US20130228601A1 - Ankle Holster - Google Patents

Abstract

An ankle holster is disclosed herein. A foot portion is provided which is shaped to extend beneath at least a portion of an underside of a foot. A leg portion is provided which is movably connected to the foot portion. The leg portion is shaped to surround at least a portion of a leg. A mounting means is provided for mounting a holster to the leg portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/603,566, filed Sep. 5, 2012, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,704, filed on Mar. 5, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/638,870, filed on Apr. 26, 2012, each of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of Invention
• The present general inventive concept relates to an ankle holster for securing an object, such as for example a firearm or other object, to an ankle of a wearer, and more particularly, to an ankle holster having apparatus for providing bracing support to the ankle and for limiting movement of the holster in relation to the ankle.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Numerous designs of carrying devices for securing tools and other articles to a body of a person are known in the art. For example, in the field of firearms and firearm accessories, it is known to provide a holster or other similar carrying device to secure a firearm or accessory to the body of a user, for example to facilitate hands-free carrying of the firearm or firearm accessory. The term “holster” is often used to refer specifically to a carrying device for securing a firearm, and in particular a handgun, to the body of a user. However, as used herein, the term “holster” will be understood to include a carrying device for securing arty of a number of articles, such as for example firearms, ammunition, ammunition magazines, flashlights, knives, hand tools, navigation devices, communication devices, aiming devices, personal protection devices, non-lethal weapons, handcuffs and other restraint devices, personal documents, etc. For convenience, the term “article” as used herein will be understood to include any of a number of articles, including but not limited to the above-discussed articles, which a user may desire to secure to the user's body.
• Ankle holsters for securing articles, and in particular firearms, to an ankle of a person are usually designed with a strap or belt to wrap around the ankle of the lower leg of the person, often just above the protruding ankle bone. Firearms are relatively heavy items, and when secured in these types of ankle holsters, they have a tendency to sling around during the articulated movement of the lower leg, especially when the wearer is engaging in intense physical activity such as running, kicking, crawling, etc. Thus, unless the ankle holster is secured tightly against the lower leg, shifting of the ankle holster and associated firearm may occur. Such shifting can result in compromised support of the ankle joint, impairing smooth articulated movement of the wearer's leg and leading to discomfort and/or injury to the wearer. Such shifting can also result in decreased accessibility of the item carried in the holster by the user. In the case of a firearm secured in the holster, it is important for fast access and drawing of the firearm that the holster remain at a fixed position in relation to the leg, so that when a hand reaches down to withdraw the firearm, the firearm is in the fixed position in relation to the leg as expected by the wearer. In the case of so-called “retention holsters,” in which the holster is made to fit a firearm snugly to establish a releasable frictional connection between the firearm and the holster, shifting of the holster along the length of the wearer's leg can impede, and even prevent, drawing of the firearm from the holster.
• To discourage shifting of an ankle holster and associated firearm in relation to the wearer's leg, it is customary to secure the belt or wrap of the ankle holster very tightly around the leg, often times so tightly that vascular circulation to the wearer's ankle and foot is constricted or restricted. Such tight securement of the ankle holster can result in discomfort to the user, such as for example by allowing the firearm and/or holster to dig into the skin and flesh in the wearer's leg. Such discomfort can be significant, and can even result in physical injury, and is especially likely when the ankle holster is worn for extended periods of time or through intense physical activity.
• In light of the above, there is a need in the art for a holster which allows securement of a firearm or other article to an ankle portion of a leg of a wearer, and which provides support to the ankle of the user while limiting movement of the holster in relation to the wearer's leg. Furthermore, there is a need for an ankle holster which limits movement of the holster along the length of the wearer's leg during removal of an article from the holster, but which also allows for increased comfort to the wearer of the holster.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a partially-exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the foot portion of the ankle holster ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a top down view of the foot portion of the ankle holster ofFIG. 1, showing the attachment members of the foot portion in a flattened configuration;
