U.S. patent number 3,804,306 [Application Number 05/260,784] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-16 for automatic pistol holster.
Invention is credited to Salvador R. Azurin.
United States Patent |
3,804,306 |
Azurin |
April 16, 1974 |
AUTOMATIC PISTOL HOLSTER
Abstract
A holster for a pistol has an outer shell adapted to accommodate
the pistol. Located within the shell is a cocking member which
engages the slide of the pistol so that, if the latter is initially
depressed before being drawn from the holster, the slide will be
retained by the cocking member and the pistol will thus be in
cocked condition at the time it is subsequently withdrawn from the
holster.
Inventors: |
Azurin; Salvador R. (Legaspi
City, RP) |
Family
ID: |
22990610 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/260,784 |
Filed: |
June 8, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/193; 224/243;
224/674; 224/911 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C
33/0227 (20130101); F41C 33/0272 (20130101); F41C
33/0281 (20130101); Y10S 224/911 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41C
33/00 (20060101); F41C 33/02 (20060101); F41c
033/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;224/2B,2C,1R,2A,3,5R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner: Forsberg; Jerold M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Striker; Michael S.
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent is set
1. A pistol holster comprising, in combination, a sheet material
member having a transverse first portion and a pair of flap
portions which extend from a surface of said first portion in
transversely spaced relationship, said flap portions having free
edges which define opposite and spaced from said first portion an
open side, one of said flap portions being adapted to face towards
the body of a user and having a normally upper part provided with a
donwwardly folded extension which forms a belt loop and includes an
ear overlying and secured to said first portion; a reinforcing
strap member being secured to outwardly directed sides of said one
flap portion and of said first portion and having in the region of
said open side a substantially tubular portion; a spring member
connected to said free edges of said flap portions and to said
tubular portion for biasing the flat together; and a cocking member
located in the region of said first portion and rigidly connected
with said strap member between said flap portions so as to engage
the slide of an automatic pistol lodged in said holster, whereby
initial depressing of the pistol in said holster results in
retention of said slide against downward movement and consequent
cocking of the pistol, so that the pistol can thereafter be drawn
from said holster either upwardly or rearwardly from between
the
2. A pistol holster as defined in claim 1 and further comprising
retaining straps for securing an automatic pistol in said holster
against
3. A pistol holster as defined in claim 1, wherein said strap
member is of
4. A pistol holster as defined in claim 1, wherein said cocking
member is
5. A pistol holster comprising, in combination, a sheet material
member having a transverse first portion and a pair of flap
portions which extend from a surface of said first portion in
transversely spaced relationship, said flap portions having free
edges which define opposite and spaced from said first portion an
open side, one of said flap portions being adapted to face towards
the body of a user and having a normally upper part provided with a
downwardly folded extension which forms a belt loop and includes an
ear overlying and secured to said first portion; a channel member
connected to said first portion; an insert member secured to an
inner side of said sheet material member; a spring member connected
to said free edges for biasing the edge together and configurated
for engaging and retaining a pistol lodged in said holster; and a
cocking member aligned with said channel member and rigidly secured
to an inner side of said insert member, said cocking member being
positioned to engage the slide of an automatic pistol lodged in
said holster, whereby initial depressing of the pistol results in
retention of said slide against downward movement and consequent
cocking of the pistol, so that the pistol can thereafter be drawn
from said holster either upwardly or rearwardly from between the
biased flaps in cocked condition.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to holsters for hand guns, and more
particularly to quick-draw holsters. Still more particularly, the
invention relates to an automatic pistol holster which permits
quick drawing of the pistol in cocked and loaded condition.
Most law enforcement officers are required to carry hand guns,
usually automatic pistols, in the performance of their duties. In
the instances where it becomes necessary for the officer to use the
weapon it is frequently essential that he be able to draw it
quickly, surely and safely.
Hand guns are usually carried in holsters which, in most instances,
are secured to the belt of the user. Many attempts are known from
the prior art to provide a quick-draw holster which meets all
requirements arising from the emergency use of the holstered hand
gun. However, while some of these holsters certainly permit the
rapid withdrawing of the gun, none have heretofore become known
which assure that the gun could be drawn in cocked and loaded
condition, ready to fire, thus saving the time usually required for
placing the weapon in this condition after it has been withdrawn
from the holster.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to
provide an improved holster for hand guns which affords the above
advantages.
More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide an
improved pistol holster which permits rapid drawing of a holstered
pistol.
An additional object of the invention is to provide such a pistol
holster which assures that, when the pistol is drawn therefrom, the
weapon will be cocked and loaded and be in condition for
firing.
