Abstract
This invention is a semi-automatic pistol holster that allows the user to carry a pistol unloaded in normal circumstances. When in need, the user could single-handedly and quickly load the first round with the pistol still holstered. The user could then leave the loaded pistol in the holster discreetly as a pre-cautionary measure when entering into a potentially dangerous situation, or the user could immediately draw the pistol and pull the trigger to fire at target. The holster comprises two components: a holster body tailored to enclose a specific pistol model and block its front sight and slide; and a retention device that retains the pistol but also allows quick loading of the pistol while inside the holster. This invention offers an alternative holster with improved safety, flexibility, and secure retention to carry a pistol. It's also easy-to-use and simple to manufacture economically.
Claims
1. A holster for a semi-automatic pistol, comprising: A holster body receiving the pistol completely or partially therein; wherein said holster body having a distal opening at the front end framed and sized to block the pistol's front sight and as much surface as possible of the pistol slide, but exposes completely the muzzle, rod and pistol frame so that the opening would block the slide while being able to let the barrel, rod and pistol frame to stick out of the holster.
2. A holster for a semi-automatic pistol as defined in claim 1, comprising: An open window sized and positioned to expose the pistol's bullet basing ejection port so that a round could be ejected freely out of the pistol and said holster when the pistol is inside the holster; An opening beneath the pistol frame measured and sized to the path of trigger guard movement when the pistol is pushed fully downward to load around.
3. A holster for a semi-automatic pistol, comprises a retention device, Wherein said device is fixed to the holster body in a way such as via a screw lock that the said device could be set to either lock or release position; Wherein said device, when set to the lock position, has locking blocks, such as two locking pins, that retain the pistol inside the holster by locking round the pistol's trigger guard from both directions, and preventing the pistol from moving neither upward nor downward direction along the axis of the barrel; Wherein said device, when set to the release position, moves above said locking blocks, such as two said locking pins, away from the trigger guard and keeps the pins clear the trigger area so the said device no longer locks the pistol and the pistol is free to be withdrawn out of the said holster, or pushed further down to load a round.
4. A holster for a semi-automatic pistol, comprises a retention device as defined in claim 3, Wherein said device has two locking pins attached to a spring loaded hinge, to secure the pistol by locking around the front of the trigger guard; Wherein the first pin of the above said two locking pins has an inclined plane at the tip facing the direction where the pistol is to be inserted, and allows the trigger guard to push aside the first pin when the pistol is inserted with the retention device in lock position; Wherein the second pin of the above said two locking pins is longer than the first pin and would stop the trigger guard from going further downward, at which time the spring loaded hinge would force both pins back inward to lock round the trigger guard, allowing the user to holster and secure the pistol with a single insertion, when the retention device as defined in claim 3 is in lock position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0040] FIG. 1 is a right side view of the present invention with a pistol holstered and the retention device in lock position.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view at the proximal opening of the present invention, with the retention device in lock position.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a flat front view at the proximal opening of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a right side perspective view at the distal opening of the present invention with the retention device in release position.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a right side perspective view at the proximal opening of the present invention with the retention device in release position.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a flat side view of a standalone retention device in release position.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a prospective view of a standalone retention device in release position.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a right side prospective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention with the retention device in lock position
[0048] FIG. 9 is a bottom-up prospective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention with the retention device in lock position
[0049] FIG. 10 is a flat front view of a pistol holstered in the present invention in lock position
[0050] FIG. 11 is a right side bottom-up prospective view of a holstered pistol with its slide pushed back to full extent while loading a round.
[0051] FIG. 12 is a right side top prospective view of a holstered pistol with its slide pushed back to full extent while loading a round.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0052] The particulars shown in all the drawings are by way of examples for general demonstration purpose only. The present invention illustrated in all the drawings is for right-handed users, but it could also be made for left-handed users. The present invention could be made to fit all pistol models, not limited to the model (FIG. 1.3) illustrated in the drawings.
