HOLSTER MOUNT

Abstract

A holster mount for selectively mounting a handgun holster on a chosen object. The handgun holster has a sleeve sized and shaped for holding a handgun and a clip connected to the sleeve. The clip at least partially defines an opening for receiving the wearable article. The holster mount includes a housing including a receiver having opposing sidewalls spaced by a gap configured to receive the clip of the handgun holster so each of the opposing sidewalls faces the clip. A first sidewall of the opposing sidewalls includes a protrusion extending into the gap from the first sidewall. The protrusion is located in the gap to engage the opening of the handgun holster when the gap receives the clip of the handgun holster. The holster mount includes a connector having a latch moveably mounted on the housing for movement between a latched position and a released position.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to firearms and holsters, and more particularly, to a device for securely mounting a holster on a selected object.

Handgun users frequently wear holsters for carrying their firearms near their waist or hip to allow convenient access should a need arise. Some waist-worn holsters are configured to be concealed under clothing, allowing them to be carried inconspicuously in public. Waist holsters frequently have clips or loops providing openings sized for receiving belts, waistbands, or other worn articles to attach the holster to the user's articles of clothing. However, when a wearer sits down or stands up, waist-worn holsters can catch on surrounding objects such as a chair arm and impede user movement. Further, waist-worn holsters can move as a user sits causing the holster to poke or pinch the wearer. To prevent these issues, wearers sometimes remove waist-worn holsters when they sit, particularly when they anticipate sitting for an extended period. However, holstered handguns can present other problems when detached from the user's clothing. For example, when a user lays the holstered gun on a seat beside them, the holstered firearm may be dislodged from the seat as the user shifts, potentially causing the firearm to fall to the floor. A holstered gun loose in a vehicle may slide across the vehicle during a turn or during starts and stops. Both of these situations can result in the firearm being less accessible. And the handgun may be damaged when it hits the floor or vehicle interior. In addition, a user may be more likely to leave a handgun behind when its holster is separated from the user. Thus, there is a need for apparatus to mount a holster where a user anticipates removing a holster.

Mounts have been made for holding unclipped waist holsters in vehicles or on furniture. Some of these mounts have a broad tongue that slides between the holster and belt clip to hold the holster in place. Usually, the tongue is oriented so gravity keeps the holster on the tongue, but the holster can slide off of the tongue under some circumstances. When a user attempts to unholster the handgun and circumstances permit the holster to slide off of the tongue, a second hand may be needed to remove the handgun from the holster. Depending on the circumstances, the second hand may be occupied with other tasks. Moreover, when the handgun fails to separate from the holster, more time may be needed to unholster the gun before it can be used. Thus, there is a need for a holster mount that securely and reliably mounts a waist-worn holster on selected objects such as a desk or in a vehicle.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a holster mount for selectively mounting a handgun holster on a chosen object. The handgun holster has a sleeve sized and shaped for holding a handgun and a clip connected to the sleeve for selectively attaching the handgun holster to a wearable article. The clip at least partially defines an opening for receiving the wearable article when selectively attaching the handgun holster to the wearable article. The holster mount comprises a housing including a receiver having opposing sidewalls spaced by a gap configured to receive the clip of the handgun holster when separated from the wearable article so each of the opposing sidewalls faces the clip. A first sidewall of the opposing sidewalls includes a protrusion extending into the gap from the first sidewall. The protrusion is located in the gap to engage the opening of the handgun holster when the gap receives the clip of the handgun holster. The holster mount also comprises a connector having a latch moveably mounted on the housing for movement between a latched position and a released position. In the latched position, the latch extends into the gap from a second sidewall of the opposing sidewalls, so the latch is located in the gap to engage the opening of the handgun holster generally opposite the protrusion thereby locking the clip of the handgun holster in the gap and fastening the handgun holster to the holster mount. In the released position, the latch is spaced from the protrusion by a distance sufficient to disengage the latch from the opening of the handgun holster thereby allowing the clip to be removed from the gap and the handgun holster to be separated from the holster mount.

