Spray container storage and retrieval system

Abstract

A spray container storage and retrieval system including a holster for receiving a sleeve therein. The sleeve is designed so as to provide an efficient vertically-oriented channel guard for protecting against accidental discharge of spray containers receivable within the sleeve. In certain embodiments, an optional spring may be provided in a lower portion of the sleeve in order to bias the spray container upwardly therefrom when the holster is opened.

1 . A spray container storage and retrieval apparatus for storing and allowing retrieval of a spray canister including a trigger and spray nozzle, the storage and retrieval apparatus comprising:
 a holster defining a cavity therein, said holster including a flap that may be selectively moved between opened and closed positions;   an elongated sleeve including an approximately cylindrical elongated base portion receivable in said cavity of said holster, said sleeve including an upper opening proximate a top end thereof of sufficient size to receive the spray canister, said top end defining a top edge partially circumscribing said upper opening; and   said elongated sleeve further including a channel guard extending vertically from said top edge, said channel guard formed by two ears separated by a trigger receiving gap therebetween, said channel guard adapted to fit underneath said trigger to prevent accidental discharge of said spray canister.   
   
   
       2 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated base portion is defined by a cylindrical wall having a wall thickness, said two ears having an ear thickness matching said wall thickness. 
   
   
       3 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said two ears are integrally formed with said elongated base portion. 
   
   
       4 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said two ears are separated by a distance substantially equal to a width of said trigger, so that said channel guard is adapted to receive said trigger between said two ears. 
   
   
       5 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said channel guard is adapted to maintain said spray canister elevated from said holster to aid in a smooth forward draw of said spray canister from said holster. 
   
   
       6 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a horizontal ledge extending horizontally from said top end at a location that is opposite said channel guard, said ledge providing a seating surface for said spray canister. 
   
   
       7 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said horizontal ledge is vertically lower than said channel guard. 
   
   
       8 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said top edge slopes around a circumference of said upper opening and down from said channel guard to said horizontal ledge. 
   
   
       9 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said holster includes a flexible approximately U-shaped portion integrally formed with said flap, and first and second side walls extending between and connecting first and second respective upstanding walls of said approximately U-shaped portion. 
   
   
       10 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a spring disposed at a bottom portion of said sleeve for providing an upward biasing force to bias the canister at least partially up and out of said sleeve when said flap is in an opened position. 
   
   
       11 . A spray container storage and retrieval apparatus for storing and allowing retrieval of a spray canister including a trigger and spray nozzle, the storage and retrieval apparatus comprising;
 a holster defining a cavity therein, said holster including a flap that may be selectively moved between opened and closed positions;   an elongated sleeve including a base at least partially receivable in said cavity of said holster, said sleeve including an upper opening of sufficient size to receive the spray canister so that the canister may be removably provided in said sleeve; and   said elongated sleeve further including a channel guard extending directly vertically above a top edge of said upper opening, said channel guard adapted to fit between an upper grip portion of said spray canister and said trigger.   
   
   
       12 . The storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said elongated sleeve is a cylindrical body with an outer radial wall, said channel guard projecting longitudinally above said top edge.