SHROUDED FLIP HOLSTER FOR CONCEALED CARRY OF A HANDGUN

Abstract

A holster for concealed handgun carry that relies on the façade for concealment, such as a cell phone, cell phone case or toolbox. The facade is a pivotal shroud with an aperture to open enclosure that is pivotally attached to a holster pocket, and relies on an actuated hinges for securing the shroud in a closed position for concealment and an open position for access to a handgun. Spring loaded hinges may be used for providing opening of the hinged panels of the holster, providing access by the wearer to the handgun contained within the holster. Latching of a closed configuration may be accomplished by a snap, hook and loop fasteners and magnetic fasteners. Access to a handgun contained within the holster may be accomplished with minimal movement of an arm, hand or finger.

Description

BACKGROUND

There has been a relatively recent increase in the interest and recreational use of firearms by many private citizens of the United States. As a part of this increased interest in firearms, a desire by many in carrying a handgun in public in a concealed manner on one's person has led a majority of state jurisdictions to pass laws allowing its citizens to carry concealed firearms in public. A permit or license to carry a handgun in a concealed manner is usually issued by a state jurisdiction after a resident applicant has taken a prescribed handgun safety course, has no criminal record, has no outstanding restraining orders imposed by a court of law, and has passed a background check. Many states may not permit persons within the state to openly carry a handgun in public places. Studies have concluded that concealed carry permit or license holders are much less likely to commit any type of violent crime than the general population.

Concealing a handgun may be accomplished by hiding it from view of others within a person's clothing or garments. Carrying a handgun concealed has often been limited to carrying the handgun in a pants or coat pocket, or wearing a holster under a coat, baggy shirt, completely tucked down the pants or on the ankle. Each of these carry methods presents its own challenges to accessibility, concealment, convenience or comfort. When someone needs to dress in more formal attire, such as in an office environment, an inside the waistband (“IWB”) holster can be a good choice for concealed carry, but it normally necessitates that one wear a coat all the time, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient.

While concealing a handgun beneath layers of clothing may accomplish concealment, it may also make it difficult for the user to access the handgun expeditiously when confronted by danger. An example of this method of concealment is a shoulder holster carried beneath an armpit and covered with a jacket. Another example is a holster attached to a lower part of a leg. Both of these examples may limit the speed with which a user can access the handgun. Even a holster worn inside a belt and pant waist may require some form of clothing to conceal the presence of a handgun, such as having to wear a shirt tail outside the pants, which may make quick access difficult. “Printing,” where the outline of the pistol is visible through one's clothing, is a violation of most states' concealed carry laws, complicating the issue and normally necessitating that the clothing be thick or baggy.

Another method of concealing a handgun is to enclose it within an article that appears to be something other than a holster for a handgun. The exterior façade may appear to be a carrying case for a mobile phone or pager. It may also be a fanny pack, bi-fold wallet or pouch used when hiking or participating in similar sporting activities. These implementations typically rely on mechanical snaps, zippers and hook-and-loop type fasteners to close an opening used to access the firearm, and usually require the use of two hands or extensive movements of the hands and arms. These enclosing devices may impede access to a handgun when it becomes necessary to access it quickly.

Although many new handgun designs have been dramatically reduced in size, thereby making it easier to conceal, prior art methods described in available literature for concealing a handgun are still encumbered with either poor concealment or difficulty of quick access when required.

SUMMARY

The following disclosure describes a handgun holster for concealed carry that relies on a rotatable shroud as a facade of, for example, a cell phone or a cell phone case with a spring-loaded hinge for securing the rotatable shroud. It is a compact design that can be worn on the street when dressed in casual clothes or in an office setting when wearing more formal work clothes without drawing attention to the fact that the wearer is carrying a handgun. It may rely on a snap or magnetic latch on the front edge of the spring-loaded shroud for rapid acquisition of the handgun. Under this embodiment, a spring may be released for providing opening of the shroud of the holster by simply pressing upward on the shroud, which breaks the snap or magnetic force holding the release spring.

