Universally angled squeegee holster

Abstract

A much improved universal fitting squeegee holster where the optimal size of the void in an insertion point, the optimal distance between insertion points and a drop in height across the insertion points creates a comfortable and practical holster. A universal squeegee holster in which the angle of placement and the shape of retention mechanism makes the wearer comfortable and capable of faster insertion and retrieval of squeegees. When holstered the distance between handles 4 creates space for squeegees of varying sizes to be quickly extracted. The distance between the wearer and insertion point 11 of the squeegee is optimised for easy extraction.

A universal holster for squeegees comprising a holster body made of a substantially rigid or pliable material and configured for securely receiving a squeegee. Holster body comprising a holster cavity configured for securely accommodating and partially embracing portions of the squeegee 11. The front panel of holster has one or two insertion points. The insertion points are for holding and extracting the squeegee. The top of the back layer of the holster is configured for attachment 2 to be secured to a belt on the wearers waist.

Claims

1. A universal holster for squeegees comprising: a shorter front panel and a longer back panel, the front and back panels being joined together along at least a portion of the first and second lateral side to form two receptacle pockets between the front and back panels in which a squeegee is receivable each panel having three areas of joining to create these pockets and a drop of height between the receptacle spaces.

2. The holster device of claim 1, wherein flexure of the front or back panels enables securing of a squeegee in the pockets to allow at least partial conformance of the holster to a users body in association with the plurality of positions of the users body.

3. The holster device of claim 1, further comprising the squeegee insertion area wherein the front layer is angled to accommodate two squeegee handles when bonded to the other panel forms a significant drop in height across the top of the two pockets.

4. The holster of claim 3 wherein the angle of the pockets in relation to the body attachment point horizontally across users body a significantly drops across the length of the top of the insert point of the pockets on the front panel.

5. The holster device of claim 3, wherein the pockets are angled at more than 25° to the top of the front panel

6. The holster device of claim 3, Wherein the pockets are significantly offset to a distance of centre of the top of the void in height over one fifth of the length of the void widthwise.

7. The holster device of claim 3, wherein one layer of the pocket when shaped and joined in width is between two to three times the length of the other layer when shaped and joined in width of pocket.

8. The holster device of claim 1 wherein the material is rigid and pliable.

9. The holster device of claim 1, wherein before shaping and joining when flat one layer of the pocket material is at least one sixth larger than the length of the other layer of material for the pocket when flat before joining back and front layer.

10. The holster device of claim 1, wherein when joined the length of the long side of the back panel being between over twice as large as compared to the short side of the front panel.

11. The holster device of claim 1, wherein the insertion of belt holes at the point of connection being more than one quarter the length of the longest side of the largest panel on the holster.

12. The holster device of claim 1, wherein the angle joining the two short sides on the front layer when laid flat being 29° degrees or more from top corner to top corner across the long side of the front layer and when folded and connected to the back layer the angle between the two short sides of the front layer being 45° or less.

13. The holster device of claim 1, wherein the longest length of the front layer when flat before being shaped being between one sixth and one third longer than the width of the back layer when flat measured across the longest length of the width of the piece.

14. The holster device of claim 1, further comprising an elevated cushioning area attached at the back of the back layer situated within the bottom half of the length of the base layer and the bottom of holster.

15. The holster device of claim 14, wherein the means for cushioning attached to the rear panel is elevated at between two fifths and four fifths of the length of the short side of the top layer.

16. The holster device of claim 14, wherein the back of holster elevated cushioning area is situated on the back layer in the area directly to the rear of the front layer.

17. The holster device of claim 14, wherein the elevated cushioning area on the back of holster is located between the widest part of the bottom layer to the area two thirds the width of the Back layer.

18. The holster device of claim 1, wherein when the front layer is bonded with the back layer at the top right or left point of where holster ends end of width across short or long end of back panel said panels having a tab under one sixth of the length of the front layer for attachment.

19. The holster device of claim 1, wherein when the front layer is bonded with the back layer at the bottom right or left point of where holster ends on width across short or long end of back panel said panels having a tab between one sixth of the length of the front layer for attachment.

20. The holster device of claim 1, wherein the pocket shape created between the back layer and the front layer is a “C” shape that ends curving into flattened edges.

Description

DETAILED EMBODIMENT & DRAWINGS

[0042] The following is the preferred embodiment of holster.

[0043] Parts in

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the holster according to the present disclosure with squeegees holstered in it.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1 lying flat featuring the “C” shaped front layer and voids created.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a front left perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the back layer before joining of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 5 Shows a front view of the front layer before joining of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1 featuring the shape of the voids.

