U.S. patent application number 13/962176 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for handgun pouch holster.
The applicant listed for this patent is William Robert Hawks, JR.. Invention is credited to William Robert Hawks, JR..
Application Number | 20150041513 13/962176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52447751 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150041513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hawks, JR.; William Robert |
February 12, 2015 |
Handgun Pouch Holster
Abstract
A concealed carry weapon belt pouch for carrying a small firearm
in a concealment pouch clipped to a wearer's waist belt. The pouch
comprising a pouch body with integral spring tensioned handgun
holster, a pouch cover flap with quick release fastener, and a
spring tensioned belt clip. The pouch can be easily clipped and
un-clipped from the belt with a spring clip. A flap covers the
pouch opening while simultaneously holding the integral spring
tensioned handgun holster portion of the pouch closed. Upon
releasing the pouch flap the spring tensioned handgun holster tilts
outward allowing easy access to the firearm.
Inventors: |
Hawks, JR.; William Robert;
(Orlando, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hawks, JR.; William Robert |
Orlando |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52447751 |
Appl. No.: |
13/962176 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/676 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/048 20130101;
F41C 33/0218 20130101; F41C 33/0272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/676 |
International
Class: |
F41C 33/02 20060101
F41C033/02 |
Claims
1. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch comprising: a pouch with
spring tension loaded holster where the holster can be held
securely against the pouch body until released; a integral spring
tension loaded holster where upon release the holster moves the
grip of the handgun away from the pouch body for easy grasping of
the pistol grip in a full circumference grip. a pouch cover with
quick release fastener; a means to attach pouch to a belt or
strap.
2. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 1 wherein the
integral spring tension loaded holster pivots the handgun outward
using a generally horizontal (x axis) rotation.
3. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 1 wherein the
integral spring tension loaded holster pivots the handgun outward
using a generally vertical (y axis) rotation.
4. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 1 wherein the
integral spring tension loaded holster pivots the handgun outward
using a generally rotary (z axis) rotation.
5. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 1 with a spring
tensioned pouch belt clip.
6. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 2 with a spring
tensioned pouch belt clip.
7. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 3 with a spring
tensioned pouch belt clip.
8. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 4 with a spring
tensioned pouch belt clip.
9. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 1 with a spring
tensioned pouch belt clip where said clip has an integral tab to
facilitate the opening and closing of the clip, and that the lower
edge of the flexible part of the clip is generally wedged shaped
and extends inward to a point beyond the bottom edge of the clips
mounting surface.
10. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 2 with a spring
tensioned pouch belt clip where said clip has an integral tab to
facilitate the opening and closing of the clip, and that the lower
edge of the flexible part of the clip is generally wedged shaped
and extends inward to a point beyond the bottom edge of the clips
mounting surface.
11. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 3 with a spring
tensioned pouch belt clip where said clip has an integral tab to
facilitate the opening and closing of the clip, and that the lower
edge of the flexible part of the clip is generally wedged shaped
and extends inward to a point beyond the bottom edge of the clips
mounting surface.
12. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 4 with a spring
tensioned pouch belt clip where said clip has an integral tab to
facilitate the opening and closing of the clip, and that the lower
edge of the flexible part of the clip is generally wedged shaped
and extends inward to a point beyond the bottom edge of the clips
mounting surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to holsters and more
specifically relates to a holster used in handgun concealed
carry.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification
should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art
is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the
field.
[0005] Pistol holsters have been in use since the early invention
of the handheld firearm with the general purpose of providing a
means to secure and protect the weapon while simultaneously
providing ready access to it.
[0006] In modern times the handgun holster has evolved to meet the
needs of military, government, law enforcement, and individual
needs. As of the application for this invention, every state has
implemented laws governing individuals carrying a firearm for
personal protection. These laws dictate the manner in which
firearms or weapons can be carried. There are two general
categories describing how a weapon can be carried and the holster
or weapon displayed on the individual; "open carry" where the
holster and firearm is openly displayed and clearly visible, and
"concealed carry" where the holster and firearm are carried in such
a manner that they are not visible or recognized as a firearm or
its holster.
[0007] "Open carry" holsters include but are not limited to,
western or "cowboy" holsters, military sidearm holsters, law
enforcement belt holsters, and a variety of holsters typically
designed to be worn upon a individual's belt in plain view of the
public.
