U.S. patent application number 11/672826 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for modular holster for handguns and the like.
Invention is credited to CHRISTOPHER AISTON, TODD SEYFERT, SEAN TONER, KEVIN WEBBER.
Application Number | 20070181619 11/672826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38332991 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070181619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SEYFERT; TODD ; et
al. |
August 9, 2007 |
MODULAR HOLSTER FOR HANDGUNS AND THE LIKE
Abstract
A holster (10) includes one or more modular inserts (90, 100)
positioned within a rigid body (20) of the holster (10) to fit and
position a preselected handgun (56) or group of similar handguns or
other service items. Also described are security devices including
a pivoting security hood (66) and an internal handgun retention
device that engages an ejection port (136) of the handgun. The hood
(66) and internal retention device may be both opened by a common
release lever (70) of the holster (10) that is preferably located
along a portion of the holster (10) substantially adjacent a user
wearing the holster (10). The release lever (70) drives a rocking
latch located along a front wall of the holster body (20), which
latches the hood (66) in the closed position and engages an
ejection port (136) of a holstered handgun (56). When actuated by
the release lever (70), the latch (120) disengages the hood (66)
and the ejection port (136), allowing the hood (66) to rotate open
and the handgun (56) to be withdrawn from the holster (10).
Inventors: |
SEYFERT; TODD; (OVERLAND
PARK, KS) ; AISTON; CHRISTOPHER; (NASHUA, NH)
; WEBBER; KEVIN; (DEERFIELD, NH) ; TONER;
SEAN; (HAVERHILL, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
2405 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 400
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
US
|
Family ID: |
38332991 |
Appl. No.: |
11/672826 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60743268 |
Feb 9, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/196 ;
224/243; 224/912 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/04 20130101;
F41C 33/0227 20130101; F41C 33/0263 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/196 ;
224/243; 224/912 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00; F41C 33/02 20060101 F41C033/02 |
Claims
1. A holster comprising: a holster body including opposing first
and second walls; and a first removable insert lining at least a
portion of one of the first wall and the second wall.
2. The holster as set forth in claim 1, the first wall being a
front wall and the second wall being a rear wall.
3. The holster as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second
removable insert lining at least a portion of the other of the
first wall and the second wall.
4. The holster as set forth in claim 1, the first removable insert
lining further comprising an upwardly extending spindle proximate a
bottom of the holster body.
5. The holster as set forth in claim 1, the body including a front
shell and a rear shell detachably coupled together along inner and
outer side walls of the body.
6. The holster as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an
internal retention device.
7. The holster as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a
pivoting hood spanning a top opening of the holster body when in a
closed position and pivotable to an open position.
8. The holster as set forth in claim 7, further comprising an
internal retention device; and a release lever for actuating the
pivoting security hood and the internal retention device.
9. The holster as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a
fastening device for securing the holster to a user, the lever
being located relative to the fastening device such that when the
holster is secured to a user via the fastening device, the lever is
located substantially adjacent the user's body.
10. The holster as set forth in claim 8, wherein the release lever
actuates the pivoting security hood and the internal retention
device when moved in a first direction and then in a second
direction.
11. The holster as set forth in claim 8, wherein the release lever
actuates the pivoting security hood and the internal retention
device when moved in a forward direction and then in a downward
direction relative to a user.
12. A holster for a handgun, the handgun including a shell ejection
port, the holster comprising: a body defining a cavity and an
opening for admitting the handgun into the cavity; a catch for
engaging the shell ejection port of the handgun to retain the
handgun in the cavity, the catch being movably supported within the
cavity; and a release lever for disengaging the catch from the
shell ejection port.
13. The holster as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a
fastening device for securing the holster to a user, the lever
being located relative to the fastening device such that when the
holster is secured to a user via the fastening device, the lever is
located substantially adjacent the user's body.
14. The holster as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a
pivoting hood spanning a top opening of the holster body when in a
closed position and pivotable to an open position.
15. The holster as set forth in claim 14, the hood being actuated
by the release lever such that actuating the release lever to
disengage the catch from the shell ejection port also causes the
hood to pivot to the open position.
16. The holster as set forth in claim 12, further comprising: a
holster body including opposing first and second walls; and a first
removable insert lining at least a portion of one of the first wall
and the second wall.
