Patent Publication Number: US-10782094-B2

Title: Holster mount with adjustable drop and cant

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/874,401, filed Jan. 18, 2018, of the same inventors, the entire disclosure of wich is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for adjustably supporting a holster on a user&#39;s belt. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus that enables a user to place the holster in a first position of drop and/or cant relative to the user while seated in a car or other vehicle, and then place the holster in a second, different position of drop and/or cant relative to the user after exiting the vehicle. 
     When a user carries a handgun in a holster on the user&#39;s belt, and is standing up, the handgun needs to be in a position to enable rapid and accurate drawing of the handgun from the holster. The holster mounts the handgun at a height near the waist or hip of the user and, in some adjustable holsters, in a selected position of cant But when the holster is in this “use” position, and the user thereafter sits down in a vehicle, the holster and gun are awkwardly positioned. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A holster support assembly for use by a user wearing a belt may in some embodiments be adjustable for both drop and cant in a second one of such embodiments, a pull stick is provided for ease of adjustment. In another embodiment, the holster support assembly, though using the same parts as the first embodiment, is adjustable only for drop. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a holster assembly that is a first embodiment of the invention, taken from the outside and shown supporting a holster on a user&#39;s belt; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the holster assembly of  FIG. 1 , takes from the inside; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the holster assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of part of the holster assembly of  FIG. 1  including a holster mount, a slider, and a lock bar; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the holster r mount of  FIG. 4  from the opposite side; 
         FIG. 6  is a transverse sectional view through the holster assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the belt support with the look bar in an open or unlocked position; 
         FIG. 8  is view similar to  FIG. 7  illustrating the belt support with the lock bar in the closed or locked position; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are longitudinal sectional views showing the holster assembly in a cant locked position and in a cant released position; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an element that can be used to support a holster assembly on a user at a location other than the user&#39;s belt; 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  of a holster assembly that is a second embodiment of the invention, with parts of the holster assembly in a first position; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken generally along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is view similar to  FIG. 1  of the holster assembly of  FIG. 11  with parts in a second position; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken generally along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an element that forms part of the holster assembly of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  of a holster assembly that is a third embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken generally along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a holster support assembly for adjustably supporting a holster on a user. The invention is applicable to holster mount assemblies of various configurations. As representative of the invention,  FIGS. 1-10  illustrate a holster support assembly that is a first embodiment of the invention. The holster support assembly  10  is usable for supporting a holster, shown schematically at  12 , n user&#39;s belt shown partially at  14 . 
     The holster support assembly  10  includes generally five components, each described below in detail: a belt support  20  that is carried on the user&#39;s belt; a slider  70  that is slidable vertically on the belt support; a holster mount  90  that is connected with the slider (to adjust drop) and also is pivotable relative to the slider (to adjust cant); a lock bar  120  for locking the parts in a selected vertical (drop) and rotational (cant) position; and a screw assembly  130  for securing together the other components of the holster support assembly  10 . 
     The belt support  20  ( FIGS. 1-3 and 7 ) supports the assembly  10  on the user&#39;s belt  14 . The belt support  20  has an upper end portion  22  that is curved or contoured to fit the curved configuration of the user&#39;s torso. The upper end portion  22  includes two belt slots  24  for receiving the user&#39;s belt  14 . The belt support  20  can thus be hung from the user&#39;s belt  14 , and slid (positioned) laterally along the belt, so that the holster assembly  10  is in the desired position adjacent to the user&#39;s hip. 
     A main body portion  26  of the belt support  20  extends down from the upper end portion  22 . A laterally central section of the main body portion  26  forms a vertically extending track  30 , which comprises two rails  32  on opposite sides of a central slot  34 . The rails  32   a  and  32   b  have a generally planar, plate-like configuration. As described below in detail, the slider  70  and holster body are movable vertically along the track  30  to adjust the drop of the holster  12 . 
     The central slot  34 , which is also part of the track  30 , extends completely through the belt support  20  between the inner and outer side surfaces  42  and  44 , respectively, of the belt support. The central slot  34  is defined by the two rails  32  that are on opposite sides of the central slot. For each rail  32  its outer side surface is part of the outer side surface  44  of the belt support  20 , and its inner side surface is part of the inner side surface  42  of the belt support. 