In pursuance of these objects and of others which will become
apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a
pistol holster which, briefly stated, comprises a sheet material
member having a transverse first portion and a pair of flap
portions which extend from a surface of the first portion in
transversely spaced relationship. The flap portions have free edges
which define opposite and spaced from the first portion an open
side. One of the flap portions is adapted to face towards the body
of a user and has a normally upper part provided with a downwardly
folded extension which forms a belt loop and includes an ear
overlying and secured to the aforementioned surface of the first
portion. A strap extends transversely of the flap portions between
the same and is secured to an inwardly directed side of the one
flap portion and to an outwardly directed side of the other flap
portion; a reinforcing strap member is provided on the outer side
of the one flap portion and is provided in the region of the open
side with a substantially tubular portion. A spring member is
connected to the free edges of the flap portions and to the tubular
portion. A cocking member is located in the region of the first
portion, being rigidly connected with the strap member between the
flap portions so as to engage the slide of a pistol lodged in the
holster. Initial depressing of the pistol in the holster thus
results in retention of the slide by the cocking member against
movement, causing the pistol to become cocked so that it can
thereafter be drawn from the holster in cocked condition.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the
invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of specific embodiments when read in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1, looking towards the right;
FIG. 3 is a view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, showing the side
which is concealed in that figure;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partly sectioned view, illustrating how
the cocking member of the embodiment in FIGS. 1-3 is secured;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating another
embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, partly sectioned view, showing the holster
and illustrating a pistol in the act of being cocked;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the holster in FIG. 5, with the
pistol omitted;
FIG. 8 illustrates the holster of FIG. 5 with the pistol in cocked
condition, ready to be withdrawn;
FIG. 9 is a view showing the interior of the holster of FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing certain interior components of
the holster in FIG. 5;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken at line XI--XI of FIG. 1;
and
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken at line XII--XII of FIG.
5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Discussing firstly the embodiment in FIGS. 1-4 and 11, it will be
seen that the novel holster comprises a main component 1, in form
of a shell-like sheet material member which may be made of suitable
flexible material, leather being preferred but not necessary. The
member 1 has a transverse front portion 2 at opposite lateral sides
of which two flap portions 3 and 4 (compare FIG. 2) extend
rearwardly from the front portion 2. The outer flap portion 3, that
is the one which in the use of the holster faces away from the body
of the wearer, is of generally semicircular outline. The inner flap
portion 4, that is the one which in the use of the holster faces
the body of the wearer, is in its lower region of substantially the
contour of the flap portion 3. In its upper region, however, that
is the region which faces normally upwardly when the holster is
worn by a user, the flap portion 4 has an extension 5 which is
folded downwardly at 6 to form a belt loop. The extension 6 has an
ear 7 which overlies and conforms to the contour of the portion 2,
to which it is secured by means of rivets 8 or analogous
fasteners.
A strap 9 is secured to the inner side of the flap 4 and has a free
end 10 provided with a snap fastener 11 which can co-operate with a
mating fastener secured at the outer side of the flap portion
3.
A reinforcing strap member 14, preferably of metallic material, is
provided at the outer side of the flap portion 4 in the upper
region thereof; the strap 14 has a rearwardly curving part
conforming with the curvature of the portion 2 and of the ear 7 to
which it is secured by the rivets 8. Adjacent the open side of the
holster which is bounded by the free edges of the flap portions 3
and 4, the strap 14 is shaped to substantially tubular
configuration and held in place by a leg of a spring 12 which is
positioned in the region of the free edges of the flap portions 4,
with the aforementioned leg extending into the tubular portion of
the strap 14. A covering strap 13 is stitched to the free edges and
holds the spring 12 in position. The legs of the spring 12 extend
upwardly and are convergent in part, so that in the region of their
convergence they press the flap portions 3 and 4 together.
The rivets 8 further secure to the portion 2, and more particularly
at the inner side of the reinforcing strap 14, a cocking member 15
which is preferably made of a hard synthetic plastic material,
carabao horn also having been found suitable for this purpose. A
rearwardly divergent strip 16 (see FIGS. 2-4) is secured to the
extension 5 and the flap portion 4. This strip 16, which may be
made of leather or a similar material, serves to maintain the grip
of the holstered pistol 17 in position for ready grasping by the
hand of a user and for covering the reinforcing strap 14. It may be
seen particularly in FIG. 11 that the reinforcing strap 14 as well
as the spring 12 are fully enclosed with respect to the interior
and the exterior of the holster, the former by being sandwiched
between the flap portion 4 or the front portion 2, and the ear 7 or
the strip 16, respectively, the latter by being accommodated
between the flap portions 3 and 4, or the front portion 2,
respectively, and the covering strap 13, so that damage to the
automatic pistol or injury to the user, which may otherwise occur
if the reinforcing strap 14 and the spring 12 were accessible, is
eliminated.
