Patent Application
20200116455
The present disclosure relates to tactical gear, particularly firearm holsters and magazine carriers.
A holster should protect and hold a firearm, prevent unwanted discharge, provide quick access, and prevent theft or loss, such as a gun grab during an engagement. Concealed carry holsters particularly should also have total trigger coverage, be constructed of a sturdy material, provide good retention of the firearm, good concealability on the user, protect the user's body and skin, and provide a positive grip. Prior holsters tend to emphasis one a few of a necessary features, but are not customizable or adjustable. The user must also make an unwanted compromise between the benefits of passive and active retention of the firearm.
The modular holster systems described herein are comfortable, reliable, and customizable. The O-ring-based retention system provides adjustable elastic tension to retain the firearm and magazine in the system without compromising quick draw. Series of connection points for fasteners permit the height and cant of the holster and magazine carrier to be adjusted. These connection points also permit the modular holster system to be reconfigured for inside waist band, outside waistband and appendix carry, vertical, angled and stacked assembly, and right- and lefthanded use. What's more, these modular holster systems were developed by Special Forces soldiers with input from the Special Operations community based on field testing in diverse environs and on real-world operations.
The present disclosure provides a holster for a firearm, comprising an opening of appropriate size and dimensions to hold a firearm; and a retention system comprising a pair of tabs and an O-ring, which system provides tension to retain the firearm in the opening and preserves quick draw of the firearm from the holster.
In certain embodiments, the retention system further comprises a second pair of tabs and a second O-ring. In certain embodiments, the holster further comprises an indentation in a side of the holster wherein the pair of tabs and the O-ring are disposed. In certain embodiments, the holster further comprises a pair of fins configured to turn the butt of the firearm into a user's waistline when the holster is worn on the user. In certain embodiments, the holster further comprises a cutout configured to accommodate a sight when the sight is coupled to the firearm.
In a particular embodiment, the holster comprises an opening of appropriate size and dimensions to hold a firearm; a retention system comprising at least one pair of tabs and at least one O-ring, which system provides tension to retain the firearm in the opening and preserves quick draw of the firearm from the holster; an indentation in a side of the holster wherein the at least one pair of tabs and the at least one O-ring are disposed; a pair of fins configured to turn the butt of the firearm into a user's waistline when the holster is worn on the user; and a cutout configured to accommodate a sight when the sight is coupled to the firearm.
The present disclosure further provides a magazine carrier for a firearm, comprising an opening of appropriate size and dimensions to hold a magazine; and a retention system comprising a pair of tabs and an O-ring, which system provides tension to retain the magazine in the opening and preserves quick draw of the magazine from the magazine carrier.
The present disclosure also provides a modular holster system for a firearm, comprising a holster comprising an opening of appropriate size and dimensions to hold a firearm; and a retention system comprising a pair of tabs and an O-ring, which retention system provides tension to retain the firearm in the opening of the holster and preserves quick draw of the firearm from the holster; and a magazine carrier coupled to the holster, the magazine carrier comprising an opening of appropriate size and dimensions to hold a magazine; and a second retention system comprising a pair of tabs and an O-ring, which second retention system provides tension to retain the magazine in the opening of the magazine carrier and preserves quick draw of the magazine from the magazine carrier.
In certain embodiments, the modular holster system further comprises a belt clip coupled to the holster. In certain embodiments, the modular holster system further comprises a connector coupled to the holster and coupled to the magazine carrier. In certain embodiments, the holster further comprises a first and a second plurality of holes configured to adjust height, cant, and orientation of the holster relative to the connector. In certain embodiments, the connector further comprises a first and second plurality of holes configured to adjust cant and orientation of the magazine carrier relative to the connector. In certain embodiments, the modular holster system can be configured to be carried inside the waistband of a user, outside the waistband of a user, or appendix to a user.
In a particular embodiment, the modular holster system comprises a holster comprising an opening of appropriate size and dimensions to hold a firearm; a retention system comprising at least one pair of tabs and at least one O-ring, which retention system provides tension to retain the firearm in the opening of the holster and preserves quick draw of the firearm from the holster; an indentation in a side of the holster wherein the at least one pair of tabs and the at least one O-ring are disposed; a pair of fins configured to turn the butt of the firearm into a user's waistline when the holster is worn on the user; a cutout configured to accommodate a sight when the sight is coupled to the firearm; and a first and a second plurality of holes on the holster configured to adjust height, cant, and orientation of the holster relative to a connector; a magazine carrier comprising an opening of appropriate size and dimension to hold a magazine; a second retention system comprising at least one pair of tabs and at least one O-ring, which second retention system provides tension to retain the magazine in the opening of the magazine carrier and preserves quick draw of the magazine from the magazine carrier; and an indentation in a side of the magazine carrier wherein the at least one pair of tabs and the at least one O-ring are disposed; a connector coupled to the holster and coupled to the magazine carrier, the connector comprising a first and second plurality of holes configured to adjust cant and orientation of the magazine carrier relative to the connector; and a belt clip coupled to the holster; wherein the modular holster system can be configured to be carried inside the waistband of the user, outside the waistband of the user, or appendix to the user.
