COMPRESSION HOLSTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to holsters for handguns or other tools to be carried on a person's body or vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Law enforcement, military, guards, and emergency personnel are often required to carry weapons and related equipment. The holstering or secure storage/retention of such weapons and equipment is important for the protection of the weapons and any related gear, and for the comfort and ease of the user. Safety, stability, access, and concealment are of paramount concerns.

Weapons may be carried for extended periods of time, yet must be available on short notice, for engagement and interaction with dangerous adversaries. Other equipment, such as personal first aid and bleeding control devices, must be carried where they are accessible by both the wearer and others, while not interfering with expected activities or causing discomfort.

To avoid visibility, while still assuring access, holsters may be concealed and are often worn with loose fitting garments and positioned on the ankle or lower leg. Soft holstering affords benefits of light weight, unobtrusiveness, and concealment. However, this is too often at the expense of long-term wearer comfort, stable holstering, assurance of immediate access, and controlled silent weapon withdrawal and use.

Storing a weapon or tool (such as a flashlight) in an off-road vehicle, whether a full-size jeep or ATV, can be challenging. The item needs to be protected for the elements and securely held, but easily accessible. It also needs to be stowed so as not to cause injury to an occupant in the event of a crash or roll-over.

Soft holstered apparel and undergarments can leave wearers vulnerable to injury and accidents due to weapon instability, easy removal from a perpetrator, awkward or inefficient drawing, noise from the firearm's retention release, awkward physical movements, accidental discharge, and lack of heat protection from a hot gun being holstered. Physically combative situations or extremely hurried movements may likely be occurring when someone would need to access a concealed weapon.

Accidental loss (fall-out) of the weapon is a known occurrence in holstered apparel. Even if the weapon does not fall out of the holster, a bouncing firearm is a distraction that is often painful and may cause apprehension and restriction of physical movement. Also, having one's firearm easily taken away from the wearer in an altercation is a realistic concern. In situations such as these, the wearer would instinctively focus on retaining the weapon or insuring the weapon's stability, as opposed to doing other things that need to be done to be safe or neutralize a threat.

Accidental discharge can happen in elasticized soft holsters. In an excitable situation, fingers can reach the trigger when the gun is holstered in an elastic-based soft holster as the wearer hurriedly tries to access the weapon or a perpetrator tries to access the weapon. Also, during a struggle or chase, foreign objects can reach the trigger through an elastic-based soft holster.

Shifting of the holster mounted on apparel/undergarment due to the instability of the weapon is another concern. In a struggle or in hurried movements, having the firearm shift on the body to where it is not readily accessible or from the location where the wearer has trained can be deadly.

Lack of heat protection in a soft holster featuring elasticized material can also be problematic, should the wearer need to securely re-holster his/her weapon quickly after drawing and firing. For instance, needing both hands to be free shortly after drawing and firing is an expected situation. While there are soft holstering system that feature a Kydex™ or other polymer hard-shell holster, these methods do not securely mount the hard-shell holster onto the garment, making the shell likely to leave or shift on the garment upon a strong draw very likely.

If a retention feature is present features in holstered apparel may be present on elastic holsters, spandex fabric stretching holsters, or non-stretching pockets, it is typically an elasticized strap that attaches with a snap, hook, or hook-and-pile material (e.g., Velcro™) that lines up substantially parallel to parallel to the slide of the handgun. These holstering methods are not sufficient for weapon stability during combative or extremely vigorous activity because they fail to address the weight, mass, and angle of the gun grip. With those methods, the holstered firearm acts as a weighted, removable appendage to the body with a high, unstable center of gravity. Also, the ability to draw the weapon in a smooth and quick manner may be inhibited due to dangling straps or the awkwardness of unfastening the retention's enclosure feature. These soft retention methods limit the options to position the gun to a vertical or mostly vertical position, leaving the wearer to release the retention and draw the weapon from an awkward unnatural ankle.

While soft holstering can be advantageous in some scenarios, a major drawback to soft holstering featuring a prior art retention feature is the lack of a quick draw and the need to for wearers to master a new drawing method and retention release method. The thumb break retention system is a commonly used method and featured on holsters made up of harder materials, such as hard harness leather or polymers. However, the thumb break system has not been featured on soft holstered apparel or undergarments due to the inefficiency of structure needed to provide the necessary leverage for a thumb break mechanism to function properly. Moreover, current retention methods for both soft holsters and hard holsters that provide for speed in retention release can be loud upon release (snaps and hook-and-pile make noise, for example), which can bring unwanted attention to the wearer trying access the handgun quietly in some scenarios. Previously, retention methods/features have required the wearer to make a choice between fast and loud and slower and quiet.

