Abstract:
The present invention is a trauma utility device that includes an elongated belt having a plurality of compartments and devices for carrying and storing necessary equipment, a wide mid portion adjacent to the wearer&#39;s back with a high density foam pad for back support, and a scalloped upper edge at the wearer&#39;s hips, enhancing an individual&#39;s ability to freely turn and move while wearing the belt. The plurality of compartments and devices may include: a personal items pouch, a stethoscope chest piece holder, a stethoscope ear tube retainer, a communication compartment, a pen holder, and a trauma shears holster. The compartments and devices may be positioned on each side of the back mid portion around the longitudinal axis of the belt. Additionally, the belt and associated compartments and devices have an antimicrobial capability to help destroy and inhibit the growth of microorganisms and especially pathogenic microorganisms.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to utility belts for medical personnel with compartments and other devices for carrying necessary equipment, and more particularly to a belt for trauma personnel having functional back support and having an antimicrobial capability. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Utility belts with back support are often used by construction workers and personal lifting heavy items. Exemplary of such devices are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,201,448, and 6,053,883. These prior art devices provide a belt that is often uncomfortable to wear and do not provide specialized compartments to carry medical equipment or have an antimicrobial capability. Some utility belts have been designed for heath care providers. Exemplary of such devices are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,024,361, 5,577,653, Des 333,729, Des 345,861, D425,353S, D445,185S, Des 333,729, and US Published Application Nos. 2003/0131398 and 2007/0205235. These prior art devices do not have an antimicrobial capability or provide for back support. Additionally, they do not include the capability to carry many of the necessary items of specialized equipment that must be readily available for trauma care specialist when rendering medical care to patents. 
     Low back pain often interferes with work, routine daily activities, or recreation and is a common cause of job-related disability and leading a contributor to missed work. Elastic back belts have been found to reduce the distance of forward spine bending and the velocities of forward-and-backward spine bending. Medical workers often spend long hours on their feet and traumatize their backs resulting in pain and discomfort. The implementation of back-support policies have been shown to reduce the employee rate of acute low back injuries and a good back support policy may be augmented with more effective equipment. Additionally, medical personnel, especially trauma specialist, require that certain medical and communications equipment readily be available to render timely medical service, and it is important to utilize equipment that reduces the likelihood of transmitting dangerous diseases. 
     It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved utility belt for medical personnel, especially trauma care specialist, which provides back support and provides for the ability to carry and store necessary equipment. Compartments and holding devices for trauma shears, communications equipment, pens, personal items, a stethoscope bell and a stethoscope&#39;s ear tubes may be positioned around the belt apart from a mid portion of the belt that is adjacent to the wearer&#39;s back, and a plurality of fasteners may be attached along the belt to secure critical equipment. A further object of the present invention is to not only provide a utility belt with back support but to provide a utility belt with the capability to provide broad back support as the belt stretches around the circumference of the waist which will be identified as the belt longitudinal axial direction and a utility belt that retains limited movement of the belt in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. A foam pad in the mid portion of the belt provides additional support for the lower lumbar region of the wearer&#39;s back. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a trauma utility belt made of materials that will reduce the likelihood of transmitting diseases. The belt and all associated components may be made of materials having an antimicrobial capability to help destroy and inhibit the growth of microorganisms and especially pathogenic microorganisms. These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The trauma utility belt of the present invention includes an elongated belt having a wide mid portion tapering to narrower first and second hip portions and the first and second hip portions tapering to wider first and second end portions, respectively. A first end fastener is mounted on the first end of the belt and is connectable to a second end fastener located on the second end of the belt. The mid portion of the belt is positioned against the wearer&#39;s back and has a thickness and width so as to provide abdominal and lower back support when the belt is tightened around the lower abdomen of a person. The belt is comprised of an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material with a pad positioned between the inner and outer layers of the belt. The pad preferably made of high density foam is held in position by a row of stitches around the pad perimeter. The pad provides additional support to the lower lumbar of the wearer. The upper edge of the belt tapers down from the mid portion to the middle of the first hip and the middle of the second hip portions, and tapers up from the middle of the first hip portion to the first end portion, and tapered up from the second hip portions to the second end portion, providing for a scalloped upper edge at the hips of the wearer. A personal items pouch, a stethoscope chest piece holder, a stethoscope ear tube retainer, a communication compartment, a pen holder, and a trauma shears holster may be positioned around the belt apart from the belt mid portion. Additionally, a plurality of equipment attaching devices, such as a snap hook, may be attached directly to the belt and to the various compartments, devices, and holders positioned around the belt. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of the trauma utility belt 
         FIG. 2 a    is a cross sectional view taken along line  2   a - 2   a  for  FIG. 1  showing an inner and outer layer with piping applied 
         FIG. 2 b    is a view of the peripheral edges cut to shape 
         FIG. 2 c    is a view of the peripheral edges folded outward 
