Abstract:
A Flashlight Holster. The holster attaches to a front fork element of a bicycle so that a conventional large flashlight can be removably held therein. An internal O-ring located in the bottom end of the holster prevents vibration of and resists the inadvertent dislodging of the flashlight. The holster is securely attachable to the bicycle forks using a pair of conventional pipe clamps. The holster tube has a notch cut out of it so that the power switch of the flashlight can protrude therethrough when the flashlight is inserted into the holster.

Description:
[0001]    This application is filed within one year of, and claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/687,171, filed Apr. 20, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to vehicle mounting accessories and, more specifically, to a Flashlight Holster. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Law enforcement agencies have deployed increasingly more officers on bicycles. While these bike teams are very well suited for providing a law enforcement presence in pedestrian areas, some challenges have been revealed. One particular challenge is related to the officers&#39; ability to carry their normal tools safely and conveniently. Specifically, the standard law enforcement issued flashlight (i.e. the large type), because of its size, can truly be a challenge to carry. While a number of prior systems allow a rider to mount a lamp or light to the handlebars (to also function as a headlight), these systems all suffer from one or both of the same two problems: (1) the light is easily jostled loose from its mounting bracket, or (2) if the lamp is held securely, it is not convenient for the rider to quickly remove the flashlight from its mounting bracket. Since these full-side flashlights also double as a defensive weapon for officers, it is crucial that the officer be able to remove it easily, so it can be rapidly wielded. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Flashlight Holster. The holster is designed to attach to a front fork element of a bicycle so that a conventional large flashlight can be removably held therein. An internal  0 -ring located in the bottom end of the holster should be included to prevent vibration and to resist the inadvertent dislodging of the flashlight. The holster should be securely attachable to the bicycle forks using a pair of conventional pipe clamps. The holster tube should further have a notch cut out of it so that the power switch of the flashlight can protrude therethrough when the flashlight is inserted into the holster. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flashlight holster of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are photographs of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are sequential views of the holster tube of the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are sequential views of the mounting element of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Flashlight Holster. 
         [0013]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 .  1    FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flashlight holster  10  of the present invention. The holster  10  is defined by a main holster tube  12  that terminates in a top opening  14  and a bottom opening  20 . There is a notch  18  cut out of the tube  12  so that a step is created in the top rim  16  of the tube  12 . The bottom opening preferably defines a circular bottom rim  22 . An internal retaining ring  24  (shown in broken lines to indicate that it is located in the interior of the tube  12 ) is located closer to the bottom rim  22  than to the top rim  16 .  1  As used throughout this disclosure, element numbers enclosed in square brackets [ ] indicates that the referenced element is not shown in the instant drawing figure, but rather is displayed elsewhere in another drawing figure. 
         [0014]    A mounting element  26  extends from the inner side of the tube  12  (i.e. on the side of the tube  12  that is opposite to the notch  18 ). The mounting element  26  is designed to cooperate with one side of the bicycle&#39;s front forks. A top foot portion  28  and bottom foot portion  30  extend outwardly from the mounting element  26 . These foot portions  28 ,  30  are separated by recessed portion  32 . 
         [0015]    The flashlight holster  10  solves a problem faced by all law enforcement bike teams, namely how to secure a law enforcement issue flashlight while riding a bicycle. The flashlight holster  10  is compatible with the two main flashlights used by law enforcement: the Pelican and the Streamlight. The flashlight holster  10  was invented by a law enforcement officer and was tested by an actual bike team. 
         [0016]    The flashlight holster  10  is an anodized metal tube with a metal mounting bracket and two clamps for securing it to the bicycle. Inside of the metal tube are one or two “o-rings,” one of which is Teflon; the other is rubber. The “o-rings” are essential to the purpose of the invention because they secure the flashlight in the holster while the bicycle is moving. The “o-rings” are strong enough to secure the flashlight but still allow the Officer to effectively remove the flashlight when necessary. The sizing of the metal tube is of a specific measurement to accommodate the two most popular flashlights, as named above. The bracket that is located underneath is manufactured specifically to attach the flashlight holster  10  to the front forks of a bicycle. 
         [0017]    All of the components are machined into the flashlight holster  10 , creating a simple design of a specific utility.  FIGS. 2A-2D  are four photographs depicting the Holster Light while in use.  FIG. 2A  shows the holster attached to the left-hand front fork of a bicycle. The holster is held to the fork by a pair of conventional pipe clamps that pass through the two clamp channels [ 28 ] and around the fork. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are sequential views of the holster tube  12  of the device  10  of  FIG. 1 . The tube  12  is an elongate cylinder formed by aluminum wall  34 . The tube  12  terminates in top opening  14  and bottom opening  20 . At a circumferential channel  36  is cut into the wall  34  is located at a distance of preferably 1.795 inches from the bottom opening  20 . As discussed previously, this channel  36  is suited to retain the Teflon retaining ring [ 24 ] within it. It may be desirable to lubricate the ring [ 24 ] with a lubricating cream or liquid so that the flashlight can easily be inserted and removed from the tube  12 . 
         [0019]    The notch  18  is cut out of the open end of the tube  12  in order to accommodate the flashlight power switch for the most popular flashlights. This allows the flashlight to fit snugly within the tube  12 , and also gives the rider access to the power switch. 
         [0020]    The preferred inner diameter RI has been determined to be 1.61 inches, and the preferred outer diameter RO has been determined to be 1.90 inches (making the wall thickness 0.29 inches). 
         [0021]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are sequential views of the mounting element  26  of the device [ 10 ] of  FIG. 1 . There are a pair of clamp channels  38  formed in the mounting element  26 , each to allow a conventional pipe clamp or other strapping element to securely attach the mounting element  26  (to which the tube [ 12 ] is attached) to the bike fork. Both sides of the mounting element  26  have valleys  40  formed along their lengths. The top and bottom feet  28 ,  30  have valleys  40  formed in them so that the rounded surface will conform to the outer wall of the bicycle fork. The valley  40  formed in the side facing the tube [ 12 ] will likewise conform to the rounded outer wall [ 34 ] of the tube  12 . 
         [0022]    The invention cannot effectively be constructed another way due to the specific utility of the flashlight holster  10 . The specific use of “o-rings” is applicable to the flashlights used by law enforcement. A plastic model was tested and was determined not to be strong enough for this purpose. While the bracket is designed to attach to a bicycle, The flashlight holster  10  is versatile enough that it can be used on other modes of transportation (examples: Segway or all terrain vehicle). 
         [0023]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.