Abstract:
A method and apparatus for securely carrying a radio device. A radio device is placed in a holster which is attached to a belt worn around the waist of the user. The holster employs a lanyard assembly having a first attachment member which attaches to the antenna of the radio device and a second attachment member which attaches to the holster. The distance between the first attachment member and second attachment member of the lanyard assembly can be adjusted. enabling the holster to accommodate a multitude of radio device sizes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The current application is related to (continuation of) a prior provisional application 61/461,452, filed on Jan. 19, 2011. with the same inventors and a similar title, taking benefits of all teachings and earlier filing date of that application. A reassignment to D4 Brands, LLC has been made and can be referred to by the EPAS ID#: PAT1761603. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Person to person radio holsters or holders are commonly used by uniformed professional field personnel (e.g. law enforcement, fire, park department, search and rescue, private security, utilities personnel, military. etc.) to carry radio devices. These holsters are attached to a duty belt worn around the waist of the user. The typical holster used by uniformed professional field personnel is a universal radio holder ( FIG. 1 ) such that, in theory, it will accommodate most or all radios on the market. Elastic shock cords are extended from the top of the holder down over the top and face of the radio and secured by way of snap or clip to the holder. However, the universal holder does not provide consistent and reliable retention for a wide range of radio sizes. When very short radios are placed in the holder, quite often the radio is inadequately secured and can come out of the holder in a dynamic environment such as running or getting in and out of a car ( FIG. 2 ). In addition, the elastic shock cords are typically routed over the radio controls ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). This undesirable contact with the radio controls can inadvertently alter the radio controls. 
         [0003]    Another method for carrying radio devices is a typical adjustable radio holder ( FIG. 4 ). The holder utilizes a horizontal strap with a hook and loop or other adjustable fixture that can be adjusted in dimension to fit radios of varying width. As with the technique above, the holder does not adjust for variations in radio length. This results in inadequate retention for very short radios. A modified version of the adjustable radio holder employs elastic shock cords which are extended from the top of the holder down over the top and face of the radio and secured by way of snap or clip to the holder ( FIG. 5 ). Routing the elastic shock cords over the radio controls can inadvertently alter the radio controls. 
         [0004]    A proposal by Moore (U.S. Pat. No. 7,594,305) for a tether for an electronic device attaches by way of an axial cavity to an antenna or extrusion. The tether is disengaged from the antenna of the electronic device when the device is in use. The tether does not encase the electronic device being secured. The shortcoming with this method is that most radio devices are not designed to be carried solely by the antenna. The tether can exert a significant force radially to the antenna which can cause damage to the antenna and the electronic device. As such, the apparatus provides insufficient support to reliably carry a large radio in a dynamic environment. 
         [0005]    There exists a need for a radio device holster that can securely retain a wide range of radio sizes without interfering with the controls of the radio device. 
         [0006]    Some prior art references are, which are all different from our teachings below:
       U.S. Pat. No. 7,594,305, by Moore, teaching “Socket engaging tether for electronic devices”       
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, the advantages of one or more aspects are:
       a holster for carrying a radio device that can securely and reliably carry the device in a dynamic and demanding environment:   a holster for carrying a radio device that can securely and reliably carry the device without interfering with the controls of the device:   a holster for carrying a radio device that can securely and reliable carry a wide range of radio device sizes.       
 
         [0012]    One embodiment features a holster body which holds the radio device. The holster body is adjacent to five sides of the radio device. As such, the radio device can only be inserted and removed from the holster in one direction. A lanyard assembly including two attachment members has a first attachment member which firmly attaches to the antenna of the radio device. The first attachment member preferably attaches at the base of the antenna since the antenna is often flexible. The second attachment member of the lanyard assembly engages with the holster. 
         [0013]    The lanyard assembly exerts a force on the antenna predominantly in the axial direction of the antenna. This is the direction that the radio is inserted into and removed from the holster. This prevents movement in the direction of device removal and firmly secures the device in the holster. The holster body prevents the radio device from moving in the other degrees of freedom. 
         [0014]    Other advantages of one or more aspects and a full understanding thereof will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and claims taken together with the accompanying illustrations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. Like parts are given like reference numerals in each of the drawings. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a typical universal radio holster. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a typical universal radio holster with a short radio. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a typical universal radio holster with a tall radio. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a typical adjustable radio holder. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a typical adjustable radio holder with shock cord. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 6A to 6C  show front, side, and isometric views of a radio holster with antenna lanyard in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a radio holster With antenna lanyard holding a radio. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows an antenna lanyard fixed to the antenna of a radio. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a lanyard assembly in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows a lanyard assembly in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows a lanyard assembly in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows a lanyard cord routed through an attachment member. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show a radio holster with antenna lanyard in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows an attachment member with hook and loop assembly. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  holster body 
           12  snap 
           13  mating snap 
           14  first attachment member 
           16  lanyard cord 
           18  second attachment member 
           20  supplemental fixture piece 
           22  hook and loop assembly 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment 
       [0038]    One embodiment of a radio holster with antenna lanyard is illustrated in  FIGS. 6A to 6C . The radio holster comprises two assemblies, the first being a holster body  10  and the second being a lanyard assembly. Holster body  10  is a carrying apparatus comprising a back, front, bottom, left side, and right side. The collective dimensions of holster body  10  are large enough such that most radio devices can fit within. 
