Abstract:
A belt clip assembly for inside-the-waistband holster/firearm system that is readily adjustable for different angles as desired by users and is adjustable in length in the vertical position. The assembly includes a clip and a base mountable to a holster. The elongated clip is positioned outwardly of the waistband and beneath the belt of a user with a lower tab that hooks the lower belt edge to prevent the same from moving upward when a firearm is withdrawn from a holster, and a spaced pair of prongs hook over the top of the waistband and prevent movement downwardly. A series of vertical fastener apertures extend through the clip so that the holster may be vertically adjusted. Two spaced pegs extend from the base and inserted into peg recesses on either side of each fastener aperture to permit angular mounting between a holster and clip.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims an invention that was disclosed in part in U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/469,368, filed Oct. 9, 2013, and entitled “Belt Clip Assembly for a Holster”. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
         [0003]    REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
         [0004]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates to an assembly for mounting a firearm holster inside the waistband of a user. More specifically, the invention pertains to an assembly featuring a clip and base combination and/or a clip, base, holster combination where the clip is adapted to mount readily and in a stable manner to the waistband and belt of the user and a clip/base interface allows the height of the holster with respect to the belt/waistband to be adjusted and also allows the angle of the holster to be vertical, canted forward, or canted backward as necessary depending on the mounting position on the body of the user for the user to be able to draw a firearm for deployment. 
         [0007]    2. Relevant Art 
         [0008]    Handgun holsters come in many different varieties and can be classified generally in terms of the type of user/use for which the holster is intended, or the location where the holster is located on the user&#39;s body. An example of the former, would be an open carry duty holster worn by a policeman and typically worn on the hip on the strong side (i.e., on the right hand side for a right-handed shooter or left for a left-handed shooter). Examples of holster classification in terms of location would include a hip mounted holster worn outside the waistband (such as the duty holster just discussed), a shoulder holster, and inside the waistband holsters of the type discussed in the instant disclosure. Inside the waistband holsters can be designed for use at various convenient locations, but the most popular is generally on the back of the hip on the strong side. In the front of the hip on the strong side is also popular with some users. In some cases, a cross-draw position on the front of the hip on the weak side is used. Finally, though it is not currently encouraged by most law enforcement agencies, maximum concealment can often be achieved by center of the black placement. 
         [0009]    These variations lead to problems in terms of the types of specialized holster mounting assembly required for each. For example, a behind the hip mount will require, for comfortable and convenient withdraw/deployment of the firearm, that the holster/firearm be canted towards the user&#39;s strong side—i.e., angled or slanted so that the barrel is not pointed straight down (a vertical position) but is diagonally positioned with the barrel pointed slightly towards the user&#39;s centerline and the handle oriented more towards the user&#39;s strong side with the butt upward and the handle oriented towards the user&#39;s strong-side hand. Thus, the holster mounting system used must be adapted for positioning the holster in a stable manner in this position. 
         [0010]    Unfortunately, the holster and mounting system of this disclosure, if moved to front of the hip on the strong or weak side, being on the front rather than the back of the body, will cause the handle to be pointed away from the user&#39;s hand—i.e., the exact opposite of what would be required for ease of deployment. In short, ease of deployment for a firearm mounted in front of the strong side hip or by cross-draw in front of the weak side hip will require the exact opposite cant from that required for efficient and convenient use when placed on the back side of the user. To complicate matters even further, some users prefer a strict vertical (straight up-and-down) mount, particularly if a center of the back mourning position is chosen. Consequently, to accommodate different preferred positions, a large variety of “fixed” mounting systems are currently provided. 