         FIG. 2 d    is a view of piping over a single layer 
         FIG. 2 e    is a view of the peripheral edges folded inward 
         FIG. 3 a    is view of the exposed outer surface the utility belt in one plane 
         FIG. 3 b    a cross sectional view taken along line  3   b - 3   b  of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 5 a    is a frontal view of the personal items pouch 
         FIG. 5 b    is a cross sectional view taken along line  5   b - 5   b  of  FIG. 5 a      
         FIG. 6 a    is a frontal view of stethoscope chest piece holder 
         FIG. 6 b    is a cross sectional view taken along line  6   b - 6   b  of  FIG. 6 a      
         FIG. 6 c    is a view of the free end portion of a clip in distinct portions 
         FIG. 6 d    is a frontal view of stethoscope chest piece holder with a stethoscope chest piece being inserted 
         FIG. 6 e    is a cross sectional view taken along line  6   e - 6   e  of  FIG. 6 d      
         FIG. 6 f    is a frontal view of a stethoscope ear tube retainer with a first post mounted above a second post 
         FIG. 6 g    is a cross sectional view taken along line  6   g - 6   g  of  FIG. 6 f      
         FIG. 6 h    is a cross sectional view taken along line  6   h - 6   h  of  FIG. 6 f      
         FIG. 6 i    is a frontal view of the stethoscope ear tube retainer with the ear tubes inserted and the first post mounted above the second post 
         FIG. 6 j    is a frontal view of the stethoscope ear tube retainer with the ear tubes inserted and turned counter clockwise 
         FIG. 6 k    is a frontal view of the stethoscope ear piece tube retainer with the ear tubes inserted and the first post mounted below the second post 
         FIG. 6 m    is a frontal view of the stethoscope ear tube retainer with the ear tubes inserted and turned clockwise 
         FIG. 7 a    is a frontal view of a trauma shears holster 
         FIG. 7 b    is a cross sectional view taken along line  7   b - 7   b  of  FIG. 7 a      
         FIG. 7 c    is a cross sectional view taken along line  7   c - 7   c  of  FIG. 7 a      
         FIG. 8 a    is a frontal view of a pen holder 
         FIG. 8 b    is a cross sectional view taken along line  8   b - 8   b  of  FIG. 8 a      
         FIG. 8 c    is a cross sectional view taken along line  8   c - 8   c  of  FIG. 8 a      
         FIG. 9 a    is a frontal view of a communications compartment 
         FIG. 9 b    is a cross sectional view taken along line  9   b - 9   b  of  FIG. 9 a      
         FIG. 9 c    is a cross sectional view taken along line  9   c - 9   c  of  FIG. 9 b      
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which similar or corresponding parts are identified with the same reference numeral, and more particularly looking to  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a trauma utility belt designated generally at  10 . Looking at  FIG. 2 a   , a cross section view along line  2   a - 2   a  in  FIG. 1 , the belt  10  comprises an inner layer  12  and an outer layer  14  having the same length and width fastened by stitches resulting in an exposed surface  13   a  of the inner layer  12  and an exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . A piping  33   a  is applied over the peripheral edges of inner layer  12  and outer layer  14  forming a convex upper edge  15   a , and a convex lower edge  15   b . Referring again  FIG. 1 , the belt  10  lies in 9 distinct portions: a first end portion  16 , a first taper portion  18   a , a first hip portion  18   b , a second taper portion  18   c , a mid portion  20 , a third taper portion  22   a , a second hip portion  22   b , a fourth taper portion  22   c , and a second end portion  24 . The belt  10  has a longitudinal axis running from the first end portion  16  to the second end portion  24  that symmetrically divides the first end portion  16 , the mid portion  20 , and the second end portion  24 . An accessory layer  17  with an exposed surface  13   c  is attached to the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the first end portion  16  by an accessory row of stitches  15   d  inside the perimeter of the exposed surface  13   c . The accessory layer  17  is positioned between the upper edge  15   a  and the lower edge  15   b  and generally runs from the first taper portion  18   a  a distance of ⅓ to ⅔, preferably ½, the length of the first end portion  16  as measured along the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 . 
     Although a double layer piping  33   a  may be applied to the peripheral edges of belt as shown in  FIG. 2 a   , the peripheral edges of the inner layer  12  and the outer layer  14  may be cut to shape  33   b  as shown in  FIG. 2 b   , folded outward  33   c  as shown in  FIG. 2 c   , a single layer piping  33   d  applied to the inner layer  12  and the outer layer  14  as shown in  FIG. 2 d   , or the peripheral edges of the inner layer  12  and the outer layer  14  folded inward  33   e  as shown in  FIG. 2 e   . Preferably, the peripheral material edges of the inner layer  12  and the outer layer  14  will have the double layer piping  33   a  as shown in  FIG. 2   a.    
     The trauma utility belt  10  may be made of an elastic material, for example a synthetic rubber material such as neoprene having an antimicrobial capability, with the inner layer  12  and the outer layer  14  being 50.8-13.21 cm (20-52 inches) in length, with the length dependent on the size of wearer&#39;s waist, and with each layer having a thickness 0.08 mm ( 1/32 inch) to 6.35 mm (⅛ inches), preferably 3.18 mm (⅛ inch) for the outer layer  14  and 3.18 mm (⅛ inch) for the inner layer  12 . The accessory layer has a thickness 0.08 mm ( 1/32 inch) to 6.35 mm (⅛ inches), preferably 6.35 (⅛ inch). The first end portion  16  and the second end portion  24  each having a length approximately the length of the belt  10  as measured along the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 ; the first, the second, the third and the fourth taper portions each having a length approximately 1/24 the length of the belt as measured along the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 ; and the first and the second hip portions each having a length approximately 1/24 the length of the belt  10  as measured along the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 . The elastic material combines the desired characteristics of flexibility and elasticity, allowing the material to expand and contract to the shape of the object around which the material is wrapped. The neoprene material can be easily cleaned, and additionally, the antimicrobial capability will help destroy and inhibit the growth of microorganisms and especially pathogenic microorganisms. 