• FIG. 4 is a side view of the foot portion of the ankle holster ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 perspective view of the ankle holster ofFIG. 1, showing a holster exploded therefrom and ankle wraps secured thereto;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept;
• FIG. 7 is a partially-exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an ankle holster constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept;
• FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the ankle holster ofFIG. 1 worn on a leg of a wearer, with a holster and associated firearm mounted thereon;
• FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of an ankle holster worn on a leg of a wearer, with a pair of holsters and associated firearm magazine and handcuffs mounted thereon;
• FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a holster for use in carrying a cellular device; and
• FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a holster for use in carrying personal documents.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept, an ankle holster for securing an article to an ankle portion of a leg of a wearer while providing support to the ankle of the wearer and limiting movement of the holster in relation to the wearer's leg is disclosed herein. Referring toFIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present general inventive concept, theankle holster10 includes generally afoot portion12 movably, and preferably rotatably, connected to aleg portion14 byattachment members16,18. As will be further discussed below, at least one holster20 (seeFIG. 5) is secured along an exterior surface of theleg portion14 by suitable fasteners, such that anarticle64 may be retained within theholster20 when a wearer's leg and foot are disposed within theleg portion14 andfoot portion12, respectively, and thereby held against the wearer's leg for convenient access thereto by the wearer.
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, thefoot portion12 includes afoot plate22 which is generally sized and shaped to extend along a bottom portion of a wearer's foot beneath the wearer's ankle (not shown). In one embodiment, thefoot plate22 is defined by a fiat plate of substantially rigid material. In another embodiment, thefoot plate22 is defined by a panel of flexible material, such as for example fabric, plastic, or the like. In yet another embodiment, thefoot plate22 is defined by a panel having a shape which is generally contoured to a portion of an underside of a wearer's foot. Referring toFIGS. 1-4, first andsecond attachment members16,18, are secured atfirst ends28,30 thereof to opposite medial24 and lateral26 sides of thefoot plate22 and are configured to extend upwardly from thefoot plate22 along opposite medial and lateral sides of the wearer's ankle. In the illustrated embodiment, respectivefirst ends28,30 of the first andsecond attachment members16,18 are secured to respective medial andlateral sides24,26 of thefoot plate22 by integral connection, and both thefoot plate22 andattachment members16 are formed from a flexible material. Thus, in the present embodiment, the first andsecond attachment members16,18 may flex in relation to thefoot plate22. It will be understood that other suitable connections exist which may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), respectivefirst ends28,30 of the first andsecond attachment members16,18 are secured to respective medial andlateral sides24,26 of thefoot plate22 by suitable hinges, such that the first andsecond attachment members16,18 are rotatable about respectivefirst ends28,30 in relation to thefoot plate22. In another embodiment (not shown), theattachment members16,18 are fabricated from a rigid, material, such that theattachment members16,18 are fixed with respect to thefoot plate22.
• In several embodiments, the first andsecond attachment members16,18 are configured such that they may conform to a wearer's ankle. For example, as discussed above,FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of afoot portion12 wherein thefoot plate22 andattachment members16,18 are integrally formed of flexible and elastomeric material. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4, the first andsecond attachment members16,18 are asymmetrically provided along thefoot plate22 such that they are offset from one another with respect to a longitudinal dimension of thefoot plate22. Stated differently, the first andsecond attachment members16,18 each define first andsecond sides74,76,78,80, respectively. Thefirst sides74,78 of the respective first andsecond attachment members16,18 are offset from one another by alongitudinal offset distance82 with respect to the longitudinal dimension of thefoot plate22. In certain embodiments, thelongitudinal offset distance82 may be approximately one centimeter in order to accommodate the ankle bones of the wearer and maximize the comfort experienced by the wearer. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that the longitudinal offset distance may vary considerably without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of thefoot portion12 ofFIG. 1. As is shown inFIG. 4, in some embodiments, the first andsecond attachment members16,18 are of different lengths. More specifically, in the several embodiments, one of the first andsecond attachment members16,18 defines a longer length dimension than the length dimension defined by theother attachment member18,16. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the medialside attachment member16 is approximately one centimeter longer than the lateralside attachment member18. In other embodiments, the first andsecond attachment members16,18 are equal in length.
