BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
My invention pertains generally to the design of concealed carry holsters for pistols, and in its preferred embodiments, to cases and/or holsters of a type intended to disguise the fact that a firearm is housed therein. Even more specifically, my invention deals with improvements to disguised concealed carry holsters/cases via the provision of a disguised holster case and holster combination which is worn and adapted for lateral cross-draw withdrawal of a firearm holstered in a position where its barrel is substantially horizontal and its handle is substantially vertical. The design features of my invention, as further described herein, suit it not only for the usual housing of a small concealed firearm, but for the convenient carry and concealment of larger firearms and for better access and withdrawal in a prone or seated position in addition to ready access from the usual standing position.
Most concealed carry holsters are made and used in a way that does not allow their mounting exterior to the users clothing in the manner of a usual belt-mounted tactical holster of the type used by police and military. However, there have been a few that sought to mimic some type of equipment case in order to disguise their function of housing a firearm for possible use. One type and brand has become exemplary in the field and relatively popular for this purpose. The externally mounted holster/case manufactured by Sneaky Pete Holsters is well known in this field, and seeks to mimic a small equipment case of the type described above. It has a flap that fastens downward and is flipped upward/outwards in order to substantially expose a pistol mounted therein in the usual vertical manner for the user to grasp and deploy. However, it has been found by users to be suitable and practical only for smaller sized firearms such as compact 380 pistols. To make this design large enough to house a larger caliber pistol, which is typically going to be a good deal larger in size (even in a compact configuration), the case must be made a good deal larger, especially in the vertical dimension (to accommodate the longer barrels of such pistols when vertically mounted therein). This makes it cumbersome to wear, and uncomfortable, particularly in the sitting position. More importantly, it loses its virtues as a means of disguising a holstered pistol, as its size is so increased—especially once again in the vertical direction—that it no longer looks anything like a typical equipment case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The case with holster combination of the instant invention is characterized by the holster's inclusion in a holster case disguised as two or more calculator, cell phone and/or other equipment holding cases arranged side-by-side in horizontal alignment. The holster case is designed with a front facing outward opening pistol access flap arranged to close over the holster body so as to hide any firearm placed therein. The combination holster case with flap form a compact elongate horizontal rectangular design that can be conveniently made of leather or of other suitable materials, and is far more effective in disguising its true purpose. The case of the invention can be made in different sizes and with different external features as necessary to better disguise its purpose and to accommodate different sized firearms. In addition, the holster used with the case is preferably detachable and can be made in different shapes and customized for use with the particular firearm being housed, allowing the consumer to mix and match for best results and conformity to his/her firearm. In summary, the features of the invention suit it not only for the usual housing of a small concealed firearm, but for the convenient carry and concealment of larger firearms, and for better access and withdrawal in a prone or seated position in addition to ready access from the usual standing position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 provides a first lateral side view of the concealed carry case for a holstered firearm of my invention, showing the side of the case that would be disposed away from the user when the belt mounted case is worn.
FIG. 2 provides a view from above of the concealed carry case for a holstered firearm of my invention.
FIG. 3 provides a second lateral side view of the concealed carry case for a holstered firearm of my invention, showing the side of the ease that would be disposed towards the user when the belt mounted case is worn.
FIG. 4 provides a front side perspective view of the concealed carry case for a holstered firearm of my invention, showing the side of the case that would face in the same direction as the user when the belt mounted case is worn.
FIG. 5 provides a front side perspective view of the concealed carry ease for a holstered firearm of my invention with the front flap opened so as to expose a firearm disposed within the case.
FIG. 6A provides a front side perspective view of the concealed carry case for a holstered firearm of my invention with the front flap and outer case section opened so as to further expose a firearm disposed within the case.
FIG. 6B provides a close-up perspective view of the interior of the concealed carry case for a holstered firearm of my invention with the front flap and outer case section opened so as to further expose a fireman disposed within the case.
FIG. 7 provides a front side perspective view of the concealed carry case for a holstered firearm of my invention with the front flap and outer case section opened so as to expose a firearm disposed within the case, and, with the holster for the firearm pivoted outward and the firearm partially withdrawn therefrom.
FIG. 8 provides a perspective view illustrating the concealed carry case in its closed configuration as it would be belt mounted and worn by a user.
