Multi-Purpose Gun Belt

A device comprising:

• a semi-rigid thermoplastic frame configured to extend at least partially around a waist of a wearer, the frame having a main body portion, end portions, and a plurality of apertures distributed along at least the main body portion;
• a fabric liner affixed to or encasing at least a major portion of the semi-rigid thermoplastic frame and defining an inner surface configured to contact the wearer and an outer surface configured to face a holster or accessory;
• an elastic shock-cord tensioning system including at least one elastic cord routed through the plurality of apertures of the semi-rigid thermoplastic frame to form at least one circumferential tension zone and having a loop portion accessible at a front region of the device;
• a buckle assembly located adjacent the front region of the device and defining at least one cord-routing channel through which the loop portion of the at least one elastic cord is routed;
• and
• at least one sewn webbing interface connecting the buckle assembly to at least one of the end portions of the semi-rigid thermoplastic frame;
• wherein the semi-rigid thermoplastic frame cooperates with the elastic shock-cord tensioning system to maintain a dynamically adjustable circumferential tension on the wearer's waist, and the buckle assembly and the at least one sewn webbing interface are configured to permit one-handed, substantially silent adjustment of the circumferential tension without hook-and-loop fasteners, ratcheting teeth, or audible click mechanisms.

A device comprising:

• a semi-rigid, arcuate thermoplastic frame extending around at least a portion of a waist of a wearer and having a main body portion, end regions, a plurality of apertures along the main body portion, and at least one rigid mounting region positioned along the main body portion;
• a fabric liner surrounding at least the main body portion of the semi-rigid, arcuate thermoplastic frame and providing an inner surface configured to contact the wearer and an outer surface configured to face a holster or accessory;
• an elastic tensioning system including a plurality of elastic members routed through different subsets of the plurality of apertures along the main body portion of the semi-rigid, arcuate thermoplastic frame to establish distinct front, side, and rear circumferential tension zones;
• a low-profile buckle assembly mechanically coupled to the plurality of elastic members and disposed adjacent the end regions of the semi-rigid, arcuate thermoplastic frame, the low-profile buckle assembly defining at least one cord-routing channel through which a loop portion of at least one of the elastic members is routed;
• and
• at least one sewn webbing interface connecting at least one of the end regions of the semi-rigid, arcuate thermoplastic frame to the low-profile buckle assembly;
• wherein the at least one rigid mounting region of the semi-rigid, arcuate thermoplastic frame is configured to directly receive mounting hardware of the holster or accessory such that the holster or accessory is stabilized against rotation and sagging by the semi-rigid, arcuate thermoplastic frame, and wherein the plurality of elastic members, the low-profile buckle assembly, and the at least one sewn webbing interface cooperate to provide dynamically adjustable, substantially silent circumferential tension on the wearer's waist while reducing visible printing of both the holster or accessory and the device under clothing.