U.S. patent application number 11/843426 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for top lock security holster.
Invention is credited to Gregory Aberle, Taylor Jenkins, Michael V. Lowe, Anthony Senn.
Application Number | 20080179359 11/843426 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39666802 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080179359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aberle; Gregory ; et
al. |
July 31, 2008 |
Top Lock Security Holster
Abstract
The Invention is a security holster for securing a hand gun from
unauthorized access from the holster. The holster of the invention
has a locking tab which moves vertically into engagement with the
ejection port of a semi-automatic hand gun, and is configured for
activation from either a left or a right handed user, by use of a
finger or thumb release positioned on either the right or the left
side. The hand gun may also be configured to contain both a thumb
and a finger release tab, and may be so configured for either a
left or a right handed user without changing the basic
configuration of the device.
Inventors: |
Aberle; Gregory; (Emmett,
ID) ; Jenkins; Taylor; (Nampa, ID) ; Senn;
Anthony; (Garden City, ID) ; Lowe; Michael V.;
(Garden City, ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DYKAS, SHAVER & NIPPER, LLP
P.O. BOX 877
BOISE
ID
83701-0877
US
|
Family ID: |
39666802 |
Appl. No.: |
11/843426 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60823112 |
Aug 22, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/243 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/0209 20130101;
F41C 33/0263 20130101; F41C 33/0245 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/243 |
International
Class: |
F41C 33/04 20060101
F41C033/04 |
Claims
1. A security holster for a semi-automatic handgun, said handgun
having an ejection port, a handle, a barrel, a top side of said
barrel, with said security holster comprising; a holster body for
enclosing said handgun configured for multiple mounting positions
of a release tab, a handgun lock for securing said handgun, said
handgun lock, a locking tab attached to said holster body,
configured for engagement with said ejection port by moving toward
said top side of said barrel into engagement with said ejection
port, said locking tab comprising at least one locking tab lifting
point, with said lifting point configurable to interact with said
release tab, to lift said locking tab from said ejection port, and
a bias device connected to said locking tab, for urging said
locking tab into engagement with said ejection port, with locking
tab including a deflection surface configured to contact said
handgun as said handgun is inserted into said holster, and deflect
said locking tab out of the path of the handgun; said release tab
mounted on either a left side or a right side of said holster and
positioned for activation by contact with a users digit while said
user's hand is in a gripping position on said handgun handle during
insertion or withdrawal of said handgun, with said release tab
functionally connected to said lifting point for lifting said
locking tab away from said handgun ejection port in a direction
away from said top side of said barrel; wherein when said handgun
is inserted into said holster body said holster body presents an
unobstructed entry path to handgun insertion by said deflection
surface moving said locking tab away from said handgun, with said
locking tab dropping into engagement with said handgun from above
when said ejection port is below said locking tab, and with said
locking tab disengageable from said ejection port by said release
tab, with said handgun lock configurable for use of either left or
right hand use, by selection of said mounting position of said
release tab for operation on either a left or right side of said
holster.
2. The security holster of claim 1, in which said locking tab is
further attached to a bar, with said bar attached by a hinge to a
position on said holster forward of said ejection port.
3. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is
positioned to contact said lifting point on said locking tab, and
is positioned to be activated by contact with a user's right index
finger upon insertion or withdrawal of said handgun from said
holster.
4. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is
positioned to contact said lifting point on said locking tab, and
is positioned to be activated by contact with a user's left thumb
upon insertion or withdrawal of said handgun from said holster.
5. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is
positioned to contact said lifting point on said locking tab, and
is positioned to be activated by contact with a user's left index
finger upon insertion or withdrawal of said handgun from said
holster.
6. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is
positioned to contact said lifting point on said locking tab, and
is positioned to be activated by contact with a user's right thumb
upon insertion or withdrawal of said handgun from said holster.
7. The security holster of claim 1, in which said locking tab is
attached to an interior surface of said holster body, and depends
from said interior of said holster toward said handgun top side,
and is configured to be moved away from said handgun by said
deflection surface, and is urged into engagement with said ejection
port when said ejection port is adjacent said locking tab.
8. The security holster of claim 7 in which said release tab is
positioned to contact said lifting point on said locking tab, and
is positioned to be activated by contact with a user's right index
finger upon insertion or withdrawal of said handgun from said
holster.
