Abstract:
A multi-purpose carrier constructed from single continuous sheet of material that is folded along a horizontal axis or a vertical axis in a manner so as to create opposing open top ends and a closed or open bottom end. The opposing left and right sides are folded towards the vertical or horizontal axis in the center of the sheet of material to create opposing left and right channels. The channels have a plurality of apertures located along the outer edge of the channels. A cord or torsion spring is funneled through the channels and apertures to compress the opposing sides of the device together to create a positive compression grip of the contents carried in the carrier.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/342,652 filed May 27, 2016 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/401,360 filed Sep. 29, 2016. The entire contents of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of weapons. More specifically, the present invention relates to carriers for firearm and firearm accessories. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is often desired to carry accessories and firearms. For example, a spare magazine is typically carried on the person on a belt, jacket or other device worn on the body. When replacing the magazine for the firearm, the old magazine is removed from the firearm and a new magazine is retrieved from the spare magazine carrier before it can be inserted in place. 
         [0004]    There are known firearm and accessory carriers made from nylon or other nylon like products, which uses are more catered for outdoor uses in tactical environments such as military, law enforcement and shooting enthusiast usage. Professionals in a non-tactical environment such as detectives, personal bodyguards, special agents or similar professions often have to dress up in suits or nice casual clothing where nylon products such as holsters, belts and magazine carriers stand out within the normal realm of public locations. As such, firearm and accessory carriers that are made of nylon-type materials present themselves to be more noticeable in public. 
         [0005]    Leather pouches have been used as long as man has existed. As such the public merely dismisses the existence of a leather carrier in public view thinking the carrier contains a pocketknife or a tool such as a multi-tool (i.e. Leatherman, small flashlight). Accordingly, there is a long felt need for various types of pistol, handgun or rifle holster and accessory carriers that can be made to match a leather belt that one wears. This allows the carrier to be made in colors that better blend in to the user&#39;s garments and style of dress so as to be less noticeable. 
         [0006]    Nylon-like pouches, holsters and carriers can maintain a positive grip to the contents of what it carries but they cannot mold or remold themselves like a leather carrier. Similarly, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride based or molded injection carriers that are typically secured with a bungee or other type cord cannot change their shape without extensive modifications. As such, there is a need for adjustable carriers than can be reshaped and/or molded easily with use of water or with products used in the leather profession to mold leather, which can be easily obtained by the user 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0007]    Most carriers on the market use an elastic cord, most commonly called bungee or shock cord, to provide an open top, positive compression/retention design. It would be useful for this design to have more versatility, such as using a torsion spring to obtain the positive compression grip to maintain the contents of the carrier rather than the elastic cord. 
         [0008]    Known carriers are constructed with multiple parts. Most have a main body which folds in center to provide a left and right side as well as additional front and back pieces. These carriers also often use a bracket made of plastic-like material or reinforced nylon webbing, which is secured in the middle of the main body at its fold that creates the sides. Then an elastic cord weaves the opposing sides together in order to provide the compression of its contents. Such carriers often have webbing that is sewn onto the main body to accept the elastic cord and to also be used in conjunction with other securing devices to attach themselves to a platform most commonly referred to as MOLLE (modular, lightweight, load carrying equipment) webbing. MOLLE webbing is most commonly used in military and some law enforcement equipment and is therefore not necessary for non-tactical uses, such as for law enforcement, contractors, lawyers, doctors and others wherein their workplace and wardrobe dictates their apparel to be worn. As such, it would be useful to have a leather carrier without such webbing. Further, most carriers require lamination of multiple layers, which requires extensive sewing. 
