Handgun locking device and holster

• US 20060157520A1
• Filed: 01/20/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safariland LLC
• Original Assignee: Safariland LLC
• Inventors: Clifton, Norman E. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,694,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/243
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/00 Safety arrangements, e.g. safeties
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0227 having a strap or other restraining element only covering the hammer or a part of the upper part 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 33/0263 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 33/04 Special attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/911 Handgun holder formed of leather, fabric, or other flexible material

Abstract

Handgun locking apparatus for securing a handgun in a holster includes a lever member including a body having a forward and rear end portion mounted to the holster and a spring element projecting forwardly and outwardly from the front end portion of the body for contacting an interior surface of a holster for biasing the body against a handgun. A locking flange on the forward end contacts a handgun to positively engage a portion of a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a holstered handgun. An operating arm extends rearwardly from the rear end portion of the body for moving the body away to move the locking flange away from a handgun. A positioning member is affixed inside a holster for engaging a handgun inserted in a holster to position a portion of a handgun in contact with the locking flange. A tension device is mounted to the inside of the holster for positioning the gun properly with respect to the locking apparatus.

Claims

1. Handgun locking apparatus for securing a holsterable handgun in a holster having a body and an interior cavity comprising a lever member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, means for movably mounting said lever member to a holster, said lever member having a locking member for positively engaging a portion of a handgun for locking a handgun in holstered position inside a holster to inhibit the withdrawal of a handgun from a holster, said rearward portion of said lever member being movable by a user to pivot said locking member away from a handgun for allowing a handgun to be withdrawn from a holster, and a tension member in a holster for positioning a handgun inserted into a holster into contact with said locking member.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever member includes a forward spring member for contacting the body of a holster for biasing said forward portion of said lever member towards a holstered handgun to locate said locking member into positive engagement with a handgun holstered in a holster.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a molded cavity in the body of a holster, said cavity having an interior surface spaced away from said forward portion of said lever member to allow for movement of said forward portion of said lever member away from a holstered handgun a sufficient distance to allow for withdrawal of a handgun from a holster.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for movably mounting includes a pair of spaced posts affixed to said lever member for pivotally mounting said lever member to and inside a holster.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rearward portion of said lever member includes an operating arm for operating said lever member to move said locking member away from a handgun for allowing withdrawal of a handgun carried in a holster.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said operating lever arm includes an upper portion extending upwardly and outside an interior cavity of a holster having a thumb pad for engagement of said operating lever arm by a user for operating said lever member.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever member includes a passageway therethrough for a fastener for affixing said lever member to a holster.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one locking member is sized to fit against an edge of an ejection port of a handgun.

9. Handgun locking apparatus for securing a holsterable handgun in a holster having a body and an interior cavity comprising a lever member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, said forward portion of said lever member having an outer surface and an inner surface including at least one locking member for positively engaging a portion of a handgun to lock a handgun in a holster to inhibit the withdrawal of a handgun from a holster, means for pivotally mounting said lever member in the cavity, said rearward portion of said lever member being movable by a user to pivot said locking member away from a handgun for allowing a handgun to be withdrawn from a holster and a tension member in a holster for positioning a handgun into contact with said locking member.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said lever member includes a forward spring member extending outwardly from said forward portion of said lever member for contacting the body of a holster for forcing said forward portion of said lever member to a position to locate said locking member into contact with a handgun holstered in a holster.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for pivotally mounting includes a pair of spaced posts affixed to said lever member for pivotally mounting said lever member to a holster.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said rearward portion of said lever member includes an operating arm for pivoting said lever member to move said locking member away from a handgun for allowing withdrawal of a handgun carried in a holster.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said rearward portion of said lever member includes a flange for affixing said lever member to a holster, said flange having a passageway therethrough for a fastener for affixing said lever member to a holster.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said at least one locking member is sized to fit against an edge of an ejection port of a handgun.

15. In a handgun holster for securing a holsterable handgun comprising a holster for carrying a handgun, said holster including a pair of side walls each having forward and rearward edge portions, said side walls joined along respective said forward and rear edge portions to define an interior cavity having a front and rear wall portion a lever member including a body having a forward and rear portion, a spring element projecting forwardly and outwardly from said front portion of said body for contacting said front wall portion for biasing said body against a handgun carried in said holster, means for movably mounting said body to said holster, said body including a locking flange for positively engaging a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun, an operating arm extending rearwardly from said rear portion of said body for moving said body away from a handgun to move said locking flange away from a handgun when said operating arm is moved from a first position, a positioning member affixed to said rear wall portion of said cavity for engaging a handgun inserted in said holster to position a portion of a handgun in said holster cavity.

16. In the holster as defined in claim 15 wherein said body of said lever member is arcuate in shape, having an outer surface positioned away from said forward wall portion of said cavity and an inner surface formed to provide said locking flange.

17. In the holster as defined in claim 16 wherein said locking flange includes a projecting boss sized to fit with a portion of an ejection port of a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun.

18. In the holster as defined in claim 16 wherein said locking flange includes a projecting boss, said boss being positionable against a forward edge of an ejection port of a handgun.

19. In the holster as defined in claim 15 wherein said body of said lever member includes at least one sloping surface for guiding the movement of a handgun being inserted into said interior cavity of said holster.

20. In the holster as defined in claim 15 wherein said at least one sloping surface includes an extension arm extending forwardly of said forward portion of said body and a blocking member integral with said extension arm positionable closely adjacent a portion of a handgun for inhibiting withdrawal of a handgun from said holster.

21. Handgun locking apparatus for securing a handgun in a holster comprising a lever member including a body having a forward and rear end portion, a spring element projecting forwardly and outwardly from said front end portion of said body for contacting an interior surface of a holster for biasing said body against a handgun carried in a holster, means for movably mounting said body to a holster, said body including a locking flange for contacting a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a holstered handgun, an operating arm extending rearwardly from said rear end portion of said body for moving said body away from a handgun to move said locking flange away from a handgun when said operating is moved from a first position where said locking flange is in contact with a handgun to a second position, a positioning member affixed inside a holster for engaging a handgun inserted in a holster to position a portion of a handgun in contact with said locking flange.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 further including a handgun positioning device having a body, said body including a movable arm member having a handgun contacting surface and a camming surface, said body further including a holster engaging surface, a movable member carried by said body and in contact with said camming surface for moving said arm member to position said handgun contacting surface against a handgun for forcing a handgun into a first position, and means to rigidly mount said device inside a handgun holster.

23. In a handgun holster comprising a handgun positioning device having a body, said body including a movable arm member having a handgun-contacting surface and a camming surface, said body further including a holster-engaging surface, a movable member carried by said body and in contact with said camming surface for moving said arm member to position said handgun-contacting surface against a handgun for forcing a handgun into fully seated position within a holster, and means to rigidly mount said device to a handgun holster.

24. In the holster as defined in claim 23 wherein said body further includes a trigger guard-contacting surface for limiting downward travel of a handgun in a holster.

25. In the holster as defined in claim 23 wherein said movable member includes a threaded rod mounted in said body, said threaded rod having a first end portion in contact with said camming surface and a second end portion adapted for rotation of said threaded rod by a user for moving said handgun-contacting surface.