MODULAR HOLSTER FOR A FIREARM

Abstract

A module holster includes a shell module and at least one adaptor module. The shell module defines a first interior space configured to receive the slide of multiple different firearms, including a predetermined firearm. The adaptor module defines a second interior space with internal geometry configured to receive a trigger guard of the predetermined firearm. The adaptor module is longitudinally slidably engageable with the shell module to form a holster body. The holster body defines a cavity in which the predetermined firearm is removably receivable and from which cavity the predetermined firearm resists extraction. A user may slidably disengage the adaptor module from the shell module and replace it with a different adaptor module defining a second interior space with internal geometry configured to receive the trigger guard of a different predetermined firearm.

Description

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of firearms, and more particularly, to holsters for firearms.

Gun holsters secure a firearm to a user's body for ready access and protect the firearm from inadvertent discharge, movement, damage, and loss. Rigid holsters made of synthetic polymeric materials are preferred by many gun owners over flexible holsters (whether made or natural or synthetic materials) because they better withstand heavy duty use in hostile environmental conditions.

However, many currently available synthetic holsters are equipped with rigid sections designed to fit one specific model of handgun. These rigid sections are typically molded to closely follow the exterior contours of the specific handgun and prevent the weapon from pivoting, rotating, and falling out of the holster. As a result, these rigid molded holsters are only usable with the specific firearm they were made to fit. This dramatically limits the usefulness of such holster and requires users to purchase a new holster for each different handgun a user desires to carry. Moreover, each new holster is likely to function differently in some way, including by requiring a different motion to remove a holstered firearm from retention, than a prior holster. Such difference requires users to learn how to use each new holster, which can in turn require different motions and thereby confuse users during combat situations where muscle memory and repeatability of motion is key to survival.

Accordingly, what is needed are improvements in holsters for firearms.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Features of the presently disclosed invention overcome or minimize some or all of the identified deficiencies of the prior art, as will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art after a study of the information presented in this document.

The present invention provides a modular holster that can accommodate, secure, prevent damage, loss, and/or inadvertent operation of different models of handguns using a universal rigid outer shell module and multiple interchangeable rigid handgun adaptor modules which are each configured with internal geometries selected to receive a different specific handgun yet mate with a resilient guide mechanism defined in the outer shell module.

The outer shell module is designed to receive the upper forward portion of multiple different handguns (e.g., the muzzle and a portion of the slide), while each handgun adaptor module is designed to receive the lower forward frame portion and trigger guard of a different predetermined handgun. Each handgun adaptor module is releasably yet slidably and matingly engageable with the same shell module. When a given adaptor module is engaged with the shell module, the two form a cavity in which a predetermined handgun is removably securable.

To secure a different handgun in the holster, a user need only detach the currently installed adaptor module from the shell module and reattach a different adaptor module configured to receive the desired handgun. This ability to use multiple different handgun adaptor modules to fit multiple different handguns within the same outer shell module represents a dramatic improvement over currently available holsters which accommodate only a single specific handgun. This reduces manufacturing costs and eliminates the need to obtain a different holster for each handgun in a user's collection. This in turn lessens the financial burden and learning curve placed on gunowners who wish to carry different handguns at different times by requiring that users purchase and learn the use of only a single easy-to-use holster system instead of one for each handgun.

Accordingly, aspects of the present invention provide a holster for a firearm comprising a shell module defining a first interior space configured to receive a slide of the firearm; and an adaptor module defining a second interior space configured to receive a trigger guard of the firearm; wherein the adaptor module is slidably engageable with the shell module to form a holster body defining a cavity in which the firearm is removably receivable and from which cavity the firearm resists extraction.

In another aspect, the invention provides a first body portion defining a first interior space in which a slide of the firearm is receivable, the first body portion including a primary left sidewall, a primary right sidewall, a front wall extending between the primary left and right sidewalls, and a pair of holes, each hole extending through one of the primary left and right sidewalls; a second body portion defining a second interior space in which a trigger guard of the firearm is receivable, the second body portion including a secondary left sidewall, a secondary right sidewall, a rear wall extending between the secondary left and right sidewalls, and a pair of threaded apertures, each threaded aperture extending through one of the secondary left and right sidewalls; and a pair of threaded fasteners; wherein the first and second body portions are slidably engageable along the respective primary and secondary left and right sidewalls to form a cavity in which the firearm is removably receivable and from which cavity the firearm resists extraction; wherein the holes in the primary left and right sidewalls align with the threaded apertures in the secondary left and right sidewalls when the first and second body portions are engaged; and wherein each threaded fastener is engageable with one of the threaded apertures through the respective aligned hole to releasably secure the first body portion to the second body portion.

Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following drawings and description of exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various drawings unless otherwise specified. In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing, for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 1 is a isometric view of an embodiment of a modular holster for a firearm constructed in accordance with the present invention showing a handgun received in the assembled holster.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the objects of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevated rear left side isometric view of the holster of FIG. 1. The handgun and Chicago screw are omitted for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a depressed rear right side isometric view of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of the holster of FIG. 3, the right side being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective interior view of the shell module of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the shell module of FIG. 10 taken along line 11-11.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective interior view of the shell module of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an expanded detail perspective interior view along the left interior side of the shell module of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is an elevated front left side perspective view of the handgun adaptor module of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 15 is front perspective interior view of the handgun adaptor module of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a depressed rear left side perspective view of the handgun adaptor module of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective detail view along the right exterior side of the handgun adaptor module of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18A is a sectional view of the handgun adaptor module of FIG. 16 taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 18B is diagram illustrating the draft angle of certain interior surfaces of the handgun adaptor module at location 18B in FIG. 18A. The protrusion on the interior of the adaptor module is omitted for clarity.

FIG. 19 is a rear left side perspective sectional detail view of the handgun adaptor module of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 20 is an elevated, partially exploded, front left side perspective view of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 21 is a depressed, partially exploded, rear left side perspective view of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 22 is an expanded detail perspective view of the upper portion of the holster of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is an elevated expanded detail perspective view of the lower portion of the holster of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the holster of FIG. 20 taken along the longitudinal (i.e., median) plane thereof.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the holster of FIG. 5 taken along line 25-25.

FIG. 26 is another sectional view of the holster of FIG. 20 taken along the longitudinal (i.e., median) plane thereof.

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the objects of FIG. 1. The firearm is shown diagrammatically with the grip omitted for clarity.

FIG. 28 is perspective sectional view of the holster of FIG. 7 taken along line 28-28.

FIG. 29 is perspective sectional view of the holster of FIG. 7 taken along line 29-29.

FIG. 30 is perspective sectional view of the holster of FIG. 7 taken along line 30-30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The details of one or more embodiments of the present invention are set forth in this document. Modifications to embodiments described in this document, and other embodiments, will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art after a study of the information provided herein. The information provided in this document, and particularly the specific details of the described exemplary embodiment(s), is provided primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. In case of conflict, the specification of this document, including definitions, will control.

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that are embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

While the terms used herein are believed to be well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, a number of terms are defined below to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter disclosed herein belongs. The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the claims.

As described herein, an “upright” position is considered to be the position of apparatus components while in proper operation or in a natural resting position as described and shown herein, for example, in FIG. 3. “Vertical,” “horizontal,” “above,” “below,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” and other orientation terms are described with respect to this upright position during operation, unless otherwise specified, and are used to provide an orientation of embodiments of the invention to allow for proper description of example embodiments. A person of skill in the art will recognize, however, that the apparatus can assume different orientations when in use.

The term “when” is used to specify orientation for relative positions of components, not as a temporal limitation of the claims or apparatus described and claimed herein unless otherwise specified.

The terms “above”, “below”, “over”, and “under” mean “having an elevation or vertical height greater or lesser than” and are not intended to imply that one object or component is directly over or under another object or component.

The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

All measurements should be understood as being modified by the term “about” regardless of whether the word “about” precedes a given measurement.

All references to singular characteristics or limitations of the present disclosure shall include the corresponding plural characteristic(s) or limitation(s) and vice versa, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the reference is made.

All combinations of method or process steps as used herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the referenced combination is made.