• In the illustrated embodiment, thefoot portion12 conforms to the right foot and ankle of a wearer. One of skill in the art will recognize that the wearer's medial malleolus may frequently be disposed forward of and higher than the wearer's lateral malleolus. Thus, the presently illustrated exampleembodiment foot portion12 is designed to accommodate this arrangement by its longitudinal offsetdistance82 and the difference in length of theattachment members16,18. Because thefirst attachment member16 provided to themedial side26 of thefoot plate22 is disposed forward of thesecond attachment member18 provided to thelateral side24 of thefoot plate22, thefoot portion12 may conform to the wearer's ankle having a medial malleolus forward of the lateral malleolus. Further, because the medialside attachment member16 is longer than the lateralside attachment member18, thefoot portion12 may conform to the wearer's ankle having a medial malleolus superior to their lateral malleolus. In other words, the medialside attachment member16 may be positioned to extend substantially over the wearer's leading and superior medial malleolus, while the lateralside attachment member18 may be positioned to extend substantially over the wearer's following and inferior lateral malleolus. It will be understood that the above-described configuration may be reversed to conform to a wearer's left foot without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. One of skill in the art will also recognize that the any and all arrangements, dimensions, and/or orientations discussed herein, including the lengths of the respective first and second attachment members, as well as their positions relative to one another and thefoot plate22, are merely example embodiments of the present general inventive concept. Accordingly, the disclosed arrangements, dimensions, and/or orientations may be modified without departing from the scope or spirit of the present general inventive concept.
• With reference toFIG. 3, in several embodiments,notches84 are defined along thefoot plate12 on opposing sides of the first ends28,30 of eachattachment member16,18 to further enable thefoot portion12 to conform to the wearer's ankle and foot.Such notches84 allow the first andsecond attachment members16,18 to conform to and extend up the wearer's ankle while also permitting thefoot plate22 to conform to the sole of the wearer's foot. In certain embodiments, respective inner surfaces of theattachment members16,18 may further include a series of alternating ridges andgrooves86 proximate the first ends28,30 of the first andsecond attachment members16,18. The ridges andgrooves86 act to maintain the flexible nature of, while also providing strength to, theattachment members16,18, and further serve to discourage theattachment members16,18 from flaring out away from the wearer's ankle during use. While the illustrated embodiment depicts bothnotches84 and alternating ridges andgrooves86, it will be understood that thefoot plate12 may be constructed to include either, both, or none of these features without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
• Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 5, in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept, in one embodiment theleg portion14 includes alateral upright plate36 sized and shaped to conform to a lateral region of a leg of a wearer, and a medialupright plate38 sized and shaped to conform to an opposite medial region of the same leg of the wearer. As discussed above, in the illustrated embodiment, the lateral andmedial plates36,38 are disposed asymmetrically with respect to one another, such that theankle holster10 is configured to fit either a right or left leg of a wearer, but not both. In other embodiments, the lateral andmedial plates36,38 are disposed symmetrically with respect to one another, such that the lateral andmedial plates36,38 are effectively interchangeable. In these embodiments, theankle holster10 may be reversible such that it may be worn on either the right or left leg of the wearer.
• Theleg portion14 further includes a plurality ofadjustable wraps40 configured to secure the lateral andmedial plates36,38 in place against the leg of the wearer. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral andmedial plates36,38 each define a plurality ofslots42 extending alongopposite front44 and rear46 edges of the lateral andmedial plates36,38. Theslots42 are configured in relation to one another along the front andrear edges44,46 of theplates36,38 such that theslots42 may receive therethrough one or more flexible wraps40 (seeFIG. 2), thereby joining the lateral andmedial plates36,38 along the front andrear edges44,46 thereof and allowing the combinedplates36,38 and wraps40 to substantially surround a calf portion of a wearer's leg (seeFIGS. 6 and 7). In one embodiment, twoslots42 are disposed along each front andrear edge44,46 of eachplate36,38, and eachslot42 of eachplate36,38 is aligned to correspond with anopposite slot42 of theother plate36,38. In this embodiment, onewrap40 is provided to be received through and extend between each pair ofcorresponding slots42. However, those of skill in the art will recognize other configurations for theslots42 and wraps40 which may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In several embodiments, eachwrap40 is fabricated from a flexible, quick release fastener material, such as for example hook and loop fabric, belt with suitable latch, etc.
