Holster with improved belt loop lock and broadly adjustable thumb break strap

• US 5,632,426 A
• Filed: 01/18/1995
• Issued: 05/27/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Safariland LLC
• Original Assignee: Bianchi Intl (Safariland LLC)
• Inventors: Beletsky, Robert J., Lefeber, Anthony G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eloshway, Charles R.
• Application Number:
  US08/374,928
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 224/192, 224/193, 224/243, 224/911, 224/912, 224/232, 224/234, 224/242, 224/253, 224/904, 224/198, 224/191, 224/226, 224/238
• US Class Current: 224/243
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• 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 33/041 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 is disclosed employing a formed composite of fabric-foam and fabric in which the outer face is formed to match the contour of a hand gun to carried in the holster while the inner face is generally flat. A belt loop assembly is secured to the inner face including a generally "Y" shape with an opening between the arms of the "Y". Hook or pile fastener fabric is located within the belt loop assembly. A thumb break or strap includes an end which extends through the opening into the belt loop and is held in place by contact with the hook and pile fastener. The thumb break is angularly adjustable within the belt loop and securable at various angles by the hook and pile fastener. The belt loop assembly, most importantly defines a belt loop and the thumb break and the hook and pile fastener cooperate to restrict the size of the belt loop and provide restriction against unwanted movement of the holster on a belt.

Claims

1. A holster comprising a body including an outer face formed to conform to an outline of at least a portion of a barrel and body of a handgun to be carried in the holster and an inner face which includes a substantially flat belt loop area;

a belt loop assembly secured to said inner face in said substantially flat area for receiving a belt upon which the holster is to be worn;

said belt loop assembly comprising a pair of arms having a generally "Y" shape, said arms being connected to a base portion which is secured to the holster, said base portion and said pair of arms forming an opening therebetween;

a first strap member extending from the outer face of said body;

a second strap member removably secured to the inner face of said holster;

said second strap extending through the opening formed by said arms and said base portion and positioned to be angularly adjustable within said belt loop assembly and restrained from movement by contact with a belt within said belt loop.

2. A holster in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second strap and said base portion include mating hook and pile fabric fasteners thereon, the fastener on said base portion extending beneath the belt loop assembly in a region of the opening between said arms and said base portion.

3. A holster in accordance with claim 1 wherein said belt loop assembly includes an upstanding portion defining the belt loop.

4. A holster in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second strap and said base portion include mating hook and pile fabric fasteners thereon, the fastener on said base portion extending beneath the belt loop assembly in a region of the opening between said arms and said base portion, said belt loop enclosing a portion of said fastener on said base portion and a portion of said second strap.

5. A holster in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second strap and said base portion include mating hook and pile fabric fasteners thereon, the fastener on said base portion extending beneath the belt loop assembly in a region of the opening between said arms and said base portion, said second strap being angularly adjustable within said opening while remaining in contact with the fastener on said base portion.

6. A holster in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first strap is formed integrally with said body.

7. A holster in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second strap is generally "S" shaped with one end region thereof extending into said opening and the opposite end region including fastening means for engagement with said first strap.

8. A holster in accordance with claim 3 wherein said upstanding portion defines the arms and base of the generally "Y" shaped belt loop assembly.