The methods and devices disclosed herein, including components thereof, can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the embodiments described herein, as well as any additional or optional components or limitations described herein or otherwise useful.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 9, a modular holster 10 for a firearm constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown with a firearm 2 received therein. The firearm 2 is a handgun having an upper portion 1a and a lower portion 1b. The upper portion 1a includes a barrel muzzle 3 extending out of a slide 4. A front sight 5 and a rear sight 6 are fixed to the top of the slide 4. The lower portion 1b of handgun 2 includes a grip 7 and a forward frame portion 8 (which may be an accessory rail). A trigger guard 9 extends from the grip 7 to the forward frame portion 8 and surrounds trigger 9a.

The assembled modular holster 10 includes a resilient first body portion 12 and a resilient second body portion 14 releasably and slidably engaged with the first body portion 12. The second body portion 14 is releasably secured to the first body portion 12 via a pair of threaded fasteners 16. The threaded fasteners 16 extend through and engage overlapping sidewalls of the first and second body portions 12, 14. A selectably tightenable fastener in the form of a Chicago screw having a male portion 18a threadably engaging a female portion 18b extends through the second body portion 14 and applies a frictional grip to trigger guard 9.

The first body portion 12 defines a first interior space 13 having internal geometry sized and shaped to receive the upper portion 1a of multiple different handguns, including handgun 2. In the depicted embodiment, the upper portion 1a of the handgun 2 received in the first interior space 13 is the muzzle 3, slide 4, and front sight 5. The second body portion 14 defines a second interior space 15 having internal geometry sized and shaped to grippingly receive the trigger guard 9 of a specific predetermined handgun, such as handgun 2. The forward frame portion 8 of the handgun 2 is also received in the second interior space 15. The second body portion 14 is slidably engaged with the first body portion 12 along a longitudinally extending handgun receiving and withdrawing axis 19. The combined first and second body portions 12, 14 form a substantially rigid holster body 11 defining a cavity 17 in which the handgun 2 is removably received and from which cavity 17 the handgun 2 resists extraction. The selectably tightenable fastener 18a, 18b can be tightened or loosened to increase or decrease the frictional grip that the second body portion 14 places on the trigger guard 9 while the handgun 2 is received in the cavity 17. In this way, retention of the handgun 2 in the cavity 17, and the corresponding degree of force necessary to extract the handgun from the cavity 17, can be increased or decreased to suit a user's preference.

The first body portion 12 is referred to herein as the “shell module” because the first body portion 12 is designed to function as a universal outer housing or shell in which the muzzle and/or slide of multiple different firearms is receivable and with which multiple different second body portions 14 are releasably and slidably engageable. Similarly, a second body portion 14 is referred to herein as a handgun “adaptor module” because each second body portion 4 is internally shaped and sized to receive and grip a different specific handgun. This design enables a user to use the same shell module with multiple different adaptor modules and quickly and easily swap out one adaptor module fitted to one handgun for a different adaptor module sized to receive a different handgun. The mechanism by which each adaptor module is slidably engageable with the shell module will now be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, the shell module 12 includes a first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls 20, 22 joined by front wall 24. More specifically, the shell module 12 includes a primary left sidewall 20, an opposing primary right sidewall 22, and a front wall 24 extending between the primary left and right sidewalls 20, 22. Each of the left and right sidewalls 20, 22 includes a respective opposing interior side 20a, 22a. The interior side 20a, 22a of each sidewall 20, 22 is a mirror image of the other. Defined on the interior side 20a, 22a of each sidewall 20, 22 is an inner mating rail 36 and an inner mating channel 38. The inner mating rail 36 is adjacent the inner mating channel 38. In this way, the inner mating rail 36 also in part defines the inner mating channel 38. The inner mating rails 36 have an upper end 44, a lower end 46, and a cross-sectional dimension 45 which increases along each rail 36 from the upper end 44 to the lower end 46. The cross-sectional dimension 45 can be a width or thickness of the rails 36. Similarly, the inner mating channels 38 have an upper end 52, a lower end 54, and a cross-sectional dimension 47 which decreases along each channel 38 from the upper end 52 to the lower end 54. The cross-sectional dimension 47 can be a width or depth of the channels 38. A first channel mouth 60 is defined in the interior side 20a, 22a of each sidewall 20, 22 at the upper end 52 of each inner mating channel 38. Each sidewall 20, 22 also defines a first channel stop surface 64 at the lower end 54 of each inner mating channel 38, as best shown in FIG. 13.