     A belt first end fastener  26  as shown in  FIG. 3 a    and  FIG. 3 b    is mounted to the exposed surface  13   a  of the inner layer  12  of the first end portion  16  and fastens to a second end fastener  30  that is mounted to the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the second end portion  24 . The first end fastener  26  may consist of hooks and the second end fastener  30  may consist of loops. A particular design of fastening device is illustrated, but the first end portion  16  of belt  10  may also be fastened to the second end portion  24  of belt  10  and secured around a person&#39;s waist with one of a buckle (not shown) or a snap fastener (not shown), but preferably a hook first end fastener  26  and a loop second end fastener  30 . The first end portion  16  and the second end portion  24  have a width between 190-229 mm (7.5-9.0 inches), preferably 222 mm (8.75 inches), with the width of each portion and the mid portion  20  being constant as measured transverse to the longitudinal axis from the upper edge  15   a  to the lower edge  15   b . The first end portion  16  is connected to the first taper portion  18   a , with the upper edge  15   a  of the first taper portion  18   a  tapering down from the constant width of the first end portion  16  to a narrower constant width of the first hip portion  18   b , with the first hip portion  18   b  having a width between 127-178 mm (5-7 inches), preferably 175 mm (6.9 inches). The first hip portion  18   b  is connected to the second taper portion  18   c , the upper edge  15   a  of the second taper portion  18   c  tapering up from the narrower first hip portion  18   b  to the wider constant width mid portion  20 , having a width between 190-229 mm 7.5-9 inches), preferably 222 mm (8.75 inches). The mid portion  20  is connected to the third tapper portion  22   a  with the upper edge  15   a  of the third taper portion  22   a  tapering from the wider constant width mid portion  20  to the narrower second hip portion  22   b , with the second hip portion  22   b  having a constant width equal to the width of the first hip portion  18   b . The second hip portion  22   b  is connected to the fourth taper portion  22   c  with the upper edge  15   a  of the fourth taper portion  22   c  tapering up from the narrower constant width second hip portion  22   b  to the wider constant width second end portion  24 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 a    and  4 , a pad  42  is positioned between the inner layer  12  and the outer layer  14  of the mid portion  20  to provide additional lumbar and lower back support when the belt  10  is tightened around the lower abdomen of a person. The pad  42  is made of a supporting material; more specifically the pad  42  is preferably made of high density foam. The pad  42  may have a width between 25.4-101.6 mm (1 to 4 inches), preferably 50.8 mm (2 inches) as measured traverse to the longitudinal axis the pad  42 ; a thickness between 12.7-50.8 mm (0.5 and 2 inches), preferably 25.4 mm (1 inch); a length 12.7-76.2 mm (0.5 to 3 inches) less than the length of the mid portion  20  as measured along the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 , preferably the pad  42  has length 50.8 mm (2 inches) less that the length of the mid portion  20 . The pad  42  is held in position between the inner layer  12  and the outer layer  14  by a pad row of stitches  43  around the perimeter of the pad  42  connecting the inner layer  12  and the outer layers  14  of belt  10 . The pad  42  is positioned so that any portion of the pad closest to the lower edge  15   b  is 1.5 inches from the lower edge  15   b.    
     Looking again at  FIG. 1 , a plurality of material and equipment holding devices may be attached to the belt  10 , for example: a personal items pouch  50  to hold personal items; a stethoscope chest piece holder  60  to hold a stethoscope&#39;s chest piece AA; a retainer  66  to hold a stethoscope&#39;s first ear tube ET 1  and second ear tube ET 2 ; a holster  70  for a pair of trauma shears  71 , a pen holder  80  for pens, such as first pen  81   a  and second pen  81   b ; and a communications compartment  90  for communications equipment. The preferred placement for the material and equipment holding devices is for the personal items pouch  50 , the stethoscope chest piece holder  60  and the retainer  66  to evenly spaced and located in order along the longitudinal axis of the belt  10  on the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the first end portion  16 , the first taper portion  18   a , the first hip portion  18   b , and the second taper portion  18   c ; and the holster  70 , the pen holder  80 , and the communications compartment  90  may be equally spaced and located in order along the longitudinal axis of the belt  10  on the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the third taper portion  22   a , the second hip portion  22   b , the fourth taper portion  22   c , and the second end portion  24 . The locations and spacing of the various material and equipment holding devices along outer layer  14  can be modified as required. The peripheral material edges of the personal items pouch  50 , the holster  70 , the pen holder  80 , and the communications compartment  90  preferably are folded inward  33   e  as shown in  FIG. 2 e    unless otherwise indicated. An optional back pocket (not shown) may be formed between the inner layer  12  and the outer layer  14  of the mid portion  20  above the pad  42 . The optional pad pocket (not shown) may be accessed by an optional pocket slit (not shown) in the outer layer  14  of the belt  10  with the pocket slit (not shown) running generally parallel to the upper edge  15   a , and generally having a length somewhat less than the length of the pad  42 , with the pocket slip (not shown) located one inch below the upper edge  15   a  of the mid portion  20 . The personal items pouch  50 , the trauma shears holster  70 , the pen holder  80 , and the communications compartment  90   a , and the optional pad pocket (not shown), may be made of the same material as the outer layer  14  and may have the antimicrobial capability. The belt  10  and plurality of material and equipment holding devices, such as the personal items pouch  50  the stethoscope chest piece holder  60 , the retainer  66 , the holster  70 , the pen holder  80 , and the communications compartment  90  may be made of materials infused with the antimicrobial capability or may be coated with an antimicrobial composition. 
