Patent Publication Number: US-2013228601-A1

Title: Ankle Holster

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/603,566, filed Sep. 5, 2012, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,704, filed on Mar. 5, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/638,870, filed on Apr. 26, 2012, each of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present general inventive concept relates to an ankle holster for securing an object, such as for example a firearm or other object, to an ankle of a wearer, and more particularly, to an ankle holster having apparatus for providing bracing support to the ankle and for limiting movement of the holster in relation to the ankle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Numerous designs of carrying devices for securing tools and other articles to a body of a person are known in the art. For example, in the field of firearms and firearm accessories, it is known to provide a holster or other similar carrying device to secure a firearm or accessory to the body of a user, for example to facilitate hands-free carrying of the firearm or firearm accessory. The term “holster” is often used to refer specifically to a carrying device for securing a firearm, and in particular a handgun, to the body of a user. However, as used herein, the term “holster” will be understood to include a carrying device for securing arty of a number of articles, such as for example firearms, ammunition, ammunition magazines, flashlights, knives, hand tools, navigation devices, communication devices, aiming devices, personal protection devices, non-lethal weapons, handcuffs and other restraint devices, personal documents, etc. For convenience, the term “article” as used herein will be understood to include any of a number of articles, including but not limited to the above-discussed articles, which a user may desire to secure to the user&#39;s body. 
     Ankle holsters for securing articles, and in particular firearms, to an ankle of a person are usually designed with a strap or belt to wrap around the ankle of the lower leg of the person, often just above the protruding ankle bone. Firearms are relatively heavy items, and when secured in these types of ankle holsters, they have a tendency to sling around during the articulated movement of the lower leg, especially when the wearer is engaging in intense physical activity such as running, kicking, crawling, etc. Thus, unless the ankle holster is secured tightly against the lower leg, shifting of the ankle holster and associated firearm may occur. Such shifting can result in compromised support of the ankle joint, impairing smooth articulated movement of the wearer&#39;s leg and leading to discomfort and/or injury to the wearer. Such shifting can also result in decreased accessibility of the item carried in the holster by the user. In the case of a firearm secured in the holster, it is important for fast access and drawing of the firearm that the holster remain at a fixed position in relation to the leg, so that when a hand reaches down to withdraw the firearm, the firearm is in the fixed position in relation to the leg as expected by the wearer. In the case of so-called “retention holsters,” in which the holster is made to fit a firearm snugly to establish a releasable frictional connection between the firearm and the holster, shifting of the holster along the length of the wearer&#39;s leg can impede, and even prevent, drawing of the firearm from the holster. 
     To discourage shifting of an ankle holster and associated firearm in relation to the wearer&#39;s leg, it is customary to secure the belt or wrap of the ankle holster very tightly around the leg, often times so tightly that vascular circulation to the wearer&#39;s ankle and foot is constricted or restricted. Such tight securement of the ankle holster can result in discomfort to the user, such as for example by allowing the firearm and/or holster to dig into the skin and flesh in the wearer&#39;s leg. Such discomfort can be significant, and can even result in physical injury, and is especially likely when the ankle holster is worn for extended periods of time or through intense physical activity. 