[0008] "Concealed carry" holsters generally fall into six
categories based upon how or where they are worn; inside the
waistband, outside the waistband, in the pocket, under the arm,
ankle holsters, and the disguised pouch holster. Each category
generally describes where the holster is carried out of sight
except the last category wherein the holster is in plain sight but
disguised in such a way that the handgun is not visible and the
holster or firearm pouch does not readily reveal its contents.
These concealed carry handgun pouches tend to fall into two general
subcategories; holster pouches in purses such as a ladies purse or
a man's fanny pack, and enclosed and disguised holster pouches worn
upon the belt typically disguised as mobile phone or mini computer
pouches. The present invention is of this last concealed carry
category; a concealed carry handgun pouch designed to clip to a
wearer's belt.
[0009] Conceal carry belt worn handgun pouches balance a few
advantages against a few disadvantages one of which has the
potential to being critical. First and foremost the pouch must be
large enough to totally encase the handgun yet as small as possible
to be easily worn. Additionally the pouch must encase the handgun
sufficiently to have a means to secure the handgun and completely
cover it from public view. This has resulted in the primary
disadvantage of the concealed carry pouch; accessability to the
handgun.
[0010] Handguns are designed to be grasped by the pistol grip with
the hand wrapping around the entire circumference of the grip. This
gripping action is made possible by the human's opposable thumb.
Small pouches holding the handgun securely in place result in the
handgun's grip pressed firmly against the holster making it
difficult or impossible for the thumb to slip between the pistol
grip and the holster. This makes access to the entire circumference
of the pistol grip either extremely difficult or impossible
necessitating the handgun to be partially drawn from the holster
with the individuals fingers before a full circumference grip is
possible. This action can potentially negate the self defense
capability of the belt worn concealed carry pouch. In the crises of
a self defense situation the handgun can be fumbled or dropped in
the rush to draw the weapon. Additionally, proper grip of the
handgun is necessary for accuracy in shooting.
[0011] Numerous means of attaching holsters and pouches to a
wearer's belt are available. They typically fall into two general
categories; pass through loops, and tensioned clips. Pass through
loops hold the pouch most securely but require the wearer to lose
his belt to either install or remove the pouch. This can quickly
become tedious or limiting as the individual steps into and out of
an automobile where the pouch can be inconvenient to wear because
of the automobile's seat belt. Tensioned clips are typically less
secure but allow the individual to easily attach or detach the
pouch from the belt.
[0012] Various inventors have attempted to create a solution to the
concealed carry handgun belt pouch:
[0013] Stava (5,584,424) presents a concealed carry handgun belt
pouch that is representative of the typical art with similar
limitations as listed above. The gun is holstered in a generally
vertical fashion held in place by either a holster or straps.
Either method leaves the handle of the handgun in contact with the
pouch creating the same potential limitations in drawing the
handgun as describe above. The nature of the zipper closure
attachment to the pouch body creates an additional barrier that
must be passed in order to access the guns handle. The zipper
closure represents a potential snag hazard as the handgun is drawn
upwards out of the holster and past the zipper. A zipper closure
also adds a complex closure method that can potentially increase
the time necessary for accessing the handgun. Finally, the number
of parts necessary to produce the pouch increases its cost and
complexity.
[0014] Parton (5,495,967) presents a purse version of the concealed
carry pouch employing a complex mult-part spring loaded opening
system where a seperate holster is located within the revealed
cavity and attached with hook and loop fastener material oriented
in a general horizontal mode. Included within the purse design are
multiple compartments substantially adding to the size and bulk of
the purse. A purse by its very nature limits its use to those who
carry purses.
[0015] Volpei (5,294,031) presents a fanny pack discreet pistol
pouch designed for handguns with a separate holster attached to the
interior with hook and loop fastener material in a generally
horizontal orientation. With its attached belt and extra pockets
this concealed carry solution is larger than the concealed carry
handgun belt pouch of the present invention. Additionally, the
Volpei invention uses interlockable plastic zipper to close the
pouch thus suffering the same inherent limitations as Stava.
[0016] DeSantis (4,966,320) presents a fanny pack simulated pistol
pouch similar to Volpei with a separate holster attached to the
interior with hook and loop fastener material generally horizontal
in orientation. Although similar to Volpei a different manner of
opening and closure is presented with the preferred embodiment
relying upon hook and loop fabric.
