Hand weapon holstering systems

• US 6,112,962 A
• Filed: 05/27/1997
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SureFire LLC (Surefire Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Laser Products Ltd.
• Inventors: Matthews, John Wallace
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US08/849,566
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 224/192, 224/193, 224/242-245, 224/232, 224/271, 224/272, 224/670, 224/911, 224/912, 224/191, 42/100, 42/103
• US Class Current: 224/243
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0236 Half-holsters covering by encircling only a part of the small arm, e.g. ghost-holsters
• 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

Holstering systems for hand weapons comprise a track structure provided as a holster for such hand weapons. Each hand weapon may be provided with an adapter complementary with the track structure. The holster may be a standard holster for different types of elongate hand weapons that may have adapters interfacing with such standard holster. Such holsters may have an accommodation for accessories. Security holsters prevent accidental and unauthorized removal of weapons from holsters, such as with the aid of detents, sensors of a hand of a wearer, or other detent deactivators.

Claims

1. In a method of holstering an elongate hand weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

making a track structure;

forming said track structure as a holstering device for said elongate hand weapon;

equipping said elongate hand weapon with an adapter complementary with said track structure for holstering said adapter in said track structure while holstering said elongate hand weapon in said holstering device;

making said adapter integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device; and

equipping said holstering device and said adapter with a detent releasably retaining said adapter at said track structure.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein:

an accessory for said hand weapon is mounted on said adapter.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein:

said accessory is a target illumination light for said hand weapon.

4. In a method of holstering an elongate hand weapon in a holstering device having a track structure, the improvement comprising in combination:

equipping said elongate hand weapon with an adapter complementary with said track structure for holstering said adapter in said track structure while holstering said elongate hand weapon in said holstering device;

making said adapter integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device; and

equipping said holstering device and said adapter with a detent releasably retaining said adapter at said track structure.

5. A method as in claim 4, wherein:

said track structure is provided with two tracks in said holstering device; and

said adapter is provided with two slides complementary with said two tracks.

6. A method as in claim 4, wherein:

said track structure and said adapter are shaped as a tongue and groove combination including a tongue structure as one of said track structure and said adapter, and a groove structure as the other of said track structure and said adapter.

7. A method as in claim 4, wherein:

said holstering device is open along one side thereof.

8. A method as in claim 4, including:

releasably retaining said adapter at said track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon pulls said hand weapon from said holstering device.

9. A method as in claim 4, including:

manually deactivating said detent at said holstering device.

10. A method as in claim 4, including:

equipping said detent with a device for sensing a presence of a part of a hand of a wearer of the holstered hand weapon at a predetermined location at said holstering device; and

deactivating said detent in response to said presence of said part of said hand at said predetermined location.

11. A method as in claim 4, wherein:

said detent is deactivated as long as said hand weapon is in said holstering device;

said detent remains deactivated by presence of part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon from said holstering device; and

said detent becomes activated for retaining said hand weapon in said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device in the absence of said part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon.

12. A method as in claim 4, including:

releasably retaining said adapter at said track structure with said detent until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon angularly moves said hand weapon and said track structure.

13. A method as in claim 4, including:

deactivating said detent by angular movement of said elongate hand weapon and said track structure.

14. A method as in claim 4, including:

equipping said detent with a device for sensing a presence of a part of a hand of a wearer of the holstered hand weapon at a predetermined location at said holstering device;

deactivating said detent in response to said presence of said part of said hand at said predetermined location;

making an alternative holstering device;

equipping said alternative holstering device with an alternative track structure complementary with said adapter; and

equipping said alternative holstering device with an alternative detent releasably retaining said adapter at said alternative track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon angularly moves said hand weapon and said alternative track structure.

15. In a method of holstering an elongate hand weapon in a holstering device having a track structure, the improvement comprising:

equipping said elongate hand weapon with an adapter complementary with said track structure for holstering said adapter in said track structure while holstering said elongate hand weapon in said holstering device;

making said adapter integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device;

drawing said hand weapon from said holstering device with a hand having an outstretched finger; and

blocking removal of said hand weapon from said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device without said hand having said outstretched finger.

16. In a method of holstering any one of a number of different types of elongate hand weapons, the improvement comprising in combination:

making a standard holstering device for said different types of elongate hand weapons;

equipping each of said different types of elongate hand weapons with an adapter interfacing with said standard holstering device for said different types of elongate hand weapons;

making each adapter integral with a corresponding elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with that elongate hand weapon from the holstering device when that hand weapon is drawn from the holstering device; and

equipping said standard holstering device and each adapter with a detent releasably retaining each adapter.