     The central slot  34  has a relatively narrow lower section  50  that is a constant width along its entire length. The central slot  34  has an upper section  52  that is significantly wider than the lower section  50  and that has a generally square configuration. As a result, the slot  34  has a generally keyhole-shaped configuration. At the top of the lower section  50  of the central slot  34 , just at the bottom edge of the upper section  52 , are located two bump stops  54 , one on each rail  32 . 
     The wall thickness of the track rails  32  (from inside to outside, or left to right as viewed in  FIGS. 9A-9B ) is different, over three different sections of the track  30 . Specifically, in a locking section  30   a  of the track  30 , starting at the bottom end of the central slot  34 , the rails  32  have a constant, first wall thickness. At the top of the locking section  30   a  of the track  30 , the wall thickness of the rails  32  decreases to form a ramp section  30   b  of the track that has a tapering second wall thickness. Above the ramp section  30   b , in a release section  30   c  of the track  30 , and adjacent to the enlarged upper section  52  of the central slot  34 , the rails  32  have a constant reduced third wall thickness that is the same as the thinnest part of the ramp section. 
     Because the central slot  34  is located between and defined by the rails  32 , the depth of the slot varies in the same manner as does the wall thickness of the rails. Specifically, the slot  34  is deeper in the locking section  30   a  of the rails  32 , tapers in depth in the ramp section  30   b , and is shallowest in the release section  30   c.    
     As described below in detail, the slider  70  is slidable vertically along the track  30  of the belt support  20 . In that regard, the belt support  20  has a number of features for helping to set the vertical orientation of the slider  50  on the belt support. Specifically, on one side of the track  30  are formed three notches  56 . On the opposite side of the track  30  are four rib segments  58  spaced apart with gaps  60  between them. The notches  56  and the gaps  60  are located along the lower portion (constant wall thickness)  30   a  of the track  30 . The notches  56  are located laterally opposite and thus paired with the gaps  60 . 
     Each associated pair of notch  56  and gap  60  defines a detent (or locking position)  62  on the belt support. In the illustrated embodiment, there are three vertically spaced locking positions  62   a ,  62   b ,  62   c . In other embodiments, an assembly  10  in accordance with the invention could have more than three locking positions  62  or fewer than three locking positions. 
     The slider  70  ( FIGS. 3-4 ) engages with the belt support  20  and supports the holster mount  90  for vertical and rotational (pivotal) movement relative to the belt support. The slider  70  is a disc-shaped member having generally planar inner and outer major side surfaces  72  and  74  connected by an annular outer peripheral surface  76 . 
     The inner major side surface  72  of the slider  70  is engageable with and slidable along the outer major side surface  44  of the belt support  20 . Several features are present on the inner major side surface  72  of the slider  70 . First, there is a horizontally extending groove  76  having dimensions selected to closely receive the lock bar  120  in a manner as described below. The groove  76  extends horizontally for the full width of the slider  70 . Two detent notches  78  are formed at one position along the length of the groove  76 . 
     Second, there is a vertical groove  80  at one side of the slider  70 . When the slider  70  is mounted on the belt support  20 , the groove slidably  80  receives the ribs  58  of the belt support. This engagement of the ribs  58  in the groove  80  secures the slider  70  against rotation about the transverse axis  88 . Third, two generally triangular restraint tabs  89  are disposed along the length of the vertical groove  80 , on opposite sides of the groove. The restraint tabs  89 , as well as two shorter ribs  92  diametrically opposite the groove  80 , assist in maintaining the positioning of the slider  70  on the belt support  20 . 
     On the outer major side surface  74  of the slider  70 , facing away from the belt support  20 , there is formed a circular array of wedge-shaped locking teeth  84 . The teeth  84  extend radially outward from a centrally located through hole  86  that defines a transverse axis  88  of the holster assembly  10 . 
     The holster mount  90  is a member that is configured to directly engage and support the holster  12  itself on the slider. As a result, and as described in detail below, the holster  12 , the holster mount  90 , and the slider  70  are movable vertically, together, along the track  30  of the belt support  20 . 
