Quick detach belt loop

Abstract

In embodiments, a belt clamp includes an inboard plate and an outboard plate that are pivotally coupled at their upper ends. The belt clamp may also include a spring biased locking mechanism that selectively and releasably connects the lower end of the inboard plate to the lower end of the outboard plate by way of locking posts in the inboard plate that are displaced upwardly from the lower edge of said plate. The outboard locking plate may have latch members that are entirely contained (except for opposing actuation buttons) within a compartment formed by two portions of the outboard plate connected by a living hinge. The opposing actuation buttons require a motion in a first direction, such as upwardly, to allow motion in a second direction, such as inwardly, to rotate the latching members inwardly to release the locking posts.

Claims

1. A belt clamp for securing a holster or accessories to a user's belt, the clamp comprising: an inboard plate and an outboard plate that are pivotally coupled at respective first ends at respective hinge portions; a spring biased locking mechanism configured to selectively and releasably connect a second end of the inboard plate to a second end of the outboard plate, a belt width adjustment bar, wherein one of the inboard plate and outboard plate comprises a plurality of slots for receiving the belt width adjustment bar, wherein the belt width adjustment bar further comprises at least two spaced apart slot engaging members configured to be received in the plurality of slots, wherein the spring biased locking mechanism comprises at least two latching members positionable between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein the at least two latching members comprise finger buttons facing in opposite directions to one another, and the at least two latching members are configured to be slidably spring biased away from one another to the latched position; wherein the inboard plate has two locking posts unitary with the inboard plate; wherein the two locking posts are displaced from a lower margin of the inboard plate opposite the hinge portion of the inboard plate.

2. The belt clamp of claim 1, wherein the compartment is defined by a containment portion of the outboard plate comprising unitary features therein configured for constraining movement of the one or more latching members between the latched position and the unlatched position, and wherein each of the at least two latching members is configured to be slidably moved between the latched position and the unlatched position; wherein the inboard plate has two locking posts unitary with the inboard plate; wherein the two locking posts are displaced from a lower margin of the inboard plate opposite the hinge portion of the inboard plate.

3. The belt clamp of claim 2, further comprising a coil spring urging each of the at least two latching members to the latching position, and wherein the compartment is configured to substantially contain the at least two latch members and the coil spring.

4. The belt clamp of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two locking posts has a respective ramp at a distal end of each respective locking posts.

5. The belt clamp of claim 1, wherein each of the respective hinge portions comprises at least one knuckle.

6. The belt clamp of claim 1, further comprising at least one marking display disposed on at least one of the inboard plate and the outboard plate, wherein the marking display comprises at least one marking matrix comprising recessed lines arranged in a seven-segment display configuration.

7. A belt clamp for securing a holster or accessories to a user's belt, the belt clamp comprising: an inboard plate and an outboard plate each comprising a respective hinge portion at a respective first end, the inboard plate and the outboard plate pivotally coupled at the respective first ends at the respective hinge portions; a spring biased locking mechanism configured to selectively and releasably connect a second end of the inboard plate to a second end of the outboard plate; wherein the spring biased locking mechanism comprises two locking posts on the inboard plate, and two opposed latching members on the outboard plate, each latching member is configured to latchingly engage a locking post; wherein the opposed latching members comprise finger buttons facing in opposite directions to one another, and the two opposed latching members are configured to be slidably spring biased away from one another to the latched position.

8. The belt clamp of claim 7, wherein each of the respective hinge portions comprises a plurality of knuckles, wherein at least one of the knuckles comprises a detent portion that provides a favored and an unfavored region in a range of motion of the inboard plate and outboard plate, wherein the detent portion comprises a nub extending in a direction parallel to a hinge axis of the respective hinge portions.

9. The belt clamp of claim 7, wherein the outboard plate has a lower mechanism compartment defined by a containment portion of the outboard plate, wherein the outboard plate has an extension portion connected by a living hinge to a lower margin of the outboard plate opposite the hinge portion of the outboard plate, the extension portion conformingly sized to the compartment, and wherein the extension portion is configured to be foldable over into the compartment for closing the compartment with at least one latching member in the compartment.

10. The belt clamp of claim 9, wherein the containment portion and the extension portion have unitary features therein configured for constraining movement of the opposed latching members between the latched position and the unlatched position, wherein each latching member is further configured to be both rotatably and slidably moved between a latched position and an unlatched position.

