Security holster for pistols with attached utility device

• US 20050279790A1
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tactical Design Labs Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tactical Design Labs Inc.
• Inventors: Lowe, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,644,845 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/244
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0209 Pouch or pocket like containers for small arms covering all or most of the small arm
• 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 33/0254 with accommodation for auxiliary devices mounted on the small arm, e.g. telescopic sights, flashlights or laser-devices
• 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: Y10S 224/912 Handgun holder formed of metal or other rigid material

Abstract

A security holster for handguns with capability for use with a handgun with attached flashlight or laser sighting device.

Claims

1. A security holster for use with a handgun having an attached utility device, said handgun having an ejection port, slide, barrel, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body which includes inner and outer spaced substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity, with an open top portion for receiving said handgun therein and for removing said handgun therefrom, said inner cavity configured to received said handgun with said attached utility device;

a locking tab movably attached to said holster body, said locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun into said holster body, to engage a feature of said handgun until released, thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, configured to release said locking tab from said hand gun feature by moving said locking tab in relation to said holster, with said release tab operationally connected to said locking tab, so that when said release tab is activated it causes said locking tab to be disengaged from said handgun feature by moving said locking tab away from said handgun feature; and

a stabilizing device mounted in said holster for sliding engagement with said trigger guard, said stabilizing device operatively connected to said holster body and configured to prevent rotation of said handgun within said holster body, and configured to admit said utility device attached to said handgun;

wherein

said security holster is configured to allow one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab configured to admit said handgun with utility device into said holster during insertion and wherein said locking tab moves into engagement with a feature of said handgun to retain said handgun within said holster until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by activation of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and moving said locking tab from engagement with said handgun feature.

2. The security holster of claim 1 in which said holster is configured to admit a handgun with an attached utility device mounted below the handgun barrel.

3. The security holster of claim 2 in which said holster is configured to admit a handgun with an attached utility device comprising a flashlight, mounted below the handgun barrel.

4. The security holster of claim 2 in which said holster is configured to admit a handgun with an attached utility device comprising a laser sighting device, mounted below the handgun barrel.

7. The security holster of claim 1 wherein said locking tab is configured to move through a passage in said holster body to engage an ejection port of said handgun.

12. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is an elongate tray, semicircular in cross section, a shape which conforms to a user'"'"'s finger.

13. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is configured for sliding engagement with a user'"'"'s finger during release of said handgun, so that said release tab may be depressed while said user'"'"'s finger is being withdrawn from said holster body, along with said handgun.

15. The security holster of claim 1 wherein said stabilizing device comprises a selectively moveable block configured to be depressed by a portion of said handgun while said handgun is being inserted within said holster and to rise to engage a portion of said handgun when said handgun is positioned within said holster.

16. The security holster of claim 15 wherein said selectively moveable block defines a groove configured to engage a feature of said handgun therein, said groove configured to engage said feature of said handgun so as to prevent rotational movement of said handgun within said holster.

17. The security holster of claim 16 wherein said groove is configured to engage a portion of said trigger guard to prevent rotation of said handgun within said holster.

19. The security holster of claim 7 wherein said block is configured to be selectively compressible and extendible so as to allow an attached flashlight to pass over said block and for said block to extend into a position wherein said groove portion of said block engages a feature of said handgun in a way that prevents rotation of said handgun within said holster.

20. The security holster of claim 1 wherein said release tab is activated by flexion of said user'"'"'s index finger, for one finger and one motion release of said handgun from said holster body.

21. The security holster of claim 1 wherein said locking tab operates with at least one rebounding device, so that when a handgun is pressed into said security holster with a required degree of insertion force, said locking tab is activated to secure said handgun, and said rebounding device urges said handgun toward said the entry end of said holster body against said locking tab.

22. The security holster of claim 21 in which said rebounding device comprises one or more springs attached to said holster body, which press against said handgun when said handgun is pressed into said security holster body.

24. The security holster of claim 1 in which said releasing tab is configured to interact with at least one rebounding means, so that a minimum degree of insertion force is required before said releasing means can be activated and said handgun ejection port is released from said locking tab.

25. The security holster of claim 1 which further comprises an enclosed finger tube enclosing said release tab, in which a user must insert a finger or thumb in order to activate said release tab to release said locking tab from said handgun feature.

30. The security holster of claim 3 in which said releasing tab is configured to interact with a rebounding means, so that a minimum degree of insertion force is required before said releasing means can be activated and said handgun ejection port is released from said locking tab.

