Abstract:
The present invention is a bottle holster. The bottle holster consists of an insulated cylindrical body with a closed bottom and a tapered open top. A zipper opens and closes the insulated cylindrical body. The bottle holster attaches to the user by hanging from the user&#39;s belt horizontally. Alternatively, the bottle holster can hang vertically from the user&#39;s belt and be secured around the user&#39;s thigh. The bottle holster is superior to prior art in that it allows access to pockets and compartments contained upon a wearer&#39;s belt or utility belt through its holster position and loose horizontal configuration.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application references and claims priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/278,917, filed on Oct. 14, 2009, Titled “Water Bottle Holster”—applicant Diane Escalante of Santa Clarita, Calif. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The field of invention relates to wearable bottle holders. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Various situations arise where easy access to a bottle containing water or another liquid (hereafter called bottle, but said bottle may contain any other liquid). Carrying around a bottle in hand is not always the most practical. For instance a law enforcement officer on duty at a parade needs to have their hands free in case of emergency to access their weapons, radios, or to apprehend a suspect. The officer would likely still need easy access to water for refreshment purposes on a hot day. 
         [0006]    One common method of resolving this problem is carrying a bag which may be around the waist, the arm, or the back of the individual. The bags are not necessarily meant just for carrying bottles, they are general bags which can hold a variety of things that the individual might need. 
         [0007]    Another method of resolving this problem is using bottle carriers with no bags slung around the shoulder. An example of this concept is a bottle carrier which is slung over the arm of the individual. The carrier is freely slung over the arm of the individual allowing for easy access to the bottle. 
         [0008]    Another possible solution is carriers which are just the bottle and no additional bag attached around the waist. The carrier might be in the form of a belt so that that the individual can insert the bottle into allowing for access. Other similar solutions provide for belts with built in bottles that can refilled or built in locations for refillable, removable bottles that are designed to fit that carrier. In both of these solutions, the bottles are typically secured right at the waist. 
         [0009]    There are also bottle carriers which can attach to a pre-existing belt on an individual. These carriers would sit on the individual&#39;s belt and can be adjusted depending on where the individual desires the location of the bottle carrier along their waist. The bottle carrier will be in a horizontal or a vertical position along the belt depending on the carrier. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The main object of the present invention is to provide an insulated bottle holster with two quick attachment embodiments for use with the wearer&#39;s belt to increase the ease of use. The first attachment embodiment is geared towards uniformed personnel, but can be used by any wearer with an appropriate belt. The bottle holster attaches in the horizontal attachment position by detachable fastening to the rear of the wearer&#39;s belt, and hanging from the belt loosely. This allows free access to the other belt compartments or a rear pocket, yet still allowing easy access to the bottle contained within the holster. Prior art attaches a bottle tightly against the wearer&#39;s body. This does not allow the wearer of a utility belt or with pockets to easily access those pockets or compartments. The bottle holster eliminates this problem by allowing the actual bottle to be flipped up over the belt or to be worn on the thigh. 
         [0011]    The second attachment embodiment for the bottle holster is by detachably fastening to the wearer&#39;s thigh and belt using a holster type attachment. This allows for the user to maintain the bottle at an easy reach, yet out of the way of any pockets or other items attached to the wearer&#39;s belt. 
         [0012]    The bottle holster also may contain a shielding flap that serves multiple functions. The shielding flap protects the bottle mouthpiece from debris and when in the closed position, aids in the containment of the bottle within the insulated cover, when the contained bottle may be smaller than the bottle holster body. 
         [0013]    The insulated bottle holster may also have a side pocket secured to the outside cover to provide a storage compartment for energy bars or other small items. 
         [0014]    In this way the insulated bottle holster allows the wearer to quickly access their beverage without losing space on the wearer&#39;s belt which may be used for other items, or to easily access the wearer&#39;s pockets without having to move the bottle holster around. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts the plain front view of the bottle holster with the vertical thigh attachment strap portion of the support unit attached. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  depicts the insulated bottle protective flap in the closed position in the protective bottle flap embodiment of the bottle holster and the zipper embodiment closing system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts the rear of the bottle holster and horizontal attachment strap allowing the holster to attach to the wears utility belt. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts the removable strap system for attaching the bottle holster in the vertical thigh holster position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  depicts the top view of the bottle holster with side pocket and horizontal attachment strap folded onto itself and conveniently out of the wearer&#39;s way. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  depicts the rigidly attached horizontal attachment strap of the bottle holster that allows the wearer to wear the bottle holster over a utility belt to grant access to pockets potentially underneath the bottle holster. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  depicts the bottle holster where the vertical and horizontal holster straps are rigidly affixed to each other. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  depicts the bottle holster in the horizontal bottle position where the bottle holster can be attached above or below the wearer&#39;s belt. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  depicts the bottle holster without the attached support loop on the holster body or the protective flap. In this embodiment, the horizontal holster straps are of equal length, which allows the horizontal strap to go above or below the wearer&#39;s belt. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  depicts the bottle holster attached to the wearer in the horizontal and vertical holster positions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The embodiments described herein have been contemplated for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the present bottle holster. The present bottle holster is not to be limited solely to the exact configuration and construction as illustrated and set forth herein. Referring to the drawings in detail, a bottle holster with horizontal and vertical attachments for use with any belt is shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the bottle holster is optimal for offering a convenient and tactical delivery system for the wearer. 