17. The holster as set forth in claim 16, the first wall being a
front wall and the second wall being a rear wall.
18. The holster as set forth in claim 16, further comprising a
second removable insert lining at least a portion of the other of
the first wall and the second wall.
19. The holster as set forth in claim 16, the first removable
insert lining further comprising an upwardly extending spindle
proximate a bottom of the holster body.
20. The holster as set forth in claim 16, the body including a
front shell and a rear shell detachably coupled together along
inner and outer side walls of the body.
21. A method of securing a handgun in a holster comprising: placing
a removable insert into the holster such that the insert lines at
least a portion of one of a front wall and a rear wall of a body of
the holster, and such that the insert aligns the handgun with an
internal retention device when the handgun is placed in the
holster; and placing the handgun into the holster such that the
internal retention device engages an ejection port of the
handgun.
22. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising opening
a security hood prior to placing the handgun into the holster and
closing the security hood after placing the handgun in the
holster.
23. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising
actuating a single lever to release both the security hood and the
retention device, thereby allowing the handgun to be withdrawn from
the holster.
24. The method as set forth in claim 23, further comprising
actuating the lever by moving the lever in a first direction and
then in a second direction.
25. The method as set forth in claim 23, further comprising
actuating the lever by moving the lever in a forward direction and
then in a downward direction relative to a user.
26. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising
selecting the removable insert from a plurality of removable
inserts such that the selected removable insert is of a size and
shape to hold the handgun such that the internal retention device
engages the ejection port of the handgun.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a nonprovisional application and
claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application titled
"MODULAR HOLSTER FOR HANDGUNS AND THE LIKE," Ser. No. 60/743,268,
filed Feb. 9, 2006. The identified earlier-filed application is
hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present teachings relate to holsters. More particularly,
the present teachings relate to security holsters and holsters for
accommodating handguns, stun guns, and other similar weapons and
service items of various shapes and sizes.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Many handgun holsters have safety straps and security hoods
for preventing inadvertent or unauthorized withdrawal of a handgun.
Known holsters also have internal retention devices that extend
into a handgun-receiving cavity of the holster to engage a rigid
feature of a handgun, such as a trigger guard or shell ejection
port, for retaining the handgun in the holster.
[0006] Proper handgun retention and operation of some security
devices requires the handgun to be precisely located within the
cavity relative to the holster body or the retention device of the
holster. For example, trigger guard retention devices include a
catch that extends into the space between the trigger guard and the
trigger to thereby engage the trigger guard upon an attempt to draw
the handgun upwardly from the cavity. To prevent accidental
discharge of the handgun, the holster must limit the downward
movement of the handgun into the cavity, otherwise the catch of the
trigger guard retention device might depress the trigger upon
holstering of the gun. In some holsters, a constrained draw path
may be needed to properly retain the handgun or operate a security
device or other feature of the holster.
[0007] Because the shape and configuration of handguns varies
greatly between manufacturers and even among a single
manufacturer's product lines, security holsters are typically
offered in many different sizes, shapes, and configurations to
provide the required fit. Unfortunately, the large number of
different holster bodies necessary for providing a complete line of
holsters not only adds to the cost of tooling for manufacture, but
also adds to the cost of manufacturing and assembly and requires
sizable inventories to be carried by manufacturers and
retailers.
[0008] The fit problem is compounded by the needs of some users for
a holster that accommodates a tactical illuminator that is
optionally attached to a handgun, typically below its barrel and
forward of the trigger guard. Tactical illuminators, such as the
model M3 tactical illuminator sold by Insight Technology, Inc. of
Londonderry, New Hampshire, USA, are typically mountable to a rail
system on the body of the handgun and can be readily attached and
detached from the handgun without tools, depending on the needs of
the user.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved holster that
does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior
art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] An embodiment of the present teachings is described in
detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a holster incorporating
principles of the present teachings according to a first
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the holster of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the holster of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the holster of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the holster of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the holster of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view of the holster of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the holster of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the holster of FIG. 1
with a rear shell of the holster body omitted to show detail of an
internal retention device, an associated release mechanism, and a
front sizing insert of the holster;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the holster of FIG.