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements. The drawings provide exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.
The present disclosure may be understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings as described above. For illustrative clarity, certain elements in various drawings may not be drawn to scale, may be represented schematically or conceptually, or otherwise may not correspond exactly to certain physical configurations of embodiments.
This disclosure provides a modular holster system comprising a holster, a connector, and a belt clip, wherein the holster is connected to the connector, and the belt clip is connected to the holster. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the modular holster system comprises a holster, a magazine carrier, a connector, and a belt clip, wherein the connector is connected to the holster and the magazine carrier, and the belt clip is connected to the holster. The holster and magazine carrier can each be used alone, with or without the belt clip, or together in a stacked orientation.
Holsters are typically available in several styles which permit different methods of carrying, such as inside the waistband (IWB), outside the waistband (OWB), appendix carry, cross draw, shoulder, belly band, ankle and pocket. With the IWB method, the firearm and holster go between the user's pants and underwear, keeping the firearm close to the user's body. IWB prints less than many other styles, but it is harder to get a positive combat grip from the draw. To be clear, “user” refers to the person wearing or operating the firearm. The “user” can also be referred to as the “shooter” or “operator.”
OWB is when the firearm and holster rest on the outside of the user's pants. OWB is typically anchored to the user's belt with a belt clip. The OWB method is less concealable and tends to print more often the IWB, but it is more comfortable to wear and affords a better grip and hand positioning. OWB also allows the user to access the magazine carrier on the user's weak side and the holster on the user's shooting side. The appendix carry positions the firearm in the front of the body using either an IWB or OWB method.
The appendix carry aids fast draw for right and lefthanded users while standing and sitting. Appendix carry also guards against a gun grab from the rear. Cross-draw holsters are carried support side (weak side), away from the dominant hand in the 1 or 2 o'clock position. As the name implies, a draw is executed by reaching across the body. The shoulder, belly band, ankle and pocket holsters each hold firearms in those respective positions.
The modular holster system described herein is able to be configured to be carried outside the waistband (OWB), inside the waistband (IWB), and appendix in the waistband carry with a spare magazine in a magazine carrier. In particular, the modular system may be arranged for appendix in the waistband carry, small of back, hip carry, outside the waistband, or separate from the magazine carrier. A user can adjust the holster for the context of its use, depending on the disposition of the belt clip within the modular holster system. For example, the typical configuration is IWB, which provides the most concealment. The modular holster systems described herein can be converted to OWB for range days, when concealment is not as important. The modular holster system can also be configured for the user to wear on the left side and for lefthanded draw.
Retention of the firearm is an important feature for any holster. A “retention holster” comprises features to prevent the firearm from being drawn or obtained by anyone other than the user or to prevent the firearm from coming loose from the holster. Retention may be passive or active. With passive retention, a holster is designed to retain a firearm in place without manually disengaging a retention device. Passive retention typically relies on friction and is not failsafe. In active retention, a holster is designed with features to lock the firearm in place, such as a thumb break, retention strap, tension screw, trigger guard lock, altered draw stroke retention, or mechanical locks. Pinch bolts are very common among prior art holsters. The user must disengage or overcome these features to draw the firearm. To be prepared to efficiently drawn the firearm during attack or under stress, the user must regularly train to disengage all active retention devices during the draw stroke
The holsters described herein provide the benefits of both passive and active retention without the drawback. Instead of a pinch bolt, the holsters 200 described herein compress the firearm 600 with one or more O-rings 221,222. The O-rings 221,222 pull together two sides of the holster. Good retention keeps the firearm 600 in the holster 200 when stored without compromising quick draw of the firearm 600 from the holster 200. Because the O-rings 221,222 are elastic, this retention system provided tensions that flows with the firearm, not against it, as the prior art screw retention systems do. The O-rings 221,222 flex as the user holsters and draws the firearm.
Pairs of tabs 211,213 and 212,214 prevents the O-rings 221,222 from coming off during use and storage. In certain embodiments, the tabs 211-214 have a hooked or bent feature at their distal ends to prevent the O-rings 221,222 from slipping. The O-rings 221,222 can also rest in an indentation in a side of the holster 200 to protect O-rings 221,222 the from damage or disruption during storage, wear or use. Tension can be adjusted by using one O-ring, two O-rings, or O-rings of different cross-sectional area, thickness, diameter, strength, material, durometer, or combinations thereof.