The handgun holster is designed to fit inside the waistband in front of a side pocket close to a draw hand. Being free of material, zippers or straps, it enables a clean grip of the handgun yet allows for quick access that may be accomplished with the flip of a finger. Access is provided whether a user is standing or sitting, allowing ready access even while sitting in a vehicle.

This shrouded holster is designed to meet a very specific need for those who wish to carry their firearm on their person. It is designed to allow the person to wear the handgun in a position that is readily accessible, yet it looks like something entirely different than what it is. That is why it is referred to as a “shrouded” or “masked” holster. To the observer, this particular holster is designed to look like a cell phone in a carrying case or holder. It is worn in plain sight with the shrouded portion resting just above the pants line. The pocket member, which is where the service item is held, is hidden inside the waistband. When the wearer wants to access the pistol he or she simply draws their hand upward against the lower edge of the shroud which will break the magnetic seal or the snap (depending on the design chosen) and the spring-assisted shroud will open quickly, revealing the butt of the pistol for a quick retrieval. Alternatively, the holster may appear as, and possibly function as, a belt buckle or some other such item.

The holster includes a spring-loaded, single-point hinged shroud that appears to be, for example, a cell phone case when closed. When unlatched, the hinged shroud springs open, allowing unimpeded access to the handgun held within the holster pocket, wherein the handgun may be quickly drawn and ready for use. Access is provided with minimal movement of an arm, a hand or even just a finger. A waistband clip may be provided to safely secure the holster containing a handgun inside the waistband of a user while the gun is withdrawn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster in a stand-alone position;

FIG. 1B depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster attached to a waistband;

FIG. 2 depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster in a stand-alone position with the shroud in an open position;

FIG. 3A depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster viewed from a back or body side showing placement of an elastic band flexible member;

FIG. 3B depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster viewed from a front side as the holster begins to open;

FIG. 3C depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster viewed from a back or body side as the holster begins to open;

FIG. 4A depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster and associated components that enable opening operation;

FIG. 4B depicts an exploded view of a shrouded handgun flip holster viewed from a back or body side;

FIG. 5 shows a snap closure mechanism between the shroud and a waistband clip;

FIG. 6A depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster in a closed position cutout view;

FIG. 6B depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster in an open position cutout view;

FIG. 7 depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster with attachment components for connecting the shroud and a holster pocket; and

FIG. 8 depicts shrouded handgun flip holster, molded as a single member, with an adjustable pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The design of the Shrouded Flip Holster is adaptive. It is generally a 5-Sided box that is open on the bottom and is designed to look like a cell phone, cell phone case, a tool case or even a belt buckle. Some of the illustrations reflect a forward-facing cell phone with a glass front, like a smart phone, some represent a rearward-facing cell phone and some may show a cell phone carrier or case. Wherever these design elements are of a utilitarian purpose they will be noted on the illustrations. Otherwise, a simple box design easily represents the shape of the shroud.

For reference purposes, Table 1 below provides reference designator identification for the components of embodiment of the disclosed holster.

TABLE 1
100 view of a shrouded handgun flip holster in a stand-alone and an attached position
110 butt panel of shroud
120 breech panel of shroud
130 front panel of shroud
135 back panel of shroud
140 hammer panel of shroud
150 waistband clip
155 belt hook on waistband clip
160 holster pocket
165 strap securing waistband clip to pocket
170 magnet on shroud
180 shroud
190 garment
195 belt
200 view of the holster with the shroud in the open position with handgun in the holster
205 handgun
210 grip of handgun
220 butt of handgun
230 raised back panel of pocket
240 weight
250 muzzle of a handgun
260 fulcrum of the shroud
300 view of the holster from the backside that illustrates the flexing butt panel
305 direction of the force to trigger the rotation toward the open position
310 hinge between shroud and pocket
315 force applied to butt panel by the butt of a handgun encountering the butt panel during rotation
320 elastic band used to keep butt panel in the closed position
325 direction of force applied to butt panel by spring or elastic band inside of shroud
330 small spring used to keep butt panel in the closed position
340 retention bar used to hold spring in place
341 retention sleeve molded into the design and used to hold a spring in place
400 view of the components used on the inside of the holster
410 larger primary spring which pushes the shroud into the open position
415 direction of the force from a spring
420 primary hinge which connects the shroud to the pocket
440 rivets, tension screws or other attachable means
450 brads used to hold the rivets in place
460 plate used to secure the rivets to the pliable pocket placed between the pocket and the brads
500 view of the grooved connector on the waistband clip and the shroud
510 groove connector (male) on shroud
515 groove connector (female) on waistband clip
600 cutaway view of the shroud as an attachable module to an existing holster
610 attachment band for modular design of shroud/hinges/waistband clip
620 living hinge
635 holes in modular attachment band used for attaching it to the pocket with rivets
700 view of the modular molded assembly and how it may attach to a pocket member
725 shows where spring slides into molded spring retention sleeves
730 holes in pocket used for attaching it to the attachment band with rivets
740 resizing clamp for pocket
750 resizing hole in pocket

