Apparel For Securing And Carrying An Object
Patent No. US11672294 (titled "Apparel For Securing And Carrying An Object") was filed by Arrowhead Tactical Apparel Llc on Feb 10, 2022.
What is this patent about?
’294 is related to the field of apparel, specifically clothing designed for concealed carry of objects like handguns. The background acknowledges that typical athletic wear is unsuitable for safely and securely carrying a handgun. Traditional belt holsters are incompatible with the comfort and flexibility required for activities like running or jogging, leading to discomfort, instability, and potential weapon dislodgement.
The underlying idea behind ’294 is to integrate a supportive waistband into athletic or lightweight clothing that allows for secure and comfortable concealed carry. This is achieved by combining an elastic band , drawstrings , and a semi-rigid belt within the waistband structure. The elastic band accommodates different waist sizes, the drawstrings provide a snug fit, and the semi-rigid belt offers a stable platform for attaching a holster.
The claims of ’294 focus on an article of clothing with a waistband designed for concealed carry of a handgun in a holster. The waistband includes a first portion with channels for an elastic band and drawstrings, and a second portion with belt loops for a belt assembly. The holster attaches to either the waistband or the belt assembly via clips.
In practice, the wearer threads a semi-rigid belt through the belt loops on the inside of the waistband. The holster, containing the handgun, is then clipped onto either the waistband itself or onto the semi-rigid belt within the loops. The combination of the elastic band, drawstrings, and semi-rigid belt distributes the weight of the handgun and keeps it stable against the wearer's body, even during strenuous activity.
This design differs from prior approaches by integrating the support structure directly into the waistband of athletic apparel. Unlike traditional belt holsters, this system provides a stable and comfortable platform for concealed carry without requiring a separate belt or specialized clothing. The combination of elastic, drawstrings, and a semi-rigid belt allows for a customizable and secure fit, addressing the shortcomings of existing concealed carry solutions for active individuals.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2020s when ’294 was filed, at a time when apparel design typically focused on either athletic performance or concealed carry solutions, but not necessarily both. Systems commonly relied on traditional holster designs and belt-based attachment methods for securing objects to a wearer's body. Hardware or software constraints made integrating secure and comfortable carry solutions directly into athletic or lightweight apparel non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
Claims were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by prior art. Claims were also rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over prior art. Additionally, claims were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite. The prosecution record does not describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent contains 17 claims, with claim 1 being independent. Independent claim 1 is directed to an article of clothing with a waistband configured to secure and carry a holster with a handgun. The dependent claims elaborate on the features of the waistband, belt loops, holster clips, and additional pockets.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
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US11672294
- Application Number
- US17668704
- Filing Date
- Feb 10, 2022
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Aug 26, 2041
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents