US20080272162A1

US20080272162A1 - Holster

Info

Publication number: US20080272162A1
Application number: US11/799,569
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Gamble
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-02
Filing date: 2007-05-02
Publication date: 2008-11-06

Abstract

A firearm holster is provided which retains a weapon with a laser or light attachment. The holster is generally formed from a hard material and has a cavity open at the underside of the firearm barrel. The holster may include safety features such as a locking tab, securing strap, or muzzle post.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field
The present invention relates to a holster. In particular, the invention relates to a holster that allows a firearm to be holstered with a laser or light attached to the firearm.
2. Background
Weapon-mounted lights and lasers are common on firearms such as handguns. In general, these light and laser attachments are mounted on the firearm below the barrel of the firearm, such that the light or laser beam is parallel to the bore.
Weapon holsters traditionally open to the top and are closed or secured underneath the weapon's barrel. The disadvantage of these holsters is that the weapon cannot be holstered with an attachment, as the holster extends or secures underneath the barrel. As a result, the weapon cannot be holstered and released quickly with the attachment in place. A user must attach the laser or light after the weapon has been released, and detach the laser or light in order to return the weapon to the holster. This is dangerous and undesirable in an emergency or tactical situation.
In addition, holsters require security features to prevent opponents from releasing the weapon from the holster, yet it is desirable for the user to be able to quickly release or holster the weapon.
Thus, a need exists for a holster that allows a weapon to be holstered with a laser or light attached to the weapon