[0051] FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view from below of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0052] FIG. 9 shows a back bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] FIG. 10 shows front perspective view of an embodiment of a single holster version of preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0054] FIG. 11 shows a elevated front perspective view of an embodiment of a single holster version of preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0055] FIG. 12 shows a front perspective view of one alternative embodiment of the holster using as applied to holstering a hammer.

TABLE-US-00002 DRAWINGS - Reference Numerals 1 belt support area 2 linear belt holes 3 belt support area 4 back layer 5 back layer holes 6 back layer ledge cuts 7 back layer short side 8 back layer short angled cut 9 back layer long side 10 back layer vertical hole distance 11 material arc void area 12 back layer angled hole distance 13 back layer bottom angle 14 front layer top angle 15 rivet 16 front layer 17 front layer short side 18 front layer long side hole hole distance distance 19 front layer short side 20 front layer bottom angle 21 front layer ledge cuts 22 rubber back pads 23 rivet tail

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0056] The subject matter of selected embodiment's of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in the document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed.

[0057] The preferred embodiment of the holster of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1-FIG. 10.

[0058] The holster has a back layer of firm but flexible material that can be cut or shaped or set into the required shape. In my preferred embodiment The shape and positioning of all angles and holes on the back layer in relation to the wearer and in relation to the ground are to provide excellent stability, The angles have been chosen to be the most comfortable distance from the hip of the wearer to the insertion points, and the best angle for comfortable holstering and extraction of the squeegees 4 In the preferred embodiment the back layer is made of vegetable tanned leather which is flexible and strong enough to retain its shape stopping movement of squeegees in the holster and the holster itself from flipping forward—backward or flipping inside out. The width of this back layer at its widest point is 2.3 times the size of the total length of the back layer. The vegetable tanned leather is also water resistant making it more durable and with a longer lifespan than artificial materials. The leather can be cut into shape by hand with a knife and cutting board. The holster also has six 0.118 inch (3 mm) wide holes 5 which are drilled through the material and made to join the front layer these are at a distance far enough from the edge to stop the connections wearing through the edge of the layers 16. The point of connection with the belt is wide enough to provide stability for the entire holster 3 so that the top part of the holster remains firm stopping lateral movement and provides comfort for the wearer. Two vertical linear holes in the holster 2 are spaced with a 1.181 inch (30 mm) gap of rigid material separating them, these stop the holster from moving along the belt and out of the wearers preferred and safest position. 25 The belt slots horizontally through the two holes 2. Each side of the linear holes has an angled area for belt support the 0.59 inch (15 mm) or more of rigid material from the edge of the hole to the end of the holster material stabilising the holster and stopping it from turning over 1 The width of the back is wide enough to have two multiple different size squeegee handles sitting side by side resting against this back layer 4, this backing behind the squeegee handles stops the squeegee from getting caught on the window cleaner pants or clothing, it stops liquid from wetting the window cleaners pants and provides stability and rigidness throughout the entire construction. The bottom edge of the base layer is angled at 45° when the short side 7 and long side 9 of the base are at 90° 13 supporting and providing backing and stability for the top layer 16. Two short ledge cuts are made to the base on the short side and long side 6 these create mounting points for attachment to the upper layer using extra material but allowing for the optimal dimensions for the insertion points and providing strength against tearing and wear at the connection points. Along the short side after the ledge is a 8 short angled cut that ends at the bottom of the layer it runs at the same angle as the long side cut 9 The dimensions for this area are listed under the additional details and dimensions heading. However, the back layer can consist of any other material or more than one piece of material that is strong enough and flexible enough to hold a squeegee tightly. Other materials that could be used are hard plastic, nano-spun material, PTFE Materials, flexible plastic, nylon, cotton, hemp, vinyl, paper or any other material that can be repeatedly moved in shape without fracturing. The width of the back layer could be thinner, The connection point with the belt could be different with a different hole arrangement for the belt using a similar slotting system or with hook and loop, a zipper, sewn material or glue, press studs could also be used as could holes be drilled into the belt and screws could join both belt and holster together. Any material capable of bonding the two materials could be used. The back layer is attached to a front layer 16 made of the same or different material as the back layer. In the preferred embodiment it is made of vegetable tanned leather which is flexible and strong enough to hold a squeegee firmly it also keeps its shape once positioned. The leather is cut into shape by hand with a knife and cutting board the angle of both the top 14 and bottom 13 being 29° when the cuts on the short sides being at 90° 19. The upper layer 16 also has six 0.118 inch (3 mm) wide holes 18 which are drilled through the material and made to join the Back layer at the optimal dimensions for the insertion points and providing strength against tearing and wear at the connection points. The dimensions for this area are listed under the additional details and dimensions heading. The upper layer can consist of any other material that is strong enough and flexible enough to hold a squeegee tightly. Other materials that could be used are hard plastic, flexible plastic, nylon, cotton, hemp, vinyl, paper or any other material that can be repeatedly moved in shape without fracturing. However, the upper layer could be made of a hard, inflexible material shaped specifically for the holding of multiple squeegee types like plastic rubber, carbon fibre steel or wood, or any material that can be permanently shaped. This upper layer could alternatively be sealed at the bottom catching drips from the squeegee.