9. The security holster of claim 7 in which said release tab is
positioned to contact said lifting point on said locking tab, and
is positioned to be activated by contact with a user's left thumb
upon insertion or withdrawal of said handgun from said holster.
10. The security holster of claim 8 in which said release tab is
positioned to contact said lifting point on said locking tab, and
is positioned to be activated by contact with a user's left index
finger upon insertion or withdrawal of said handgun from said
holster.
11. The security holster of claim 7 in which said release tab is
positioned to contact said lifting point on said locking tab, and
is positioned to be activated by contact with a user's right thumb
upon insertion or withdrawal of said handgun from said holster.
12. The security holster of claim 1 which further comprises a left
and a right lifting point, with said left lifting point being
accessible from a left side of said handgun, and said right lifting
point being accessible from a right side of said handgun.
13. The security holster of claim 7 which further comprises a left
and a right lifting point, with said left lifting point being
accessible from a left side of said handgun, and said right lifting
point being accessible from a right side of said handgun.
14. The security holster of claim 1 in which said locking tab is
configured to move into engagement with said ejection port through
a passage in said holster body.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to handgun holsters,
and more particularly relates to holsters which provide security
against unauthorized withdrawal of a handgun.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Police and security officers and military personnel in a
number of situations must be ready to withdraw and use a handgun in
the line of duty at a moment's notice. In an emergency situation,
withdrawing the handgun must be done in a completely natural and
unobstructed manner, so that it can be withdrawn as quickly as
possible. The officer's life may depend on the speed with which
they can withdraw the handgun. However, after the handgun is
withdrawn, the situation may dictate other options or needs,
requiring the officer to reholster the handgun just as quickly.
Current holsters do not meet this demand without some continued
manipulation of security straps, before the officer knows or has
confidence that the weapon is secure.
[0003] In this type of situation, the officer needs to be able to
holster his handgun with one hand, without looking at the holster
and while maintaining eye contact with the suspect. During
holstering, an audible click and a tactile sensation indicating
that the handgun is secured in the holster would be preferable.
[0004] The problem comes when the suspect becomes an assailant, and
attacks the officer and tries to gain access to his weapon. When
this situation develops, it is of utmost importance for the officer
to maintain control of his handgun, and that the assailant does not
get access to the handgun. Many holsters have been designed to
accomplish this purpose, in a number of different manners. However,
they all suffer a number of drawbacks. Some require two hands to
release and secure the handgun. This is unacceptable. Some of them
secure the handgun with a device which can be difficult to release
in a fast draw situation, and therefore is a dangerous security
mechanism. Some holsters secure the weapon in place from bouncing
out of the holster, but are not designed to withstand the attack of
an assailant, and would allow the gun to be taken from the officer
by an assailant. Some holsters use electronic devices for
fingerprint recognition, and run the risk of malfunctioning or
having a dead battery. Some holsters require the user to tilt or
rock the handgun, or twist it before it can be released from the
holster. Such a maneuver must be practiced frequently in order to
ensure that the wearer can perform it without mistake in an
emergency situation. All of these methods of securing a handgun are
problematic, and an improved security holster is needed to solve
these problems.
[0005] For these reasons, it is an object of the invention to
provide a security holster for a handgun which allows a handgun to
be quickly inserted or withdrawn with one hand, without looking at
the holster, and which secures the holster to the officer without
undue manipulation of straps or the handgun. It is a further goal
of the invention that the security holster not allow an assailant
to withdraw the handgun against the will of the officer. It is a
further object of the invention to provide a handgun securing
holster which is easily released by a natural and fluid motion of
the officer. It is a further object of the invention to provide a
security holster which has an audible click or sound which
indicates to the user that the handgun is secured in the holster.
Another object of the invention is to provide a security holster
with a mechanism that allows the holster to withstand severe force
without releasing the handgun, until the releasing mechanism is
activated.