     The personal items pouch  50  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , and more particularly  FIG. 5 a   , has a pouch zipper  51   a  that is used to access and secure a pouch volume  51   b  shown in  FIG. 5 b   . The personal items pouch  50  has a pouch first panel  52  having a rectangular cutout  53  that is centered on the first panel  52  with the rectangular cutout  53  sized to view a standard identification card through a transparent sheet  54  that is cut to the shape of the rectangular cutout  53 , with the transparent sheet  54  being somewhat larger than the rectangular cutout  53 , and the transparent sheet  54  being placed between the rectangular cutout  53  and a second panel  55 , with the second panel  55  being between the transparent sheet  54  and the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . The identification card will generally be 85.73 mm (3.375 inches) long by 76.2 mm (3.0 inches) wide and may be inserted between the transparent sheet  54  and the second panel  55 . The pouch volume  51   b  is formed between the second panel  55  and the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . The first panel  52  has a convex first panel first side edge  56   a , a convex first panel second side edge  56   b , a convex first panel bottom edge  56   c , and a convex first panel top edge  56   d . The second panel  55  has a convex second panel first side edge  57   a , a convex second panel second side edge  57   b , a convex second panel bottom edge  57   c , and a convex second panel top edge  57   d . Looking at  FIG. 5 b   , the convex first panel bottom edge  56   c  and the convex first panel top edge  56   d  are formed by folding the peripheral edge of the first panel  52  around the peripheral edge of the transparent sheet  54 , and back onto the transparent sheet  54 . Similarly, the convex first panel first side edge  56   a  and a convex first panel second side edge  56   b  are formed. Looking again at  FIG. 5 b   , the convex second panel bottom edge  57   c  and the convex second panel top edge  57   d  are formed by folding the peripheral edge of the second panel  55  back onto itself. Similarly, the convex second panel first side edge  57   a  and the convex second panel top edge  57   d  are formed. Looking again at  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , the first panel first side edge  56   a , the first panel bottom edge  56   c , the first panel second side edge  56   b , are aligned with the second panel first side edge  57   a , the second panel bottom edge  57   c , and the second panel second side edge  57   b , respectively, and secured to the outer layer  13  of the belt  10  by a first row of stitches  58   a  through the first panel  52  and the second panel  55  around the second panel first side edge  57   a , the second panel bottom edge  57   c , and the second panel second side edge  57   b , and the second panel top edge  57   d , allowing the identification card to be inserted between the first panel top edge  56   d  and the second panel  55 , with the card finally being positioned between the transparent sheet  54  and second panel  55 . The pouch zipper  51   a  runs generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 , with the zipper  51   a  located preferably 6.25 mm (0.25 inches) below the second panel top edge  57   d  and 6.25 mm (0.25 inches) from the second panel first side edge  57   a  and 6.25 mm (0.25 inches) from the second panel second side edge  57   b . Looking at  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , the transparent sheet  54  is generally rectangular and made of high density polyethylene with a sheet thickness between 1.27-2.29 mm (0.05-0.09 inches), preferably of 0.79 mm (0.031 inches). The transparent sheet  54  is somewhat larger than the rectangular cutout  53 , is centered on the rectangular cutout  53 , is positioned adjacent to the first panel  52 , and is secured to the first panel  52  by a second row of stitches  58   b  around the rectangular cutout  53 . The zipper  51   a  is attached to the second panel  55  by a third row of stitches  58   c  and a fourth row of stitches  58   d . The personal items pouch  50  has a width as measured along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of belt  10  between the second panel first side edge  57   a  and the second panel second side edge  57   b , of generally between 89-114 mm (3.5-4.5 inches), preferably a width of 102 mm (4 inches). The pouch  50  has a length as measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt  10  between the second panel bottom edge  57   c  and the second panel top edge  57   d , generally between 127 mm and 215.9 mm (5 and 8.5 inches), preferably 114 mm (4.5 inches). The personal items pouch first panel  52  and the second panel  55  may have an antimicrobial capability and may be made of the same materials as the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . The pouch zipper  51   a  and the transparent sheet  55  are made of materials infused with the antimicrobial composition or coated with the antimicrobial composition, but preferably made of materials infused with the antimicrobial composition providing the antimicrobial capability. 