• In several embodiments, the positioning of the lateral andmedial plates36,38 in relation to thefoot portion12 is adjustable. For example, in some embodiments, each of the respective second ends32,34 of the first andsecond attachment members16,18 is movably, and preferably rotatably, connected to one of respective lower ends37,39 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, each of the first andsecond attachment members16,18 is rotatably connected to one of respective lower ends37,39 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38 by suitable hinges48. In other embodiments, the position of attachment between the lateral andmedial plates36,38 and theattachment members16,18 is adjustable along the attachment member second ends32,34, such that the overall length of theankle holster10 is selectively adjustable. For example,FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of anankle holster10′, in which thefoot plate22′ andattachment members16′,18′ are fabricated from a flexible material, such that theattachment members16′,18′ are flexible about thefoot plate22′. In this embodiment, each of the first and second attachment member second ends32′,34′ is receivable within anappropriate slot41 defined by the lower ends37′,39′ of the lateral andmedial plates36′,38′, such that the first and second attachment member second ends32′,34′ may be secured to one of respective lower ends37′,39′ of the lateral andmedial plates36′,38′ by a suitable fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, adhesive, or the like. Thus, the effective distance between thefoot plate22′ and the lateral andmedial plates36′,38′ may be selectively adjusted by adjusting the degree of insertion of the first and second attachment member second ends32′,34′ within the correspondingslots41.
• FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of anankle holster10″. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7, a plurality of throughopenings50 are defined along each attachment membersecond end32″,34″, each through opening50 being adapted to removably receive thehinge48 of thecorresponding plate36,38 therein, such that the position of the rotatable connection between eachplate36,38 and itsrespective attachment member16″,18″ is adjustable along the attachment membersecond end32″,34″ by repositioning thehinges48 from one throughopening50 to another. Those skilled in the art will recognize other devices for allowing adjustability of the positioning of the lateral andmedial plates36,38 in relation to thefoot portion12, and such devices may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
• Referring again toFIG. 1, in certain embodiments, at least onepadded lining58 is provided alonginner surfaces60,62 of theplates36,38 to improve comfort of theankle holster10 to the wearer. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, apadded lining58 is provided along eachinner surface60,62 of eachplate36,38. Each paddedlining58 is sized and shaped to conform generally along its correspondinginner surface60,62, and also to conform along associated portions of the wearer's leg. In certain embodiments, eachpadded lining58 is fixed along its associated plateinner surface60,62 as by adhesive or other suitable fastener. In other embodiments, eachpadded lining58 is removably secured along its associated plateinner surface60,62 as by suitable releasable fasteners, such as for example hook and loop fasteners, frictional connections, snaps, or the like. It will be understood that other fasteners exist which are suitable for securing the at least onepadded lining58 along the plateinner surfaces60,62. Furthermore, it will be understood that inclusion of the at least onepadded lining58 is not necessary to accomplish theankle holster10 of the present general inventive concept.
• As discussed above, at least oneouter surface52,54 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38 of theleg portion14 of theankle holster10 is adapted to carry aholster20 secured thereto. In some embodiments, the holster is fixed against a corresponding outer surface of the lateral and medial plates. In other embodiments, theholster20 is removably secured against a respectiveouter surface52,54 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38. For example, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 5, a mountingbracket56 is provided which is adapted to be secured to at least oneouter surface52,54 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38. The mountingbracket56 is also sized and shaped to allow mounting of aholster20 thereto. In several embodiments, the mountingbracket56 defines suitable fasteners to assist in fastening the mountingbracket56 to at least oneholster20. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the mountingbracket56 defines a plurality of throughbores68 adapted to mate with and receive a fastening mechanism of theholster20, such as for example a screw, pin, tab, or other such fastening mechanism. In another embodiment, the mountingbracket56 is fixed to the holster by an integral connection. Those skilled in the art will recognize other suitable devices for securing the mountingbracket56 to theholster20, and such devices may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