Turning to FIGS. 14-15, 17 and 29, the adaptor module 14 includes a second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls 26, 28 joined by rear wall 30. More specifically, the adaptor module 14 includes a secondary left sidewall 26, an opposing secondary right sidewall 28, and a rear wall 30 extending between the left and right secondary sidewalls 26, 28. Each of the left and right sidewalls 26, 28 includes a respective exterior side 26b, 28b. The exterior side 26b, 28b of each sidewall 26, 28 is a mirror image of the other. Defined on the exterior side 26b, 28b of each sidewall 26, 28 is an outer mating rail 40 and an outer mating channel 42. The outer mating rail 40 is adjacent the outer mating channel 42. In this way, the outer mating rail 40 also in part defines the outer mating channel 42. The outer mating rails 40 have an upper end 48, a lower end 50, and a cross-sectional dimension 51 which decreases along the rails 40 from the upper end 48 to the lower end 50. The cross-sectional dimension 51 can be a width or thickness of the rails 40. Similarly, the outer mating channels 42 have an upper end 56, a lower end 58, and a cross-sectional dimension 53 which increases along the channels 42 from the upper end 56 to the lower end 58. The cross-sectional dimension 53 can be a width or depth of the channels 42. A second channel mouth 62 is defined in the exterior side 26b, 28b of each sidewall 26, 28 at the lower end 58 of each outer mating channel 42. Each sidewall 26, 28 also defines a second channel stop surface 66 at the upper end 56 of each outer mating channel 42, as best shown in FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-22, 24-26, and 28-30, the adaptor module 14 is releasably slidably engageable with the shell module 12 along axis 19 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 21. More specifically, the exterior side 26b of the left sidewall 26 of the adaptor module 14 is slidably and matingly engageable with the interior side 20a of the left sidewall 20 of the shell module 12, and the exterior side 28b of the right sidewall 28 of the adaptor module 14 is slidably and matingly engageable with the interior side 22a of the right sidewall 22 of the shell module 12. Even more specifically, the outer mating rails 40 are slidably receivable in the respective inner mating channels 38, and the inner mating rails 36 are slidably receivable in the respective outer mating channels 42 to matingly engage the sidewalls 26, 28 of the adaptor module 14 with the sidewalls 20, 22 of the shell module 12. When the outer mating rails 40 are received in the respective inner mating channels 38 and the inner mating rails 36 are received in the respective outer mating channels 42, the inner mating rails 36 interlockingly engage the outer mating rails 40, as best shown in FIG. 29. This interlocking engagement prevents the adaptor module 14 from separating rearwardly from (i.e., being pulled out the rear of) the shell module 12 during drawing of the handgun 2 and hard use situations when unexpected percussive forces can be applied to the handgun 2 or holster 10.

The first and second channel mouths 60, 62 facilitate sliding engagement of the adaptor module 14 sidewalls 26, 28 with the shell module 12 sidewalls 20, 22 by simultaneously aligning both the outer mating rails 40 with the inner mating channels 38 and the inner mating rails 36 with the outer mating channels 42. For example, during assembly, the lower end 50 of each outer mating rail 40 is receivable through the first channel mouth 60 to align the outer mating rails 40 for sliding engagement with the inner mating channels 38, and the upper end 44 of each inner mating rail 36 is receivable through the second channel mouth 62 to align the inner mating rails 36 for sliding engagement with the outer mating channels 42. The tapered cross sections of the inner 36 and outer 40 mating rails and corresponding outer 42 and inner 38 mating channels ensure fast mating and good alignment during assembly by indexing each mating rail into engagement with the corresponding mating channel and wedging them together in a self-holding taper fit. The inner 36 and outer 40 mating rails can be disengaged from corresponding outer 42 and inner 38 mating channels by sliding the adaptor module 14 upwardly relative to the shell module 12 in the opposite direction of the arrow in FIG. 21.