     Looking again at  FIG. 5 a   , a plurality of holding devices, such as a snap hook  59   a  on a cord  59   b  attached to the personal items pouch  50 , may be attached anywhere on the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  the belt  10  and may also be attached to the trauma shears holster  70 , the pen and pencil and pen holder  80  and the communications compartment  90 . 
     Looking at  FIGS. 1 and 3   a , and more specifically at  FIGS. 6 a , and 6 b   , the stethoscope chest piece holder  60  has a disk  61  with a disk outer surface  62  on which a first clip  63   a  and a second clip  63   b  are mounted. The disk  61  is preferably a cylindrical plate. The first clip  63   a  and the second clip  63   b  are generally identical circular shaped clips mounted parallel to each other, and of a predetermined clip configuration. Looking a  FIG. 6 b   , a sectional view along line  6   b - 6   b  in of  FIG. 6 a   , the predetermined clip configuration, illustrated by the second clip  63   b , shows that the second clip  63   b  comprises a generally an “L” shaped clip, having a free end portion  64   a  joined to a base portion  64   b  at a 90 degree clip elbow  64   c . Looking at  FIG. 6 c   , another view of  FIG. 6 b   , the free end portion  64   a  has a generally hemispherical free end tip  64   d  and the base portion  64   b  is adjacent to the disk outer surface  62  of the disk  61  where the base portion  64   b  is mounted perpendicular to the disk outer surface  62  of the disk  61 , with the base portion  64   b  at least 3 mm from the perimeter of the disk outer surface  62 . The free end portion  64   a  has an insert portion  64   f , a hold portion  64   g , a curved portion  64   h , and a parallel portion  64   i . The insert portion  64   f  is located between the free end tip  64   d  and the hold portion  64   g , and the insert portion  64   f  is angled away from the disk outer surface  62  with the insert portion  64   f  forming an angle between 10 and 60 degrees with the disk outer surface  62 , preferably an angle W of 20 degrees. The curved portion  64   h  is located between the hold portion  64   g  and the parallel portion  64   i . The parallel portion  64   i  is generally parallel to the disk outer surface  62  and between the clip elbow  64   c  and the curved portion  64   h , and the parallel portion  64   i  has a length generally equal to the length of the free end portion  64   a  as measured along the longitudinal axis of the free end portion  64   a . The hold portion  64   g  is located between the curved portion  64   h  and the insert portion  64   f , and is generally ¼ the length of the free end portion  64   a . The insert portion is generally ⅛ the length of the free end portion  64   a  with the length of the insert  64   f  as measured along its longitudinal axis from free end tip  64   d  to the hold portion  64   g . The curved portion curves downward toward the disk outer surface  62  from the parallel portion  64   i  to the hold portion  64   g . Looking at  FIGS. 6 d , 6 e , and 6 f   , the first clip  63   a  and the second clip  63   b  are configured to hold the stethoscope chest piece AA having a stethoscope chest piece bell BB, a diaphragm DD, and an ear tube stem TT. The stethoscope chest piece AA is inserted in the chest piece holder  60  in an insert direction ID by slipping the ear tube stem TT and then the chest piece bell BB between the free portion  64   a  of the first clip  63   a  and the free end portion  64   a  of the second the clip  63   b , such that the chest piece bell BB is adjacent to the free portions, such as the clip free end portion  64   a  of the first clip  63   a  and the clip free end portion  64   a  of the second clip  63   b , and the chest piece diaphragm DD is adjacent to the disk outer surface  62  and held by the hold portions, such as the hold portion  64   g  of the first clip  63   a  and the hold portion  64   g  of the second clip  63   b . Looking again at  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , a disk rivet  65  through the center of the disk  61  attaches the disk  61  to the exposed surface  13   c  of the accessory layer  17  of the belt  10 , and allows the disk  61 , and consequently the stethoscope chest piece holder  60 , to rotate around the disk rivet  65 , allowing the stethoscope chest piece diaphragm DD to be easily inserted in the stethoscope chest piece holder  60 . The disk rivet  65  is between 6-12 mm in diameter, preferably 8 mm. A key feature of the stethoscope chest piece holder  60  is that the disk  61  is made of a material containing an antimicrobial composition reducing the likelihood of the transmission of dangerous diseases. Looking at  FIGS. 6 b  and 6 c   , the preferred shape of the second clip  63   b  is generally cylindrical with the hemispherical free end tip  64   d  shown in  FIGS. 6 b  and 6 c   , but the shape may also be elliptical (not shown) or rectangular (not shown). The disk  61  is between 5.5 cm and 7 cm in diameter, preferably 6 cm, and is 2 mm to 6 mm thick, preferably 3 mm thick. The disk  61 , the first clip  63   a , and the second clip  63   b  may be made of a high density polyethylene, a stainless steel, an aluminum, or a polymer, infused with an antimicrobial composition, but preferably the disk  61 , the first clip  63   a  and the second clip  63   b  are made of high density polyethylene. When the antimicrobial composition is not infused in the materials of the disk  61 , the first clip  63   a  and the second clip  63   b , and the disk rivet  65 , an antimicrobial coating (not shown) may be applied to the disk  60 , the first clip  63   a  and the second clip  63   b  with the antimicrobial coating being between is 0.1 to 0.5 mm thick, preferably 0.25 mm thick. Excluding any coatings, the first clip  63   a  and the second clip  63   b  each have a diameter between 4 and 8 mm, preferably 6 mm; a base portion length between 10.16 mm and 17.78 mm, preferably 12.7 mm; a free end portion length between 25.4 mm to 38.1 mm preferably 35 mm. 
