U.S. patent application number 13/701783 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for retaining mechanism for a handgun holster.
The applicant listed for this patent is Albert Hellweg. Invention is credited to Albert Hellweg.
Application Number | 20130075435 13/701783 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45067113 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130075435 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hellweg; Albert |
March 28, 2013 |
RETAINING MECHANISM FOR A HANDGUN HOLSTER
Abstract
A retaining mechanism for a holster includes a hood unit (20)
mountable to a holster for rotation about a first axis between a
retaining condition in which it overlies a service item in the
holster to prevent its withdrawal and a retracted condition in
which the service item can be withdrawn. A hand operable lever
assembly (30) is mountable for rotation about a second axis offset
from the first axis and operably engageable with the hood unit
whereby rearward rotation of the lever assembly effects rotation of
the hood unit to its retracted condition and vice versa. The lever
assembly includes an element (32) outstanding at a location that in
situ is behind and clear of the hood unit, and that is depressible
against a restoring bias force (50) to be disengaged from a lock
formation (65) that locks the lever assembly and thereby the hood
unit against rotation. A housing (60) is securable to the holster
and configured to provide the lock formation.
Inventors: |
Hellweg; Albert; (Mitcham,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hellweg; Albert |
Mitcham |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
45067113 |
Appl. No.: |
13/701783 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
June 3, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU11/00698 |
371 Date: |
December 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/243 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/0227 20130101;
F41C 33/02 20130101; F41C 33/0263 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/243 |
International
Class: |
F41C 33/02 20060101
F41C033/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 4, 2010 |
AU |
2010902466 |
Claims
1. A retaining mechanism for a holster, comprising: a hood unit
mountable to a holster for rotation about a first axis between a
retaining condition in which it overlies a service item in the
holster to prevent its withdrawal and a retracted condition in
which the service item can be withdrawn; a hand operable lever
assembly mountable for rotation about a second axis offset from the
first axis and operably engageable with the hood unit whereby
rearward rotation of the lever assembly effects said rotation of
the hood unit to its retracted condition and vice versa, wherein
the lever assembly includes an element outstanding at a location
that in situ is behind and clear of the hood unit, and that is
depressible against a restoring bias force to be disengaged from a
lock formation that locks the lever assembly and thereby the hood
unit against rotation; and a housing securable to the holster and
configured to provide said lock formation.
2. A retaining mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the hand
operable lever assembly and the depressible element thereof are
such that depression of the element and rearward rotation of the
lever assembly to forwardly rotate the hood unit to its retracted
condition are performable by a single digit in a substantially
continuous movement.
3. A retaining mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the
depressible element includes a digit rest pad with a rear
protrusion against which a digit on and contacting the rest pad is
pushed to rotate the lever assembly.
4. A retaining mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the lever
assembly is of elongate form projecting upwardly and rearwardly
from the second axis when the holster is being worn in its usual
position.
5. A retaining mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the first and
second axes are arranged so that, when the holster is being worn,
the second axis is rearwardly of and below the first axis.
6. A retaining mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said housing
provides axles that define said first and second axis.
7. A retaining mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the hand
operable lever assembly is engageable with the hood unit by means
of respective intermeshing teeth formations.
8. A retaining mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the lever
assembly, the housing providing said lock formation, and said teeth
formations are provided on the inside of the holster in its normal
worn position.
9. A retaining mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the
depressible element is fitted at the outer end of, and is slideably
mounted on, the elongate body of the lever assembly.
10. A retaining mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said
restoring bias force is provided by an internal compressible
spring.
11. A retaining mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the
arrangement is such that when the lever assembly is rotated
forwardly, either by direct hand engagement or by rearward movement
of the hood unit, the biasing force snaps the depressible element
back into engagement with said lock formation when it reaches a
home position corresponding to the retaining condition of the hood
unit.
12. A retaining mechanism according to claim 11 wherein the lever
assembly includes a hook formation that, in said home position of
the lever assembly, engages and thereby positively locks the hood
unit against rotation to said retracted condition.
13. A retaining mechanism according to claim 1 wherein a maximum
rearward position of the lever assembly is defined by a further,
latch, formation in which the lever assembly and therefore the hood
are latched so as to require a light hand force for
disengagement.
14. A holster fitted with a retaining mechanism according to claim
1.
15. A holster fitted with a retaining mechanism according to claim
2.
16. A holster fitted with a retaining mechanism according to claim
5.
17. A holster fitted with a retaining mechanism according to claim
11.
18. A retaining mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the lever
assembly is of elongate form projecting upwardly and rearwardly
from the second axis when the holster is being worn in its usual
position.
19. A retaining mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the first
and second axes are arranged so that, when the holster is being
worn, the second axis is rearwardly of and below the first
axis.