Referring now to FIGS. 11, 14, 20-22 and 28, each sidewall 20, 22 of the shell module 12 defines a hole 32 extending therethrough. The pair of holes 32 are laterally spaced and concentrically aligned. Each hole 32 is disposed above the inner mating channel 38 of the respective sidewall 20, 22 through which the hole 32 is defined. Similarly, each sidewall 26, 28 of the adaptor module 14 includes a threaded aperture 34 extending therethrough. In some embodiments, the sidewalls 26, 28 can define an opening 35a in which a cylindrical insert 35 is permanently secured. In such embodiments, the threaded apertures 34 are defined through the inserts 35, as best shown in FIG. 22. In other embodiments, the threaded apertures 34 can be defined directly through the sidewalls 26, 28 without an insert 35. Threaded inserts 35 are made from a durable metallic material suitable for maintaining crisp threads over many use cycles. Suitable materials from which the threaded insert 35 can be formed include brass and steel.

Like the pair of holes 32, the pair of threaded apertures 34 are laterally spaced and concentrically aligned with each other. Each threaded aperture 34 is disposed above the outer mating channel 42 of the respective sidewall 26, 28 through which the threaded aperture 34 is defined. The apertures 34 of the adaptor module 14 concentrically align with the holes 32 of the shell module 12 when the lower end 50 of each outer mating rail 40 is received against the first channel stop surface 64 and the upper end 44 of each inner mating rail 36 is received against the second channel stop surface 66. Each threaded fastener 16 is receivable through one of the holes 32 and engageable with the respective aligned threaded aperture 34 to releasably secure the adaptor module 14 to the shell module 12. In this way, the stop surfaces 60, 62 serve to index the threaded apertures 34 of each adaptor module 14 with the holes 12 of the shell module, further simplifying holster assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-13, 15, 21, and 23-26 the adaptor module 14 includes a tongue 72. The tongue 72 extends downwardly from the rear wall 30. The tongue 72 is recessed from an exterior surface 80 of the rear wall 30. The shell module 12 includes a rear shell wall 68 and a floor panel 74. The rear shell wall 68 joins the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls 20, 22 opposite the first interior space 13 from the front wall 24. The floor panel 74 joins the sidewalls 20, 22, the front wall 24, and the rear shell wall 68. The rear shell wall 68 defines an exterior lip 76. The floor panel 74 defines an interior lip 78. The exterior and interior lips 76, 78, respectively, define a mating groove 70. The mating groove 70 is between the exterior lip 76 and the interior lip 78. The tongue 72 is received by the mating groove 70 when the adaptor module 14 is engaged with the shell module 12. The exterior lip 76 overlaps the tongue 72 and joins the exterior surface 80 of the rear adaptor wall 30 when the tongue 72 is received in the mating groove 70. Receipt of the tongue 72 in the mating groove 70 strengthens the connection between the adaptor module 14 and the shell module 12 and, like the interlocking inner and outer mating rails 36, 40, prevents the bottom of the adaptor module 14 from becoming dislodged from the shell module 12 when the holster 10 is subjected to percussion, whether via forceful insertion or withdrawal of the handgun 12 or other external factors such as combat conditions.

Turning now to FIGS. 8-12 and 27, the shell module 12 includes a muzzle guide 82. The muzzle guide 82 extends along an interior surface 85 of the front wall 24. The muzzle guide 82 extends longitudinally from an upper portion 86 of the shell module to a lower portion 88 of the shell module. The muzzle guide 82 is formed by a pair of parallel guide rails 90. The guide rails 90 are integrally formed with the interior surface 85 of the front wall 24. The guide rails 90 are laterally spaced so as to closely receive the front sight 5 of the handgun, as best shown in FIG. 29. The guide rails 90 capture the front sight 5 of the handgun 2 as the handgun 2 is inserted into the cavity 17 and prevent lateral movement of the slide 4 as the sight 5 travels through the muzzle guide 82, thereby aligning the handgun 2 with the cavity 17. This prevents the slide 4 of the handgun 2 from contacting sidewalls 20, 22 during and after holstering and thereby protects the handgun from scratches and other harm which might damage its finish.