9;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross section view of the holster of FIG. 1,
taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing a hood and an internal
retention device of the holster in the closed and locked
position;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the holster of FIG. 1
taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing a release mechanism for
the hood and internal retention device depressed and the hood and
internal retention device open;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a latch module of the
holster of FIGS. 1-12, illustrating an outer portion of the latch
module;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the latch module of FIG.
13, illustrating an inner portion of the latch module;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view of the holster of FIG. 1 with
a belt loop adapter plate removed to show detail of a release lever
and mechanism of the holster;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of the holster of
FIG. 1 with a front shell of the holster body omitted to show
detail of the latch and release mechanism;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a rear elevation view of a holster incorporating
principles of the present teachings according to a second
embodiment; and
[0028] FIG. 18 is a cross section view of the holster of FIG. 17,
taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17, showing a hood and an internal
retention device of the holster in the closed and locked
position
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] A holster incorporating principles of the present teachings
is illustrated in FIG. 1 and designated generally by the reference
numeral 10. The holster 10 includes a body 20 comprising a front
shell 22 and a rear shell 24 coupled together to define a cavity
30. Front and rear shells 22, 24 may be coupled together along a
longitudinal seam 26 where they overlap and are screwed together
via rows of attachment holes 28 and screws (not shown) on the inner
and outer sides of holster 10. Front and rear shells 22 and 24
cooperate to form opposing inner and outer side walls 34 and 36,
respectively, of body 20. Body 20 further includes front and rear
walls 42 (FIG. 11) and 44, respectively, and a floor 48 including a
drain hole 50, as best shown in FIG. 8. Body 20 defines a top
opening 54 sized to admit at least a portion of a handgun 56 (see
FIGS. 11-12) into cavity 30. Cavity 30 may also include other
openings, such as an open bottom. A substantially enclosed cavity,
such as the cavity 30 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, may be preferable
to inhibit debris from entering cavity 30 and fouling a holstered
handgun.
[0030] Body 20 and cavity 30 may be sized to accommodate a
semi-automatic pistol or other handgun. However, in some
embodiments, body 20 may be sized and shaped to accommodate or fit
one or more types of sidearms and service items, such as stun guns,
knives, batons (truncheons), pepper spray dispensers, and various
non-weapon service items, for example. Thus, while preferred
embodiments described herein are adapted to carry and/or secure
handguns, they may be readily modified or configured for use with a
variety of different service items. Forming body of front and rear
shells 22 and 24 allows body 20 to be sized or expanded for
handguns and other service items of various sizes without
disassembling the entire holster 10. For example, rear shell 24 can
be removed and replaced without disassembling an internal retention
device 80 or pivoting security hood assembly 60 of holster 10. A
multi-piece body design may also reduce tooling costs for
manufacturing by enabling size adjustment features to be
accomplished in a simpler part and tool design. More than two body
components may also be utilized in some embodiments, although a
two-piece design may be more desirable for strength and assembly
precision. However, in other embodiments (not shown), body 20 may
be of a one-piece design, in which some or all of inner and outer
sidewalls 34, 36, front and rear walls 42, 44, and floor 48, are
all formed together in a single unitary molded component.
[0031] Turning again to FIG. 1, front shell 22, rear shell 24, and
certain other parts of body 20 may form a rigid structure and may
be made of a molded plastic material such as an injection-molded
nylon-6 resin, KYDEX.RTM. resin, or other high-strength resin
material. Body 20 may, alternatively, be made of any of a wide
variety of other materials, such as metals, laminates, co-molded
materials, over-molded materials, and composite materials, by
various methods known to persons skilled in manufacturing
technologies. Some of the features of holster 10 described herein
may also be implemented with body 20 formed of a semi-rigid or
flexible material, such as leather.
[0032] A pivoting security hood assembly 60 is supported in
association with body 20. The hood assembly 60 includes a hood 66
with a top spanning portion 64 that extends over at least a portion
of top opening 54 of cavity 30 when hood 66 is in the closed
position, as depicted in FIGS. 1-11, to retain handgun 56 when hood
66 is in the closed position. The hood 66 is rotatably mounted at
the top of front shell 22 via a pair of pivot pins or screws (not
shown) extending through pivot holes 68 in hood 66 and front shell
22. Hood 66 is preferably made of a rigid material such as, for
example, cast, molded, and/or machined plastic, metal, composites,
or a combination thereof, but may also be formed of flexible or
semi-rigid materials. Hood 66 may also comprise other structures,
such as, for example, a flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid strap that
extends between pivot joints on inner and outer side walls 34 and
36 and that spans over a holstered handgun 56 or other service
item.
