Patent Publication Number: US-9427069-B1

Title: Drill holster

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a drill holster that can be either permanently or removably attached to a garment to allow a user to attach and carry a tool, such as a corded or portable cordless drill, securely on their person. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well recognized that many tradespersons utilize portable cordless drills on a regular basis as they perform their work. It is also well recognized that while the tradesperson may utilize a cordless drill often while performing his/her work, they also need both hands free much of the time so they cannot carry the drill in their hands at all times. Thus, there is a need in the art for a drill holster which allows a user to carry a portable cordless drill on his/her person without having to carry the drill by hand. 
     To date, such holsters have been made and offered to tradespersons. U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,402 describes a drill holster which secures the drill with a strap which is attached to the inside backing portion of the holster and extends over the end or handle of the drill and attaches to the outside of the holster pocket. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,658 also describes a drill holster where a “wrap-around strap” is attached to the side of the holster proximate the body of the user and then the strap “wraps around” the drill to be removably attached to the outward facing side of the holster. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,914 also discloses a securing strap that is attached to the back side of the holster and extending over the end of the drill and is then attached to the outer surface of the front side of the holster to secure the drill in the holster. 
     It has been observed that the use of these “wrap-around” straps presents a few substantial shortcomings. One is that when the drill is located in the holster, the strap is free to “flop” around if not attached at its second end, and, therefore, the location of the unsecured strap is not always the same or predictable. This condition creates a hazard or obstruction when one is attempting to place a drill within the holster pocket as the strap can end up lying inside the pocket of the drill holster thereby obstructing the pocket during insertion of the drill. This then will require a user to use both hands to both (1) maintain a hold on the drill and (2) to locate, grab and remove the strap from the holster pocket so that the drill can be inserted therein. In addition, since the strap is attached to the side of the holster, it may be difficult to reach, find, and grab the strap with the same hand that is holding the drill for insertion into the pocket. Thus, this arrangement also requires using a hand other than the hand which holds and inserts the drill into the drill holster. 
     It is clearly evident that a need exists for a drill holster that provides a securing mechanism that does not fall into the pocket of the holster, provides a consistent and predictable location for reaching and grabbing at all times, and is easy to engage and disengage with one hand. 
     Further, existing drill holsters present another shortcoming with respect to being a universal drill holster capable of accommodating drills of various sizes and shapes including having differing chuck lengths and over-all lengths. For example, the drill holsters presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,402 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,658 include pockets or pouches that include a closed end which severely limits accommodating drills of various lengths or different chuck lengths. In addition, drill holsters like that of U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,914 include open ends, but the drill-chuck extends freely out of the end of the pocket and may poke or come directly in contact with the user&#39;s body while arranging the drill in the holster. Thus, there is also a need in the art for a drill holster that accommodates drills having different chuck lengths while preventing an extending chuck from contacting a user&#39;s body causing discomfort or injury. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a drill holster that provides a more consistent, predictable and easier securing mechanism allowing a one-handed insertion and securing of the drill in the drill holster. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a drill holster that accommodates drills having different chuck lengths while preventing an extending chuck from contacting a user&#39;s body. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a drill holster for holding, retaining and transporting a corded or portable cordless drill. The drill holster includes a base member, a sheath attached to the base member, and a securing mechanism for securing the drill in the drill holster. The base member may include a reinforcing member disposed on an exterior surface of the base member. The sheath is coupled to the base member to define a pocket for receiving a drill and includes a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side, a second side, and an exterior surface. The pocket includes an open top and preferably an open bottom. The reinforcing member of the base member may be disposed adjacent to the open bottom of the pocket. 
     The securing mechanism includes an elastomeric member forming a securing loop, wherein the securing loop is attached to an exterior surface of the sheath proximate the open top portion of the pocket at a number of attachment points. The attachment points may be a loop or ring, thereby allowing the securing loop to freely slide relative to one or more attachment points. The securing loop may also be formed by having the opposite end portions of the elastomeric member tied into a knot, wherein the knot is located proximate the first and second opposite end portions thereof. The drill holster may also include a spring-loaded cord lock for at least partially defining the perimeter of the securing loop and for allowing the perimeter of the securing loop to be selectively adjusted. 