         [0009]    It would be considerably more cost effective in materials and labor if a carrier is constructed from only one piece of material for the front, back and sides. It would also be more cost effective if the design did not require lamination of multiple layers or use of webbing. Finally, such a design would result in a smoother surface so as to reduce or eliminate its propensity to get caught up or snag onto anything it comes into contact with. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to meet these needs by providing a multi-purpose carrier with simple construction made from a material allows the user to discreetly carry a firearm or a tactical accessory that does not rely solely on an elastic band to obtain the positive compression grip to maintain the content of the carrier. According to one embodiment of the carrier disclosed herein, a single continuous sheet of material in an “H” or “I” shape is folded along a horizontal axis in a manner so as to create opposing open top ends and a closed bottom end. The opposing left and right sides are folded towards a vertical axis in the center of the sheet of material to create opposing left and right channels. The channels have a plurality of apertures located along the outer edge of the channels. A cord can be funneled through the channels and apertures to weave the opposing sides of the device together to create a positive compression grip of the contents carried in the carrier, such as an elastic or bungee cord. A strap may be attached to one of the top open ends, folded back on itself and secured to one of the sides to create a loop for a belt or other securing device to pass through and secure the carrier to the user&#39;s body. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a single continuous sheet of material is folded along a vertical axis to create opposing open top ends and opposing open bottom ends. The opposing left and right sides are folded towards the center of the sheet of material to create opposing channels. A strap may be attached to one of the top open ends, folded back on itself and secured to one of the sides to create a loop for a belt or other securing device to pass through and secure the carrier to the user&#39;s body. A strap may be attached to one of the bottom open ends and secured to each of the sides to secure the bottom open end and prevent the item contained in the carrier from slippage out the bottom open end. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a pair of torsion springs are inserted into the formed channels on each side of the carrier created by the horizontally folded carrier and the springs may enter from the bottom of the carrier and pass through the side channels towards the top of the carrier. A first torsion spring may also be inserted into the single formed channel on one side of the carrier created by the vertically folded carrier and the spring may enter from the bottom of the carrier and pass through the side channels towards the top of the carrier. Alternatively, a second torsion spring may also be inserted into the single formed channel on one side of the carrier created by the vertically folded carrier and the spring may enter from the top of the carrier and pass through the side channels towards the bottom of the carrier. The first and second torsion spring may interlock along the side of the carrier with the single formed channel. 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment, the torsion spring has a “W” or “M” shaped end with two opposing limbs extruding therefrom. The limbs of the torsion spring may have a curvature midway that inserts into the apertures of the channels of the horizontally folded carrier, locking the limbs into place in the carrier. The end of the torsion spring may have turn back hooks that pass completely through the channels of the horizontally folded carrier and out the open top end of the carrier to help lock the spring in place. In another embodiment, the end of the torsion spring can also be complete loop, similar to eyelets on a fishing hook. 
         [0014]    Additionally, an elastic or rubber band like O-ring can be inserted onto the limbs of the torsion spring at the midway point or midway curvatures to help lock the spring into place within the channel apertures of the horizontally folded carrier, which assists in the compression of the carrier against the contents carried within. 
         [0015]    In additional embodiments of the present invention, the carrier is constructed to have tooling designs that match the current equipment that most police and sheriff department regulations mandate. Additionally, a leather loop may be attached to secure itself to a belt or can be constructed for use with other manufacturers&#39; parts to secure itself to other platforms such as paddles or slide on belt hangers. In another embodiment, the belt clip may be inserted through the one side of the channels at either the top end of the channels or at the apertures in the sides of the channels such that the height of the carrier above the belt is adjustable. 
