Expandable Belt Loop

Abstract

An expandable belt loop that is preformed, flexible and resilient is joined to a base member that can be used as part of a belt mounting system for holsters for firearms, flashlights, batons, or other functional items. The belt loop has an internal barb that is engageable with a back side surface of a belt and with the base is slidable on a service belt to a desired position where the bias of the loop towards constriction and frictional binding together with the barb, fix it in place on the belt. The expandable belt loop has three different regions that snugly accommodate each of the three most common widths for service belts, as well as, belts intermediate in size, while its base member can be formed in different shapes for the purpose of attaching differing item carriers or holsters, as well as being formed integral with an item carrier holster.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An expandable belt loop, comprising:
 a flexible and resilient belt loop biased towards closure at a pinch point where one side of said loop is biased towards the other side of said loop so as to firmly grip an inside surface of a belt when inserted between said two sides;   a raised barb on one side of said loop at said pinch point, thereby defining a barb side of said loop with the other side of said loop being a non-barb side of said loop; and   wherein the expandable belt loop is formed with multiple regions, each of which is sized to snugly accommodate a belt of a specific width between an upper member and a lower member.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 1 , wherein all of said multiple regions share the same upper member, formed by an upper interior surface of said belt loop. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 2 , wherein a first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface of the barb. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 2 , wherein a second said region of greater width than a first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface located on the non-barb side of said loop. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 2 , wherein a third said region of greater width than a first and second said region has a lower member formed by a lower interior surface of said belt loop. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 1 , further comprising a base member forming a side of said loop, wherein said base member is: adapted for connection of an equipment holster and shaped as an equipment holster. 
     
     
         7 . An expandable belt loop comprising:
 a flexible and resilient belt loop biased towards closure at a pinch point where one side of said loop is biased towards the opposite side of said loop so as to firmly grip an inside surface of a belt when inserted between said two sides and said opposite side includes a base member;   a raised barb on the side of said loop opposite said base member at said pinch point, thereby defining a barb side of said loop;   wherein the expandable belt loop is formed with multiple regions, each of which is sized to snugly accommodate a belt of a specific width between an upper member and a lower member; and   wherein all of said multiple regions share the same upper member, formed by an upper interior surface of said belt loop adjacent said base member.   
     
     
         8 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 7 , wherein a first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface of the barb. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 8 , wherein a second said region of greater width than the first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface located where the loop joins the base member. 
     
     
         10 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 9 , wherein a third said region of greater width than the first and second said regions has a lower edge member formed by a lower interior surface of said belt loop, which lower interior surface is spaced away from said base member. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 8 , wherein a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the first said region is firmly pressed by a portion of the loop opposite the base member and adjacent the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure. 
     
     
         12 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 9 , wherein a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the second said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure. 
     
     
         13 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 10 , wherein a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure. 
     
     
         14 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 10 , wherein a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed and maintained in position by curvature of the belt transverse to its width caused by spacing the lower interior surface away from the base member, forcing the belt more strongly against the barb. 
     
     
         15 . An expandable belt loop, comprising:
 a flexible and resilient belt loop biased towards closure at a pinch point where one side of said loop is biased towards the opposite side of said loop so as to firmly grip a belt when inserted between said two sides and said opposite side includes an inside surface of a base member;   a raised barb on the side of said loop opposite said base member at said pinch point, thereby defining a barb side of said loop;   wherein the expandable belt loop is formed with multiple regions, each of which is sized to snugly accommodate a belt of a specific width between an upper member and a lower member;   wherein all of said multiple regions share the same upper member, formed by an upper interior surface of said belt loop adjacent said base member;   wherein a first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface of the barb;   wherein a second said region of greater width than the first said region has a lower member formed by a transverse shelf surface located where the loop joins the base member; and   wherein a third said region of greater width than the first and second said regions has a lower edge member formed by a lower interior surface of said belt loop, which lower interior surface is spaced away from said base member.   
     
     
         16 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of:
 a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the first said region is firmly pressed by a portion of the loop opposite the base member and adjacent the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure,   a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the second said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure,   a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure, and   a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed and maintained in position by curvature of the belt transverse to its width caused by spacing the lower interior surface away from the base member, forcing the belt more strongly against the barb.   
     
     
         17 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 7 , wherein said base member is adapted for connection to an equipment holster and shaped as an equipment holster. 
     
     
         18 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 14 , wherein said base member is adapted for connection to an equipment holster and shaped as an equipment holster. 
     
     
         19 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 15 , wherein said base member is adapted for connection to an equipment holster and shaped as an equipment holster. 
     
     
         20 . The expandable belt loop of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of:
 a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the first said region is firmly pressed by a portion of the loop opposite the base member and adjacent the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure,   a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the second said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure,   a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed by the barb due to the bias of the loop towards closure, and   a belt inserted and fitting snugly within the third said region is firmly pressed and maintained in position by curvature of the belt transverse to its width caused by spacing the lower interior surface away from the base member, forcing the belt more strongly against the barb.