     The securing loop of the present drill holster is movable between a neutral, at rest, relaxed position where it is positioned and located below the open top portion of the pocket and a stretched secured position securely holding a drill in the drill pocket. When in its secured position, the perimeter of the securing loop is greater than the perimeter of the securing loop when in its neutral, at rest, position. When stretched, the securing loop will engage a butt portion or handle portion of the drill after the drill is inserted into the pocket. The elastic contraction of the securing loop after it is stretched and engaged with the drill retains the drill in the drill holster. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the present drill holster constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and attached to a garment, namely a utility belt; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the drill holster of  FIG. 1  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the drill holster of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view of the drill holster of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the gripping element associated with the drill holster of  FIG. 2  taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the drill holster of  FIG. 2  illustrating one embodiment of an attachment system that may be used to attach the present drill holster to a garment; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the drill holster of  FIG. 2  taken along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 2  showing elements of the present drill holster and the attachment system of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the drill holster of  FIG. 2  showing a cordless drill in a secured position within the holster; and 
         FIG. 9  is a left side elevational view of the drill holster of  FIG. 8  showing a cordless drill in a secured position within the holster. 
     
    
    
     While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. 
     Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the present drill holster  10  that can be either permanently or removably attached to a garment  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , garment  12  is a belt  14 . Alternatively, garment  12  may be any other piece of clothing or equipment including, but not limited to, a vest, a jacket, pants, a backpack, a tool belt, a harness, or any other application where a user desires to include the storage and easy access to a portable drill for any purpose. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , drill holster  10  includes a base member  16 , a sheath  18  attached to base member  16  so as to form a pocket  101 , and a securing mechanism  20  for securing a drill in the drill holster  10 . Pocket  101  is formed by and between base member  16  and sheath  18 . Securing mechanism  20  may be coupled to sheath  18  at a first attachment point  22 , a second attachment point  24 , and a third attachment point  26 . Any number of attachment points may be used as will be hereinafter further explained depending upon the size of the holster. Base member  16  may include a top portion  28 , a bottom portion  30 , a first side portion  32 , a second side portion  34 , an exterior surface  36 , and an interior surface  38  (shown on  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In addition, base member  16  may also include a reinforcing strip member  40  disposed on the exterior surface  36  extending substantially between top and bottom portions  28  and  30  and disposed between first and second side portions  32  and  34  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 . The reinforcing strip member  40  may be a strip of webbing, a layer of fabric, a flexible or rigid polymer layer, or any other known reinforcing material or member. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates the configuration of sheath  18  relative to base member  16  so as to form pocket  101 . Sheath  18  has a top portion  42 , a bottom portion  44 , a first side portion  46  and a second side portion  48  wherein the first side portion  46  may include a notch or recess portion  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) proximate top portion  42  for receiving a handle associated with a drill. The top  42 , bottom  44 , first and second sides  46  and  48  of sheath  18 , and base member  16 , define a pocket  101  for receiving a drill. Bottom portion  44  of pocket  101  may be open or closed. Sheath  18  also includes an exterior surface  52  and an interior surface  54  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). Sheath  18  may be coupled to base member  16  along the entirety or substantial entirety of sides  46  and  48 . Alternatively, sheath  18  may include mechanical fasteners (not shown) which couple sheath  18  to base member  16  at the corners and/or along the sides  46  and  48 . Mechanical fasteners may be rivets or other known mechanical fasteners used in the textile/clothing industry. 
     Sheath  18  may also include a webbing strip  58  extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to both first and second side portions  46  and  48 . Webbing strip  58  may be attached to sheath  18  with stitching  60  or any other suitable attachment means. Stitching  60  may be disposed to define one or more open loops  62  that may be used to attach or hang other drill/tool accessories such as longer drill bits, pencils, fasteners and so forth. In addition, stitching  60  may also be disposed on three sides to define one or more pockets  64 , wherein each pocket  64  may be used to store commonly used items for drilling such as smaller drill bits, screws, fasteners or any other item. Any number of open loops  62  and pockets  64  can be formed by web strip  58  depending upon the size of the overall holster  10  and sheath  18 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , drill securing mechanism  20  includes an elastomeric member or cord  66  having a first end  68  and a second end  70 , wherein the elastomeric member  66  may be tied into a knot  72  or otherwise joined together proximate its first and second end portions  68  and  70  to form a closed securing loop  74 . Securing mechanism  20  may further include a spring-loaded cord lock  76  disposed on the securing loop  74  interior of knot  72  so that the perimeter of securing loop  74  may be expanded or reduced by moving cord lock  76  to expand or constrict the loop. The ability to selectively adjust the perimeter of securing loop  74  is beneficial as it provides a user with the ability to adapt the securing mechanism  20  to secure a wide variety of differently sized drills in holster  10  regardless of the size and shape of the drill, particularly the handle and butt portion. Elastomeric member  66  may be a bungee cord, a shock cord, a rubber member, a latex strip, rubber/latex tubing, or any other elastic member. 
