Holster

Abstract

A holster for a weapon includes a unitary semi-rigid holster body defining a cavity adapted to hold the weapon, the holster body including a closed front, a closed rear, two closed sides extending between the front and rear, a bottom, and an open top adapted to receive the weapon into the cavity. The holster body has an attachment area for securing a holster clip to the holster body to secure the holster body to an article worn or carried by a user. The holster body is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer and is constructed to friction-grip the weapon within the cavity. When the weapon is absent from the cavity and a compressing force is applied against one or both of the closed sides of the holster body, the holster body is constructed to compress from side-to-side by at least 30% without fracturing, the open top being constructed to automatically return to an original uncompressed shape when the compressing force is removed such that the weapon can be received into the cavity for re-holstering.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 135,917, filed Mar. 20, 2015. The subject matter of this application is related to the subject matter of commonly owned, U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 521,233, filed Mar. 20, 2015, entitled “Holster”, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]Many users of handguns, particularly military and law enforcement personnel, carry a handgun in a holster designed to protect the handgun and hold it securely. Holsters can be worn in a number of ways, such as on a belt at the waist, on the thigh, under an arm, or around an ankle.[0003]Certain users of handguns must be able to quickly and easily remove the handgun from a holster regardless of the type of holster used. Additionally, these users need to be assured that, when not in use, the handgun will remain safely in the holster.[0...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes two embodiments of a holster assembly for a handgun. The first embodiment includes a one-piece holster shell made of soft material and a retainer attached to the shell for securing the holster to a user's article. The retainer is made of a rigid material and has ridges and an aperture for securely positioning it in different angles. The second embodiment includes a holster clip made of rigid material that can be attached to a sem-rigid holster body for securing the holster body to the user's article. The clip has ridges and an aperture for securely positioning it in different angles. Both embodiments ensure a snug fit and comfortable carrying of the handgun.

Problems solved by technology

This combination might not be suitable for situations where the gun / holster is subject to a great deal of movement because such movement could cause the handgun to lose frictional engagement with the holster.

Some users might not prefer these designs because of the time required to release and / or re-secure the handgun.

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