The present disclosure generally relates to holsters for firearms, and more specifically, to a holster for a handgun or similar firearm that includes a plurality of apertures that provide for attachment devices to be affixed to the holster in a plurality of positions, including positions that provide for an inside the waistband carry position for a wide range of body types.
Holsters, such as handgun holsters, are commonly used to enable safe portability of a handgun, whether intends for sport or personal protection. Holsters are commonly retained or worn at the waist of a user to provide convenient and secure carrying of the handgun while leaving the hands and body free of encumbrances.
Holsters are often formed of a rigid plastic or polymeric material such as an acrylic-PVC alloy such as Kydex® (Kydex is a registered trademark of Kleerdex Company). The holster material is commonly molded or vacuum formed to fit snuggly about the handgun to minimize the size or profile of the holster and to enhance the retention of the handgun in the holster.
In order to retain the holster at the waist of the user, conventional holsters often employ attachment devices or hangers such as a clip, hook, or set of loops that are formed of a robust material such as metal, plastic, or leather. The attachment device is secured to the holster via mechanical fasteners such as screws or rivets. Once secured to the holster, the attachment devices enable the holster to be removably coupled or attached to the user's clothing, such as a belt or waistband.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a pistol holster includes at least two sets of holster apertures on a side of the holster. Each set of the two sets of holster apertures have a different arrangement than the other. The at least two sets of holster apertures have a dedicated orientation wherein each set of holster apertures are configured to be in registry with a corresponding set of attachment holes for at least one attachment of a plurality of attachments. A set of fasteners are adapted to selectively affix the at least one attachment to the holster using one set of the at least two sets of holster apertures and the corresponding set of attachment holes.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a holster system includes a holster that has a set of first holster apertures and a set of second holster apertures. The set of first holster apertures and the set of second holster apertures are defined on a first side of the holster. The set of first holster apertures have a different arrangement than the set of second holster apertures. A first attachment has a set of first attachment holes oriented to enable registry with the set of first holster apertures. A second attachment has a set of second attachment holes oriented to enable in the registry with the set of second holster apertures. A set of fasteners are adapted to selectably affix the first attachment to the holster through the registry of the first holster apertures and the set of first attachment holes, and further are adapted to selectably affix the second attachment to the holster through the registry of the second holster apertures and the set of second attachment holes.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.
As used herein, the term “set” or a “set” of elements can be any number of elements, including only one.
All directional references (e.g., radial, axial, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use thereof. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and can include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.
As used herein, the term “arrangement” with respect to a set of elements (e.g., apertures, holes, etc.) refers to the relative orientation of the elements with respect to each other. In non-limiting aspects, the relative orientation can include a spacing between the elements with respect to each other. In some non-limiting aspects, the arrangement can define a predetermined pattern.
Non-limiting aspects are described herein with reference to the attached exemplary drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate similar or equivalent elements. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings can vary.
While the term “holster” or “holster assembly” is discussed and described herein, for ease of understanding, in terms of a handgun holster, other aspects are not so limited. It is contemplated that other aspects can include holsters for carrying any desired item such as, without limitation, an ammunition magazine, a power tool (e.g., an electric hand drill), a hand tool (e.g., a hammer), a personal electronic device (e.g., a cell phone), and so on.
Conventional holsters adapted to be worn at the waist of a user are often categorized or referred to by the intended position of the holster with respect to the wearer's waistband or belt. Holsters configured to be worn or carried outside the user's waistband are often referred as OWB holsters. Alternatively, holsters configured to be worn or carried inside the user's waistband are often referred to as IWB holsters. As used herein, the term “first outer surface” of a holster refers to an outer surface of the holster that is operatively disposed to face the wearer when worn. Conversely, as used herein, the term “second outer surface” refers to an outer surface of the holster operatively disposed to face away from the wearer when worn. Accordingly, as used herein, the term “inside the waistband” or “IWB” with reference to a holster, refers to a holster operatively worn with the second outer surface disposed facing the wearer's pants or skirt, and the first outer surface facing the user. Conversely as used herein, the term “outside the waistband” or “OWB” with reference to a holster, refers to a holster operatively worn with the first outer surface disposed facing the wearer's pants or skirt, and the second outer surface facing the user.
Regardless of whether worn OWB or IWB, conventional holsters can additionally be referred to with respect to the intended angular orientation of a longitudinal axis of the holster with respect to the wearer's waistband or belt. As used herein, the term “cant” refers to an angle defined by a longitudinal axis of the holster when worn with respect to the wearer's belt or waistband. Also as used herein, the term “ride height” can refer to a relative vertical dimension between a topmost point of the holster when worn, with respect to the wearer's waistband or belt.
Conventional holsters, for example holsters formed of a rigid plastic material, are typically molded with a set of apertures defined in one of the first outer surface or second outer surface. The apertures are disposed in predetermined locations on the holster and arranged at predetermined spacing with respect to each other. The apertures are sized to receive a fastener such as a screw or rivet. Similarly, conventional attachment devices (e.g., a clip or loop) for a holster are formed with a set of holes defined therethrough. Typically, the holes through a particular attachment device correspond to the apertures in a corresponding holster, and are disposed in predetermined locations at predetermined spacing with respect to each other. The holes are sized to receive the fastener (i.e., the screw or rivet) to secure or fasten the attachment device to the holster. To ensure registry of the set of apertures in the holster with the corresponding holes in the attachment device, the arrangement of the apertures on the holster is typically determined based on the arrangement of the corresponding holes defined in the attachment device. Registry between the apertures in the holster and the holes in the attachment device is necessary to enable a respective fastener to be inserted through the hole in the attachment device, and rigidly secured or threaded into the corresponding aperture defined in the holster.