         [0026]    The insulated bottle holster comprises: a vertical attachment strap carrier  1  detachably fastening to the wearer&#39;s body; an insulated bottle holster body  2  that can contain various bottle sizes and is assembled by attaching a first, second and third insulating cover material to form the bottle holder body; in one embodiment of the bottle holster a protective flap  3  that also serves to contain the bottle within the insulated bottle holster body; and an optional side pocket; all depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    The vertical attachment strap carrier  1  in the thigh holster position depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , comprises: an insulated bottle holster; a vertical belt hanger  24  created with strapping material  13  affixed to the insulated bottle holster and attached tri-glide  18 ; a detachable belt  19  with connecting ends made of fasteners  21  affixed at the end portions of the strap  19  which can be made of varying widths and length and is extended from the top end of the insulated bottle holder from a tri-glide  18  which is rigidly affixed to the bottle holster body near the tapered mouth top of the holster; and support unit  22 . The support unit  22  is for attachment to the wearer&#39;s thigh and comprises: a detachable belt  20  of varying widths and lengths, with a male  14  and female buckle  15 ; two d-ring supports  16 ,  17 ; and an optional rear patch loop  23  located between the two D-rings. The detachable belt may also be permanently affixed so as to no longer be detachable from the insulated bottle holster  2  in another embodiment. When the detachable belt is permanently affixed, the rear position belt will be removed, and the unit can only be used in the vertical holster position. 
         [0028]    The insulated bottle holster  2 , depicted in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , is composed of: strapping material  12 ,  13 ,  35  attaching the D-rings and tri-glide to the insulated bottle holster; insulated cover material  7 ,  8 ,  9 ; seam connector ( 10 , depicted as a zipper in the figures); male and female buckle ends  14 ,  15 ; D-rings  16 ,  17 ; tri-glide  18 ; durable detachable belts  19 ,  20 ; a durable belt  36  made of strapping material affixed to the insulated bottle holder for use in the horizontal carrying position; and an optional patch loop  23 . 
         [0029]    The insulated bottle holster  2  has a cylindrical body having a top  5  and bottom end  6 . The first insulated cover material  7  is attached to the bottom edge of the second insulated cover material  8  to create a cylindrical interior. The third insulating cover material  9  is attached via the outer edge to the upper section of the second insulated cover material  8 . The third insulated cover material top section is smaller than the bottom section of the third insulated cover material so as to form a conical top to the insulated water bottle holder  2 . This conical top prevents bottles from coming out of the holder when the protective flap  3  is open, or if the flap is not present in that embodiment. The first and second insulating materials contain: an interior lining (not pictured) comprised of a PEVA type material (PEVA is a copolymer of polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate, commonly used in flexible vinyl materials); an inner insulating material fitting between the interior and exterior layers; and an exterior layer comprising of a flexible fabric or plastic. The third insulating cover material will be comprised of a neoprene type material or any other type of flexible type material, to create flexibility to contain bottles of varying sizes. In another embodiment the body may be comprised of only two layers, with the interior layer being a PEVA type material. The assembly will form a seam  10  to allow the bottle to be placed into the holster. 