     The holster mount  90  is a plate-like member that in the illustrated embodiment has a generally teardrop-shaped configuration including a wider upper end portion and a narrower lower end portion to accommodate the similar configuration of a typical holster. Two holster connection openings  92  are located in the upper end portion of the holster mount  90  and one holster connection opening  92  is provided in the lower end portion of the holster mount. The holster connection openings  92  receive fasteners shown schematically at  94  ( FIG. 1 ) for securing the holster  12  to the holster mount  90 . The openings  92  may, as illustrated, be arcuate slots enabling mounting of the holster  12  at different pivotal (rotational) orientations on the holster mount  90 . 
     The holster mount  90  has a generally flat outer major side surface  96  that is presented outward and that is in abutting engagement with the holster  12  when the holster is secured on the holster mount. The holster mount  90  has an opposite inner major side surface  98  that is presented inward toward the user, and toward the slider  70 , when the holster mount is connected as part of the holster assembly  10 . On the inner major side surface of the holster mount  90  is a circular array of radially extending, wedge-shaped locking teeth  100 , effectively a mirror image of the array of locking teeth  84  on the slider  70 . 
     The holster mount  90  has a central opening  102  that is co-axial with the central opening  86  in the slider  70  when the holster assembly  10  is assembled. An internally threaded propeller nut or T-rout  104  is secured in the central opening  102  of the holster mount  90 , on the outside of the holster mount, to provide an internally threaded location for receiving the assembly screw  132 . 
     An annular boss  106  extends around the opening  102 , on the inner side surface  98  of the holster mount  90 . An annular spring chamber  108  extends around the boss  106 . The spring chamber  108  receives a circular compression spring  110 . The spring  110  acts outwardly between the slider  70  and the holster mount  90 , attempting to push them apart. 
     The holster  12  is secured to the holster mount  90  in a known manner, such as by the fasteners  94 . In this application, the actual configuration of the holster itself is not critical, and so the holster  12  is shown only in phantom. 
     The lock bar  120  is configured as an elongate bar that extends laterally across the track  30  of the belt support  20 , at a location captured (inside to outside) between the belt support and the slider  70 . The lock bar  120  is slidable laterally when in its position between the belt support  20  and the slider  70 . At one end of the of the lock bar  120  is manually engageable tab or handle  122  that can be used to pull or push the lock bar across the track  30 . The lock bar  120  also has projections  124  that are engageable with the detent notches  78  on the slider  70 . An elongate screw passage  126  extends in a direction along the length of the lock bar  120 . 
     The screw assembly  130  includes a screw  132  that in the illustrated embodiment is a machine screw having a round head  134  and an externally threaded shank  136 . The screw  132  is assembled with a plastic washer  138  that is fitted under and around the screw head  134 . A plate  140  is secured onto the washer  138  by peening over four pins  142  on the washer. 
     The washer  138  is slightly smaller then the opening of the release section  52  of the central slot  34 , so as to be able to fit through the release section. The washer  138  is free floating on the screw  132 , that is, the washer and the screw are relatively rotatable. 
     The washer  138  has a generally square configuration with rounded corners. One of the four corners of the washer may be different from the other three, for assembly and orientation purposes. Also, the underside of the washer  138  ( FIG. 3 ) has two slots  144  that extend halfway up the washer. When the screw assembly  130  is connected in the holster assembly  10 , the slots  144  extend from the screw shank  136  in a direction toward the lower section  50  of the central slot  34  in the belt support  20 . 
     To assemble the parts of the holster assembly, the slider  70  is placed on and engaged with the outer side surface  44  of the belt support  20 . The vertical ribs  58  on the belt support  20  are received in the vertical groove  80  on the slider  70 , this engagement blocks rotation of the slider on the belt support. The tabs  89  on the slider  70  also assist in this regard. As a result, the slider  70  is supported on the belt support  20  for vertical sliding movement along the belt support, without rotation. 
     At the same time, the lock bar  120  is placed to extend late oily along the horizontal groove  76  in the slider  70 , at a position captured between the slider and the belt support  20 . The screw slot passage  126  in the lock bar  120  overlies the central opening  86  in the slider  70 , and also overlies the central slot  34  in the belt support  20 . 
     The holster mount  90  is positioned on the slider  70 , with the compression spring  110  between them in the spring chamber  108  that extends around the boss  106 . 