11. The belt clamp of claim 7, wherein each locking post is unitary with the inboard plate and projecting in an outboard direction; and wherein each locking post is displaced from a lower margin of the inboard plate opposite the hinge portion of the inboard plate and wherein each locking post has a respective ramp at a distal end thereof.

12. The belt clamp of claim 7, further comprising at least one marking display disposed on at least one of the inboard plate and the outboard plate, wherein the marking display comprises at least one marking matrix comprising recessed lines arranged in a seven-segment display configuration.

13. A belt clamp for securing a holster or accessories to a user's belt, the belt clamp comprising: an inboard plate and an outboard plate each comprising a respective hinge portion at a respective first end, the inboard plate and the outboard plate pivotally coupled at the respective first ends at the respective hinge portions; a locking mechanism that selectively and releasably connects a second end of the inboard plate to a second end of the outboard plate; wherein one of the inboard plate and outboard plate comprises at least one ramped rib, wherein each ramped rib incorporates a portion of the locking mechanism and is configured to guide the user's belt during installation of the belt clamp onto the belt.

14. The belt clamp of claim 13, further comprising a belt width adjustment bar; wherein one of the inboard plate and outboard plate have comprises a plurality of openings for receiving a belt width adjustment bar; wherein the belt width adjustment bar further comprises a pair of prongs spaced apart to be received in each of the plurality of openings by deflecting inwardly, and a central tongue member positioned between the pair of prongs, the tongue member limiting inward deflection of each of the pair of prongs, wherein the openings are slots disposed on the inboard plate; and wherein each slot has a pair of web portions at ends of the slot, each of the pair of web portions displaced from an outer surface of the respective plate.

15. The belt clamp of claim 13, wherein the outboard plate has a lower mechanism compartment defined by a containment portion of the outboard plate, wherein the outboard plate has an extension portion connected by a living hinge to a lower margin of the outboard plate opposite the hinge portion of the outboard plate, the extension portion conformingly sized to the compartment, and wherein the extension portion is configured to be foldable over into the compartment for closing the compartment with the at least one latching member in the compartment.

16. The belt clamp of claim 15, wherein the containment portion and the extension portion have molded features configured for constraining movement of the at least one latching member between the latched position and the unlatched position, and wherein the at least one latching member is configured to be slidably moved between the latched position and the unlatched position.

17. The belt clamp of claim 13, wherein the portion of the locking mechanism incorporated in each ramped rib comprises at least one locking post unitary with the inboard plate and projecting in an outboard direction; and wherein the at least one locking post is displaced from a lower margin of the inboard plate opposite the hinge portion of the inboard plate.

18. The belt clamp of claim 13, wherein each of the respective hinge portions comprises a plurality of knuckles, wherein the plurality of knuckles of one of the inboard plate and the outboard plate comprises a unitary hinge pin, and wherein the unitary hinge pin is received in the plurality knuckles of the other of the inboard plate and outboard plate.

19. The belt clamp of claim 13, further comprising at least one marking display disposed on at least one of the inboard plate and the outboard plate, wherein the marking display comprises at least one marking matrix comprising recessed lines arranged in a seven-segment display configuration; wherein the plurality of knuckles of one of the inboard plate and the outboard plate has a unitary hinge pin, and wherein the unitary hinge pin is received in the knuckles of the other of the inboard plate and outboard plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the inboard plate side of an embodiment of a belt clamp.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outboard plate side of an embodiment of a belt clamp.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a belt clamp opened and with the latch mechanism compartment open.

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a belt clamp.

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the outboard plate components of a belt clamp.

(7) FIGS. 6A-6C is a series of images showing the motion of the latch members to release the latch mechanism.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a closed belt clamp.

(9) FIG. 8 is side elevational view of a belt clamp partially open.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a belt clamp partially open and with the extension portion.

(11) FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a belt clamp partially open with the mechanism compartment open.

(12) While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) It will be understood that relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another elements as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure.

(14) Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 7, in embodiments, a belt clamp 20 includes an inboard plate 22 and an outboard plate 24 that are pivotally coupled at their upper ends 26, 28. The belt clamp 20 also includes a spring biased locking mechanism 30 that selectively and releasably connects the lower end 32 of the inboard plate 22 to the lower end 34 of the outboard plate 24. A belt 43 may be clamped between the inboard plate 22 and the outboard plate 24 by placing the belt 43 between inboard plate 22 and the outboard plate 24 and locking the lower ends 32, 34 of the plates 22, 24 together using the locking mechanism 30, See FIG. 7. Outboard plate 24 may have features such as holes 86 for attachment of a holster or accessory.

