Weapon-mounted firearm accessories have become an important tool for military, police, militia, and civilian firearm users. Examples of popular firearm accessories include targeting devices, such as LASER sighting devices, and target illuminators, such as flashlights. Many handgun designs incorporate mounting rails for supporting these accessories. Using an accessory rail interface, a given accessory may be mounted to a variety of firearms or firearms platforms. Likewise, if a particular firearm includes a rail interface, a variety of accessories may be interchangeably mounted to the firearm. The interchangeability of accessories is of particular importance to military and law enforcement personnel attached to special operations units, as this allows a single firearm to be reconfigured to meet certain mission specific needs.
One accessory that is becoming rather ubiquitous is a handgun-mounted light or flashlight. These handgun-mounted lights typically attached to a mounting rail located forward of the trigger guard and are centered along the bore axis of the handgun. A weapon-mounted flashlight is useful to light both the surrounding environment as well as possible assailants using only a single hand. This frees the other hand to call the police or fend off an attacker, or alternatively allows a user to keep both hands on the gun for a more secure grip.
Handgun-mounted lasers may similarly be attached to an accessory rail parallel to the bore axis of a handgun. A weapon-mounted laser sighting system has several advantages. First, a laser can aid in shooting accuracy and speed, particularly in high pressure situations. Further, lasers can aid in shooting at night or indoors in poorly lit environments. Lasers can also be used to safely practice trigger control. Finally, lasers may work as an intimidating deterrent for would-be assailants.
In an embodiment of the invention, holster system comprises a holster and an accessory configured to be fixed to a mounting rail of a handgun. The accessory having a lower downwardly facing surface and a pair of upwardly facing shoulders with lands positioned adjacent grooves of the mounting rail. The holster having a holster body having a pair of opposing wall portions defining an interior or cavity. Each wall portion having an inwardly projecting rib dividing the interior of the holster body into an upper first cavity portion and a lower second cavity portion, the second cavity configured as a form fitting accessory pocket. In embodiments, the first cavity portion dimensioned to universally receive slides and the body of various handgun makes and models in a spaced relationship from two sides and the top of the firearm. The holster body configured such that the second cavity portion receives the accessory so that a conforming engagement is formed between the accessory and the holster body. When a handgun with the accessory mounted thereto is inserted into the holster body, the accessory is engaged by the pair of inwardly projecting ribs and an upwardly facing surface of a bottom of the holster body engages the lower downwardly facing surface of the accessory. A stop surface fixed with respect to, or part of the holster body engages a forward facing surface of the accessory upon insertion of the handgun with accessory into the holster body thereby providing a seating position of the handgun and accessory in the holster body whereby the accessory and thus the handgun is constrained forwardly, upwardly, downwardly, to the port side, and to the starboard side.
In embodiments, a retention mechanism may be supported by the wall of the holster body. The retention mechanism having a blocking portion movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position so that the retention mechanism either prevents or allows the accessory attached to the handgun from being withdrawn from the interior of the holster body thus retaining the handgun in the holster. The blocking portion may be on a spring member biased to a blocking position and positioned to engage and block a rearward facing surface of the accessory. A sliding member configured as a flat thin bar or elongate thin plate on the port side of the holster has a thumb receiving portion and a cam surface configured as a ramp that engages cam follower surfaces on the spring member to move the spring member and blocking portion to the non-blocking position. A cam surface may alternatively engage a cam follower surface on the blocking portion. In embodiments, the blocking portion may also be urged to and/or locked in the blocking position when the handgun is pulled rearwardly, that is, in an outward or removal direction with respect to the holster. This may preclude the depression of the thumb receiving portion when the handgun is being pulled and at least inhibits the removal of the handgun from the holster when being so pulled rearwardly. Thus, a feature of embodiments is a handgun withdrawal inhibitor device that is effective to lock the release actuation mechanism in the blocking position upon a force urging the handgun rearwardly when the release actuation mechanism has not been manually actuated. In an embodiment, this feature is accomplished with a blocking member that is movable forwardly and rearwardly and that has a locking portion that engages a fixed surface to immobilize the blocking member when the firearm and/or accessory pushes the locking portion rearwardly before the locking portion has been moved out of the way of the firearm and/or accessory. The locking portion may be a ramped surface or a recess on the blocking portion. In embodiments the locking portion may be displaced from the blocking portion, for example disposed on the spring member to which the blocking portion is attached. In embodiments, the blocking member may engage conventional retention features on the holstered handgun such as the ejection port or trigger guard rather than an accessory. In embodiments, a depressing of the thumb release portion when the handgun is being pulled rearwardly will cause a bowing of the elongate spring member without causing movement of the blocking portion from the blocking position to the non-blocking position.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is the locking out of the release actuation mechanism where the handgun has been rearwardly displaced from a seating position before the release actuation mechanism is actuated.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that thumb actuating release actuation mechanism is biased, such as by a spring, to a preactuation position and is automatically reset after withdrawal of the handgun. The handgun can be reholstered without manual reset of the retention mechanism or the release actuation mechanism.