[0006] A further object of the invention is to provide a security
holster which is designed to be used by either a left or a right
handed user with minimal modifications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The security holster of the invention utilizes a locking tab
which drops into place into the ejection port of a semi automatic
pistol. In its broadest concept, this security holster utilizes a
locking tab which is actively moved from an open position to a
closed position, and while in the closed position, engages the
ejection port of the hand gun. The locking tab is moved out of
engagement with the ejection port of the handgun by use of several
different methods. For a left handed user, a release mechanism
which engages the index finger of the left hand on the left hand
side of the gun would lift the locking tab out of engagement with
the ejection port. Alternately, the left handed user could utilize
the thumb of his left hand on the right hand side of the hand gun
to activate a simple lever which lifts the locking tab out of
engagement with the ejection port.
[0008] The options for lifting the locking tab out of the ejection
port for a right handed user are similar. The right handed user
could use the index finger of his right hand on the right side of
the hand gun which would lift a lock release block as the finger
was inserted into a finger tray or finger channel. The lock release
could be lifted by insertion of the finger, or it could require a
lateral movement of the finger in order to lift the lock release.
The right handed user could also utilize the holster in a
configuration so that the thumb of his right hand, on the left hand
side of the handgun activated a lever which, either by pushing down
or pushing up on the lever would lift the locking tab out of the
ejection port.
[0009] The security holster of the invention is designed for
semi-automatic hand guns. Such hand guns have an ejection port, a
handle, a barrel, a top-side of the barrel an opposite top-side of
the barrel, a trigger and trigger guard. The holster includes a
holster body which is generally configured with a left and right
side and provides an enclosure which basically surrounds a hand
gun.
[0010] The security holster of the invention includes a hand gun
lock for securing the hand gun within the security holster. The
hand gun lock is comprised of a locking tab which is attached to
the holster body. The locking tab is configured for engagement with
the ejection port of the hand gun by moving toward the topside of
the barrel and dropping down into the ejection port, rather than
other versions of security holsters in which the locking tab moves
to the side into engagement with the ejection port. The locking tab
includes at least one locking tab lifting point. The lifting point
is functionally connected to a release tab, and when the release
tab is activated force is delivered to the lifting point and the
locking tab is lifted in a direction away from the trigger guard,
and away from the top side of the barrel. The lifting point can be
one point more or less centrally located, or at least the single
point would be accessible from either side of the hand gun.
[0011] The locking point can also be configured to be a left and a
right locking point, built into a bracket which is positioned on
the topside of the barrel and straddles the barrel with the left
and right lifting point accessible to either the right of the left
hand side of the hand gun. The locking tab can also be configured
so that the user's choice of lifting point is attached to the
locking tab after manufacture. Thus, when the security holster is
assembled, the choice can be made of whether to provide a centrally
located, a left or a right side accessible lifting point.
[0012] The lifting point or points of the security holster is
configured to interact with a release tab. When the release tab is
activated the locking tab is lifted from the engagement with the
ejection port, and the hand gun may be removed from the security
holster.
[0013] Also associated with the locking tab is a bias device, such
as a spring, for urging the locking tab into engagement with the
ejection port. The hand gun lock also includes a deflection surface
which is configured for contact with the hand gun as the hand gun
is inserted into the holster. The deflecting surface can be the
leading edge of the locking tab or it can be a separate part which
is connected to the locking tab. As the hand gun is inserted into
the security holster, part of the hand gun contacts the deflection
surface, and pushes the locking tab out of the way so that the hand
gun may be inserted unobstructed into the holster. When the hand
gun has been inserted into the holder a sufficient distance so that
the ejection port is adjacent to the locking tab, the locking tab
is pressed into the ejection port by the bias member.
[0014] The security holster also includes a release tab which is
activated by contact with the user's thumb or index finger. When
the user inserts a hand gun into the security holster, his hand is
in a gripping position around the hand gun handle, and when the
handgun is sufficiently inserted into the security holster, the
locking tab will engage the ejection port and prevent the removal
of the hand gun without first releasing the locking tab from the
ejection port. The release tab is positioned so that when the user
wishes to release the hand gun, he can place his hand in a gripping
position around the handle of the hand gun, and activate the
release tab either by pressing on the release tab with his index
finger or pressing on a release tab position for contact by his
thumb. Typically the security holster would be assembled with only
one release tab such as for the thumb or the finger. However the
security holster could also be configured to have two release tabs,
one for the index finger and one for the thumb.
[0015] The release tabs can be configured for a right handed user
or for a left handed user. In the case of a right handed user, a
release tab for the index finger would be on the right side of the
hand gun and will be activated by the user's right index finger.
