Gun holster

• US 7,140,523 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. (Point Blank Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tactical Design Labs Inc.
• Inventors: Avery, Ron, Senn, Anthony J., Lowe, Michael V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Lien M.
• Application Number:
  US10/886,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20050035162A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 224/192, 224/193, 224/198, 224/238, 224/243, 224/244, 224/911, 224/912, 224/913
• 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 33/0236 Half-holsters covering by encircling only a part of the small arm, e.g. ghost-holsters
• 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 and engages various safety features 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 security holster.

Claims

1. A security holster locking assembly, for use with a security holster for securing a handgun, said security holster having a long axis parallel with a barrel of said handgun when inserted in said holster, said locking assembly comprising:

a locking tab, for locking engagement with a handgun feature comprising an ejection port of a semi-automatic handgun;

a release tab, for disengaging said locking tab from said handgun feature, in which said release tab is linked to said locking tab by a first class lever, with the fulcrum of said lever being positioned between said release tab and said locking tab, and said lever having a long axis positioned normal to the long axis of the security holster.

2. The security holster of claim 1, in which said release tab includes a torsion spring aligned normal to a long axis of said lever, and parallel to the long axis of said security holster.

3. The security holster locking assembly of claim 1, wherein said release tab is blocked from disengaging from said handgun feature until a rebounding device in said security holster is biased by pressing said handgun deeper into said holster.

4. The security holster of claim 3 wherein the rebounding device further comprises a distance adjustment mechanism for adjusting a necessary insertion distance that must be exerted against the handgun in a direction parallel to the long axis of the security holster when biasing and unbiasing said rebounding device, so that a user can adjust the required insertion distance between a maximum and a minimum allowed by the adjustment mechanism.

5. The security holster of claim 3 which further comprises a force adjustment mechanism for adjusting a necessary insertion force that must be exerted against the handgun in a direction parallel to the long axis of the security holster when biasing and unbiasing said rebounding device, so that a user can adjust the required insertion force between a maximum and a minimum allowed by said force adjustment mechanism.

6. A method for releasing a handgun from a security holster comprising the steps of:

placing a users hand on a handgun seated in said security holster, with a finger over a release tab located adjacent to a trigger guard of said handgun;

pushing said handgun into said security holster a predetermined distance against a rebounding device in said security holster;

flexing said finger against a handgun release tab while said handgun is pressed against said rebounding device;

removing said handgun from said security holster by continuing to depress said release tab momentarily, pulling straight back on said handgun handle, so that said handgun is withdrawn in a straight line.

7. A method for releasing a handgun from a security holster comprising the steps of:

inserting a finger into a finger tube of said security holster;

pushing said handgun into said security holster a predetermined distance against a rebounding device in said security holster;

flexing said finger inserted into said finger tube against a handgun release tab while said handgun is pressed against said rebounding device;

removing said handgun from said security holster while depressing said release tab.

8. The method for releasing a handgun of claim 7, which further includes the step of adjusting an insertion distance adjustment mechanism on said rebound device, for adjusting a necessary insertion distance that must be exerted against the handgun in a direction parallel to the long axis of the security holster when biasing and unbiasing said rebounding device, so that a user can adjust the required insertion distance between a maximum and a minimum allowed by the distance adjustment mechanism.

9. The method for releasing a handgun of claim 7, which further includes the step of adjusting an insertion force adjustment mechanism for adjusting a necessary insertion force that must be exerted against the handgun in a direction parallel to the long axis of the security holster when biasing and unbiasing said rebounding device, so that a user can adjust the required insertion force between a maximum and a minimum allowed by the force adjustment mechanism.

10. The method for releasing a handgun of claim 7, which further includes the step of actuating said release tab by flexing the finger in a direction substantially normal to a plane of the security holster that bisects said handgun barrel and said handgun handle and handgun.

13. The method for inserting a handgun of claim 10, which further includes a step of providing an auditory signal further comprises the step of activating a bell, beep, vibrator, clicker or other sound generating device.

11. A method for inserting a handgun into a security holster comprising:

inserting the handgun into the security holster until resistance from a rebounding device is met;

pressing the handgun further against said rebounding device until a minimum insertion depression distance is met, at which point a locking tab engages a feature of said handgun for locking engagement of said handgun.

12. The method of inserting a handgun into a security holster of claim 11 which further includes the step of providing an auditory signal generating mechanism on said holster, for confirming that the handgun is secured in the security holster.

14. A method for removing a holstered and locked handgun from a security holster comprising the steps of:

placing a users hand around a handgun handle; and

placing a finger over the trigger guard area of said handgun;

pressing said handgun deeper into said security holster against a rebounding device until a minimum depression distance is achieved;

depressing a release tab on said security holster, by flexing said forefinger against a release tab over said trigger guard area, which disengages a locking tab from a feature of said handgun, thus allowing removal of said handgun;

holding said release tab down momentarily, while removing said handgun from said holster in a straight line.