The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a quick release assembly that allows for an item to be removed from a repository in an expedited manner. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter directed to a quick release handgun holster designed to retain a handgun securely and yet to permit rapid withdrawal when required.
A wide variety of safety devices exist to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun from a holster by anyone other than the user. Typical rigid polymer holsters utilize retention mechanisms for preventing removal of the handgun that secure the handgun at the trigger guard. Some holsters have more than one retention mechanisms. However, when a holster has more than one retention feature, often mechanisms are either complicated, not reliable, and/or the actuation buttons are readily visible. Some retention mechanisms can become unlocked in a violent attack.
It would be advantageous to provide for an improved holster that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by securing a handgun from withdrawal by any but the wearer and yet permits a fast withdrawal upwardly by one trained in using the holster. It would be further advantageous to provide for an improved locking mechanism within the holster that allows the wearer to have a master grip of the handgun at the instant the locking mechanism is disengaged from the holster. It would be furthermore advantageous to provide for an improved locking mechanism that allows the wearer to automatically relock and reholster the handgun securely and quickly if it is not needed in a particular circumstance. For example, a wearer may draw a gun and find that deadly force is not required, and that hand-to-hand action will suffice against a criminal suspect. The wearer would then need to rapidly reholster the gun and relock the locking mechanism without looking but still have the gun secured by a fast acting, self-locking apparatus.
This summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form concepts that are further described in the following detailed descriptions. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In at least one embodiment, a holster assembly includes: a holster body having an interior shaped to receive a handgun therein, and an entrance to the interior; an ejection port restraint pivotally connected to the holster body, the ejection port restraint including a latch and being biased toward an obstruction position at which the latch extends into the interior for engaging the latch with the ejection port of the handgun; a hood restraint pivotally connected to the holster body adjacent the entrance, the hood restraint configured to pivot between a non-obstruction position, at which the hood restraint permits the handgun to enter the entrance into the interior and to be drawn from the interior, and an obstruction position at which the hood restraint at least partially blocks the entrance, the hood restraint biased toward the non-obstruction position; and a release device mounted on the holster body and configured to actuate both the ejection port restraint and the hood restraint, each toward the respective non-obstruction position thereof, in response to a single movement of the release device by a user to allow the handgun to be withdrawn from the holster.
The ejection port restraint may include a ramped contact surface that facilitates re-holstering of a handgun by pivoting the ejection port restraint, upon contact with the forward end of the advancing handgun, away from the obstruction position.
The holster body may include a first sidewall and a second sidewall between which the interior is defined; and the hood restraint may be pivotally connected to each of the first sidewall and second sidewall.
The hood restraint may include a first side shield, a second side shield, and a back wall connecting the first side shield and second side shield.
The first side shield may have a forward end pivotally connected to a rearward end of the first sidewall; and the second side shield may have a forward end pivotally connected to a rearward end of the second sidewall.
The hood restraint may include a retention slot that aligns with an arm of the release device when the hood restraint is in the obstruction position.
The release device may be biased rearward to slide a rearward portion of the arm into the retention slot to lock the hood restraint in the obstruction position.
A lower wall of the retention slot may be ramped to increase engagement with a ramped lower side of the rearward portion of the arm.
The release device may be configured to slide by forward user force against a rearward biased force from a rearward restraint locking position to a forward restraint releasing position to actuate both the ejection port restraint and the hood restraint, each toward the respective non-obstruction position thereof.
The release device may include a release lever that extends laterally outward from a side of the holster body. The release device may include a sliding arm connected to the release lever, the sliding arm having a forward portion shaped to pivot the ejection port from the obstruction position to the non-obstruction position when the release device is moved by forward user force from the rearward restraint locking position to the forward restraint releasing position.
The release device may have a release lever that extends laterally outward from the second side of the holster body for access by the thumb of a user.
A safety shroud may have a laterally outward extending lever guard below the release lever for protecting the release lever from accidental or unwanted actuation.
Rearward and forward limits of a range of sliding motion of the release device between the restraint locking position and the restraint releasing position may be defined by contact with respective stop blocks.
The holster body may include a trigger guard cover, defining therein a portion of the interior, for receiving at least a portion of the trigger guard of the handgun, and covering the trigger thereof.
The holster body may include at least one sidewall on which an attachment base is provided for fastening the holster assembly to a host structure or gear item.
The release device may have a release lever that extends laterally outward from the at least one sidewall for access by the thumb of a user when the holster assembly is worn with the attachment base facing the user.
The release lever may be positioned along the user side of the holster assembly for actuation by the thumb of the user as the user grasps the handle of a holstered handgun.
The above summary is to be understood as cumulative and inclusive. The above described embodiments and features are combined in various combinations in whole or in part in one or more other embodiments.
The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, embodiments and features as briefly described below. The summary and detailed descriptions, however, are not limited to only those embodiments and features explicitly illustrated.
These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters. Although steps may be expressly described or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated.
Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing.