     The screw assembly  130  holds the other pieces together. Specifically, the screw head  134  and the washer  138  are positioned on the inner side surface  42  of the belt support  20 . The screw shank  136  extends through the central slot  34  in the belt support  20 , through the central opening  86  in the slider  70 , through the screw passage  126  in the lock bar  120 , and into the center of the boss  106  on the holster mount  90 . The nut  104  is lockingly engaged in the central opening  102  of the holster mount  90 , and receives the threaded screw shank  136 . 
     As a result, the parts of the holster assembly  10  are held together securely in the direction along the length of the screw  132 . The spring  110  acts outwardly between the slider  70  and the holster mount  90 , attempting to push them apart in a direction along the transverse axis  88 , that is, along the length of the screw  132 . 
     When the parts are assembled in this manner, it is done with the screw  132  extending through the lower section  50  of the central slot  34  in the belt support  20 . In this position, the rails  32  have a relatively large wall thickness and the central slot  34  is relatively deep. The screw  132  is tightened down on the holster mount  90  to a point at which there is little or no movement possible between the parts in a direction along the length of the screw  132 , the screw  130  and the nut  104  cooperate to hold the holster mount  90  in tight against the slider  70 . 
     The screw  132  is intentionally not tightened down enough to prevent all vertical movement of the parts along the track  30 . Rather, the parts can be moved vertically with the application of a reasonable amount of force, to enable the user to adjust the holster assembly  10 . This is because the lock bar  120  ( FIG. 6 ) is thinner at its inner end  125  than at its outer end  123 , so that when the lock bar is opened, the parts can be moved easily. The radial teeth  34  of the slider  70  are engaged with the radial teeth  100  of the holster mount  90 , preventing any rotation of the holster mount and the holster  12  on the belt support  20 . 
     As a group, the three elements or pieces that slide along the track  30  of the belt mount  20 , together as one unit, to effect change in drop height and to allow for adjustment of cant, can be considered to be a “sliding assembly”. These three elements are the holster mount  90 , the slider  70 , and the lock bar  120 . The sliding assembly can be positioned farther down the track  30  to place the holster mount  90  in one of the available locking positions. When the sliding assembly and thus the slider  70  are positioned farther upward in the release section of the track  30  the slider and the holster mount  90  can be rotated, to allow for change of cant position. 
     As noted above, the holster assembly  10  of the present invention is useful for adjustably supporting the holster  12  on the user&#39;s belt  14 . In a manner as described below, the user can place the holster  12  in a first position of drop and cant relative to the user while seated in a car or other vehicle, and then place the holster in a second, different position of drop and cant after exiting the vehicle. 
     The three locking positions  62  noted above with reference to the belt support  20 , provide three different drop heights for the holster  12  on the belt support. The holster assembly  10  may come from the manufacturer set in one of the three locking positions  62 . The user can select and lock in any one of the three available drop heights for use when the user is standing up and wearing the holster assembly  10 . The cant position (orientation), however, can be changed only when the holster assembly  10  is unlocked, as described below. 
     To set or change the drop height, the user withdraws the lock bar  120  to the open position shown in  FIG. 7 . When this is done, the slider  70  is then free to move vertically along the track  30  of the belt support  20 . The user applies sufficient manual force to move the holster  12 , the holster mount  90 , and the slider  70  vertically, to the desired locking position  62 . The lock bar  120  is then moved back to the closed position shown in  FIG. 8 . The lock bar  120  is securely held vertically by the detents In the belt support  20  that form the locking positions. Also, when the lock bar  120  is fully inserted (closed), the detent features  124  on the lock bar  120  engage in the notches  78  of the slider  70 . This engagement resists movement of the lock bar  120  out of the closed position, ensuring that the drop height of the holster  12  is not inadvertently changed. 
     When the holster assembly  10  is in this way placed in any one of the three locking positions  62 , the radial teeth  100  on the holster mount  90  continue to engage the radial teeth  84  on the slider  70 . This engagement blocks rotation of the holster mount  90  relative to the slider  70 . Because the slider  70  cannot rotate on the belt support  20 , this engagement also blocks rotation of the holster mount  90  relative to the belt support  20 . As a result, the cant position of the holster  12  is fixed, keeping the holster in a position for the user to quickly draw the weapon. 