Several features of the holster and related modular holster system function as built-in concealment devices to keep the user from printing while having the firearm secured close to the waist. “Printing” refers to when the outline of the firearm, holster or modular holster system can be seen on the user's clothing. For example, fins 231,232 provide an index point to a user's draw. The fins 231,232 also conceal the firearm 600 more efficiently by turning the butt of the firearm deeper into a user's waistline.
In certain embodiments, the holster is adjustable for height and cant. “Height” refers to the level that the firearm or magazine is presented to the user relative to the user's waistline. “Cant” is the angle that the firearm or magazine is presented to the user relative to the user's waistline, such as 60°, 30°, 0°, −30°, and −60°. The holster comprises two sets of three holes 251,253,255 and 252,254,256 on one side of the holster, and another two sets for three holes 271,273,275 and 272,274,276 on the other side of the holster. Height is adjusted by mounting to pairs of holes directly adjacent to each other, for example 251 and 252 for the lowest height, 253 and 254 for a middle height, or 255 and 256 for the greatest height. The same height adjustments are available for the holster 200 when mounted from the other side, for example 271 and 272 for the lowest height, 273 and 274 for a middle height, or 275 and 276 for the greatest height.
Similarly, cant is adjusted by mounting to pairs of holes not directly adjacent to each other, for example 251 and 254 for one angle, such as 30°, and 251 and 256 for a greater angle, such as 60°. The direction of the cant can be flipped by choosing a complementary pairing, for example 252 and 253 for one angle that is in the opposite direction of the 251,254 pairing, such as −30°, and 252 and 255 for a greater angle that is in the opposite direction of the 251,256 pairing, such as −60°. The same cant adjustments are available for the holster 200 when mounted from the other side, for example 271 and 274 for one angle, such as, and 271 and 276 for a greater. Again, the direction of the cant can be flipped by choosing a complementary paring, for example 272 and 273 for one angle that is in the opposite direction of the 271,274 pairing, and 272 and 275 for a greater angle that is in the opposite direction of the 271,276 pairing. One of skill in the art would understand the method of how to adjust the height and cant of the holster based on this detailed description.
The holster 200 has holes 250,270 on both sides to enable mounting to the connector 400 from either side, depending on the handedness of the user and the desired mode of carrying. Holes 250,270 on both sides of the holster also permits the belt clip 500 to be attached to either side of the holster 200, with or without the connector 400, again depending on the handedness of the user, the desired mode of carrying, etc.
In certain embodiments, the modular holster system is optics compatible. For example, cutout 240 is configured to accommodate a sight when the sight is coupled to the firearm. The sight can be for example a commercially available miniature pistol red dot sight. Sights can be obtained from many commercial suppliers, such as Bushnell, Trijicon, Burris, and Leopold. In certain embodiments, the cutout is configured to accommodate larger optics and sights. The size and dimensions of the cutout are determined in injection mold and to supply a holster with the desired cutout.
The opening 260 of the holster 200 holster is scaled to accommodate the size and dimensions of one firearm 600. In certain embodiments, the firearm 600 is a pistol. The pistol is any commercially available pistol, such as a Sig Sauer, for example a 1911, P210, P220, P225-A1, P226, P229, P320, P238, P365, P938, SO2022, and M11-A1 or a Glock, for example G17, G17L, G17P, G17T, G19, G19T, G19X, G20, G21, G22, G22P, G23, G23P, G24, G26, G27, G29, G30, G30S, G31, G32, G33, G34, G35, G36, G37, G38, G39, G40, G41, G42, G45, and G48, and generations thereof. In certain embodiments, the firearm is a Glock. In certain embodiments, the firearm is a Sig Sauer.
The present disclosure also provides a magazine carrier. “Magazine” refers to a chamber for holding a supply of cartridges to be fed automatically to the breech of the firearm. The magazine carrier 300 is detachable, adjustable for cant, and low profile. In certain embodiments, the magazine carrier 300 is standalone, or joined to a belt clip 500. In certain embodiments, the magazine carrier 300 is attached directly to a holster 200 in a stacked configuration, with or without a belt clip 500. In certain embodiments, the magazine carrier 300 is connected to a holster 200 via a connector 400 to a holster 200, forming a modular holster system 150. In various embodiments, the magazine carrier 300 is worn for appendix in the waistband, small of back, hip carry, outside the waistband, separate from the magazine carrier, or elsewhere on a user's body alone are as part of a modular holster system.