[0053] Additionally the holster would include, though not illustrated here, additional elements such as a belt loop, or clip, or snap for attaching the holster to a waist belt, straps for securing the holster around the shoulder or thigh, and latches for securing the holster to a fixture like bed frame, or inside a vehicle.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown the right side view of the present invention, comprises a holster body (FIG. 1.1) and a retention device (FIG. 1.2) in lock position, with a pistol (FIG. 1.3) holstered. The holster body and flaps are made of rigid materials like carbon fiber, nylon, Kydex or leather.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a top right prospective view of the present invention showing the proximal opening where the pistol is to be inserted. The holster body is shaped and measured to fit the pistol's slide and frame tightly yet still allow the pistol to move freely upward and downward inside the holster when the retention device is in release position. FIG. 2.2 is a projecting groove to accommodate and guide the front sight when the pistol is inserted into and drawn out of the holster. FIG. 2.10 shows the holster body shaped to fit the pistol's frame which is usually wider than the slide. FIG. 2.1 is an opening window exposing the pistol's bullet casing ejection port to allow a round to be ejected. FIG. 2.8 is the inner flap that serves as the base to attach to additional elements for fastening to a belt or other fixtures. The element could typically be a loop, strap, or latch. The inner flap covers the entire trigger area for protection. FIG. 2.9 is the outer flap, which covers the other side of the trigger area. The retention device (FIG. 2.11) is fixed to the outer flap (FIG. 2.9) through a screw lock (FIG. 2.7). The screw lock allows the retention device to rotate within a certain degrees of angle between the release and the lock positions. The device is shown in lock position in FIG. 2. There is a groove (FIG. 2.3) on the flap (FIG. 2.9) and holster body to guide and stop the retention device when it turns counterclockwise to the release position. FIG. 2.6 is a spring loaded hinge that forces the spring strip (FIG. 2.5) inward. There are two locking pins (invisible in FIG. 2) attached to the spring strip (FIG. 2.5). FIG. 2.4 is a protuberant handle that assists the user in rotating the retention device using index finger.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flat front view at the proximal opening of the present invention showing the cross section of the holster body. FIG. 3.6 shows the holster body shaped to fit pistol's slide and frame. FIG. 3.1 shows the enforced opening frames around the distal opening, shaped to block the pistol's front sight and slide, but allow the muzzle, rod and pistol frame to go through while loading. FIG. 3.7 is the inner flap. FIG. 3.2 is the protuberant handle on the retention device. FIG. 3.4 is the screw lock fixing the retention device to the holster. FIG. 3.5 is the spring loaded hinge that connects the spring bar to the retention device. FIG. 3.3 shows the two locking pins in the lock position. Both of the two pins have curvy tips, which serve as ramps so they would push themselves outward against, and park onto the holster body, when the retention device is being rotated to the release position.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown the front perspective view at the distal opening, with the retention device in the release position. FIG. 4.1 is the front opening with enforced opening frames designed to block the front sight and slide. FIG. 4.6 is the opening exposing the pistol's bullet casing ejection port. FIG. 4.5 is an opening that guides the trigger guard movement when the pistol is pushed downward to load. It is sized and shaped to a specific pistol model to guide the pistol's trigger guard traveling to the position where the slide is fully pushed back. The retention device is in release position as it is rotated counterclockwise until it is stopped by the groove (FIG. 2.3) on the flap and holster body. While it is rotated via the screw lock (FIG. 4.4), the curve-shaped locking pins are pushed outward by the holster body and ramped onto the holster body. As the two locking pins are fixed to the spring strip (FIG. 4.2), the spring strip (FIG. 4.2) is also pushed outward while the spring loaded hinge (FIG. 4.3) counter-pushes the spring strip and the locking pins against the holster body.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown the back perspective view at the proximal opening of the present invention. FIG. 5.5 shows the proximal opening where the pistol is inserted and withdrawn from. The projecting groove (FIG. 5.1) is shaped for the front sight and guides the pistol in and out of the holster. The holster body has grooves (FIG. 5.3) to guide and stop the retention device. FIG. 5.4 is a protuberant handle that assists the user in rotating the retention device using index finger. There are two locking pins (FIGS. 5.2 and 5.6) attached to the spring bar, which would lock around the front of the trigger guard when in lock position. The proximal-opening-facing side of the first pin (FIG. 5.2) has an inclined plane at the tip, which allows the trigger guard to push aside the first pin when the pistol is inserted with the retention device in lock position. Once the trigger guard pushes past the first pin (FIG. 5.2), the second pin (FIG. 5.6), which is longer than the first pin, would stop the trigger guard from going further downward, at which time the spring loaded hinge would push the pins back inward and both pins would lock round the trigger guard. This allows the user to holster and secure a pistol with a single insertion, when the retention device is in lock position.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, there is shown a standalone retention device in release position, in flat and side prospective views respectively. The retention device is fixed to the holster body via a screw lock (FIGS. 7.3 and 6.2). The user uses the index finger to push the protuberant handle (FIG. 6.1 and FIG. 7.1) to rotate the retention device counterclockwise to release position, and the index finger naturally curls away from the trigger area. This design reduces the chance of accidental discharge when the user withdraws the pistol.
[0060] Still referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 of the invention, when the user rotates the retention device counterclockwise, the first locking pins (FIG. 7.4) and the second (FIG. 7.5) are pushed against the holster body and the curvy shapes at the tip helps the pins ramp up onto holster body. When the above mentioned groove (FIG. 2.3, FIG. 5.3) on the holster body stops the retention device, the two pins are fully clear the trigger guard and thus in release position. The pins are fixed to the spring bar which is attached to the retention device via a spring loaded hinge (FIGS. 6.2 and 7.6). When the retention device is rotated clockwise and the locking pins are moving away from the holster body, the pressure from the spring loaded hinge forces on the spring bar, thus pushing the locking pins inward to lock position. The distance between the two pins is slightly wider than the thickness of the front of the trigger guard so they could tightly lock around the trigger guard. The length of the pins is close to the distance between the retention device and the inner flap, in order to lock the trigger guard securely.