5. A security holster for use with a handgun having an attached utility device in the form of a flashlight, said handgun having an ejection port, slide, barrel, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, with said flashlight attached to said handgun at a point below the barrel, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body which includes inner and outer spaced substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity, with an open top portion for receiving said handgun therein and for removing said handgun therefrom, said inner cavity configured to receive said handgun with said attached flashlight;

a locking tab movably attached to said holster body, said locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun into said holster body, to engage a feature of said handgun until released, thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, configured to release said locking tab from said hand gun feature by moving said locking tab in relation to said holster, with said release tab operationally connected to said locking tab, so that when said release tab is activated it causes said locking tab to be disengaged from said handgun feature by moving said locking tab away from said handgun feature; and

a stabilizing device mounted in said holster for sliding engagement with said trigger guard, said stabilizing device operatively connected to said holster body and configured to prevent rotation of said handgun within said holster body, and configured to admit said flashlight attached to said handgun;

wherein

said security holster is configured to allow one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab configured to admit said handgun with flashlight attachment into said holster during insertion and wherein said locking tab moves into engagement with a feature of said handgun to retain said handgun within said holster until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by activation of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and moving said locking tab from engagement with said handgun feature.

6. A security holster for use with a handgun having an attached utility device in the form of a laser sight, said handgun having an ejection port, slide, barrel, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, with said laser sight attached to said handgun at a point below the barrel, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body which includes inner and outer spaced substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity, with an open top portion for receiving said handgun therein and for removing said handgun therefrom, said inner cavity configured to received said handgun with said attached laser sight;

a locking tab movably attached to said holster body, said locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun into said holster body, to engage a feature of said handgun until released, thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, configured to release said locking tab from said hand gun feature by moving said locking tab in relation to said holster, with said release tab operationally connected to said locking tab, so that when said release tab is activated it causes said locking tab to be disengaged from said handgun feature by moving said locking tab away from said handgun feature; and

a stabilizing device mounted in said holster for sliding engagement with said trigger guard, said stabilizing device operatively connected to said holster body and configured to prevent rotation of said handgun within said holster body, and configured to admit said laser sight attached to said handgun;

wherein said security holster is configured to allow one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab configured to admit said handgun with laser sight attachment into said holster during insertion and wherein said locking tab moves into engagement with a feature of said handgun to retain said handgun within said holster until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by activation of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and moving said locking tab from engagement with said handgun feature.

8. A security holster for use with a handgun having a utility device attached thereto, said handgun having an ejection port, slide, barrel, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body which includes inner and outer spaced substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity, with an open top portion for receiving said handgun therein and for removing said handgun therefrom, said inner cavity configured to received said handgun with said utility device attached to said handgun below said barrel, and further including a passage defined in said holster body;

a locking tab movably attached to said holster body, said locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun into said holster body, to move into locking engagement with said ejection port of said handgun through said passage in said holster body;

thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, operatively connected to said locking tab, and configured to release said locking tab from said ejection port by moving said locking tab out of said ejection port; and

a stabilizing assembly operatively connected to said holster body and configured to prevent rotation of said handgun within said holster body by sliding engagement with said trigger guard, and configured to admit said handgun with attached utility device;

said security holster configured to allow one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab configured to admit said handgun with utility device into said holster during insertion and wherein said locking tab moves into engagement with said ejection port of said handgun to retain said handgun within said holster until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by activation of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and moving said locking tab from engagement with said handgun feature.

9. The security holster of claim 8 wherein said release tab is located in a position adjacent said trigger of said handgun when said handgun is inserted and secured in said holster body, and wherein said trigger guard is at least partially covered by said release tab, thus preventing depressing of said trigger during handgun withdrawal.

10. The security holster of claim 8 which further including an audible indication of locking, so that a user does not have to look at said holster to verify that said handgun is secured in said holster body.

11. The security holster of claim 10 in which said audible indication of locking is caused by movement of said locking tab when said locking tab is snapped into a desired position by a spring, thus providing an audible indication of locking.

14. A security holster for use with a handgun having a utility device attached thereto, said handgun having an ejection port, slide, barrel, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body which includes inner and outer spaced substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity, with an open top portion for receiving said handgun therein and for removing said handgun therefrom, said inner cavity configured to receive said handgun with said utility device attached to said handgun below said barrel, and further including a passage defined in said holster body;

a locking tab movably attached to said holster body, said locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun into said holster body, to move into locking engagement with said ejection port of said handgun through said passage in said holster body;

thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

an elongate release tab, semicircular in cross section for conformation o a user'"'"'s finger or thumb and configured for sliding engagement with a users finger or thumb, so that said release tab may be depressed while said users finger is being withdrawn from said holster body, along with said handgun, with said release tab operatively connected to said locking tab and configured to release said locking tab from said ejection port by moving said locking tab out of said ejection port; and

a stabilizing assembly operatively connected to said holster body and configured to prevent rotation of said handgun within said holster body by sliding engagement with said trigger guard, and configured to admit said handgun with utility device;

said security holster configured to allow insertion of said handgun into said security holster with an attached utility device, wherein said locking tab moves into engagement with said ejection port of said handgun to retain said handgun within said holster until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by activation of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and moving said locking tab from engagement with said handgun feature.