20. A retaining mechanism according to claim 5 wherein the hand
operable lever assembly is engageable with the hood unit by means
of respective intermeshing teeth formations.
21. A retaining mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the
depressible element is fitted at the outer end of, and is slideably
mounted on, the elongate body of the lever assembly.
22. A retaining mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the
arrangement is such that when the lever assembly is rotated
forwardly, either by direct hand engagement or by rearward movement
of the hood unit, the biasing force snaps the depressible element
back into engagement with said lock formation when it reaches a
home position corresponding to the retaining condition of the hood
unit.
23. A retaining mechanism according to claim 4 wherein a maximum
rearward position of the lever assembly is defined by a further,
latch, formation in which the lever assembly and therefore the hood
are latched so as to require a light hand force for disengagement.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the retention of
holstered service items such as weapons and communication devices.
The invention will be described herein in relation to the retention
of holstered handguns, but it will be understood that the invention
has wider application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Handgun holsters are generally fitted with devices, often
called holster locks, for guarding against inadvertent or
unauthorised release of the handgun from the holster, for example
through unintended dislodgement or through removal by a person with
whom the bearer, typically a law enforcement officer, is engaged in
a confrontation. It is of course desirable that these devices do
not mitigate against, rapid release and deployment of the weapon
when it is needed to protect the bearer or others from imminent
attack.
[0003] A typical holster in widespread use has a pair of straps,
viz a top strap that wraps over the rear of the gun and a lateral
strap that wraps transversely around the holster in the vicinity of
the otherwise exposed trigger. Each of the straps is secured into
position by a stud button. To remove the gun, a bearer must first
flick open each stud: this requires two separate actions, one for
each stud, that make it difficult to maintain a firm grip on the
gun handle. This in turn limits the speed with which the gun can be
removed and the lack of a secure grip on the gun provides an
opportunity for an adverse party to wrestle control of the gun.
[0004] In another holster system, there is a single upper strap
pivotally connected at both ends to the holster body. When a
release button at the side of the holster body is pushed, the
action rotates the strap forward to allow the gun to be removed. A
problem with this arrangement is that an adverse party standing in
front of the gun bearer can actively rotate the strap forward,
either directly or by engaging the release button, to enable free
access to remove the gun. To counter this disadvantage, a
releasable lock element may be included behind the release button:
the lock element is pulled toward the rear of the holster to unlock
the strap. In this case, an adverse party may still reach into the
holster, push the lock release and proceed to remove the gun as
previously described, while the lock release incurs an additional
action that the gun bearer must remember to do when putting the gun
away. This limits the speed at which the gun may be returned to the
holster, and can result in a dangerously insecure gun if the bearer
forgets to re-engage the lock release. Furthermore, even with this
system, it is difficult to maintain a secure grip on the gun handle
while operating the release mechanism.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 7,461,765 discloses a security hood assembly
for a holster. A lever is operably coupled to the hood for driving
the hood toward an open position to allow the service item to be
removed from the holster. In some embodiments, the lever is latched
to the hood when in the closed position to prevent the hood from
being opened through direct manipulation of the hood.
[0006] Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and
should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion
that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in
Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could
reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded
as relevant by a person skilled in the art.
[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a retaining
mechanism for a holster that addresses the twin objectives of being
readily releasable by the bearer of the holster, but not conducive
to unauthorised release of the service item from the holster.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides a retaining mechanism for a holster
that includes:
[0009] a hood unit mountable to a holster for rotation about a
first axis between a retaining condition in which it overlies a
service item in the holster to prevent its withdrawal and a
retracted condition in which the service item can be withdrawn;
[0010] a hand operable lever assembly mountable for rotation about
a second axis offset from the first axis and engageable with the
hood unit whereby rearward rotation of the lever assembly effects
said rotation of the hood unit to its retracted condition and vice
versa, wherein the lever assembly includes an element outstanding
at a location that in situ is behind and clear of the hood unit,
and that is depressible against a restoring bias force to be
disengaged from a lock formation that locks the lever assembly and
thereby the hood unit against rotation; and
[0011] a housing securable to the holster and configured to provide
said lock formation.
[0012] Advantageously, the first and second axes are arranged so
that, when the holster is being worn, the second axis is rearwardly
of and below the first axis.
[0013] Preferably, the hand operable lever assembly is engageable
with the hood unit by means of respective intermeshing teeth
formations, for example on respective gear elements formed on or
carried by the lever assembly and hood unit.
[0014] Advantageously, the hand operable lever assembly and the
depressible element thereof are such that depression of the element
and rearward rotation of the lever assembly to forwardly rotate the
hood unit to its retracted condition may be effected by a single
digit, preferably the thumb, in a substantially continuous
movement.
[0015] Preferably, the lever assembly is of elongate form
projecting upwardly and rearwardly from the second axis when the
holster is being worn in its usual position.
