Handgun Holster Auto-Locking Cap for Accessory-Compatible Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handgun holsters require specific user intervention for activation and are not well-suited for weapons with attached accessories, such as flashlights, compromising security and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A holster with a locking device that activates automatically upon weapon insertion, featuring a movable actuating element, cam systems, and helical springs to secure the weapon in a safety position, and releases with a simple thumb operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety device requires specific user intervention for activation, then the device can be controlled by the user, but the ease of operation deteriorates and security is compromised when the weapon is placed in the holster
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is pre-configured to automatically engage when the weapon is inserted into the holster. The actuating element is positioned to be automatically actuated by the weapon's insertion motion, eliminating the need for separate user activation steps while ensuring security is established before the weapon is holstered.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device performs its own activation through the natural motion of inserting the weapon into the holster. The actuating element is designed to be automatically moved into the locked position by the insertion action itself, making the system self-activating without requiring additional user intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a safety device is designed for weapons with attached accessories, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed with universal compatibility to work with various weapon configurations including those with attached accessories like flashlights. The actuating element and cam system are configured to accommodate different barrel lengths and accessory attachments without requiring separate mechanisms for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device uses dynamic elements including a movable cap that rotates between safety and release positions, and a cam system that automatically engages at the appropriate position. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt to different weapon configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Reliability
If the locking device uses multiple mechanical components, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into integrated components. The actuating element combines the functions of movement actuation and locking engagement. The cam system integrates the cap rotation and locking engagement functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a cam system to replace more complex multi-component mechanical linkages. The cam profile is designed to automatically guide the cap through its rotation and locking motion, simplifying the mechanical system while ensuring reliable engagement through the geometric constraints of the cam profile.
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
Provides enhanced security by automatically locking the weapon in place without external detection and easy release with minimal user effort, suitable for weapons with accessories.
Implementation Method 1
a first helical spring, the first end of which is connected to the pusher... the first helical spring tends to move the pusher in said engaged configuration of the device
Implementation Method 2
a second helical spring, interposed between the rod and the housing shell, the second spring tending to move the front stop towards the rear end of the shell
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a handgun holster (10) comprising: - a housing shell (24); - a cap (26), movable relative to the shell, between a safe position and a weapon release position; and - a locking device (28) adapted to lock the cap in the safe position. The locking device comprises: - an actuating element (54), movable in translation relative to the shell and comprising a front stop (62); the cap being movable in rotation relative to the actuating element, between the safe position and the release position; - a cam system, connecting the shell to the cap; - a pusher (58), adapted to pivot relative to the shell; and - a helical spring, one end of which is connected to the pusher.