Elasticized soft holsters require two hands to re-holster. One hand opens the space for the firearm to enter while the other hand forces the firearm inside. This can be both only time consuming and can leave the wearer vulnerable by not having at least one hand free. Some law enforcement agencies require one-handed re-holstering for these reasons, leaving an agent/officer with only the choice of a hard holster on duty and unable to have the benefits of a soft holster (such as comfort).

Medical kits worn on the body are becoming prevalent by law enforcement, public safety/rescue, and active duty military personnel. No longer is it only medical personnel who must have pertinent medical supplies on hand in combative scenarios. The current “on the body” tactical medical kits are in non-stretching bags harnessed to the body by straps. Very similar to wearing firearms on the body, this non stretching strapping method for medical kits may be problematic due to chaffing on the body from the unsecured weight and mass of medical kit shifting on the body, difficulty for the wearer to fit into the narrow seats of a military vehicle, and difficulty maneuvering in combative situations from the extra bulk of the medical kit, for example. Also, the targeting of medical personnel in war has become a commonly deployed tactic due to the demoralizing result of “killing the medic.” The bulk and shifting of the current method of “on the body” tactical medical kits can make the medic a more obvious target to the enemy. For individuals in firefighting, emergency services, and other public safety, there does not exist a tactical medical kit that can also holster a firearm. This is needed due to the nature of the hostile, combative environments these workers may enter.

SUMMARY

Provided is a compression holster having a base panel, a pouch panel, and a flap panel. The base panel comprises resilient material configured to compressively wrap around an elongated member, such as a human leg or a vehicle frame member. The pouch panel of resilient material is attached to the base panel with a free edge to define a compressively expandable pocket. The flap panel of resilient material is attached to the base panel adjacent the free edge. An object partially inserted into the pocket is compressively held against the elongated member by the pouch panel and the flap panel.

This invention provides a compression holster for securing a handgun or other item against a solid surface or member, such as a person's limb or torso, or a structural member, such as a roll bar, frame, or piece of furniture. In some embodiments, is concerned with an apparatus and methods for the carrying, storing, and using of hand-held weapons or other tools—often for extended periods of time—under stressful conditions which are likely to require vigorous activity and rapid access. In some embodiments, the holstering is adapted to move with the wearer, preventing sliding, slipping, bouncing, jumping, rubbing, so that there is no chaffing or scrapping of the body. This holstering assures simple, easy and quick insertion and withdrawal of the weapon. The holstering is flexible, holds the weapon immovable relative to the wearer's body and permits quick quiet draw and aiming irrespective of location. In other embodiments, the holstering can be secured to the frame or a roll bar of an off-road vehicle to protect the item, conceal it from general observation, and allow rapid access.

The Invention employs a combination of interconnected durable light weight resilient, compressive, and elastic fabric components. The coordinated components are assembled for attachment, to a wearer's ankle to provide concealment, to a wearer's thigh, or to a structural bar. The weapon or tool is secured while facilitating both insertion and withdrawal—permitting these actions to be carried out with fluid movement of a single hand.

The holsters of the invention utilize three basic components: a mounting panel, a resilient holstering panel, and a resilient retention panel (or flap). The spaced longitudinal edges of both the holstering panel and retention panel are affixed to the mounting panel with open edges facing one another. The transverse edge of the retention panel—away from the open edge—is affixed to the mounting panel. Thus, the holstering panel forms a pouch for the weapon and the retention panel provides a movable cover to secure the weapon/tool in place with compression. The invention can be used on a flat mounting surface, such as furniture, with the size/shape/resiliency of the panels adjusted for that application. Or when used around an elongated support object, such as a user's leg, user's torso, or a structural frame, such as a roll bar or tubular vehicle frame, the convex nature of the surface can enhance the compressive effect of the inventive combination.