[0033] Hood 66 may further include a front skirt portion 69 (FIG.
2) that depends downwardly from spanning portion 64 and cooperates
with spanning portion 64 and body 20 to cover or otherwise shield a
holstered handgun 56 or service item from debris and damage. Front
skirt portion 69 preferably overlaps a top forward rim of front
wall 42 of body 20 when hood 66 is in the closed position. A series
of ridges may be provided along front skirt portion 69 for
providing a gripping surface for facilitating returning hood 66 to
the closed position, once opened. In some embodiments, front skirt
portion 69 may seal closely against an outer portion of the top
forward rim to provide splash- resistant protection for a holstered
service item. Front skirt portion 69 may be former) of a flexible,
rigid, or semi-rigid material and fastened to spanning portion 64
to form a lid or shroud assembly along with an optional rear skirt
(not shown). Although spanning portion 64, front skirt portion 69,
and other parts of hood 66 can be formed in multiple pieces joined
together, they are preferably formed of one-piece construction in a
unitary molded shroud part.
[0034] While front skirt portion 69 (and other skirt structures,
such as a rear skirt) may be desirable to provide added protection
for a holstered item, the term "hood," as used herein, is intended
to include any of various kinds of spanning members, bails, covers,
lids, shrouds, and straps that may extend over at least a portion
of a holstered service item and cooperate with holster body 20 to
retain the handgun or service item in cavity 30. Thus, unless the
context indicates otherwise, the term "hood" is not intended to be
limited to devices with front or rear skirt portions or to devices
that rotate about a particular axis relative to body 20.
[0035] Assembly 60 may be spring-biased with a coil spring
interposed between hood 66 and body 20 for driving hood 66 forward
to the open position (FIG. 12) when hood 66 is released by
actuation of latch mechanism 120, as described below with reference
to FIGS. 9-16. Security hood assembly 60 includes a release lever
70 that is manually operable to actuate the latch 120 and open hood
66. Release lever 70 may operate an internal retention device 80
simultaneously with movement of latch 120, as described below with
reference to FIGS. 9-16. Alternatively, embodiments a variety of
other security hood assemblies and internal retention devices,
either alone or in combination, may be used with holster 10. Some
suitable security hoods and release mechanisms are described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/916,027 of French et al. titled
"Security Hood For Handgun Holsters and the Like," filed Aug. 9,
2004, and published as Publication No. US 2005/0035163 A1
(hereinafter the "French application"). Many of the security hood
assemblies and release mechanisms of the French application may be
used with the holster 10 described herein, either in place of
security hood assembly 60 and release lever 70, or in conjunction
with portions of the mechanisms described herein.
[0036] A belt loop adapter plate 84 is preferably mounted along the
outside of inner side wall 34 of holster body 20. Adapter plate 84
provides a platform and a set of mounting holes 86 for mounting a
belt loop (not shown) to holster 10 for use in suspending holster
10 from a user's belt. The adapter plate 84 also serves to cover
and protect a portion of release lever 70 and other components of
the internal retention device 80 and security hood assembly 60,
including a thin plastic spring section 160 and C-shaped spring arm
168 of release lever 70 shown in FIGS. 15-16. Adapter plate 84 may
also require release lever 70 to be moved in two different
directions in order to operate the internal retention device 80 and
the hood 66. In the illustrated holster 10, adapter plate 84
includes a stop block 88 that requires lever 70 to first be moved
inwardly toward the user to clear the stop block 88, then
downwardly alongside stop block 88 to actuate the holster 10, as
indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 9 and 12.
