Moveable Clip

Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a multi-purpose clip. In various embodiments, the clip may be used to temporarily or permanently couple an item to a support object, such as a holster to an article of clothing, for instance. The clip comprises a loop portion arranged to be coupled to the support object and a key portion arranged to be coupled to the supported item, via a keyhole at the supported item.

BACKGROUND

Implements, such as tools, weapons, and the like, may be encased in a holster for protection of the implement and/or the user, while providing access to the implement. For example, a holster may allow a user to conveniently carry the implement, safely retaining the implement until needed. When the implement is to be used, the user may withdraw the implement from the holster, and then return it to the holster when finished. A holster can be worn on a user's person with the aid of belt clips, or the like, which can temporarily couple the holster to an article of the user's clothing In various examples, a holster can be worn on a belt or strap, for instance, either in public view or concealed from view.

Holster belt clips can be attached to a holster using threaded hardware and screws, for instance. However, the screws can disengage themselves over time and with use, due to the movement of the clips while the holster is worn on a person. This can become a problem if the screws are allowed to back fully out of the coupling hardware and become lost, making the holster not function properly. Sometimes a thread locking compound (such as Loctite®, for instance) can be applied to the screws to keep them in place. However, the locking compound generally prevents the screws from being removed, including to move the holster clips to different positions on the holster to adjust the height or angle of the holster, for example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction

Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a multi-purpose clip. In various embodiments, the clip may be used to temporarily or permanently attach an item (such as a handgun holster, for example) to a support object (such as a belt of a user, for example). While hanging from or attached to the support object, the clip can hold the holster, or any other type of load. In alternate implementations, the clip may be used to attach various items to varying locations or objects as desired.

In the examples illustrated, the clip may be used to temporarily couple a holster for a weapon, tool, or other implement to an article of a user's clothing, for carrying the holster on the user's person. In other implementations, the clip may be used for suspending or supporting various other items, including suspending items from an article of the user's clothing, or from any other support location that the clip fits onto.

In various examples, the clip includes a unique key feature that can interface with a similarly shaped key opening (on the holster or other item to be supported). The combination key/keyhole pair allows the clip to be quickly and easily installed, removed, and adjusted relative to the supported item. In one embodiment, the clip includes an extension that can be used with the clip to adjust a support position and/or an orientation of the supported item.

Techniques and devices are discussed with reference to example handgun holsters illustrated in the figures, as an example supported item. However, this is not intended to be limiting, and is for ease of discussion and illustrative convenience. The techniques and devices discussed may be applied to any of various cases, case designs, combinations, and the like, (e.g., holsters, sheaths, covers, cases, carriers, scabbards, etc.) for encasing tools, weapons, or other implements, and remain within the scope of the disclosure.

Further, the techniques and devices are discussed and illustrated generally with reference to an inside waistband (IWB) style holster. This is also not intended to be limiting. In various implementations, the techniques and devices may be employed with outside waistband (OWB) holsters, as well as holsters worn at the back, chest, side, thigh, or ankle of a user, holsters carried in a bag, purse, or pocket, or carried or worn on a belt, a strap, or in any other manner (e.g., attached to a vehicle, an object of furniture, another object, etc.). In various other implementations, the techniques and devices may be employed with other devices, systems, instruments, tools, implements, or the like (hereinafter “supported items”).

Implementations are explained in more detail below using a plurality of examples. Although various implementations and examples are discussed here and below, further implementations and examples may be possible by combining the features and elements of individual implementations and examples.

Example Clip

An example clip100, as shown inFIGS. 1A-8C, includes a loop portion102and a key portion104. In various implementations, the loop portion102can have a generally hooked shape, including a looped shape, a “D” shape, a “G” shape, an inverted “U” shape (see for exampleFIGS. 1A-2DandFIGS. 4A, 5A, and 6A), a “C” shape (see for exampleFIGS. 4B, 5B, and 6B), a “J” shape (see for exampleFIGS. 4C, 5C, and 6C), an “O” shape (see for exampleFIGS. 4D, 5D, and 6D), and so forth, and/or combinations of two or more of these and other shapes. Clips100having other shapes of loop portions102, including shapes that are combinations of the illustrated shapes ofFIGS. 1A-6Dare also included in the scope of this disclosure.

The loop portion102is arranged/configured to clip onto or around a support object, such as a belt or strap worn by a user, or any other support object that the loop portion102fits onto. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 1C, the loop portion102includes a catch106, a barb, a trap, or other mechanism for holding onto the support object. In alternate implementations, the loop portion102can be permanently or temporarily coupled to any sort of support that fits within the shape of the loop portion102. In various embodiments, the loop portion102may be formed to have any dimensions desired for an intended use (or for a general use).

