Holster for handguns

• US 20040050887A1
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Spielberger
• Original Assignee: Peter Spielberger
• Inventors: Spielberger, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,556,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/244
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0245 Skeleton-holsters, e.g. contacting only a minimal part of the small arm, e.g. contacting the muzzle, ejection port, chamber, trigger guard or hammer
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0263 having a locking system for preventing unauthorized or accidental removal of the small arm from the holster F41C33/0227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/041 for connecting a holster to a belt, webbing or other object
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/911 Handgun holder formed of leather, fabric, or other flexible material

Abstract

A holster assembly for a handgun having various mechanisms for preventing unauthorized access to a handgun therein and wherein the handgun holster is constructed with injection molded, reinforced plastic inserts that are injection over-molded with a chemically compatible material which provides the desired surface characteristics of the holster.

Claims

1. A holster for handguns having a barrel and a trigger guard in which the handguns are held by the trigger guard comprising:

a tubular assembly comprising;

an elongated first structure that functions as a left side wall having an outer surface an inner surface and a top end;

an elongated second structure that functions as a right side wall having an outer surface, an inner surface and a top end;

an elongated third structure that functions as a front wall having an outer surface, an inner surface and a top end; and

a fourth structure that functions as an elongated rear wall having an outer surface, an inner surface and a top end;

said top end of said fourth structure being downwardly displaced from said top end of said first structure and said top end of said second structure to from a recess for capturing a trigger guard of a handgun;

an elongated retention pin having an inner end, an outer end, surrounding side walls extending from said inner end to said outer end and a longitudinally extending X-axis; and

means for supporting said retention pin and reciprocally moving said retention pin into said recess for capturing a trigger guard of a handgun therein and preventing removal therefrom.

2. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said retention pin and moving said retention pin into said recess comprises a sliding actuator having a longitudinally extending Y-axis;

said sliding actuator being mechanically interfaced with said retention pin in such a manner as to allow said retention pin to be withdrawn from a handgun trigger guard when it is positioned in said recess by pushing said sliding actuator along said Y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to said X-axis of said retention pin.

3. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 2 wherein said sliding actuator is wedge-shaped.

4. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 2 further comprising first spring means contacting said retention pin and spring loading said retention pin in the direction for capturing a handgun trigger guard when it is positioned in said recess.

5. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 1 wherein said inner end of said retention pin is beveled toward said top end of said holster.

6. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 2 wherein said sliding actuator has a tapered fork configuration.

7. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 2 further comprising first safety lock means that prevents sliding movement of said sliding actuator until said first safety lock means is disengaged.

8. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 7 wherein said first safety lock means comprises a sliding mechanism that must first be moved before said sliding actuator can be pushed.

9. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 7 further comprising remote means for releasing said first safety lock means.

10. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 7 wherein said first safety lock means further comprises means for identifying the authorized user of said holster.

11. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 1 further comprising an elongated safety strap having a first end and a second end and both of said ends are pivotally secured to opposite lateral side walls of said holster;

said safety strap being pivotal from a first security position which inhibits removal of a handgun from said holster, to a second position substantially free of the handgun thus allowing the handgun to be withdrawn from said handgun.

12. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 11 further comprising means for actuating pivotal motion of said safety strap.

13. A holster for handguns as recited in claim 1 further comprising an elongated safety strap having a first end and a second end and both of said ends having snap fastener means securing them to opposite sides of said holster to inhibit removal of a handgun from said holster.

14. A holster assembly for a handgun as recited in claim 13 further comprising a formed releasing element shaped to release at least one of said snap fastener means using a generally downward motion of the user'"'"'s hand.

15. A holster for a handgun, said holster including components comprising strong, substantially rigid, injection molded inserts of a first synthetic material;

said molded inserts having a top surface, a bottom surface and surrounding side surfaces;

at least part of said surfaces having an injection over-molded layer of a second synthetic material and assembled to form a finished handgun holster;

said over-mold material having a durometer hardness less than the hardness of said durometer hardness of said inserts;

said injection molded inserts constitutes substantially the strength of said components comprising finished handgun holster;

said first synthetic material and said second synthetic material being chemically compatible so that a chemical bond occurs between said injection molded insert and said over-mold layer.

16. A holster assembly for a handgun as recited in claim 15 wherein said first synthetic material and said second synthetic material are both of the same chemical base.

17. A holster assembly for a handgun as recited in claim 15 wherein said first synthetic material includes a reinforcing filler material.

18. A holster assembly for a handgun as recited in claim 17 wherein said first synthetic material further comprises a fiberglass reinforced, thermoplastic material.

19. A holster assembly for a handgun as recited in claim 15 wherein said over-mold layer comprises a thermoplastic elastomeric material with a durometer hardness of Shore D 50 or softer.

20. A holster assembly for a handgun as recited in claim 15 wherein said over-mold layer comprises a thermoplastic elastomer bondable with said injection molded structure insert.

21. A holster assembly for a handgun as recited in claim 15 wherein an appearance enhancing texture is provided in at least selected areas of said over-mold areas.