to be secured to the belt mount  10 .  FIG. 8  shows a placement of the belt sizing insert  14  that permits belts  92  of up to approximately 1.125 inches in width to be secured to the belt mount  10 . Note in  FIG. 8 , however, a portion of the belt aperture  18  on one side of the delimiting portion  30  allows for belts  92  of width up to approximately 1.125 inches, while a portion of the belt aperture  18  on the opposing side of the delimiting portion  30  only allows for belts  92  having a width of up to approximately one inch.  FIGS. 9 and 10  show a placement of the belt sizing insert  14  that permits belts  92  of up to approximately 1.5 inches in width to be secured to the belt mount  10 . Note in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , however, that the orientation of the sizing insert  14  is different in  FIG. 9  than it is in  FIG. 10 . Note also in  FIGS. 9 and 10  that the belt  92  can be placed on one side of the delimiting portion  30  to allow the belt mount  10  to ride lower (see  FIG. 9 ) on the belt  92 , while placing the belt  92  on the opposing side of the delimiting portion  30  allows the belt mount  10  to ride higher (see  FIG. 10 ) on the belt  92 . 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , once the belt mount  10  has been secured to the belt  92 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 6  and with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 , compatible articles can be attached to the belt mount  10 . To do so, a compatible rail channel  95  (see  FIG. 11 ) of an article, such as a light  94 , is aligned with the rail  36  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the body  12  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the belt mount  10 . The rail channel  95  of the light  94  is then moved onto and along the rail  36  toward the lower portion  16  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the body  12  until the light  94  cannot be moved further onto the rail  36 . To remove the light  94 , the light  94  is simply moved back along toward the upper portion  17  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the body  12  until the rail channel  95  of the light  94  comes away from the rail  36 . Note that it is also possible to attach an article to the belt mount  10  prior to securing the belt mount  10  to the belt  92 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 13-23  depict a second preferred embodiment of an adjustable belt mount  110 , in accord with the present invention. In a number of respects, the present embodiment  110  is substantially the same as the first preferred embodiment  10  (see  FIGS. 1-12 ). The belt mount  110  of the present embodiment, however, is configured to clip onto the belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) and lock there. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the belt mount  110  comprises a body  112  and a belt sizing insert  114 . A belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) can be inserted through the body  112  of the belt mount  110 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 6-10 , to secure the belt mount  110  to the belt  92 . The sizing insert  114  can be inserted into the body  112  of the belt mount  110  in different locations and in different attitudes, as described above with reference to  FIG. 6  and with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
         [0061]    Referring now to FIGS.  13  and  16 - 19 , the body  112  of the belt mount  110  comprises a belt aperture  18  (see  FIGS. 13 and 16 ), three spaced sizing slots  119  (see  FIGS. 13 and 16 ), and a rail  136  (see  FIGS. 13 ,  18 , and  19 ). The belt aperture  18  extends substantially the length of the body  112  of the belt mount  110  and is used to receive the belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). The rail  136  is located forward of the belt aperture  18  and substantially above a lower portion  116  (see  FIGS. 13 ,  16 , and  19 ) of the body  112 . The sizing slots  119  extend through a wall  22  (see  FIGS. 13 and 16 ) of the body  12  that is positioned between the belt aperture  18  and the rail  136  and into a portion of the rail  136 . Each sizing slot  119  is dovetailed and dimensioned for receiving the belt sizing insert  114 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13 ,  16 , and  19 , the rail  136  of the body  112  of the belt mount  110  is used here to receive a rail light mount  96  (see  FIGS. 20-23 ), as is known in the art. The rail  136  comprises ridges  138  with intervening slots  140 . Opposing sides  44  of the rail  36  slope inwardly at approximately a forty-five degree angle. 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the belt sizing insert  114  comprises a planar portion  125  and a delimiting portion  130 . The delimiting portion  130  is formed integral with the planar portion  125  and extends substantially perpendicuarly from an end  129  of the planar portion  125 . The delimiting portion  130  is centrally located along the end  129  such that generally equal portions of the planar portion  125  extend beyond each of opposing ends of the delimiting portion  130 . 