[0059] The size of the upper layer material is of specific dimensions to hold multiple brands of squeegees firmly when shaped. The size of the piece of material is large enough to be shaped for holding squeegee handles and stopping movement of squeegee channels while in the holster 16. In my preferred embodiment the shape of the cut of the front layer has an angle of 29° when the short sides are at 90° which allows two squeegee handles to be held across the top face of the holster side by side in an optimal position without jamming when withdrawing but allowing easy insertion and extraction. The dimensions for this area are listed under the additional details and dimensions heading. The bottom cut is made so that the material is long enough to stop movement of the squeegee channel and short enough to use the minimum required material to hold the squeegee solidly in place. In the preferred embodiment the shape is a continuous diagonal cut from one side to the other at 29° ending in two flat vertical sides when seen from the front. The cut across the bottom is also a continuous cut in my embodiment at 29°. The length, width wise of the front layer is longer than the back layer it is attached to and it needs to be shaped and attached to the flat lying back layer. The dimensions for this area are listed under the additional details and dimensions heading. However, the size of the front layer could be different. The number of pieces of material could be increased to two or more. The angle of the cut could be tighter under 29° or larger over 40°, the cut could also be made as a flat 0° when the short sides are 90°, shaped into a step with one flat cut insertion point then a vertical drop to a second flat cut insertion point. A step with two angled pieces could also be made achieving the same drop vertically and the same distance between the two insertion points. The size of the front layer could also be made larger creating bigger folds for insertion points when it is attached to the back layer, this would result in larger insertion voids. The layout of the belt could also be different with the back layer being longer and folded up to serve as the front layer, also adding holes in the bottom fold area. In my preferred embodiment The front layer is attached at six specific points to the back layer 10,12. these points create the tightness needed to hold the handle of the squeegee in place on the edges of the shape and the curve in shape in the centre of these insertion points being large enough to hold the larger part of the handle resulting in a comfortable fit, but not so tight a fit that the rubber on the squeegee channel rubs and becomes damaged from its contact with the internal of the holster. The dimensions for the preferred embodiment of this area are listed under the additional details and dimensions heading. Three points are located across the top of the angled cut at the top of the insertion point of the squeegee. These are located one in the centre of the piece of material and one on either side of the folds or pockets created by the folding and shaping of the upper layer material, to the left and right of the centre 10,12. To attach the upper layer to these six points of connection copper rivets 15,23 are used for fastening. The width of the rivets are 0.118 inches (3 mm) the length of said rivets being 0.27 inches (7 mm), head size of said rivets is 0.35 inches (9 mm) and rivet tail size is 9 mm these are strong and create a solid and tight bond with the material these are also long lasting and waterproof. To shape the material, you must begin 15 on the left side or right side of the back layer and front layer together 16. Before shaping the upper layer 16 the two holes on both the front layer and back layer need to be lined up, the back layer 4 with the corresponding holes in the front layer either starting with the left two holes lined up if working from the left, or the right two holes lined up if working from the right. Then the head side of a 15 rivet is put in each of the two holes to hold in place, then these need to be set with a rivet setter. A rivet setter hammers the 23 tail and head of the rivet together to create a permanent bond between the front and back layer. However, a different number of rivets or a different source of bonding could be made to connect the back and the front layer together, various types of adhesive, screws, press studs, plastic rivets, hinges, a wide variety of other methods that create a permanent or temporary strong bond could be used for bonding the back and front layer together.

