Drop Prevention Tool Holsters

Abstract

In one embodiment, tool holster includes a body having a front side and a rear side, a tool support element attached to the front side of the body, the tool support being adapted to support a tool, a retractor securing element defining a pocket in which the retractor can be secured, the pocket having a first opening that is large enough to enable the retractor to pass and an opposed second opening that is too small to enable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tether of the retractor to pass, and means for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.

1 . A tool holster comprising:
 a body having a front side and a rear side;   a tool support element attached to the front side of the body, the tool support being adapted to support a tool;   a retractor securing element defining a pocket in which the retractor can be secured, the pocket having a first opening that is large enough to enable the retractor to pass and an opposed second opening that is too small to enable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tether of the retractor to pass; and   means for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.   
     
     
         2 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a generally flat substrate. 
     
     
         3 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the body is made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material. 
     
     
         4 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the tool support element comprises a horizontal strap that forms an opening through which a handle of the tool can be passed. 
     
     
         5 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the tool support element forms a pocket in which the tool can be inserted. 
     
     
         6 . The holster of  claim 5 , further comprising a protective member that is provided within the pocket of the tool support element. 
     
     
         7 . The holster of  claim 7 , wherein the protective member comprises a strip of plastic that is secured to the body and the tool support element. 
     
     
         8 . The holster of  claim 5 , further comprising a second tool support element attached to the first tool support element, the second tool support element forming a second pocket in which a second tool can be inserted. 
     
     
         9 . The holster of  claim 8 , wherein the retractor support element is attached to an outer surface of the second tool support element. 
     
     
         10 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the tool support element comprises a horizontal strip of material that forms an opening through which a clip of the tool can be passed. 
     
     
         11 . The holster of  claim 5 , wherein the retractor securing element is attached to an outer surface of the tool support element. 
     
     
         12 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is positioned at the top of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket. 
     
     
         13 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the top of the pocket. 
     
     
         14 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening comprises a closure adapted to prevent the retractor from falling out of the pocket. 
     
     
         15 . The holster of  claim 14 , wherein the closure is a hook-and-loop closure. 
     
     
         16 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness. 
     
     
         17 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt. 
     
     
         18 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt and further comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness. 
     
     
         19 . The holster of  claim 1 , further comprising a magnet attached to the body, the magnet being adapted to support the tool on the body when the tool is not supported by the tool support element. 
     
     
         20 . A tool holster comprising:
 a body having a front side and a rear side;   a horizontal strap attached to the front side of the body, the strap forming an opening through which a handle of a tool can be passed;   a retaining strap attached to the front side of the body that secures to the horizontal strap to secure the tool when supported by the horizontal strap; and   means for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.   
     
     
         21 . The holster of  claim 20 , wherein the retraining strap comprises a first strip of fastening material and the horizontal strap comprises a second strip of fastening material adapted to mate with the first strip of fastening material. 
     
     
         22 . A drop prevention tool holster comprising:
 a body having a front side and a rear side, the body comprising a generally flat substrate made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material;   a tool support element that forms a pocket in which a tool can be inserted;   a retractor securing element attached to an outer surface of the tool support element, the securing element defining a pocket in which the retractor can be secured, the pocket having a first opening that is large enough to enable the retractor to pass and an opposed second opening that is too small to enable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tether of the retractor to pass; and   means provided on the rear side of the body for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.   
     
     
         23 . The holster of  claim 22 , further comprising a protective member that is provided within the pocket, the protective member comprising a strip of plastic that is secured to the body and the tool support element. 
     
     
         24 . The holster of  claim 22 , wherein the tool support element is a second tool support element and wherein the second tool support element is attached to a first tool support element which is attached to the body, the first tool support element also forming a pocket in which a tool can be inserted. 
     
     
         25 . The holster of  claim 22 , wherein the first opening is positioned at the top of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket. 
     
     
         26 . The holster of  claim 22 , wherein the first opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the top of the pocket. 
     
     
         27 . The holster of  claim 22 , wherein the first opening comprises a hook-and-loop closure adapted to prevent the retractor from falling out of the pocket. 
     
     
         28 . The holster of  claim 22 , wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness. 
     
     
         29 . The holster of  claim 22 , wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt. 
     
     
         30 . The holster of  claim 22 , wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt and further comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness. 
     
     
         31 . The holster of  claim 22 , further comprising a magnet attached to the body, the magnet being adapted to support the tool on the body when the tool is not supported by the tool support element.