         [0000]    The lanyard assembly comprises a first attachment member  14 , a lanyard cord  16 , a second attachment member  18 , and a supplemental fixture piece  20 . First attachment member  14  has an annular collar through which the antenna of the radio device fits. The annular collar of first attachment member  14  is fixed to the antenna through friction. The annular collar of first attachment member  14  is fixed to the antenna near the end of the antenna adjacent to the radio body. A permanent attachment is made between first attachment member  14  and lanyard cord  16 , with lanyard cord  16  oriented substantially parallel to the annular collar. Lanyard cord  16  travels through second attachment member  18 , allowing second attachment member  18  to move with respect to lanyard cord  16  and enabling the distance between first attachment member  14  and second attachment member  18  to be adjusted. The position of second attachment member  18  with respect to lanyard cord  16  is maintained in the adjusted location by clamping supplemental fixture piece  20  to lanyard cord  16 . Supplemental fixture piece  20  secures the distance between first attachment member  14  and second attachment member  18 . 
         [0039]    Second attachment member  18  features a snap  12  on one face which engages with holster body  10  by way of a mating snap  13  fastened to holster body  10 . One or more mating snaps are utilized on one or more faces of holster body  10 . The multiple mating snap  13  locations enable the lanyard assembly to be routed such that it does not interfere with the radio device controls. Lanyard cord  16  is an elastic shock cord with no or a limited amount of potential strain which secures the radio device with a biased downward pre-load. 
         [0040]    The holster body and components of the lanyard assembly can be made of material such as polymers, metals, cellulosic materials, ceramics, glass, biomaterials, nanomaterials, and composites. 
       Operation 
       [0041]    When a radio device is to be carried for the first time in the radio holster, first attachment member  14  is attached to the antenna of the radio device. The radio device is then placed in holster body  10 . The distance between first attachment member  14  and second attachment member  18  is adjusted and supplemental fixture piece  20  is clamped to lanyard cord  16  in a position such that the radio device cannot move in the direction of removal when completely seated in holster body  10 . Snap  12  of second attachment member  18  is then engaged with mating snap  13  of holster body  10 . The distance between first attachment member  14  and second attachment member  18  requires no additional adjustment when the radio device is removed from and reinserted into holster body  10 . 
         [0042]    When the radio device is to be removed from holster body  10 , first attachment member  14  remains attached to the antenna of the radio device while snap  12  of second attachment member  18  is disengaged from mating snap  13  of holster body  10 . While the radio device is separated from holster body  10 , the lanyard assembly remains attached to the antenna of the radio device, as shown in  FIG. 8 . When the radio device is placed back in holster body  10 , snap  12  of second attachment member  18  is engaged with mating snap  13  of holster body  10 . 
         [0043]    When the user decides to use a different radio device with the radio holster, first attachment member  14  is removed from the antenna of the previous radio device. First attachment member  14  is then attached to the new radio device to be used with the radio holster. The distance between first attachment member  14  and second attachment member  18  is adjusted for the first time use following the same procedure as detailed above. 
         [0044]    The holster body is attached to the belt worn around the waist of the user. 
       Alternative Embodiments 
       [0045]    There are various possibilities with regard to the configuration of the lanyard assembly for adjusting the distance between the first attachment member and the second attachment member along the lanyard cord.  FIG. 9  shows a lanyard assembly in which first attachment member  14  is permanently attached to lanyard cord  16  while second attachment member  18  is adjustable in position with respect to lanyard cord  16 . Second attachment member  18  is secured in the adjusted position through high friction with lanyard cord  16 .  FIG. 10  shows a lanyard assembly in which first attachment member  14  is adjustable in position with respect to lanyard cord  16  while second attachment member  18  is permanently attached to lanyard cord  16 . First attachment member  14  is secured in the adjusted position through high friction with lanyard cord  16 .  FIG. 11  shows a lanyard assembly in which both first attachment member  14  and second attachment member  18  are permanently attached to lanyard cord  16 . 
         [0046]    Alternative methods for securing the attachment members in position on the lanyard cord can be used.  FIG. 12  shows lanyard cord  16  routed along a non-linear path through second attachment member  18 . Alternatively, a knot can be used to secure the second attachment member at the desired location along the lanyard cord. 
         [0047]    There are various possibilities for attaching the second attachment member to the holster body.  FIG. 14  shows an embodiment in which second attachment member  18  utilizes one half of a hook and loop assembly  22 . The other half of hook and loop assembly  22  is fixed on one or more faces of holster body  10 .  FIGS. 13A and 13B  show an embodiment in which one or more of the front, left, or right faces of holster body  10  is not contiguous to the bottom face of holster body  10 . Second attachment member  18  utilizes a hook which secures to lower edge of the front, left, or right face of holster body  10 . 
         [0048]    Alternatively, the lanyard cord  16  can he a non-elastic member. 
       Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
       [0049]    Accordingly, the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the radio holster with antenna lanyard provides a more reliable and more secure method for carrying a radio device while preventing the radio device from moving or shifting in a very dynamic environment. The radio holster with antenna lanyard has the additional advantage in that it will not affect or inadvertently alter the controls of the radio device. Furthermore, the radio holster provides the above advantages while compatible with a range of radio devices varying widely in size. 
         [0050]    Although the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing, illustrations of some of several embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.