         [0030]    The seam can be closed using any form of connecting device, such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, or zippers. The figures depict the insulated bottle holster with the zipper embodiment. The seam will run from the top of the third insulating material to no less than one inch from the bottom of the holster body to no more than 2.5 inches from the bottom of the holster body. When the invention is in the zipper embodiment, a small tab of insulating material  11  will be used to fill the gap from the bottom end of the zipper, to the bottom edge of the holster. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows the bottle holster in the vertical thigh holster position without the strap portion which affixes around the wearers thigh attached. In one embodiment, the thigh strap and attached strap, which attaches to the wearers belt are rigidly affixed to each other. In this preferred embodiment, a strap  19  is detachably secured to a tri-glide fastener  18  which is rigidly attached to the outer portion of the insulated bottle holster cover, and a free end is covered with a fastener  21  at the affixed and free ends of the vertical strap  19 . The vertical hanging belt is attached to the wearer&#39;s belt by causing the top of the strap  19  to overlap its opposite end forming a loop, secured by fasteners  21  at the ends of the strap. The wearer&#39;s belt can be run through the created loop to vertically attach the bottle holster the user&#39;s waist. The thigh strap depicted in  FIG. 4  can then be drawn tight across the wearer&#39;s thigh to keep the bottle holster in place. Additionally in  FIG. 1 , the ring  17  and strapping material  12  forming part of the vertical attachment thigh support system is also shown. The two D-rings  16 ,  17  are located no more than ½ the circumference of the insulated bottle holsters body from each other, which allows a strap  20  to cinch around the wearer&#39;s thigh, connecting via the male and female connector ends  14 ,  15 , completing the attachment in the vertical holster position on the wearer as previously indicated. The insulated bottle holster body can accommodate a variety of bottle sizes due to the tapered opening of the body and ability to open the body down the center, in one embodiment the mechanism for opening the body is the pictured zipper, but can be any form of fastener which can keep the bottle from falling out of the bottle holster. In this way, even when a bottle is in the horizontal position, the bottle will be kept in place for easy access. An optional side pocket  4  is located towards the opposite side at any location between the two rigidly attached side rings  16 ,  17 . This pocket can be used to hold an energy bar, light snack, or whatever the user desires by depositing the item in the upper opening  38  and covering with the flap which attaches with any form of fastener  26 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  depicts the insulated bottle holster body with an optional protective flap in the closed position  3 . The protective flap  3  has a longitudinal edge detachably affixed to the rear of the bottle holster by a pair of fasteners  24 . The protective flap  3  is adapted to fold to overlap and enclose the top opening  25  if the bottle holder so as to cover the mouthpiece of the enclosed bottle, when the holster contains optional protective flap  3 . The rear fasteners allow the protective flap to be removed at the wearer&#39;s leisure. The fasteners can be hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers, or other attachment method. In the closed position, the protective flap will contain the beverage bottle (not pictured), while the bottle holster is in any position. When the flap is not a part of the bottle holster, the tapered nature of the holder and in the preferred embodiment, the zipper, will hold the bottle within the holster.  FIG. 2  further depicts one of the two side rings  17 , strapping material  12  and the optional side pocket  4 , which can be used to hold any item of appropriate size. Two of the side belt rings are used to weave the strapping material to form support system  22  for the thigh strap  20  to run through so as to complete the vertical thigh holster attachment system. 
         [0033]    The protective flap  3  is made of the same material as the insulated bottle holster&#39;s outer layer. The side pocket  4  is made from material similar to the outer later of the insulated bottle holster body, and is affixed to the outside of the bottle holster body, located on the body in any area that is not between the two rings  16 ,  17  used to hold the thigh attachment strap. The side pocket has two pleated edges affixed to the left side of the bottle holster body seam opposite the rings  16 ,  17 , by rigidly affixing it to the body, to form the storage compartment between the formed pocket and insulated covering. The resulting pocket will be no more than ½ the circumference of the insulated water holster body, but no less than ⅛ the circumference of the insulated water holster body. Material is affixed to the top edge of the pocket  4  to form a flap cover  26  which can be securely closed with fasteners attached to the outside edge of the pocket and the top of the flap. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5  depicts the invention in the horizontal holster attachment position for use with a belt. The affixed strap  36  is positioned for use in the horizontal position. The strap can be folded over itself, and connected to its opposite end. When the invention is in the vertical holster position, the affixed strap  36  can be folded under the thigh strap so it is out of the way of the wearer. In  FIG. 3 , the vertical strap attaches to its opposite end via a fastener  37 . When the vertical strap is attached to its opposite end, the vertical strap will form a loop which is used to attach to the wearer&#39;s belt. In this way, the insulated bottle holder  2  can be worn over a utility belt or other type of belt if the user is not wearing a utility belt. The rigidly affixed strap  36  is attached to the insulated bottle holster body via stitching for additional strength. A D-ring  16  is attached to the short end of the strap  36  at  35  that is affixed to the insulated bottle holder. This ring  16  can combine with the opposite ring  17  and patch loop  23  to form the system to affix the detachable belt  20  to the insulated bottle holster body. A tri-glide  18  is also shown at the top of