         [0011]    However, even this does not solve all positioning problems, as the vertical positioning of the firearm/holster in relation to the waistband/belt of a user is also an area where variation is required. A larger firearm/holster combination may be too large to be comfortably inserted to its full length inside the waistband of as user. Likewise, users have different preferences for vertical positioning to achieve a shooting grip on the handgun, even where using the same sized firearm/holster combination. Consequently, a truly versatile inside-the-waistband, holster/firearm mounting system must not only be easily and simply adjustable for different holster/firearm angles as necessitated by the different preferred positions of particular users; it must also be simultaneously adjustable in terms of the vertical positioning of the holster/firearm with regard to the belt/waistband of the user. 
         [0012]    To the best of the inventor&#39;s knowledge and belief, there is no firearm holster in the prior art that satisfies all these requirements. Relevant prior art adjustable holsters for inside-the-waistband use typically have a fixed belt mounting apparatus using a single screw to fasten the holster on and hold it in position at a particular angle with respect to the mount and belt. However, the day-to-day motions of a user in bending over to pick something up, twisting, getting in and out of a car, sitting in a chair and so forth cause forces to be exerted on the holster that inevitably cause the screw to work loose over time. When this happens, the holster is no longer fixed in the desired position, and the user needs to find a tool to re-tighten the securing screw for the assembly, thereby resulting in as continuing maintenance situation for the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In one aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly of a clip and base, and/or clip, base and holster, including very convenient features for stably mounting a firearm holster inside the waistband of a user. From this standpoint, the clip of the invention has a body section that mounts outside of the waistband and under the belt of a user with a tab on its front (outward) side that hooks upward so as to hook under the belt of the user to prevent the assembly from being moved upward from its preferred position when engaged, at least one prong pointing downward located on the back (inward) side of the clip body to hook over the top of the waistband and prevent the combination from being moved downward from its preferred location when engaged. In combination, these features anchor the assembly very securely in position at the waist of the user for safe, comfortable and convenient access by the user, who likely will generally be a plainclothes policeman or federal agent. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip and base assembly and/or a clip, base and holster combination where the juncture and/or interface between the clip and base allow the holster mounted to the base or combined therewith to be mounted and affixed: (1) at different heights with respect to the clip and therefore with respect to the belt and waistband of the user; and (2) at different angles with respect to the clip and therefore with respect to the user, including a vertically mounted position, canted forward position, or a canted backward position as necessary depending on the mounting position on the body of the user for convenient firearm draw and deployment. 
         [0015]    In terms of mounting the holster at different heights, so as to achieve the preferred position of the user for a shooting grip on the handgun, the upper end of the clip body features a vertical row of fastener apertures for as fastener to be inserted so as to attach clip to base and holster. Connecting the aforesaid elements together via different such fastener apertures will result in lower mounting of the holster with respect to the clip and therefore the belt and waistband when the upper fastener apertures are used. Likewise, it will result in a higher mounting when lower fastener apertures are used. This variability is extremely important for comfortable wear, especially with long-term wear and use of the type typical for service holsters and firearms used by law enforcement personnel. 
         [0016]    Mounting the holster at different angles is provided by a plurality of arcs of peg depressions on each side of each fastener aperture. The base of the invention (which can be a separate piece or formed as part of the holster) has two pegs that can be inserted into peg depressions on either side of each fastener aperture. These peg depressions are arranged in an arcuate fashion around each fastener aperture such that there is equal distance between peg depressions on directly opposite sides of each fastener aperture. This allows the pegs to be inserted into peg depressions that are directly opposite (on a horizontal line) from each other for a vertical mount. It also allows the pegs to be inserted into peg depressions that are directly opposite (on inclined lines) for canted mounting in a forward or back cant at 30 degrees to the horizontal. Canted mounting and the ability to change holster angle between a forward and back cant are both extremely important. As discussed above, inside the waistband mounted firearms are usually mounted either behind the hip on the side of the user&#39;s gun hand (requiring canting in one direction for conveniently grasping and deploying the firearm) or in front of the opposite hip for a cross-draw (requiring canting in another direction for convenient grasp and deployment). Hence both canting and the ability to mount in either position are necessary in terms of the versatility and usability of the invention by the user. 
