Patent Publication Number: US-11638476-B2

Title: Quick detach belt loop

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/715,865, filed Dec. 16, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/780,159, filed Dec. 14, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Belt-mounted tools and accessories have become an important part of the equipment used by military, police, militia, and civilian firearm users. Examples of popular belt-mounted tools and accessories include handguns, magazines, tasers, flashlights, handcuffs and telescoping batons. Specially designed holsters are used for supporting these tools and accessories. The holsters may be arranged on a utility belt. The interchangeability of tools and accessories is of particular importance to military and law enforcement personnel attached to special operations units, as this allows a utility belt to be reconfigured to meet certain mission specific needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     In embodiments, a belt clamp includes an inboard plate and an outboard plate that are pivotally coupled at their upper ends. The outboard plate having features for attachment of a holster or accessory. The inboard and outboard plates having a range of motion with favored positions provided by a detent in a hinge. The belt clamp also includes a spring biased locking mechanism that selectively and releasably connects the lower end of the inboard plate to the lower end of the outboard plate by way of locking posts in the inboard plate that are displaced upwardly from the lower edge of said plate. The outboard locking plate having latching members that are entirely contained (except for opposing actuation buttons) within a compartment formed by two portions of the outboard plate connected by a living hinge. The opposing actuation buttons require a motion in a first direction, such as upwardly, to allow motion in a second direction, such as inwardly, to rotate the latching members inwardly to release the locking posts. The belt may be clamped between the inboard plate and the outboard plate by placing the belt between plates and urging the lower ends of the plates together whereby the locking posts deflect the latching members momentarily opening the locking mechanism. An interior adjustment bar for sizing the belt clamp to varying belt sizes has two outer deflectable prongs and a stabilizing tongue intermediate the prongs. The prongs and tongue are inserted into a selected slot of a stack of slots in the inboard plate for adjustably fixing the bar in the appropriate adjustment place, the tongue precluding excessive and potentially destructive deflection of the deflectable prongs. 
     In embodiments, a belt clamp includes an inboard plate and an outboard plate that are pivotally coupled at their upper ends. The belt clamp also includes a spring biased locking mechanism that selectively and releasably connects the lower end of the inboard plate to the lower end of the outboard plate. A belt may be clamped between the inboard plate and the outboard plate by placing the belt between plates and pressing the lower ends of the plates together such that locking posts on one plate engage and deflect cooperating and rotatable latch members on the other plate to actuate, that is, momentarily open the locking mechanism. 
     In embodiments, a belt clamp comprises an inboard plate and an outboard plate connected to the inboard plate at an upper pivoting connection, each plate comprising an upper hinge portion, the upper hinge portions cooperating to form the upper pivoting connection at an upper end of the belt clamp. The hinge may comprise interlaced knuckles with unitary pins extending from select knuckles in one of the inboard plate and outboard plate for being received by inner voids in the other of the inboard plate and outboard plate. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the use of unitary pin or pins precludes the need of the conventional separate hinge pin extending through the interlaced knuckles. 
     In embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a pair of latching portions configured as distinct latching members that are rotatably and slidably supported by the outboard plate so that the latching members can translate between an insertion position and a locked position. The latching members can engage with a complementary portion formed on the inboard plate while the latching members are urged inwardly be unlocking forces. Unlocking forces may be formed by ramp portions of the latching members and the complementary portions. In embodiments, unlocking forces are produced when the outboard plate is pressed against the latching members can be used to urge the latching members toward the insertion position. Unlocking forces may also be produced by the user&#39;s thumb and the user&#39;s index finger. In embodiments, the button portion can also be urged inward the insertion position by squeezing the latching members between the thumb and index finger of the user&#39;s hand. Each button portion includes a ribbed finger engaging portion for this purpose. The plates are pivotally connected to one another at a hinge pin that extends through a hinge portion of the inboard plate and a hinge portion of the outboard plate. The pin may be unitary with one or the other of the inboard plate and outboard plate. 
     A feature and benefit of embodiments is an interior plate including ramped ribs at the lower end thereof that lead to the locking posts. In embodiments, the ramped ribs allow for easier installation of the belt clamp onto a belt while the belt is being worn by a user, guiding the belt through juncture of the user&#39;s pants and the inwardly facing surface of the belt. In embodiments, the ramped ribs have geometry that reduces the likelihood that the belt clamp will snag or catch on the belt or surrounding clothing as compared to similar products. 