Turning to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 100 in a stand-alone position with a shroud 180 in a closed position. FIG. 1A shows the shroud 180 of a substantially rigid material, such as injection-molded plastic. It is closed on all sides except a bottom side opposite a breech panel 120. The shroud 180 is made up of a 5 panels, including a front panel 130, a back panel 135 that faces against the wearer's body, a hammer panel 140 that is closest to a hammer of a pistol while it is resting in a holster pocket 160, a butt panel 110 that is closest to a butt of a pistol while it is resting in the holster pocket 160, and the breech panel 120. The shroud 180 envelops the top opening of the holster pocket 160, concealing the presence of a handgun within the holster pocket 160.

The holster pocket 160 is made of a pliable material, such as leather, fabric, etc., that cradles a pistol in a resting position. The use of a pliable material for the holster pocket allows a variety of sizes of pistols to be used, making it somewhat universal, instead of requiring a different pocket mold specific to each handgun model. The bottom of this pliable holster pocket 160 may be open or closed. If the bottom is open, it will allow any barrel length on the handgun to be contained within the holster pocket 160. The shroud 180 will accommodate several different sizes of compact handguns.

The holster pocket 160 has a waistband clip 150 with an upward-facing belt hook 155 on a lower edge to catch onto a belt 195 (shown in FIG. 1B) and stabilize the holster in place as a pistol is drawn from the holster. The waistband clip 150 is attached to the holster pocket 160 with a strap 165. The strap 165 can be attached to the holster pocket 160 by gluing, stitching, fusing, riveting or other attachment means. The waistband clip 150 may be made of metal. There may be a magnet 170 on a lower edge of the front panel 130 that is attracted to the metal in the waistband clip 150, wherein the magnetic force keeps the shroud 180 in a down or closed position.

Turning to FIG. 1B, FIG. 1B depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 100 positioned under a waistband of a garment 190, with the shroud 180 in a closed position. When in a closed position within a garment waistband, the entire holster will look like a cell phone resting horizontally in its case, just above a belt 195. The holster pocket 160 is concealed inside the waistband of the garment 190 and is attached by the waistband clip 150 that clips to the garment 190, and the belt hook 155 hooks under the belt 195. To secure the holster on one's person, the holster pocket 160 is inserted inside the waistband of the garment 190, the waistband clip 150 slides down over the top edge of the waistband of the garment 190, between the garment 190 and the belt 195, allowing the waistband clip 150 to be mostly hidden from view by the belt 195. The holster pocket 160 will be hidden from view by the garment 190.

Turning to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 200 in a stand-alone position with the shroud 180 in an open position, shown with a handgun 205 in the holster 200. The shroud 180 may have a variety of different appearances. In FIG. 2, a shroud 180 is depicted that resembles a cell phone with its protective holder around it. Other versions may look like a tool case, a belt buckle or a variety of different items. As shown in FIG. 2, the shroud 180 rotates up and over to reveal a grip 210 and a butt 220 of the handgun 205, positioned with its muzzle 250 facing downward within the holster pocket 160.

There may be a magnet 170 on the shroud 180 with corresponding metal for opposite polar attraction in the waistband clip 150. A magnet 170 may, alternatively, be positioned in the pocket 160 for providing resistance that passively and releasably engages the shroud 180 in the closed position until the magnetic force is broken, at which point the shroud 180 springs open.