         [0017]    Finally, the fixed nature of the mounting means described also overcomes the problem described above, as the day-to-day motions of a user cannot cause the rigidly “pegged” angles at which the holster is fixed to vary so as to cause the fastening screw to work loose over time. Comfort and some necessary movement is maintained by the structure and length of the clip, which is dimensioned to allow some play between the belt clip of the user and the user&#39;s belt, allowing necessary and temporary movement without disturbing the overall angle of the holster. The foregoing objects and other objects are accomplished by the provision of the clip and base, and/or clip, base and holster assembly described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further object and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a belt clip forming part of the assembly of the invention, which serves to support a holster to be worn inside the waistband of a wearer. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front devotional view of the belt clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the belt clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view of the belt clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a left side devotional view of the belt clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  is a bottom plan view of the base of the belt clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6B  is a rear elevational view of the base of the belt clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6C  is a front devotional view of the base of the belt clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7A  is a elevational view of the outer side of a holster to be worn inside the waistband of a user with the base of the belt clip assembly appropriately mounted thereon in accordance with the teachings of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the holster and belt clip assembly base illustrated in  FIG. 9A  taken through line B-B of said future; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a view of the holster and belt clip assembly base of  FIG. 7A  including a firearm disposed in the holster and with the belt clip portion of the belt clip assembly appropriately mounted in a vertical position thereon in accordance with this invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9A  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  with the belt clip portion of the belt clip assembly mounted in a first canted position thereon in accordance with the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the holster, firearm and belt clip assembly of  FIG. 9A  mounted inside of the waistband of a user for a cross-draw; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9C  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 9B  with a user engaging the firearm in a cross-draw: 
           [0033]      FIG. 10A  is a view similar to  FIG. 9A  with the belt clip assembly mounted in a second canted position (which is suitable for a behind the hip draw); 
           [0034]      FIG. 10B  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 10A  with the holster mounted inside of the rear waistband of a user for a behind the hip draw; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 10C  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 10B  with a hand of a user engaging in a behind the hip draw. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The belt clip assembly of this invention includes belt clip  1  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and to form a receiver is characterized by an elongate body  2  having a lower end with a hooked portion or wide tab  3  extending upwardly from its front side  2 A forming a hook receiver  3 A which is adapted to hook under a belt  30 A and be engaged with receiver  3 A on the outside of a user&#39;s waistband  30 B in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 9B ,  9 C,  10 B, and  10 C. At least one prong but preferably two spaced prongs  4 A,  4 B, extend downward from a location approximately midway up the back side  2 B of body  2  and are positioned and adapted for use in hooking over the top of a user&#39;s waistband  30 B as again illustrated in  FIGS. 9B ,  9 C,  10 B, and  10 C. As will be noted, prongs  4 A,  4 B form an open inverted “V” with the back side  2 B of body  2 , providing a wide opening to funnel the belt  30 A and waistband  30 B of the user up into prong receiver  4 C and close a gap between the holster  20  and elongate body  2 . Further, these prongs  4 A,  4 B are somewhat flexible and therefore bendable inward towards the back side of clip  12 B under pressure. Thus, when the holster  20  is inserted between the torso and belt  30 A or waistband  30 B of the user, and especially when belt  30 A is tightened, these prongs  4 A,  4 B become biased toward or squeezed toward the trousers closing tightly on the waistband  30 B so as to inhibit horizontal sliding of the assembly with respect to the waistband  30 B. Additionally such prongs  4 A,  4 B inhibit movement of the belt clip  1  assembly vertically downward with respect to the waistband  30 B. 