17. In a method of holstering an elongate hand weapon;

the improvement comprising in combination;

making a holstering device;

holstering said hand weapon in said holstering device;

equipping said elongate hand weapon and said holstering device with a normally deactivated detent for selectively retaining said hand weapon in said holstering device;

drawing said hand weapon from said holstering device with a hand having an outstretched finger; and

blocking removal of said hand weapon from said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device without said hand having said outstretched finger substantially parallel to said elongate hand weapon by activating said detent only upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device without said hand having said outstretched finger substantially parallel to said elongate hand weapon.

18. A method as in claim 17, including:

equipping said holstering device with a track structure; and

equipping said elongate hand weapon with a slide structure complementary with said track structure for holstering said slide structure in said track structure while holstering said elongate hand weapon in said holstering device; and

making said slide structure integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said slide structure is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device.

19. In a method of holstering an elongate hand weapon in a holstering device having a track structure, the improvement comprising in combination:

equipping said elongate hand weapon with a slide structure complementary with said track structure for holstering said slide structure in said track structure while holstering said elongate hand weapon in said holstering device;

making said slide structure integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said slide structure is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device;

equipping said holstering device and said slide structure with a detent for releasably retaining said slide structure at said track structure against removal of the holstered hand weapon from said holstering device;

said detent being deactivated as long as said hand weapon is in said holstering device;

said detent remaining deactivated by presence of part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon from said holstering device; and

said detent becoming activated for retaining said hand weapon in said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device in the absence of said part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon.

20. A method as in claim 19, including:

drawing said hand weapon from said holstering device with a hand having an outstretched finger; and

blocking removal of said hand weapon from said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device without said hand having said outstretched finger.

21. In a method of holstering an elongate hand weapon in a holstering device having a track structure, said hand weapon having an accessory exteriorily attached to a part of said hand weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

equipping said holstering device with an accommodation for said accessory;

equipping said elongate hand weapon with an adapter complementary with said track structure for holstering said adapter in said track structure while holstering said elongate hand weapon in said holstering device; and

making said adapter integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device.

22. A method as in claim 21, wherein:

said adapter equipped with a mount for said accessory for said hand weapon.

23. A method as in claim 21, including:

equipping said holstering device and said adapter with a detent releasably retaining said adapter at said track structure.

24. A method as in claim 21, wherein:

said accessory for said hand weapon is attached to said adapter by a dovetail structure.

25. In a method of holstering an elongate hand weapon having an adapter for holstering said elongate hand weapon in a holstering device, and having an accessory exteriorily attached to and part of said hand weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

equipping said holstering device with a track structure complementary with said adapter for holstering said adapter in said track structure while holstering said elongate hand weapon in said holstering device;

said adapter being integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device; and

equipping said holstering device with an accommodation for said accessory.

26. A method as in claim 25, wherein:

said track structure and said adapter are shaped as a tongue and groove combination including a tongue structure as one of said track structure and said adapter, and a groove structure as the other of said track structure and said adapter.

27. A method as in claim 25, wherein:

said holstering device is open along one side thereof.

28. In apparatus for holstering an elongate hand weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

a track structure;

a holstering device for said elongate hand weapon including said track structure; and

an adapter for said elongate hand weapon complementary with said track structure and removable with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device, said adapter being integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device; and

a detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon pulls said hand weapon from said holstering device.

29. Apparatus as in claim 28, wherein:

said track structure includes two tracks in said holstering device; and

said adapter is complementary with said two tracks in said holstering device.

30. Apparatus as in claim 28, wherein:

said track structure and said adapter comprise a tongue and groove combination including a tongue structure as one of said track structure and said adapter and a groove structure as the other of said track structure and said adapter.

31. Apparatus as in claim 28, including:

a mount for an accessory for said hand weapon on said adapter.

32. Apparatus as in claim 31, wherein:

said accessory is a target illumination light for said hand weapon.

33. In apparatus for holstering an elongate hand weapon in a holstering device including a track structure, the improvement comprising:

an adapter for said elongate hand weapon complementary with said track structure and removable with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device, said adapter being integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device; and

a detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon pulls said hand weapon from said holstering device.

34. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said track structure includes two tracks in said holstering device; and

said adapter is complementary with said two tracks in said holstering device.

35. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said track structure and said adapter comprise a tongue and groove combination including a tongue structure as one of said track structure and said adapter and a groove structure as the other of said track structure and said adapter.

36. Apparatus as in claim 33, including:

a manually engageable detent deactivator at said holstering device.

37. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said detent includes a device adapted to sense a presence of a part of a hand of a wearer of the holstered hand weapon at a predetermined location at said holstering device and a device adapted to deactivate said detent in response to said presence of said part of said hand at said predetermined location.

38. Apparatus as in claim 33, including:

a first detent deactivator adapted to deactivate said detent as long as said hand weapon is in said holstering device;

a second detent deactivator adapted to deactivate said detent in response to a presence of part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon from said holstering device; and

a detent activator adapted to activate said detent for retaining said hand weapon in said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device in the absence of said part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon.

39. Apparatus as in claim 38 for a hand weapon that is drawn from said holstering device with a hand having an outstretched finger, wherein:

said detent activator includes a device adapted to block removal of said hand weapon from said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device without said hand having said outstretched finger.

40. Apparatus as in claim 33, including:

said detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon angularly moves said hand weapon and said track structure.

41. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said holstering device includes an angularly moveable portion and a relatively stationary portion;

said track structure on said angularly moveable portion; and

said detent on said relatively stationary portion positioned to engage said adapter when said hand weapon is in said holstering device prior to angular movement of said angularly moveable portion relative to said stationary portion.

42. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said holstering device includes an angularly moveable portion and a relatively stationary portion;

said track structure is on said angularly moveable portion;

said detent is on said relatively stationary portion positioned to engage said adapter when said hand weapon is in said holstering device; and

a detent deactivator on said angularly moveable portion of said holstering device;

said detent located in a path of angular movement of said detent deactivator on said angularly moveable portion.

43. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:

said detent includes a device adapted to sense a presence of a part of a hand of a wearer of the holstered hand weapon at a predetermined location at said holstering device and a device adapted to deactivate said detent in response to said presence of said part of said hand at said predetermined location; and

said apparatus includes;

an alternative holstering device;

an alternative track structure in said alternative holstering device complementary with said adapter; and

an alternative detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said alternative track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon angularly moves said hand weapon and said alternative track structure.

44. In apparatus for holstering an elongate hand weapon having an adapter for said elongate hand weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

a track structure complementary with said adapter;

a holstering device for said elongate hand weapon including said track structure;

said adapter removable with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device, said adapter being integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device; and

a detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon pulls said hand weapon from said holstering device.

45. Apparatus as in claim 44, wherein:

said track structure includes two tracks in said holstering device; and

said adapter includes two slides complementary with said two tracks in said holstering device.

46. Apparatus as in claim 44, wherein:

said track structure and said adapter comprise a tongue and groove combination including a tongue structure as one of said track structure and said adapter and a groove structure as the other of said track structure and said adapter.

47. In apparatus for holstering any one of a number of different types of elongate hand weapons, the improvement comprising in combination:

a standard holstering device for said different types of elongate hand weapons;

for each of said different types of elongate hand weapons an adapter interfacing with said standard holstering device for said different types of elongate hand weapons and removable with the elongate hand weapon from said holstering device, each adapter being integral with a corresponding elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that that adapter is removed with that elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when that hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device;

a track structure in said standard holstering device;

each adapter being complementary with said track structure in said standard holstering device; and

a detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon pulls said hand weapon from said holstering device.

48. Apparatus as in claim 47, wherein:

said track structure includes two tracks in said holstering device;

said adapter being complementary with said two tracks in said holstering device.

49. Apparatus as in claim 47, wherein:

said track structure and said adapter comprise a tongue and groove combination including a tongue structure as one of said track structure and said adapter and a groove structure as the other of said track structure and said adapter.

50. Apparatus as in claim 47, including:

a manually engageable detent deactivator at said holstering device.

51. Apparatus as in claim 47, including:

said detent including a device adapted to sense a presence of a part of a hand of a wearer of the holstered hand weapon at a predetermined location at said holstering device and a device adapted to deactivate said detent in response to said presence of said part of said hand at said predetermined location.

52. Apparatus as in claim 47, including:

a first detent deactivator adapted to deactivate said detent as long as said hand weapon is in said holstering device;

a second detent deactivator adapted to deactivate said detent in response to a presence of part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon from said holstering device; and

a detent activator adapted to activate said detent for retaining said hand weapon in said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device in the absence of said part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon.

53. Apparatus as in claim 52 for a hand weapon that is drawn from said holstering device with a hand having an outstretched finger, wherein:

said detent activator includes a device adapted to block removal of said hand weapon from said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device without said hand having said outstretched finger.

54. Apparatus as in claim 47, including:

said detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon angularly moves said hand weapon and said track structure.