     In one embodiment, the perimeter of securing loop  74 , in its relaxed neutral or unsecured state, may be around two times the distance between first attachment point  22  and second attachment point  24 . However, the perimeter of securing loop  74  may also be less than two times the distance between first and second attachment points  22  and  24  thereby resulting in securing loop  74  being in a stretched and tensioned state at all times. Securing loop  74  may also be more than two times the distance between first and second attachment points  22  and  24  resulting in a securing loop  74  having some additional slack in its relaxed or unsecured state  114 . Cord lock  76  allows a user to control the perimeter of securing loop  74  in its relaxed state by moving cord lock  76  towards or away from second attachment point  24 . This adjustment capability allows a user to adjust the perimeter of securing loop  74  to accommodate different size drills. 
     Securing mechanism  20  may also include a slidable repositionable gripping element  78  disposed along the perimeter of securing loop  74  that provides sliding adjustability of its location. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , gripping element  78  may be a simple pull-tab  80  which is wrapped around elastomeric member  66  so that it is slidable thereon between first and second attachment points  22  and  24 . Other embodiments may include gripping element  78  being a T-shaped handle, a ring, or any other structure that can be both easily grabbed by a user and slidably coupled to elastomeric member  66 . In another embodiment, gripping element  78  may be fixedly attached to the elastomeric member  66  and not provide any sliding adjustability of location. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , securing loop  74  may be attached to exterior surface  52  of sheath  18  at first attachment point  22 , wherein first attachment point  22  is disposed proximate first side portion  46  and top portion  42  of sheath  18  or pocket  101 . Securing loop  74  may also be attached to exterior surface  52  of sheath  18  at second attachment point  24 , wherein second attachment point  24  is disposed proximate second side portion  46  and top  42  portion of sheath  18  or pocket  101 . Securing loop  74  may also be attached to exterior surface  52  of sheath  18  at a third attachment point  26  which is disposed on sheath  18  proximate top portion  42  and between first and second side portions  46  and  48 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , attachment points  22 ,  24  and  26  may be a loop or ring  82  that allows the elastomeric member  66  to slide along its length relative to the respective attachment points  22 ,  24  and  26 . In still another embodiment, attachment points  22 ,  24  and  26  may be a rigid and fixed connection point. When a fixed connection point is used, securing mechanism  20  may simply be a length of an elastic member having each end respectively fixedly attached to sheath  18  at attachment points  22  and  24 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the use of one attachment system  84  that may be used to attach the present holster  10  to a garment or belt  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , holster  10  is attached to a loop  86  of garment  12  (belt  14 ) using the integrated modular attachment system described in Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/745,719, the entire teachings of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. As shown in  FIG. 6 , holster  10  may include some components of attachment system  84  (shown also on  FIG. 7 ). In  FIG. 6 , holster  10  includes a foldable flap  88  coupled to the interior surface  38  of base member  16 , foldable flap  88  being shown in its folded down position. Foldable flap  88  has a first securing mechanism  89  disposed thereon which is visible when the foldable flap  88  is in its down position as shown. First securing mechanism  89  may be the loop portion of a hook and loop fastener. In addition, drill holster  10  may further include a first wing member  90  coupled to interior surface  58  of base member  16  proximate second side position  34 , first wing member  90  including a second securing mechanism  92  disposed on one side thereof and a third securing mechanism  93  (see  FIG. 7 ) disposed on its opposite side. Second and third securing mechanisms  92  and  93  may be the hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system. Holster  10  may also include a second wing member  94  coupled to interior surface  58  of base member  16  proximate first side portion  32 . Second wing member  94  includes a fourth securing mechanism  96  disposed on one side thereof, wherein fourth securing mechanism  96  may be the loop portion of a hook and loop fastening system.  FIG. 6  illustrates attachment system  84  with wing members  90  and  94  in their open configuration  98 . When foldable flap  88  is in its down position and first and second wing members  90  and  94  are in their open position, first, second, third and fourth securing mechanisms  89 ,  92 ,  93  and  96  are in substantial alignment with each other. