Holster Apparatuses

Abstract

Improved holster apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, a holster apparatus includes a body defining a cavity for receiving an object and a rigid material releasably attached to the body via a locking system and further attached to a flexible material such as a pocket, a purse, a handbag, or a saddlebag. In another embodiment, a holster apparatus comprises a body defining a cavity for receiving an object and one or more structures disposed on an exterior surface of the body for moving moisture away from a user of the apparatus. Each of the structures comprises a moisture wicking material at least partially surrounding a moisture resistant material. The moisture wicking material is capable of moving moisture from a first plane between the user and the moisture resistant material to a second plane between the moisture resistant material and the body of the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for holding an object, comprising:
 a body defining a cavity for receiving the object; and   one or more structures disposed on an exterior surface of the body for moving moisture away from a user of the apparatus, wherein each of the structures comprises a moisture wicking material at least partially surrounding a moisture resistant material, and wherein the moisture wicking material is capable of moving moisture from a first plane between the user and the moisture resistant material to a second plane between the moisture resistant material and the body of the apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structures are spaced apart from each other by a channel for draining moisture. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture wicking material extends beneath and over the moisture resistant material as well as laterally adjacent to a sidewall of the moisture resistant material. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture wicking material comprises wool, chemically treated silk, polyester, microfiber, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture resistant material comprises foam rubber, foam neoprene, nylon, vinyl, patent leather, a polymeric material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid material releasably attached to the body via a locking system, the rigid material being further attached to a flexible material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the locking system comprises:
 (a) two or more buttons attached to the rigid material and corresponding button slits disposed in a sidewall of the body; or   (b) two or more buttons attached to a sidewall of the body and corresponding button slits disposed in the rigid material.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein one of the button slits extends in a first direction and another of the button slits extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a slot or loop for receiving a belt, cord, ribbon, or a chain therein. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a strap having one end attached to the body and another end that is capable of being attached to an article of clothing. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the body is attached to a chain and the article of clothing is underwear or a swimsuit. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the locking system is a quick-releasable lock. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the quick-releasable lock comprises:
 (a) one or more members attached to the body having depressible buttons disposed thereon and corresponding rings attached to the rigid material, wherein the lock is capable of being engaged by sliding the one or more members through the corresponding rings until the rings catch on the depressible buttons, and wherein the lock is capable of being disengaged by depressing the buttons to release the one or more members from the corresponding rings; or   (b) one or more rings attached to the body and corresponding members attached to the rigid material having depressible buttons, wherein the lock is capable of being engaged by sliding the one or more members through the corresponding rings until the rings catch on the depressible buttons, and wherein the lock is capable of being disengaged by depressing the buttons to release the one or more members from the corresponding ring.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible material is a sidewall of an article of clothing, a pocket, a cargo pant pocket, a belt, or a seat belt of a vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the rigid material comprises wood, leather treated to be hard, metal, carbon fiber, glass fiber, a polymeric material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining strap attached to one side of the body for retaining the object inside the cavity, wherein an end of the strap is capable of being attached to an opposed side of the body via a hook and loop fastener when the strap is fastened, and wherein the end of the strap is capable of being positioned behind a barrier or in a pocket disposed on the body when the strap is unfastened. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the object is a weapon.