RETENTION HOLSTER FOR HANDGUN

Abstract

A retention holster for a handgun outfitted with a weapon mounted light comprises a holster shell, a latch movable between locked and released positions, the latch when in the locked position configured to engage a surface of the light to prevent removal of the handgun from the holster, the latch when in the released position configured to permit removal of the handgun from the holster, and a thumb release configured to move the latch from the locked position to the released position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to handgun holsters, and more particularly to Level 2 retention holsters.

BACKGROUND

Handgun holsters are intended to securely and safely hold a handgun in a position where it can be drawn for immediate use. A Level 1 retention holster is a holster that relies solely on friction to retain the handgun. The amount of friction may be adjustable and can provide adequate protection from the handgun being unintentionally dislodged because of user movement or orientation (such as being inverted). But Level 1 retention does not protect against another person intentionally withdrawing the handgun simply by pulling it out of the holster.

A Level 2 retention holster is a holster that incorporates some kind of active retention and that requires a separate positive action by the user, other than simply drawing the handgun. One example of a Level 2 retention holster is the ALS® holster marketed by Safariland®. The ALS® holster has a tension screw to adjust the friction fit between the holster shell and the handgun, and a latch that locks into the ejection port of the slide of the handgun when the handgun is inserted into the holster. To draw the handgun, a thumb release is pushed forward, which moves the latch out of the ejection port, allowing the handgun to be withdrawn from the holster.

Further improvements in Level 2 holsters are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a retention holster for a handgun outfitted with a weapon mounted light comprises a holster shell, a latch movable between locked and released positions, the latch when in the locked position configured to engage a surface of the light to prevent removal of the handgun from the holster, the latch when in the released position configured to permit removal of the handgun from the holster, and a thumb release configured to move the latch from the locked position to the released position.

The latch can be spring biased toward the locked position. The latch can pivot about an axis parallel to a bore of a barrel of the handgun. The thumb release can translate along the axis. The holster can further include a mechanism configured to transform translational motion of the thumb release into pivoting motion of the latch. The mechanism can comprise a helical slot associated with the latch, and a cross pin associated with the shell and riding in the helical slot.

In another aspect, a retention holster for a handgun outfitted with a weapon mounted light comprises a holster shell, a housing secured to the shell, a shaft disposed in the housing and having a latch member splined to the shaft, a cross pin secured to the housing and riding in a helical slot in the shaft, and a thumb button secured to the shaft. Pressing the thumb button downwardly rotates the latch member between locked and released positions, the latch member when in the locked position configured to engage a surface of the weapon mounted light to prevent removal of the handgun from the holster, the latch member when in the released position configured to permit removal of the handgun from the holster.

The retention holster can further comprise a first spring biasing the thumb button upwardly.

The retention holster can further comprise a pocket in the housing capturing the latch member, the latch member and pocket dimensioned to allow a limited amount of axial travel of the latch member relative to the housing, and a second spring biasing the latch member upwardly.

The shaft, latch member, cross pin and first spring can be configured to permit the latch member to be moved out of the locked position by the weapon mounted light, allow insertion of the handgun into the holster, and move the latch member back into the locked position.

The retention holster can further comprise a hole in the housing and a hole in the shaft which become aligned when the thumb button is depressed, and a screw or pin inserted through the holes once aligned.

Other aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of skill in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, all of which comprise part of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an outer side perspective view of a right-handed holster according to the principles of the present invention with a handgun inserted into the holster.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the handgun withdrawn from the holster.

FIGS. 3A-3D are perspective views of the latching mechanism of the holster of FIGS. 1-3 as a weapon mounted light equipped handgun is progressively inserted into the holster until the latching mechanism latches in the latched position.

FIG. 4 is a disassembled perspective view of the latching mechanism and thumb release mechanism of FIGS. 3A-3D.

FIGS. 5A-5C are assembled perspective views of the latching mechanism and thumb release mechanism of FIGS. 3A-3D illustrating the rotational motion imparted to the latch member by the latching mechanism as the thumb release mechanism is depressed.