The shroud 180 is attached to the holster pocket 160 where it intersects with the lower edge of the hammer panel 140 at a fulcrum 260 of the shroud 180. This fulcrum 260 of the shroud 180 is at the uppermost edge of the holster pocket 160 to allow the shroud 180 to open in an upward and over motion. This allows the holster pocket 160 to be worn inside a waistband without the shroud 180 interfering with the belt or garments, which may occur if the fulcrum were lower on the holster pocket 160.

The holster pocket 160 may also have a raised back panel 230 to prevent the wearer from getting grease on their clothing and to prevent snagging on clothing.

The shroud 180 may have a weight 240 molded into or attached to the inside of the breech panel 120 that weighs down the shroud 180 and helps keep the shroud 180 in the closed position. The weight 240 also enhances the opening force as the shroud 180 is opened and the weight 240 rotates over the tipping point. A magnet 170 may serve a dual purpose acting as both a weight 240 and a magnet, being attracted to the metal in the handgun itself when the shroud 180 is in a closed position.

Turning to FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a flexing butt panel 110. FIG. 3A depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 300 viewed from a back or body side showing placement of an elastic band flexible member 320. FIG. 3B depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 300 viewed from a front side as the holster begins to open, and FIG. 3C depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 300 viewed from a back or body side as the holster begins to open, but using a small spring 330 to allow the butt panel 110 to flex.

Unlike a hooded holster that requires the wearer bring their hand downward onto the handgun and then commit some combination of pushing levers and latches to release the weapon from the holster, the presently disclosed shrouded handgun flip holster 300 allows a handgun 205 to be approached from below the holster 300 with hands at a side position. In one sweeping motion 305 of the hand or arm, a hand may connect with the shroud 180 along its lower edge causing the magnetic force between the magnet 170 and the waistband clip 150 to be broken, and as the shroud 180 swings open to expose a handgun grip 210, the user can draw the handgun 205 on the same upward motion. This simple engagement is advantageous when a threat is real and imminent and the wearer's stress level is elevated. The fewer things one must think about under stress—the better the chances of survival.

Some gun grips 210 are somewhat longer than others whereby the butt 220 of the handgun 205 could rub against the butt panel 110 of the rotating shroud 180, during the rotating motion of the shroud 180 pivoting on a hinge 310 for opening the holster 300. This interference between the butt 220 and the butt panel 110 results in hindering the full rotation of the shroud to a fully open position. So a means has been added to allow the butt panel 110 to flex open slightly 315 as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. A spring-loaded hinge 330 or elastic material 320 may be provided between the breech panel 120 and the butt panel 110. While at rest, the butt panel 110 is releasably held in the closed position by the tension 325 of a small closing spring 330, a flexible elastic band or fabric 320 or other similar means.

So when the shroud 180 rotates upward and over, the butt panel 110 slides along the corner of the handgun butt 220 and, reacting to this force 315, the small closing spring 330 or the elastic band 320 give way and the butt panel 110 is allowed to release outward slightly, allowing the shroud 180 to pass over a larger handgun butt 220 during the rotation. The elastic band 320 is sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the inside of the shroud 180, with one end beginning on the front panel 130, then attaching the middle of the band to the butt panel 110 and the other end on the back panel 135.

This allows the butt panel 110 to flex open while maintaining the appearance of being a solid unit when at rest in the closed position.

FIG. 3C depicts the use of a small closing spring 330 to position the butt panel 110 in a flexibly closed position. The small closing spring 330 could be positioned between the butt panel 110 and the breech panel 120 and attaching to each panel by spring retention sleeves 341 that could be molded into the shroud during the injection molding process. The legs of the spring 330 would go into a retention sleeve 341 on one panel and the other end into a spring retention sleeve 341 on the other panel. The purpose of these spring retention sleeves 341 is to act as an anchor to the spring 330 so that it may exert the force in the desired direction.