[0061] Still referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 of the invention, the first locking pin (FIG. 7.4) has an inclined plane at the tip facing the direction where the pistol is to be inserted. The second locking pin (FIG. 7.5) does not have the inclined plane and is longer than the first pin (FIG. 7.4). When the trigger guard is pushed past the first pin (FIG. 7.4) but gets stopped by the second pin (FIG. 7.5), both pins would be pushed back in lock position by the loaded spring hinge. The two pins would lock around the trigger guard and secure the pistol inside the holster. The user doesn't need to turn the retention device to the release position first before holstering the pistol. Instead the user could simply insert the pistol into the present invention with the retention device in lock position, to have the pistol locked and secured in the holster.
[0062] Still referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 of the invention, in case the pistol is inserted while the retention device is in release position, the front opening (FIG. 4.1) stops the pistol signaling to the user that the pistol is fully inserted and in position for the user to engage the retention device by rotating it clockwise to the lock position.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a prospective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention in lock position. The front opening (FIG. 8.5) stops the front sight and slide when the pistol is fully holstered, but leaves open the muzzle (FIG. 8.8), rod and pistol frame. The holster body has a bottom opening (FIG. 8.2) to guide the trigger guard (FIG. 8.7) movement when the pistol is pushed down to load. The inner flap (FIG. 8.4) covers the trigger area. The retention device (FIG. 8.3) is shown in lock position and its two locking pins (FIG. 8.6) locking around the front of the trigger guard (FIG. 8.7). FIG. 8.1 is a groove on the holster body to guide and stop the retention device at the release position when the locking pins are clear of the trigger guard.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view from the bottom of a pistol holstered in the present invention. The first locking pin (FIG. 9.3) and the second locking pin (FIG. 9.1) are in lock position securing around the trigger guard. FIG. 9.2 is the opening at the bottom of the holster body measured and shaped to guide and stop the trigger guard, thus the pistol, when the pistol is pushed down to load a round.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown the flat front perspective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention. FIG. 10.3 shows the second locking pin securing the trigger guard. First pin is invisible but also locks the trigger guard from the other side. FIG. 10.2 is the distal opening that allows the muzzle, rod and pistol frame to go through, when the pistol is pushed downward, while the opening frames (FIG. 10.1) blocks the front sight and the slide, thus loading a round.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a perspective view of a pistol holstered in the present invention in release position, and the slide being pushed back by the front opening to full extent to load a round. The retention device is in the release position with the two locking pins ramped on the holster body away from the trigger guard. FIG. 11.1 is the front opening that allows muzzle, rod and pistol frame to go through, yet blocks the front sight and slide. The opening (FIG. 11.3) at the bottom of the holster body guides the trigger guard to move downward, and stops the trigger guard when slide is fully pushed back.
[0067] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown a top side perspective view of a pistol in loading position, with its slide fully pushed back while holstered in the present invention in release position. The front opening (FIG. 12.2) allows the muzzle, rod and pistol frame to extend outside the holster while holding back the front sight and slide. The holster body has an opening window (FIG. 12.1) exposing the pistol's bullet basing ejection port. The retention devices is in the release position and the two locking pins (FIG. 12.3) ramped onto the holster body and stay clear of the trigger guard, so the pistol could be pushed down to load a round.
[0068] Accordingly it is an object and advantage of the present invention to provide a holster that allows the user to load the pistol single-handedly and quickly while the pistol is still inside the holster. The user could then withdraw the pistol and be ready to fire, or leave the loaded pistol in the holster discreetly as a precautionary measure. The holster body is shaped and measured to fit specific pistol models, to secure the pistol, guide the loading movement, and eject a round in case there's already a round loaded in the chamber.
[0069] A further object of the present invention is to provide a pistol holster with a safe and reliable retention device. When the pistol is holstered, the retention device, together with the holster body, would completely cover the trigger area of the pistol. In lock mode, the device's two locking pins secure the pistol from moving either upward or downward directions. While in release mode, the two retention locking pins stay clear of the trigger when the pistol is pushed downward to load and pulled upward to withdraw. And the user's index finger naturally moves onto the pistol's frame away from the trigger during the process, reducing the chance of accidental discharge.
[0070] A still further object of the present invention is to have the said holster manufactured economically. It has limited number of parts that could be produced using mature technologies like injection molding. The assembly requires little skill and labor hour so it could be economically mass-produced.
[0071] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a safe, reliable, discreet, light weight and easy-to-carry pistol holster with all the above mentioned functionalities and advantages.
[0072] Thus the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes combinations of the various features described in the specifications herein as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
