Abstract:
A band with end sections and an integral pocket assembly can be used as a concealed carry apparatus. The end sections fasten the band around the body or a body extremity. An elastic strap keeps the band snug. Slip resistant material placed in opposition of the pocket assembly keeps the band from slipping.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority under 35, U.S.C. 119(e) from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/659,220 filed Mar. 7, 2005. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention is in the area of gun holsters. More specifically, it is in the area of concealed carry holsters made from elastic and inelastic textile components.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Shortly after the invention of the first weapon, a hands free carrying means was invented. With the evolution of weapons from rocks and sticks to today&#39;s weaponry, the need for hands free carry has remained. A good hands free weapon carrying apparatus has a few basic requirements. It must positively hold the weapon so the weapon does not fall to the ground and so the weapon consistently remains in the same position. A consistent position is required whenever a weapon must be presented quickly. Losing time while locating a weapon can be fatal. Another requirement is comfort. A weapon that can&#39;t be carried comfortably is often left behind. An absent weapon can never be presented quickly.  
         [0003]     Cloth bands have often been used to carry weapons. For example, handguns have been carried by thrusting them between the body and a trousers waistband. Another example is the body band. A body band is a cloth band wrapped around the body into which weapons can be tucked. Some body bands are made from elastic materials. The problem with body bands is that they do not hold weapons in a positive manner. The weapon is free to shift positions and occasionally fall.  
         [0004]     Holsters are used to positively hold weapons. A weapon can be placed into a holster and the holster can be strapped to the body. Some holsters are designed for concealed carry. For example, paddle holsters are adapted for tucking inside a trousers waistband. Other concealed carry holsters are held to the body by a strap arrangement that encircles the body and at least one shoulder. The reason that at least one shoulder is encircled is that otherwise the weight of the weapon will pull the strap arrangement down the torso.  
         [0005]     Another problem with strap arrangements is that they must be carefully fit to each individual user. If not properly fit, the straps are more uncomfortable than usual and the weapon is often not positively held. Therefore, the strap arrangement must be individually tailored, which is expensive, or must be adjustable, which is less expensive.  
         [0006]     An adjustable strap arrangement requires many adjustment points because of the number of straps and the complexity of the strap arrangement itself. More recent adjustment points use hook and loop type fasteners such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,437 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,009,235. The adjustment points add to the discomfort.  
         [0007]     Comfortable slip resistant materials have been used to keep bandages and wraps from slipping or shifting. One example of is a fabric with a tacky rubberized surface that is used to keep large bandages from shifting. Light pressure on the material is enough to keep it securely in place. Furthermore it is quite comfortable. Comfortable slip resistant material can be found outside the medical setting. For example, the “Rug Saver Nonslip Rug Pad” and the “Miracle Hold Rug Pad” can be used as comfortable slip resistant material.  
         [0008]     An inexpensive and comfortable concealed carry apparatus that positively holds a weapon to the body is needed.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention directly addresses the shortcomings of the prior art by using a comfortably wide band with a holster, an elastic strap, easy adjustment and a comfortable slip resistant material to keep the holster from shifting.  
         [0010]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment, a band is formed from an elastic strap and two end sections. The end sections are adapted for fastening together so that the band makes a single loop around the body or a body extremity. The band fits snugly because the elastic strap is lightly stretched when the band is in place. The end sections can be fastened together by buckling, pinning, gluing, or sewing. Hook and loop fasteners can also can fasten the end sections together.  
         [0011]     In accordance with another aspect of the embodiment, fastening the elastic strap with another piece of elastic material along seams forms a pocket assembly. The seams and the elastic pieces form a gun holstering pocket and a magazine holstering pocket. A magazine is an apparatus for holding cartridges for a semiautomatic gun and the magazine pocket is formed such that when the band is worn, the magazine holstering pocket is in front of the gun holstering pocket. The seams can be formed via gluing, sewing, or heat welding. A convenient way to form the pocket assembly is to fold the elastic strap back onto itself and fasten the two sections of elastic strap.  
         [0012]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, comfortable slip resistant material is fixed to the band in opposition of the pocket assembly. In opposition means that if the band is laid flat with the pocket assembly facing up, then the slip resistant material is on the under side of the band and under the pocket assembly. The comfortable slip resistant material can be fastened to the band via sewing, gluing, hook and loop, or similar techniques. The comfortable slip resistant material can also be sprayed or spread onto the band.  
         [0013]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, a hole in the gun holstering pocket enables easy access to the gun trigger. Quickly discharging a gun can be helpful in certain tactical settings because of the shock value of the sound. A trigger access hole allows the user to fire a gun without taking the time to remove the weapon from the holster.  
         [0014]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, a holster liner is fixed to the inside of the gun holstering pocket. Guns often have sharp edges that can cut through elastic material. Therefore, repeatedly holstering and unholstering a gun can cut the gun holstering pocket. A holster liner can protect the gun holstering pocket.  
         [0015]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, the entrance to the gun holstering pocket is shaped to allow one handed holstering. Stiffening, stretching or molding the opening of the gun holstering pocket can cause it remain somewhat open when no gun in holstered. Another way to form the opening is by fixing a wire, plastic, or similar element to the entrance to the gun holstering pocket.  