         [0016]    In the preferred embodiment the material used in the construction of the carrier is leather. While, leather does require more care to preserve the all-natural material, the material of the present invention is not restricted to leather as it can also be made from other materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) synthetic rubber or can be injection molded. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the pattern for the single continuous sheet of material for one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is perspective side view of a partially assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the inside of a partially assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the outside of a partially assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a back view of a partially assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a back view of a partially assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a fully assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective side view of a fully assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a back view of a fully assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an exemplary version of the torsion spring of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a front view of an exemplary version of the torsion spring of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of the insertion of the torsion spring into one embodiment of the carrier of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of the insertion of the torsion spring into one embodiment of the carrier of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of the belt clip used with the carrier of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15A  is a perspective rear view of one position of insertion of the belt clip of  FIG. 14  into the carrier of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 15 b    is a perspective rear view of one position of insertion of the belt clip of  FIG. 14  into the carrier of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a rear view of the belt clip of  FIG. 14  inserted into the carrier of the present invention and clipped to a belt. 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the belt clip of  FIG. 14  inserted into the carrier of the present invention and clipped to a belt. 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is a perspective front view of two pouches of one embodiment of the carrier of the present invention in a series relationship. 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is a perspective front view of two pouches of one embodiment of the carrier of the present invention in a series relationship. 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  is a perspective front view of three pouches of one embodiment of the carrier of the present invention in a series relationship. 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  is a side perspective view of two pouches of one embodiment of the carrier of the present invention in a stacked relationship. 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  is a front view of one embodiment of the pattern for the single continuous sheet of material for one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  is a front view of a partially assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 22 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 24  is a front view of a partially assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 22 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 25  is a front view of a fully assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 22 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 26  is a back view of a fully assembled carrier from the pattern shown in  FIG. 22 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the pattern used to cut the material of the carrier  20  is shown wherein the pattern is generally “H” or “I” shaped, depending on orientation. As shown, the pattern is “I” shaped. The top portion  26  and bottom portion  28  are substantially rectangular pieces connected by a substantially rectangular connector piece  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first substantially rectangular connector piece  30  may be reinforced with a second substantially rectangular connector piece. The top and bottom portions  26  and  28 , respectively, have apertures  22  and  24 . A strap portion  10  is substantially elongated rectangular shape with a curved end with a plurality of apertures. 
         [0045]    Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the top portion  26  and bottom portion  28  of the carrier  20  are folded along their interior surface to meet a medial vertical axis of the pattern to create channels  32  and  34 . The apertures in the top and bottom portions create slots  22  and  24  along the edges of channels  32  and  34 . The channels  32  and  34  are secured in place by stitching the folded pieces of the top portion  26  and bottom portion  28  using a seam. The second connector piece may also be stitched into place using a seam. 
         [0046]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , the strap portion  10  is attached to the top portion of the carrier  20 . In  FIGS. 6-9  the strap portion  10  is folded back on itself to create a loop and stitched into place. Turning to  FIGS. 7-9 , on the strap portion  10  between the two places where it is sewn, there is what forms a channel  40  and a horizontal hole  42 . The cord  600  passes through the channel  40  to create two equal lengths of cord  600  on each side. The two equal lengths of cord  600  (one left and one right side) are inserted on their respective sides, downward to the first opening  36 / 38  and proceed upwards through the channels towards  22 / 24 . The cord then exits  22 / 24  and proceeds to the opposite sides of  22 / 24 , then the cord goes upwards through the channels  32 / 34  until they exit the top of the channels  32 / 34 . Then the cord transfers back to the opposite side (Front to backside)  32 / 34  opening back through channels to  22 / 24 , then exits to transfer into the opening  22 / 24  going downwards till they exit  36 / 38 . Then the cord goes back up  36 / 38  (Front to back side) then back upwards to  22 / 24  where the cord exits. Then the tails of the cord  600  pass back downwards from  22 / 24  and back through channel  40  where the lacing pattern began. The cords exit midway through the channel  40  and out the hole  42 . Both cord ends now pass through the vertical hole  44  below the channel  40  to assist in securing/locking the cord  600  into place. A sufficient amount of cord  600  is left hanging for future adjustment. 
         [0047]    Turning specifically to  FIG. 8 , the carrier in  FIG. 6  is secured to a belt by threading the belt through the loop created on the backside by strap portion  10 . An item is inserted into the top end and rests against the bottom end created by connector piece  30  and is compressed for a secure fit by the use of the elastic cord weaved through the channels  32  and  34 , slots  22  and  24  and strap portion  10 . 