     A retainer  66  for securing a stethoscope&#39;s ear tubes when a stethoscope chest piece is in the chest piece holder  60  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3   a , and more specifically in  FIGS. 6 f , 6 g  and 6 h   . The retainer  66  has two identical generally “L” shaped cylindrical post, a first post  67   a  and a second post  68   a , and a base  69   a  with a base first side surface  69   e . The first post  67   a  and the second post  68   a  are mounted to the base  69   a  parallel to each other. Looking at  FIG. 6 g   , the first post  67   a  has a first post short leg portion  67   b  with a first post base end  67   f , a first post elbow portion  67   c  and a first post long leg portion  67   d  with a first post hemispherical end  67   e . The first post elbow portion  67   c  is located between the first post short leg portion  67   b  and the first post long leg portion  67   d . Looking at  FIG. 6 h   , the second posts  68   a  has a second post short leg portion  68   b  with a second post base end  68   f , a second post elbow portion  68   c , and a second post long leg portion  68   d  with a second post hemispherical end  68   e . The second post elbow portion  68   c  is located between the second post short leg portion  68   b  and the second post long leg portion  68   d . The first post base end  67   f  and second post base end  68   f  of the first post short leg portions  67   b  and the second post short leg portion  68   b , respectively, are adjacent to first side surface  69   e  of the base  69   a  with the first post short leg portion  67   b  and the second port short leg portion  68   b  being generally perpendicular to the base first side surface  69   e . The first post long leg portion  67   d  with the first post hemispherical end  67   e  and second post long leg portion  68   d  with the second post hemispherical end  68   e  are parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 . The base  69   a  is symmetrically divided into a base first portion  69   f  and a base second portion  69   g  with the first post  67   a  located in the base first portion  69   f  and the second post  68   a  located in the base second portion  69   g  with the first post hemispherical end  67   e  is directly above the second post elbow portion  68   d . The first post  67   a  and the second post  68   a  have a diameter between 3 mm and 8 mm, preferably 4 mm. The first post short leg portion  67   b  and the second post short leg portion  68   b  are between 15 mm and 30 mm long, preferably 20 mm long, and first post long leg portion  67   d  and second post long leg portions have a length between 20 and 40 mm, preferably 35 mm. Although elliptical (not shown) and rectangular (not shown) base shapes are possible, the preferred shape for the base  69   a  is the cylindrical base having the circular first side surface  69   e  shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   . The first post hemispherical end  67   e  and second post hemispherical end  68   e  have a radius ½ the diameter of the first post  67   a  and the second post  68   a , respectively. The base  69   a  is between 40-70 mm in diameter, preferably 60 mm, and has a thickness between 2-8 mm, preferably 5 mm. The retainer  66  may be mounted on the exposed surface  13   c  of the accessory layer  17  of the belt  10  and is generally 2.5 to 6.0 cm, preferably 5 cm above the longitudinal axis of the belt  10  and between the chest piece holder  60  and the mid portion  20  approximately 5-15 cm from the chest piece holder  60 , preferably 6 cm. The base  69   a  as shown  FIGS. 6 f  and 6 h    may be attached to the exposed surface  13   c  of the accessory outer layer  17  of the belt  10  with a two tarp rivets, a base first rivet  69   c  and a base second rivet  69   d  having a diameter of 3-6 mm, preferably 4 mm. Looking at  FIG. 6 i   , to secure the stethoscope&#39;s first ear tube ET 1  and the second ear tube ET 2  in the retainer  66 , the retainer  66  is sized and configured to allow a the first ear tube ET 1  and the second ear tube ET 2  to be inserted between the first post  67   a  and the second post  68   a  and then the first ear tube ET 1  and the second ear tube ET 2  are rotated in a counter clockwise direction CCD toward the first post hemispherical end  67   e  and the second post hemispherical end  68   e  until the first ear tube ET 1  and second ear tube ET 2  are between the first post hemispherical end  67   e  and the first post elbow portion  67   c , and also between the second post hemispherical end  68   e  and the second post elbow portion  68   c , and with the first ear tube ET 1  coming to rest on the first post  67   a  and the second ear tube ET 2  coming to rest on the second post  68   a  retaining the first ear tube ET 1  and the second ear tube ET 2  in the retainer  66  as shown in  FIG. 6 j   . Looking again at  FIG. 6 f   , the first post long leg portion  67   d  and the second post long leg portion  68   d  are separated between 15-40 mm, preferably 20 mm. Looking at  FIG. 6 k   , when the first post  67   a  is mounted below the second post  68   a , so that the first post elbow portion  67   c  is now directly below second post hemispherical end  68   e , the first ear tube ET 1  and the second ear tube ET 2  may be inserted between the first post  67   a  and the second post  68   a  and rotated in the clockwise direction CD resulting in the first ear tube ET 1  being retained