Tourniquet Holster

Abstract

The present invention is related to a removably attachable tourniquet holster comprising: wings hingeably attached to a back panel wherein the wings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other to define a slot for receiving a strap attached to an article; side support wings hingeably attached to the back panel; and, a front panel removably attached to the side support wings to define a tourniquet compartment for receiving a tourniquet. The tourniquet allows for a single handed opening of the tourniquet to reveal the tourniquet compartment allowing one handed retrieval of a tourniquet form the tourniquet holster. The tourniquet can be attached in a manner so as to reduce the impact on the existing fasteners of the article for which tourniquet holster is attached.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A removably attachable tourniquet holster comprising:
 horizontal wings hingeably attached to a back panel wherein the horizontal wings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other to define a vertical strap slot in a first configuration;   vertical wings hingeably attached to the back panel where the vertical wings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other to define a cummerbund slot in a second configuration;   a lower support strap attached to the back panel to support a tourniquet in a retention arrangement;   side support wings hingeably attached to the back panel;   a front support panel attached to the lower support strap and removably attached to the side support wings to define a tourniquet compartment for receiving a tourniquet; and,   a pull tab attached to the front panel so that when the pull tab is pulled, the front panel is released from the side support wings providing access to the tourniquet contained in the tourniquet compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a top cover attached to the back panel and removably attached to the front panel for enclosing the tourniquet in the tourniquet compartment in the retention arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a set of horizontal straps attached to a forward side of one of the horizontal wings so that when the horizontal wings are folded inward, the horizontal straps are rearward facing. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  including a vertical support strap secured to the set of horizontal straps for securing the tourniquet holster to another article. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a first portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to a rearward side of the horizontal wings so that when the horizontal wings are extended, the tourniquet holster is removable attached to an article having a second portion of a hook and loop fastener horizontally arranged on the article. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  including a second portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to a forward side of the horizontal wings. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a first portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to a rearward side of the vertical wings so that when the vertical wings are extended, the tourniquet holster is removable attached to an article having a second portion of a hook and loop fastener vertically arranged. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  including a second portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to a forward side of the vertical wings. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein:
 a top vertical wing is removably attached to a shoulder tab of the article and a shoulder strap of the article; and, 
 a bottom vertical wing is removable attached to a panel of the article. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the article is a ballistic vest. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a lateral strap of an article is received in the cummerbund slot in the first configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the width of the lower support strap is less than the width of the front panel. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the front panel is completely released from the side support wings when the pull tab attached to the front panel is pulled to provide access to the tourniquet contained in the tourniquet compartment. 
     
     
         14 . A removably attachable tourniquet holster comprising:
 wings hingeably attached to a back panel wherein the wings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other to define a slot for receiving a strap attached to an article;   side support wings hingeably attached to the back panel; and,   a front panel removably attached to the side support wings to define a tourniquet compartment for receiving a tourniquet.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  including a pull tab attached to the front panel so that when the pull tab is pulled, the front panel is released from the side support wings providing access to the tourniquet contained in the tourniquet compartment. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  including a lower support strap attached to the back panel to support a tourniquet in a retention arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  including lower openings defined by the front panel, side support wings and lower support strap. 
     
     
         18 . A removably attachable tourniquet holster comprising:
 a tourniquet compartment having a back panel, side support wings hingeably attached to the back panel and a front panel removably attached to the side support wings for receiving a tourniquet; and,   wings hingeably attached to a back panel wherein the wings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other to define a slot for receiving a strap attached to an article.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the wings include horizontal wings hingeably attached to a back panel wherein the horizontal wings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other to define a vertical strap slot in a first configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the winds include vertical wings hingeably attached to the back panel where the vertical wings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other to define a cummerbund slot in a second configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18  including a pull tab attached to the front panel so that when the pull tab is pulled, the front panel is released from the side support wings providing access to the tourniquet contained in the tourniquet compartment. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18  including a lower support strap attached to the back panel to support a tourniquet in a retention arrangement.