         [0064]    Continuing with  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a retaining body  128  extends centrally from an upper surface  131  (see  FIG. 14 ) of the planar portion  125  and is formed integral with the upper surface  131 . The retaining body  128  is used both to guide the belt sizing insert  114  into one of the sizing slots  119  (see  FIGS. 13 and 16 ) and to secure the sizing insert  114  within the sizing slot  119 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17-19 , once the belt sizing insert  114  has been inserted and secured within the selected sizing slot  119  (see  FIGS. 13 and 16 ), the planar portion  125  (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ) of the belt sizing insert  114  will extend beyond either side of the body  112  of the belt mount  110 , providing lateral stabilization for the wearer  90  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) of a thin belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ), as described below with reference to  FIGS. 20-23 . Note that the belt sizing insert  114  can be used with other embodiments of the belt mount  110  as well. 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIGS. 20-23 , the belt sizing insert  114  is placed within the belt mount  110  (or sometimes not in some circumstances) and the belt mount  110  is positioned on the belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ), substantially as described above with reference to  FIG. 6  and with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . Once the belt mount  110  has been placed on the belt  92 , the rail light mount  96  can be placed on the belt mount  110  substantially as described above with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . To secure the rail light mount  96  to the belt mount  110 , the rail light mount  96  is rotated either left or right, relative to the longitudinal axis of the rail light mount  96 , to engage the rail  136  (see  FIGS. 13 ,  16 ,  18 , and  19 ) of the body  112  of the belt mount  110  and secure the rail light mount  96  in place, as is known in the art. Note that the increased size of the planar portion  125  of the belt sizing insert  114  provides additional leverage for the wearer  90  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) of a thin belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) when rotating the rail light mount  96  to secure it in place. The rail light mount  96  may also be attached to the belt mount  110  prior to securing the belt mount  110  to the belt  92 . 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIGS. 24-26 , the body  112  of the belt mount  110  further includes a rearward portion  146  and a forward portion  152 . An unlocking tab  150  is located atop the forward portion  152 , positioned centrally of the lower portion  116  of the body  112 . The forward portion  152  comprises two lateral interlocking flanges  154 ,  156  located proximate where the rail  136  meets the lower portion  116 . A first interlocking flange  154  is oriented forwardly and a second interlocking flange  156  is oriented rearwardly. The interlocking flanges  154 ,  156  overlap, thereby locking the forward portion  152  together. 
         [0068]    Continuing with  FIGS. 24-26 , the wearer  90  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) applies pressure to the unlocking tab  150  to move the lower portion  116  of the body  112  downwardly and rearwardly, forcing apart the interlocking flanges  154 ,  156 . The rearward portion  146  of the body  112  flexes rearwardly, moreso at a shallow notch  148  located in the rearward portion  146  and positioned generally in line with where the rail  136  meets the lower portion  116 . The wearer  90  then clips the belt mount  110  over the belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) so that the belt  92  is fitted between the rearward  146  and forward portions  152 . The wearer  90  now snaps the interlocking flanges  154 ,  156  back together, relocking the forward portion  152 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 27-32  depict a third preferred embodiment of an adjustable belt mount  210 , in accord with the present invention. In a number of respects, the present embodiment  210  is substantially the same as the first preferred embodiment  10  (see  FIGS. 1-12 ). In the present embodiment, the belt mount  210  includes a mounting plate  260  for attaching articles to the belt mount  210 . 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIGS. 27-32 , the belt mount  210  comprises a body  212  and a belt sizing insert  14  (see  FIG. 30 ). A belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) is inserted through the body  212  of the belt mount  210 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 6-10 , to secure the belt mount  210  to the belt  92 . The sizing insert  14  can be inserted into the body  212  of the belt mount  210  in different locations and in different attitudes, as described above with reference to  FIG. 6  and with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
         [0071]    Continuing with  FIGS. 27-32 , the body  212  of the belt mount  210  comprises a belt aperture  18  (see  FIGS. 27 ,  29 , and  30 ), a pair of spaced sizing slots  19  (see  FIGS. 27 ,  29 , and  30 ), a forward extension  220  (see FIGS.  27  and  29 - 32 ), and the mounting plate  260 . The belt aperture  18  extends substantially the length of the body  212  of the belt mount  210  and is used to receive the belt  92 . The forward extension  220  is located forward of the belt aperture  18  and substantially below an upper portion  17  (see  FIGS. 27-30 ) of the body  212 . The forward extension  220  contains a plurality of dished out areas  23  (see  FIGS. 29 and 30 ) that are included to reduce material costs and the weight of the body  212 , as is commonly known in the art of plastic molding. The sizing slots  19  extend through a wall  22  (see FIGS.  27  and  29 - 32 ) of the body  212  that is positioned between the belt aperture  18  and the forward extension  220  and into a portion of the forward extension  220 . Each sizing slot  19  is T-shaped and dimensioned for receiving the belt sizing insert  14 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . The substantially planar mounting plate  260  is supported by the forward extension  220  and is positioned forward thereof. 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the substantially planar mounting plate  260  is T-shaped with a pair of spaced holes  261  in an upper portion thereof and one hole  261  in a lower portion thereof. The mounting plate  260  is supported by the forward extension  220  and is positioned forward thereof. The mounting plate  260  is positioned relative to the body  212  of the belt mount  210  such that the body  212  of the belt mount  210  (excluding the mounting plate  260 ) does not interfere with access to the holes  261  for placement of fasteners therein. 