     A feature and benefit of embodiments is an interior plate including locking portions that blend into ramped ribs, giving increased rigidity and strength to the locking posts. 
     In embodiments, this arrangement reduces the likelihood that the locking posts will be damaged during use while during insertion of the clamp on a belt and during removal of the clamp from a belt. 
     A feature and benefit of embodiments is an upper pivoting connection between the inboard plate and the outboard plate extending along an upper end of the belt clamp. In embodiments, the upper pivoting connection comprises a hinge portion of each plate that cooperate to form a hinge, the hinge having a hinge width. In embodiments, a ratio of the hinge width to the overall width of the belt clamp is greater than 0.9. This arrangement provides stability, robustness and ease of assembly to the hinge portion. This arrangement also distributes applied forces across a greater area of the hinge portion. In embodiments, the hinge portions of the plates are coupled using a simple assembly process with no separate hinge pin. Hinge knuckles on one of the inboard plate and outboard plate may snap onto hinge pins unitary with the other of the inboard plate and outboard plate. 
     A feature and benefit of embodiments is an upper pivoting connection between the inboard plate and the outboard plate formed by snapping together a pair of cooperating hinge portions of the plates. In embodiments, each hinge portion includes a plurality of pin portions and a plurality of C-shaped pin receiving portions. In embodiments, each pin portion of the inboard plate mates with a C-shaped portion of the outboard plate. In embodiments, each C-shaped portion of the inboard plate mates with a pin portion of the outboard plate. A feature and advantage of embodiments is a pivoting arrangement having a pin portion that snaps into a corresponding C-shaped portion. This arrangement provides manufacturing advantages including fewer parts, easier assembly, the possibility of performing a repair by replacing a plate, and the possibility of replacing a plate with one or more plates having alternate configurations to suit the preferences of different users. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a belt clamp made almost entirely of polymeric material, except for springs and fasteners. This arrangement provides ease of assembly and cost efficiencies by minimizing the number of parts and minimizing the number of assembly steps. In embodiments, the pivoting arrangement includes a plurality of polymer pin portions that are received in a corresponding C-shaped portions, the pin portions and the C-shaped portions being integrally formed along upper portions of the plates. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the locking mechanism is biased, such as by a spring, to a pre-actuation position and is automatically reset after the belt clamp is opened. The belt clamp can be locked onto a belt at a new position without manual reset of the locking mechanism. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the lock mechanism is actuated by the user&#39;s thumb and the user&#39;s index finger. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that finger receiving buttons of the retaining mechanism are positioned to allow for the most intuitive and ergonomic unlocking of the belt clamp from a belt. This allows the user to press his or her thumb and index finger against the buttons with less tension in the muscles and tendons of the index finger, thumb and forearm. The position of the buttons provide for natural and comfortable movement of the hand while the belt clamp is being worn on a belt and forearm is extending in a downward direction. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a compartment for containing the movable latching members formed by an extending portion of the outboard plate connected to a lower edge of the outboard plate by a living hinge. The extending portion configured as a cover shaped to fit into a compartment defining containment portion of the outboard plate. Folding over the extending portion into the compartment to cover and close the compartment provides fewer separate parts and makes for a robust containment. Features, such as posts or recesses on the inside surfaces of the extending portion and the containment portion of the outboard plate can provide constraint of the latch members and control a movement path or rotation of the latch members. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing the inboard plate side of an embodiment of a belt clamp. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view showing the outboard plate side of an embodiment of a belt clamp. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a belt clamp opened and with the latch mechanism compartment open. 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded view showing a belt clamp. 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of the outboard plate components of a belt clamp. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  is a series of images showing the motion of the latch members to release the latch mechanism. 
         FIG.  7    is a side elevational view of a closed belt clamp. 
         FIG.  8    is side elevational view of a belt clamp partially open. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a belt clamp partially open and with the extension portion. 
         FIG.  10    is another perspective view of a belt clamp partially open with the mechanism compartment open. 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be understood that relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element&#39;s relationship to another elements as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 4  and  7   , in embodiments, a belt clamp  20  includes an inboard plate  22  and an outboard plate  24  that are pivotally coupled at their upper ends  26 ,  28 . The belt clamp  20  also includes a spring biased locking mechanism  30  that selectively and releasably connects the lower end  32  of the inboard plate  22  to the lower end  34  of the outboard plate  24 . A belt  43  may be clamped between the inboard plate  22  and the outboard plate  24  by placing the belt  43  between inboard plate  22  and the outboard plate  24  and locking the lower ends  32 ,  34  of the plates  22 ,  24  together using the locking mechanism  30 , See  FIG.  7   . Outboard plate  24  may have features such as holes  86  for attachment of a holster or accessory. 