         [0037]    At the upper end of body  2 , a central vertical row of fastener apertures  5 A through  5 D allow a fastener  6  to be inserted so as to attach clip  1  to base  10  and holster  20  in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 10C  to form the invention as it is worn by the user. The body  2  is slightly curved from side to side to more readily conform to a hip of a wearer and has a flattened indent  2 C so that the head  6 A of fastener  6  will lie flush on body  2 . Further, as will also be noted from these drawing figures, mounting the aforesaid elements together through different fastener apertures  5 A through  5 B via fastener  6  will result in a lower mounting position of holster  20  with respect to belt clip  1  compared to when the upper holes  5 A and  5 B are used. Likewise, it will result in as higher mounting position when lower holes  5 C and  5 D are used. This allows for a variety of adjustments of the height of the holster  20  with respect to waistband  30 B and belt  30 A of the user, which is extremely important for comfortable wear and drawing positioning, especially with long-term wear and use of the type typical for service holsters and firearms  21 . Thus, the height adjustability provides the user with a selection of the ride height of the holster to achieve the preferred shooting grip on the handgun in any position, and placement on the user&#39;s waist and at selected angles hereinafter described. It is extremely important that the prong recesses, including recess  4 C, be engaged with the upper extremity of the waistband  30 B and that the front hook  3  have the hook receiver  3 A engaged with the belt, thus firmly positioning the belt clip  1  on the trousers of the user so that the firearm may be safely withdrawn from the holster without dislocation of the belt clip  1  from the trousers while there may be some play between the hook receiver  3 B and the belt and/or the prong recess  4 C and the waistband, the less the better for an effective draw of the revolver. Even if there is play, the hook  3  will snag and engage the belt  30 A to permit withdrawal of the firearm. 
         [0038]    Perhaps more importantly from the standpoint of comfort and utility, and even more unique, are the arcs of peg depressions  50  through  67  flanking fastener apertures  5 A through  5 D. To best understand the manner in which these function in the invention, it will be best to review  FIG. 3  in conjunction with  FIGS. 6A through 7B .  FIGS. 6A through 6C  provide various views of base  10  (which may be formed as a separate piece or form as an integral portion of holster  20 ). As will be noted from these figures, base  10  is characterized by two pegs  10 A and  10 B flanking a base fastener aperture  10 C through which fastener  6  will be inserted as part of fastening clip  1  to base  10  (or base  10  and holster  20 ). 
         [0039]    The distance between peg  10 A and peg  10 B is equal to the distance between any two peg depressions  50  through  67  flanking a particular fastener aperture  5 A through  5 D along a line passing across the center of fastener aperture  5 A through  5 D. Thus, for example, when base  10  is mounted to clip  1  via fastener aperture  5 A, pegs  10 A and  10 B can be inserted into peg depression pairs  50  and  55 ,  52  and  53 , and  54  and  51 , but cannot be inserted into any other combination as these are the only pairings where a line can be drawn between the peg depression pairs named that passes across the center of fastener aperture  5 A and which peg depression pairs are, therefore, separated by the correct distance. 
         [0040]    This feature allows the mounting of holster  20  vertically as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , by inserting pegs  10 A and  10 B into peg depressions directly flanking (on a horizontal line) adjacent fastener apertures. Thus, when fastener  6  is mounted through fastener aperture  5 B as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , pegs  10 A and  10 B will be inserted into peg depressions  56  and  57 . Likewise, for vertical mounting using fastener aperture  5 A it would be peg depressions  52  and  53 , for fastener aperture  5 C it would be peg depressions  60  and  61 , and for fastener aperture  5 D it would be  64  and  65 . 