The location of the apertures on the first or second outer surface of the holster, that is, whether the apertures are defined on the first or second outer surface, can define whether the holster is an IWB holster or an OWB holster. For example, a holster having the apertures defined on the first outer surface (and thus, the enabling and affixing the attachment device to the first outer surface) can define an OWB holster. Alternatively, a holster having the apertures defined on the second outer surface (and thus, enabling and affixing of the attachment device to the second outer surface) can define an IWB holster. Furthermore, the spacing and orientation of the apertures on the holster can be arranged to enable or define a predetermined cant or ride height or both of the holster when worn by the user.
Various attachment device types, such as clips, hooks, and loops, are available from a wide variety of manufactures in a wide variety of orientations and materials. Consequently, many holster attachment devices available on the market today do not necessarily have standardized hole spacing relative to other holster attachment devices. This non-standardized hole spacing between attachment device types and manufactures necessitates holster manufacturers predetermine a one-to-one correspondence of a particular holster having a particular arrangement of apertures with an attachment device having a corresponding arrangement of holes in order to ensure registry of the apertures in the holster with the corresponding apertures in the attachment device. In order to provide a particular model of holster that can be used with a variety of selectable attachment devices, manufacturers need to have specific holsters formed to correspond with specific attachment devices.
It would be desirable to provide a holster that can be selectively used with more than one attachment device. Such a holster would enable late-point identification of the attachment device desired, and thereby reduce required inventory and costs. Such a holster would also enable a user to selectively switch between different attachment devices at different times. Such a holster would further enable a user to select a particular cant or ride height of the holster when worn.
With simultaneous reference to
As shown, the first side 11 is spaced from the second side 12 to define a storage compartment 15 therebetween. The storage compartment 15 can be sized and shaped to retainably receive a pistol (not shown) therein for storage. The storage compartment 15 can define a longitudinal axis “L” therethrough extending between a first end 15a (e.g., a top end) and a second end 15b (e.g., a bottom end). The storage compartment 15 can include an opening 16 at the first end 15a. The opening 16 can be sized to insertably receive at least a portion of the pistol therethrough.
The first side 11 can define a first surface 21. The first surface 21 can be an outer surface of the holster 10. The second side 12 can define a second surface 22. The second surface 22 can be an outer surface of the holster 10. In non-limiting aspects, the holster 10 can be formed as a single piece or unitary body. In other aspects, the first side 11 and second side 12 can be separate elements, and can be fastened together via a fastener 14 to form the holster 10. The first surface 21 can define a set of first apertures 31, and a set of second apertures 32. The set of first apertures 31 can cooperatively define a first arrangement 31a, and the set of second apertures 32 can cooperatively define a second arrangement 32a. Each of the first apertures 31 can define a first shape 31b, and each of the second apertures 32 can define a second shape 32b.
The first shape 31b of each first aperture 31 can be defined by the geometry of the respective first aperture 31, and can include a diameter, a depth, a shape, and the like. The second shape 32b of each second aperture 32 can be defined by the geometry of the respective second aperture 32, and can include a diameter, a depth, a taper, and the like. In non-limiting aspects, the first shape 31b of the first apertures 31 and the second shape 32b of the second apertures 32 can include a respective threaded portion (not shown). While
The first arrangement 31a can be defined by a relative spacing and orientation of the first apertures 31 with respect to each other. The second arrangement 32a can be defined by a relative spacing and orientation of the second apertures 32 with respect to each other. In non-limiting aspects, the first arrangement 31a and the second arrangement 32a can be different from each other. In non-limiting aspects, the set of first apertures 31 or the set of second apertures 32, or both, can be disposed on or defined in a raised portion or boss 23 provided on the first surface 21. For example, the boss 23 can protrude from the first surface 21 by a first thickness 23a.
As will be described in more detail herein, in operation, a selected one of at least two attachment devices (shown in
In non-limiting aspects, at least a first subset 33a of the set of first apertures 31, and a second subset 33b (shown in
It will be appreciated that, in operation, by selectively affixing the first attachment device 41 to one of the first subset 33a (
It will be appreciated that as shown in
In non-limiting aspects, at least a third subset 33c of the set of second apertures 32, and a fourth subset 33d (shown in
It will be appreciated that, in operation, by selectively affixing the second attachment device 42 to one of the third subset 33c (
It will be appreciated that as shown in
Many other possible aspects and configurations in addition to that shown in the above figures are contemplated by the present disclosure.
To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various aspects can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature cannot be illustrated in all of the aspects is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are expressly described. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.
This written description uses examples to disclose aspects of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice aspects of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/412,046, filed on Sep. 30, 2022, entitled HOLSTER WITH SELECTABLE MOUNTING, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63412046 | Sep 2022 | US |