When an item is inserted through the opening between the retention panel and holstering panel into the pouch, it is held firmly, by the resilient contraction of each panel against whatever surface it is mounted to, with the grip extending upwardly (or outwardly). By pulling the open end of the retention panel out and releasing it over and covering the grip, its contraction effectively secures the weapon/tool.

The weapon is drawn by lifting the retention panel with a finger, or fingers, over the grip and permitting it to resume its quiescent position against the mounting panel. With the grip exposed, the weapon can be removed from the pouch while benefiting from the contraction of the pouch walls as it is removed. Upon weapon removal, the holstering panel contracts and repositions with its interior face in contact with the mounting panel.

In one specific embodiment disclosed herein, the resilient mounting panel, the resilient holstering panel, and the resilient retention panel comprise and include a suitable sock-like structure, or “stocking”, worn on a wearer's limb, achieving further synergy and effectiveness through the compression and expansion of the wearer's limb.

Another aspect of the invention is the unique method of holstering and withdrawing a hand weapon, such as a handgun, from flexible overlaying resilient panels. by providing a base resilient panel with two adjacent overlaying resilient panels fastened thereto, inserting said weapon between one of said overlaying panels with the grip projecting, using fingers to raise the adjacent edge of the second overlaying panel to overlay said grip, withdrawing the weapon by using fingers to raise the adjacent edge of the second panel to uncover the grip and to return to its quiescent position, and extracting the weapon.

Other aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of skill in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, all of which comprise part of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the principal elements of a flexible holster according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible holster according to the invention coordinated with a stocking for use as an ankle holster;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a hand weapon initially inserted in the pocket;

FIG. 4 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 3 with the grip of the weapon being enshrouded by a retention flap;

FIG. 5 is front view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the weapon is fully secured within the left side of the holster;

FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of the invention in FIG. 3 with the retention flap being removed upon commencement of weapon withdrawal;

FIG. 7 shows an elastic finger pocket feature to facilitate opening the pocket for holstering;

FIG. 8 an alternate embodiment ankle holster in a partially donned condition;

FIG. 9 shows this embodiment laced onto the user's lower leg and with a handgun initially inserted into the pocket;

FIG. 10 shows the handgun covered by the retention flap;

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the invention in the form of a thigh holster;

FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away view thereof showing the location of a holstered handgun;

FIG. 13 shows the thigh holster in an open position;

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the invention in the form of a roll bar or frame holster installed on a bar and with the cover flap open;

FIG. 15 is a similar view showing a handgun inserted into the pocket and the retention flap open;

FIG. 16 is a similar view showing the retention flap secured over the holstered handgun;

FIG. 17 is a back side view showing a zipper that is used to connect the holster around the bar;

FIG. 18 shows yet another embodiment of the invention in the form of another convertible thigh holster;

FIG. 19 shows an alternate embodiment that may be mounted to a flat surface or as part of a “belly band” holster;

FIG. 20 shows another “belly band” embodiment in which the pouch panel has an open forward end and the retention mechanism is an elastic thumb break extending across the handgun grip; and

FIG. 21 is a back side thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawing figures, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. “Forward” will indicate the direction in which the human body is facing or the shin side of the lower leg, while “rearward” will indicate the opposite direction or the calf side of the lower leg. “Lateral” or “transverse” indicates a side-to-side direction generally to the left and/or right. “Top” or “up” will be the upward direction when a person is standing in the ordinary manner.

The holsters of the first embodiment are designed to be mounted upon the leg or ankle of a user to provide easy-in, easy-out holstering of a handgun or other tool. When empty the unit lies flat, unobtrusive, and virtually unnoticeable around the wearer's lower leg. When the holster is filled, the weapon is pressed firmly and immovably against the leg of the wearer. This is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7.