[0016] The depressible element may include a digit rest pad with a
rear protrusion against which a digit on the rest pad is pushed to
rotate the lever assembly.
[0017] Preferably, the lever assembly, the housing providing said
lock formation and said teeth formations are provided on the inside
of the holster in its normal worn position, i.e. between the
holster and the bearer's body.
[0018] The depressible element is advantageously fitted at the
outer end of, and is slideably mounted on, the elongate body of the
lever assembly. The aforementioned restoring bias force is
advantageously provided by an internal compressible spring. The
arrangement is preferably such that when the lever assembly is
rotated forwardly, either by direct hand engagement or by rearward
movement of the hood unit, the biasing force snaps the depressible
element back into engagement with said lock formation when it
reaches a home position corresponding to the retaining condition of
the hood unit. Preferably, a maximum rearward position of the lever
assembly is defined by a further, latch, formation, for example on
said housing, in which the lever assembly and therefore the hood
are latched so as to require a light hand force for
disengagement.
[0019] The invention further extends to a holster fitted with the
aforesaid retaining mechanism.
[0020] As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise,
the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as
"comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to
exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention will be further described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a lateral rear perspective view of a retaining
mechanism, or holster lock, for a handgun holster, which mechanism
is an embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the retaining
mechanism of FIG. 1 shown mounted to a handgun holster, with a
retained handgun shown in shadow lines;
[0024] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the retaining mechanism and
holster of FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the other side of the
mechanism of FIG. 1, but with the back plate removed;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a view of the rear of the housing of the retaining
mechanism;
[0027] FIGS. 6 and 7 are respective front and rear views of the
body of the lever assembly;
[0028] FIG. 8 depicts a driving gear that is keyed with the lever
assembly;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a side view of the thumb depressible element of
the lever assembly;
[0030] FIGS. 10A to 10D show successive operational conditions of
the retaining mechanism; and
[0031] FIGS. 11 and 12 are views respectively similar to FIGS. 1
(from a different angle) and 3 of a modified embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] The illustrated retaining mechanism, or holster lock, 10
includes a hood unit 20, a housing 60, and a hand operable lever
assembly 30 having a slideably interengaged body 32 and thumb
depressible element 34. The housing 60 has a pair of inwardly
projecting slotted bosses 62, 63 (FIGS. 4,5) that engage matching
pins 72, 73 (FIG. 3) projecting laterally from the outer surface of
the inside wall 71 of the holster 70. These bosses 62, 63 provide
respective mounting axles for one side of hood unit 20 and for
lever assembly 30. Hood unit 20 and lever assembly 30 have journals
20a, 30a for the axles and are retained between housing 60 and a
backplate 80 that has apertures 82, 83 for pins 72, 73 and is
located between bosses 62, 63 and the outer surface of the holster
side wall 71. Spacer pillars 61. integrally formed on housing 60
define its separation from backplate 80.
[0033] Hood unit 20, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, is an integral one
piece moulding of general inverted-U profile having respective arms
21, 22. Arm 21 has an integral collar 23 on its outer face with a
sector of projecting teeth 24 and a bore 25 by which it is
rotatably mounted on boss 62. Arm 22 has an aperture 26 aligned
with bore 25 by which it is rotatably mounted on and clipped to an
integral projecting pin 72a on the outside face of the other side
wall 71a of holster 70. Pins 72, 72a are aligned to thereby define
with boss 62 a first axis 12 about which hood unit 20 is rotatable
between a retaining condition (FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 10A), in which
the hood unit overlies the rear of the handgun 100 in the holster
70 to prevent its withdrawal, and a retracted condition (FIG. 10D)
in which the handgun can be withdrawn.
[0034] Lever assembly 30 includes, as already foreshadowed, an
elongate body 32 and a thumb depressible element 34. Lever body 32
(FIGS. 6 and 7) is of broadly rectangular outline and includes side
rims 35 and tabs 36 that define opposed slideways for corresponding
formations 37 of a broadly rectangular body 38 of element 34. Thumb
depressible element 34 is an integral moulding that comprises body
38 and a thumb shaped rest pad 40 at its top that extends parallel
to the holster wall 71 and overhangs body 38 on all sides. The
under surface 41 of pad 40 thereby defines one abutment for a
zigzag compression spring 50 retained within a top edge cutaway 52
of lever body 32. The other spring abutment is the inner end wall
53 of recess 52, which is also formed with a cantilevered finger 54
for holding spring 50 in place. Spring 50 provides a restoring bias
force to maintain thumb depressible element 34 in its slideably
outer position unless it is depressed with sufficient force against
the spring.