     In embodiments, the inboard plate  22  and an outboard plate  24  connected to the inboard plate  22  at an upper pivoting connection  38 . Each plate  22 ,  24  comprising an upper hinge portion  40 ,  41 ; the upper hinge portions  40 ,  41  cooperating to form the upper pivoting connection  38  at an upper end  42  of the belt clamp  20 . Each plate  22 ,  24  has interlaced knuckles  44 . At least one of the inboard plate  22  and outboard plate  24  may have pins  48  that are unitary with the respective knuckles  44  of said plate to fit in the knuckle voids  50  of the knuckles  44  of the other plate  22 ,  24 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , inboard plate  22  may have knuckles  44  having a C-shaped portion  44 A. Outboard plate  24  may have pins  48  that extend between and are unitary with respective knuckles  44 . Each C-shaped portion  46  of inboard plate  22  mates with a portion of a pin  48  of outboard plate  24  and may be snapped into place. In embodiments, a ratio of the upper hinge portion  40 ,  41  width to the overall width of the belt clamp  20  is greater than 0.9. A detent feature, configured as a nub  51  may provide favored positions in the range of motion of the inboard plate  22  and outboard plate  24 . The nub  51  can interface with a cooperating feature (not shown) on an adjacent knuckle  44  or can simply disengage the adjacent knuckle  44  at certain positions in the range of rotation of the inboard and outboard plates  22 ,  24  of the clamp  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 6 C , in embodiments, the locking mechanism  30  includes locking posts  52  on the inboard plate  22  that are displaced upwardly from the lower end  32  of inboard plate  22 . Locking posts  52  cooperate with latching portions configured as latching members  54  with finger buttons  55 . Latching members  54  are rotatably and slidably supported by the outboard plate  24  in a compartment  58  defined by a containment portion  60  of the outboard plate  24 . Latching members  54  are entirely contained within containment portion  60  with the exception of opposing finger buttons  55 . A living hinge  61  connects an extension portion  62  to a lower margin  63  of the outboard plate  24 . The extension portion  62  is configured as a compartment cover to fit into and close the compartment  58 . Features, such as recesses  64 ,  65  in the outboard plate  24  and the extension portion  62 , when the extension portion  62  or cover is closed, can constrain the latching members  54  by cooperating with features on the latching members  54  such as nubs  66 ,  67  to predefined motions/pathways. Recesses  64  may include a pair of upper recesses or a single elongated recess  64  each having an angled shape with a horizontal portion  64 A on the innermost portion and an upwardly angled portion  64 B on the outermost portion(s) of each recess  64 . Recesses  65  may include a pair of horizontally extending lower recesses  65 . A metal coil spring  70  can be positioned between the latching members  54  in the compartment  58  urging the latching member  54  to a latching or catch position with respect to the locking posts  52  wherein each latching member  54  has a catch portion  71  on an upper portion thereof which is configured to latch or catch with a respective locking post  52 . Ends of metal coil spring  70  may be attached to attachment features such as knobs  88  disposed on opposed interior surfaces of latching members  58 . Nubs  66 ,  67  may be disposed on the inside facing surface latching members  54  and may include an upper nub  66  disposed above knob  88  and a lower nub  67  disposed below knob  88 . Upper nubs  66  are moveable within upper recesses  64 , and lower nubs  66  are moveable within lower recesses  65 . 
     referring to  FIGS.  6 A- 6 C , the recesses  64 ,  65  and nubs  66 ,  67  may define a path for the latching members  54  that requires an upward initial motion of each finger button  55  so that upper nubs  66  move upwardly and inwardly within upwardly angled portions  64 B of upper recesses  64  causing each latching member  54  to rotate about lower nub  67  ( FIG.  6 B ) from an initial locked/pre-actuation position ( FIG.  6 A ). Then an inward motion of each finger button  55  moves nubs  66  and  67  horizontally inwardly along horizontal portion  64 A of recess  64  and recess  65 , respectively, so that catch portions  71  move to a non-obstructing/release/insertion position, see  FIG.  6 C , with respect to engagement portions  72  of the locking posts  52 . Locking mechanism  30  is biased by spring  70  to pre-actuation position ( FIG.  6 A ) and is automatically reset after belt clamp  20  is opened. Belt clamp may be locked onto a belt  43  at a new position without manual reset of locking mechanism  30 . Unlocking forces may be produced by the user&#39;s thumb and the user&#39;s index finger. In embodiments, the finger buttons  55  may be urged inward to the insertion position ( FIG.  6 C ) by squeezing the finger buttons  55  between the thumb and index finger of the user&#39;s hand. Each finger buttons  55  includes a ribbed finger engaging portion for this purpose. 