[0060] In the preferred embodiment the shaping and bonding of the base layer and the upper layer is done by first bonding the left or right side of the base and the upper level together. Following this the middle section of both the upper and base layer have to be bonded together. To do this the wider upper layer of leather is shaped into in an arc 11 between the two points of attachment on the left or right edges of the holster that are now attached and the middle of the both front and back pieces for a few minutes till it can hold its shape so it is flexible enough to line up the holes with the middle drilled holes 18 When this is done the top hole rivet is set first, then the bottom drilled hole of the middle area of the material is lined up and set with a rivet. To set the final rivets the leather of the front layer is again shaped into an arc 11 between the point of attachment in the middle of the holster for a few minutes till it can hold its shape so it is flexible enough for the last side to line up the corresponding drilled holes in in the front layer 18,17 and to line up with the last side drilled holes in the back layer 5. A specific and distinctive shaped cavity 11 which is similar to the shape of the letter C is created in the holster using this bonding technique. This optimally shaped cavity acclivity and dimensions are able to fit multiple brands of squeegee securely and safely holding squeegees, not so loose they fall out of the holster, or so tight they cannot be extracted easily or quickly. In the preferred embodiment the drop of front layer material from across the back layer across each individual insertion point to the other is 1.77 inches (45 mm) at a 45° angle of descent across the top layer 14. The front layer when flat before being shaped has a cut across the top and bottom of the long sides at 29° 14,20 when the short sides are at 90°, but once shaped to create voids the front layer has an angle across the face of the insertion points of 45°. The total drop in height across both insertion points from edge to edge across the base is 3.54 inches (90 mm) at 45° angle of descent of the top layer 14. The bottom of the back layer and the bottom of the front layer both end at an angle of 45° both end at the same point at the base of the holster. However, the technique used to create the shape that holds multiple brands of squeegees could be done differently, method for attaching rivets could be done in a different order resulting in a different shape. A separate flexible piece of material either flexible or rigid such as hard plastic, flexible plastic, nylon, cotton, hemp, vinyl, paper or any other material that can be made into a shape with the desired squeegee holding capabilities could be attached separately,

[0061] In the preferred embodiment three pieces of square hard wearing rubber are attached to the rear of the back layer as a support 22 after bonding of the back and front layers in a position in line with the bottom third of the part of the back layer that is fronted by the front layer. These rubber pieces serve to hold the holster off the body of the wearer, increase stability of the holster resulting in increased comfort and avoids squeegees from dripping liquid onto the window cleaner pants or shoes. The rubber pieces are attached with adhesive after turning the holster onto its front finding the marked correct positions and applying adhesive to the rubber and rear of holster.

[0062] However, a different position could be used for positioning these supports on the backing where it can make contact with the body, the shape and size of the supports could be straight from one side of the rear of the holster to the other, circular, or any other shape that stabilises the holster or holds the holster off the body. It could also run diagonally across the length of the rear of the holster. The material used for the support could be plastic, foam, cotton, hemp, rubber or any other material capable of being rigid enough to act as a support. The attachment of the folded leather could be made with various other types of adhesive, screws, press studs, plastic rivets, hinges, a wide variety of other methods that create a permanent or temporary strong bond could be used. In the preferred embodiment the distance between the hip of the holster wearer is optimised for the most comfortable distance for extraction and re-insertion, measured from the top of the holsters belt insertion holes. The voids created by the back layer and front layer being attached are 0.944 inches (24 mm) at the widest point the length of the void space created being 2.95 inches (75 mm). 2 and insertion point of the squeegee 11 is 7.323 inches (186 mm) (FIG. 7). when on the holster wearer in the preferred embodiment the angle of the insertion point measured across the second layer top cut sits at is 15° if the ground is considered as 0°. In the preferred embodiment the back layer cut and the cut on the bottom of the front layer when on the holster wearer sits at the angle of 15° if the ground is considered as 0° FIG. 4 shows the back layer of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment the back layer being made of flexible leather material, a back layer of leather between 0.11-0.15 inches (3-4 mm) in thickness. The width of this back layer at its widest point is 2.3 times the size of the total length of back layer. The width at the widest point is 5.70 inches (145 mm) the length is 13.18 inches (335 mm) The shape of the layer being as shown in FIG. 4, length across top point of holster parallel with point of attachment being 2.28 inches (58 mm). The back layer length of angled cut across bottom of base being between 30-50° degrees when left or right sides of longest side of base at 90°. The cut length across bottom layer is 40°. The length of the cut is 6.49 inches (165 mm) and the remaining part of the bottom edge of the cut being 0.47 inches (12 mm) giving a total length of 6.96 inches (177 mm) across the bottom angled part of the base. On the attachment point of the holster straight holes run parallel to the longest lengthwise part of the base the holes being 1.96 inches (50 mm) in length and 0.137 inches (3.5 mm) in width. The end of the top of the hole being 0.433 inches (11 mm) from the top end of the holster. The shape of the back layer is wide enough to sit squeegee handles against. In the preferred embodiment the width across the top of one insertion point is 2.89 inches (73.5 mm) the width across both is 5.70 inches (145 mm). The position of holes in the back layer are two at the points of attachment with the front layer. The total holes in the preferred embodiment are six. Two are placed in the centre of the back layer and two on both the left and right edges of the back layer. The right and left holes start at 0.19 inches (5 mm) from the edge of the material. The diameter of the holes in my embodiment are 0.118 inches (3 mm). On the back layer ridge shapes at the highest point of attachment and on the lowest point of attachment accommodate two of the holes at the end of both angled cuts. These ridges are 0.59 inches (15 mm) in length.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND DIMENSIONS