Turning now to FIGS. 18A-19, the handgun 2 is retained in the assembled holster 10 by the adaptor module 14. The adaptor module 14 includes a pair of opposing left and right extension walls 92, 94, respectively, extending rearwardly from the rear wall 30. The left and right extension walls 92, 94 fully enclose the trigger guard 9 when the handgun is properly seated in the holster 10. Full enclose of the trigger guard 9 protects against accidental discharge of the weapon. The left and right extension walls 92, 94 each include an opposing interior side 96, 98, respectively. The interior side 96, 98 of each extension wall 92, 94 is a mirror image of the other. The interior side 96, 98 of each extension wall 92, 94 is shaped and contoured so as to grip the trigger guard 9 of the handgun 2. To that end, each extension wall 92, 94 defines a protrusion 100 on the interior side 96, 98 thereof. Each protrusion defines a vertex 102 and is a mirror image of the other.

When the handgun 2 is received in the cavity 17 with the trigger guard 9 properly seated in the second interior space 15, the trigger guard 9 sits below the vertices 102 of the protrusions 100 so that at least part of the protrusions 100 are received inside the trigger guard 9. The vertices 102 define between them a gap 103 which is narrower than a width of the trigger guard 9. As such, the protrusions 100 grip the interior of the trigger guard 9 and prevent it from being extracted from the second interior space 15 until an upward force sufficient to overcome the friction placed on the trigger guard 9 by the protrusions 100 and pull the trigger guard 9 through the gap 103 is manually exerted by the user along the handgun withdrawing axis 19.

The degree of retention placed on the handgun 2 by the holster 10 is controlled by the selectably tightenable fastener 18. A through hole 95 is defined through each extension wall 92, 94 below each protrusion 100. The female portion 18b of the selectably tightenable fastener 18 is received through the hole 95 in one extension wall, while the male portion 18a is received through the hole 95 in the opposing wall and engaged with the female portion 18b. Tightening the fastener 18 drawings the male and female portions 18a, 18b closer together and increases retention by narrowing the gap 103 between protrusions 100, while loosening the fastener 18 decreases retention by widening the gap 103. In preferred embodiments, the fastener 18 is a well-known Chicago screw, but in other embodiments, a different selectably tightening fastener can be used.

The holster 10 of the present invention can be formed from any material of sufficient resiliency to maintain the handgun 2 in the cavity 17 while worn about the body of a user. However, it is contemplated that holster 10, including the shell module 12 and adaptor modules 14, will be formed from a molded synthetic polymeric material such as a plastic or a resin. It is further contemplated that the shell and adaptor modules 12, 14 will be injection molded. Therefore, in order to simplify manufacturing and decrease the costs thereof, the adaptor module 14 is designed with longitudinally drafted surfaces. These drafted surfaces enable the halves of a two-part injection mold to pull apart and release the molded adaptor module, which in turns allows for complete automation of holster 10 manufacturing.

Accordingly, the interior side 96, 98 of each of the left and right extension walls 92, 94, respectively, are longitudinally tapered about a parting line 104 by a draft angle 105 relative to a vertical reference plane 99. The draft angle 105 can be less than 5.0degrees. In some embodiments, the draft angle is about 0.5degrees. The interior side 96, 98 of each of the left and right extension walls 92, 94 is divided into an upper interior surface above the parting line 104 and a lower interior surface below the parting line 104. As such, the left extension wall 92 includes an upper interior surface 96a above the parting line 104, and a lower interior surface 96b below the parting line 104. Likewise, the right extension wall 94 includes an upper interior surface 98a above the parting line 104, and a lower interior surface 98b below the parting line 104. The parting line 104 runs laterally along the bottom edge of each protrusion 100, as best shown in FIGS. 18A and 19, and defines a reference plane 107.

Holsters 10 of the present invention can be readily configured for attachment to a user's body using any mounting device or mechanism known in the art. For example, such devices or mechanisms can be supported on the sidewalls 20, 22 of the shell module 12. Common mounting devices include belt loops and paddles, both of which are well known in the art, as are numerous methods by which such devices can be secured to a holster 10, including via fasteners, adhesives, sonic welding, and integral molding, among others.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, in some embodiments, the floor panel 74 and tongue 72 can be omitted from the shell 12 and adaptor 14 modules, respectively. This can be desirable for applications where the firearm(s) sought to be used with the holster 10 includes an especially long slide 4 or a muzzle accessory (e.g., a suppressor or muzzle brake) attached to the muzzle 3. In other embodiments, the firearm can be a different handgun, such as a revolver (not shown) or a large frame handgun such as an AR-platform pistol (not shown), all of which are well known. It is also contemplated that the holster 10 disclosed herein could be adapted for use with articles other than firearms which have a similar shape. For example, it is contemplated that tools such as cordless vacuums and caulking guns could be desirably secured in holsters of the present invention. Consequently, any two-module holster with releasably slidably engageable modules is considered to be within the scope of the invention.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may 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.

