Spring assembly for front opening holster

• US 4,065,039 A
• Filed: 04/23/1976
• Issued: 12/27/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bianchi Leather Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bianchi Leather Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Bianchi, John E., Nichols, Richard D. E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Underwood, Donald W.
• Application Number:
  US05/679,771
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 224/2 B, 224/2 R, 224/2 C, 267/158, 267/160, 24/261 R, 24/261 F, 24/261 D, 24/261 G, 24/261 C, 24/261 LT, 24/261 WC, 403/396, 403/397, 403/361, 403/345
• US Class Current: 224/193
• 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

Abstract

An improved front opening holster including depending enclosed spring members extending along the edges of the front opening. The spring members have free ends and are operatively secured together by a retainer in the completed holster but relatively movable during manufacture to facilitate production.

The body includes an elongated stiffening member providing attachment point for a belt loop and defines a cylinder cup shape as well.

The belt loop includes a stiffening member and a distortable spacer and tightening means to expand and contract the spacer to selectively engage or release the belt to afford both free movement and fixed engagement with the wearer'"'"'s belt.

The hammer of a handgun positioned in the holster is covered by an overlying strap. A thumb strap with a selective direction release fastener engages the overlying strap in a recess between the handgun and the belt loop.

A novel method for producing a spring closed holster, particularly the spring assembly, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A spring assembly for biasing handgun front opening holster sides together comprising;

first and second springs, each including an elongated, generally straight outer end portion, and an intermediate bight portion generally in one plane and an inner end;

the inner ends of said first and second springs defining a plane generally normal to the plane of said respective outer end portion and intermediate bight portions;

means securing said inner ends together whereby said outer end portions constitute a pair of parallel free ends which define a gap therebetween and cooperate to provide spring resistance to opening of the gap therebetween; and

wherein said inner ends each include a reentrant portion of different nestable size.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a unitary rigid metal member engaging said reentrant portions.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said securing means comprises a tube encircling said reentrant portions.