         [0041]    Similarly, to achieve the cant illustrated in  FIGS. 9A through 9C , pegs  10 A and  10 B would be inserted into peg depressions joined by as diagonal line through fastener aperture  5 A, those being peg depressions  50  and  55 . Likewise, when fastener  6  is mounted through fastener aperture  5 B, pegs  10 A and  10 B will be inserted into peg depressions  54  and  59  to achieve this cant. Finally, for a similar cam using fastener aperture  5 C, it would be peg depressions  58  and  63 , and for fastener aperture  5 D it would be  62  and  67 . (The angle of cant developed in this way is approximately 30 degrees, which has been determined to be preferred for achieving the desired result of the invention). Further, 
         [0042]    To achieve the cant illustrated in  FIGS. 10A through 10C  (which is a 30 degree cant in the opposite direction), pegs  10 A and  10 B would be inserted into peg depressions joined by a diagonal line through fastener aperture  5 C slanting in the opposite direction from those indicated in the preceding example, those being peg depressions  62  and  59 . Likewise, when fastener  6  is mounted through fastener aperture  5 A, pegs  10 A and  10 B will be inserted into peg depressions  54  and  59  to achieve this cant. Finally, for a similar cant using fastener aperture  5 B, it would be peg depressions  58  and  55 , and for fastener aperture  5 D it would be  66  and  63 . 
         [0043]    For the purposes of this invention, as best seen and denoted in  FIG. 2 , the preferred upright height “H” of belt clip  1  is approximately 3.5 inches, with prong recess  4 C being located approximately 2 inches from the top, and hook receiver  3 B being located approximately 2 inches below this. The lowest fastener aperture  5 D is located just above prong recess  4 C with a gap of approximately 1 inch between fastener aperture  5 A and  5 D (allowing a similar height adjustment of holster  20 ). As denoted in  FIG. 1 , the distance “D” between prong recess  4 C and hook receiver  3 B at 2 inches is chosen to exceed at least slightly the width of almost any belt in current use, so as to leave at least a small gap  70  (as best seen and denoted in  FIGS. 10B and 10C ) between the bottom of belt  30 A and hook receiver  3 B. This allows for some temporary slight twisting and shifting of the assembly as required for comfort during day-to-day movement and wear (as described in the background section above), but without compromising the fixed position of various parts of the assembly in relation to each other. Likewise, the length “L” of the upwardly extending portion of hook  3  of approximately 1 inch, as denoted in  FIG. 2 , allows very wide variation in belt  30 A width while still maintaining the belt  30 A within the hook  3 . 
         [0044]    Finally, it should be noted that the lower peg depressions for each fastener aperture  5 A through  5 C form the upper peg depressions for the peg depressions below. Thus, the lower peg depressions  54  and  55  for fastener aperture  5 A form the upper peg depressions for fastener aperture  5 B and so forth. This arrangement is inherently more efficient than having completely independent sets of peg depressions for each fastener aperture. However, it should be noted that this and numerous other changes and variations can be made without exceeding the scope of the inventive concept outlined. Thus, though the invention is described in the context of a firearm holster (a typical embodiment); this is not intended to limit the applicability of the teachings of the invention to this particular application. It could be used for a variety of “holsters”such as those designed and adapted to hold a magazine clip, knife, handcuffs, wallet, phone, calculator, or other necessary/useful items. Thus, the terms “holster” as used in the claims should be given its broadest possible meaning. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) of the invention herein described is/are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiment(s) is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which recite those features regarded as essential to the invention. 
       PARTS AND FEATURES ILLUSTRATED IN DRAWING FIGURES 
       [0045]      1  Belt Clip 
         [0046]      2  Belt Clip Body 
         [0047]      2 A Belt Clip Front Side 
         [0048]      2 B Belt Clip Back Side 
         [0049]      2 C Belt Clip Flattened Indent 
         [0050]      3  Front Hook (for placement under user belt) 
         [0051]      3 A Hook Receiver 
         [0052]      4 A-B Prongs (for placement over waist band) 
         [0053]      4 C Prong Recess 
         [0054]      5 A- 5 D Fastener Apertures 
         [0055]      6  Fastener 
         [0056]      6 A Fastener head 
         [0057]      10  Base 
         [0058]      10 A- 10 B Peas 
         [0059]      10 C Base Fastener aperture 
         [0060]      20  Holster 
         [0061]      21  Handgun/Firearm 
         [0062]      30 A Belt 
         [0063]      30 B Waistband 
         [0064]      50 - 67  Pea Recesses 
         [0065]      70  Gap