A securing strap 18 connects the free edges of the flap portions 3
and 4, being attached to the same by suitable snap fasteners, and
preventing the automatic pistol from accidentally sliding out of
the holster.
Coming now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-10 and 12, it
will be seen that here the main or shell portion of the holster is
identified with reference numeral 1A, having the transverse portion
2A and the flap portions 3A and 4A. The flap portion 4A has the
upper extension 5A which is downwardly folded at 6A and provided
with an ear 7A secured in overlying relationship to the portion 2A
by rivets 8A or analogous fasteners.
In this embodiment, however, there is provided a channel member
14A, advantageously of metallic material, which replaces the
reinforcing strap member 14 of the embodiment in FIGS. 1-4 and 11.
The configuration of the channel member 14A can be most clearly
seen in FIG. 10. It may be seen in FIG. 12 that the reinforcing
strap 14A is accommodated between the front portion 2A and the ear
7A, so that both the person using the holster and the automatic
pistol are protected from coming into contact with the reinforcing
member 14A.
Secured to the inner surface of the main portion 1A, as by
stitching, is an insert member 1B which is contoured to conform
with the curvature of the portion 2A and also has flap portions 3B
and 4B. The configuration of the flap portion 3B corresponds to
that of the flap portion 3A, while the flap portion 4B only
generally conforms to the shape of the flap portion 4A but is
narrower than the same.
A cocking member 15A is secured in the region of the upper inner
side of the insert member 1B, being retained by the channel member
14A. A strap 9A is connected, as by stitching, to the inner side of
flap portion 4A at some distance from the upper rear edge of the
flap portion 4B; it has a free end portion 10A provided with a snap
fastener 11A which can co-operate with another snap fastener
located at the outwardly directed side of the flap portion 3A so
that, when the snap fasteners are engaged, the strap 9A secures the
pistol 17 in the holster against unintentional withdrawal.
A spring 12A is provided, extending along the free edges of the
flap portions 3A and 4A, being held in place by a covering strap
13A which is stitched to these free edges. The spring 12A is
appropriately shaped to press the free edges of the flap portions
3A and 4A against one another.
A securing strap 18A is snapped by the aid of suitable snap
fasteners to the free edges of the flap portions 3A and 4A,
substantially midway between the fold 22A of strap 13A and the
upper edge of the portion 2A. The purpose of the strap 18A is to
prevent the pistol 17 from accidentally sliding out of the holster.
A rearwardly diverging strip 16A, stitched to the flap portion 4A
as shown in FIG. 7, serves to maintain the handle of the pistol 17
in position for ready grasping.
The holster of either embodiment disclosed herein may be secured to
the belt of a user by passing the belt through the loop formed by
the portions 5 or 5A. The pistol is then inserted into the holster
until the rear sight 20 of the pistol -- which sight is provided on
the cocking slide -- engages the upper edge of the cocking member
15 or 15A. With the pistol in this position, the strap 18 or 18A is
snapped in place, and afterwards the strap 9 or 9A is folded over
the pistol grip and snapped in place.
When the pistol is so worn in the novel holster and it is desired
to quickly draw it for use, it is merely necessary to grasp the
handle 19 and push down on it, as indicated, for example, by the
arrow in FIG. 6. Because the sight 20 of the slide 21 of the pistol
is engaged by the cocking member 15 or 15A, the body of the pistol
moves downwardly, whereas the slide 21 is prevented from such
movement. In accordance with the well-known construction and
operation of such pistols, this effects cocking of the pistol and
simultaneously chambers a bullet. Continued exertion of a downward
push on the pistol will cause the latter to perform an essentially
arcuate movement as indicated in FIG. 8 while the securing strap 18
or 18A snaps open. This frees the rear sight 20 of the pistol from
the cocking member 15 and as soon as the pistol clears the holster
-- out of which it has been downwardly pushed as shown in FIG. 8 --
it is loaded, cocked and ready for firing.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or
two or more together, may also find a useful application in other
types of applications differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied
in a holster for hand guns, it is not intended to be limited to the
details shown, since various modifications and structural changes
may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the
present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the
gist of the present invention that others can by applying current
knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without
omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly
constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific
aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should
and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of
equivalence of the following claims.
* * * * *