• In some embodiments, the mountingbracket56 is directly securable to the at least oneouter surface52,54 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38. In other embodiments, such as the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4, the mountingbracket56 is securable to a mounting sleeve88, which is in turn secured to one of theouter surfaces52,54 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting sleeve88 is secured to anouter surface52,54 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38, such as for example by a suitable fastener or by integral connection. The mounting sleeve88 includes anouter surface66 defining a plurality oflips70 overhanging theouter surface66 along peripheral edges of theouter surface66. Thelips70 are configured to allow slidable receipt of the mountingbracket56 between thelips70 and an outer surface of the mounting sleeve88, and to limit separation of the received portion of the mountingbracket56 from theouter surface66 in a direction substantially perpendicular to theouter surface66. Thus, with the portion of the mountingbracket56 slidably received between thelips70 and the mounting blockouter surface66, one or more fastening mechanisms may be configured to engage the mountingbracket56 to prevent slidable withdrawal of theholster20 and associated mountingbracket56 from the mounting sleeve88.
• It will be understood that, in addition to the illustrated embodiments, the mountingbracket56 may be sized and shaped in any of a large number of configurations to allow mounting of aholster20 to anouter surface52,54 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38 through conventional means of the type known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, it will be understood that theankle holster10 may include an of a large number of shapes and configurations ofholsters20 for securing numerous types ofarticles64 to a wearer's ankle without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, with reference toFIG. 8, in one embodiment theankle holster10 includes aholster20 of the type suitable for receiving and carrying afirearm64 secured to anouter surface52,54 of the lateral andmedial plates36,38. More specifically, theholster20 as shown inFIG. 8 is a polymer-type retention holster for a firearm. In the embodiment ofFIG. 9, theankle holster10′″ includes afirst holster20′ which is adapted to hold and carry afirearm magazine64′ and asecond holster20″ which is adapted to hold and carry a pair ofhandcuffs64″.
• FIG. 10A illustrates another type ofholster20′″ which may be used with theankle holster10 to hold and carry acellular device64′″, such as for example a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, tablet, electronic reader, or other such device. As shown inFIG. 10A, in one embodiment, theholster20′″ includes alower housing90 defining aninterior cavity92 which is sized and shaped to receive acellular device64′″ therein. Theholster20′″ may optionally include acap94 which is configured to at least partially seal theinterior cavity92 to limit removal of thecellular device64′″ therefrom. In the embodiment ofFIG. 10B, theholster20″″ is configured to hold and carrypersonal documents64″″, such as for example a passport, identification, or other personal documents. In the embodiment ofFIG. 10B, thelower housing90′ and cap94′ are contoured to better conform to the leg of a wearer during use. In addition to the above-discussed embodiments, it will be recognized by one of skill in the art that theholster20 may be a configured to hold any of several numbers and types of articles, such as for example firearms, ammunition, ammunition magazines, flashlights, knives, hand tools, navigation devices, communication devices, aiming devices, personal protection devices, non-lethal weapons, handcuffs and other restraint devices, personal documents, cards and identification, or the like, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.
• From the foregoing description, it will be understood that anankle holster10 has been described herein which provides a fastening means for securing a holster proximate an ankle of a wearer with improved stability of the holster in relation to the wearer's ankle. Furthermore, it will be understood that the ankle holster of the present general inventive concept provides improved support to help stabilize the associated ankle of the wearer, while also allowing for improved comfort to the wearer. It will be understood that, when an ankle holster constructed in accordance with the present general inventive concept is worn by a wearer, and the wearer attempts to draw a firearm from the holster, the foot of the wearer bears against the foot plate, thereby allowing the wearer to apply positive resistance to the ankle holster against upward sliding along the leg of the wearer, and thereby further improving the stability of the holster in relation to the wearer's ankle.
• While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims (26)