It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A holster for a firearm, comprising: a shell module defining a first interior space configured to receive a slide of the firearm; andan adaptor module defining a second interior space configured to receive a trigger guard of the firearm;wherein the adaptor module is slidably engageable with the shell module to form a holster body defining a cavity in which the firearm is removably receivable and from which cavity the firearm resists extraction.

2. The holster of claim 1, wherein: the shell module includes a first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls joined by a front wall;the adaptor module includes a second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls joined by a rear wall;the left sidewall of the adaptor module is slidably engageable with the left sidewall of the shell module; andthe right sidewall of the adaptor module is slidably engageable with the right sidewall of the shell module.

3. The holster of claim 2, wherein: each sidewall of the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls has an interior;each sidewall of the second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls has an exterior; andthe interior of each sidewall of the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls is configured to matingly engage the exterior of each sidewall of the second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls.

4. The holster of claim 2, further comprising: a pair of releasable fasteners;wherein each releasable fastener is receivable through the respective left or right sidewall of the adaptor module and the shell module to releasably secure the adaptor module to the shell module when the left sidewall of the adaptor module is engaged with the left sidewall of the shell module and the right sidewall of the adaptor module is engaged with the right sidewall of the shell module.

5. The holster of claim 4, wherein: each sidewall of the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls defines a hole extending therethrough;each sidewall of the second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls defines an aperture extending therethrough;the holes in the left and right sidewalls of the shell module align with the apertures in the left and right sidewalls of the adaptor module when the left sidewall of the adaptor module is engaged with the left sidewall of the shell module and the right sidewall of the adaptor module is engaged with the right sidewall of the shell module; andeach fastener is receivable through one of the holes and engageable with the respective aligned aperture to releasably secure the adaptor module to the shell module.

6. The holster of claim 2, wherein: each sidewall of the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls defines an inner mating rail and an inner mating channel;each sidewall of the second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls defines an outer mating rail and an outer mating channel; andthe outer mating rails are slidably receivable in the respective inner mating channels and the inner mating rails are slidably receivable in the respective outer mating channels to matingly engage the first and second pairs of opposing left and right sidewalls.

7. The holster of claim 6, wherein: the inner mating rails are adjacent the inner mating channels;the outer mating rails are adjacent the outer mating channels; andthe inner mating rails interlockingly engage the outer mating rails when the outer mating rails are received in the respective inner mating channels and the inner mating rails are received in the respective outer mating channels.

8. The holster of claim 6, wherein: the inner mating rails have a cross-sectional dimension which increases along said rails from an upper end of said rails to a lower end of said rails;the outer mating rails have a cross-sectional dimension which decreases along said rails from an upper end of said rails to a lower end of said rails;the outer mating channels have a cross-sectional dimension which increases along said channels from an upper end of said channels to a lower end of said channels; andthe inner mating channels have a cross-sectional dimension which decreases along said channels from an upper end of said channels to a lower end of said channels.

9. The holster of claim 6, wherein: each sidewall of the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls defines at the upper end of each inner mating channel a first channel mouth through which the lower end of each respective outer mating rail is receivable to align the outer mating rails for slidable engagement with the inner mating channels; oreach sidewall of the second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls defines at the lower end of each outer mating channel a second channel mouth through which the upper end of each respective inner mating rail is receivable to align the inner mating rails for slidable engagement with the outer mating channels.

10. The holster of claim 6, further comprising: two holes, each hole defined through one sidewall of the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls above each respective inner mating channel;two threaded apertures, each threaded aperture extending through one sidewall of the second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls above each respective outer mating channel; andtwo threaded fasteners;wherein the holes in the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls align with the threaded apertures in the second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls when the adaptor module is slidably engaged with the shell module; andwherein each threaded fastener is receivable through one of the two holes and the respective aligned threaded aperture to releasably secure the adaptor module to the shell module.