by the first post  67   a  and the second ear tube ET 2  being retained by the second post  68   a  as shown in  FIG. 6 m   . Although the retainer  66  shown in  FIG. 6 f    is the preferable means to retain a stethoscope&#39;s ear tubes, a strap (not shown) or a hook (not shown) may also be used to retain the ear tubes. Looking at  FIG. 6 f   , the hook (not shown) can easily be obtained by rotating the first post  67   a  so that the first post long leg portion  67   d  is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt  10  and the first post hemispherical end  67   e  is closest part of the first post  67   a  to the upper edge  15   a . An the antimicrobial composition may be infused in the materials of the base  69   a , the first post  67   a , the second post  68   a , the first rivet  69   c , and the second rivet  69   d . When the antimicrobial composition is not infused in the materials of the base  69   a , the first post  67   a , the second post  68   a , the first rivet  69   c , and the second rivet  69   d , an antimicrobial coating (not shown) may be applied, with the antimicrobial coating being between is 0.1 to 0.5 mm thick, preferably 0.25 mm thick, giving the retainer  66  an antimicrobial capability 
     A trauma shear holster  70  as shown in  FIG. 7 a    is used to holster a pair of trauma shears  71  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The holster  70  has an elongated holster panel  72  of material divided into an entrance portion  74   a , a holster taper portion,  74   b , and a holster exit portion  74   c , with the elongated holster panel  72  having an entrance edge  76   a , a first side edge  76   b , a second side edge  76   c , and an exit edge  76   d . Referring to  FIGS. 7 a , 7 b    and  FIG. 7 c   , the holster panel  72  has a holster panel outer surface  75   a  and a holster panel inner surface  75   b . The holster panel  72  is attached to the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10  with a row of first side stitches  79   a  along the first side edge  76   b , and a row of second side stitches  79   b  along the second side edge  76   c . Referring again to  FIG. 7 a   , the exit edge  76   d  and the first side edge  76   b  intersect to form a first corner  77   a . The exit edge  76   d  and the second side edge  76   c  intersect to form a second corner  77   b , the entrance edge  76   a  and the second side edge  76   c  intersect to form a third corner  77   c , and the entrance edge  76   a  intersects with the first side edge  76   b  to form a fourth corner  77   d . The holster  70  has a holster panel longitudinal axis  78  generally parallel to the second side edge  76   c  and symmetrically dividing the exit edge  76   d  into generally equal halves. The widths of the entrance portion  74   a  and the holster exit portion  74   c  being of generally constant as measured traverse to the holster longitudinal axis from the first side edge  76   b  to the second side edge  76   c  with the width of the holster entrance portion  74   a  being greater than the width of the holster exit portion  74   c . The first side edge  76   b  tapers down from the constant width entrance portion  74   a  along the holster taper portion  74   b  to the narrower constant width holster exit portion  74   c . Referring to  FIG. 7 c   , the holster panel inner surface  75   b  of the holster panel  72  is positioned facing the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . The third corner  77   c  is generally on the longitudinal axis of belt  10  and the second corner  77   b  is below the horizontal axis of the belt  10 . The first corner  77   a  will be above the second corner  77   b , the fourth corner  77   d  will be above the third corner  77   c  with the third corner  77   c  located above the first corner  77   a.    
     The holster  70  has predetermined dimensions with the holster entrance portion  74   a  having a length of ⅓ of the length of the holster panel  72  as measured along the longitudinal axis  78  of the holster panel  72  from the entrance edge  76   a  to the exit edge  76   d . The holster taper portion  74   b  is generally ⅓ of the length of the holster panel  72  and the holster exit portion  74   c  is the remaining ⅓ of the length of the holster panel  72 . The entrance edge  76   a  and the exit edge  76   d  are generally parallel with each other and perpendicular to the holster panel longitudinal axis  78 . The entrance edge  76   a  may be located a distance of 8.89-17.78 cm (3.5-7 inches), preferably 10.16 cm (4 inches) from the exit edge  76   d  as measured along the holster panel longitudinal axis. The entrance portion  74   a  may have a width between 50.8-101.6 mm (2-4 inches), preferably 63.5 mm (2.5 inches) and sized to prevent a trauma shear&#39;s thumb and finger grips from sliding into the entrance holster&#39;s entrance portion  74   a . The width of the holster exit portion  74   c  may be being between 1.91-3.81 cm (0.75-1.5 inches), preferably 3.175 cm (1.25 inch). The holster panel  72  is constructed of the same material and preferably having the same material thickness as the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . The entrance edge  76   a  and the exit edge  76   d  have a single layer piping, such as the single layer piping  33   d  as shown  FIG. 2 d   . The holster  70  may have an antimicrobial capability and is preferably made of the same material as the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . 