In an embodiment, the accessory has a width less than or equal to the maximum width of the handgun. In an embodiment, the accessory has a height less than or equal to the height of the trigger guard of the handgun.
A feature and advantage of embodiments include providing a universal holster system that allows a single holster to be utilized with various makes and models of handgun. In these embodiments, a weapon mounted accessory, such as a camera and/or a light, is used as the sole or primary interface with the holster. The holster partially encloses the handgun while leaving a predetermined clearance around the handgun. In embodiments, the clearance around the handgun allows a single holster system to be utilized with various makes and models of handguns.
A feature and advantage of embodiments involves reducing or eliminating wear and tear on handgun surface finishes due to the fact that the holster cavity leaves clearance around the handgun.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a thumb-actuated release actuation mechanism that selectively releases the retention mechanism when the user wishes to draw his or her weapon. The release actuation mechanism includes an elongate substantially flat plate sliding member and a blocking portion with cooperating sloped surfaces configured to cause deflection of the blocking portion when a thumb receiving portion on the sliding member is pressed downward.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a thin, thumb-actuated release actuation mechanism that fits between the holster and a mounting plate defining one or more slots for receiving belts, straps, and the like.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the actuation receiving portion is in a position that is not readily accessible or visible to potential attackers.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a thin, thumb-actuated release actuation mechanism configured such that pressing downward on a thumb receiving portion moves a blocking portion from a blocking position in which the blocking portion prevents the accessory from being withdrawn from the first cavity defined by the holster body to a non-blocking position in which the retention mechanism allows the accessory to be withdrawn from the first cavity.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a holster with a capture mechanism with an elongate sliding planar bar extending from the thumb push button to the end of the bar with no motion transfer mechanisms or bends in the bar. Pressure from the thumb actuation is efficiently transferred to the cam surface to deflect the spring member and blocking portion. An integral cam surface positioned on the middle of the bar deflects the spring member for releasing the handgun.
In embodiments of the invention, an accessory clamped to the handgun rail has a singular function of interfacing with the holster while maintaining a reduced profile. In particular, the “interface-only” accessory has the interface features of other accessories (e.g., camera, flashlight and/or laser that clamps to a rail but is of reduced size and/or weight. A holster that accommodates a specific flashlight design can accommodate the interface-only accessory attached to a handgun with an additional insert adaptor that seats into and is fixed within the accessory pocket of the holster body. The lower downwardly facing surface of the interface-only accessory slidingly engages the insert adaptor upon insertion and withdrawal of the handgun and seats on the insert adaptor when the firearm is fully holstered. In embodiments of the invention the holster body can be configured for the interface only accessory whereby the adaptor is not needed. In such a case the secondary pocket for the accessory will be reduced in size with pocket defined as extending from the bottom inside upwardly facing surface of the pocket to the inwardly projecting ribs that engage an upwardly facing surface of the clamp portion of the interface only accessory. The height of the pocket corresponding to the height of the accessory and in embodiments will be less than one half the height of the trigger guard. In embodiments, the height of the pocket will be less than 0.5 inches.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is automatic retention of the accessory (and therefore the handgun) upon insertion of the handgun/accessory combination into the holster. The system includes a blocking portion with a protrusion that engages a surface of the accessory. The protrusion extends through an aperture defined by the wall of the holster. The blocking portion includes a rearwardly facing face with a sloped surface configured to cause deflection of a cantilevered portion of the blocking portion member upon insertion of the handgun/accessory combination into the holster.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a locking action which resists or prevents actuation of the release actuation mechanism while rearward forces are being applied to the handgun; for example, when an attacker is attempting to draw the user's weapon or when the user is running and jostling the holster and firearm. The blocking member of the system include a rearward facing ramp oriented such that the ramp engages a portion of the holster body at the aperture when the blocking portion is forced rearwardly such as when the handgun is pulled without the blocking member being moved out of position. The ramp engaging surface of the holster body applies a reaction force to the distal ramp. The reaction force has a lateral force component securing the blocking portion in the blocking position such that depression of the thumb receiving portion is resisted or prevented. The spring member and blocking portion may be attached to the holster body with some minimal forward backward movement, with respect to the holster body for example, less than 0.25 inches. In other embodiments the forward backward movement may be less than 0.125 inches. In embodiments the blocking portion may be slidably moveable on the spring member. The blocking portion may be biased toward a non-locking position.