Turning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 4A depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 400 and associated components that enable opening operation, and FIG. 4B depicts an exploded view of a shrouded handgun flip holster 400 viewed from a back or body side. One of the features of the presently disclosed holster is the way quick access to a handgun is achieved. A large opening spring 410 and a large hinge 310 are located at the fulcrum where the pocket 160 and the hammer panel 140 intersect.

Once the user's hand purposefully comes into contact with the lower edge of the shroud 180 and breaks the magnetic field of the magnet 170 holding the holster closed, the force 415 from the powerful primary opening spring 410 quickly drives the shroud into the open position. This action allows quick access to the handgun within the pocket 160. The holster pocket 160 may be attached to the shroud 180 and hinge 310 with a plate 460. A spring 410 is attached to the plate 460 with a spring retention bar 340 and secured with tension screws or rivets 440 with brads 450 or some other means. The primary hinge 310 may be attached with glue, rivets and brads 440, 450, screwed, fused, inserted into a molded sleeve in the shroud 180 or attached by some other means. A spring retention bar 340 is used to anchor the opening spring 410 while the shroud 180 is being forced open by the spring's action.

FIG. 4A shows the location of an elastic band 320, spanning the inside surfaces from the back panel 135 across the butt panel 110 and to the front panel 130. The alternative to the elastic band 320 is the butt panel spring 330 located as illustrated. Also shown is the location of the spring retention sleeve 341 located on the inside surface of the butt panel 110. One leg of the butt panel spring 330 is inserted here and the other leg of the butt panel spring 330 is inserted into a corresponding spring retention sleeve 341 located on the inside of the breech panel 120.

Turning to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows a snap closure mechanism 500 between the shroud 180 and a waistband clip 150, provided by a grooved connector 515 on the waistband clip 150 and the shroud 180. As an alternate embodiment for the waistband clip 150, it may be made of the same substantially rigid material as the shroud 180. In this configuration, there may be male grooved ridge 515 in the waistband clip 150 and an opposite integral female grooved connector 510 molded into the shroud 180. The male and female parts of the grooved connector are aligned for engagement when the shroud 180 is moved to the closed position, similar to a snap, and provides resistance that releasably and passively engages the shroud 180 in the closed position. This groove is shallow and offers just enough resistance to inhibit the primary spring from swinging the shroud 180 to the open position until purposefully pushed into the opening sequence by the wearer with a force 305 from the lower edge of the shroud 180.

Turning to FIGS. 6A and 6B, FIG. 6A depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 600 in a closed position cutout view and FIG. 6B depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 600 in an open position cutout view. FIGS. 6A and 6B (as viewed from the back side with the back panel 135 removed) show cutaway views of the shroud as an attachable module to an existing holster. They show the shroud 180 first in the closed position and then in the open position. One option that may present a manufacturing advantage is to make the shrouded holster modular. In this embodiment, the shroud 180 may be manufactured as a more complete molded design of the same substantially rigid material, attached to the holster pocket 160 via an attachable band 610 that holds the shroud assembly in place. The attachment band 610 is secured to the holster pocket 160 by rivets 440 or screws through holes 635 in the attachment band 610. This embodiment incorporates two living hinges 620 molded into the shroud during the manufacturing process. A first living hinge 620 is at the juncture of the hammer panel 140 with the attachment band 610, replacing a hinge 310, and a second living hinge 620 is at the juncture between the flexing butt panel 110 and the breech panel 120. The spring retention bar may be replaced with integrated spring retention sleeves 341 that are small spaces molded right into the shroud assembly and are used to anchor one or both ends of a spring to the housing or shroud 180. The spring retention sleeves 341 are the same as those discussed above.

When the grooved connector (510, 515 shown in FIG. 5) or snap, is released, the opening spring 410 creates a force 415 that quickly moves the shroud 180 to the open position, at which time the handgun is accessible. The weight 240 that is attached to the inside of the breech panel 120 and helps to weight down the shroud 180 in the closed position, now helps the shroud 180 to open more quickly once its weight shifts over the tipping point.