FIGS. 6A-6C are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the latching mechanism, thumb release mechanism, and weapon mounted light corresponding to FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIG. 7A is a view similar to FIG. 3C but of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 5C but of the alternative embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8B is a transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawing figures, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. “Forward” will indicate the direction of the muzzle and the direction in which projectiles are fired, while “rearward” will indicate the opposite direction. “Lateral” or “transverse” indicates a side-to-side direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the barrel. Although firearms may be used in any orientation, “left” and “right” will generally indicate the sides according to the user's orientation, “top” or “up” will be the upward direction when the firearm is gripped in the ordinary manner. When referring to the holster, orientation references will be to the holster when worn at the waist in a common manner. “Inboard” means toward the user's body relative to the holster. “Forward” refers to the general direction the user is facing. “Up” refers to vertically upward and the direction in which the handgun is withdrawn from the holster.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a Level 2 retention holster 10 according to the principles of the present invention. The holster 10 is for right-handed draw. The holster 10 comprises a holster shell 12, a latch mechanism 14, and a thumb release mechanism 16. The latch mechanism 14 is movable between a locked or latched position and a released or unlatched position. When in the locked position, the latch mechanism 14 engages a surface of a weapon mounted light 18 to prevent removal of the handgun 20 from the holster 10. When in the released position, the latch 14 permits removal of the handgun 20 from the holster 10. The thumb release mechanism 16 moves the latch mechanism 14 from the locked position to the released position. The latch mechanism 14 is also configured to move out of the latched position to permit insertion of the weapon mounted light equipped handgun 20 into the holster 10, and once the handgun 20 is fully inserted into the holster 10, to move back into the latched position.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, a housing 30 houses the latch mechanism 14 and thumb release mechanism 16. The housing 30 is secured to the laterally inboard side (left side) of the holster shell 12 (as worn by a right-handed shooter). For example, the housing 30 can have a pair of tapped bosses 32, one of which faces forward and the other of which faces rearward, that accept screws to secure the housing 30 to the holster shell 12. The latch mechanism 14 has a latch tooth or member 34. A shaft 36 has external splines 38 on a lower end of shaft 36. Latch member 34 has complimentary internal splines 35. Latch member 34 rides on shaft 36, and thus is rotatably fixed to shaft 36 but is free to slide axially along shaft 36. A compression spring 40 encircles the lower end of shaft 36 and spring biases latch member 34 upwardly away from the muzzle end of handgun 20. Latch member 34 is captured within a pocket 42 of housing 30. Latch member 34 includes a barrel portion 44 against which spring 40 abuts and that telescopes into housing 30 against the bias of spring 40 providing a degree of axial play to assist in inserting handgun 20 into holster 10.

Shaft 36 has a helical slot 50 above the latch member 34. A cross pin or screw 52 has threads 53 that thread into mating threads in the housing 30 to secured the pin 52 to the housing 30. The pin 52 rides in slot 50. Thus, cross pin 52 imparts rotational motion to shaft 36 during downward axial motion of shaft 36 towards the muzzle end of handgun 20.

The thumb release mechanism 16 has a thumb button 60 attached to an upper end of a shaft 36. Upper end of shaft 36 has an annular groove 62. A cross bolt 64 rides in annular groove 62 to secure thumb button 60 to upper end of shaft 36. The connection of thumb button 60 to shaft 36 allows shaft 36 to rotate about its longitudinal axis relative to thumb button 60 as thumb button 60 imparts downward axial motion to shaft 36. Thumb button 60 telescopes over the upper end of housing 30. A spring 66 encircles upper end of shaft 36 and spring biases thumb button 60 upwardly.

Thus, as thumb button 60 is pressed downwardly, cross pin 52 riding in slot 50 rotates shaft 36 and hence latch member 34 from the latched position (FIG. 5A), to an intermediate position (FIG. 5B), and then to the unlatched position (FIG. 5C). The latch mechanism 14 and thumb release mechanism 16 thus cooperate to transform axial translational motion of thumb button 60 along the longitudinal axis of shaft 36 into rotational motion of shaft 36 about its longitudinal axis and thus rotational motion of latch member 34 about the longitudinal axis of shaft 36. As illustrated, the longitudinal axis of shaft 36 is generally parallel to the bore of the barrel of the handgun 20.