Having thus described the aforementioned invention, what is claimed is:

1. An ankle holster comprising:

a foot portion shaped to extend beneath at least a portion of an underside of a foot;

a leg portion movably connected to said foot portion, said leg portion being shaped to surround at least a portion of a leg; and

a mount for mounting a holster to said leg portion.

2. The ankle holsterclaim 1, said leg portion being rotatably connected to said foot portion.

3. The ankle holster ofclaim 1, said foot portion further comprising:

a foot plate shaped to extend beneath at least a portion of an underside of a foot, said foot plate defining a medial side and a lateral side; and

first and second attachment members, said first attachment member being secured at a first end thereof to said lateral side and said second attachment member being secured at a first end thereof to said medial side, said first and second attachment members each having an opposite second end rotatably connected to said leg portion.

4. The ankle holster ofclaim 3, each said first and second attachment members being integrally formed with said foot plate.

5. The ankle holster ofclaim 3, said foot plate being shaped to conform to an underside of a foot.

6. The ankle holster ofclaim 3, said foot plate, said first and second attachment members, or both being of an elastomeric material.

7. The ankle holster ofclaim 3, said foot plate having notches bounding said first ends of said first and second attachment members.

8. The ankle holster ofclaim 3, said first and second attachment members having a plurality of alternating ridges and grooves proximate said first ends thereof.

9. The ankle holster ofclaim 3, said first and second attachment members being symmetrically provided to said foot plate.

10. The ankle holster ofclaim 3, said foot plate defining a longitudinal dimension, said first and second attachment members being longitudinally offset from one another.

11. The ankle holster ofclaim 10, said first and second attachment members defining a longitudinal offset distance substantially equal to one centimeter.

12. The ankle holster ofclaim 10, said second attachment member secured to said medial side of said foot plate being longitudinally forward of said first attachment member secured to said lateral side of said foot plate.

13. The ankle holster ofclaim 3, said first and second attachment members each defining a length dimension, said length dimension of said second attachment member being greater than said length dimension of said first attachment member.

14. The ankle holster ofclaim 13, said length dimension of said second attachment member being greater than said length dimension of said first attachment member by a distance substantially equal to one centimeter.

15. The holster ofclaim 3, said leg portion further comprising:

a lateral plate sized and shaped to generally conform to a lateral portion of a leg, said lateral plate being hinged to a second end of said first attachment member; and

a medial plate sized and shaped to generally conform to a medial portion of a leg, said medial plate being hinged to a second end of said second attachment member.

16. The ankle holster ofclaim 15, said leg portion further including at least one wrap configured to releasably join said lateral and medial plates to allow said leg portion to surround a leg.

17. The ankle holster ofclaim 16, said lateral and medial plates defining a plurality of slots for receiving said at least one wrap.

18. The ankle holster ofclaim 15, said mount including at least one mounting bracket securable to at least one of said lateral and medial plates, said mounting bracket being shaped to allow a holster to be mounted thereto.

19. The ankle holster ofclaim 18, said mount further including at least one mounting sleeve secured to at least one of said lateral and medial plates, said mounting sleeve being sized and shaped to engage said mounting bracket to secure said mounting bracket to said mounting sleeve.

20. The ankle holster ofclaim 18 further including a holster mounted to said mounting bracket.

21. The ankle holster ofclaim 20, said holster being fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polymer, leather, and fabric.

22. The ankle holster ofclaim 21, said holster being shaped to receive therein at least one of a firearm, a unit of ammunition, an ammunition magazine, a flashlight, a knife, a hand tool, a navigation device, a communication device, an aiming device, a personal protection device, a non-lethal weapon, and a pair of handcuffs.

23. The ankle holster ofclaim 22, said holster being a retention holster.

24. The ankle holster ofclaim 15, said leg portion further including at least one padded lining disposed along at least one of said lateral and medial plates.

25. The ankle holster ofclaim 24, said leg portion further including a pair of padded linings, each padded lining being disposed along and being sized and shaped to conform to an inner surface of one of said lateral and medial plates.

26. The ankle holster ofclaim 25, each said padded lining being releasably secured to a corresponding inner surface of one of said lateral and medial plates.

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