Gun holster

• US 6,886,725 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. (Point Blank Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Iron Sheath, LLC
• Inventors: Senn, Anthony J., Lowe, Michael V.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/816,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20020134803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 224/243, 224/244, 224/265, 224/242, 224911-913, 224/192, 224/193, 224/198, 224/245, 42/700.1, 42 7006- 7008, 42/701.1, 211/64
• US Class Current: 224/243
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0209 Pouch or pocket like containers for small arms covering all or most of the small arm
• 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 224/911 Handgun holder formed of leather, fabric, or other flexible material

Abstract

A security holster for use with a handgun. A locking device secures engages a feature of the handgun, and retains it in the holster until released by the user. The security holster provides for one handed insertion and withdrawal of a handgun, and prevents unauthorized removal of the handgun. An audible indication of insertion and locking is provided by the locking mechanism.

Claims

1. A security holster for use with a handgun, the handgun having a trigger guard and trigger, an ejection port, slide, and handle, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body that includes spaced apart inner and outer substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity and an open top portion for receiving a handgun therein, and for removing a handgun there from, said holster having a long axis parallel with said barrel of said handgun when secured in said holster body;

a locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun, to engage a feature of said handgun, thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, for releasing said locking tab which is operationally connected to said locking tab, which is positioned generally adjacent to said trigger guard of said handgun when fully inserted in said holster body, which when activated disengages said locking tab from handgun feature;

a finger tube with an axis generally parallel to said long axis of said holster body, enclosing said release tab, in which a user may insert a finger in order to activate said release tab to release said locking tab from said handgun feature;

wherein

said security holster provides for one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab which admits said handgun during insertion, and which engages said handgun feature for retention of said handgun until said locking tab is disengaged by depression of said release tab.

2. The holster of claim 1 wherein said locking tab is attached to a biased plate attached to said holster, which causes said locking tab to be selectively movable between a first locking position, and a second, releasing position, said first position for retention of said handgun by engagement with a handgun feature, and said second position for release of a handgun by allowing disengagement of said locking tab from said handgun feature.

3. The holster of claim 1 in which said locking tab is configured to engage an ejection port of a semi-automatic handgun.

6. The security holster of claim 1 in which said locking tab operates with at least one rebounding device, so that when a handgun is pressed into said security holster with a required degree of insertion force, said locking tab is activated to secure said handgun, and said rebounding device urges said handgun toward said the entry end of said holster body against said locking tab.

7. The security holster of claim 6 in which said rebounding device comprises one or more springs attached to said holster body, which press against said handgun when said handgun is pressed into said security holster body.

18. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is located in a position to be adjacent to and cover said trigger of said handgun when said handgun is inserted and secured in said holster body, thus preventing depressing of said trigger during handgun withdrawal.

19. The security holster of claim 1 which further includes an audible indication of locking, so that a user does not have to look at said holster to verify that said handgun is secured in said holster body.

20. The security holster of claim 19 in which said audible indication of locking is said locking tab, which is configured to snap into place in said handgun feature with a spring, thus providing an audible indication of locking.

21. The security holster of claim 18 in which said release tab is an elongate tray, semicircular in cross section, providing a curved shape which conforms to a user'"'"'s finger.

22. The security holster of claim 18 in which said release tab is configured for sliding engagement with a users finger during release of said handgun, so that said release tab may be depressed while said users finger is being withdrawn from said holster body and moving across said release tab, while said handgun is being removed.

23. The security holster of claim 1, in which said release tab is activated by flexion of said user'"'"'s index finger, for one finger release and straight out withdrawal of said handgun from said holster body.

24. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is configured to interact with a rebounding means, so that a minimum degree of insertion force is required before said release tab can be activated and said handgun ejection port is released from said locking tab.

25. The security holster of claim 1 wherein said finger tube further includes a flared rim for facilitating insertion of said users index finger into said finger tube.

41. The security holster of claim 1 in which said locking tab is configured to engage said handgun feature with an audible sound upon engagement of said locking tab with said handgun feature.

42. The security holster of claim 1 in which said holster body and finger tube are constructed of a rigid material.

43. The security holster of claim 1 which further includes one or more security locks which immobilize said release tab.

44. The security holster of claim 1 in which said release tab is configured for sliding engagement with a users finger during release of said handgun, so that said release tab may be depressed while said users finger is being withdrawn from said holster body and moving across said release tab, while said handgun is being removed.