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 7 , attachment mechanism  84  is illustrated with wing members  90  and  94  in a secured or closed configuration  100 . Secured configuration  100  involves inserting foldable flap  88  through loop  86  of belt  14  and thereafter folding over first wing member  90  so that second securing mechanism  92  on one side of first wing member  90  engages first securing mechanism  89  of foldable flap  88 . Second wing member  94  is then folded over to overlap first wing member  90  so that fourth securing mechanism  96  of second wing member  94  engages third securing mechanism  93  of first wing member  90 . In the secured configuration  100 , the present holster  10  is securely and removably attached to belt  14 . Attachment system  84  is described in greater detail in Applicant&#39;s pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/745,719 and all such disclosures and embodiments are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Alternatively, a person of skill in the art will appreciate that attachment system  84  may be any known attachment mechanism or system known in the art. Further, it will be appreciated by a person of skill in the art that holster  10  can likewise be fixedly attached to any garment  12  and whether the present holster  10  is removably or fixedly attached to a garment  12 , such structure is within the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  also more clearly illustrates the pocket  101  defined by interior surface  54  of sheath  18  and exterior surface  36  of base member  16 . Pocket  101  can be sized and shaped to receive any known portable drill. 
     Now turning to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , drill holster  10  is shown in use, wherein a typical portable drill  102  is received in drill holster  10 . A body  106  of drill  102  will be received into pocket  101  (see  FIG. 7 ) through its open top portion and a handle  104  of drill  102  will generally extend in a direction somewhat perpendicular to that of drill body  106  as best illustrated in  FIG. 8 . It is also recognized and anticipated that the angular orientation of the drill handle  104  to drill body  106  is not critical and will be governed by the make, model, and purpose of the drill. Drill  102  may be any portable drill that is commercially available. As can be further appreciated by a person of skill in the art, recess  50  is generally shaped so as to accommodate the handle  104  of drill  102  and handle  104  may be received into a recess/notch  50  disposed on the first side portion  46  of sheath  18  as best shown in  FIG. 3 . A chuck member  108  of drill  102  may also extend out of an open bottom  44  of pocket  101 . As shown, reinforcing strip  40  may be disposed adjacent to open bottom portion  44  of pocket  101  so that chuck member  108  will contact reinforcing strip  40  if a chuck member such as chuck member  108  is left engaged with drill  102 . 
     Drill  102  is secured in drill holster  10  by moving securing mechanism  20  to its secured position  112 . As best shown in  FIG. 9 , the secured position  112  of securing mechanism  20  includes gripping element  78  disposed proximate exterior surface  36  of base member  18 . A portion of securing loop  74  of stretched elastomeric member  66  is positioned up and over a butt end  110  of drill  102  so as to engage drill  102  proximate the location where handle  104  meets body  106  (see  FIG. 8 ). Securing loop  74  is stretched and enlarged in the secured position  112  when compared to its neutral or unsecured position  114  (see  FIG. 2 ). Securing element  20  is moved from its neutral, at rest, position  114  ( FIG. 2 ) to its secured position  112  by grabbing gripping element  78  and pulling it upward so that elastomeric member  66  stretches from its neutral position  114  ( FIG. 2 ) to increase the perimeter of securing loop  74 , thereby allowing a portion of the elastomeric member  66  proximate gripping element  78  to be pulled upward and over butt end  110  of body  106  of drill  102  by pulling gripping element  78  upward and away from the open top  42  and toward exterior face  36  of base member  16 . When the gripping element  78  is released, the elastomeric member  66  inherently contracts toward its neutral position to engage a portion of drill  102  proximate the location where handle  104  meets butt end  110  of body  106  thereby applying an elastic retention force on the drill  102  that acts to pull the drill  102  into sheath  18  and pocket  101  thereby opposing any force acting to remove the drill  102  from the pocket  101 . The stretching of elastomeric member  66  generally occurs after the elastomeric member  66  slides relative to attachment points  22 ,  24 , and/or  26  and spring-loaded cord lock  76  engages second attachment point  24  as shown in  FIG. 8 , or upon the elastomeric member  66  otherwise engaging at least first and second attachment points  22  and  24 . Securing mechanism  20  may also be moved into its secured position  112  simply by directly grabbing and moving elastomeric element  66  in a similar manner. 