     In light of the above, there is a need in the art for a holster which allows securement of a firearm or other article to an ankle portion of a leg of a wearer, and which provides support to the ankle of the user while limiting movement of the holster in relation to the wearer&#39;s leg. Furthermore, there is a need for an ankle holster which limits movement of the holster along the length of the wearer&#39;s leg during removal of an article from the holster, but which also allows for increased comfort to the wearer of the holster. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partially-exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the foot portion of the ankle holster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top down view of the foot portion of the ankle holster of  FIG. 1 , showing the attachment members of the foot portion in a flattened configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the foot portion of the ankle holster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  perspective view of the ankle holster of  FIG. 1 , showing a holster exploded therefrom and ankle wraps secured thereto; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 7  is a partially-exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the ankle holster of  FIG. 1  worn on a leg of a wearer, with a holster and associated firearm mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of an ankle holster worn on a leg of a wearer, with a pair of holsters and associated firearm magazine and handcuffs mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 10A  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a holster for use in carrying a cellular device; and 
         FIG. 10B  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a holster for use in carrying personal documents. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept, an ankle holster for securing an article to an ankle portion of a leg of a wearer while providing support to the ankle of the wearer and limiting movement of the holster in relation to the wearer&#39;s leg is disclosed herein. Referring to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the ankle holster  10  includes generally a foot portion  12  movably, and preferably rotatably, connected to a leg portion  14  by attachment members  16 ,  18 . As will be further discussed below, at least one holster  20  (see  FIG. 5 ) is secured along an exterior surface of the leg portion  14  by suitable fasteners, such that an article  64  may be retained within the holster  20  when a wearer&#39;s leg and foot are disposed within the leg portion  14  and foot portion  12 , respectively, and thereby held against the wearer&#39;s leg for convenient access thereto by the wearer. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the foot portion  12  includes a foot plate  22  which is generally sized and shaped to extend along a bottom portion of a wearer&#39;s foot beneath the wearer&#39;s ankle (not shown). In one embodiment, the foot plate  22  is defined by a fiat plate of substantially rigid material. In another embodiment, the foot plate  22  is defined by a panel of flexible material, such as for example fabric, plastic, or the like. In yet another embodiment, the foot plate  22  is defined by a panel having a shape which is generally contoured to a portion of an underside of a wearer&#39;s foot. Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , first and second attachment members  16 ,  18 , are secured at first ends  28 ,  30  thereof to opposite medial  24  and lateral  26  sides of the foot plate  22  and are configured to extend upwardly from the foot plate  22  along opposite medial and lateral sides of the wearer&#39;s ankle. In the illustrated embodiment, respective first ends  28 ,  30  of the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  are secured to respective medial and lateral sides  24 ,  26  of the foot plate  22  by integral connection, and both the foot plate  22  and attachment members  16  are formed from a flexible material. Thus, in the present embodiment, the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  may flex in relation to the foot plate  22 . It will be understood that other suitable connections exist which may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), respective first ends  28 ,  30  of the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  are secured to respective medial and lateral sides  24 ,  26  of the foot plate  22  by suitable hinges, such that the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  are rotatable about respective first ends  28 ,  30  in relation to the foot plate  22 . In another embodiment (not shown), the attachment members  16 ,  18  are fabricated from a rigid, material, such that the attachment members  16 ,  18  are fixed with respect to the foot plate  22 . 
     In several embodiments, the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  are configured such that they may conform to a wearer&#39;s ankle. For example, as discussed above,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate one embodiment of a foot portion  12  wherein the foot plate  22  and attachment members  16 ,  18  are integrally formed of flexible and elastomeric material. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  are asymmetrically provided along the foot plate  22  such that they are offset from one another with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the foot plate  22 . Stated differently, the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  each define first and second sides  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 , respectively. The first sides  74 ,  78  of the respective first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  are offset from one another by a longitudinal offset distance  82  with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the foot plate  22 . In certain embodiments, the longitudinal offset distance  82  may be approximately one centimeter in order to accommodate the ankle bones of the wearer and maximize the comfort experienced by the wearer. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that the longitudinal offset distance may vary considerably without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the foot portion  12  of  FIG. 1 . As is shown in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  are of different lengths. More specifically, in the several embodiments, one of the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  defines a longer length dimension than the length dimension defined by the other attachment member  18 ,  16 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the medial side attachment member  16  is approximately one centimeter longer than the lateral side attachment member  18 . In other embodiments, the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  are equal in length. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the foot portion  12  conforms to the right foot and ankle of a wearer. One of skill in the art will recognize that the wearer&#39;s medial malleolus may frequently be disposed forward of and higher than the wearer&#39;s lateral malleolus. Thus, the presently illustrated example embodiment foot portion  12  is designed to accommodate this arrangement by its longitudinal offset distance  82  and the difference in length of the attachment members  16 ,  18 . Because the first attachment member  16  provided to the medial side  26  of the foot plate  22  is disposed forward of the second attachment member  18  provided to the lateral side  24  of the foot plate  22 , the foot portion  12  may conform to the wearer&#39;s ankle having a medial malleolus forward of the lateral malleolus. Further, because the medial side attachment member  16  is longer than the lateral side attachment member  18 , the foot portion  12  may conform to the wearer&#39;s ankle having a medial malleolus superior to their lateral malleolus. In other words, the medial side attachment member  16  may be positioned to extend substantially over the wearer&#39;s leading and superior medial malleolus, while the lateral side attachment member  18  may be positioned to extend substantially over the wearer&#39;s following and inferior lateral malleolus. It will be understood that the above-described configuration may be reversed to conform to a wearer&#39;s left foot without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. One of skill in the art will also recognize that the any and all arrangements, dimensions, and/or orientations discussed herein, including the lengths of the respective first and second attachment members, as well as their positions relative to one another and the foot plate  22 , are merely example embodiments of the present general inventive concept. Accordingly, the disclosed arrangements, dimensions, and/or orientations may be modified without departing from the scope or spirit of the present general inventive concept. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , in several embodiments, notches  84  are defined along the foot plate  12  on opposing sides of the first ends  28 ,  30  of each attachment member  16 ,  18  to further enable the foot portion  12  to conform to the wearer&#39;s ankle and foot. Such notches  84  allow the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  to conform to and extend up the wearer&#39;s ankle while also permitting the foot plate  22  to conform to the sole of the wearer&#39;s foot. In certain embodiments, respective inner surfaces of the attachment members  16 ,  18  may further include a series of alternating ridges and grooves  86  proximate the first ends  28 ,  30  of the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18 . The ridges and grooves  86  act to maintain the flexible nature of, while also providing strength to, the attachment members  16 ,  18 , and further serve to discourage the attachment members  16 ,  18  from flaring out away from the wearer&#39;s ankle during use. While the illustrated embodiment depicts both notches  84  and alternating ridges and grooves  86 , it will be understood that the foot plate  12  may be constructed to include either, both, or none of these features without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept, in one embodiment the leg portion  14  includes a lateral upright plate  36  sized and shaped to conform to a lateral region of a leg of a wearer, and a medial upright plate  38  sized and shaped to conform to an opposite medial region of the same leg of the wearer. As discussed above, in the illustrated embodiment, the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  are disposed asymmetrically with respect to one another, such that the ankle holster  10  is configured to fit either a right or left leg of a wearer, but not both. In other embodiments, the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  are disposed symmetrically with respect to one another, such that the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  are effectively interchangeable. In these embodiments, the ankle holster  10  may be reversible such that it may be worn on either the right or left leg of the wearer. 
     The leg portion  14  further includes a plurality of adjustable wraps  40  configured to secure the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  in place against the leg of the wearer. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  each define a plurality of slots  42  extending along opposite front  44  and rear  46  edges of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38 . The slots  42  are configured in relation to one another along the front and rear edges  44 ,  46  of the plates  36 ,  38  such that the slots  42  may receive therethrough one or more flexible wraps  40  (see  FIG. 2 ), thereby joining the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  along the front and rear edges  44 ,  46  thereof and allowing the combined plates  36 ,  38  and wraps  40  to substantially surround a calf portion of a wearer&#39;s leg (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). In one embodiment, two slots  42  are disposed along each front and rear edge  44 ,  46  of each plate  36 ,  38 , and each slot  42  of each plate  36 ,  38  is aligned to correspond with an opposite slot  42  of the other plate  36 ,  38 . In this embodiment, one wrap  40  is provided to be received through and extend between each pair of corresponding slots  42 . However, those of skill in the art will recognize other configurations for the slots  42  and wraps  40  which may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In several embodiments, each wrap  40  is fabricated from a flexible, quick release fastener material, such as for example hook and loop fabric, belt with suitable latch, etc. 