A feature and advantage of embodiments involves providing a holster that is capable of receiving handguns of various makes and models without requiring a user to make adjustments to the holster. The holster has sufficient clearance around each handgun to provide a multi-handgun fit. For example, a user can switch handguns in the middle of a three gun competition without removing the holster from his or her body so long as a predetermined accessory for which the holster is configured to receive and retain is attached to each handgun on the handgun rail.
A feature and advantage of embodiments involves providing a holster capable of receiving a first handgun with a slide portion having a first shape and a second handgun with a slide portion having a second shape that is different from the first shape so long as the first and second handguns have an accessory with predetermined form that conforms to an accessory pocket in the holster.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the release actuation mechanism is actuated by the user's thumb rather than the user's index finger and that the actuation portion is narrow having the height and width of the elongate sliding member.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that certain retention mechanism components are housed in a cavity defined by the elongate sliding member that actuates the retention mechanism and a wall portion of the holster. Specifically, the elongate spring member with the blocking portion and the spring that biases the elongate sliding member, are in said cavity. The cavity may be open downwardly to allow debris to exit the cavity. Moreover, the elongate sliding member is secured in a recess defined by a pair of guides or tracks extending forwardly and backwardly on the wall portion and is retained in position by a mounting plate or belt attachment member.
In an embodiment, a holster system comprises a holster and an accessory configured to be fixed to a mounting rail of a handgun. The accessory includes an activator switch carried by a housing of the accessory. In an embodiment, the activator switch has a projecting portion biased into a projecting position, the projecting portion being movable out of the projecting position and into a depressed position. In an embodiment, the activator switch is operatively connected to a camera so that the camera is activated when the projecting portion is in the projecting position and is deactivated when the projecting portion is in the depressed position. In an embodiment, a surface of the holster body holds the projecting portion in the depressed position while the accessory is in a cavity defined by the holster body. The camera may be mounted in various locations. Examples of camera mounting locations include locations on the body of a person, locations on the holster, and locations on the handgun. The camera may be automatically activated upon withdrawal of the gun from the holster regardless of the location of the camera. In an embodiment, the accessory may comprise a camera and the system may include a retention mechanism having a blocking portion movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position so that the retention mechanism either prevents or allows the accessory attached to the handgun from being withdrawn from the interior of the holster body thus retaining the handgun in the holster.
“Portion” when used herein may refer to a discrete component or an integral part of a component that includes other portions. For example, “blocking portion” may be a separately formed component that is then subsequently attached to another component, such as a spring member. Or it may be the end of a single molded component that has the blocking function and a spring function. The above summary of the various representative features and aspects of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Rather, the various representative features and aspects are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles of certain aspects of the present invention. The figures in the detailed description that follows more particularly exemplify such aspects of the present invention.
The holster 102 has a holster body 148 having a wall 106 defining an interior or cavity 108. The wall 106 of the holster body 148 includes a port side wall portion 120 and a starboard side wall portion 122. In the embodiment of
In embodiments, the holster system 100 of
In
Various direction-indicating terms are used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shown in the figures. It will be appreciated that many direction indicating terms are related to the instant orientation of the object being described. It will also be appreciated that the objects described herein may assume various orientations without deviating from the spirit and scope of this detailed description. Accordingly, direction-indicating terms such as “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “forwardly,” “backwardly,” “portly,” and “starboardly,” should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention recited in the attached claims.
The holster 102 has a holster body 148 with a wall 106 defining a cavity 108. The wall 106 of the holster body 148 includes a port wall portion 120 and a starboard wall portion 122. Each wall portion has an inwardly projecting track or rib 124A, 124B dividing the cavity 108 into an upper first cavity portion 130 and a lower second cavity portion 132 configured as a conforming pocket. The rib extending inwardly from the port wall portion is shown in
The first cavity portion 130 is dimensioned to receive a slide portion of the handgun 20 and the second cavity portion 132 is dimensioned to receive the accessory 104. The holster body 148 is configured such that a conforming engagement is formed between the accessory 104 and the holster body 148 when the accessory 104 is received in the second cavity portion 132. The first cavity portion 130 is dimensioned to be oversized to receive various handgun makes and models in a spaced relationship from three sides thereof.