As in the holster 200, O-rings 321,322 control the ease or difficulty for accessing a spare magazine. Instead of a pinch bolt, the magazine carriers 300 described herein compress a spare magazine with one or more O-rings 321,322. The O-rings 321,322 pull together two sides of the magazine carrier 300. Good retention keeps the spare magazine in the magazine carrier 300 when stored without compromising quick draw of the magazine from the magazine carrier 300 when need. Because the O-rings 321,322 are elastic, this retention method flows with the spare magazine, not against it, as the standard screw retention systems do. The O-rings 321,322 flex as the user removes the spare magazine from the magazine carrier 300 and stores the spent magazine in its place.
Pairs of tabs 311,313 and 312,314 prevents the O-rings 321,322 from coming off during use and storage. In certain embodiments, the tabs 311-314 have a hooked or bent feature at their distal ends to prevent the O-rings 321,322 from slipping. The O-rings 321,322 can also rest in an indentation in a side of the magazine carrier 300 to protect them from damage or disruption during storage, wear or use. As with the holster 200, tension in the magazine carrier 300 can be adjusted by using one O-ring, two O-rings, or O-rings of different cross-sectional area, thickness, diameter, strength, material, durometer, or combinations thereof.
A user can select the cant and orientation of the magazine carrier 300 with the modular holster system 100 based on, for example, handedness, carrying mode, and situation. In certain embodiments, the orientation of a magazine within the magazine carrier 300 can be switched to rounds facing left or rounds facing right via a pair of holes 351,352 or 371,372 on the opposite side. The magazine carrier has holes 351,352,371,372 on both sides to enable mounting to the connector 400 from either side, depending on the handedness of the user and the desired mode of carrying. Holes 351,352,371,372 on both sides of the magazine carrier 300 also permit the belt clip 500 to be attached to either side of the magazine carrier 300, with or without the connector 400, again depending on the handedness of the user and the desired mode of carrying.
The present disclosure also provides a connector 400 which, when present, connects a holster 200 to magazine carrier 300, with or without a belt clip 500. In certain embodiments, the connector 400 is adjustable to one of three heights on the holster by fastening holes 250 or 270 on the holster 200 to holes 473,474 on the connector 400. In certain embodiments, the connector 400 and magazine carrier 300 are disposed in a vertical orientation by using holes 351,352 or 371,372 on the magazine carrier 300 and holes 471,472 on the connector 400. In certain embodiments, the connector 400 aids cant of a magazine carrier 300 in an angled orientation by using holes 351,352 or 371,372 on the magazine carrier and holes 475,476 on the connector 400.
The holes are fastened with a fastener 700, such as a screw with a receiving cap 750. Referring to the figures, screw 730 and cap 735 couples the connector 400 to the magazine carrier 300 with hole 352 or 372 to hole 471 or 475. Screw 740 and cap 745 couples the connector 400 to the magazine carrier 300 with hole 351 or 371 to hole 472 or 476. Screw 750 and cap 755 couples the connector 400 to the holster 200 with hole 252, 254, 256, 272, 274, or 276 to hole 473. Screw 760 and cap 765 couples the connector 400 to the holster 200 with hole 251, 253, 255, 271, 273, or 275 to hole 474. In certain embodiments, screws are countersunk to prevent scratching the firearm.
In certain embodiments, the connector 400 comprises a recess around a bracket to accept a pad. When present, the pad has a thickness of between about 0.5 mm and 5 mm, such as 1 mm, 2 mm or 3 mm. The pad may be constructed of any durable foam or rubber material, such as polychloroprene (Neoprene™). In certain embodiments, the pad is removable, for example for washing or replacement.
The present disclosure also provides a belt clip 500, which may be used with the holster 200, magazine carrier 300, or in combination with those and the connector 400. In certain embodiments, the belt clip is 1.75″ wide, which is compatible with most every-day and light-duty belts. The belt clip has sufficient surface area to hold the holster 200, magazine carrier 300, or modular holster system 100 in the place. In certain embodiments, the belt clip 500 is adjustable, such that a user can wear a holster 200 at one of three heights and adjust a level of cant. For example, belt clip 500 may be coupled to holes 250 or 270 on the holster 200 using holes 551,552 and screws 710,720 with caps 715,725.
In certain embodiments, a logo 510 may be imprinted, embossed, engraved, or etched on the belt clip 500. The logo may be the trademarked logo for Regular Guy Tactical. In certain embodiments, the logo is placed on other components of the modular holster system, including the holster, magazine carrier, and connector.
The present disclosure provides methods of using the modular holster systems described herein, and of converting the modular holster systems from one carrying method to another, such as from IWB to OWB, or from OWB to IWB.
Table 1 lists the reference numerals used throughout the figures.
When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
Although the disclosure described herein is susceptible to various modifications and alternative iterations, specific embodiments thereof have been described in greater detail above. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description of the composition is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed. Rather, it should be understood that the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the claim language. Having described the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/744,740 filed Oct. 12, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62744740 | Oct 2018 | US |
