Holster with improved belt loop lock

• US 4,101,060 A
• Filed: 04/26/1976
• Issued: 07/18/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John E. Bianchi, Richard D.E. Nichols
• Original Assignee: John E. Bianchi, Richard D.E. Nichols
• Inventors: Bianchi, John E., Nichols, Richard D. E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoffman, Drayton E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Underwood, Donald W.
• Application Number:
  US05/680,215
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 224/2 B, 224/2 C, 224/2 R, 224/5 R, 224/5 A, 224/5 H, 224/5 E, 224/26 R, 224/26 B, 224/3, 24/3 R, 24/182, 24/183, 24/163 R
• US Class Current: 224/674
• 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: Y10S 224/911 Handgun holder formed of leather, fabric, or other flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1388 Open-ended holster type holder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/40 Buckles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4047 Strap loops and attaching devices

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 holster including a body portion defining a handgun cavity and a belt loop portion secured thereto and defining a belt loop for receiving a belt;

said belt loop portion defining an elongated opening having a height approximating the width of the belt on which it is to be worn and a width approximating the thickness of the belt;

said belt loop portion comprising a bight of leather having an open end;

a body of expansible-compressible material positioned at the edge of the elongated opening and closing the open end of said bight and securing the end portions of said bight together;

means for selectively expanding said body of expansible-compressible material into engagement with the edge of a belt passing through said opening by variable compression of said body of expansible-compressible material in a direction parallel to the width of said elongated opening and variable expansion of said last body toward the edge of said belt to prevent relative movement of said belt loop assembly and belt.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said selectively expanding means and said body of expansible-compressible material are dimensioned to cooperate with said belt and belt loop portion by exerting edge pressure on said belt to elongate the belt loop portion to draw the side walls of said belt loop assembly together and bring the inner surfaces of said belt loop portion into contact with the outer and inner faces of said belt to secure the belt to said belt loop assembly.

3. A holster including a body portion defining a handgun cavity and a belt loop portion secured thereto and defining a belt loop for receiving a belt;

said belt loop portion defining an elongated opening having a height approximating the width of the belt on which it is to be worn and a width approximating the thickness of the belt;

a body of expansible material positioned at the edge of the elongated opening and;

means for selectively expanding said body into engagement with the edge of a belt passing through said opening to prevent relative movement of said belt loop assembly and belt;

wherein said body of expansible material comprises a flexible washer and said expanding means comprises a screw and nut for axially compressing said washer to expand it radially into contact with said belt.