(15) In embodiments, the inboard plate 22 and an outboard plate 24 connected to the inboard plate 22 at an upper pivoting connection 38. Each plate 22, 24 comprising an upper hinge portion 40, 41; the upper hinge portions 40, 41 cooperating to form the upper pivoting connection 38 at an upper end 42 of the belt clamp 20. Each plate 22, 24 has interlaced knuckles 44. At least one of the inboard plate 22 and outboard plate 24 may have pins 48 that are unitary with the respective knuckles 44 of said plate to fit in the knuckle voids 50 of the knuckles 44 of the other plate 22, 24. As shown in FIG. 4, inboard plate 22 may have knuckles 44 having a C-shaped portion 44A. Outboard plate 24 may have pins 48 that extend between and are unitary with respective knuckles 44. Each C-shaped portion 46 of inboard plate 22 mates with a portion of a pin 48 of outboard plate 24 and may be snapped into place. In embodiments, a ratio of the upper hinge portion 40, 41 width to the overall width of the belt clamp 20 is greater than 0.9. A detent feature, configured as a nub 51 may provide favored positions in the range of motion of the inboard plate 22 and outboard plate 24. The nub 51 can interface with a cooperating feature (not shown) on an adjacent knuckle 44 or can simply disengage the adjacent knuckle 44 at certain positions in the range of rotation of the inboard and outboard plates 22, 24 of the clamp 20.

(16) Referring to FIGS. 3-6C, in embodiments, the locking mechanism 30 includes locking posts 52 on the inboard plate 22 that are displaced upwardly from the lower end 32 of inboard plate 22. Locking posts 52 cooperate with latching portions configured as latching members 54 with finger buttons 55. Latching members 54 are rotatably and slidably supported by the outboard plate 24 in a compartment 58 defined by a containment portion 60 of the outboard plate 24. Latching members 54 are entirely contained within containment portion 60 with the exception of opposing finger buttons 55. A living hinge 61 connects an extension portion 62 to a lower margin 63 of the outboard plate 24. The extension portion 62 is configured as a compartment cover to fit into and close the compartment 58. Features, such as recesses 64, 65 in the outboard plate 24 and the extension portion 62, when the extension portion 62 or cover is closed, can constrain the latching members 54 by cooperating with features on the latching members 54 such as nubs 66, 67 to predefined motions/pathways. Recesses 64 may include a pair of upper recesses or a single elongated recess 64 each having an angled shape with a horizontal portion 64A on the innermost portion and an upwardly angled portion 64B on the outermost portion(s) of each recess 64. Recesses 65 may include a pair of horizontally extending lower recesses 65. A metal coil spring 70 can be positioned between the latching members 54 in the compartment 58 urging the latching member 54 to a latching or catch position with respect to the locking posts 52 wherein each latching member 54 has a catch portion 71 on an upper portion thereof which is configured to latch or catch with a respective locking post 52. Ends of metal coil spring 70 may be attached to attachment features such as knobs 88 disposed on opposed interior surfaces of latching members 58. Nubs 66, 67 may be disposed on the inside facing surface latching members 54 and may include an upper nub 66 disposed above knob 88 and a lower nub 67 disposed below knob 88. Upper nubs 66 are moveable within upper recesses 64, and lower nubs 66 are moveable within lower recesses 65.

(17) referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, the recesses 64, 65 and nubs 66, 67 may define a path for the latching members 54 that requires an upward initial motion of each finger button 55 so that upper nubs 66 move upwardly and inwardly within upwardly angled portions 64B of upper recesses 64 causing each latching member 54 to rotate about lower nub 67 (FIG. 6B) from an initial locked/pre-actuation position (FIG. 6A). Then an inward motion of each finger button 55 moves nubs 66 and 67 horizontally inwardly along horizontal portion 64A of recess 64 and recess 65, respectively, so that catch portions 71 move to a non-obstructing/release/insertion position, see FIG. 6C, with respect to engagement portions 72 of the locking posts 52. Locking mechanism 30 is biased by spring 70 to pre-actuation position (FIG. 6A) and is automatically reset after belt clamp 20 is opened. Belt clamp may be locked onto a belt 43 at a new position without manual reset of locking mechanism 30. Unlocking forces may be produced by the user's thumb and the user's index finger. In embodiments, the finger buttons 55 may be urged inward to the insertion position (FIG. 6C) by squeezing the finger buttons 55 between the thumb and index finger of the user's hand. Each finger buttons 55 includes a ribbed finger engaging portion for this purpose.