[0017] Each of the above samples of prior art face distinct
limitations. Parton, Volpei, and DeSantis each present options that
are substantial in size with the handgun orientation in a generally
horizontal mode. Volpei and DeSantis each present a pouch design
that would be considered a "fanny pack" with the primary difference
between the two being the closure method; zipper versus hook and
loop. Both of these inventions necessitate the pouch being
significantly larger than the encased handgun. Additionally,
Parton, Volpei and DeSantis each rely upon the flexibility of the
fabric pouch to create a means for the wearer to insert their hand
in such a manner as to gain a complete circumference grasp of the
handgun's grip. Additionally, Parton, Volpei, and DeSantis each
rely upon separate holsters and straps typically attached to the
pouch with hook and loop fabric to hold the handgun in place
increasing the complexity, number of parts, and manufacturing
expense. Stava presents a smaller belt worn pouch with the handgun
in a generally vertical orientation with a zipper closure similar
to Volpei. Release of the zipper and thus the opening of the pouch
is dependent upon grasping the zipper closure head or a loop of
cord attached to it and drawing it sufficiently along the length of
the zipper in order to obtain an opening large enough to insert
one's hand to withdraw the handgun. This requires the wearer to
quickly locate the zipper head or cord in a high stress self
defense situation. It should appear obvious that there is a direct
relationship between the time it takes to pull a zipper open and
the length of the zipper, especially when the zipper is closing
three sides of the pouch. This limitation, along with the handgun's
grip being generally held against the pouch creates a concealed
carry handgun pouch with limitations.
[0018] In these respects, the current invention departs from the
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing
provides a concealed carry handgun belt pouch providing a bare
minimum size pouch that securely holds the handgun in a generally
vertical orientation with a pouch cover than can be gripped
anywhere along its three exposed edges to quickly open the pouch.
Upon opening the pouch the handgun's spring tensioned integral
holster pivots outward away from the pouch body providing access to
the complete circumference of the pistol grip allowing the wearer
to easily grasp the handgun's grip for a fast and secure draw of
the weapon. The current invention also provides for a tensioned
clip that both secures the pouch to a belt but allows for easy
attachment and removal of the pouch from the wearer's belt. The
unique wedge-shape of the base of the clip allows the clip to
easily slide between the wearers pants and the belt. An additional
and unintended benefit is that this wedge resists the inadvertent
un-clipping of the pouch from the belt. Together, the simplicity of
the invention, the minimal number of parts necessary to form the
invention, the ease in opening the pouch cover, the spring
tensioned pivoting holster, and the unique belt clip enabling quick
but secure attachment and detachment from a wearer's belt, presents
a unique and superior concealed carry handgun belt pouch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of concealed carry handgun belt pouches now present in prior
art, the present invention provides a new concealed carry handgun
pouch that has many of the advantages of typical concealed carry
handgun belt pouches and many novel features that result in a new
concealed carry handgun belt pouch which is not anticipated,
rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior
art concealed carry handgun belt pouches, either alone or in any
combination thereof.
[0020] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a
formed pouch body holster combination, a pouch cover, and a belt
clip where the holster portion of the pouch body is tensioned in
such a way that when the pouch is opened, the holster and gun tilt
outward allowing the wearer to grip the handgun with a full
circumference grip.
[0021] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0022] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
concealed carry handgun belt pouch that will overcome the
shortcomings of prior art devices.
[0023] A second object is to provide a concealed carry handgun belt
pouch that provides a secure means of carrying a handgun yet allows
for a complete circumference grip of the handgun's grip when
drawing the firearm.
[0024] An additional object is to provide a concealed carry handgun
belt pouch easily attached and detached from the wearer's belt.
[0025] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be
made in the specific construction illustrated and described within
the scope of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of
the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention
including location of the handgun.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention
including components.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention
showing the pouch closed.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention of the pouch
body template.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention with the flap
open.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention with the flap
closed.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the present invention
of the pouch belt clip.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention of the pouch
belt clip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] A. Overview
[0036] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate a concealed carry handgun belt
pouch, which comprises a pouch body 1 with integral tension loaded
holster 8 holding a handgun in a generally vertical orientation,
with a pouch cover 2, and a tension loaded belt clip 3.
[0037] B. Pouch Body With Integral Tension Loaded Holster
[0038] Pouch Body 1 is preferably comprised of material with high
memory such as but not limited to thermoplastics such as Kydex.
