Belt mountable holster for holding a power tool

Abstract

The application relates to a belt-mountable holster for holding a power tool, such as a screw gun or drill. The holster comprises a belt mount and a tool clip which may be releasably and securely coupled together. The belt mount is securely mountable on the user's belt. The tool clip is configured to securely engage an outer portion of the body of the power tool. In one embodiment, the tool clip includes a tongue which is releasably insertable within a slot formed in the belt mount to securely couple the first and second frame elements together. The holster may be used for conveniently stowing a power tool on the waist of a user when the tool is not in use. When the power tool is withdrawn from the holster for use, the tool clip remains coupled to the tool and does not obstruct or impede its normal operation.

1 . A holster for holding a power tool, said holster comprising:
 (a) a mount securable to a support surface; and   (b) a tool clip shaped to securely engage said tool,   wherein said tool clip is releasably and securely connectable to said mount.   
     
     
         2 . The holster as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said tool is operable when said tool clip is engaged to said tool. 
     
     
         3 . The holster as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said mount defines a slot and said tool clip comprises a tongue which is releasably insertable into said slot. 
     
     
         4 . The holster as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said mount is belt-mountable. 
     
     
         5 . The holster as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said tool comprises a tool body and a handle extending from said tool body, wherein said tool clip engages an outer portion of said tool body without impeding operation of said tool. 
     
     
         6 . The holster as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said tool is a screw gun, said gun having a barrel extending at one end of said tool body in a direction generally perpendicular to said handle, wherein said tool clip is shaped to engage said tool body at a location between said handle and said barrel. 
     
     
         7 . The holster as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said mount comprises at least one tab for fastening said mount to the belt of a user. 
     
     
         8 . The holster as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said slot is defined between a frame member mountable proximate said belt and a shoulder spaced-apart from said frame member. 
     
     
         9 . The holster as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said slot is further defined by an elongated tab extending from said frame member and a cage coupled to said tab, wherein an end portion of said tongue is captured in said cage when said tongue is fully inserted into said slot. 
     
     
         10 . The holster as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said cage is defined by frame members coupled to said tab, wherein said frame members restrain non-vertical movement of said clip relative to said mount when said clip and mount are coupled together. 
     
     
         11 . The holster as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said shoulder comprises a tapered notch for receiving a portion of said clip when said clip and mount are coupled together. 
     
     
         12 . The holster as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said portion of said clip is a bar coupling said tongue to the remainder of said clip. 
     
     
         13 . The holster as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said clip comprises:
 (a) a first generally U-shaped element comprising first and second spaced-apart longitudinal members connected together at one end thereof by a curved member; and   (b) a second generally U-shaped element extending from said longitudinal members at another end thereof remote from said curved member.   
     
     
         14 . The holster as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said second generally U-shaped element extends laterally from said first generally U-shaped element in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of said first generally U-shaped element. 
     
     
         15 . The holster as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said first and second generally U-shaped members are configured to securely engage a body portion of said tool having a first end and a second end, wherein, when said clip is coupled to said tool, said longitudinal members extend on respective sides of said tool body, said curved members extends at said first end of said tool body, and said second generally U-shaped member extends around a portion of said tool body proximate said second end of said tool body. 
     
     
         16 . The holster as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said mount defines a slot and said clip comprises a tongue which is releasably insertable into said slot, wherein said tongue is coupled to one of said longitudinal members and extends in a longitudinal plane generally parallel thereto. 
     
     
         17 . The holster as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said second frame element comprises a third generally U-shaped element extending laterally from said longitudinal members in a direction generally opposite to said second generally U-shaped element, wherein said tongue is mounted on said third generally U-shaped element. 
     
     
         18 . The holster as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said third generally U-shaped element extends laterally from a location proximate said one end of said longitudinal members. 
     
     
         19 . The holster as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said longitudinal members extend in a longitudinal plane and said curved member extends in a said plane. 
     
     
         20 . The holster as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said longitudinal members extend in a longitudinal plane and said curved member extends in a different plane intersecting said longitudinal plane. 
     
     
         21 . A holster kit for holding power tools comprising:
 (a) a mount securable to a support surface; and   (b) a plurality of tool clips each shaped to securely engage a respective tool,   wherein each of said tool clips is releasably and securely connectable to said mount.   
     
     
         22 . The kit as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said mount is belt-mountable. 
     
     
         23 . The kit as defined in  claim 21 , wherein each of said tools is operable when a respective one of said tool clips is engaged thereto. 
     
     
         24 . The kit as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said mount defines a slot and each of said tool clips comprises a tongue which is releasably insertable into said slot.