     As described above and shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , one embodiment of the present drill holster  10  includes the securing mechanism  20  connected to exterior surface  52  of sheath  18  near the open top portion of pocket  101 . In addition, since mechanism  20  is elastomeric member  66  forming securing loop  74 , when in its neutral position  114 , securing loop  74  extends across sheath  18  from a first side portion  46  to a second side portion  48  near the top portion of pocket  101  as best shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, elastomeric member  66  is secured by first, second and third attachment points  22 ,  24  and/or  26 , wherein each attachment point  22 ,  24  and/or  26  is a loop or ring member  82  allowing the elastomeric member  66  to move freely through loop or ring member  82 . This embodiment is particularly advantageous as it allows elastomeric member  66  to stretch along substantially the entire perimeter length of securing loop  74 . This configuration provides a number of advantages not realized in the art, particularly, allowing the use of a securing loop  74  that has a smaller neutral length or perimeter when in its neutral, at rest, position as shown in  FIG. 2 , which equates to a smaller footprint of securing mechanism  20  on exterior surface  52  of sheath  18  when securing loop  74  is in its neutral position  114 . Thus, the described construction reduces the tendency of securing mechanism  20  to flop around and obstruct pocket  101  when not in its secured position  112 . 
     Further, the described configuration of stretching the entire securing loop  74  generates a larger constriction force that is applied to retain the drill in the present holster as shown in  FIG. 8 . Moreover, positioning securing mechanism  20  on the exterior surface of sheath  18  proximate top portion  42  of sheath  18  and pocket  101  eliminates the securing mechanism  20  falling into pocket  101  between interior surface  54  of sheath  18  and exterior surface  36  of base member  16  (see  FIG. 7 ) where it would interfere with inserting drill  102  into pocket  101 . 
     Another advantage of securing mechanism  20  configured as described herein is that elastomeric member  66  is positioned on exterior surface  52  of sheath  18  proximate open end  42  and is generally disposed in a horizontal orientation in its neutral, at rest, position  114  as shown in  FIG. 2 . This positioning allows a user to easily insert drill  102  into pocket  101  without interference and thereafter engage securing mechanism  20 , all while using only one hand. This arrangement allows both elastomeric member  66  and gripping element  78  to be easily found by feel and with one hand as these elements of securing mechanism  20  are positioned on the exterior surface  52  of sheath  18  for easily alternating between secured position  112  ( FIG. 8 ) and neutral position  114  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     After the drill  102  has been secured in drill holster  10 , it may be removed simply by grabbing the gripping element  78  or the elastomeric member  66 , pulling the gripping element  78  or elastomeric member upward away from sheath top  42  and over drill  102  toward exterior surface  52  of sheath  18 . The elastomeric member  66  will then contract to its neutral, at rest, position  114  substantially keeping the securing mechanism  20  from flopping around when not engaged. Drill  102  can then simply be removed from the pocket  101  by grabbing drill handle  104  and pulling drill body  106  out of pocket  101 . 
     It is also recognized that the elastomeric member  66  is stretchable from its neutral, at rest, relaxed position  114  ( FIG. 2 ) where the elastomeric member  66  is positioned and located below the top portion of pocket  101  to its secured position engaging at least a portion of a drill located within pocket  101  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In addition, it is recognized that the perimeter or length of the elastomeric member  66  or securing loop  74  is greater when in its secured position  114  as compared to the perimeter of the elastomeric member  66  or securing loop  74  when in its neutral, at rest, position  112 . It is also recognized and anticipated that the base member  16 , the sheath  18  and the pocket  101  can be sized and shaped to accommodate any size of portable drill. In addition, the elastomeric member  66  can be of any length and the cord lock  66  enables a user to selectively adjust the size of securing loop  74  to accommodate the size of the particular portable drill being housed within pocket  101 . Still further, it is recognized and anticipated that the size and shape of other components associated with the present holster  10  including attachment points  22 ,  24  and  26  as well as gripping member  78  and reinforcing strip  40  can likewise take on a wide variety of different sizes and shapes depending upon the particular application associated with the present holster. It is also recognized and anticipated that the present holster  10  can likewise accommodate other tools other than a portable drill. Other arrangements and combination of the various elements and components of the present holster  10  are likewise envisioned and anticipated. 
     Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel drill holster. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.