In another aspect, the present disclosure includes a holster mount for selectively mounting a handgun holster on a chosen object. The handgun holster has a sleeve sized and shaped for holding a handgun and a clip connected to the sleeve for selectively attaching the handgun holster to a wearable article. The clip at least partially defines an opening for receiving the wearable article when selectively attaching the handgun holster to the wearable article. The holster mount comprises a housing including a rear wall extending between opposing sidewalls. The rear wall and opposing side walls define a receiver adapted to receive the clip of the handgun holster when separated from the wearable article. The housing also includes a protrusion extending from a first sidewall of the opposing sidewalls configured to engage the opening of the handgun holster when the receiver receives the clip of the handgun holster. The holster mount also comprises a latch connected to the housing for movement between a latched position and a released position. In the latched position, the latch is configured to engage the opening of the handgun holster opposite the protrusion when the receiver receives the clip of the handgun holster, and the protrusion engages the opening of the handgun holster thereby locking the clip of the handgun holster in the receiver and fastening the handgun holster to the holster mount. In the released position, the latch is spaced from the protrusion by a distance sufficient to disengage the latch from the opening of the handgun holster thereby allowing the clip to be removed from the receiver and the handgun holster to be separated from the holster mount.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure includes a method of manufacturing a holster mount for selectively holding a firearm holster including a sleeve sized and shaped for holding a firearm. The method comprises the steps of forming a base configured for mounting on a chosen object and forming a cover having a receiver sized and shaped for receiving the firearm holster. The method further comprises forming a connector having a latch configured to engage the firearm holster when received in the receiver. The connector is positioned between the base and cover, so the latch is moveable between a latched position in which the latch extends into the receiver of the cover to engage the firearm holster when received in the receiver and a released position in which the latch is positioned to disengage the firearm holster allowing the firearm holster to be removed from the receiver. While the connector is positioned between the base and the cover, joining the cover to the base to retain the connector in position between the base and cover.

Other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent in view of the following description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure includes non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a holster mount described herein;

FIG. 2 is an alternate perspective of the holster mount;

FIG. 3 is a separated perspective of the holster mount;

FIG. 4 is an alternative separated perspective of the holster mount.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the holster mount;

FIG. 6 is a top plan of the holster mount;

FIG. 7A is a cross section of the mount taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the mount in a latched position, and FIG. 7B is a similar cross section showing the mount in a released position;

FIG. 8 is a cross section of the mount taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of the mount having a handgun holster mounted therein;