         [0048]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , a torsion spring with a “W” or “M” shaped end formed by portions  1005 ,  1006  and  1007 , depending on orientation, has two opposing limbs with upper portions  1010  and  1014  and lower portions  1008  and  1009  curvatures  1003  and  1004  approximately midway between the upper and lower portions. The ends of the limbs of the torsion spring may have turn back hooks  1001  and  1002 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , in an alternative embodiment, the torsion spring with a “W” or “M” shaped end formed by portions  1105 ,  1106  and  1107 , depending on orientation, has two opposing limbs with upper portions  1110  and  1011  and lower portions  1108  and  1109  without any curvature midway. 
         [0049]    Turning to  FIG. 12 , a torsion spring with a “W” or “M” shaped end formed by portions  1005 ,  1006  and  1007  with two opposing limbs with upper portions  1010  and  1014  and lower portions  1008  and  1009  curvatures  1003  and  1004  approximately midway between the upper and lower portions is inserted into the formed channels  32  and  34  on each side entering from the bottom end of the carrier and passing through the side channels  32  and  34  towards the top end of the carrier. 
         [0050]    Turning to  FIG. 13 , the curvatures  1003  and  1004  midway inserts into the slots  22  and  24  of the channels  32  and  34 , locking the limbs of the spring into place in the carrier. In an alternative embodiment, the torsion spring of  FIG. 11  may also be inserted into the formed channels entering from the bottom end of the carrier and passing through the side channels  32  and  34  towards the top end of the carrier. An O-ring may be inserted at the midway point of each limb and fit within the slots  22  and  24  of the channels  120 , locking the limbs into place in the carrier. When the torsion spring is in place, the opposing side walls of the carrier are compressed towards one another and also compressed against any item inserted into the interior cavity of the carrier. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the ends  1001  and  1002  of the torsion spring may have turn back hooks that pass completely through the channels  32  and  34  and out the open top end of the carrier to help lock the spring in place. 
         [0052]    While the torsion spring described herein is “W” or “M” shaped, the torsion spring may be of any shape such that the limbs can be inserted into the channels of the carrier an allows compression of the opposing sides of the carrier. 
         [0053]    Turning to  FIG. 14 , a wire form belt clip  1400  for use with the carrier of the preceding Figures is shown. In one embodiment, the wire form generally has a pair of straight legs  1401 ; a pair of straight legs  1402 ; a pair of side arms  1403  connecting the straight legs  1401  and  1402 ; a pair of curvilinear sections  1404  extending from legs  1402  and towards legs  1401  and ending in a hook configuration with side arm  1405  bridging the two curvilinear sections  1404 . In the preferred embodiment, the legs  1401  and  1402  are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the side arms  1403 . The curvilinear sections  1404  is substantially parallel to the side arm  1403  and substantially perpendicular to legs  1401  and  1402 . Turn back hooks  1406  extend from the straight legs  1401  and are bent at about a 90-degree angle. 
         [0054]    Turning to  FIGS. 15A  and B, the tips of the belt clip can be inserted into one of the channels  32 / 34  or  36 / 38  such that the legs  1410  and  1402  rest inside the channels  32  and  34  and the legs  1401  extend away from the magazine carrier between the side arms  1403  and curvilinear sections  1404 . The side arm  1405  abuts the magazine carrier. A slotted space is created between the legs  1401  and  1402  of the belt clip. 
         [0055]    Turning to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a belt is shown threaded through the slotted space created between the legs  1401  and  1402  of the belt clip shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0056]    Turning to  FIGS. 19-20 , an alternative embodiment of the carrier of the present invention is shown where two pouches are in a series relationship. A top portion and bottom portion of each pouch  20  are folded along their interior surface to meet a medial vertical axis of the pattern to create channels  32  and  34 . The apertures in the top and bottom portions create slots  22  and  24  along the edges of channels  32  and  34 . A torsion spring with a “W” or “M” shaped end formed by portions  1006  and  1007  with two opposing limbs are inserted into the formed channels  32  and  34  on each side entering from the bottom end of the pouches and passing through the side channels  32  and  34  towards the top end of the pouches. A pair of curvatures midway through the opposing limbs may be inserted into the slots  22  and  24  of the channels  32  and  34 , locking the limbs of the spring into place in the pouches. However, as shown herein the torsion spring of  FIG. 11  is inserted into the formed channels  32  and  34  of each pouch entering from the bottom end of the pouches and passing through the side channels  32  and  34  towards the top end of the pouches. When the torsion springs are in place, the opposing side walls of the pouches are compressed towards one another and also compressed against any item inserted into the interior cavity of the carrier, such as the ammunition clip  2003 , the handcuffs  2100  and accessory  2000  of  FIG. 20 . 
