Holster for handguns

• US 7,556,181 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Spielberger
• Original Assignee: Peter Spielberger
• Inventors: Spielberger, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse; Nathan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vanterpool; Lester L
• Application Number:
  US10/658,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20040050887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,129 Days
• Field of Search: 224/244, 224/243, 224/245, 224/911, 224/912, 224/913, 224/192, 224/198, 224/238, 224/242
• US Class Current: 224/244
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0245 Skeleton-holsters, e.g. contacting only a minimal part of the small arm, e.g. contacting the muzzle, ejection port, chamber, trigger guard or hammer
• 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: 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 assembly for a handgun having various mechanisms for preventing unauthorized access to a handgun therein and wherein the handgun holster is constructed with injection molded, reinforced plastic inserts that are injection over-molded with a chemically compatible material which provides the desired surface characteristics of the holster.

Claims

1. A handgun holster comprising:

a body defining a tubular passage for receiving an elongated handgun portion including a barrel;

the body defining a trigger guard space adjacent to the passage for receiving the trigger guard of the handgun;

a trigger guard retention element connected to the body;

the retention element being slidably operable with respect to the body between a retention position in which it projects into the trigger guard space and a retracted position in which it is retracted from the trigger guard space, such that a handgun received in the holster is retained against extraction forces when the latch element is in the retention position, and a handgun received in the hoister is removable from the holster when the retention element is in the released position;

a release actuator connected to the body;

the release actuator being movable with respect to the body between an actuated position and a retracted position;

the release actuator being mechanically engaged with the retention element and operable to move the retention element to the retracted position when the release actuator is moved to the actuated position;

the release actuator being operable to secure the retention element in the retention position when the release actuator is in the retracted position; and

wherein the release actuator has a wedge portion received between an end portion of the retention element and a surface portion of the body, such that moving the release actuator to the actuated position advances the wedge portion to drive the end portion of the release actuator away from the surface portion of the body.

2. A handgun holster comprising:

a body defining a tubular passage for receiving an elongated handgun portion including a barrel;

the body defining a trigger guard space adjacent to the passage for receiving the trigger guard of the handgun;

a trigger guard retention element connected to the body;

the retention element being slidably operable with respect to the body between a retention position in which it projects into the trigger guard space and a retracted position in which it is retracted from the trigger guard space, such that a handgun received in the holster is retained against extraction forces when the latch element is in the retention position, and a handgun received in the holster is removable from the holster when the retention element is in the released position;

a release actuator connected to the body;

the release actuator being movable with respect to the body between an actuated position and a retracted position;

the release actuator being mechanically engaged with the retention element and operable to move the retention element to the retracted position when the release actuator is moved to the actuated position;

the release actuator being operable to secure the retention element in the retention position when the release actuator is in the retracted position; and

a safety strap element connected to the body and movable between a closed position in which a selected portion of the safety strap is positioned over an upper end of the passage to cover a rear end portion of a handgun received in the holster, and an open position in which the selected portion is positioned away from the upper end of the passage, such that removal of a handgun in the holster is not obstructed by the selected portion, and wherein the safety strap element is mechanically engaged to the release actuators to secure the release actuator in the retracted position when the safety strap element is in the closed position, and to permit movement of the release actuator to the actuated position when the safety strap element is in the open position.