U.S. patent application number 13/425732 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for fully integrated molded firearm holster retention system.
This patent application is currently assigned to BUSHNELL, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is John M. French, Steve Hardwick, Brian Shults, Liam Yarbrough. Invention is credited to John M. French, Steve Hardwick, Brian Shults, Liam Yarbrough.
Application Number | 20130181021 13/425732 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48779297 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130181021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yarbrough; Liam ; et
al. |
July 18, 2013 |
FULLY INTEGRATED MOLDED FIREARM HOLSTER RETENTION SYSTEM
Abstract
A handgun holster includes a first body section and a second
body section, each section being constructed of a single, unitary
piece of material. The two body sections are interconnected to form
a handgun holster body defining an internal handgun receiving
pocket, the pocket including a barrel section and a trigger
section. A biasing element is integrally formed in the first body
section and includes a flexible portion extending inwardly into the
trigger section of the pocket from a first surface of the first
body section. A retention element is integrally formed in the
second body section and includes a raised portion extending
inwardly into the trigger section of the pocket from a first
surface of the second body section that opposes the first surface
of the first body section.
Inventors: |
Yarbrough; Liam; (Pamona,
KS) ; Shults; Brian; (Nampa, ID) ; Hardwick;
Steve; (Overland Park, KS) ; French; John M.;
(Boise, ID) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yarbrough; Liam
Shults; Brian
Hardwick; Steve
French; John M. |
Pamona
Nampa
Overland Park
Boise |
KS
ID
KS
ID |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BUSHNELL, INC.
Overland Park
KS
|
Family ID: |
48779297 |
Appl. No.: |
13/425732 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61586176 |
Jan 13, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/244 ;
224/243 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/0263 20130101;
F41C 33/0236 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/244 ;
224/243 |
International
Class: |
F41C 33/02 20060101
F41C033/02 |
Claims
1. A handgun holster comprising: a first body section constructed
primarily of a single, unitary piece of material; a second body
section constructed primarily of a single, unitary piece of
material, the first and second body sections being interconnected
to form at least a portion of a handgun holster body defining an
internal handgun receiving pocket, the pocket including a barrel
portion and a trigger portion; a biasing element integrally formed
in the first body section, the biasing element including a flexible
portion extending inwardly into the trigger portion of the
receiving pocket from a first surface of the first body section;
and a retention element integrally formed in the second body
section, the retention element including a raised portion extending
inwardly into the trigger portion of the receiving pocket from a
first surface of the second body section that opposes the first
surface of the first body section.
2. The handgun holster of claim 1, the retention element configured
to engage a handgun when the handgun is inserted into the holster
and to prevent movement of the handgun out of the holster when
engaging the handgun.
3. The handgun holster of claim 2, the retention element being
configured to engage a trigger guard of the handgun.
4. The handgun holster of claim 2, the biasing element configured
to flexibly engage the handgun and urge the handgun into engagement
with the retention element.
5. The handgun holster of claim 4, the handgun receive pocket being
configured to allow the handgun to pivot in the pocket between a
first position wherein the handgun is in engagement with the
retention element, and a second position wherein the handgun is
disengaged from the retention element.
6. The handgun holster of claim 5, the biasing element configured
to urge the handgun into the first position, and to yield to allow
the handgun to pivot from the first position to the second
position.
7. The handgun holster of claim 5, each of the first and second
body sections including a plurality of index elements for
positioning the handgun in the pocket such that the handgun remains
in engagement with the retention element when the handgun is in the
first position.
8. The handgun holster of claim 7, the index elements including
elongated raised portions extending generally from a top portion of
the holster toward a bottom portion of the holster.
9. The handgun holster of claim 1, the biasing element including a
stiff yet flexible arm, a first end of the arm attached to the
first body section and the arm presenting an arcuate section
extending inward into the trigger portion of the receiving
pocket.
10. The handgun holster of claim 1, the first body section and the
second body section being slidably interconnected.
11. The handgun holster of claim 10, the first body section
including a rail, the second body section including a peripheral
flared portion defining a channel for slidably receiving the
rail.
