Abstract:
An over the shoulder support system for concealed carry is disclosed. The system allows comfortable and discreet concealed carry of holstered weapons and associated materials, distributing load across one or both shoulders while allowing the entire system and supported weapon to remain concealed beneath clothing. The system can attach to a belt with j-hooks, and can attach directly to a wearer&#39;s clothing and/or to a holster.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/391,469 filed Oct. 8, 2010; the foregoing application is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to methods, techniques, and systems for a firearm accessory and, in particular, to methods, techniques, and systems for a over the shoulder holster belt. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Concealed carry enthusiasts spend a great deal of time and money attempting to find the most comfortable way to carry a concealed handgun. The weight of the handgun has always been a major factor in designing individual carry systems. When carrying a concealed handgun on your belt, the weight of the gun &amp; holster pushes down on your belt and causes your belt and pants to sag and become uncomfortable. The only known solution is to over tighten your belt and/or pull up your pants several times a day. Alternate support systems are designed to be worn as an outermost garment, which by definition is not a concealed carry. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear side view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer; and 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer; and 
         FIG. 3  is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a holster inside a wearer&#39;s belt; and 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer; and 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer; and 
         FIG. 7  is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a holster inside a wearer&#39;s belt; and 
         FIG. 8  is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a holster inside a wearer&#39;s belt; and 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer; and 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention on a wearer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments described herein provide enhanced methods, techniques, and systems for an over the shoulder concealed carry support system for supporting a weapon holster that is preferably worn in a concealed manner. Example embodiments provide a concealable, over the shoulder holster belt, which enables users to carry a concealed handgun on a belt or inside a waistband without the weight of the gun and/or holster pushing down on a pants belt. 
     Example embodiments further provide the ability to connect the over the shoulder holster belt to a holster and still allow for a wearer&#39;s shirt to be tucked in. The over the shoulder holster system is designed to relieve some of the weight of the gun and be worn under a garment, such that there is no visible sign of the over the shoulder system. The over the shoulder holster system is configured to be attached to standard inside the waist band (IWB) and outside the waistband (OWB) holsters and to provide a distributed support for their use in carrying a weapon. 
     In one example embodiment, the over the shoulder holster support system comprises one or more functional components that work together to attach the over the shoulder belt to a holster. The components allow for the attachment and the quick release of the holster from the belt. For example, an over the shoulder holster support system or a shoulder support may comprise a shoulder pad, holster support straps, chest strap, secondary shoulder straps and/or a tension strap. An example shoulder strap may consist of a shoulder pad (leather or other suitable material) worn on the same side of the body as a belt mounted handgun holster. For example, if the holster is worn in the right side, the shoulder pad would be worn on the right side. Example holster support straps include one or more adjustable straps that are configured to attach to the outermost edge of the shoulder pad and optionally run down along the outer edge of the chest, beside the arm and adjacent to the armpit and attach (directly or via a suitable snap fastener) to a belt mounted handgun holster. An example chest strap includes an adjustable tension strap that is preferably attached to a rear shoulder pad which runs across the wearer&#39;s back at approximately shoulder blade level around the wearer&#39;s side and above the hip and attaches to the front of the shoulder pad at the wearer&#39;s chest level. An example secondary shoulder strap attaches at the rear of the shoulder pad between the center of the shoulder pad and the chest strap attaching to the chest strap approximately at the center of the wearers back. An example support strap loops unobtrusively under the wearer&#39;s belt by a j-hook, thereby transferring downward load that might otherwise drag down the belt or pants to the shoulders. At the same time, the j-hook is unobtrusive, and can be so discreet as to be nearly invisible even when a shirt is tucked in. 
     In an embodiment, the device consists of two over-the-shoulder straps, which hook or clasp at four points, two front and two rear, thereby transferring the load of a weapon (and other belt-worn load such as ammunition clips) broadly and evenly across both shoulders. In an embodiment, a tension strap across the upper back helps keep the shoulder straps comfortably in place. 