Modular Inserts
[0037] As mentioned above in the section titled BACKGROUND, one
challenge faced in manufacturing a security holster is achieving a
proper fit for a particular handgun, which may be necessary to hold
and retain the handgun in the holster and to safely operate handgun
retention features of the holster. This challenge is magnified by
the large number of different handgun styles and models in common
use today, as well as the increasingly common use of
battery-powered tactical illuminators mountable under a barrel of
the handgun. To facilitate achieving the necessary fit and
positioning of a selected handgun model, both alone and in
combination with a tactical illuminator, holster 10 preferably
includes a system of one or more modular inserts 90, 100 lining at
least a portion of body 20 and cavity 30 of holster 10. The inserts
may be removable and replaceable, thereby allowing holster 10 to be
modified or customized to fit different models or styles of
handguns. Such modifications or customizations may be performed,
for example, as a final or nearly final assembly step, or by a
customer wishing to modify his or her holster for a different or
new handgun or service item, or to fit a handgun with a tactical
illuminator attached or removed. The fit and positioning of handgun
56 within the holster 10 may facilitate proper engagement and
release functions of internal retention device 80 (FIGS. 9-12), as
well as effective retention of handgun 56 by hood 66 when in the
closed position. The configuration of the inserts 90, 100 may also
facilitate smooth withdrawal of handgun 56 along a constrained draw
path when hood 66 and internal retention device 80 are open.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, the system of inserts may
include a first insert 90 secured in cavity 30 and lining at least
a portion of one or more interior surfaces of body 20. For example,
first insert 90 preferably lines an interior surface of rear wall
44 of body 20. More particularly, first insert 90 may be fastened
to rear shell 24 via a pair of screws (not shown) inserted through
holes 94 along inner and outer sides of rear shell 24 and threaded
or embedded in first insert 90. First insert 90 may also line some
or all of the inner and outer side walls 34 and 36 of body 20, as
shown. First insert 90 is contoured and sized to fit and position a
selected handgun or group of similar handguns relative to security
hood assembly 60, internal retention device 80, or both, or other
features of holster 10. A rear channel 96 (FIG. 7) of first insert
90 may be sized to cradle and guide a trigger guard 98 of handgun
56. Rear channel 96 may have large-radiused corners and lead-in
surfaces to facilitate holstering of handgun 56. In some
embodiments, first insert 90 and rear channel 96 may include a
ledge 99 (FIG. 7) that defines a maximum depth of insertion of
handgun 56 relative to body 20. Rear channel 96 also serves to
position the handgun 56 laterally relative to body and to orient
handgun 56 rotationally relative to a vertical axis extending
generally parallel to the bore of the handgun 56.
[0039] With reference to FIGS. 9-12, the system of inserts may
further include a second insert 100 supported in body 20 and lining
at least a front portion of cavity 30 along a front wall 42 of body
20. Preferably, second insert 100 opposes first insert 90, and may
cooperate with first insert 90 to form a pocket 104 within cavity
30 that is sized and shaped to hold, fit, and guide handgun 56 or
another service item of a certain type or model type during its
insertion into and withdrawal from holster 10. Pocket 104 is
smaller than is cavity 30 when unlined. Second insert 100 may be
attached to front shell 22 via a fastener or retained in cavity 30
by some other means. Second insert 100 may include a sight guide
channel 106 extending vertically along the inside of insert 100,
which helps to guide handgun 56 into its proper seating position in
holster 10.
[0040] To fit holster for a handgun of a different shape or
configuration, one or both of first and second inserts 90, 100 may
be removed and replaced with one or more inserts of a different
shape, sized to fit and position the different handgun. The set of
inserts may include one, two, three, four, or more inserts. The
number of inserts used may depend upon fit requirements for a
particular security device or handgun style, or upon other factors.
The system of modular inserts allows holster 10 to be customized or
custom manufactured for a particular preselected handgun or several
like handgun models merely by changing all or part of the set of
inserts.
[0041] The inserts 90,100 may be formed of an injection molded
plastic resin to form a rigid spacer or shim structure that
provides strong support for handgun 56 within body 20. However,
other materials, such as composites and hard rubber materials could
also be used. The particular materials used for the inserts 90,100,
the body 20, and other components are a matter of design choice. To
reduce weight, inserts 90, 100 may be ribbed as shown in FIGS.
11-12, or have voids formed in the sides of inserts facing body
20.
[0042] The set of inserts 90, 100 may cooperate to define a
constrained draw path for handgun 56 that may be linear or curved
for at least a portion of the height of cavity 30. In some
embodiments, the constrained draw path may prevent unauthorized
withdrawal by ensuring that handgun cannot rock rearward clear of
hood 66 when hood 66 is closed.
[0043] The set of inserts supported in body 20 may be removable by
a user and replaceable in the field to fit different handguns and
combinations of handguns and tactical illuminators. For example,
first insert 90 may be removed by unthreading screws from holes 94
and lifting first insert 90 from body 20. First insert 90 may then
be replaced with a smaller insert sized and shaped to accommodate a
tactical illuminator 108 attached under the barrel of handgun
56.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 11, second insert 100 includes a
spindle 112 over which a muzzle of the barrel of handgun 56 is
seated to help align handgun 56 relative internal retention device
80 and hood 66. Spindle 112 further helps prevent lateral movement
of handgun 56 within cavity 30.
Handgun Security and Retention Devices
[0045] With reference to FIG. 4, security hood assembly 60 includes
a rocking latch member 120 supported on body 20 and, preferably,
within cavity 30. Latch member 120 preferably engages hood 66 when
in the closed position to prevent hood 66 from opening. FIG. 9 is a
partially disassembled view of holster 10 with rear shell 24 and
first insert 90 omitted to show details of security hood assembly
60 and internal retention device 80. FIG. 10 is a rear elevation
view corresponding to FIG. 9. FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross-section
views taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10 and showing security hood
assembly 60 in respective closed and open positions. FIG. 13 is an
enlarged view of latch member 120 showing detail of a forward side
of latch member 120. FIG. 14 is an enlarged detailed view of latch
member 120 showing interior detail.
[0046] With reference to FIGS. 9-14, latch member 120 includes a
pair of pivot pins 124 rotatably seated in sockets along the inside
of body 20 to allow latch member 120 to rock about the pivot pins
as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. A leaf spring 130 is mounted to
latch member 120 and presses against the inside of front wall 42 to
drive an ejection port engaging catch 132 of latch member 120
inwardly into cavity 30 for engagement with an ejection port 136 of
handgun 56. Concurrently, a top end of latch member 120 including a
lip 148 is driven forwardly so that lip 148 extends over a top rim
of front wall 42 to engage hood 66 and block it from rotating
forward. Leaf spring 130 is preferably formed of a spring steel
material and inserted into slots 142 of latch member 120 (FIG. 13).
Alternatively, leaf spring 130 may be formed of another material or
integrally formed of one-piece molded plastic construction with
latch member 120.
[0047] To actuate latch member 120, lever 70 is manually moved by
the user with his or her thumb, first in an inward direction then
in a downward direction as indicated by arrows in FIGS. 9 and 12.
Depressing lever 70 downwardly causes a drive pin 152 of release
lever 70 to press against a lower portion of latch member 120,
causing latch member 120 to rock about pivot pins 124 in the
direction shown by arrows in FIG. 12. With particular reference to
FIGS. 13 and 14, latch member 120 includes a pair of lateral guide
slots 182 that slide along rails (not shown) formed along inside
surfaces of body 20. Guide slots may help ensure a smooth rocking
action of latch member 120 and prevent it from binding in body
20.
[0048] Actuation of latch member 120 moves catch 132 forward and
clear of ejection port 136, and concurrently releases hood 66 which
snaps rotatably forward under spring force provided by flat coil
springs (not shown) or another biasing device interposed between
hood 66 and body 20. Unless release lever 70 remains depressed
under force, latch member 120 and lever 70 will automatically
return to their home positions, shown in FIG. 11, wherein catch 132
is in position for engagement with ejection port 136 of handgun 56.
Thus, hood 66 can be released and opened to a stand-by position,
then lever 70 released to secure handgun 56 via internal retention
device 80. When release lever 70 is depressed, either initially or
from the stand-by position, latch member 20 is rotated so that
catch 132 is moved clear of ejection port 136, allowing handgun 56
to be withdrawn along the constrained draw path defined by inserts
90, 100. When the handgun 56 is again inserted into the holster,
catch 132 slides over an outer surface of the body of handgun 56
until catch 132 is aligned with ejection port 136 whereupon spring
force of leaf spring 130 drives latch 120 to engage catch 132 in
ejection port 136 to retain handgun 56 in holster 10. To return
hood 66 to the closed position, the user must manually pull hood 66
back to the closed position where it is re-engaged by lip 148 of
latch 120. Because lever 70 is not rigidly coupled to latch member
120, latch member 120 can move in a pawl-type action when hood 66
is closed to re-engage and latch the hood 66.