     When the user wants to change the cant position of the holster  12 , for example to sit down, the holster mount  90  needs to be rotated relative to the belt support  20  and the slider  70 ; consequently, the radial teeth  100  on the holster mount must be disengaged from the radial teeth  84  on the slider. To enable this disengagement to happen, the holster mount  90  and the slider  70  must be moved apart (separated) from each other in a direction along the transverse axis  88 . This axial separation movement cannot occur when the holster assembly  10  is in or near any of the three locking positions  62 , because the screw  130  and the nut  104  cooperate to hold the holster mount  90  in tight against the slider  70 . 
     In order to enable this axial separation movement to occur, the slider  70  is moved upward to the release section  300  of the track  30 . Specifically, the user unlocks the lock bar  120 , and pulls the holster  12 , holster mount  90 , slider  70 , and screw assembly  130  upward from the locking section  30   a  of the track  30 , past the ramp section  30   b  of the track, and into the release section  30   c  of the track. This movement is seen in a comparison of  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
     The upward movement of the parts stops when the washer  138  engages the top of the central slot  34 . Specifically, when the parts move up far enough, the two bump stops  54  on the rails  32  move into the two slots  144  on the washer  138  and limit (stop) the upward movement of the washer at that point. Thus, the shank  136  of the assembly screw  130  stays in the narrow lower section  52  of the central slot  34 . 
     As the parts move upward in this manner, the washer  138  is sliding along the inner side surface  42  of the rails  32 . The slider  70  is sliding along the outer surface  44  of the rails  32 . The screw/nut combination  132 / 104  is a fixed length; but when the washer  138  is moved up past the ramp section  30   b  to the release section  30   c , the rails  32  (between the screw head and the washer) are thinner, so there is some open space generated along the length of the screw shank  136 , between the washer  134  and the nut  104 . 
     This open space allows for expansion of the compression spring  110 , which all along is acting between the slider  70  and the holster mount  90  to attempt to push them apart transversely. The expanding spring  110  pushes the holster mount  90  outward (to the right as viewed in  FIG. 9B ). The extra space and movement that is provided, by virtue of the thinner rails  32  in the release section  30   c , is enough to allow the radial teeth  100  of the holster mount  90  to disengage from the radial teeth  84  of the slider  70 . The holster mount  90  is then free to rotate relative to the slider  70 . The user can change the cant position of the holster mount  90  (and the holster  12 ) to a more comfortable position for sitting. 
     When the user thereafter wants to return the holster assembly  10  to the original (standing) position, the user rotates the holster  12  and the holster mount  90  back to the original position, and then pushes the entire assembly down on the belt support  20 . As this downward movement occurs, the parts move past the ramp section  30   b  of the track  30  onto the locking section  30   a  of the track. The extra space between the washer  138  and the nut  104  is taken up by the increased wall thickness of the rails  32 . The holster mount  90  moves back toward the slider  70 , compressing the spring  110 . The radial teeth  100  of the holster mount  90  engage again with the radial teeth  84  of the slider  70 , blocking relative rotational movement between those two parts. The parts can be placed in any one of the available (in this case three) locking positions  62  and can be locked there by restoring the lock bar  120  to the closed position. 
     A holster assembly of the present invention can be configured to be supported on a user at a location other than the user&#39;s belt. For example, a holster assembly of the present invention can be configured to be supported on, for example, a user&#39;s vest or jacket. 
     To this end, the parts of the holster assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 , other than the belt support  20 , are removable from the belt support  20 , to be positioned elsewhere. To effect this removal, the user unlocks the lock bar  120 , allowing the slider  70  and the holster mount  90  to be moved upward on the belt support  20 . The slider  70  is moved up to the release section  30   c  of the track  30 , as described above. 
     The upward movement of the slider  70  would normally stop when the washer  138  engages the bump stops  54  as described above. With the application of sufficient force, however, the user can move the parts past the bump stops  54 , pushing the holster mount  90  into slider  70  and thus compressing the spring  110 , allowing sufficient room for the washer/screw assembly to travel over the bump stops  54 . The washer  138  and screw head  134  then move into the enlarged upper section  52  of the central slot  34 . At that point, the washer  138  and screw head  134  can be moved past the belt support  20 , in a direction toward the slider  70  (to the left as viewed in  FIGS. 9A and 9B ), and thus be disconnected from the belt support. 