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a holster for receiving a weapon with an attachment in place.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a holster for receiving a weapon with an attachment in place that includes security features.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a holster for receiving a weapon with an attachment in place that allows for quick release of the weapon.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, drawings, and claims.
The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties encountered heretofore. To that end, an improved holster is provided. The holster receives a weapon with an attachment secured to the underside of the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the holster of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of holster and locking tab of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holster and locking tab of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locking tab of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of the securing pin of the locking tab of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an underside perspective view of the muzzle end of the holster of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adjustable muzzle post of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the adjustable muzzle post of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a firearm of the general type to be used with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the securing strap of the holster of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a dual tab embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a close up view of a dual tab embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a holster 10 having a holster body 11 with an opening 12 at the underside of the holster body 11. FIG. 9 shows a typical firearm 14 to be used with the present invention. The opening 12 allows a firearm 14 to be received by the holster 10 with an attachment 14 g in place below the barrel 14 b of the firearm 14. The holster body 11 extends substantially the length of the firearm, from the butt-end 14 c to the muzzle end 14 a. In this way, the holster 10 protects the entire length of the slide and rear sight of the firearm. The holster body 11 covers the top side of the firearm 14 and barrel 14 b, and extends over the sides of the barrel 14 b, but does not close over the underside of the barrel 14 b. In addition, the holster body 11 extends over the trigger 14 e and trigger guard 14 f, forming a trigger shield 40. The trigger shield 40 acts as a safety against accidental firing, as tactical handguns generally do not have an external safety.
As seen in FIGS. 1-5, the holster 10 has a locking tab 22. The locking tab 22 secures the butt end 14 c of the firearm 14 by locking when the firearm 14 is inserted in the holster 10. The locking tab 22 self-locks as the firearm 14 is pushed into the holster 10. The pin 24 (FIG. 5) keeps the locking tab 22 positioned in place for holstering the firearm 14. Specifically, the locking tab 22 remains in position as the firearm 14 is pushed into the holster 10 through the opening 12. A pad 26 (FIG. 6) on the inside of the holster 10 assures proper spacing between the firearm frame and the holster 10 and aids with the automatic positioning of the locking tab 22.
The holster has a muzzle post 30 at the muzzle end of the holster. In one embodiment, the muzzle post 30 is stationary and cannot be adjusted (FIG. 6). The muzzle post 30 is received by the muzzle 14 a of the firearm 14.
In a second embodiment, the holster has a slot 28 with a muzzle post 30 within the slot at the muzzle end of the holster 10. The muzzle 14 a of the firearm receives the muzzle post 30 and secures the firearm 14 within the holster 10. As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the muzzle post 30 is attached to the holster 10 with an attachment means 32, such as a screw. When the attachment means 32 is loosened, the muzzle post 30 slides within the slot 28. Thus, the location of the muzzle post 30 can be adjusted for various dimensions from the approximate center of the barrel to the top of the firearm's sight in various models of firearms. This dimension is important for a snug fit of the firearm 14 in the holster 10.
The holster 10 may include a securing strap 50. The securing strap 50 extends around the firearm, as seen in FIGS. 10-13. The strap 50 extends over the trigger shield 40 or between the trigger shield 40 and the firearm grip 14 d. The securing strap 50 must be released in order to remove the weapon from the holster 10, thus acting as a safety measure if an opponent were to attempt to remove the firearm 14 from the holster 10. The securing strap 50 employs a snap 50 a or other attaching systems to secure around the firearm 14.
The holster 10 may include a magnet 60 in the cavity 12 of the holster body 11 (FIG. 6). The magnet 60 automatically turns on the attached light or laser 14 g as the firearm 14 is being released, and turns the attachment 14 g off as the firearm 14 is holstered.
In a second embodiment, the holster 100 has a plurality of tabs 102 at the butt-end 14 c of the holster, instead of a locking tab. The tabs 102 secure the weapon 14 within the holster. (FIGS. 11-12). The tabs 102 are on each side of the butt-end 14 c of the holster and secure the sides of the butt-end 14 c of the firearm 14.
A third embodiment of the holster 200, as seen in FIG. 13, has no tabs or locking tab at the butt-end 14 c. Instead, the weapon is secured by the securing strap 50 or the muzzle post 30. The holster extends substantially the entire length of the firearm 14, from the butt-end 14 c to the muzzle end 14 a. In this embodiment, the holster also extends over the trigger to create a trigger shield 40.
The holster 10, 100, 200 is made from a hard material such as plastic. Hard plastic (such as Boltaron 4330) has the advantage of not damaging the finish on tactical handguns.
The holster 10, 100, 200 allows a weapon to be holstered while a laser, light, or other attachment 14 g remains in place on the firearm below the barrel. The locking tab 22, plurality of tabs 102, trigger shield 40, muzzle post 30, and securing strap 50 are safety features of the holster 10, 100, 200. These safety features prevent an opponent from removing the firearm 14 from the holster and help to secure the weapon 14 within the holster.
The holster 10, 100, 200 can be worn on a person, such as on a belt, around a leg, under an arm, or any other method of carrying a firearm 14 on a person.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while the invention is intended to be used to holster a firearm on a person, it could also be attached to a flat surface, such as the underside of a table, to holster the weapon.

Claims

1. A holster for a firearm having a barrel, muzzle, butt, grip, trigger, trigger guard, and an attachment underneath the barrel, the holster comprising a holster body having a substantially rigid top and sidewalls and open to the underside forming a cavity to receive a firearm with an attachment, wherein the holster body extends substantially the length of the firearm.

2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body extends over the firearm muzzle and further comprises a muzzle post.

3. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body extends over the firearm trigger guard and trigger.

4. The holster of claim 2, wherein the muzzle post slides within a slot in the holster body.

5. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a locking tab operatively attached to the holster body and extending over the butt of the firearm longitudinally along the back of the firearm grip.

6. The holster of claim 5, wherein the locking tab has a pin to secure the locking tab over the firearm butt and along the grip.

7. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a securing strap extending around the firearm.

8. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a pad on a sidewall of the holster body within the cavity.

9. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a magnet attached in the cavity of the holster body.

10. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body further comprises a plurality of tabs securing the butt of the firearm.

11. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body is made from plastic.

12. A method of holstering a firearm having a barrel, muzzle, butt, grip, trigger, trigger guard, and an attachment underneath the barrel, the steps comprising:

a) providing a holster having a holster body having a substantially rigid top and sidewalls and open to the underside forming a cavity to receive a firearm with an attachment, wherein the holster body extends substantially the length of the firearm; and

b) inserting a firearm into said holster.