Through the employment and selectively designed use of resilient and compressive fabrics, this invention facilitates sizing for use in carrying equipment of varying types, weight, and function. Thinner fabrics with these qualities, such as spandex fabric, are lightweight and do not add unnecessary bulk, though may require reinforcement or rigidity panels to be added. Thicker materials, like foamed neoprene (with or without fabric surfaces), have the desired stretch and provide padding, but add more bulk. Combinations of these or similar materials can be used for the various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention in the form of an ankle holster 10 formed as part of a tube or stocking 12 to fit the leg 14 of a wearer. The stocking 12 is composed of a durable, but relatively thin, resilient/stretch fabric, such as Lycra® or spandex blend (such as with nylon and/or polyester), sized for a compressed comfortable fit, and is effectively the mounting panel for the holster pouch panel 16 and weapon retention flap panel 18. The pouch panel 16 overlays the stocking tube 12 to create one or more pockets therebetween. It may include an upper portion 20 and lower portion 22. The upper portion 20 can include an added stiffening portion 24 being relatively firm and stretch-resistant to cover the trigger guard area of a handgun when inserted in the pocket to avoid the risk of unintended weapon discharge. The lower portion 22 may be fully resilient and of thinner material. The longitudinal edges of pouch panel 16 are fastened immovably to the stocking tube 12 and extend substantially the length of the weapon's barrel. The longitudinal fastening is spaced apart by an amount suitable to accommodate the size and width of the barrel and trigger guard of the weapon.

The retention panel 18 can be of a lighter resilient fabric fastened immovably at the top to stocking tube 12 and extending downward over the top of pouch panel 16 and having the sides thereof fastened longitudinally spaced slightly wider than the fastenings of pouch panel 16. The stocking tube 12 may include padding material (not shown) that would be positioned between the handgun or other item in the pocket and the wearer's leg 14.

It is to be noted that while the fabrics used for the components of the holsters are resilient, they are utilized to perform specific individual functions and they may be fixedly secured together by non-resilient means such as stitching, fabric welding, or adhesives. Also, while the described materials are each resilient, these fastenings assure that they rest quiescent atop of each other and create virtually no visible surface disruption of a wearer's clothing when no weapon is holstered. On the other hand, when a weapon is holstered, the retention panel and pouch panel expand and compress the weapon against the stocking to hold the weapon secure against movement in any direction, minimizing visible distortion of the wearer's pants.

The schematic illustration of FIG. 1 shows an ankle holster 10 worn upon a leg 14. The stocking tube 12 need not have a foot portion and indeed its absence makes possible selective vertical positioning of the holster 10. The component parts of the holster 10 include the stocking tube 12, the holstering/pouch panel 16, and the retention panel 18. Because the barrel of the weapon may be hot following use, heat resistant material may be added (either permanent or removable) as part of holstering pouch panel 16.

FIG. 2 shows the initial placement of a handgun 26 within the pouch formed when holster panel 16 is fixedly secured to the stocking tube 12. To more fully understand and appreciate the advantages and opportunities of using the fabric holsters of the invention, attention is directed to FIGS. 3-7. These Figures illustrate the steps involved in holstering a handgun or other item and withdrawing it when needed. A handgun 26 presents a shape different from most other tool or item to be holstered in that it has an elongated barrel/slide and an elongated grip that extends at a generally orthogonal angle relative to the barrel/slide. The barrel/slide will situate along and generally parallel with the wearer's leg, while the grip extends outwardly or at a tangent from the surface of the leg. It is critical to firmly secure the grip by compressing it to the leg, as further explained below.

FIG. 3 shows the handgun 26 inserted in the pouch formed between the holstering panel 16 and the stocking tube 12. As illustrated, the barrel of weapon 26 is nested in the pouch with its grip extending above the pocket. The retention flap 18 has been repositioned from its quiescent position against stocking 20, to begin enshrouding the grip. It should be noted that retention panel 18 is also fixed to the stocking 12 on both longitudinal edges and across the top. Retention panel 18 may be slightly larger than the holstering panel 16, but its resilient compression will assure maximum on-going stability of the handgun 26 or other item once it is fully positioned over the grip. The design lowers the center of gravity of the contents relative to the body, which results in the wearer thinking he/she is carrying less or no gear. This stability instils confidence in movement in the wearer so as to avoid causing the wearer to walk differently or be apprehensive of vigorous activity, like running, jumping, or climbing.

FIG. 4 illustrates the first step of drawing or weapon removal. It will be appreciated that weapon removal is a critical procedure for a user. It may be simply prior to retirement; it may be in an emergency; it may be an aggressive action by an antagonist. It is a feature of this embodiment that attempts at removal by other than the user, are doomed to delay or, more often, failure. This is because the fingertip control over the retention flap makes it very easy for the user, but extremely awkward for an antagonist.