         [0016]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, a slip resistant material can be fixed inside the magazine holstering pocket. The material can be, and probably should be, different from the comfortable slip resistant material used elsewhere. The slip resistant material will help keep the magazine in place, even if the magazine is pushed into the magazine holstering pocket from the underside.  
         [0017]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, anti-ballistic material can be fixed to the band. Anti ballistic material is a material that can stop or slow a bullet or blade. Tactical body armor often uses solid plates or cloth formed from an aramid fiber as an antiballistic material. Fixing anti ballistic material to the band can protect the wearer&#39;s heart and lungs.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the background of the invention, brief summary of the invention, and detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.  
         [0019]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 1  shows a concealed carry apparatus;  
         [0020]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 2  shows a concealed carry apparatus;  
         [0021]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 3  shows a pocket assembly;  
         [0022]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 4  shows a pocket assembly and holster liner;  
         [0023]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 5  shows a pocket assembly with a shaped opening;  
         [0024]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 6  shows a concealed carry apparatus with anti ballistic material;  
         [0025]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 7  shows a concealed carry apparatus with two pocket assemblies; and  
         [0026]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 8  shows a person wearing a concealed carry apparatus.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 1  shows a concealed carry apparatus. A band is made from an elastic strap  101 , a first end section  103  and a second end section  102 . The band can be passed around the torso or an extremity and the end sections joined such that the elastic strap  101  is lightly stretched. The second end section  102  is shown as an elongated piece because it enables the band to fit a range of body sizes. A pocket assembly  103  with a gun holstering pocket  104  and a magazine holstering pocket  105  can be formed from the elastic material.  
         [0028]     The end sections shown in  FIG. 1  can be made with a hook and loop material. The first end section  103  can be hook material. The second end section  102  can be hook material. Using hook material with an elongated second end section  102  is advantageous because the hook material can help make the concealed carry apparatus more comfortable.  
         [0029]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 2  shows a concealed carry apparatus. It is essentially the same apparatus as that shown in  FIG. 1 , but from a different perspective. The elastic strap  101  is shown folded back on itself because it is convenient to make the pocket assembly  103  from an uncut length of elastic strap material. The second end section  102  is shown extending through the entire length of the pocket assembly  103  because it can form an extra layer of material between a holstered gun and the wearer. A piece of comfortable slip resistant material  201  is shown where it can be sewn to the band. Observing the positions of the elastic strap  101 , second end section  102 , and comfortable slip resistant material  201 , it is obvious that all the layers can be sewn at once to join all the parts and to form the pocket assembly.  
         [0030]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 3  shows a pocket assembly  103 . The pocket assembly  103  is formed when, as discussed above, the elastic strap  101 , second end section  102 , and comfortable slip resistant material (not shown) are joined. The act of joining, sewing in particular, forms seams  301 . The seams  301  form the pocket assembly  103 . The seam pattern shown is adapted for a wearer of the concealed carry apparatus to have the magazine holstering pocket  105  in front of the gun holstering pocket.  FIG. 3  also shows a trigger access hole  302 .  
         [0031]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 4  shows a pocket assembly with a holster liner  401 . As discussed above, a holster liner  401  can help prevent the elastic strap  101  from getting cut by repeated gun holstering and unholstering. The holster liner material can be stitched into the gun holstering pocket during that same operation as forms the pocket assembly  103 .  
         [0032]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 5  shows a pocket assembly with a shaped opening. The entrance to the gun holstering pocket  103  is shaped to allow one handed holstering. Stiffening, stretching or molding the opening to the gun holstering pocket  103  can cause it remain somewhat open when no gun in holstered. Another way to form the opening is by fixing a wire, plastic, or similar element to the entrance to the gun holstering pocket  103 .  
         [0033]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 6  shows a concealed carry apparatus with anti ballistic material  601 . The antiballistic material  601  is shown as a number of independent overlapping sections because antiballistic material  601  is rarely as elastic as the material used for the elastic strap  101 . If the antiballistic material  601  is sufficiently elastic, it can be used as the elastic strap  601 . Otherwise, the antiballistic material  601  must be fixed to the elastic strap  101  and second end section  102  via sewing or another fastening method. Note that the antiballistic material  601  can be fixed to only the elastic strap  101 , only the second end section  102 , or both.  
         [0034]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 7  shows a concealed carry apparatus with two pocket assemblies. The purpose of this figure is to show how easily a second pocket assembly  703  can be added to the concealed carry apparatus. The only major difference is that an extra piece of material  701  can be used to position the first end section  101 . Alternatively, the second pocket assembly  703  can also be an end section if a fastener, such as hook material  702 , is sewn to the outside surface.  
         [0035]     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment,  FIG. 8  shows a person wearing a concealed carry apparatus  802 . The concealed carry apparatus  802  encircles the torso of the person  801  and positively holds a gun  804  and a magazine  803 . The concealed carry apparatus shown is adapted for the person  801  to grab the gun  804  with the right hand. Another person can prefer a concealed carry apparatus adapted for left handed use.  
         [0036]     The embodiment and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. Other variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art following the reading of this disclosure, and it is the intent of the appended claims that such variations and modifications be covered.  
         [0037]     The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the scope of the following claims. It is contemplated that the use of the present invention can involve components having different characteristics. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.