Self-adjusting Holster with Telescoping Shells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holsters for carrying small items like ammunition magazines or electronic devices are costly to manufacture due to the need for multiple models to accommodate varying sizes, and they often lack adequate protection against impact, with adjustable options either limited in adjustment or requiring pre-adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A self-adjusting holster with telescoping shell units and internal spring-biased tabs, secured by an elastomeric retainer, allows automatic accommodation of items of varying width and depth, providing secure and impact-resistant storage without pre-adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple specialized holster models are manufactured to accommodate different item sizes, then fit precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The holster is designed with telescoping shell portions and spring-biased tabs that allow a single universal model to accommodate multiple item sizes within a range, eliminating the need for multiple specialized models while maintaining precise fit for each size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The holster incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including telescoping shell portions that slide relative to each other and spring-biased tabs that automatically adjust to the inserted item's dimensions, enabling one holster to function as multiple size-specific holsters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If soft pouch material is used to accommodate varied sizes, then adaptability is improved, but protection against impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize accommodationVSAvoidimpact protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holster combines rigid shell portions (providing impact protection) with flexible elements like spring-biased tabs and elastomeric retainers (providing adaptability), creating a composite structure that delivers both size accommodation and protective hardness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic spring-biased tabs and telescoping mechanisms allow the rigid shell structure to adapt its internal dimensions while maintaining its protective rigid exterior, enabling impact resistance without sacrificing size versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If pre-adjustment to specific size is required, then fit precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit precisionVSAvoidadjustment convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holster's spring-biased tabs and telescoping shell portions automatically adjust to the inserted item's dimensions without requiring user intervention, making the holster self-configuring and eliminating pre-adjustment steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment mechanism is added to accommodate size variance, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize accommodationVSAvoidholster structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be passive and automatic rather than active and complex - spring-biased tabs that naturally push outward and telescoping shells that slide freely, creating adaptive functionality through simple mechanical principles rather than complex control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The universal holster effectively secures items of different sizes and shapes, offering protection against impact and ease of use by automatically adjusting to fit various dimensions, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing usability.

Implementation Method 1

An elastomeric member may be configured to bias the shell portions toward each other along the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Variance in width may be accommodated by internal spring-biased tabs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10537167B2Self-adjusting variable size holster

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 SNOWBALL 5 0 LLC

AI summary

A self-adjusting holster includes first and second shell portions having opposite side panels extending substantially parallel to each other. At least one of the first and second shell portions having a bottom panel. The side panels of the first shell portion and side panels of the second shell portion are configured to telescopically mate such that the mated shell portions slidably adjust relative to each other in a first direction and together define an interior space and an open end opposite the bottom panel. An elastomeric member is configured to bias the shell portions toward each other along the first direction. An item inserted into the open end between the first and second shell portions displaces the shell portions relative to each other against biasing force provided by the elastomeric member.