[0049] In the manner described above, manipulation of a single
release lever 70 may simultaneously open both internal retention
device 80 (catch 132 of latch member 120) and pivoting security
hood 66 of holster 10. This arrangement also enables an ejection
port type internal retention device to be released through
manipulation of a release lever mounted along an inside portion of
holster 10. This arrangement is distinguished from certain other
ejection port-engaging security devices which are mounted along an
outboard side of the holster where they are more easily tampered
with by an assailant. Thus, internal retention device 80 in
accordance with the embodiments described herein provides enhanced
security by placing release lever 70 between the holstered handgun
and the user's body. Moreover, the required movement of release
lever 70 in two directions (inwardly then downwardly) helps to
prevent inadvertent release of internal retention device 80 and
hood 66.
[0050] With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the release lever 70
includes an integral spring section 160 that is thinner than other
parts of lever 70 and that allows a distal end of release lever 70
to flex inwardly to clear stop block 88. The release lever 70 is
rotatably mounted via a pivot shaft 164 that is journaled in holes
or sockets formed in body 20 and belt loop adapter 84. A C-shaped
spring arm may extend from release lever 70 to provide additional
spring-return force in both the upward and outward directions.
C-shaped spring arm 168 includes a mounting ring 172 formed at its
free end that is fastened to or seated around a support post 174
shown in FIG. 9. Release lever 70, spring section 160, pivot shaft
164, C-shaped spring arm 168, and mounting ring 172 all may be
integrally formed of unitary one piece construction of an injection
molded plastic resin, although other materials and manufacturing
methods may also be used.
[0051] Drive pin 152 may also be formed integrally with release
lever 70. Drive Pin 152 extends through a window 190 in body 20.
Window 190 is elongated to allow clearance for movement of drive
pin 152 in response to depression of release lever 70. A second
window 192 is formed along the outer side wall 36 of front shell 22
to enable body 20 to be used in a left-handed version of holster 10
wherein drive pin 152 and lever 70 are mounted along the opposite
side of body from that shown in the figures. In fact, all features
of body 20 and hood 66 are symmetric about the left to right center
line of holster 10.
[0052] Thus, the body 20 can be converted to a left-handed holster
merely by replacing release lever 70, belt loop adapter 84, and
latch member 120 with mirror images of those parts. Thus, the
design of the body 20 greatly reduces the number of parts required
to provide both left-handed and right-handed versions of holster
10. Further, as noted above, it forms part of a complete system
including internal retention device 80 for engaging an ejection
port 136 of handgun 56 and spring driven pivoting security hood
assembly 60, all in a durable low-cost package.
[0053] Although an embodiment of internal retention device 80 for
engaging ejection port 136 of handgun 56 is described herein in
some detail, the term "internal retention device," as used in the
claims should not be so limited. Accordingly, the term "internal
retention device" should be construed broadly to include other
types of handgun restraining devices that may typically extend into
cavity 30 to engage a portion of handgun 56 when holstered and to
releasably retain it in cavity 30. Thus holsters according to the
present disclosure may include any of a variety of internal
retention devices and secondary security devices, including
mechanically operated devices, such as devices that engage a part
of the handgun (for example, the trigger guard or shell ejection
port); motor- or solenoid-driven devices; magnetic retention
devices such as the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,020,
which may not necessarily extend into cavity 30; safety straps of
all kinds; and other devices for engaging and retaining handgun 56
in cavity 30.
[0054] FIG. 17 is a rear elevation view similar to FIG. 10 but
depicting the holster 10 incorporating principles of the present
teachings and constructed according to a second embodiment. FIG. 18
is a cross-section view taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 17 and
showing security hood assembly 60 in a closed position, similar to
FIG. 11. While not illustrated, the security hood assembly 60 of
FIG. 17 is moveable from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 18
to an open position similar to that of FIG. 12 and described
above.
[0055] It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that
many changes may be made to the details of the above-described
embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the
invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be
determined only by the claims. Furthermore, the described features,
structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that the present teachings can be practiced without one
or more of the specific details described herein, or with other
methods, components, materials, etc. In some instances, well-known
structures, materials, and operations are omitted or not described
in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.
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