Firearm Holster Trigger Blocking for Accidental Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firearm holsters lack sufficient safety features to prevent accidental discharge due to unintentional actions or mechanical failures, posing a risk to users and others.
Innovation Solution
A firearm holster with a case that includes a void to accommodate the firearm and at least one physical feature that engages with the firearm to render it inoperable when holstered, disengaging to allow operation when withdrawn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional holster design is used to carry the firearm, then the firearm can be held securely and the trigger can be shielded, but accidental discharge may still occur due to unintentional actions, material wear, snagging, or mechanism failure
Solution Approach 1:
The safety mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: a retention element that engages with the firearm, a trigger guard element that blocks the trigger, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific safety function independently while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holster is designed to automatically engage the retention element and trigger guard element as the firearm is inserted into the holster. This preliminary action occurs before the user can accidentally discharge the firearm, ensuring the safety mechanism is already in place. The bi-directional spring automatically activates these safety features during the holstering process itself.
2Reliability
If a safety mechanism is added to render the firearm inoperable when holstered, then accidental discharge is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety mechanism is merged with the holster structure itself rather than being a separate attachment. The retention element, trigger guard element, and spring mechanism are integrated into the holster body, creating a unified device that provides both carrying and safety functions. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to adding separate safety devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The bi-directional spring is designed to automatically engage and disengage the safety elements based on the movement of the firearm. When the firearm is inserted, the spring automatically activates the retention and trigger guard features. When the firearm is withdrawn, the spring automatically releases these features. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators, motors, or complex control systems.
3Reliability
If the physical feature engages with the firearm to render it inoperable, then safety is enhanced, but the ease of operation may be reduced due to additional engagement and disengagement actions
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-directional spring provides dynamic, movement-based operation of the safety mechanism. The spring automatically transitions between engaged and disengaged states based on the direction of firearm movement. During drawing, the outward motion automatically disengages the retention and trigger guard elements. During holstering, the inward motion automatically re-engages them. This dynamic operation eliminates the need for separate manual engagement/disengagement actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety mechanism operates periodically based on the holster-draw cycle. Each time the firearm is holstered, the safety features are automatically engaged. Each time the firearm is drawn, the safety features are automatically disengaged. This periodic action synchronized with the natural use cycle ensures safety when needed without interfering with operational speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A device implementable on a firearm includes a holster including a case with a void therein. The void is configured to accommodate the firearm such that the firearm is at least partially received in the void responsive to the firearm being holstered in the void. The case further includes at least one physical feature configured to engage with at least one portion of the firearm as the firearm is inserted into the void to be holstered such that the firearm is rendered inoperable while being holstered.