Equipment Carrier with Tensioned Tether for Retaining Equipment in an Equipment Holder

Abstract

An equipment carrier configured to secure at least one piece of equipment to a user, and corresponding method. The equipment carrier includes at least one equipment holder configured to be secured to the user. The equipment holder includes an engaging portion configured to receive the equipment. At least one tether includes a first portion attached to the equipment and a second portion attached to the user at a second location offset from the engaging portion. The at least one tether applies a tension force on the equipment to retain the equipment with the engaging portion of the equipment holder. The tension force is negligible when the equipment is disengaged from the equipment holder and positioned near the second location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An equipment carrier, comprising:
 an elastic strap configured for encompassing a user's limb;   an equipment holder attached to the elastic strap; and   a first and a second extensible tether, each tether defined at least in part by a first end and a second end;   wherein,
 the first end of the first and the second tether is configured for attachment to an equipment; 
 the second end of the first and the second tether is configured for attachment to a shoulder strap; and 
 tension force generated upon elongation of the first and second tethers retains the equipment within the equipment holder. 
   
     
     
         2 . The equipment carrier of  claim 1 , comprising a recess defined at least in part by a top front panel comprising a substantially rigid top panel and a substantially rigid front panel. 
     
     
         3 . The equipment carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the top front panel is elastically deformable. 
     
     
         4 . The equipment carrier of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the top panel and the front panel is elastically deformable. 
     
     
         5 . The equipment carrier of  claim 2 , comprising a substantially flexible panel attached to the top panel. 
     
     
         6 . The equipment carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible front panel comprises a single flexible sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The equipment carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible front panel comprises two or more substantially rigid segments connected by flexible joints. 
     
     
         8 . The equipment carrier of  claim 5 , comprising a fastener configured for attaching the flexible front panel and the front panel to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The equipment carrier of  claim 8 , wherein the fastener comprises a snap, a hook-and-loop, or a magnet. 
     
     
         10 . The equipment carrier of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and the second tether is comprised of an elastic material. 
     
     
         11 . The equipment carrier of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and the second tether is comprised of bungee cord or elastic polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The equipment carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second tethers are attached to the shoulder strap at respective locations above the equipment holder. 
     
     
         13 . The equipment carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic strap encompasses at least a portion of the user's arm.