FIG. 9 provides a perspective view illustrating the concealed carry case in its open configuration as it would be belt mounted and worn by a standing user.
FIG. 10 provides a perspective view illustrating the concealed carry case in its open configuration as it would be belt mounted and worn by a standing user, with the user in the process of moving the firearm therein into position for withdrawal and use.
FIG. 11 provides a perspective view illustrating the concealed carry case in its open configuration as it would be belt mounted and worn by a standing user, with the user having withdrawn the firearm therefrom.
FIG. 12 provides a perspective view illustrating the concealed carry case in its open configuration as it would be belt mounted and worn by a seated user, with the seated user in the process of removing the firearm therefrom.
DESCRIPTION
As can best be seen by review of FIGS. 1 through 4, the case and holster combination of the instant invention is characterized by a holster case 1 which serves the general purpose of housing a holstered pistol therein while disguising said purpose. FIGS. 1 and 2 provide, respectively, a side view and a top view of the concealed carry case 1 of my invention. FIG. 1 shows the side of the case that is disposed away from the user when the belt mounted case 1 is worn. As will be noted, faux pockets 2 are provided to help justify the elongate nature of case 1, making it look like the case 1 is actually two side-by-side cases. Various features can be used for this purpose, and can also be functional in terms of serving a dual purpose in housing equipment such as cell-phones and calculators as long as they do not substantially diminish the functionality of the invention. FIG. 3 provides a side view of the concealed carry case 1, showing the side of the case 1 that is disposed towards the user when the belt mounted case 1 is worn. As will be noted, this side of the case is provided with two belt interface loops 5 through which a belt 12 of the user can be inserted for mounting and positioning of the case 1. Finally, FIG. 4 provides a front side view, showing the side of the case 1 that would face in the same direction as the user when the belt mounted case 1 is worn. A loop 3 is provided for a pen (or pencil) 3A, which is both practical and useful in terms of the purposes of the invention, as it helps to further the disguising purposes of case 1, and can also serve as a finger hold when opening the flap 4 positioned on this side of case 1. Flap 4 incorporates magnets interacting with magnets in the ledge 9 for maintaining the flap 4 in a closed position, but this purpose can also be accomplished via Velcro® fasteners or some other means that provides sufficient security while making retaining ease of access for the user.
FIGS. 5 through 7 provide a sequence of shots demonstrating how the case 1 is opened to access a holstered firearm therein. Beginning with FIG. 5, it be seen that end flap 4 can be easily swung open by a user's opening hand 13 so as to expose the interior of case 1. Some of the salient features to be noted at this point are the manner in which the holstered pistol 8 is tucked neatly into the interior of the case 1, with its handle 8A in a generally vertical orientation below its horizontally oriented barrel section 8B, such that the rear of the handle 8A faces flap 4 (for a convenient cross-draw by the user). Likewise, it should be noted that a fixed ledge 9 is provided, and pistol 8 while in its normal holstered position is tucked behind this ledge 9, preventing its easy withdrawal from case 1. This creates additional security for the user in terms of maintaining the firearm 8 in position until its removal is intended by the user. In this regard, an upper ledge section 9A and a lower ledge section 9C serve, respectively, to block and retain the rear of the barrel section 8B and handle 8A. However, these ledge sections 9A, 9C are separated by a narrower middle ledge section 9B, as illustrated best in FIG. 5. This creates a gap 9D for insertion of a user's thumb to assist in canting holster 11 so that firearm 8 is no longer blocked from withdrawal by ledge sections 9A, 9C and can he withdrawn from case 1 and holster 11 (as best illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11, infra).
As previously noted, holster 11 is preferably a separate and separable part of the combination and is chosen and adapted as part of the case 1 and holster 11 combination in view of the particular firearm being used. In the embodiment illustrated, holster 11 is joined by snaps 11A to the inner case section 6, and there is sufficient flexibility in the leather comprising the holster to allow the canting illustrated in subsequent drawing figures. However, holster 11 can be formed from various other suitable materials and/or removably joined to case 1 in various other ways known in the art so long as the flexibility of the juncture, materials, or other allowance is made for the canting required. As previously noted, holster 11 is intended to be removable so that holsters adapted for particular firearms can be substituted to suit the needs of the customer during the sales process and/or can be used by the wearer to substitute different firearms they may own in case 1 with ease. Likewise, the removability of holster 11 allows the user to easily unsnap the holster from the case when not in use, so that the holstered firearm can be stored in a gun safe or similar secured location.
