Adapter for wearable carrying case

Abstract

Disclosed herein are adapters for use with a wearable carrying case, and methods of making and using such adapters. Some embodiments relate to an adapter configured for use with a wearable carrying case that may include a loop, such as belt loop. The adapter may include support structure for attachment to a portion of the carrying case, such as a loop of the carrying case, and clip structure allowing for selective attachment to another structure, for example, to an article of clothing of a user. The support structure may define a first channel extending along a first central axis that is configured to accept a portion of the carrying case, such as a loop of the carrying case, and the clip structure may define a second channel extending along a second central axis offset from the first central axis. The clip structure and/or the second channel may be configured to accept or attach to another structure, such as an article of clothing of a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter for a carrying case, the adapter comprising:
 a support structure defining a first channel extending along a first central axis, the support structure configured to accept a portion of the carrying case within the first channel; and   a clip structure defining a second channel extending along a second central axis offset from the first central axis.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure including a first support and a second support defining the first channel extending between a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the first central axis extending from a center of the first opening to a center of the second opening; and wherein
 the clip structure includes an elongate member defining the second channel extending between a third opening and a fourth opening opposite the third opening, the second central axis extending from the center of the third opening to the center of the fourth opening, wherein the second axis is angularly offset from the first axis.   
     
     
         3 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the second central axis is offset from the first axis such that the second axis extends at an angle that is in the range of about 45° to about 135° relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the second axis is offset from the first axis such that the second axis extends at an angle that is in the range of about 30° to about 120° relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the second axis is offset from the first axis such that the second axis extends at an angle that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the clip structure includes an elongate member that includes a first portion that at least partially defines the second channel and a second portion that extends beyond the second channel. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the second portion of the elongate member includes a protrusion extending from a surface thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The adapter of  claim 7 , wherein the second portion of the elongate member includes an end section that extends beyond the protrusion. 
     
     
         9 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a first elongated support and a second elongated support, and the first channel is defined between the first and second elongated supports. 
     
     
         10 . The adapter of  claim 9 , wherein the clip structure includes an elongate member having a first portion that is attached to the first elongated support, and the second channel is defined between the first elongated support and the elongate member. 
     
     
         11 . The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a restraining mechanism for selectively maintaining the portion of the carrying case within the first channel. 
     
     
         12 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure and the clip structure of the adapter are formed together as a single piece of material of monolithic or unitary construction. 
     
     
         13 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure and the clip structure of the adapter are separate components that are secured together by an attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a first elongated support and a second elongated support that are connected together at a first end of the support structure and define the first channel therebetween; and
 the clip structure includes an elongate member that includes a first portion that is attached to the first support and defines the second channel between the elongate member and the first elongated support, the elongate member further including a second portion that extends beyond the second channel.   
     
     
         15 . An adapter for a carrying case, the adapter comprising:
 a support structure defining a first opening extending along a first plane, a second opening opposite the first opening extending along a second plane, and a first channel extending from the first opening to the second opening, the support structure configured to accept a portion of the carrying case within the first channel; and   a clip structure defining a third opening extending along a third plane, a fourth opening opposite the third opening extending along a fourth plane, and a second channel extending between the third opening and a fourth opening;   wherein one of the first plane and the second plane is not parallel with one of the third plane and the fourth plane.   
     
     
         16 . The adapter of  claim 15 , wherein both the first plane and the second plane are not parallel with the third plane and the fourth plane. 
     
     
         17 . The adapter of  claim 15 , wherein one of the first plane and the second plane is angularly offset from one of the third plane and the fourth plane by an angle that is in the range of about 45° to about 135°. 
     
     
         18 . The adapter of  claim 15 , wherein one of the first plane and the second plane is angularly offset from one of the third plane and the fourth plane by an angle that is in the range of 30° to about 120°. 
     
     
         19 . A method for adapting a carrying case, the method comprising:
 attaching an adapter to a portion of the carrying case, the adapter including a support structure defining a first channel extending along a first central axis, the support structure configured to accept a portion of the carrying case within the first channel, the adapter further including a clip structure defining a second channel extending along a second central axis offset from the first central axis.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the support structure includes a first support and a second support defining the first channel extending between a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the first central axis extending from a center of the first opening to a center of the second opening; and wherein the clip structure includes an elongate member defining the second channel extending between a third opening and a fourth opening opposite the third opening, the second central axis extending from the center of the third opening to the center of the fourth opening, wherein the second axis is angularly offset from the first axis.