For a right handed user the release tab for activation by the right
user's thumb would be located on the left hand side of the hand
gun, and would be activated by the user's right thumb.
[0016] For a left handed user, the release tab for the user's index
finger would be on the left side, and the release tab for the
user's thumb would be on the right side of the hand gun. With any
of these configurations of release tabs, the release tab is
functionally connected to one or more lifting points, which is
connected to part of the release tab, and lifts the release tab out
of engagement with the ejection port.
[0017] In one configuration of the security holster, the release
tab is attached to a bar, with the bar attached to a hinge which is
attached to the holster body. Shown is a version with the hinge
attached forward of the ejection port and the locking tab, but it
could also be configured with the hinge attached to the holster
body to the rear of the ejection port. With the locking tab
attached to the bar, the bar and locking tab move out of the way by
rotating around the hinge as the hand gun is inserted into the
holster.
[0018] Another preferred embodiment of the security holster of the
invention is a security holster in which the locking tab is
attached to the inside surface of the holster body. The locking tab
is urged by the biasing member towards the top side of the hand
gun, and then drops into place in the ejection port when the
ejection port is adjacent to the locking tab. In an analogues
manner to the embodiment described above, the locking tab is lifted
out of engagement with the ejection port by pressure applied to one
or more lifting points, with the pressure originating in a release
tab which may be configured for left or right handed users, for use
by the index finger or thumb.
[0019] The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the
public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners
in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or
phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the
nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the
application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
[0020] Still other features and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the
following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of
the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode
contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the
invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects
all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings
and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side view of the security holster of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 1a is a top view of the security holster of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective of the security holster of the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view of a hand gun in the security holster
of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
security holster of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a top cut away view of one embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 a side view of one embodiment of the security holster
of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the moving parts of the
invention showing a finger release on the left hand side of the
hand gun.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the security holster of the
invention showing a finger release on the left hand side of the
hand gun.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the security holster of the
invention showing a thumb release on the right side of the hand
gun.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a view of the security holster of the invention
showing the outer body.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the thumb release on the
left side of the hand gun.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications
and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments
thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below
in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed,
but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications,
alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows one version of the top lock security holster 10
of the invention in which the locking tab is attached to a bar on
the top of the holster body 12. The front of the bar is attached to
a holster body 12 at a hinge 18, and thus the end of the bar with
the locking tab 14 attached can be raised and lowered from the
hinge 18. FIG. 1a is a top view of the security holster 10
(includes a holster body 12, a locking tab 14, an arm 16, a hinge
18, lifting points 20 and a release tab 22) of the invention which
shows projections extending out from the locking tab 14 on both the
right and the left sides. These form the lifting points of the
security holster 10, and can be utilized for engagement with a
release tab. The locking tab 14 can take the form of release lever
or a finger lock release 32. An advantage of this design is that a
single mold could be used to make an injection molded holster of
this design, and after molding, the holster can be configured for
either left or right handed users. This eliminates the need to make
a separate mold for left and right handed users.
[0035] In addition to the projection shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the
lifting points 20 can be in the form of a lifting point located
centrally to the bar.
[0036] FIG. 2 is another view of the security holster of the
invention and FIG. 3 shows the concept of lifting the release tab
from the left hand side of the gun either by a left hand user's
index finger or by right hand thumb, and 2a are other views of the
security holster of the invention, with FIG. 2a showing the concept
of lifting the release tab 22 from the left hand side of the gun
either by a left hander's index finger or by a right hander's
thumb. The finger lock release can be configured so that it is
generally over the region of the trigger guard, or could also be
configured so that it is positioned closer to the ejection port 26,
depending upon the preference of the user.