If a handgun held within the holster is of a smaller size and does not rub against the flexing butt panel 110 as the shroud 180 opens, the butt panel 110 stays in its closed position by the force 415 of the small closing spring 330 that is attached to both the butt panel 110 and the breech panel 120 by corresponding spring retention sleeves 341. The opening spring 410 would require only one spring retention device 340, 341 because the spring 410 is pressing against both surfaces, but a closing spring 330 would require that both ends of the spring be anchored to the body because it is pulling the two ends together from the inside angle.

FIG. 7 depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster 700 with attachment components for connecting the shroud and a holster pocket. This figure illustrates a view of the modular molded assembly and how it may attach to a holster pocket 160. As shown in FIG. 7A, the attachment band 610 may have a crease or a seam lengthwise down the middle. In assembly, the flanged sides of the attachment band 610 are folded over the top edge of the pocket 160 of this or any inside-the-waistband holster. It is attached with rivets and brads 440, 450, screws, or some such attachment means, through the holes 635 in the attachment band 610 and the holes 730 through the pocket member 160. The legs of the opening spring 410 are inserted 725 into the spring retention sleeves 341 already molded into the modular attachment band 610. The waistband clip 150 can either be pre-molded onto the attachment band 610 or attached in some other method after the injection molding process—such as rivets or screws. The butt panel spring 330 is inserted 725 into its spring retention sleeves 341. The weight 240 is attached to the inside surface of the breech panel 120.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment that may present an even greater manufacturing advantage by making the shrouded holster a single piece molded assembly. In this embodiment, the pocket 160, the waistband clip 150 and the shroud 180, including the living hinges 620, may be manufactured as a complete molded design of the same substantially rigid material, eliminating the need for an attachable modular band, rivets, plates, screws and any other fasteners, along with the associated labor. This embodiment incorporates two living hinges 620 molded into the shroud during the manufacturing process. One living hinge 620 is at the juncture of the hammer panel 140 with the pocket 160, and the other is at the inside juncture between the flexing butt panel 110 and the breech panel 120. The spring retention sleeves 341 are small spaces molded right into the shroud assembly and are used to anchor one or both ends of a spring to the housing or shroud 180. The spring retention sleeves 341 are the same as those discussed above. One end of the butt panel closing spring 330 slides into a spring retention sleeve 341, located on the inside of the breech panel 120, while the other end of the spring 330 fits into another spring retention sleeve 341 located on the inside of the butt panel 110. The force 415 of this butt panel spring 330 is in the direction of the closed position. The larger primary spring 410 releases to the open position.

In this embodiment, the material of the pocket 160 is made of the same substantially rigid material of which the other components of the shrouded holster are made, but may be molded in a thinner fashion in order to achieve a more pliable result for the pocket 160 than the other sections of the shrouded holster. In all of the embodiments a pocket 160 may be designed to fit a variety of sizes of pistols safely and securely, making it universal. The pocket 160 may have resizing holes 750 which, when used with resizing clamps 740, adjust the size of the opening of the pocket 160 to accommodate different pistols. FIG. 8 shows a resizing clamp 740 that slides through one of several resizing holes 750, that are spaced at different locations on the pocket 160. The clamp squeezes the front side and the back side of the pocket 160 together to constrict the cavity of the pocket 160, allowing for a tighter or looser fit as needed. The resizing clamps 740 hold their position in the pocket with teeth, rings, snaps, glue or some other means.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A shrouded flip holster for concealed carry of a handgun, comprising: a pivotal shroud having a box-like shape and an open enclosure, the shroud including a front panel opposite a back panel, a butt panel opposite a hammer panel, and a breech panel opposite an aperture to the open enclosure;the pivotal shroud being pivotally connected to a forward facing portion of a holster pocket at the juncture of the hammer panel and the enclosure aperture; andthe pivotal shroud being pivotally positioned between a closed position and an open position, the closed position for concealing a handgun positioned within the enclosure aperture and the holster pocket, and the open position for enabling access to the handgun positioned in the holster pocket inside a waistband of a person wearing the shrouded flip holster.

2. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, wherein in the closed position and the holster pocket positioned inside the waistband of person wearing the holster, the front panel faces outwards and opposite the back panel facing toward a body of the holster wearer, the butt panel faces rearward and opposite a hammer panel facing in a forward direction relative to the body of the holster wearer, and the breech panel faces upwards and opposite the aperture to the open enclosure facing in a downward direction relative to the body of the holster wearer.

3. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, wherein the shroud is a single integrated molded assembly.

4. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, wherein the holster pocket and associated raised back panel is a single integrated assembly.

5. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, further comprising a means for releasably latching the shroud in the closed position and a means for providing pivotal motion to the shroud into the open position when the releasably latching means is released by a user.

6. The shrouded flip holster of claim 5, wherein the means for releasably latching between a shroud component and a holster pocket component is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic coupling, a grooved connector, a hook and loop fastener and a snap coupling.

7. The shrouded flip holster of claim 5, wherein the means for providing pivotal motion may be a single-point spring actuated hinge.

8. The shrouded flip holster of claim 7, wherein the single-point spring actuated hinge is positioned on the shroud for enabling the shroud to move away from garments when released.

9. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, further comprising a pivotal connection between the breech panel and the butt panel for accommodating handguns with extended butts.

10. The shrouded flip holster of claim 9, further comprising a means for maintaining the breech panel and the butt panel in a closed position when the shroud is in a closed position, and means for enabling the breech panel and the butt panel to pivot open as the shroud is pivoted from the closed position to the open position.

11. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, further comprising a waistband clip for securing the holster to a waistband.

12. The shrouded flip holster of claim 11, wherein the waistband clip includes a belt hook for securing the holster to a belt.

13. The shrouded flip holster of claim 7, wherein the single-point spring actuated hinge is a living hinge.

14. The shrouded flip holster of claim 9, wherein the pivotal connection between the breech panel and the butt panel is a living hinge.

15. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, wherein the shrouded flip holster is a single molded unit including the shroud, a living hinge connecting the shroud and the holster pocket, a living hinge connecting the breech panel and the butt panel, spring retention sleeves for positioning springs associated with the living hinges, a waistband clip, a grooved connector for releasably latching the shroud in a closed position, and the holster pocket.

16. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, further comprising pocket resizing holes and resizing clamps for providing adjustability to the pocket size to accommodate handguns of various sizes.

17. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, wherein the flip holster provides concealed carry for a device selected from the group consisting of a tool, an instrument, a Taser, a can of mace and a knife.

18. The shrouded flip holster of claim 1, wherein a shape of the holster is configured to resemble a device selected from the group selected from a belt buckle, a tool case and a pager.

19. A shrouded flip holster for concealed carry of a handgun, comprising: a pivotal shroud including a front panel opposite a back panel, a butt panel opposite a hammer panel, and a breech panel opposite an aperture to an open enclosure within the shroud;means for pivotally attaching the pivotal shroud to a forward facing portion of a holster pocket at an edge of the hammer panel adjacent the aperture to the open enclosure;means for releasably latching the pivotal shroud in a closed position to conceal a handgun within the visible pivotal shroud and a holster pocket secured within a waistband of a user; andmeans for releasing the releasably latching means to allow the pivotal shroud to rotate to an open position for enabling access to the handgun within the holster pocket.

20. The shrouded flip holster of claim 19, further comprising means for enabling the butt panel to pivot relative to the breech panel for accommodating handguns with extended butts.

21. The shrouded flip holster of claim 20, wherein the means for enabling the butt panel to pivot relative to the breech panel is a spring-actuated hinge.

22. The shrouded flip holster of claim 19, wherein the means for pivotally attaching the pivotal shroud to a forward facing portion of a holster pocket is a single point spring-actuated hinge.

23. The shrouded flip holster of claim 19, wherein the handgun is completely concealed from view when in the closed position.

24. The shrouded flip holster of claim 19, wherein the handgun is readily accessible by a wearer and viewable to others when in the open position.

25. The shrouded flip holster of claim 19, further comprising a means for securing the holster inside the waistband of the user.

26. The shrouded flip holster of claim 25, wherein the means for securing the holster is a waistband clip.

27. The shrouded flip holster of claim 19, wherein the releasably latching means is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic latch, a grooved connector, a hook and loop fastener and a snap coupling.