[0063] FIG. 4 Shows the back layer of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment the back layer being made of flexible leather material, A back layer of leather between 0.11-0.15 inches (3-4 mm) in thickness. The width of this back layer at its widest point is 2.3 times the size of the total length of back layer. The width at the widest point is 5.70 inches (145 mm) the Length is 13.18 inches (335 mm) The shape of the layer being as shown in FIG. 4, length across top point of holster parallel with point of attachment being 2.28 inches (58 mm). The back layer length of angled cut across bottom of base being between 30-50° degrees when left or right sides of longest side of base at 90°. The cut length across bottom layer is 40°. The length of the cut is 6.49 inches (165 mm) and the remaining part of the bottom edge of the cut being 0.47 inches (12 mm). Giving a total length of 6.96 inches (177 mm) across the bottom angled part of the base. On the attachment point of the holster straight holes run parallel to the longest lengthwise part of the base the holes being 1.96 inches (50 mm) in length and 0.137 inches (3.5 mm) in width. The end of the top of the hole being 0.433 inches (11 mm) from the top end of the holster. The shape of the back layer is wide enough to sit squeegee handles against. In the preferred embodiment the width across the top of one insertion point is 2.89 inches (73.5 mm) the width across both is 5.70 inches (145 mm). The position of holes in the back layer are three at the points of attachment with the front layer. The total holes in the preferred embodiment are six. Two are placed in the centre of the back layer and two on both the left and right edges of the back layer. The right and left holes start at 0.19 inches (5 mm) from the edge of the material. The diameter of the holes in my embodiment are 0.118 inches (3 mm). On the back layer ridge shapes at the highest point of attachment and on the lowest point of attachment accommodate two of the holes at the end of both angled cuts. These ridges are 0.59 inches (15 mm) in length FIG. 5 Shows a front view of the front layer of the preferred embodiment of the holster shown in FIG. 1 The shape of layer when longest side being the horizontal, when flat the length being 1.29 times the length of the back layer. In my embodiment the dimensions of the front layer using the ledge 21 as a horizontal axis are: The front layer has an angled lengthwise angled cut across top and bottom each with a ledge for a hole or point of attachment. The angle of the cut being represented when attached and shaped at between 30-50° using bottom ledge 21 as horizontal axis. In my preferred embodiment the angle is 35° using the bottom ledge 21 as a horizontal axis. The front layer dimensions when flat before shaping are at a ratio of width is ⅓ of length when using the bottom ledge 21 as a horizontal axis. In my preferred embodiment when using the bottom ledge as a horizontal axis, both a 7.87 inch (200 mm) cut ending in 0.59 inch (15 mm) ledges a total of 8.46 inches (215 mm) in length. The length of the shorter vertical sides being 3.03 inches (77 mm). The front layer has attachment points for attachment to the back layer, In my embodiment the front layer has six attachment points holes these are 0.118 inches (3 mm) in width as shown in FIG. 5 The front layer has attachment points for fastening to the back layer. six brass rivets are used for fastening. The width of the rivets are 0.118 inches (3 mm) the length of said rivets being 0.27 inches (7 mm), head size of said rivets is 0.35 inches (9 mm). As shown in FIG. 7 The voids created by the back layer and front layer being attached are 0.944 inches (24 mm) at the widest point the length of the void space created being 2.95 inches (75 mm). As shown in FIG. 9 three rubber pieces serve to pad and grip against the wearers body the rubber pieces sit at the bottom of the back layer angled to fit the base. The dimensions of each of the rubber pieces are; the adhesive glued width end of each piece 31 mm; the depth being also the distance between the holster and the wearer is 31 mm the height being 25 mm. Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the general claims are expressed.

[0064] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from standard deviation in measurements.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

[0065] Many other variations are possible due to many reasons, some being the comfort of the angle of the holster and the distance between the holsters insertion point and the wearers hip,

[0066] The holster can be used as a single or double holster. It can be used as a holster for a handled blade, the construction of the entire holster can also be reversed. Alternatively a single holster of the invention could be combined into a double holster with one of the present style holster such as a bucket holster or a horizontally mounted holster.

[0067] The parts composing the holster could be duplicated or, changed in size, made of different materials, made in a different shape, connected or associated with its adjacent elements in a different manner or made integrally or in sections.