4. A security holster for use with a handgun, said handgun having a handgun body, a barrel, a trigger guard, a trigger, and a long axis parallel with said barrel, said holster comprising:

a holster body for sliding engagement with said handgun, with a finger tube formed in said holster body alongside said handgun when said handgun is holstered, said finger tube being oriented generally parallel to said long axis of said handgun when said handgun is in said holster, and said finger tube terminating adjacent to said trigger guard of said handgun, when said handgun is holstered in said holster body, and said holster body having a locking tab passage for admitting a locking tab through said holster body and into an enclosed handgun;

a spring plate assembly, which comprises;

a fixed plate mounted on said holster body;

a first arm which includes the locking tab which is configured to extend through said locking tab passage of said holster body and admit said handgun during insertion of said handgun, and engage a feature of said handgun when said handgun is fully inserted, and to retain said handgun unless said locking tab is withdrawn from said handgun feature; and

a second arm which is attached to said first arm, which includes a release tab which is operationally connected to said locking tab, and which is activated by flexure of a finger of said user, and which lifts said locking tab from said handgun feature when said release tab is depressed;

wherein said security holster provides for one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, via said locking tab which admits said handgun during insertion, and which engages a handgun feature for retention of said handgun unless said locking tab is disengaged by depression of said release tab by flexure of said index finger, thereby providing said security holster with one finger release of said handgun, and one handed insertion and withdrawal of said handgun.

5. The security holster of claim 4 in which said locking tab is configured to engage said handgun feature with an audible sound upon engagement of said locking tab with said handgun feature.

8. The security holster of claim 4 in which said spring plate assembly is hinged between said fixed plate and said first arm, and includes a biasing means.

9. The security holster of claim 4 in which said spring plate assembly is generally T shaped, with said fixed end forming a base of said T and with said first arm and said second arm forming a first and second arm of said T, with said fixed plate connected to said first and second arm of said T by a torsion spring.

10. The security holster of claim 4 in which said holster body and finger tube are constructed of a rigid material.

11. The security holster of claim 4 in which said finger tube further includes a flared rim for facilitating insertion of said users index finger into said finger tube.

12. The security holster of claim 4 in which said locking tab interacts with an ejection port of a semi-automatic handgun.

13. The security holster of claim 4 in which said security holster includes a handgun entry end and a barrel end, and said locking tab is configured with a sloping first edge which faces toward said barrel end said, with said sloping first edge for engagement with an ejection port.

14. The security holster of claim 13 in which said locking tab is attached to said spring plate assembly by a floating connection, in which said locking tab is allowed a limited freedom of motion in its attachment to said spring plate assembly, so that if said handgun is forcefully withdrawn from said security holster without releasing said locking tab, said locking tab is pulled into engagement with a holster inner sleeve, so that force applied to withdrawing said handgun is transferred to said holster inner sleeve and is not directed to said spring plate assembly.

15. The security holster of claim 4 which further includes one or more security locks which immobilize said release tab.

16. A security holster for use with a handgun, said handgun having a handgun body, a trigger guard, a trigger, and an ejection port, comprising:

a rigid holster body for enclosing a handgun, which is configured to surround said handgun, and which includes a handgun entry end and a barrel end;

a finger tube formed in said holster body, so that when said handgun is holstered in said holster body, said finger tube is alongside and parallel to said handgun body, and said finger tube terminates adjacent to said trigger guard of said handgun, with said holster body having a passage for an ejection port locking device;

a hinged spring plate assembly, with a fixed plate, a first arm, and a second arm, in which said fixed plate is attached to said rigid holster body, and which is joined to said first arm and a second arm with a hinge which includes a spring, and said first arm further includes a locking tab which is configured to pass through said passage in said holster body, and admit said handgun during insertion, and includes a sloping first edge which faces toward said barrel end of said holster for audibly engaging said ejection port, and a notched side which faces toward said handgun entry end of said holster for engaging said holster, in which said locking tab engages an ejection port of said handgun to prevent withdrawal unless released, and said second arm further includes a release tab which is operationally connected to said locking tab, which is activated by flexure of said users index finger, so that depression of said release tab causes lifting of said locking tab and release of said handgun;

whereby said security holster provides for one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with audible engagement of said locking tab with said handgun ejection port, and allows release and withdrawal of said handgun by depression of said release tab by flexure of said index finger, thus providing said security holster with one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun.

17. The security holster of claim 16 in which said locking tab is attached to said spring plate assembly by a floating connection, in which said locking tab is allowed a limited freedom of motion in its attachment to said spring plate assembly, so that if said handgun is forcefully withdrawn from said security holster without releasing said locking tab, said locking tab is pulled into engagement with said holster body, so that force applied to withdrawing said handgun is transferred to said holster body and is not directed to said spring plate assembly.