     The holster  12 , the holster mount  90 , the slider  70 , and the screw assembly  130  can then be connected with a device other than the belt support. As one example,  FIG. 10  illustrates an element  150  that can be used to support those parts on, for example, a user&#39;s vest or jacket; 
     The element  150  has fastener openings  152  for fastening the element to the garment. The element  150  includes a central slot  154  with an enlarged end portion  156  through which the washer  138  and screw head  134  are inserted, in a direction from the opposite (not shown) side of the element. That opposite side of the element  150  includes features to engage the slider  70  and the lock bar  120 , as in the assembly  10 . The parts can then be moved into a locking position, sliding along the length of the central slot  154  in a direction away from the enlarged end portion  156 . This particular element  150  does not include the ramp feature that enables changing the cant of the holster  12 : rather, this particular element only allows the user to place the holster in a different location on the user&#39;s body or garments, or on another element such as a portion of a vehicle or structure. Other elements can have this additional feature, if desired. 
     In accordance with a feature of the invention, a holster assembly of the present invention may include structure that provides the user with increased control of movement of the slider along the track, specifically into the highest locking position, the spinning position, and/or the removal position. This feature is illustrated in  FIGS. 11-15 , which illustrate a holster assembly  10   a  that is a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, parts that are the same as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. 
     In  FIGS. 11-15 , the reference numeral  200  is used to designate, as a group, the three elements or pieces that slide along the track  30  of the belt mount  20 , together as one unit, to effect change in drop height and to allow for adjustment of cant. These three elements, collectively denoted  200 , are the holster mount  90 , the slider  70 , and the lock bar  120 . The sliding assembly  200  can be positioned farther down the track  30  to place the holster mount  90  in one of the available locking positions. When the sliding assembly  200  and thus the slider  70  are positioned farther upward in the release section of the track  30 , the slider and the holster mount  90  can be rotated, to allow for change of cant position. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 11-15 , the holster assembly  10   a  includes an element that is connected with the slider  70  to enable easier positioning of the sliding assembly  200  at its several available positions along the length of the track  30  on the belt mount  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, that element is a pull stick  210  that is connected for movement with the slider  70 . The element could alternatively have a configuration other than the thin, elongate configuration illustrated. 
     The pull stick  210  is preferably connected for movement with the slider  70  by being formed as one piece with the slider, for example by molding from plastic, as seen in  FIG. 15 . An inner end portion  212  of the pull stick  210  is adjacent to and extends from the outer periphery  76  of the slider  70 . An opposite outer end portion  214  of the pull stick  210  is manually engageable to enable the user to grasp the pull stick and thereby manipulate the sliding assembly  200 . 
     A longitudinally central portion  216  of the pull stick  210  supports two triangular detents or stops  218  and  220 . The first and second stops  218  and  220 , respectively, are spaced apart from each other along the length of the central portion  216 . Specifically, the first stop  218  is located closer to the outer end portion  214  of the pull stick  210 , and the second stop is located closer to the slider  70  and farther from the outer end portion. Each stop  218 ,  220  has a respective stop surface  218   a ,  220   a  that extends transverse to the length of the pull stick  210  and that faces in direction direction toward the outer end portion  214  of the pull stick. 
     When the slider  70  and the pull stick  210  are assembled in the holster assembly  10   a , the pull stick extends outward from the slider, between the belt  20  and the holster  12 , parallel to the track  30  on the belt mount  20 . The outer end portion  214  of the pull stick  210  is accessible and is manually engageable by the user to enable the user to reposition the sliding assembly  200 . 
     The belt support  20  at its upper end has a blocking surface  222  that faces toward the slider  70 . The central portion  216  of the pull stick  210  extends over the track  30  of the belt support  20  and over the blocking surface  222 . 
     The position of the first stop  218 , along the length of the pull stick  210 , is selected so that when the sliding assembly  200  is in the final (uppermost) locking position, the first stop on the pull stick is in engagement with the blocking surface  222  on the belt support  20  ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ). As a result, the user can more directly gauge the final (uppermost) locking position, by sensing this engagement, when adjusting the height and/or cant of the holster  12 . 