FIG. 10 is a cross section of the mount and holster taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a cross section of the mount and holster taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 9.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a holster mount designated in its entirety by the reference number 20. The mount 20 broadly comprises a base, generally designated by 22, a cover, generally designated by 24, mounted on the base, and a connector or holster release, generally designated by 26, captured between the base and cover. The base 22 and cover 24 constitute a housing when joined. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 22 includes opposite flanges 30, each having two spaced countersunk holes 32 for receiving screw fasteners (not shown) to fasten the mount 20 to a surface of a chosen object such as a vehicle interior, a desk, or a chair. Strips of double-sided foam tape (broadly, adhesive) 34 are applied to a rear face or mounting face 36 of the base 22. As further shown in FIG. 2, the rear face 36 of the base 22 has cavities 38 separated by ribs 40 arranged in a grid. The cavities 38 and ribs 40 reduce material needed to mold the base 22 while maintaining adequate strength. FIG. 3 illustrates a front face 42 of the base 22 which has a central recess 44 separating a first end body 46 and a second end body 48 opposite the first end body. An elongated slot 50 extends from the first end body 46 to the second end body 48. An opening 52 is provided at an end of the slot 50 corresponding to the first body 46. The slot 50 has a flat rear wall 54 and opposing sides 56. A plurality of rectangular recesses 58 are spaced around the margins of the front face 42 of the end bodies 46, 48. The front face 42 also has a plurality of larger cavities 60 to reduce material needed when molding the base 22.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holster connector 26 includes a rectilinear body 62 at one end. The rectilinear body 62 is shaped to slide along the slot 50. The body 62 has a rear face 64 that faces the back face 54 of the slot and a front face 66 opposite the rear face. Additionally, the body 62 has a cylindrical cavity 70 centered on an end face 72 of the body for receiving a coil spring 74 to bias the connector 26 away from the second end body 48. The rectilinear body 62 includes a cavity 76 to reduce material needed to mold the connector 26, a latch 78 extends from the body adjacent the front face 66 and an elongated extension 80 extends from the body adjacent the rear face 64. The latch 78 has a slanted front surface 82 configured to push the latch toward the second end body 48 when a user inserts a holster into the mount as will be explained. The extension 80 is sized and shaped to selectively move inside the slot 50. In the first example, the extension 80 moves linearly (i.e., in a straight line) along the slot 50. An elongated stem 84 is joined to the extension 80 opposite the body 62. The stem 84 is laterally offset from the extension 80 so it extends along the slot 50 in a plane positioned about midway between the front face 66 and the rear face 64 of the body 62. Thus, the stem 84 is aligned to extend through the opening 52 in the first end body 46. A head 86 is provided on the stem 84 to improve user comfort when depressing the stem as will be explained.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover 24 has a first front wall 90, a second front wall 92 opposite the first front wall, and a central back wall 94. A first sidewall 96 extends between the first front wall 90 and the central back wall 94, and a second sidewall 98 extends between the second front wall 92 and the central back wall. The first and second sidewalls 96, 98 are spaced by a gap 100 configured to receive a conventional clip of a typical handgun holster (not shown). Although it is envisioned that the sidewalls 96, 98 may have other positions, in the illustrated example the first sidewall and second sidewall are mirror images of each other, and the sidewalls have broad curved portions 102 at each end that are symmetrical. Thus, the illustrated sidewalls 96, 98 permit the holster mount 20 to be mounted in opposite orientations so the stem 84 extends in opposite directions. This feature allows the mount to be reversed when circumstances indicate one stem direction is advantageous. The first sidewall 96 has a protrusion 104 that extends into the gap 100. As will be explained, the protrusion 104 is located in the gap 100 so it engages an opening in the clip of a conventional handgun holster. The second sidewall 98 has a window 106 positioned generally opposite the protrusion 104. The window 106 is sized to allow the latch 78 of the connector 26 to pass into the gap 100 opposite the generally opposite the protrusion 104. When the latch 78 extends through the window 106, it is positioned to engage an opposite end of the opening in the clip of the conventional handgun holster. When the protrusion 104 extends into one end of the opening and the latch 78 extends into the other end, the holster is locked in place as will be explained. As further shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of rectangular recesses 108 are spaced around the margins of front faces 110 of the cover 24. These recesses 108 are sized to receive ultrasonic machinery used to fasten the cover 24 to the base 22 as will be explained. FIG. 4 shows a plurality of bosses 112 are provided on back faces 114 of the cover 24. The back faces 114 of the cover 24 also have cavities 116 to reduce material needed when molding the cover 24. The back face 114 of the cover also include a hollow rectangular tube 118 extending rearward from the first front wall 90. This tube 118 extends into the slot 50 adjacent to the extension 80 to engage the connector 26 and hold it in position relative to the slot.

The base 22, cover 24, and connector 26 of the illustrated example are molded using conventional techniques, but other techniques such as 3D printing are also envisioned. Although other materials such as metals and composites may be used, the base 22, cover 24, and connector 26 of the illustrated example are molded from conventional plastics. To assembly the holster mount 20, a coil spring 74 is inserted in the cylindrical cavity 70 in the connector 26 before the connector is positioned in the slot 50 so the extension 80 is adjacent the back face 54 of the slot and the stem 84 is positioned in the opening 52 of the first end body 46. Once the connector 26 and spring 74 are positioned in the slot 50 as described, the cover 24 is positioned on the base 22 so the hollow rectangular tube 118 extending from the back face 114 of the cover enters the opening 52 in the first end body 46. As will be appreciated, the connector 26 may be pushed in a direction that compresses the spring 74 when positioning the cover 24 on the base 22. As the cover 24 is positioned on the base 22, the cover may be manipulated so the latch 78 enters the window 106 in the second sidewall 98 of the cover. When pressure on the connector 26 is eased so the spring 74 lengthens, the latch 78 moves into the gap 100 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, the spring 74 biases the latch 78 toward a latched position as will be explained. Although the cover 24 may be joined to the base 22 using other means such as adhesive, in the illustrated example, horns of an ultrasonic welding machine may be inserted into the plurality of rectangular recesses 108 spaced around the margins of front faces 110 of the cover 24 and energized to weld the plurality of bosses 112 extending from back faces 114 of the cover 24 while inside the corresponding rectangular recesses 58 spaced around the margins of the base 22.

As will be appreciated, in one example the mount 20 may be mounted on a chosen object such as a desk or car interior by fastening the mount to the object using screw fasteners (not shown) inserted through the countersunk holes 32 in the flanges 30 of the base 22. Alternatively, the mount 20 may be mounted on the object using an adhesive. In one example, strips of double-sided foam tape 34 are provided on the rear face 36 of the base 22. Cover strips may be removed from the tape 34 to expose adhesive on the tape and the base 22 may be pressed against the object. In some examples the mount 20 may be mounted on the object using both screw fasteners and adhesive.