FIG. 4 shows the user's fingers raising retention flap 18, inserted in a gap behind the grip and lifting so that edge 28 comes up and over the grip 30 of weapon 26. The retention flap 18 is then released behind the grip and due to its resilience settles to its quiescent position against the face of the stocking 12. As shown in FIG. 5, this leaves the grip 30 of the weapon 26 immediately available to the fingers and palm of the user's hand 32 to complete withdrawal and aiming. In contrast, an attempt at withdrawal by someone other than the user, encounters the awkward task of pushing at retention flap 18 and likely failure to effect withdrawal.

It is recognized that the components and concepts of this invention open opportunities to expand the utility of the holster. Clearly, if the holster is used for holding a handgun 26 on one side, it can carry ammunition magazines, a flashlight, or other tool(s) (not shown) on the other side. FIG. 6 shows a way in which the upper retention flap 18 may provide around-the-ankle retention for servicing mirror image holstering pouches 34, 36 by providing a hook and eye fastening 38 (or other type of permanent or separable connection) at the front (or back) connection between the flaps and holster plates. FIG. 6 also illustrates a modification of the retention flap and holster plate to yield a holster that can be worn for either inner side or outer side draw (and also for left or right ankle wear).

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the ankle holster 10 providing both improved retention and a means for facilitating opening the pocket for inserting the handgun 26 or other item. At or near the upper edge of the pouch panel 16 is a heavy elastic band 40 secured to the pouch panel 16 along lateral ends and the top edge, leaving the bottom edge open. Woven elastic tape is available and suitable for this use that is elastic in one (longitudinal) direction and inelastic in the other direction. This elastic tape is relatively stiff and provides a “hook” under which fingers of the user's hand may be inserted to stretch the elastic band 40 and pouch panel 16 outward to provide an open pocket for receiving the handgun 26 or other item. The stiffness of the elastic band 40 also provides additional protection against intrusion into the trigger guard area of the handgun 26.

In some situations or occupations, it may be desired to have the ability to re-holster a handgun 26 using only one hand. To accomplish this, the mouth of the pocket or pouch must be held in an open position on its own. Rigid holsters, such as those made of rigid polymer materials (e.g., Kydex™), are known to allow one-handed re-holstering, but have been unsuccessful as an ankle holster. In this embodiment, a rigid holster shell 44 (or partial shell) can be inserted into the pocket between the pouch panel 16 and stocking tube 12 to maintain an open receptacle for re-holstering a handgun 26 with one hand. The holster shell 44 may be secured to the ankle holster 10 such as by a screw fastener (not shown) through a grommeted opening 42 provided in the pouch panel 16 and a corresponding opening 46 in the holster shell 44. Anchoring the shell 44 to the resilient holster 10 allows a smooth, vigorous draw and, when combined with the compression retention of the present invention, maintains the secure feel when holstered.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, therein is shown an alternate embodiment ankle holster 50 that is also fittable to the lower leg, but adjustable in size by a lace-up closure. As in the previously-described embodiment, the holster 50 includes a stocking tube 12 that is longitudinally split along the front. At the top, the stocking tube 12 is adjustably closed with a strap 52 that may be secured using hook and pile attachment material or other means, such as such as snaps or a buckle (not shown). The longitudinal opening may be adjustably closed, such as with lacing 54 threaded through a series of eyes 56 and/or speed lacing hooks 58. The use of hooks for at least a portion of the closure may be desired in order to reduce the total length of lacing 54 required when the split is spread open to slide the holster 50 over the user's foot. A laced closure allows the user to localize the circumferential tension in certain spots on the leg, which is not a uniform cylinder, allowing the wearer a more customized and comfortable fit.

As in the previously described embodiment, the holster 50 includes a pouch panel 16 and a retention flap/panel 18, allowing a handgun 26 or other item to be inserted, retained, and removed in the same way. The holster 50 may be donned by opening the laces 54 enough to allow it to be slid over the foot and up onto the user's lower leg. The strap 52 may then be fastened above the calf to hold it in position while the laces 54 are tightened/hooked/tied. If desired, a tongue or flap (not shown) may be provided behind the lacing 54 to provide a smooth or more cushioned fit against the shin.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, therein is shown another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a thigh holster 60. The thigh holster 60 provides a main pocket for carrying cargo, such as first aid equipment, as well as one or more interior pockets to secure a handgun 26 or other item. Like most other thigh rigs, the thigh holster 60 attaches to the user's upper leg 62 above the knee and may be supported on a belt 64 worn around the user's waist by one or more vertical support straps 66.

