Concealment Wing Contact Pad for Holster Printing Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concealed firearm holsters face challenges in balancing accessibility, concealment, and comfort, particularly with larger firearms or tight clothing, as they often result in 'printing' and require cumbersome adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A concealment wing and contact pad system that attaches to the holster, using a ramped contact pad to leverage the waistband pressure for mechanical adjustment, ensuring the firearm grip is closer to the body, reducing printing and enhancing concealment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the firearm grip is positioned away from the body for accessibility, then draw speed is improved, but printing through clothing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holster system incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism with a cam and spring that automatically rotates the firearm grip toward the body during the draw motion. This dynamic adjustment allows the grip to be positioned for optimal concealment during carry, then automatically repositions itself during drawing, resolving the contradiction between concealment and draw speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded cam mechanism operates automatically using the kinetic energy of the draw motion itself. As the user draws the firearm, the cam rotates and the spring provides rotational force to turn the grip toward the body, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and making the system self-regulating based on the draw action.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the firearm grip is rotated closer to the body for concealment, then printing is reduced, but draw speed may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cam and spring mechanism creates a dynamic system where the grip rotation is not fixed but adjusts based on the draw motion. During carry, the grip remains rotated for concealment, but during drawing, the cam mechanism allows and facilitates the rotation back to a position optimized for speed, resolving the contradiction between concealment and draw speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded to store rotational energy that is released during the draw motion. This preliminary energy storage ensures that the grip rotation assistance is already prepared and immediately available when the draw begins, maintaining optimal draw speed while achieving the desired grip repositioning.
3Device complexity
If conventional holsters are used without adjustment mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different clothing and firearm sizes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable cam and spring mechanism provides dynamic adaptability that responds to different firearm sizes, clothing thicknesses, and carry positions. The system can be adjusted to accommodate various configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall holster structure, resolving the contradiction between complexity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism allows adjustment of key parameters including the grip rotation angle, cam position, and spring tension to optimize performance for different firearms and clothing conditions. These parameter changes enable versatility without requiring complete redesign of the holster system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents firearm printing by rotating the grip towards the body, improving concealment without compromising draw speed or comfort, and is adaptable to various holster configurations.
Implementation Method 1
using a ramped contact pad to leverage the waistband pressure for mechanical adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A printing prevention system that utilizes a contact pad connected to a concealment wing for enhancing the concealment and use of a firearm in a holster. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a body member of a concealment wing attachable to a holster and a removable contact pad attached to the body member. The contact pad comprises a waistband contact surface to leverage the pressure from the user's waistband to draw the grip of a firearm closer to the user's body and an angled ramp surface to assist positioning of the holster within a waistband or belt. The position of the contact pad may be adjustable relative to the body member so that the contact pad can stay in contact with the user's belt with a variety of different placements of the belt clip on the holster.