To connect a holster to the holster mount 20, a user pushes the head 86 of the connector 26 toward the housing comprising the case 22 and cover 24 to move the connector from the latched position as shown in FIG. 7A to the released position as shown in FIG. 7B. When the connector 26 is in its released position, a user positions a clip C of a holster H in the gap 100 as shown in FIGS. 8-11. Accordingly, the first and second sidewalls 96, 98 of the cover 24 constitute a receiver for receiving the clip C of the handgun holster H. The user manipulates The holster H and clip C as the clip enters the gap 100 so the protrusion 104 extending into the gap from the first sidewall 96 enters an opening O in the handgun holster H. Once the clip C is in position in the gap 100 as described, the user releases the connector 26 so the spring 74 returns the connector to the latched position shown in FIG. 7A. In the latched position, the latch 78 extends through the window 106 in the second sidewall 98 of the cover 24 and into the gap 100 so the latch enters the opening O of the holster H at an end opposite the protrusion 104. Once the connector 26 is released and both the protrusion 104 and latch 78 are engaging respective ends of the opening O, the clip C of the handgun holster H is firmly locked in the gap 100 and the holster is fastened to the holster mount 20 due to the spring 74 biassing the connector 26 toward its latched position. With the holster H so mounted, a user is able to quickly draw a firearm from the holster and the holster remains fixed to the mount 20 attached to the object. As will be appreciated, in some examples a user need not press the head 86 of the connector 26 to compress the spring 74. Rather, the user inserts the clip C into the gap 100 and manipulates the holster H so the protrusion 104 enters the corresponding opening O. As the user pushes the clip C farther into the gap 100, the clip engages the slanted front surface 82 of the latch 78, overcoming the force of the spring 74 and causing the latch to be pushed into the window 106 toward its released position. When the clip C is fully seated in the gap 100, the spring 74 moves the connector 26 back to its latched position causing the latch 78 to enter the opening O of the holster H at the end opposite the protrusion 104. To release the holster H from the mount 20, a user presses the head 86 to move the connector 26 to the released position in which the latch 78 is spaced from the protrusion 104 by a distance sufficient to disengage the latch from the opening O, allowing the clip C to be removed from the gap 100 and the handgun holster to be separated from the holster mount. With the connector 26 in the released position, the user pulls the clip C out of the gap 100, separating the holster H from the mount 20. As will be appreciated, the extension 80 of the connector slides in the slot 50 between the side walls 56, moving parallel to the rear wall 54 as the connector moves between the latched position and released position.

When introducing elements in this description and the claims, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to indicate one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and indicate there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As those skilled in the art could make various changes to the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the intended scope of the description, all matter in the above description and accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other constructions and methods that would occur to those skilled in the art. Such other constructions are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the structural elements of the constructions do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the constructions include equivalent structural elements having insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

To the extent that the specification, including the claims and accompanying drawings, discloses any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the disclosures are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claims such additional disclosures is reserved.

Claims

1. A holster mount for selectively mounting a handgun holster on a chosen object, said handgun holster having a sleeve sized and shaped for holding a handgun and a clip connected to the sleeve for selectively attaching the handgun holster to a wearable article, the clip at least partially defining an opening for receiving the wearable article when selectively attaching the handgun holster to the wearable article, said holster mount comprising: a housing including a receiver having opposing sidewalls spaced by a gap configured to receive the clip of the handgun holster when separated from the wearable article so each of said opposing sidewalls faces the clip, a first sidewall of said opposing sidewalls including a protrusion extending into the gap from said first sidewall, said protrusion being located in the gap to engage the opening of the handgun holster when the gap receives the clip of the handgun holster; anda connector having a latch moveably mounted on the housing for movement between a latched position in which the latch extends into the gap from a second sidewall of said opposing sidewalls so the latch is located in the gap to engage the opening of the handgun holster generally opposite the protrusion thereby locking the clip of the handgun holster in the gap and fastening the handgun holster to the holster mount, and a released position in which the latch is spaced from the protrusion by a distance sufficient to disengage the latch from the opening of the handgun holster thereby allowing the clip to be removed from the gap and the handgun holster to be separated from the holster mount.