12. The handgun holster of claim 1, the retention element including
a cam surface corresponding to a first end of the retention element
proximate a top of the holster body and a catch corresponding to a
second end of the retention element distal the top of the holster
body.
13. A handgun holster comprising: a first body section constructed
primarily of a single, unitary piece of material; a second body
section constructed primarily of a single, unitary piece of
material, the first and second body sections being interconnected
to form at least a portion of a handgun holster body defining an
internal handgun receiving pocket; a retention element integrally
formed in the second body section, the retention element extending
inwardly into the pocket and configured to engage a handgun when
the handgun is inserted into the holster and to prevent movement of
the handgun out of the holster when engaging the handgun; and a
biasing element integrally formed in the first body section, the
biasing element extending inwardly into the pocket and configured
to flexibly engage the handgun and urge the handgun into engagement
with the retention element.
14. The handgun holster of claim 13, the handgun receive pocket
being configured to allow the handgun to pivot in the pocket
between a first position wherein the handgun is in engagement with
the retention element, and a second position wherein the handgun is
disengaged from the retention element.
15. The handgun holster of claim 14, the biasing element configured
to urge the handgun into the first position, and to yield to allow
the handgun to pivot between the first position and the second
position.
16. The handgun holster of claim 13, the receiving pocket including
a trigger portion and a barrel portion, the retention element and
the biasing element being positioned in the trigger portion.
17. The handgun holster of claim 13, the biasing element including
a press arm, a first end of the press arm attached to the first
body section and the press arm presenting an arcuate section
extending toward the retention element.
18. The handgun holster of claim 13, the first body section and the
second body section being slidably interconnected.
19. The handgun holster of claim 18, the first body section
including a rail, the second body section including a peripheral
flared portion defining a channel for slidably receiving the
rail.
20. A handgun holster comprising: a first body section constructed
primarily of a single, unitary piece of material; a second body
section constructed primarily of a single, unitary piece of
material and including a plurality of channel portions configured
to slidingly receive a portion of the first body section, the first
and second body sections being interconnected to form at least a
portion of a handgun holster body defining an internal handgun
receiving pocket, the pocket including a barrel portion and a
trigger portion; a biasing element integrally formed in the first
body section, the biasing element including a flexible portion
extending inwardly into the trigger portion of the pocket from a
first surface of the first body section; and a retention element
integrally formed in the second body section, the retention element
including a raised portion extending inwardly into the trigger
portion of the pocket from a first surface of the second body
section that opposes the first surface of the first body section,
the handgun receive pocket being configured to allow the handgun to
pivot in the pocket between a first position wherein the handgun is
in engagement with the retention element, and a second position
wherein the handgun is disengaged from the retention element.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims priority
benefit with regard to all common subject matter of earlier-filed
U.S. provisional patent application titled REFLEX HOLSTER, filed
Jan. 13, 2012, and assigned application Ser. No. 61/586,176. The
earlier-filed application is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety into the present application.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to handgun
holsters. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention
relate to a handgun holster constructed of a relatively small
number of holster body sections each of unitary construction, with
elements of a handgun retention system integrally formed in one or
more of the holster body sections.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Handgun holsters are well known in the art and may be worn,
for example, near a user's waist or under the user's arm in a
location providing the user with easy access to a handgun carried
in the holster. Holsters not only provide a convenient place to
carry and/or conceal handguns on a user's person, but also serve to
secure and protect the handgun. Handgun holsters may, for example,
secure the handgun in place and prevent inadvertent or undesired
withdrawal from the holster, inadvertent or undesired discharge of
the handgun, or both. In law enforcement and military applications,
in particular, handgun holsters must secure and protect the firearm
during rigorous and sometimes dangerous physical activity,
including physical confrontations with individuals who may seek to
wrest control of the handgun and harm the person wearing the
holster. In such circumstances, it is critical that the holster
allow the user to quickly and easily remove the handgun while
protecting the handgun from physical damage, inadvertent removal,
removal by other persons, and inadvertent discharge.