         [0057]    Turning to  FIG. 21 , an alternative embodiment of the carrier of the present invention is shown where two pouches are in a stacked relationship. A top portion and bottom portion of each pouch are folded along their interior surface to meet a medial vertical axis of the pattern to create channels  32  and  34 . The apertures in the top and bottom portions create slots  22  and  24  along the edges of channels  32  and  34 . A torsion spring with a “W” or “M” shaped end formed by portions  1005 ,  1006  and  1007  with two opposing limbs are inserted into the formed channels  32  and  34  on each side entering from the bottom end of the pouches and passing through the side channels  32  and  34  towards the top end of the pouches. A pair of curvatures midway through the opposing limbs may be inserted into the slots  22  and  24  of the channels  32  and  34 , locking the limbs of the spring into place in the pouches. However, as shown herein the torsion spring of  FIG. 11  is inserted into the formed channels  32  and  34  of each pouch entering from the bottom end of the pouches and passing through the side channels  32  and  34  towards the top end of the pouches. When the torsion springs are in place, the opposing side walls of the pouches are compressed towards one another and also compressed against any item inserted into the interior cavity of the carrier. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the ends  1001  and  1002  of the torsion spring may have turn back hooks that pass completely through the channels  32  and  34  and out the open top end of the carrier to help lock the spring in place. 
         [0059]    While the torsion spring described herein is “W” or “M” shaped, the torsion spring may be of any shape such that the limbs can be inserted into the channels of the carrier or pouch an allows compression of the opposing sides of the carrier or pouch disclosed herein. 
         [0060]    Turning to  FIG. 22 , one embodiment of the pattern used to cut the material of the carrier disclosed herein is shown. As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the left portion  2301  and right portion  2302  of the carrier  2303  are folded along their interior surface to meet a medial vertical axis of the pattern to create channels  2403  and  2404  and opposing top open ends and opposing bottom open ends when the left  2301  and right  2302  sides are further folded towards the central vertical axis  2304  to create opposing side walls, said side walls  2402  and  2403  shown further in  FIGS. 25 and 26  with a channels  2403  and  2404  at the outer edge of the each of the side walls  2402  and  2403 . The channels  2403  and  2404  are secured in place by stitching the folded pieces of the left portion  2405  and right portion  2302  using seam  2401 . The channel  2403  and edges of the side wall  2402  and  2403  create a gap, which provides a guide and protective area for the iron sights of a firearm. 
         [0061]    As shown further in  FIG. 26 , a back spine portion  2601  is created. This spine may be reinforced by a portion of material  2304  shown in  FIG. 23 . In the preferred embodiment, the carrier is made from leather and the strip of material  2304  is made from plastic. The strip reinforces and protects the interior portion of the spine  2601  opposite channel  2403  when an item, such as a firearm with iron sights, is inserted into the carrier. 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 26 , a first torsion spring  2502 , such as that shown in  FIG. 11 , is inserted through the channels at the outer edges of the opposing side walls  2402  and  2405  at the top or bottom open end of the carrier to force the opposing side walls towards each other. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 25 , a second torsion spring  2501  may be interlaced with the first torsion spring  2502  at a central point of both torsion springs wherein a positive compression grip of an item inserted in the carrier is created by inserting the first spring  2502  through the channels  2303  and  2304  at the top open end of a first side wall  2402  and the top open end of the second side wall  2405  and inserting the second spring  2501  through the channels  2303  and  2304  at the bottom open end of the first side wall  2402  and at the bottom open end of the second side wall  2405  to force the now opposing side walls towards each other. 
         [0064]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and components of the individual operating components of the method) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.