     Locking posts  52  also have ramp portions  76  that when the two plates  22 ,  24  are pushed together deflect the latching members  54  inwardly moving them to a non-obstructing positon allowing the engagement portion  72  of the locking posts  52  to push past the catch portions  71  whereby the latching members  54  snap back to the latch positon, see  FIG.  6 A . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  4 ,  8 ,  9  and  10   , some embodiments may include ramped ribs  90  at the lower end  32  of inboard plate  22  that lead to the locking posts  52 . In embodiments, ramped ribs  90  allow for easier installation of belt clamp  20  onto a belt  43  while the belt  43  is being worn by a user, guiding the belt  43  through juncture of the user&#39;s pants and the inwardly facing surface of the belt  43 . In embodiments, ramped ribs  90  have a ramped configuration that reduces the likelihood that belt clamp  20  will snag or catch on the belt  43  or surrounding clothing as compared to similar products. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  3 ,  4  and  7 - 10   , some embodiments may have an interior adjustment bar  74  for sizing belt clamp  20  to varying belt sizes. Adjustment bar  74  is configured as a sizing bar for spanning at least partially across the inside of one of the inboard plate  22  and outboard plate  24 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , adjustment bar  74  is positioned below the lower edge of belt  43  such that belt  43  is disposed between adjustment bar  74  and knuckles  44 . Adjustment bar  74  may have two outer deflectable prongs  78  and a stabilizing tongue  80  intermediate the prongs  78 . The prongs  78  and tongue  80  are inserted into a selected slot  82  of a stack  84  of slots in inboard plate  22  for adjustably fixing adjustment bar  74  in the appropriate adjustment place. In this manner, the belt clamp can accommodate belts of varying widths. A pair of web portions  92  may be positioned at ends of each slot  82 , each of the pair of web portions  92  displaced from an outer surface of the respective plate  22 ,  24 . For example, adjustment bar  43  may be positioned in lower slots  82  of stack  84  for larger width belts  43 , for example, 2 inch and 2.25 inch. Tongue  80  precludes excessive and potentially destructive deflection of the deflectable prongs  78 . 
     Embodiments of belt clamp  20  may be made almost entirely of polymeric material, except for spring  70 . 
     Embodiments of belt clamp  20  may further include at least one marking display  94  disposed on at least one of the inboard plate  22  or the outboard plate  24 . Marking display  94  is configured to receive markings from a marker, pen, paint pen or paint applicator. This allows the user to mark or individualize belt clamp  20  as they see fit (e.g. add their initials or identification numbers, and correlate to the product variables). In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  1   , marking display  94  is disposed on the inboard side of inboard plate  22 . Marking display  94  includes at least one marking matrix  96  formed from recessed, or concave surfaces, in one embodiment, lines  98  arranged in a seven-segment display configuration. In this embodiment, recessed or concave lines  98  form a rectangular figure eight with three horizontal lines and four vertical lines forming two vertically stacked rectangles  100 . A plurality of recessed or concave dots or squares  102  may be disposed in each rectangle  100 , arranged in a matrix including a plurality of rows of dots or squares and a plurality of columns of dots or squares. By way of example, each marking display  94  may include three marking matrices  96  having nine recessed or concave dots or squares  102 . By nature of being recessed or concave, the marking surfaces retain the paint or ink inside the marking surface, without being wiped, scuffed, or abraded away by rubbing against other objects. Marking matrix  96  may be useful on a variety of equipment in addition to the embodiments herein, including holsters, firearms, gear bags, helmets, vests, etc. The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,145,169, 7,657,977, 7,971,762, 8,517,234, 9,027,212, 9,451,821, 9,476,670, 9,480,328, and 9,726,457. Published U.S. Patent Applications US2006/0196903 and US2017/0205172 are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. All U.S. patents issuing from and claiming priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/261,079 are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     The above references to U.S. patents in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B). 
     The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
     Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. 
     Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.