     Looking at  FIGS. 1 and 3   a , and more specifically at  FIGS. 8 a , and 8 b   , the pen holder  80  has a trapezoidal pen panel  82  with a pen panel top edge  83   a , a pen panel bottom edge  83   b , a pen panel first side edge  83   c  generally parallel to a pen panel second side edge  83   d , a pen panel outer surface  85   a , and a pen panel inner surface  85   b . The trapezoidal pen panel  82  is mounted to the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10  so that the pen panel outer surface  85   a  is exposed and pen panel inner surface  85   b  is facing to exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . Looking again at  FIG. 8 a   , a pen panel perimeter row of stitches  85   c  located generally 3.175 mm (⅛ inches) inside of the first side edge  83   c , the bottom edge  83   b  and the second side edge  83   d , and penetrating the pen panel  82  and the outer layer  14  of the belt  10  secures the pen panel  82  to the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . Looking at  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 c   , the pen holder  80  contains a plurality of receptacles, preferably 2 receptacles, such as a first receptacle  87   a  and a second receptacle  87   b . The trapezoidal pen panel  82  gives the first receptacle  87   a  and the second receptacle  87   b  a varying depth as measured from the pen panel top edge  83   a  to the pen panel bottom edge  83   b  as one proceeds across the pen panel top edge  83   a  allowing the first receptacle  87   a  and the second receptacle  87   b  to accommodate pens of varying lengths, such as the first pen  81   a  and the second pen  81   b  shown in  FIG. 1 . Looking at  FIGS. 8 a , 8 b  and 8 c   , the receptacles, such as the first receptacle  87   a  and the second receptacle  87   b , are formed between the pen panel inner surface  85   b  and the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10  by a pen panel inner row of stitches  88  running from the top edge  83   a  to the bottom edge  83   b . The inner row of stitches  88  are generally parallel with the first side edge  83   c  and a distance from the first side edge  83   c  as measured by dividing the width of the pen panel  82  as measured from the first side edge  83   c  to the second side edge  83   d  by the total number of receptacles. The pen panel  82  has a width of 2.54-10.16 cm (1-4 inches), preferably 6.35 cm (2.5 inches), and a length of the first side edge  83   c  being 7.62-12.7 cm (3-5 inches), preferably 10.16 cm (4 inches) and the length of the second side edge  83   d  being 10.16-15.24 cm (4-6 inches) preferably 12.7 cm (5 inches). The pen holder  80  may have an antimicrobial capability and is preferably made of the same materials as the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3 a   , and more specifically  FIG. 9 a   , the communications compartment  90  is comprised of a generally elongated rectangular compartment panel  92  and with a generally rectangular flap panel  93 . Looking at  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b   , the compartment panel  92  has a first side edge  94   a , a second side edge  94   b , an opening edge  94   c , a bottom edge  94   d , an outer surface  94   e , and an inner surface  94   f . The flap panel  93  has a flap inside surface  94   g , a flap secure edge  94   h  running generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 , and a flap free edge  94   i  running generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the belt  10 . The compartment panel  92  is positioned on the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10  so that the first side edge  94   a  and the second side edge  94   b  are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of belt  10 . The compartment panel  92  is attached to the belt  10  by a compartment panel first row of stitches  98   a  running along the first side edge  94   a , the bottom edge  94   d , and the second side edge  94   b  with the compartment panel first row of stitches  98   a  penetrating the outer layer  14  of the belt  10 . The flap panel  93  is positioned on the exposed surface  13   b  of the outer layer  14  of the belt  10  so that the flap free edge  94   i  and the flap secure edge  94   h  are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of belt  10  with the flap secure edge  94   h  located generally at 12.7-50.8 mm (0.5-2 inches), preferably 25.4 mm (1 inch) above the opening edge  94   c  of the compartment panel  92 , and with the flap panel  93  attached to outer layer  14  of the belt  10  by a flap panel row of stitches  98   b  along secure edge  94   h . Looking at  FIGS. 9 b  and 9 c   , the flap panel  93  may be folded down over the opening edge  94   c  securing any contents inside of the communication compartment  90  by a compartment first fastener  96   a  attached to the inside surface  94   g  of the flap panel  93  near the flap free edge  94   i  that is capable of being fastened to a compartment second fastener  96   b  mounted on the outside surface  94   e  of the compartment panel  92 . The first fasteners  96   a  and the second fastener  96   b  may be a loop and hook fastener, a buckle fastener, or a snap fastener, preferably a loop and hook fastener. The compartment panel  92  and the flap panel  93  have predetermined dimensions and may be made of the same materials as the outer layer  14  of the belt  10  and may have an antimicrobial capability. The compartment panel  92  and the flap panel  93  generally may have a thickness being 1.59-4.76 mm ( 1/16- 3/16 inches), preferably 3.175 mm (⅛ inches); the compartment panel  92  has a length as measured along the first side edge  94   a  from the opening edge  94   c  to the bottom edge  94   d  of 101.6-203.2 mm (4-8 inches), preferably 127 mm (5 inches), and a width as measured from the first side edge  94   a  to the second side edge  94   b  on a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of belt  10  of 50.8-101.6 mm (2-4 inches), preferably 76.2 mm (3 inches). The flap panel  93  is sized allow the flap to extend 25.4-76.2 mm (1-3 inches), preferably 25.2 mm (1 inch), over outer surface  94   e  of the compartment panel  92  when the compartment  90  is in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 9   b.    
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. Various deviations and modification may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention without departing from the main theme thereof.