The latch mechanism 14 also (a) permits the latch member 34 to be moved from the latched position (FIGS. 3A and 6A) by the weapon mounted light 18, (b) allows insertion of the handgun 20 equipped with the weapon mounted light 18 into the holster 10 (FIGS. 3B and 6B), and (c) moves the latch member 34 back into the latched position (FIGS. 3C and 6C). When inserting weapon mounted light equipped handgun 20 into holster 10, a forward edge or surface 70 of inboard rail 72 of weapon mounted light 18 contacts a rearward edge or surface of latch member 34. Further insertion of the handgun 20 into the holster 10 rotates latch member 34 counterclockwise (when viewed from above) about the longitudinal axis of shaft 36 allowing inboard rail 72 of weapon mounted light 18 to move downwardly. During insertion of the handgun 20 thumb button 60 translates downwardly telescoping over upper end of housing 30. Once handgun 20 has been fully inserted into holster 10, the spring bias of spring 66 urges thumb button 60 upwardly to its upward position which translates shaft 36 upwardly. As shaft 36 translates upwardly cross pin 52 riding in slot 50 rotates shaft 36 clockwise (when viewed from above) thus rotating latch member 34 clockwise into the latched position where a forward edge or surface of latch member 34 abuts a rear edge or surface 74 of rail 72 of weapon mounted light 18 to lock the handgun 20 into the holster 10. To assist in inserting pistol 20 into holster 10 latch member 34 can include one or more faceted surfaces 82, 84, 86 to facilitate interaction of the latch member 34 with rail 72. Of course, other edges or surfaces of the light 18 other than edges or surfaces of rail 72 can be engaged by the latch member 34 to insert the handgun 20 into the holster 10 and to lock the handgun 20 in place in the holster 10 and be within the scope of the invention.

A cross pin or screw 90 can be inserted through a hole 92 in housing 30 and a hole 94 in shaft 36 which become aligned when thumb button 60 is fully depressed. In this way, the holster 10 can be converted to a Level I retention holster if desired.

Referring not to FIGS. 7A-9, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. With like numbers illustrating like elements, the FIGS. 7A-9 embodiment functions much like the FIGS. 1-6C embodiment. The primary difference between the embodiments is that the latch member 34 engages edge or surface 98 on light 18 to lock the weapon mounted light equipped handgun 20 in place, rather than edge or surface 74 on light 18.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. The invention resides in each individual feature described herein, alone, and in any and all combinations and subcombinations of any and all of those features. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the following claim or claims.

Claims

1. A retention holster for a handgun outfitted with a weapon mounted light, comprising: a holster shell,a latch movable between locked and released positions, the latch when in the locked position configured to engage a surface of the light to prevent removal of the handgun from the holster, the latch when in the released position configured to permit removal of the handgun from the holster, anda thumb release configured to move the latch from the locked position to the released position.

2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the latch is spring biased toward the locked position.

3. The holster of claim 2, wherein the latch pivots about an axis parallel to a bore of a barrel of the handgun.

4. The holster of claim 3, wherein the thumb release translates along the axis.

5. The holster of claim 4, further including a mechanism configured to transform translational motion of the thumb release into pivoting motion of the latch.

6. The holster of claim 5, wherein the mechanism comprises: a helical slot operably associated with the latch, anda cross pin operably associated with the shell and riding in the helical slot.

7. A retention holster for a handgun outfitted with a weapon mounted light, comprising: a holster shell,a housing secured to the shell,a shaft disposed in the housing and having a latch member splined to the shaft,a cross pin secured to the housing and riding in a helical slot in the shaft, anda thumb button secured to the shaft,whereupon pressing the thumb button downwardly rotates the latch member between locked and released positions, the latch member when in the locked position configured to engage a surface of the weapon mounted light to prevent removal of the handgun from the holster, the latch member when in the released position configured to permit removal of the handgun from the holster.

8. The retention holster of claim 7, further comprising: a first spring biasing the thumb button upwardly.

9. The retention holster of claim 8, further comprising: a pocket in the housing capturing the latch member, the latch member and pocket dimensioned to allow a limited amount of axial travel of the latch member relative to the housing, anda second spring biasing the latch member upwardly.

10. The retention holster of claim 9, wherein the shaft, latch member, cross pin and first spring are configured to permit the latch member to be moved out of the locked position by the weapon mounted light, allow insertion of the handgun into the holster, and move the latch member back into the locked position.

11. The retention holster of claim 7 further comprising a hole in the housing and a hole in the shaft which become aligned when the thumb button is depressed, and a screw or pin inserted through the holes once aligned.