As shown inFIGS. 1A-2D, in many embodiments, the key portion104is coupled to the loop portion102or is integral to the loop portion102. The key portion104is arranged to attach the loop portion102to the supported item. For example, in some embodiments, the key portion104is arranged to be temporarily or permanently coupled to the supported item. In an implementation, as shown inFIG. 1C, the key portion104may be offset from the loop portion102. The offset can provide clearance for desired movement (e.g., pivot and rotation) of the clip100while the holster is worn on the user, or for adjusting the clip100, as described below. In other embodiments, no offset is present.

In various embodiments, as shown inFIG. 3A, the key portion104includes one or more uniquely shaped interface features, such as a key108, or the like (e.g., post, tab, shaft, etc.) for interfacing with the supported item and/or for adjusting a position (or an effective length) of the clip100. In the embodiments, the key108includes a unique shape that matches the shape of a female feature, such as a keyhole302, or the like (e.g., cavity, channel, rail, slot, guide, etc.) located at one or more portions of the supported item. This combination of the key108and the keyhole302offers quick and easy connection and disconnection of the clip100to the supported item (e.g., holster backer802) with no tools required. The keyholes302of the supported item are receivers for the key108of the clip100, allowing quick connect/disconnect of the clip100to the supported item.

As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the unique shape of the male key108on the clip100closely matches the shape of the female keyhole302feature. The key108shape and keyhole302shape may have various shapes, and may be any suitable shape that allows the locking function described herein. For example, the key108may include one or more uniquely shaped tab portions304that closely fit equally shaped slot portions306of the keyhole302when aligned. Accordingly, a clip100is attached to the supported item (e.g., holster, etc.) by aligning the unique shape of the male key108with a like shape of a female keyhole302on the holster, for example, inserting the key108through the keyhole302, and then rotating the clip100to engage the key108and prevent non-intentional disconnection. In various embodiments, the rotation may be varying degrees (30, 45, 60, 90, 180, etc., or any rotational degree beyond 0 degrees) to lock the key108in the keyhole302.

The shape of the key108is closely matched to the shape of the keyhole302, so the key108must be aligned well to the keyhole302to pass through the keyhole302, and will not pass through the keyhole302if offset, misaligned, or rotated out of alignment. Accordingly, the shape of the key108with respect to the keyhole302also prevents the key108from backing out of the keyhole302once the clip100has been inserted and rotated. For example, the tab portion304of the key108is blocked from coming through the featured opening of the keyhole302, unless the tab portion304is precisely aligned to the slot portion306of the keyhole302.

To remove the key108(and thus the clip100), the clip100is rotated, which rotates the key108, to realign the key108with the keyhole302. Once the shape of the key108is aligned to the shape of the keyhole302, the key108can then be pulled from the keyhole302. This removes the clip100from the supported item, without the use of tools.

In an implementation, as shown inFIGS. 7A-7E, the clip100includes a base connector702. In various embodiments, the base702is arranged to provide a connection point for the clip100, or to extend or to adjust a reach of the clip100. In the embodiments, the base702includes an elongated section with a plurality of keyholes302. As shown inFIGS. 7A-7E, the base702may include three keyholes302, and in alternate embodiments, the base702may include fewer or more keyholes302. In one embodiment (not shown) the base702includes at least one key108.

In various embodiments, the base702can be used to couple various carriers or accessories (e.g., flashlight, magazine, knife, etc.) together, to the clip100, to the holster backer802, or to other support objects (e.g., a user's belt, backpack, etc.) having a key108, a keyhole302, or a combination. In an alternate embodiment, more than one base702may be coupled to a clip100, a holster backer802, or other support object.

In an implementation, the base702can be used to extend a reach of the clip100when the clip100is coupled to one of the keyholes302of the base702(as shown inFIG. 7A), and the supported item is coupled to another of the keyholes302of the base702. The longest reach can be achieved when the clip100and the supported item are coupled at opposite extents of the base702.

The reach of the clip100can be adjusted by moving the key108of the clip100to another of the keyholes302of the base702, for example. This adjustment sequence is illustrated graphically inFIGS. 7A-7E. AtFIG. 7A, the key108of the clip100is coupled to a keyhole302at a first end of the base702. To begin removing the key108from the keyhole302, the clip100is rotated (for example 180 degrees) to align the shape of the key108to the shape of the keyhole302, as shown inFIG. 7B. With the correct alignment, atFIG. 7C, the key108is removed from the keyhole302at the first end of the base702.