     In several embodiments, the positioning of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  in relation to the foot portion  12  is adjustable. For example, in some embodiments, each of the respective second ends  32 ,  34  of the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  is movably, and preferably rotatably, connected to one of respective lower ends  37 ,  39  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , each of the first and second attachment members  16 ,  18  is rotatably connected to one of respective lower ends  37 ,  39  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  by suitable hinges  48 . In other embodiments, the position of attachment between the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  and the attachment members  16 ,  18  is adjustable along the attachment member second ends  32 ,  34 , such that the overall length of the ankle holster  10  is selectively adjustable. For example,  FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of an ankle holster  10 ′, in which the foot plate  22 ′ and attachment members  16 ′,  18 ′ are fabricated from a flexible material, such that the attachment members  16 ′,  18 ′ are flexible about the foot plate  22 ′. In this embodiment, each of the first and second attachment member second ends  32 ′,  34 ′ is receivable within an appropriate slot  41  defined by the lower ends  37 ′,  39 ′ of the lateral and medial plates  36 ′,  38 ′, such that the first and second attachment member second ends  32 ′,  34 ′ may be secured to one of respective lower ends  37 ′,  39 ′ of the lateral and medial plates  36 ′,  38 ′ by a suitable fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, adhesive, or the like. Thus, the effective distance between the foot plate  22 ′ and the lateral and medial plates  36 ′,  38 ′ may be selectively adjusted by adjusting the degree of insertion of the first and second attachment member second ends  32 ′,  34 ′ within the corresponding slots  41 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of an ankle holster  10 ″. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , a plurality of through openings  50  are defined along each attachment member second end  32 ″,  34 ″, each through opening  50  being adapted to removably receive the hinge  48  of the corresponding plate  36 ,  38  therein, such that the position of the rotatable connection between each plate  36 ,  38  and its respective attachment member  16 ″,  18 ″ is adjustable along the attachment member second end  32 ″,  34 ″ by repositioning the hinges  48  from one through opening  50  to another. Those skilled in the art will recognize other devices for allowing adjustability of the positioning of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  in relation to the foot portion  12 , and such devices may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in certain embodiments, at least one padded lining  58  is provided along inner surfaces  60 ,  62  of the plates  36 ,  38  to improve comfort of the ankle holster  10  to the wearer. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a padded lining  58  is provided along each inner surface  60 ,  62  of each plate  36 ,  38 . Each padded lining  58  is sized and shaped to conform generally along its corresponding inner surface  60 ,  62 , and also to conform along associated portions of the wearer&#39;s leg. In certain embodiments, each padded lining  58  is fixed along its associated plate inner surface  60 ,  62  as by adhesive or other suitable fastener. In other embodiments, each padded lining  58  is removably secured along its associated plate inner surface  60 ,  62  as by suitable releasable fasteners, such as for example hook and loop fasteners, frictional connections, snaps, or the like. It will be understood that other fasteners exist which are suitable for securing the at least one padded lining  58  along the plate inner surfaces  60 ,  62 . Furthermore, it will be understood that inclusion of the at least one padded lining  58  is not necessary to accomplish the ankle holster  10  of the present general inventive concept. 