As shown in FIG. 12, a first pouch panel 68 is secured to a base panel 70 to create an interior pocket for receiving a handgun 26 or other specific item. The pouch panel 68 is made from a stretchable, resilient fabric, but may include a more rigid or stiff protective shield (not shown) to prevent intrusion into the trigger guard region of the hand on 26. One or more secondary pockets may be formed by the pouch panel 68 to separately receive other items, such as an ammunition magazine or flashlight. An outer pocket panel 72 and an overlapping retention flap panel 74 define an outer compartment into which various items, such as other tools or individual first aid equipment, may be stored separate from and without interference with the handgun 26 when holstered or when being drawn. This also inhibits access to the handgun 26 by anyone other than the wearer. The items in the outer pocket (medical supplies, etc.) will protrude upwardly, partially obstructing an antagonist's access to the gun's grip 30, while the wearer's position allows full access to the grip 30 because the wearer is reaching straight down and pulling upwardly (a position not available to an antagonist).

Referring also to FIG. 13, the base panel 70 wraps around the user's leg and may be adjustably fastened, such as with corresponding hook and pile attachment material panels 76, 78 or other adjustable attachment means. The shape of the base panel 70 may be contoured to fit the thigh and avoid impairing movement. The base panel 70, pocket panels 68, 72, and retention flap panel 74 may all be made of a resilient fabric material. As previously described, the material may be a thin spandex blend or a foamed neoprene that provides both compressive stretch and cushioning. Other accessory attachments, such as pile material panels 80, may be provided on exterior surfaces, if desired.

Users of all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), dirt bike motorcycles, mountain bikes, tractors, golf carts, and marine vehicles often travel in remote or rural areas for sport, work, or transportation. In these areas they may encounter threats from people or wild animals and need quick access of a firearm. The ride from these sorts of vehicles is commonly bumpy, erratic, and jerky, so the wearing of a firearm on the body could be very uncomfortable. If the vehicle has a glovebox, not only would it require the full focus of attention to the compartment to retrieve the firearm efficiently and safely, but the gun could accidentally discharge or be damaged from the vehicle's jostling. Should the firearm be mounted onto the vehicle with an insufficient retention, the firearm may dislodge due to the vehicle's bouncing. Since these types of vehicles are typically used in areas that have mud, water, and dust/dirt, a firearm mounted inside these vehicles may at risk for misfire and corrosion (dirt and debris entering the barrel is the most common cause of misfire and moisture advances corrosion). To add, the driver of these vehicles may want to have the weapon fully out of sight to avoid causing alarm or provocation from passengers or onlookers seeing a mounted firearm. Upon leaving the vehicle, the user may want to take the firearm with them with no disruption of the firearm's concealment.

Another holster embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 14-17. The holster 90 of this embodiment, rather than attaching to a user's limb, uses the same inventive concept to provide secure attachment to an elongated bar 92 or frame member, such as the roll bar or round/square tubular frame of a vehicle, such as an ATV. The holster 90 includes a base panel 94 that is sized to wrap around the bar 92 or frame to which it will be attached. Opposite edges 96, 98 can be secured together, such as with a longitudinal zipper 100 to allow the holster 90 to be mounted around members of various size or shape. The securement may be an adjustable securement, such as with a book and pile fastening material. Alternatively, an elongated tubular or semi-tubular spacer (not shown) may be used between the bar 92 and holster 90 to increase the effective circumference of the mounting surface. If desired, the holster 90 can be removed while retaining the handgun 26 by unzipping the closure and removing the holstered weapon. This allows removal and relocation without exposing the weapon or unnecessarily handing it with an exposed trigger.