As shown atFIG. 7D, the base702is moved so that another keyhole302is aligned to the key108of the clip100. With the shape of the key108aligned to the shape of the new keyhole302, the key108is inserted into the new keyhole302of the base702. As shown atFIG. 7E, the clip100is rotated (for example 180 degrees) with the key108in the new keyhole302to lock the key108in the new keyhole302. The amount of rotation used to unlock and to lock the key108with respect to the keyhole(s)302depends on the orientation of the shape of the key108on the clip and the orientation of the keyhole302on the base702(or the supported item).

As shown inFIGS. 8A-8C, the clips100(and the bases702) may be coupled to a holster backer802(or a holster, etc.) having one or more keyholes302, to suspend the holster backer802(or the holster, etc.) from an article of a user's clothing, a support object, or the like. As shown inFIG. 8A, the clip100may be positioned relative to a selected keyhole302so that the shape of the key108of the clip100is aligned to the shape of the keyhole302. As shown inFIG. 8B, the clip100is rotated (180 degrees for example) after inserting the key108of the clip100into the selected keyhole302, to lock the clip100to the holster backer802. In the locked configuration, the clip100is allowed to pivot, but is not allowed to back out of the holster backer802, unless the clip100is intentionally rotated into the correct alignment with the keyhole302.

As shown inFIGS. 8A-8C, a holster assembly can be reconfigured or adjusted as desired without the use of tools. For example, the clips100can be moved to different keyhole302positions on the backer802to adjust the carry angle, or cant of the holster. In various embodiments, the backer802includes multiple female keyholes302at different positions of the backer802. The multiple keyhole302positions allow the user to select different cants or positions for the holster, based on the keyholes302selected for the clip100connections. This allows the user to adjust the cant of the holster or carrier as desired for comfort or function.

For example,FIG. 8Bshows the clips100positioned for a level carry of the holster backer802. One or more of the clips100can be moved to a different keyhole302to adjust the carry angle, as shown inFIG. 8C. Further adjustments can be made with the base702(which may include at least one key108, or alternately, the backer802may include one or more keys108).

The quick change clips100also allow the user to quickly interchange and adjust the clips100onto different support items, without tools. For example, the user may change the clips100from the backer802, for instance, onto holsters, holster backers, accessory carriers, accessory backers, etc. as desired. Moving the clips100to another holster backer802, magazine accessory, or the like, includes removing the clips100from the backer802and attaching the clips100to another backer, holster, etc. This can be done by a user in the field, disengaging the clips100from the backer802as described above, and engaging the clips100to the replacement backer.

In alternate embodiments, the clip100may include a female keyhole302arranged to engage with a male key108on a base702, a holster backer802, or other supported item. For further user convenience, the clip100and the base702, holster backer802, or other supported item may each include a combination of male keys108and female keyholes302in some embodiments.

In various implementations, the clip100and the base702are comprised of various plastics, composites, metals, combinations of the same, or the like. For example, the clip100and the base702may be comprised of a polyamide, or similar material. In various embodiments, the clip100and the base702have rigidity and stability properties based on a particular material selected for the clip100and the base702. For example, some materials that may be used include styrenic block copolymers (TPE-s), polyolefin blends (TPE-o), elastomeric alloys (TPE-v or TPV), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), Thermoplastic copolyesters, thermoplastic polyamides, various metals and alloys, fiber composites, combinations of the same, and the like. Additionally, in some embodiments, the stability properties are also based on a thickness of the clip100and the base702.

As discussed above, the techniques, components, and devices described herein with respect to the implementations are not limited to the illustrations ofFIGS. 1A-8C, and may be applied to other devices and designs, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In some cases, additional or alternative components, techniques, sequences, or processes may be used to implement the techniques described herein. Further, the components and/or techniques may be arranged and/or combined in various combinations, while resulting in similar or approximately identical results. It is to be understood that a clip100and/or a base702may be implemented as a stand-alone device or as part of another system (e.g., integrated with other components). In various implementations, additional or alternative components may be used to accomplish the disclosed techniques and arrangements.

CONCLUSION

While various discreet embodiments have been described throughout, the individual features of the various embodiments may be combined to form other embodiments not specifically described. The embodiments formed by combining the features of described embodiments are also within the scope of the disclosure.