In
The wall 106 of the holster body 148, the rails, and the stop surfaces of the ledges establish a seating position of the accessory 104 whereby the accessory 104 and thus the handgun attached thereto is constrained forwardly, backwardly, downwardly, portly, and starboardly. A retention mechanism 160 is capable of selectively preventing and allowing movement of the accessory 104 in the rearward direction. A portion of the retention mechanism 160 is visible in
The retention mechanism 160 of
In
The holster 102 has a holster body 148 with a wall 106 defining a cavity 108. The wall 106 of the holster body 148 includes a port wall portion 120 and a starboard wall portion 122. Each wall portion has an inwardly projecting rib dividing the cavity 108 into an upper first cavity portion 130 and a lower second cavity portion 132. The rib extending inwardly from the starboard wall portion 122 is not visible in
The first cavity portion 130 is dimensioned to receive a slide portion of the handgun 20 and the second cavity portion 132 is dimensioned to receive the accessory 104. The holster body 148 is configured such that a conforming engagement is formed between the accessory 104 and the holster body 148 when the accessory 104 is received in the second cavity portion 132. The first cavity portion 130 is dimensioned to receive various handgun makes and models in a spaced relationship from three sides thereof.
In
The wall portions 120, 122 of the holster body 148, the rails, and the stop surfaces of the ledges establish a seating position of the accessory 104 whereby the accessory 104 and thus the handgun attached thereto is constrained forwardly, backwardly, downwardly, portly, and starboardly. A retention mechanism 160 is capable of selectively preventing and allowing movement of the accessory 104 in the rearward direction. A portion of the retention mechanism 160 is visible in
The retention mechanism 160 of
In
The transverse cross-sectional shape 134 of the accessory 104 also has a first corner 144 and a second corner 146. In the embodiment of
The port rib 124A and the starboard rib 124B divide the cavity 108 of the holster into a first cavity portion 130 and a second cavity portion 132. With reference to
For purposes of illustration, the transverse cross-sectional shape 134 of the accessory 104 is shown disposed in the second cavity portion 132 of
In the embodiment of
Referring to
An elongate sliding member 166 slidingly engages the port wall portion 120 of the holster body 148 on guides 187 that define a forward and backward extending recess or slot 194 that receives the sliding member. Ribs 195 on the bracket cooperate with grooves 196, 197 on the inside surface 198 of the elongate sliding member. A coil spring 188 extends between sliding member 166 and the bracket 184 when the assembly 182 is in an assembled state. The coil spring 188 is positioned to bias the sliding member 166 in a rearward direction. The spring may be anchored at other locations, for example, the tab 176 or a suitably positioned protrusion on the side wall portion, not shown. With reference to
Referring to
The retention mechanism 160 comprises spring member 164 having a forward end 176 with a tab 189, a protrusion 175 with a ramp 174 and a blocking portion 162. In the embodiment of
As shown in
At
At
At
With reference to
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In some useful embodiments, the rearward surface 180 of the spring member 164 is a locking surface that is oriented such that the starboardly directed component of the reaction force provided by the edge surface of the port wall portion 120 urges the blocking portion to the blocking position.
In the example embodiment of
Referring to
In
Referring to
The dummy accessory may interface with the ribs of the holster body at the accessory's shoulders at the clamp portions as described in the embodiments associated with
The holster 202 of the holster system 200 has a holster body 248 having a wall 206 defining a cavity 208. The holster system 200 also includes an adaptor 292 that is configured to be received in the cavity 208 defined by the wall 206 of the holster body 248. The adaptor 292 defines a pocket 290 that is dimensioned to receive the dummy accessory 298 by the bottom facing surface 302 engaging the upwardly facing surface 303 of the adaptor 292. The dummy accessory 298 includes a main portion 294 and a cap 296. The cap 296 may be fixed to the main portion 294 using a plurality of screws. The mounting rail 22 of the handgun 20 may be clamped between the cap 296 and the main portion of the dummy accessory 298.