[0006] Holsters have been developed that include retention
mechanisms for securely retaining a handgun while allowing a user
to quickly withdraw the handgun from the holster. Such retention
mechanisms are complex and include many separate components that
must be assembled during the manufacturing process, rendering the
retaining mechanisms expensive to manufacture and potentially
susceptible to failure.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved handgun holster
which overcomes the limitations described above.
SUMMARY
[0008] A handgun holster in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention comprises a first body section constructed of a single,
unitary piece of material and a second body section constructed of
a single, unitary piece of material. The first and second body
sections are interconnected to form at least a portion of a handgun
holster body defining an internal handgun receiving pocket, the
pocket including a barrel portion and a trigger portion. A biasing
element is integrally formed in the first body section, the biasing
element including a flexible portion extending inwardly into the
trigger portion of the receiving pocket from a first surface of the
first body section. A retention element is integrally formed in the
second body section, the retention element including a raised
portion extending inwardly into the trigger portion of the
receiving pocket from a first surface of the second body section
that opposes the first surface of the first body section.
[0009] A handgun holster in accordance with another embodiment of
the invention comprises a first body section constructed of a
single, unitary piece of material and a second body section
constructed of a single, unitary piece of material. The first and
second body sections are interconnected to form at least a portion
of a handgun holster body defining an internal handgun receiving
pocket. A retention element is integrally formed in the second body
section, the retention element extending inwardly into the pocket
and configured to engage a handgun when the handgun is inserted
into the holster and to prevent movement of the handgun out of the
holster when engaging the handgun. A biasing element is integrally
formed in the first body section, the biasing element extending
inwardly into the pocket and configured to flexibly engage the
handgun and urge the handgun into engagement with the retention
element.
[0010] A handgun holster in accordance with yet another embodiment
of the invention comprises a first body section constructed of a
single, unitary piece of material and a second body section
constructed of a single, unitary piece of material. The second body
section includes a plurality of channel portions configured to
slidingly receive a portion of the first body section, the first
and second body sections being interconnected to form at least a
portion of a handgun holster body defining an internal handgun
receiving pocket including a barrel portion and a trigger
portion.
[0011] A biasing element is integrally formed in the first body
section, the biasing element including a flexible portion extending
inwardly into the trigger portion of the pocket from a first
surface of the first body section. A retention element is
integrally formed in the second body section, the retention element
including a raised portion extending inwardly into the trigger
portion of the pocket from a first surface of the second body
section that opposes the first surface of the first body section.
The handgun receive pocket is configured to allow the handgun to
pivot in the pocket between a first position wherein the handgun is
in engagement with the retention element, and a second position
wherein the handgun is disengaged from the retention element.
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a handgun holster
constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, illustrating a handgun seated in the holster;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded outer side perspective view of the
holster of FIG. 1 illustrating an attachment component, an adapter
element, an inner holster body section and an outer holster body
section;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an inner side exploded view of the attachment
component, adapter element, and inner holster body section of FIG.
2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an inner side perspective view of the inner
holster section and the outer holster section of FIG. 1,
illustrating the inner holster body section in a position to
slidingly engage the outer holster body section;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an inner side top perspective view of the holster
of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an inner side top perspective view of the outer
holster body section of FIG. 1, illustrating the handgun seated in
the outer body section;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary inner side perspective view of the
holster and handgun of FIG. 1, illustrating the handgun seated in
the holster in a position engaging a retention element of the outer
body section;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the holster and handgun
of FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary inner side perspective view of the
holster and handgun of FIG. 1, illustrating the handgun seated in
the holster in a position disengaged from the retention element of
the outer body section; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the holster and handgun
of FIG. 9.
[0023] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following detailed description references the
accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which
the invention may be practiced. The embodiments are intended to
describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other
embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the
appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which
such claims are entitled.
[0025] In this description, references to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", or "embodiments" mean that the feature or features
being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the
technology. Separate references to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", or "embodiments" in this description do not
necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually
exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For
example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one
embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not
necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a
variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments
described herein.