     An example tension strap attaches to the center of the chest strap at the wearer&#39;s side and attaches to the wearer&#39;s undergarment via a suspender clasp (or other suitable clasp), or by a j-hook to the belt. This strap holds the chest strap in the proper position at the wearer&#39;s side and provides the correct tension to hold the shoulder pad firmly on the shoulder. 
     In one embodiment an example over the shoulder holster belt or a shoulder sling may comprise a sling, an optional shoulder pad, and/or an optional chest strap. An example sling may include a single adjustable strap that is attachable to a belt mounted handgun holster. The sling preferably runs up the wearer&#39;s back and crosses over the wearer&#39;s shoulder on the same side as the holster. The strap then preferably runs across the wearer&#39;s chest and attaches to the inside of a wearer&#39;s pants, or to a belt using a j-hook. Alternately, it can undergarment in the front of the wearer and in a comfortable position on the opposite side as the holster using a optional suspender clasp (or other suitable clasp). 
     For example, if the holster is worn on the right rear side, the strap will attach to the front left undergarment. An optional example shoulder pad may be attached to the strap to distribute weight across the shoulder area. An optional example chest strap includes an adjustable tension strap to preferably hold the main strap in proper position across the shoulder area may be attached to the rear portion of the main strap at the wearer&#39;s back at approximately shoulder blade level around the wearer&#39;s side and above the hip and attaching to the front of the main strap at the wearer&#39;s chest level. 
     Some existing holsters attach to a wearer&#39;s belt, for example by a loop on the holster through which the wearer&#39;s belt passes. Without additional support, the added weight of the holster and weapon drag down the belt. In embodiments of the present invention, the added weight is distributed to shoulders, in some embodiments by directly attaching a support strap to the holster to augment the weight-transferring function of the belt loop. 
       FIGS. 1-10  show examples of a shoulder support and/or a shoulder sling. 
       FIG. 1  shows an example of a shoulder support embodiment that for example comprises a shoulder pad  102 , holster support strap  104 , holster  200 , chest strap  108 , and secondary shoulder strap  110 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the wearer is carrying his holster inside belt  300 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of an embodiment showing shoulder pad  102  and chest strap  108  passing around the body. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the holster  200  (not shown) could be, for example, out of sight behind the wearer&#39;s back or to the wearer&#39;s side. Support strap  112  can attach to the wearer&#39;s clothing or the wearer&#39;s belt  300 , for example via a j-hook, for added support. 
       FIG. 3  shows a closer view of an embodiment demonstrating holster support strap  104  passing through a buckle above the holster  200 . Here again, the holster is carried inside the belt  300 . 
       FIG. 4  shows holster support strap  104  above holster  200 . Here again, the holster is carried inside the belt  300 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of an embodiment with two holster support straps  104 , showing j-hooks  106  looped under belt  300 . Here, the holster  200  holds a weapon, and is attached to belt  300  by a belt loop  202  which forms part of the holster. In this two-shoulder-strap embodiment, similar straps and hooks (not shown) are found on the wearer&#39;s other side as well. 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment in which the holster  200  fastens directly to support strap  104 . In such an embodiment, the holster may be attached to belt  300  by a belt loop  202 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment where strap  104  fastens to holster  200  which is also connected to wearer&#39;s belt  300  by a belt loop  202 . Strap  104  transfers to the shoulder some load that would otherwise be borne by belt  300 . 
       FIG. 8  demonstrates an embodiment where one shoulder strap  104  supports belt  300  by a j-hook  106 , while a second shoulder strap  104  attaches to the holster  200 , which is also looped to belt  300  by belt loop  202 . 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a double strap embodiment, showing two shoulder pads  102 , two straps  104 , and two j-hooks  106  supporting the weight of the holster, which is shown worn outside belt  300 . 
       FIG. 10  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , showing again two shoulder pads  102 , two straps  104 , and two j-hooks  106  supporting the weight of holster  200 , again worn outside belt  300 . Tension strap  114  between the shoulders adds additional sizing comfort as well as assisting in maintaining a comfortable wearing position and preventing shoulder pads  102  from slipping off the shoulders. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.