26. A security holster for use with a handgun, the handgun having a handgun body, trigger guard, a trigger, an ejection port, slide, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body that includes spaced apart inner and outer substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity and an open top portion for receiving a handgun therein, and for removing a handgun there from, said holster body including a passage adjacent the handgun ejection port;

a locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun, to move through said passage into engagement with said ejection port of said handgun until released, thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, for releasing said locking tab from said ejection port by moving said locking tab in relation to said holster, with said release tab operationally connected to said locking tab, which when depressed disengages said locking tab from said ejection port;

wherein

said security holster provides for one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster and release there from, with said locking tab which admits said handgun during insertion, and which moves into engagement with said ejection port for retention of said handgun until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by activation of said release tab.

27. The security holster of claim 26 in which said release tab is located in a position to be adjacent to and cover said trigger of said handgun when said handgun is inserted and secured in said holster body, thus preventing depressing of said trigger during handgun withdrawal.

28. The security holster of claim 26 which further includes an audible indication of locking, so that a user does not have to look at said holster to verify that said handgun is secured in said holster body.

29. The security holster of claim 28 in which said audible indication of locking is said locking tab, which is configured to snap into place in said ejection port by a spring, thus providing an audible indication of locking.

30. The security holster of claim 26 in which said release tab is an elongate tray, semicircular in cross section, for providing a curved shape which conforms to a user'"'"'s finger.

31. The security holster of claim 30 in which said release tab is configured for sliding engagement with a users finger during release of said handgun, so that said release tab may be depressed while said users finger is being withdrawn from said holster body and moving across said release tab, while said handgun is being removed.

32. The security holster of claim 26, in which said release tab is activated by flexion of said user'"'"'s index finger, for one finger and one motion release of said handgun from said holster body.

33. The security holster of claim 26 in which said locking tab operates with at least one rebounding device, so that when a handgun is pressed into said security holster with a required degree of insertion force, said locking tab is activated to secure said handgun, and said rebounding device urges said handgun toward said the entry end of said holster body against said locking tab.

34. The security holster of claim 33 in which said rebounding device comprises one or more springs attached to said holster body, which press against said handgun when said handgun is pressed into said security holster body.

35. The security holster of claim 26 in which said release tab is configured to interact with a rebounding device, so that a minimum degree of insertion force is required before said release tab can be activated and said locking tab is release from said handgun ejection port.

36. The security holster of claim 26 which further includes one or more security locks which immobilize said release tab.

37. A security holster for use with a handgun, the handgun having an ejection port, slide, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body that includes spaced apart inner and outer substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity and an open top portion for receiving a handgun therein, and for removing a handgun therefrom, said holster having a long axis parallel with said barrel of said handgun when secured in said holster body;

a locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun, to move into engagement with said ejection port of said handgun, thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, for releasing said locking tab, which is operationally connected to said locking tab, which when depressed moves said locking tab from engagement with said ejection port;

a finger tube enclosing said release tab, with an axis generally parallel to said long axis of said holster body, in which a user may insert a finger in order to activate said release tab to release said locking tab from said handgun ejection port;

wherein

said security holster provides for one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab which admits said handgun during insertion, and which moves into engagement with said ejection port for retention of said handgun until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by depression of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and releasing said ejection port.

38. The security holster of claim 37 wherein said finger tube further includes a flared rim for facilitating insertion of said users index finger into said finger tube.

39. The security holster of claim 37 in which said locking tab is attached to a spring plate assembly by a floating connection, in which said locking tab is allowed a limited freedom of motion in its attachment to said spring plate assembly, so that if said handgun is forcefully withdrawn from said security holster without releasing said locking tab, said locking tab is pulled into engagement with a holster inner sleeve, so that force applied to withdrawing said handgun is transferred to said holster inner sleeve and is not directed to said spring plate assembly.

40. The security holster of claim 38 that further includes one or more security locks which immobilize said release tab.

45. A security holster for use with a handgun, the handgun having an ejection port, slide, handle, trigger, and trigger guard, wherein the holster comprises:

a holster body that includes spaced apart inner and outer substantially rigid sidewalls formed to define an inner cavity and an open top portion for receiving a handgun therein, and for removing a handgun therefrom, said holster body including a passage adjacent the handgun ejection port;

a locking tab configured to admit said handgun into said security holster body, and upon insertion of said handgun, to move through said passage into engagement with said ejection port of said handgun, thereby preventing the withdrawal of said handgun prior to release of said locking tab;

a release tab, for releasing said locking tab, which is operationally connected to said locking tab, which when depressed moves said locking tab from engagement with said ejection port;

a finger tube enclosing said release tab, in which a user may insert a finger in order to activate said release tab to release said locking tab from said handgun ejection port;

wherein

said security holster provides for one handed insertion of said handgun into said security holster, with said locking tab which admits said handgun during insertion, and which moves into engagement with said ejection port for retention of said handgun until said locking tab is moved out of engagement by depression of said release tab, thereby providing said security holster with one handed insertion, one finger release of said handgun, and one handed withdrawal of said handgun after pressing said release tab and releasing said ejection port.