18. A security holster for use with a handgun having a utility device attached thereto, said handgun having an ejection port, slide, barrel, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body which includes inner and outer spaced substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity, with an open top portion for receiving said handgun therein and for removing said handgun therefrom, said inner cavity configured to receive said handgun with said utility device attached to said handgun below said barrel, and further including a passage defined in said holster body;

a locking tab movably attached to said holster body, said locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun into said holster body, to move into locking engagement with said ejection port of said handgun through said passage in said holster body;

thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, operatively connected to said locking tab, and configured to release said locking tab from said ejection port by moving said locking tab out of said ejection port; and

a stabilizing assembly operatively connected to said holster body and configured to prevent rotation of said handgun within said holster body by sliding engagement with said trigger guard, and configured to admit said handgun with utility device, said stabilizing device comprising a selectively moveable block configured to be depressed by a portion of said handgun while said handgun is being inserted within said holster and rise to engage a portion of said handgun when said handgun is positioned within said holster, with said selectively moveable block defining a groove configured to engage a side of said trigger guard to prevent rotational movement of said handgun within said holster;

said security holster configured to allow one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab configured to admit said handgun with utility device into said holster during insertion and wherein said locking tab moves into engagement with said ejection port of said handgun to retain said handgun within said holster until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by activation of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and moving said locking tab from engagement with said handgun feature.

23. A security holster for use with a handgun having a utility device attached thereto, said handgun having an ejection port, slide, barrel, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body which includes inner and outer spaced substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity, with an open top portion for receiving said handgun therein and for removing said handgun therefrom, said inner cavity configured to received said handgun with said utility device attached to said handgun below said barrel, and further including a passage defined in said holster body, with the end of the holster that houses the barrel of the handgun being the front of the holster, and the end of the holster that houses the handle of the handgun being the rear of the holster;

a locking tab assembly movably attached to said holster body, said locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun into said holster body, to move into locking engagement with said ejection port of said handgun through said passage in said holster body;

thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab, the locking tab assembly including a generally u shaped rod with a right side, a left side, and a joining piece, with said right side positioned parallel to the right side of the holster, the left side position parallel to the left side of the holster, and the joining piece joining the left side and right sides at the front end of the holster, with one or more springs which urge the u shaped rod toward the rear of the holster, and with a locking tab attached to the u shaped rod;

a releasing tab operatively connected to said locking tab and rotatably mounted to said u shaped rod, and located adjacent to said trigger of said handgun, for releasing said locking tab by flexure of a user'"'"'s finger or thumb, said releasing tab being elongate and configured for sliding engagement with an index finger or thumb of a user as a user reaches for, releases, and removes said handgun from said holster, with said elongate release tab operationally connected to said locking tab, and with said elongate release tab activated by flexure of a finger or thumb of said user, which disengages said locking tab from said handgun feature when said release tab is depressed;

a stabilizing assembly operatively connected to said holster body and configured to prevent rotation of said handgun within said holster body by sliding engagement with said trigger guard, and configured to admit said handgun with utility device, said stabilizing device comprising a selectively moveable block configured to be depressed by a portion of said handgun while said handgun is being inserted within said holster and rise to engage a portion of said handgun when said handgun is positioned within said holster, with said selectively moveable block defining a groove configured to engage a side of said trigger guard to prevent rotational movement of said handgun within said holster;

said security holster configured to allow one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab configured to admit said handgun with utility device into said holster during insertion and wherein said locking tab moves into engagement with said ejection port of said handgun to retain said handgun within said holster until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by activation of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and moving said locking tab from engagement with said handgun feature.

26. The security holster of claim 23 in which said release tab is located in a position to be adjacent to and cover said trigger of said handgun when said handgun is inserted and secured in said holster body, thus preventing depressing of said trigger during handgun withdrawal.

27. The security holster of claim 23 in which said release tab is activated by flexion of said user'"'"'s index finger, for one finger and one motion release of said handgun from said holster body.

28. The security holster of claim 23 in which said locking tab operates with at least one rebounding device, so that when a handgun is pressed into said security holster with a required degree of insertion force, said locking tab is activated to secure said handgun, and said rebounding device urges said handgun toward said the entry end of said holster body against said locking tab.

29. The security holster of claim 23 in which said rebounding device comprises one or more springs attached to said holster body, which press against said handgun when said handgun is pressed into said security holster body.

31. The security holster of claim 23 wherein said finger tube further includes a flared rim for facilitating insertion of said user'"'"'s index finger into said finger tube.