Like reference numbers used throughout the drawings depict like or similar elements. Unless described or implied as exclusive alternatives, features throughout the drawings and descriptions should be taken as cumulative, such that features expressly associated with some particular embodiments can be combined with other embodiments.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains.
When it is time to draw and use a handgun, one of the more important aspects is establishing a quality grip on the handgun. Some instructors refer to this grip as the master grip, which is the interface between the user and the handgun. Master grip is the natural shooting grip. Having a master grip at the moment when the handgun is released from the holster can allow for making precision shots as quickly as possible once the gun is drawn from the holster, facilitating rapid follow up shots, and keeping control of the handgun by the user from a safety standpoint.
The holster assembly 100 advantageously provides an improved thumb-activated release device 130 that advantageously allows the user to obtain a master grip of the handgun in an expeditious manner at the instant the handgun is drawn and disengaged. The holster assembly 100 accordingly allows for the user to grip the handgun in a master grip in a smooth, uncomplicated fashion by providing for a motion that can be intuitively done with no extra unnecessary steps.
The holster assembly 100 includes generally a holster body 102 (
A holster assembly 100 according to these descriptions can be tailored to accommodate almost any particular handgun model having an ejection port, and thus the particular dimensions of the holster assembly 100 and its components are not particularly specified, being within ordinary skill to determine and implement in view of these descriptions and drawings for any given handgun.
A longitudinal axis 110 (
The illustrated holster body 102 has opposed contoured lateral sidewalls including a first sidewall 112, and a second sidewall 114. In general, the disassembled views of
In the illustrated embodiment, the holster assembly 100 includes an attachment base 122 provided at a mid-portion of the laterally outer side of the second sidewall. The attachment base 122 is shown as a rectangular base plate having features, illustrated as a pattern of holes 124 (
The ejection port restraint 160 is generally an interior component essentially unseen by the user unless peering into the holster assembly 100 unoccupied by a handgun. The holster body 102 serves as a frame for the holster assembly 100. Components termed herein once or more as fixed, such as the fixed base 180 for the ejection port restraint 160, termed fixed base 180 for brevity, are connected directly or indirectly to the holster body 102, and are non-moving relative to the holster body.
The fixed base 180 is mounted on the second sidewall 114 of the holster body 102, for example by fasteners 182 (
The ejection port restraint 160 extends into the interior 104 of the holster body 102. A biasing element 166 (
The hood restraint is also actuated by use of the release device 130. Each of the first sidewall 112 and second sidewall 114 (
The hood restraint 190 is configured for swiveling between its obstruction position, shown in solid-line view in the drawings, and its raised non-obstruction position 190B shown in dashed-line view in
A biasing element biases the hood restraint toward the obstruction position. The biasing element 198, illustrated as a torsion spring in
Thus, both the ejection port restraint 160 and the hood restraint 190 are actuated to their obstruction positions by a single user action on the release device 130. The release device 130 is slidably mounted on the second side 114 of the holster body for access typically by the right thumb of a user. The release device 130 can be pressed forward from a restraint locking position shown in solid-line view in the drawings, and a restraint releasing position 130B shown in dashed-line view in
A biasing element biases the release device 130 toward the restraint locking position. The biasing element 140, illustrated as a linear coil spring in
The release device 130 is illustrated as a one-piece item having a release lever 132 that extends laterally outward from the second side of the holster body for convenient access by the thumb of a user. The release lever 132 is illustrated as having a rearward facing cylindrically convex contact pad that is textured for thumb engagement. The top of the release lever 132 is connected to a sliding arm 134, the hooked forward portion 136 of which is shaped to engage and actuate the ejection port restraint 160.
A first lateral end of the ejection port restraint 160 includes a latch 170 that extends variably into the interior of the holster body according to the pivotal position of the ejection port restraint. The latch 170 and is adapted to engage the ejection port of a holstered handgun 50 to preclude removal of handgun from the holster body. The forward end of the hooked portion 136 of the sliding arm 130 has a contact ramp 138 (
In the illustrated embodiment, the ejection port restraint arches over the top of the holstered handgun (
The forward surface of the latch 170 is perpendicular to would-be rearward motion of the handgun if withdrawn from the holster body 102, improving engagement and withdrawal, especially where the corresponding contact surface of the handgun at the forward end of the ejection port is similarly or partially perpendicular to the barrel bore axis.
The longitudinally extending rearward portion 142 of the sliding arm 134 of the release device 130 is shaped to engage the hood restraint 190, which has an open retention slot 200 for receiving the rearward portion 142 of the arm 134 (
In summary, the simultaneous actuation of the ejection port restraint 160 and the release of the hood restraint 190, each to its respective non-obstruction position by user action on the release device 130 frees the handgun 50 for withdrawal from the holster assembly 100 and acquisition of a master grip on the handgun for use when needed.