(18) Locking posts 52 also have ramp portions 76 that when the two plates 22, 24 are pushed together deflect the latching members 54 inwardly moving them to a non-obstructing positon allowing the engagement portion 72 of the locking posts 52 to push past the catch portions 71 whereby the latching members 54 snap back to the latch positon, see FIG. 6A.

(19) Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10, some embodiments may include ramped ribs 90 at the lower end 32 of inboard plate 22 that lead to the locking posts 52. In embodiments, ramped ribs 90 allow for easier installation of belt clamp 20 onto a belt 43 while the belt 43 is being worn by a user, guiding the belt 43 through juncture of the user's pants and the inwardly facing surface of the belt 43. In embodiments, ramped ribs 90 have a ramped configuration that reduces the likelihood that belt clamp 20 will snag or catch on the belt 43 or surrounding clothing as compared to similar products.

(20) Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 7-10, some embodiments may have an interior adjustment bar 74 for sizing belt clamp 20 to varying belt sizes. Adjustment bar 74 is configured as a sizing bar for spanning at least partially across the inside of one of the inboard plate 22 and outboard plate 24. As shown in FIG. 7, adjustment bar 74 is positioned below the lower edge of belt 43 such that belt 43 is disposed between adjustment bar 74 and knuckles 44. Adjustment bar 74 may have two outer deflectable prongs 78 and a stabilizing tongue 80 intermediate the prongs 78. The prongs 78 and tongue 80 are inserted into a selected slot 82 of a stack 84 of slots in inboard plate 22 for adjustably fixing adjustment bar 74 in the appropriate adjustment place. In this manner, the belt clamp can accommodate belts of varying widths. A pair of web portions 92 may be positioned at ends of each slot 82, each of the pair of web portions 92 displaced from an outer surface of the respective plate 22, 24. For example, adjustment bar 43 may be positioned in lower slots 82 of stack 84 for larger width belts 43, for example, 2 inch and 2.25 inch. Tongue 80 precludes excessive and potentially destructive deflection of the deflectable prongs 78.

(21) Embodiments of belt clamp 20 may be made almost entirely of polymeric material, except for spring 70.

(22) Embodiments of belt clamp 20 may further include at least one marking display 94 disposed on at least one of the inboard plate 22 or the outboard plate 24. Marking display 94 is configured to receive markings from a marker, pen, paint pen or paint applicator. This allows the user to mark or individualize belt clamp 20 as they see fit (e.g. add their initials or identification numbers, and correlate to the product variables). In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, marking display 94 is disposed on the inboard side of inboard plate 22. Marking display 94 includes at least one marking matrix 96 formed from recessed, or concave surfaces, in one embodiment, lines 98 arranged in a seven-segment display configuration. In this embodiment, recessed or concave lines 98 form a rectangular figure eight with three horizontal lines and four vertical lines forming two vertically stacked rectangles 100. A plurality of recessed or concave dots or squares 102 may be disposed in each rectangle 100, arranged in a matrix including a plurality of rows of dots or squares and a plurality of columns of dots or squares. By way of example, each marking display 94 may include three marking matrices 96 having nine recessed or concave dots or squares 102. By nature of being recessed or concave, the marking surfaces retain the paint or ink inside the marking surface, without being wiped, scuffed, or abraded away by rubbing against other objects. Marking matrix 96 may be useful on a variety of equipment in addition to the embodiments herein, including holsters, firearms, gear bags, helmets, vests, etc. The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,145,169, 7,657,977, 7,971,762, 8,517,234, 9,027,212, 9,451,821, 9,476,670, 9,480,328, and 9,726,457. Published U.S. Patent Applications US2006/0196903 and US2017/0205172 are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. All U.S. patents issuing from and claiming priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/261,079 are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

(23) The above references to U.S. patents in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B).

(24) The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

(25) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(26) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

(27) Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.