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, a handgun holster 10 constructed in accordance with
embodiments of the invention is illustrated. The holster broadly
includes an attachment component 12, a first body section 14 and a
second body section 16. A shield element 18 may also be interposed
between the attachment component 12 and the first body section 14
to protect the handgun, as explained below.
[0027] The first body section 14 and the second body section 16
form at least a portion of the handgun body and define a handgun
receiving pocket 20 that includes a trigger portion 22 and a barrel
portion 24. A top opening 26 corresponds to a top of the receiving
pocket 20 and is configured such that a handgun 28 is seated in the
holster 10 by inserting the handgun 28 through the top opening 26,
as illustrated in FIG. 1. When the handgun 28 is seated in the
holster 10, a trigger 30 and trigger guard 32 of the handgun 28 are
at least partially concealed by the holster 10. Advantageously,
each of the first 14 and second 16 body sections is of unitary
construction and includes elements of a handgun retention system,
as explained below in greater detail.
[0028] The attachment component 12 is configured to be attached to
a belt, strap or other attachment element or piece of clothing for
securing the holster 10 to the user's person. The illustrated
attachment component includes a pair of opposed, arcuate arms 34,36
presenting a plurality of elongated apertures 38 configured to
receive a belt or strap.
[0029] The first body section 14 is constructed of a single,
unitary piece of material and corresponds to an inner portion of
the holster 10 body adjacent the attachment component 12 and
proximate the user's person when in use. The first body section 14
includes a plurality of attachment through-holes 40, one or more
index elements 42,44,46, and one or more biasing elements 48.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the first body section 14
includes a bottom edge 50, a forward edge 52 adjacent and
perpendicular to the bottom edge 50, a top edge 54 adjacent the
forward edge 52, a first rearward edge 56 adjacent the top edge 54
and approximately parallel with the forward edge 52, a trigger
portion bottom edge 58 adjacent the first rearward edge 56, and a
second rearward edge 60 connecting the trigger portion bottom edge
58 and the bottom edge 50 and being parallel with the forward edge
52. As illustrated, all of the edges are straight or substantially
straight except for the top edge 54, which presents a
downwardly-arcuate profile. The top edge 54 is opposite the bottom
edge 50, wherein the top edge 54 defines a portion of the top
opening 26 of the pocket and the bottom edge 50 defines a portion
of a bottom opening 62 of the pocket 20. The trigger portion bottom
edge 58, the first rearward edge 56, and a rearward portion 64 of
the top edge 54 define an area that corresponds to the trigger
portion 22 of the receiving pocket 20.
[0031] The index elements 42,44,46 are configured and positioned to
engage portions of the handgun 28 and maintain the handgun 28 in a
desired position within the holster 10. The index elements 42,44,46
also allow the handgun 28 to be pivoted between a first position
(FIG. 8) and a second position (FIG. 9) wherein the handgun 28 is
disengaged from a retention system, as explained below. The
particular size, shape and placement of the index elements 42,44,46
is not important to the present invention and may vary
substantially from one embodiment to another without departing from
the spirit or scope of the invention.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the index
elements 42,44,46 include a plurality of elongated protrusions
integrally formed in the first body section 14 and extending into
the pocket 20. A first index element 42 extends the length of the
section 14 from the top edge 54 to the bottom edge 50, is proximate
the forward edge 52, and spans about one-fourth to about one-half
of the width of the pocket 20 (the distance between the first body
section 14 and the second body section 16). A second index element
44 extends substantially the length of the section 14 from the top
edge 54 to the bottom edge 50 except that it is interrupted by two
of the attachment through-holes 40. The second index element 44 is
positioned parallel with the first index element 42 and positioned
inboard of the first index element 42 such that the first index
element 42 is located approximately one-half the distance between
the second index element 44 and the forward edge 52. The second
index element 44 presents a lower profile than the first index
element 42, spanning about one-tenth to about one-fourth of the
width of the pocket. A third index element 46 is positioned
approximately parallel with the second rearward edge 60 and is
separated therefrom by a space. The third index element 46 extends
from the bottom edge 50 approximately half-way toward the top edge
54 of section 14. The third index element spans about one-fourth to
about one-third of the width of the pocket
[0033] The biasing element 48 is integrally formed in the first
body section 14 and includes a flexible portion extending generally
inwardly into the trigger portion 22 of the handgun receiving
pocket 20. More particularly, the biasing element 48 includes a
press arm 66 that includes a free-floating first end 68, an
inwardly arcuate middle portion 70, and a second end 72 that is
integrally and flexibly connected to the first body section 14. An
aperture 74 in the first body section 14 is adjacent the biasing
element 48 and is configured to receive the press arm 66 when the
press arm 66 is depressed toward the first body section 14, such
that the press arm 66 may be depressed partially or completely
through the aperture 74.