Pouch body 1 with integral tension loaded holster 8 can be created
from a single piece of high memory semi rigid material cut in a
manner similar but not exclusively as demonstrated in FIG. 4 where
5 and 6 are bent upwards at a 90 degree angle forming the sides of
the pouch body 1. Bottom 7 is bent upwards forming the bottom of
the pouch body while simultaneously becoming part of the spring
tension component of the integral tension loaded holster 8.
Integral tension loaded holster 8 is bent upwards from 7 at some
angle typically but not limited to an angle greater than 45 degrees
but less than 90 degrees. This angle as shown in FIG. 5 tilts the
holster and handgun out away from the pouch allowing the wearer to
easily draw the handgun with a complete circumference grip.
[0039] In FIG. 4 panels 9, 10, 11, and 12 are each folded inward at
approximately 90 degree angles to wrap around the handgun forming
the integral tension loaded holster 8 of the pouch body 1. It is
understood that high memory materials such as thermoplastics when
heated can actually be molded to form a custom fit holster.
[0040] C. Pouch Cover With Fastening Device
[0041] FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 illustrate the pouch cover 2
preferably comprised of a flexible material such as but not limited
to leather, attached to pouch body 1 in such a manner as to allow
pouch cover 2 to tightly cover pouch body 1 drawing the integral
tension loaded holster 8 tightly against pouch body 1 as shown in
FIGS. 3 & 6, and thus holding the present invention closed
through a quick release fastening device such as but not limited to
a snap fastener, 4a and 4b.
[0042] D. Spring Tensioned Pouch Belt Clip
[0043] The spring tensioned pouch belt clip is preferably comprised
of a high memory material such as but not limited to thermoplastics
such as Kydex. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a one piece clip where the
material is bent in such a way as to form a loop through which a
belt might pass. 16 is the mounting plate attachment point to the
pouch body 1 and is attached with any appropriate attachment method
such as but not limited to, adhesives, rivets, bolts, or screws.
The upper bent portion 15 provides the tension spring action for
the belt clip 3. The base of the clip 17 is bent upwards in such a
way to create a wedge shape thus securely closing the clip around
the wearer's belt. Press release 14 is bent in such a manner that
pressure upon press release 14 causes the back of the clip 19 to
move out and away from the mounting plate 16 thus creating an
opening between mounting plate 16 and wedge base 17 allowing easy
attachment or removal from a wearer's belt.
[0044] The unique and subtle wedge shaped design feature of having
the base of clip 17 extend past the leading edge of mounting plate
16 creates an unexpected disproportionate increase in the effective
holding power of the clip not seen in other spring tension clips
since the open edge of 17 is buried or hidden under the material
edge of mounting plate 16.
[0045] E. In Use
[0046] The wearer inserts handgun into integral tension loaded
holster 8 as shown in FIG. 1. Pouch cover 2 is pulled tightly down
over the handgun drawing the integral tension loaded holster 8
inward until it is tightly pressed against the back of the pouch
body 1 as shown in FIGS. 3 & 6 and cover 2 is secured to
integral tension loaded holster 8 with a quick release fastening
device 4a-4b.
[0047] Concealed carry handgun belt pouch can now be easily
attached or removed from a wearer's belt with spring tensioned
pouch belt clip 3 by pressing press release 14 inward causing belt
clip 3 to open allowing the wedge shaped portion 18 & 17 of the
belt clip to easily slide between the wearer's belt and their
pants. Upon release of press release 14 the spring tension created
by 15 causes the clip to return to its closed state thus capturing
the belt securely and resisting any upward movement of the pouch
due to the unique wedge shape of the clip.
[0048] When necessary to quickly draw the handgun from the
concealed carry handgun belt pouch, the wearer simply grasps any of
the three exposed edges of pouch cover 2 and with a simple tug
releases the quick release fastener 4a-4b. The pouch cover 2 easily
lifts out of the way as the integral tension loaded holster 8
pushes away from the pouch body 1 to its tensioned position angling
the grip of the handgun outward and away from the pouch body 1 so
that the wearer can easily grasp the handgun in a full
circumference grip and quickly draw the handgun in a safe and
controlled manner ready for immediate use as shown in FIGS. 3 &
5.
[0049] What has been described and illustrated herein is a
preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its
variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set
forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are
possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is
intended to be defined by the following claims (and their
equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest
reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized
within the description are for convenience only and have no legal
or limiting effect.
* * * * *