the insulated bottle holster body  2  where the insulated case begins to taper towards the opening of the holster body. The side pocket  4 ,  26  is also seen in this figure. The back of the side pocket is also shown  4 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows the complete vertical thigh holster attachment system. Depicted is the hanging belt  24 , which forms the loop that allows the wearers belt to slide through and attach the holster body. The support thigh attachment unit  22  forms the completed vertical holster position for attachment to the wearer&#39;s thigh. The support thigh attachment unit  22  comprises a detachable durable belt  20  that extends through the rear belt D-ring  17 , through the rear patch loop  23  and through the opposite D-ring  16 . The male end of a buckle  14  is attached to the free end of the first end of the support belt  27  and a corresponding female end of a buckle is attached to the opposing end of the strap via either a variety of fasteners, but it can also be loose and not permanently affixed to the opposite end  28 , so that the insulated bottle holster body  2  is further secured by wrapping the support belt around the wearer&#39;s thigh by attaching the male and female buckle straps to each other. The strap  20  is made adjustable by looping the free strap end  27  through the male buckle end. In alternative embodiments, the male and female buckle  14 ,  15  can be replaced by any fastener to hold the unit onto the wearer. The D-rings  16 ,  17  allow for greater movement to accommodate wearers of different stride lengths and thigh circumferences. The patch loop  23  can be attached to the insulated bottle holster body by a variety of attachment options, or in other embodiments may be left off the bottle holster body all together. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the bottle holster showing the insulated bottle holster body  2  with the zipper embodiment  10  and the horizontal waist attachment position and not the vertical holster position. The horizontal position is achieved when the rigidly affixed strap  36  is unfurled from under the patch loop  23  to its full extension. The wearer can then loop the long portion of the rear portion of the rigidly affixed horizontal attachment strap  36  downward through the wearer&#39;s belt causing the belt to be positioned in the “v” loop  31  formed between the long portion  32  and short portion  33  of the rear portion of the rigidly affixed horizontal attachment strap fastener  19 . The long portion is then pulled back up over the wearer&#39;s belt. Fasteners  37  are attached to the affixed end and free end of the strap rigidly affixed durable strap  36  such that the free end of the affixed durable strap  36  can be form a securing loop  34  around the wearer&#39;s belt by attaching the fasteners on opposite ends to each other. The fasteners may be any form of fastener, such as hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snaps, or buttons. This allows the wearer to attach the insulated bottle holster  2  horizontally to the rear of the wearer&#39;s belt. When used with a utility belt, the insulated bottle holster allows the bottle contained to be flipped up over any items on the wearer&#39;s belt so as to be out of the way if the wearer needs to access the compartment or a rear pocket.  FIG. 5  shows the horizontal holster attachment with strap  33  shorter than strap  37 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows the affixed strap  36  for the bottle holster horizontal position. From this angle the D-ring  16  can be seen to be attached to the opposite end of the affixed strap  36 . The ring is attached to the insulated bottle holster body  2  and strap  36  for added strength when in the horizontal position. Hook and loop fasteners  37  are shown as the method of attachment of the ends of the strap to each other in this position to form the connecting loop, but can be fastened with any type of fastener. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  depicts another embodiment of the bottle holster has the vertical holster strap assembly rigidly affixed to each other  39 . In this embodiment, the end of the vertical strap which attaches to the wearer&#39;s belt contains the same method of attachment to the belt, but now instead of the free end being attached to the tri-glide, the free end is rigidly attached to the last ⅓ of the vertical thigh strap  20  and is then fed through the tri-glide for support. In this way, the vertical holster strap assembly is shaped much like a truncated “T”. In this embodiment, the need for two separate detachable straps is eliminated, making the process of attachment for the wearer quicker. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  depicts the bottle holster attached to the wearer&#39;s belt in the horizontal position. In this position, the bottle holster body may be attached above the belt  40  or below the belt  41 , to prevent the bottle from interfering with any belt attachments or compartments not associated with the bottle holster. In  FIG. 8 , the two horizontal attachment straps are of equal length. This allows the wearer to place the holster body above the wearer&#39;s belt or below the belt, yet still retain the same range of motion in both positions. The extra length on the strap located on top of the wearer&#39;s belt folds under itself so the excess is kept out of the way. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  depicts the elimination of the attached support loop on the bottle holster body. This embodiment is most likely used when the joined vertical holster strap assembly is attached to each other forming only one free strap. In this embodiment, the loop (not shown) could not be used and would be eliminated  42 .  FIG. 9  further shows an embodiment where the insulated bottle holster is without the protective flap and the horizontal attachment straps of the same length as in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the bottle is kept in place by the nature of the tapered end of the bottle holster body and the means for closing the body. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  depicts how the wearer would attach the bottle holster to his or her person. Depicted is the bottle holster in the horizontal  43  and vertical holster position  44 . 
         [0042]    The bottle holster body may be a large as wanted to accommodate up to a 1-liter bottle, as anything larger would likely be uncomfortable for the wearer to handle.