     The pull stick  210  is resiliently flexible in a direction transverse to the length of the pull stick. Specifically, the pull stick  210  can be bent or flexed in a direction so as to rove the first and second stops  218  and  220  in a direction away from the track  30  and the blocking surface  222 , that is, in a direction to the right as viewed in  FIG. 12 . As a result, when the first stop  218  on the pull stick  210  is in engagement with the blocking surface  222  on the belt support  20 , the user can grasp the outer end portion  214  of the pull stick and flex it outward, in a direction to the right as viewed in  FIG. 12 . The first stop  218  is displaced from the blocking surface  222  on the belt support  20 , so that the pull stick  210  (and the entire sliding assembly  200 ) are free to be pulled upward from the final locking position to a position at which the cant of the holster  12  can be adjusted. When this “spinning” position is reached ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ), the second stop  220  on the pull stick  210  engages the blocking surface  222  on the belt support  20  to stop the upward movement of the sliding assembly past to the spinning position. This engagement prevents the sliding assembly  200  from being moved into the release position and helps to block unintended removal of the holster from the user&#39;s belt. 
     If it is desired to remove the holster from the user&#39;s belt, the user can grasp the outer end portion  214  of the pull stick  210 , lift the second stop  220  off the blocking surface  222 , and pull farther outward until the sliding assembly  200  is in the removal position as described above. Conversely, when the sliding assembly  200  is moved from the spinning position back to one of the locking positions, the stops  218  and  220  can cam up over the blocking surface  222  of the belt support  20 , if the outer end portion  214  of the pull stick  210  is not being lifted by the user. 
     In this second embodiment of the invention, the stop surface  220   a  stops movement of the sliding assembly  200  at the spinning position, and prevents movement of the sliding assembly past the spinning position. Therefore, the bump stops  54  on the belt support  20  and the slots  144  on the washer  138  are not needed, and may be omitted. A beneficial result of this change is that the washer  138  is then symmetrical and may be assembled in any one of its four possible orientations with respect to the other parts of the assembly  10   a.    
     In accordance with another feature of the invention, a holster assembly of the present invention may include structure that prevents the sliding assembly from moving past the spinning position into the removal position. This feature is illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , which illustrate a holster assembly  10   b  that is a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, parts that are the same as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. 
     Specifically, the holster assembly of  FIGS. 16 and 17  includes, in addition to the elements described above with reference to the first embodiment, a blocking member or insert  230 . The insert  230  is a separate element or part that is configured to releasably fit into the enlarged upper section  52  of the central slot  34  in the belt support  20 . Thus, in this embodiment, the insert  230  has a main body portion  231  with a generally square configuration. 
     When in place in the belt support  20 , the insert  230  is securely retained in the belt support  20 . A pin  232  on the upper edge of the main body portion  211  of the insert  230  fits into a slot  234  on the upper edge of the belt support  20 . A slot portion or tail portion  236  of the insert  230 , on the lower edge of the main body portion  211  of the insert, fits into the upper end of the main portion  50  of the central slot  34 . 
     The dimensions of the insert  230  as compared to the belt support  20  are selected to provide the insert  230  with an interference fit in the belt support. Thus, the insert  230  can only be intentionally, and not inadvertently, placed into or removed from engagement with the belt support  20 . 
     When the insert  230  is located in the opening  52 , the tail portion  236  of the insert  230  blocks off the upper end of the central opening  34  in the belt support  20 . Thus, the screw assembly  130  cannot move into the opening  52 , to the spinning position. This feature prevents cant adjustment of the holster  12 . Additionally, the sliding assembly  200  cannot be moved far enough up the track  30  to enable the holster  12  to be removed from the belt support  20 . This feature prevents inadvertent (or intentional) removal of the sliding assembly  200 , and the holster  12 , from the belt mount  20 . 
     In this third embodiment of the invention, the insert  230  prevents movement of the sliding assembly  200  into the spinning position. Therefore, the bump stops  54  on the belt support  20  and the slots  144  on the washer  138  are not needed, and may be omitted. A beneficial result of this change is that the washer  138  is then symmetrical and may be assembled in any one of its four possible orientations with respect to the other parts of the assembly  10   a.