Holster Rotatable Ejection Port Locking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holsters often rely on friction or complex strap arrangements, which can be inefficient for quick draw and reholstering, and may require additional time and effort to secure the handgun.
Innovation Solution
A locking holster design featuring a hood pivotably attached to the holster body and a release lever that pivots between a retention and a release position, allowing for quick and secure engagement and disengagement of the handgun.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction-based retention is used, then the handgun is secured in place, but the handgun may lose frictional engagement during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical retention system with a positive locking mechanism using a locking element that physically engages with the handgun's ejection port. This substitution eliminates reliance on friction while enabling secure retention and rapid release through rotational movement of the locking element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from continuous frictional contact to discrete positional engagement. The locking element transitions between locked and unlocked positions, changing the physical state of retention from analog (friction variable) to digital (locked/unlocked states), thereby improving both reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If strap or flap arrangements are used, then the firearm is retained securely, but additional time is required to unfasten and refasten the strap/flap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time-consuming fastening and unfastening operations from the retention system. By using a rotatable locking element that can be quickly rotated between locked and unlocked positions, the system eliminates the multi-step strap manipulation process, significantly reducing the time required to release and re-secure the firearm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rotational movement of the locking element to replace static strap fastening. The locking element can be rapidly rotated into and out of engagement positions, providing a dynamic retention system that is both secure and quickly operable, unlike static strap arrangements.
3Ease of operation
If a release lever is used to pivot between locked and unlocked positions, then quick release is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the locking element to perform multiple functions: it provides positive locking engagement, enables rapid release through rotation, and can be integrated with the holster's existing structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving quick release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the locking mechanism with the holster body structure, integrating the rotatable locking element into the existing holster framework. By combining functions and sharing structural elements, the overall device complexity is minimized while still providing the desired quick release operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A holster defining an at least partial holster cavity; and a release lever pivotably attached or coupled to the holster body and repeatably pivotable between a retention position and a release position, and wherein the release lever is capable of being pivoted to the release position when a pivoting force is applied to the release lever, wherein if the release lever is in the retention position, at least a portion of a handgun locking portion of the release lever is positioned so as to protrude into a portion of the holster cavity a sufficient distance to engage at least a portion of an ejection port of an inserted handgun, and wherein if the release lever in the release position, the handgun locking portion is withdrawn from the holster cavity to disengage from the ejection port of the handgun.