The adaptor 292 is disposed inside the cavity 208 defined by the wall 206 of the holster body 248. The adaptor 292 may be fixed to the wall 206 of the holster body 248, for example, with one or more screws. In the embodiment of
In embodiments, the accessory 104, 309, has a maximum width, taken in a port-starboard direction of W1. The maximum width of the handgun is illustrated as dimension W2. In embodiments, the dimension of W2 is greater than W1. In embodiments, the handgun has a maximum slide width of dimension W3 and the maximum width of the dimension W1 of the accessory is no more than 20% greater than the maximum width dimension of the slide.
In embodiments, the accessory has a maximum height dimension H1, and the slide has a maximum height dimension H2, and H1 is 30% or less than H2. In other embodiments, H1 is 40% or less of H2. In other embodiments, H1 is 25% or less of H2.
In embodiments the handgun trigger guard has a maximum height dimension of H3 and H1 is 30% or less of H3. In other embodiments H1 is 40% or less of H3.
Referring to
Referring to
When the assembly 382 is in an assembled state, a forward portion of the spring member 364 is held between the port wall portion 320 and the elongate sliding member 366 so that the spring member 364 may be deflected in a cantilevered fashion. In embodiments the spring member 364 can be preloaded when attached to the side wall portion so that the blocking portion exerts some pressure against the wall portion at or proximate the aperture. A blocking portion 362 is disposed at an end of the elongate spring member opposite the forward end 376. When the assembly 382 is in an assembled state, the blocking portion 362 extends through an aperture 370 defined by the port wall portion 320. The port wall portion 320 defines a slot 385 from which the spring member 364 extends. The spring member 364 may be movable forwardly and backwardly in the slot 385 with the movement being limited by the tab 389 which is disposed between a first stop surface of a first stop member 391 and a second stop surface of a second stop member 392.
An elongate sliding member 366 slidingly engages the port wall portion 320 of the holster body 348 on guides 387 that define a forward and backward extending recess or slot 394 that receives the sliding member. Ribs 395 on the port wall portion 320 cooperate with grooves 396, 397 on the inside surface 398 of the elongate sliding member 366.
A coil spring 388 extends between sliding member 366 and a spring pocket defined by the port wall portion 320 when the assembly 382 is in an assembled state. The coil spring 388 is positioned to bias the sliding member 366 in a rearward direction. With reference to
Referring to
With reference to
In the embodiment of
The spring member 564 of
The blocking portion 562 and the cam portion 572 can be seen in both
In some useful embodiments, the spring member 564 is dimensioned and configured so that forces applied to the ramp portion 574 by the cam portion 572 as the cam portion 572 is moved in the forward direction F cause the spring member 564 to deflect or bow rather than bending in a cantilevered fashion while rearward or pulling forces are being applied to the handgun (and thus the accessory 504). In an embodiment, the rearward facing surface 577 of the spring member 564 is oriented such that the starboardly directed component of the reaction force provided by the edge surface of the port wall portion 520 prevents the blocking member 562 from being moved in a port direction P. The spring member 564 deflects or bows rather than bending in a cantilevered fashion that moves the blocking member 562 in a port direction. The fact that moving the sliding member in the forward direction fails to unlock the handgun may confuse an assailant who is attempting to pull a police officer's handgun out of its holster.
The holster body and other parts of the holster system may be formed of injection molded polymers or composite construction. Generally the holster body and other parts of the holster system will be rigid materials with some resilience. Polyamides (e.g., nylon), polyethylenes, polyurethanes, and epoxies, may be suitable for example; such may be reinforced with glass, carbon or other fiber materials. Other materials may also be suitable, for example, some components could be formed from a metallic material or a composite construction-polymer and metal.
The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein in accordance with MPEP 2163.07(B) include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,784, U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,962, U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,279, U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,111, U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,009, U.S. Pat. No. 7,937,880, U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,712, U.S. Pat. No. 7,461,765, U.S. Pat No. 7,556,181, U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,860, U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,497, U.S. Pat. No. 7,954,971, U.S. Pat. No. 8,132,355, U.S. Pat. No. 8,177,108, U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,263, U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,670, U.S. Pat. No. 8,517,235, U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,032, U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,755, U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,412, U.S. Pat. No. 9,057,579, U.S. Pat. No. 9,057,580, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,134,093. Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodiments herein.
The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.
Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/077,583, filed Mar. 22, 2016, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its' entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180038667 A1 | Feb 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15077583 | Mar 2016 | US |
Child | 15723616 | US |