[0034] The first body section 14 includes elements for attaching
the first body section 14 to the second body section 16. In the
illustrated embodiment, a first pair of rails 76 proximate the
forward edge 52, a second pair of rails 78 proximate the first
rearward edge 56, and a third pair of rails 80 proximate the second
rearward edge 60 are configured to engage corresponding channels of
the second body section 16 to enable the first body section 14 to
slidingly engage the second body section 16, as explained
below.
[0035] The attachment through-holes 40 accommodate bolts, T-nuts or
similar attachment elements for interconnecting the first body
section 14 with the shield element 18, the attachment component 12,
or both.
[0036] The second body section 16 is constructed of a single,
unitary piece of material and corresponds to an outer portion of
the holster 10 body distal the user's person when the holster 10 is
in use, and includes outer walls that cooperate with the first body
section 14 to define the handgun receiving pocket 20. The second
body section 16 further includes one or more index elements 82,84
and a retention element 86.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the second body section 16
includes an outer wall 88 with a large portion 90 and a small
portion 92, a forward wall 94 and a rearward wall 96. The rearward
wall 96 includes first 98 and second 100 sections cooperating with
the small portion 92 of the outer wall 88 to partially define the
trigger portion 22 of the pocket 20, and a third section 102
extending from the second section 100 to the bottom opening 62 of
the pocket 20. The large portion 90 of the outer wall 88 generally
corresponds to the barrel portion 24 of the pocket 20, is
approximately parallel with the first holster body section 14, and
is separated from the first holster body section 14 by a space. The
small portion 92 of the outer wall 88 generally corresponds to the
trigger portion 22 of the pocket 20, is approximately parallel with
the first holster body section 14, and is separated from the first
section 14 by a space. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, the small
outer body portion 92 is closer to the first body section 14 than
the large body portion 90, such that the trigger portion 22 of the
receiving pocket 20 presents a smaller width than the barrel
portion 24 of the receiving pocket 20.
[0038] The walls of the second body section 16 may be configured to
accommodate a particular model or style of handgun. In the
illustrated embodiment, the forward wall 94 may include a stepped
portion 104 proximate the outer wall 88, and the outer wall 88 may
include an elongated recess 106 extending from the top opening 26
partially toward the bottom opening 62 of the holster 10.
[0039] The second body section 16 may include elements for
connecting the second body section 16 to the first body section 14.
By way of example, an inner edge 108 of the forward wall 94 and a
bottom edge of the rearward wall 96 may be flared and may each
define channels 110 adapted to slidingly engage the rails 76,78,80
of the first body section 14 described above.
[0040] The retention element 86 extends inwardly into the handgun
receiving pocket 20 and is configured to engage the handgun 28 when
the handgun 28 is seated in the pocket 20 and to prevent the
handgun 28 from being withdrawn from the holster 10 while so
engaged. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention element 86 is
positioned approximately opposite the biasing element 48 in the
trigger portion 22 of the handgun receiving pocket 20 such that the
retention element 86 and the biasing element 48 are in opposed
relationship and both extend inwardly toward one another. The
biasing element 86 is formed in, and extends inwardly from, a first
surface of the first body section 14 and the retention element 86
is formed in, and extends inwardly from, a first surface of the
second body 16 section that opposes the first surface of the first
body section 14. As used herein, opposing surfaces are surfaces
separated by a space. Such opposing surfaces may be parallel or
nearly parallel, but need not be.