To holster a handgun, with the hood restraint 190 in the non-obstruction position 190B, the muzzle end of the handgun is inserted into the entrance 106 of the holster body. Lower portions of the first sidewall 112 and second sidewall 114 of the holster body 102 cooperatively form a trigger guard cover 126 (
The holster body 102 can be contoured and dimensioned to provide custom fit and snug engagement with a particular model of handgun, engaging the handgun at full insertion at multiple contact areas from the muzzle, along the lateral sides, and along the trigger guard within the trigger guard cover. The holster body 102 thus prevents movement of the holstered handgun thereby defining level one passive retention.
The release device 130 need not be depressed by the user for the muzzle of the handgun to pass the ejection port restraint during holstering. Even without the release device 130 being pressed forward, a front portion 56 (
This causes the handgun to be retained within holster body 102 at least by the ejection port restraint 160 for a second level of retention. That is, during the holstering process, the release device 130, in the restraint locking position, allows the ejection port restraint 160 to pivot from the obstruction position thereof to permit the forward portion of the handgun to pass, and then the ejection port restraint 16 automatically pivots back into the engagement or obstruction position in response to the action of handgun being fully inserted into the holster body to allow the handgun to be secured within holster assembly 100 by the ejection port restraint.
When the handgun is fully holstered into the holster body, the hood restraint 190 can be pivoted from the non-obstruction position 190B to the obstruction position by the user for a third level of retention. To reach the third level of retention, the release device 130 need not be pressed or held forward by the user. The hood restraint 190 can pivoted by hand toward the obstruction position, overcoming the torque applied by the biasing member 198 and loading the biasing member for next use. As the hood restraint 190 approaches the non-obstruction position, an engagement surface 204 (
In the illustrated embodiment, a fixed safety shroud 210 is positioned intermediate the second side wall 114 and release device 130. The safety shroud 210 has a base plate 212 fixed to the rearward end of the laterally outer side of the second sidewall 114. The first side shield 192 (
In the illustrated embodiment of the holster assembly 100, a fixed top cover 230 is mounted laterally outward from the rearward end of the second lateral side 114 of holster body, overhanging upper portions of the safety shroud 210 and release device 130. The top cover 230 thus creates a partial enclosure around the sliding arm 134. The top cover 230 is attached, for example, by fasteners 232 (
The top cover 230 includes a laterally inward extending fixed stop block 234 (
In the illustrated embodiment, when the holster assembly 100 is worn, for example at the hip of a user 10 (see
Various components of the holster assembly 100, including the holster body and hood restraint, among others, may be formed of injection molded polymers or composite construction. Generally, the holster body and hood restraint will be formed of rigid materials with some resilience. Nylon, polyethylene, epoxy, may be suitable for example; such may be reinforced with glass, carbon, or other fiber materials. Other materials may also be suitable, for example the ejection port restraint, could readily be formed from steel or composite construction-polymer and steel. The several described biasing members can be constructed of, for example, spring steel.
In various exemplary embodiments, the holster body and other components are substantially rigid and is formed of a polymeric material such as a polymeric composite. Alternate materials of construction may include one or more of the following: steel, aluminum, titanium, and/or other metals, as well as various alloys and composites thereof, glass-hardened polymers, polymer or fiber reinforced metals, carbon fiber or glass fiber composites, continuous fibers in combination with thermoset and thermoplastic resins, chopped glass or carbon fibers used for injection molding compounds, laminate glass or carbon fiber, epoxy laminates, woven glass fiber laminates, impregnate fibers, polyester resins, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, polyimide resins, cyanate resins, high-strength plastics, nylon, glass, or polymer fiber reinforced plastics, thermoform and/or thermoset sheet materials, and/or various combinations of the foregoing. Thus, it should be understood that the selection of material or materials used to form holster body and other components is a design choice based on the desired appearance and/or functionality of holster assembly 100.
It should be appreciated that the holster as described can be configured in any desired size, depending on the size of the item to be moved. For example, the holster assembly 100 can have a length and/or height of about 3-6 inches (e.g., 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.25, 5.5, 5.75, or 6 inches). However, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited and can be configured to be larger or smaller than the range given above. A holster assembly according to these descriptions can accommodate a handgun equipped with one or more attachments, including, for example, a tactical light and/or laser sights. Various models can be available for use with various handguns and their attached items.
According to various embodiments, a method of drawing a holstered handgun includes providing a quick release holster assembly such as the holster assembly 100 described herein. The method further includes applying force by user action on a release lever to actuate the release lever and withdrawing the handgun from the holster assembly. In various embodiments, the method further comprises applying a natural shooting grip on the handgun at an instant the release lever is moved by the user, or at an instant immediately after release lever is moved by the user. In various embodiments, the method further comprises transferring motion to a latch at the ejection port of the handgun, such as by transfer of motion from the moving release lever to a pivoting ejection port restraint. In various embodiments, the method further comprises, by said applying force by user action on the release lever, sliding a portion of an arm in a retention slot, until, as the release lever reaches a restraint releasing position, the arm is removed from the retention slot, thereby disengaging from a pivoting hood restraint, which is biased to pivot a non-obstruction position 190B permitting withdrawal of the handgun by the user.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the Detailed Description. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/131,119, titled “Quick Release Upholster,” filed on Dec. 28, 2020, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
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