[0037] FIG. 4 and FIG. 4a are views of a different version of a top
lock security holster. In this version, the locking tab drops
vertically in place into the ejection port of the hand gun. Its
hinging and hinge and spring mechanism are different in this
version however, as the spring and hinge are attached to the inside
surface of the holster body 12 generally above the ejection port 26
rather than being hinged from outside of the holster body 12. In
this version the locking tab is attached to a generally v-shaped
spring 24, with one arm of the spring attached to the holster body
12 and one arm of the spring attached to the locking tab 14. As the
hand gun 30 is inserted into the holster, the locking tab 14 is
pushed upward until the depression formed by the ejection port 26
is directly below the locking tab 14, at which time the locking tab
14 drops in place into the ejection port 26 as shown in FIG. 4. As
with the embodiment shown above, the locking tab 14 can be lifted
by the thumb or finger of either the left or right hand, depending
on the configuration chosen by the user.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a user's index finger 28 approaching the
release tab 22. Insertion of the index finger 28 would cause the
release tab 22 to move the locking tab 14 out of the ejection port
26, thus releasing the hand gun 30 for withdraw.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows this version of the security holster 10 from
another view.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows another view of this alternative version of the
top lock security holster 10. A commonality with all of these
versions is that the ejection port 26 is engaged by an actively
moving locking tab 14, and the locking tab 14 moves vertically in
and out of the ejection port 26. The locking tab 14 can operate
with a rebounding device, or without a rebounding device.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows a different embodiment of the invention which
more clearly illustrates the hand gun lock configured for release
from the left side of the hand gun 30, utilizing a finger release
32. In this configuration the arm 16 is shown with a hinge 18 which
encloses a biasing member 34. Attached to the arm 16 is the locking
tab 14, and a finger release 32. When a left handed user presses on
the finger release 32, the locking tab 14 is lifted out of the
ejection port 26 to enable the hand gun 30 to be pulled out of the
security holster 10.
[0042] The security holster 10 of the invention can also be
constructed so that the arm 16 is positioned on the inner surface
of the holster body 12, and attaches to the locking tab 14. The
release tab 22 in that configuration would attach to the locking
tab 14 and when biased, would lift the locking tab 14 out of
engagement with the ejection port 26.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows the hand gun lock of the security holster 10
configured for activation on the right side of the hand gun 30
utilizing a finger release 32. The finger release 32 is attached to
the arm 16, and when depressed causes lifting of the locking tab 14
from the ejection port 26.
[0044] FIG. 9 shows the hand gun lock of the security holster 10 of
the invention configured for release from the right side using a
thumb release 36. The thumb release 36 in this configuration would
be utilized by a left handed user, it should be noted that the view
shown in most of the figures show only the working mechanism of the
security holster 10. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a holster inner body 38
which encloses the mechanism described above and protects these
moving parts from damage. Pivot points are provided in the inner
body 38 to allow mounting of the release tab 22 in any of its
configurations on the right or the left side of the hand gun 30. In
this way the holster body 12 serves as a frame for constructing
either a right or left handed security holster 10, which utilizes
either thumb release or finger release 32 or both, configured for
either a right or a left handed user.
[0045] An outer body 40 would typically be placed over the inner
body 38, to provide further protection. FIG. 10 shows the security
holster 10 with the outer body 40 in place and covering the inner
body 38 and moving parts described above.
[0046] FIG. 10 also shows a feature of the invention which is a
holster body 12 (includes a belt attachment 42 as well as bolt
holes 44 on the right hand side of the holster which are available
to mount a belt attachment 42 on the right hand side of the
holster). Thus the belt attachment 42 can be mounted either on the
left or the right side of the holster.
[0047] FIG. 11 shows a hand gun 30 with only those moving parts
which are necessary to illustrate operation of a thumb release 36
on the left hand side of the hand gun 30. As shown, the thumb
release 36 is positioned on the left hand side of the hand gun 30,
and is activated by a right handed user pressing his thumb against
the thumb release 36. In response to this activation, the thumb
release 36 lifts one end of the arm 16 which lifts the locking tab
14 away from engagement with ejection port 26 of the hand gun 30.
Not shown in FIG. 11 is the inner body 38 and the outer body 40
which would cover the working parts of the hand gun 30. The thumb
release 36 can also be mounted on the right hand side of the hand
gun 30, and would lift the locking tab 14 and the arm 16 up and out
of engagement with the ejection port 26 in the same manner.
[0048] In the following description and in the figures, like
elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of
"or" indicates a non-exclusive alternative without limitation
unless otherwise noted. The use of "including" means "including,
but not limited to," unless otherwise noted.
[0049] While there is shown and described the present preferred
embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that
this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied
to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the
foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims
* * * * *