As described with respect to other embodiments above, the holster 90 includes a pouch panel 16 that forms a pocket between it and the base panel 94. If desired, a stiffening panel 102 may be placed so as to cover the trigger guard area of a handgun 26 inserted into the pocket. The hard trigger guard 102 functions not only to prevent accidental discharge, but to disallow the materials to stretch in that area. This provides additional compression of the handgun 26 to the structural tubing 92. The pouch panel 16 may be secured to the base panel 94 at opposite edges and at one end 104 with an open edge 106 providing access to the pocket. A retention flap panel 18 is provided, as previously described, to cover the exposed portion of the handgun 26 or other item extending from the pocket and to compress the grip 30 the base panel 94 and mounting bar 92.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the retention flap panel 18 may include a releasable attachment, such as in the form of hook and pile fastening material 108, 110. To draw the handgun 26 from its secured position, the retention flap 18 is separated along its releasable edge and pulled away to expose the grip 30 which may be used to withdraw the handgun 26. A variety of resilient fabrics may be used for the base panel 94, pouch panel 16, and retention flat-panel 18, such as spandex blend fabric or phoned neoprene. In the illustrated embodiment, neoprene is used to provide those resilient compression and cushioning.

Referring now to FIG. 18, therein is shown an alternate thigh holster 120 embodiment. In this embodiment, the base panel 122 is longitudinally split (as in one ankle holster embodiment of the invention) and secured with laces 54 through eyes 56. A pocket is formed by a pouch panel 16 and the handgun is secured by a retention flap panel 18. Pockets can be positioned on either or both sides of the split, allowing the holster 120 to be used on either leg 62 and with either hand 32. This thigh holster 120 can also be adapted to use around the user's torso as a “belly band” type device by lacing in an extension panel (not shown).

This thigh holster embodiment 120 can also be worn in an inverted orientation so that the handgun 26 is withdrawn from the bottom. This allows the user to access it under a skirt or short pants. The handgun 26 is securely retained by the retention panel 18 until purposefully removed by the user.

Referring to FIG. 19, a holster panel 130 may be made for use on a flat or relatively flat surface, like a vehicle body panel or a piece of furniture. Likewise, it may be adapted to a “belly band” type holster by extending the base panel 132 and providing an adjustable closure device (not shown). In this embodiment, a pocket is formed between the resilient or non-resilient base panel 132 and a resilient pouch panel 134, which can include a stiffening panel 24 to protect the trigger guard area of the handgun 26 and/or an elastic band 40 that also protects the trigger and provides a handle for opening the mouth of the pocket, as previously described. A retention flap panel 136 resiliently covers the grip 30 of the handgun 26 to compressively retain it in place. Alternatively, a retention panel may cover the entire pocket opening and overlap the pouch panel 134. As previously described, the resilient retention flap panel and be pulled away from the grip 30 with one hand and then the handgun grasped and removed with the same hand in a fluid motion.

Thumb snap release retention methods are not typically seen as part of a belly band holstering system because the supporting structure is too soft and flexible for the user to have adequate leverage to push the snap apart with one swift motion. Two hands are required or the snap is pulled away and outwardly from the body to cause the snaps to separate. This requires extra time and movements that the user may not be afforded in certain combative situations. Law enforcement officers, in particular, are well trained in the use of thumb strap release retention features from use of their duty weapon holstering, so the development of this feature on a concealable garment is beneficial for its familiar draw and known time efficiency.

Weapon stability is created by applying compressive tension to the gun grip 30, as opposed to the current method of a strap retention laying parallel to the gun slide and extending under the beaver tail notch at the top of the grip. Applying compressive tension to the gun grip pulls it inward to the body, resulting in greater comfort, a lighter feeling of the firearm, and dramatically reduced movement on the body when the wearer is engaged in combative or vigorous activity.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, an alternate embodiment holster 140 may include a pouch panel in the form of an elastic band 142 that is sewn to a base panel 144 to form a pocket to receive a handgun 26 at any desired angle. A stiffening panel 24 may be secured to or integrated into the elastic band 142 to protect the trigger, as previously described. An elastic strap is secured to the base panel 144, such as at a bottom edge, and extends across the grip 30 of a holstered handgun 26. At its free end there is a snap 148 on a stiffening tab 150. As shown in FIG. 21, a vertically elongated panel 152 that is stiff, but pliable, is secured to the base panel 144, such as on the back surface. This elongated stiffening panel creates the leverage needed to allow separating of the snap 148 with one hand and in a single movement.

Alternatively, a hard shell (not shown) holster may be installed in the pocket of the elastic band 142 and secured in place with a fastener, as previously described. In such an embodiment, the shell may provide the retention feature and/or it may be combined with the thumb break strap 146 extending across the grip 30 to compress the grip 30 to the base panel 144.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the following claim or claims.

COMPRESSION HOLSTER

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