[0041] The illustrated retention element 86 includes a first, top
end 112 that is beveled downwardly toward the edge to create a cam
surface. A second, bottom end 114 of the retention element 86
defines a catch. The catch is a well-defined edge or other
structural element capable of engaging the handgun 28 and
preventing movement of the handgun 28 in an upward direction out of
the holster 10. As explained below in greater detail, the cam
surface of the retention element 86 facilitates insertion of the
handgun 28 into the holster 10 by urging the handgun 28 away from
and around the retention element 86 as the handgun 28 is inserted
into the holster 10. The catch secures the handgun 28 into position
by engaging a portion of the handgun 28 and arresting outward
movement of the handgun 28 from the holster 10.
[0042] Bolt and T-nut combinations are used to secure the first
body section 14 to the attachment component 12 as illustrated in
FIG. 3, wherein the shield element 18 may be interposed between the
attachment component 12 and the first body section 14, as needed.
The shield element 18 at least partially covers the aperture 74 to
prevent debris from passing into or through the aperture into the
receiving pocket 20. The first body section 14 is secured to the
second body section 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the first
body section 14 is positioned relative to the second body section
16 such that the rails 76,78,80 of the first body section 14 are
aligned with the channels 110 of the second body section 16, as
illustrated in FIG. 4. The first body section 14 is then slid into
place in the second body section 16 wherein the rails 76,78,80
engage the channels 110, as illustrated in FIG. 5. A bolt 116 and
T-nut 118 combination, or similar fastening mechanism, is used to
secure the first body section 14 into place relative to the second
body section 16. Additionally or alternatively, a detent may be
used to lock the first section 14 into place relative to the second
section 16. For example, a detent 120 on the second body section 16
may engage a detent receiving recess 122 on the first body section
14.
[0043] In use, the handgun 28 is placed in the holster 10 by
sliding the barrel of the handgun 28 into the top opening 26 of the
holster 10 in a conventional manner. As the trigger guard 32 of the
handgun 28 enters the trigger portion 22 of the receiving pocket
20, it contacts the retention element 86 and the biasing element
48. As the trigger guard 32 slides over the retention element 86
the cam surface of the retention element 86 causes the handgun 28
to rotate such that the grip 124 of the handgun 28 pivots toward
the first attachment arm 34 (i.e., toward the user's person if the
user is wearing the holster 10) and the trigger guard 32 pivots
against the biasing element 48 as illustrated in FIG. 10,
depressing the biasing element 48 to allow the trigger guard 32 to
pass into the trigger portion 22 of the receiving pocket 20. Once
the trigger guard 32 slides past the retention element 86 the
handgun 28 rotates back to the original position illustrated in
FIG. 8, wherein the handgun 28 is seated in the holster 10 and the
catch on the retention element 86 prevents the handgun 28 from
sliding up and out of the holster 10.
[0044] It should be noted that when the handgun 28 is fully seated
in the holster 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the large portion 90
of the outer wall 88 covers at least a portion of the handgun
trigger 30, thus protecting the handgun 28 from accidental or
inadvertent discharge.
[0045] To remove the handgun 28 from the holster 10, the user
pivots the handgun grip 124 toward the first attachment arm 34
(i.e., toward the user's person if the user is wearing the holster
10) his or her body and against the biasing element 48, causing the
trigger guard 32 to depress the biasing element 48 and to move
clear of the retention element 86 into the position illustrated in
FIG. 10. With the trigger guard 32 clear of the retention element
86, the handgun 28 can be removed from the holster 10.
[0046] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings, it
is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made
herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited
in the claims. For example, the biasing element 48 and the
retention element 86 may be located at different points on the
holster than illustrated. Furthermore, the first holster body
section 14 may be attached to the second holster body section 16 by
any of various means, including bolting or gluing the first section
14 directly to the second section 16.
* * * * *