11. The holster of claim 10, wherein: each sidewall of the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls defines at a lower end of each inner mating channel a first channel stop surface against which a lower end of each respective outer mating rail is receivable to align the holes with the threaded apertures; oreach sidewall of the second pair of opposing left and right sidewalls defines at an upper end of each outer mating channel a second channel stop surface against which an upper end of each respective inner mating rail is receivable to align the holes with the threaded apertures.

12. The holster of claim 2, wherein: the shell module includes a rear shell wall joining the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls opposite the first interior space from the front wall;the rear wall of the shell module at least partially defines a mating groove;the adaptor module includes a tongue configured to engage the mating groove when the left sidewall of the adaptor module is engaged with the left sidewall of the shell module and the right sidewall of the adaptor module is engaged with the right sidewall of the shell module.

13. The holster of claim 12, wherein: the shell module includes a floor panel joining the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls, the front wall, and the rear shell wall;the floor panel and rear shell wall define an exterior li and an interior lip with the mating groove therebetween;the tongue extends downwardly from the rear wall of the adaptor module;the exterior lip overlaps the tongue and is received in a recess of the rear wall of the adaptor module to form a smooth exterior surface with the rear wall when the tongue is received in the mating groove.

14. The holster of claim 1, further comprising: a muzzle guide extending longitudinally along an interior surface of the front wall from an upper portion of the shell module to a lower portion of the shell module;wherein the muzzle guide is configured to receive a front sight of the firearm and thereby align the firearm with the cavity and prevent the slide of the firearm from contacting an interior surface of either sidewall of the first pair of opposing left and right sidewalls.

15. The holster of claim, wherein the muzzle guide is a pair of parallel guide rails integrally formed with the shell module, the guide rails being spaced so as to closely receive the front sight of the firearm therebetween.

16. The holster of claim 2, further comprising a pair of opposing left and right extension walls extending rearwardly from the rear wall of the adaptor module, the left and right extension walls configured to grip the trigger guard of the firearm therebetween.

17. The holster of claim 16, wherein each extension wall of the pair includes: a hole through which a selectably tightenable fastener is receivable; andan interior surface on which is formed a protrusion that frictionally engages the trigger guard when the firearm is received in the cavity with the trigger guard seated in the second interior space.

18. The holster of claim 17, wherein: each protrusion defines a vertex;the vertices define a mold parting line contained in a horizontal reference plane;the mold parting line is below the protrusions;each vertex is tangent to a vertical reference plane; andthe interior surfaces of each of the left and right extension walls are longitudinally tapered about the parting line by a draft angle of about 0.5 degrees relative to the vertical reference plane.

19. A holster for a firearm, comprising: a first body portion defining a first interior space in which a slide of the firearm is receivable, the first body portion including a primary left sidewall, a primary right sidewall, a front wall extending between the primary left and right sidewalls, and a pair of holes, each hole extending through one of the primary left and right sidewalls;a second body portion defining a second interior space in which a trigger guard of the firearm is receivable, the second body portion including a secondary left sidewall, a secondary right sidewall, a rear wall extending between the secondary left and right sidewalls, and a pair of threaded apertures, each threaded aperture extending through one of the secondary left and right sidewalls; anda pair of threaded fasteners; wherein:the first and second body portions are slidably engageable along the respective primary and secondary left and right sidewalls to form a cavity in which the firearm is removably receivable and from which cavity the firearm resists extraction,the holes in the primary left and right sidewalls align with the threaded apertures in the secondary left and right sidewalls when the first and second body portions are engaged, andeach threaded fastener is engageable with one of the threaded apertures through the respective aligned hole to releasably secure the first body portion to the second body portion.

20. The holster of claim 19, wherein: the first body portion defines an inner mating rail and an adjacent inner mating channel along each of the primary left and right sidewalls;the second body portion defines an outer mating rail and an adjacent outer mating channel along each of the secondary left and right sidewalls; andthe outer mating rails are slidably receivable in the respective inner mating channels and the inner mating rails are slidably receivable in the respective outer mating channels to interlockingly engage the inner mating rails with the outer mating rails.