55. Apparatus as in claim 47, wherein:

said holstering device includes an angularly moveable portion and a relatively stationary portion;

said track structure on said angularly moveable portion; and

said detent is on said relatively stationary portion positioned to engage said adapter when said hand weapon is in said holstering device prior to angular movement of said angularly moveable portion relative to said stationary portion.

56. Apparatus as in claim 47, wherein:

said holstering device includes an angularly moveable portion and a relatively stationary portion;

said track structure on said angularly moveable portion;

said detent is on said relatively stationary portion positioned to engage said adapter when said hand weapon is in said holstering device; and

a detent deactivator is on said angularly moveable portion of said holstering device;

said detent located in a path of angular movement of said detent deactivator on said angularly moveable portion.

57. Apparatus as in claim 47, including:

said detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure against removal of the holstered hand weapon from said holstering device;

said detent including a device adapted to sense a presence of a part of a hand of a wearer of the holstered hand weapon at a predetermined location at said holstering device and a device adapted to deactivate said detent in response to said presence of said part of said hand at said predetermined location;

an alternative holstering device;

an alternative track structure in said alternative holstering device complementary with said adapter; and

an alternative detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said alternative track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon angularly moves said hand weapon and said alternative track structure.

58. In apparatus for holstering an elongate hand weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

a holstering device for said hand weapon;

a normally deactivated detent adapted to block removal of said hand weapon from said holstering device by selectively retaining said hand weapon in said holstering device; and

a detent activator adapted to activate said detent only upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device without a hand having a finger outstretched substantially parallel to said elongate hand weapon.

59. In apparatus for holstering an elongate hand weapon, the improvement comprising in combination:

a holstering device for said hand weapon;

a track structure in said holstering device for said elongate hand weapon;

an adapter for said elongate hand weapon complementary with said track structure and removable with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device, said adapter being integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device; and

a detent adapted to block removal of said hand weapon from said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device without a hand having a finger outstretched substantially parallel to said elongate hand weapon.

60. Apparatus as in claim 59, wherein:

said track structure includes two tracks in said holstering device; and

said adapter is complementary with said two tracks in said holstering device.

61. Apparatus as in claim 59, wherein:

said track structure and said adapter comprise a tongue and groove combination including a tongue structure as one of said track structure and said adapter and a groove structure as the other of said track structure and said adapter.

62. In apparatus for holstering an elongate hand weapon in a holstering device including a track structure, the improvement comprising in combination:

a slide structure for said elongate hand weapon complementary with said track structure and removable with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device, said slide structure being integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said slide structure is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device;

a detent adapted to releasably retain said slide structure at said track structure against removal of the holstered hand weapon from said holstering device;

a first detent deactivator adapted to deactivate said detent as long as said hand weapon is in said holstering device;

a second detent deactivator adapted to deactivate said detent in response to a presence of part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon from said holstering device; and

a detent activator adapted to activate said detent for retaining said hand weapon in said holstering device upon attempts to remove said hand weapon from said holstering device in the absence of said part of a hand of a wearer drawing said hand weapon.

63. In apparatus for holstering an elongate hand weapon in a holstering device including a track structure, the improvement comprising in combination:

a slide structure for said elongate hand weapon complementary with said track structure and removable with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device, said slide structure being integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said slide structure is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device;

said holstering device including an angularly moveable portion and a relatively stationary portion;

said track structure being on said angularly moveable portion; and

a detent on said relatively stationary portion positioned to engage said slide structure when said hand weapon is in said holstering device prior to angular movement of said angularly moveable portion relative to said stationary portion.

64. Apparatus as in claim 63, including:

a detent deactivator on said angularly moveable portion of said holstering device;

said detent located in a path of angular movement of said detent deactivator on said angularly moveable portion.

65. In apparatus for holstering an elongate hand weapon in a holstering device including a track structure, said hand weapon having an exterior accessory, the improvement comprising:

an adapter for said elongate hand weapon complementary with said track structure and removable with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device, said adapter being integral with said elongate hand weapon as distinguished from said holstering device, so that said adapter is removed with said elongate hand weapon from said holstering device when said hand weapon is drawn from said holstering device;

said holstering device including an accommodation for said accessory.

66. Apparatus as in claim 65, wherein:

said holstering device is open along one side thereof.

67. Apparatus as in claim 65, wherein:

said adapter has a mount for said accessory for said hand weapon.

68. Apparatus as in claim 65, including:

a detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure.

69. Apparatus as in claim 65,

a detent adapted to releasably retain said adapter at said track structure until a wearer of the holstered hand weapon pulls said hand weapon from said holstering device.

70. Apparatus as in claim 65, including:

a dovetail structure between said accessory and said adapter.