[0035] It will be seen that thumb depressible element 34 is
outstanding at a location that is behind and clear of hood unit 20,
that lever assembly 30 is rotatable about a second axis 13 defined
by boss 63, and that this second axis 13 is parallel to but offset
from axis 12, rearwardly of and below axis 12 when holster 70 is
being worn.
[0036] The lower end of lever body 32 has, on the side facing
housing 60, an integral peripherally toothed collar 39 by which it
is keyed to a gear element 45 (FIG. 8) that has a cylindrical
bearing surface 46 for rotatable support on boss 63, a surrounding
inner rebate 47 with teeth 47a that drivingly engage the teeth of
collar 39, and a radially projecting tab 48 with a rake of teeth 49
across its outer edge that drivingly mesh with teeth 24 of collar
23.
[0037] Thus, if lever assembly 30 is rotated rearwardly (when this
is enabled in the manner to be shortly described), hood unit 20 is
contra-rotated forwardly, and vice versa.
[0038] On the side of thumb depressible element 34 that faces
housing 60 and adjacent the lower end of its body 38 are a pair of
frustoconical teeth 55 (FIGS. 3 and 9) that, in the outer position
of element 34, firmly engage a lock formation in the form of a pair
of closely matching socket recesses 65 (FIG. 5) under a rim 66 of
housing 60. This locks lever assembly 30 very firmly against
rotation and, by virtue of the positive toothed interengagement
between gear element 45 and collar 23 of hood unit 20, also locks
the hood unit against any attempt at forced rotation. When the
bearer of the holstered weapon 100, with his fingers firmly on the
handle 102 of the weapon, uses his thumb to engage thumb rest pad
40 and to depress the element 34, teeth 55 disengage from socket
recesses 65 and free lever assembly 30 to rotate (FIG. 10B). This
allows the thumb to now be employed, by pressing against an
upstanding convex rear land 42 of thumb rest pad 40, to rotate the
lever assembly rearwardly through the position depicted in FIG. 10C
to the condition shown in FIG. 10D. Hood unit 20 is driven by the
engaged gears to correspondingly rotate to its fully retracted
condition.
[0039] A maximum rearward rotation of lever assembly 30 is defined
by an end wall of housing 60 being struck by the rear edge of lever
body 32, and is then latched or indexed when one of the teeth 55
engages a detent recess 68 (FIG. 5) on the housing. This detent
recess has a gently curved front face 69 so that either some
forward thumb force on lever 30 or rearward hand force on hood unit
20 will disengage the latch and allow the lever and hood unit to be
contra-rotated back to the home position of the lever assembly and
the, retaining condition of the hood unit. There, spring 50 snaps
thumb depressible element 34 back into engagement with socket
recesses 65.
[0040] The assembly 10 is completed by a figure-of-eight dust cover
90 that is retained on collars 23, 39 to minimise dust and grime
entry to the meshed gear trains, and teeth/recess pairs 55,65.
[0041] It will be appreciated that the illustrated mechanism can be
released by a single smooth thumb motion--down then back--while the
bearer's hand maintains a very firm controlling grip on the handgun
handle in the holster. When the gun is reinstated to its holster, a
quick flick of either the hood unit or the lever assembly or both
will return the retaining mechanism to its home retaining
condition. At no time does the bearer have to remove his or her
grip on the weapon while opening or closing the holster lock
mechanism. The very positive locking engagement between teeth 55
and socket recesses 65, and the positive counter-rotational
engagement between teeth trains 24 and 49, help guard against any
attempt to pull hood unit 20 forwardly, or to force back lever
assembly 30. If an adverse person in front of the bearer reaches
over the holster and gun and does succeed in depressing element 34,
his hand will be in such a position that the subsequent attempted
rotation of the hood unit will be physically opposed by the
position of his own hand. This situation will at least delay and
confuse the attempt to extract the handgun, giving crucial
advantage to the officer bearing the holstered handgun.
[0042] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a modified embodiment in which a
more positive latching of the hood unit is provided. Thumb
depressible element 34 has a forwardly projecting elongate
extension 33 with an inturned hook formation 33a at its tip. When
element 34 is in its outermost position, urged there by spring 50,
hook formation 33a engages firmly behind a forward flat edge 29 of
an integral V-shaped protrusion 28 on the outside of hood arm 21.
This engagement positively locks hood unit 20 against any
unauthorised or adverse attempt to pull the hood unit forwardly
from its retaining condition. Protrusion 28 is dimensioned and
positioned so that when element 34 is depressed sufficiently to
release lever assembly 30 for rotation, hook formation 33a is
lowered out of engagement behind bulge edge 29.
[0043] The modified embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12
further differs in that housing 60 and backplate 80 are
complementarily enlarged at the rear 60a, 8a to further strengthen
the endwall stop for lever assembly 30 on the housing and to allow
for an additional fastening 61 between the housing and the
backplate.
* * * * *