     As discussed above, at least one outer surface  52 ,  54  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  of the leg portion  14  of the ankle holster  10  is adapted to carry a holster  20  secured thereto. In some embodiments, the holster is fixed against a corresponding outer surface of the lateral and medial plates. In other embodiments, the holster  20  is removably secured against a respective outer surface  52 ,  54  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38 . For example, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a mounting bracket  56  is provided which is adapted to be secured to at least one outer surface  52 ,  54  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38 . The mounting bracket  56  is also sized and shaped to allow mounting of a holster  20  thereto. In several embodiments, the mounting bracket  56  defines suitable fasteners to assist in fastening the mounting bracket  56  to at least one holster  20 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment the mounting bracket  56  defines a plurality of through bores  68  adapted to mate with and receive a fastening mechanism of the holster  20 , such as for example a screw, pin, tab, or other such fastening mechanism. In another embodiment, the mounting bracket  56  is fixed to the holster by an integral connection. Those skilled in the art will recognize other suitable devices for securing the mounting bracket  56  to the holster  20 , and such devices may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
     In some embodiments, the mounting bracket  56  is directly securable to the at least one outer surface  52 ,  54  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38 . In other embodiments, such as the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , the mounting bracket  56  is securable to a mounting sleeve  88 , which is in turn secured to one of the outer surfaces  52 ,  54  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting sleeve  88  is secured to an outer surface  52 ,  54  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38 , such as for example by a suitable fastener or by integral connection. The mounting sleeve  88  includes an outer surface  66  defining a plurality of lips  70  overhanging the outer surface  66  along peripheral edges of the outer surface  66 . The lips  70  are configured to allow slidable receipt of the mounting bracket  56  between the lips  70  and an outer surface of the mounting sleeve  88 , and to limit separation of the received portion of the mounting bracket  56  from the outer surface  66  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer surface  66 . Thus, with the portion of the mounting bracket  56  slidably received between the lips  70  and the mounting block outer surface  66 , one or more fastening mechanisms may be configured to engage the mounting bracket  56  to prevent slidable withdrawal of the holster  20  and associated mounting bracket  56  from the mounting sleeve  88 . 
     It will be understood that, in addition to the illustrated embodiments, the mounting bracket  56  may be sized and shaped in any of a large number of configurations to allow mounting of a holster  20  to an outer surface  52 ,  54  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38  through conventional means of the type known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, it will be understood that the ankle holster  10  may include an of a large number of shapes and configurations of holsters  20  for securing numerous types of articles  64  to a wearer&#39;s ankle without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, with reference to  FIG. 8 , in one embodiment the ankle holster  10  includes a holster  20  of the type suitable for receiving and carrying a firearm  64  secured to an outer surface  52 ,  54  of the lateral and medial plates  36 ,  38 . More specifically, the holster  20  as shown in  FIG. 8  is a polymer-type retention holster for a firearm. In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the ankle holster  10 ′″ includes a first holster  20 ′ which is adapted to hold and carry a firearm magazine  64 ′ and a second holster  20 ″ which is adapted to hold and carry a pair of handcuffs  64 ″. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates another type of holster  20 ′″ which may be used with the ankle holster  10  to hold and carry a cellular device  64 ′″, such as for example a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, tablet, electronic reader, or other such device. As shown in  FIG. 10A , in one embodiment, the holster  20 ′″ includes a lower housing  90  defining an interior cavity  92  which is sized and shaped to receive a cellular device  64 ′″ therein. The holster  20 ′″ may optionally include a cap  94  which is configured to at least partially seal the interior cavity  92  to limit removal of the cellular device  64 ′″ therefrom. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10B , the holster  20 ″″ is configured to hold and carry personal documents  64 ″″, such as for example a passport, identification, or other personal documents. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10B , the lower housing  90 ′ and cap  94 ′ are contoured to better conform to the leg of a wearer during use. In addition to the above-discussed embodiments, it will be recognized by one of skill in the art that the holster  20  may be a configured to hold any of several numbers and types of articles, such as for example firearms, ammunition, ammunition magazines, flashlights, knives, hand tools, navigation devices, communication devices, aiming devices, personal protection devices, non-lethal weapons, handcuffs and other restraint devices, personal documents, cards and identification, or the like, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
     From the foregoing description, it will be understood that an ankle holster  10  has been described herein which provides a fastening means for securing a holster proximate an ankle of a wearer with improved stability of the holster in relation to the wearer&#39;s ankle. Furthermore, it will be understood that the ankle holster of the present general inventive concept provides improved support to help stabilize the associated ankle of the wearer, while also allowing for improved comfort to the wearer. It will be understood that, when an ankle holster constructed in accordance with the present general inventive concept is worn by a wearer, and the wearer attempts to draw a firearm from the holster, the foot of the wearer bears against the foot plate, thereby allowing the wearer to apply positive resistance to the ankle holster against upward sliding along the leg of the wearer, and thereby further improving the stability of the holster in relation to the wearer&#39;s ankle. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.