2. A holster mount as set forth in claim 1, wherein the latch is biased toward the latched position.

3. A holster mount as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: a base configured for mounting the housing on the chosen object; anda cover connected to the base, said cover including at least one of said opposing sidewalls of the receiver.

4. A holster mount as set forth in claim 3, wherein: the connector includes a body from which the latch extends; andthe base includes a slot sized for slidably receiving the body of the connector, said slot extending from a first end to a second end opposite said first end.

5. A holster mount as set forth in claim 4, wherein: the second sidewall has a window positioned generally opposite the protrusion; andsaid latch extends through the window and into the gap when the latch is in the latched position to engage the opening of the handgun holster generally opposite the protrusion.

6. A holster mount as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a spring positioned between the body and the second end of the slot for biasing the latch toward the latched position.

7. A holster mount as set forth in claim 6, wherein: the slot has a back extending between opposing sidewalls;the body has a rear face that faces the rear wall of the slot, a front face opposite said rear face, and a cylindrical cavity centered between the rear face the front face for positioning the spring with the second end of the slot.

8. A holster mount as set forth in claim 7, wherein the latch has a slanted outer surface configured to push the latch toward the released position when a user pushes the clip against the slanted outer surface and into the gap between the opposing sidewalls of the receiver.

9. A holster mount as set forth in claim 7, wherein the latch extends from the body adjacent the front face.

10. A holster mount as set forth in claim 9, wherein: the base includes a hole adjacent the first end of the slot; andthe connector includes an elongated stem aligned with the cylindrical cavity in the body that extends through the hole in the base when the latch is in the latched position.

11. A holster mount as set forth in claim 10, wherein: the connector includes an extension extending between the body and the stem, the extension extending from the body adjacent the rear face; andthe extension moves parallel to the rear wall of the slot as the latch moves between the latched position and the released position; andthe stem is offset from the extension.

12. A holster mount for selectively mounting a handgun holster on a chosen object, said handgun holster having a sleeve sized and shaped for holding a handgun and a clip connected to the sleeve for selectively attaching the handgun holster to a wearable article, the clip at least partially defining an opening for receiving the wearable article when selectively attaching the handgun holster to the wearable article, said holster mount comprising: a housing including: a rear wall extending between opposing sidewalls, said rear wall and opposing side walls defining a receiver adapted to receive the clip of the handgun holster when separated from the wearable article;a protrusion extending from a first sidewall of said opposing sidewalls configured to engage the opening of the handgun holster when the receiver receives the clip of the handgun holster; anda latch connected to the housing for movement between a latched position in which the latch is configured to engage the opening of the handgun holster opposite the protrusion when the receiver receives the clip of the handgun holster and the protrusion engages the opening of the handgun holster thereby locking the clip of the handgun holster in the receiver and fastening the handgun holster to the holster mount, and a released position in which the latch is spaced from the protrusion by a distance sufficient to disengage the latch from the opening of the handgun holster thereby allowing the clip to be removed from the receiver and the handgun holster to be separated from the holster mount.

13. A holster mount as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a stem operatively connected to the latch for moving the latch from the latched position to the released position for disengaged the latch from the opening of the clip and removing the clip from the receiver when separating the handgun holster from the holster mount.

14. A holster mount as set forth in claim 13, further comprising an extension operatively connecting the stem to the latch, the extension extending through the housing adjacent the rear wall.

15. A holster mount as set forth in claim 12, wherein the latch is biased toward the latched position.

16. A method of manufacturing a holster mount for selectively holding a firearm holster including a sleeve sized and shaped for holding a firearm, the method comprising the steps of: forming a base configured for mounting on a chosen object;forming a cover having a receiver sized and shaped for receiving the firearm holster;forming a connector having a latch configured to engage the firearm holster when received in the receiver;positioning the connector between the base and cover so the latch is moveable between a latched position in which the latch extends into the receiver of the cover to engage the firearm holster when received in the receiver and a released position in which the latch is positioned to disengage the firearm holster allowing the firearm holster to be removed from the receiver; andwhile the connector is positioned between the base and the cover, joining the cover to the base to retain the connector in position between the base and cover.

17. A method of manufacturing a holster mount as set forth in claim 16, further comprising the step of positioning a spring adjacent the connector before joining the cover to the base to bias the latch toward the latched position.

18. A method of manufacturing a holster mount as set forth in claim 16, wherein the step of joining the cover to the base comprises ultrasonically joining the cover to the base.