         [0073]    Continuing with  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the body  212  of the belt mount  210  also includes a rearward portion  246 . Holes  264  in the rearward portion  246  provide a way of mounting the belt mount  210  with its attached article to another type of platform other than a belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ), such as to a tactical leg plate, as is known in the art. 
         [0074]    Still referring to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the belt sizing insert  14  (see  FIG. 30 ) is placed within the belt mount  210  (or sometimes not in some circumstances) and the belt mount  210  is positioned on the belt  92 , substantially as described above with reference to  FIG. 6  and with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . Once the belt mount  210  has been placed on the belt  92 , an article can be secured to the mounting plate  260  of the body  212  of the belt mount  210  by passing fasteners through the holes  261  of the mounting plate  260 . The article may also be secured to the belt mount  210  prior to securing the belt mount  210  to the belt  92 . 
         [0075]      FIGS. 33-36  depict a fourth preferred embodiment of an adjustable belt mount  310 , in accord with the present invention. In a number of respects, the present embodiment  310  is substantially the same as the first preferred embodiment  10  (see  FIGS. 1-12 ). In the present embodiment, the belt mount  310  includes a backing  370  for attaching articles to the belt mount  310 . 
         [0076]    Referring now to  FIGS. 33-36 , the belt mount  310  comprises a body  312  and a belt sizing insert  14  (see  FIG. 33 ). A belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) is inserted through the body  312  of the belt mount  310 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 6-10 , to secure the belt mount  310  to the belt  92 . The sizing insert  14  can be inserted into the body  312  of the belt mount  310  in different locations and in different attitudes, as described above with reference to  FIG. 6  and with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
         [0077]    Continuing with  FIGS. 33-36 , the body  312  of the belt mount  310  comprises a belt aperture  18  (see  FIGS. 33 and 35 ), a pair of spaced sizing slots  19  (see  FIGS. 33 and 35 ), a forward extension  320  (see  FIGS. 33 ,  35 , and  36 ), and the backing  370 . The belt aperture  18  extends substantially the length of the body  312  of the belt mount  310  and is used to receive the belt  92 . The forward extension  320  is located forward of the belt aperture  18  and substantially above a lower portion  16  (see  FIGS. 33-35 ) of the body  312 . The forward extension  320  contains a plurality of dished out areas  23  (see  FIG. 35 ) that are included to reduce material costs and the weight of the body  312 , as is commonly known in the art of plastic molding. The sizing slots  19  extend through a wall  22  (see  FIGS. 33 ,  35 , and  36 ) of the body  312  that is positioned between the belt aperture  18  and the forward extension  320  and into a portion of the forward extension  320 . Each sizing slot  19  is T-shaped and dimensioned for receiving the belt sizing insert  14 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
         [0078]    Still referring to  FIGS. 33-36 , the substantially planar backing  370  is supported by the forward extension  320  and is positioned forward thereof. The body  312  of the belt mount  310  (excluding the backing  370 ) is located centrally between opposing sides  371  of the backing  370  such that a portion of the backing  370  extends to either side of the belt mount  310 . A pair of spaced stitching templates  371  are located proximate to one pair of opposing sides  371  of the backing  370 , with each stitching template  371  located beyond a respective edge of the belt mount  310 . It is to be understood that the stitching templates  371  may be either horizontally or vertically disposed. In the present embodiment, the belt mount  310  is envisioned to be made of a stiff, flexible, plastic material. 
         [0079]    Referring now to  FIGS. 33 and 34 , the body  312  of the belt mount  310  also includes a rearward portion  346 . Holes  364  in the rearward portion  346  provide a way of mounting the belt mount  310  with its attached article to another type of platform other than a belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ), such as to a tactical leg plate, as is known in the art. 
         [0080]    Continuing with  FIGS. 33 and 34 , an article, such as an article made of nylon or leather, is secured to the backing  360  of the body  312  of the belt mount  310  by applying stitching through the stitching templates  372  of the backing  360  and into the article, thereby securely stitching the article to the belt mount  310 . The belt sizing insert  14  (see  FIG. 33 ) is then placed within the belt mount  310  (or sometimes not in some circumstances) and the belt mount  310  is positioned on the belt  92 , substantially as described above with reference to  FIG. 6  and with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . Although it is possible to secure the belt mount  310  to the belt  92  prior to sewing the article to the belt mount  310 , it is not necessarily practical to do so. 
         [0081]    It is to be recognized that the first, third and fourth embodiments of an adjustable belt mount  10 ,  210 ,  310  described hereinabove, as well as alternate embodiments, can be configured so as to clip onto a belt  92  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) substantially as described in  FIGS. 24-26  of the second preferred embodiment of an adjustable belt mount  110  described hereinabove. 
         [0082]    While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the present invention not necessarily be limited to the embodiments herein shown and described.