Turning next to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7, it will be seen that (as previously mentioned) case 1 is formed with an inner case section 6 that nests in an outer case section 7 when the case 1 is closed. These sections 6, 7 are joined at the end opposite flap 4 in such manner as to allow them to pivot open as shown in FIGS, 6A and 6B. Upper and lower gussets 10 are provided to limit the angle between these two sections 6, 7 to approximately 30-45 degrees to enable insertion of the user's hand during the process of the withdrawal of pistol 8 without creating the awkward, excessively open, and more clumsy configuration of case 1 that would occur if the movement of sections 6, 7 away from each other was not constrained. Normally, the opening of case 1 shown in FIG. 6A will occur simultaneously with the canting of holster 11 (as illustrated in FIG. 7). Thus, normal withdrawal of a pistol 8 from ease 11 may move directly from the configuration shown in FIG. 5 to that shown in FIG. 7 as the user's hand seizes the pistol 8 (as best seen in FIGS. 9 through 11).
FIGS. 8 through 11 provide additional illustrations of how the invention is worn and utilized by its user. FIG. 8 provides a perspective view illustrating the concealed carry case 1 in its closed configuration as it would be mounted to a user's belt 12 and worn by a user. FIG. 9, paralleling FIGS. 5 and 6A, supra, illustrate case 1 opened by the user's opening hand 13 such that the firearm 8 can be seized by grasping hand 14 in the classic cross-draw. FIG. 10 illustrates how the thumb 14A of the user's grasping hand 14 slides into the gap 9D to cant the holster 11 with firearm 8 outward past ledge sections 9A, 9C so that the firearm 8 can be grasped and withdrawn. (The fingers of hand 14 are shown in a flared position so that they do not obscure the action/position of thumb 14A—normally they would be reaching around the handle 8A of firearm 8 at the same time as thumb 14A is inserted into gap 9D to lever holster 11 outward). Finally, FIG. 11 illustrates the final act of withdrawing the firearm 8 from holster 8 and case 1 for deployment by the user.
FIG. 12 further illustrates the versatility of the horizontal mount and cross-draw provided by the invention, showing as it does the deployment of firearm 8 while the user is seated in a chair 15 and despite the positioning of a chair arm 15A that would limit or completely block the opening of a large side flap of the type utilized in all current belt mounted concealed carry cases known to the inventor. It has likewise been found that the invention works just as well when the user is seated in an automobile, and that the seat belt will easily cross and ride under case 1 without interfering with the operation of the invention. (This is also a matter of special concern given the increasing incidence of road-rage, car-jacking and similar related criminal acts). Finally, it should be noted that the cross-draw option provided by the invention is of particular usefulness when lying on the back, which may occur during a sudden assault or mugging. In this position, freedom of movement of the arm on the side where the gun is located is hampered by the presence of the ground and positional crowding, but a cross-draw can still be easily accomplished.
However, numerous variations are possible without deviating from and/or exceeding the spirit and scope of our invention. Thus, as the foregoing should also make clear, numerous variations can be made without exceeding the inventive concept. Moreover, several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the claims to be filed with the non-provisional application to follow.
Finally, the following parts (and item) list for the drawing figures may be found to be of assistance in understanding more fully the concepts of our invention:
- 1—Holster case
- 2—Snap pockets
- 3—Pen loop
- 3A—Pen
- 4—End flap
- 5—Rear (Belt) loops
- 6—Inner case section
- 7—Outer case section
- 8—Pistol (or Firearm)
- 8A—Pistol (or Firearm) grip
- 8B—Pistol (or Firearm) barrel section
- 9—Ledge
- 9A—Upper ledge section
- 9B—Middle ledge section
- 9C—Lower ledge section
- 9D—Ledge gap (or Gap)
- 10—Upper and lower gussets
- 11—Holster
- 11A—Holster mounting snaps
- 12—Belt
- 13—Opening hand
- 14—Grasping hand
- 14A—Grasping hand thumb
- 15—Chair
- 15A—Chair arm
Patent Application
20170321991
