Holster Locking Device Safety Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm holsters with locking devices lack a user-selectable safety mechanism to prevent accidental or unauthorized firearm withdrawal, which can lead to safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A locking device safety mechanism featuring a mounting plate with a pivotally mounted operating arm that is selectively movable between a blocking and clear position, utilizing a resilient leg that compresses into detents on the mounting plate, allowing user control over the locking device's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is equipped in the holster to prevent unwanted withdrawal, then the security and reliability of firearm storage is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to additional safety mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The safety mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: a safety element that can be in a first position to prevent operation, a second position to allow operation, and a third position as an intermediate state. This segmentation allows independent control of the locking device without requiring complex integration, maintaining reliability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety element is made dynamically positionable, allowing it to transition between multiple positions (first, second, and third positions) based on user need. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between different security states without requiring multiple separate mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while controlling overall complexity through a single movable component.
2Ease of operation
If the operating arm is made selectively movable between blocking and clear positions, then the ease of operation is improved through user control, but the device complexity increases due to additional moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The operating arm serves multiple functions: it acts as both the safety control element and the operational lever for the locking device. By making the operating arm universally functional (serving both safety and operation purposes), the design improves ease of operation through a single controlled movement while avoiding the complexity of separate mechanisms for safety and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient leg acts as an intermediary element that provides tactile feedback and mechanical guidance for the operating arm's movement between positions. This intermediary component simplifies the user interface and improves ease of operation by providing clear positional indication without requiring complex control mechanisms or additional sensors.
3Ease of operation
If the resilient leg is used to indicate position through compression, then the ease of operation is improved through tactile feedback, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient leg provides self-service position indication through its inherent elastic deformation and tactile feedback when the operating arm moves between positions. The compression and relaxation of the resilient leg automatically indicate the current position without requiring external sensors, displays, or complex feedback mechanisms, thereby improving ease of operation while keeping manufacturing precision requirements manageable through passive mechanical indication.
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 safety mechanism enhances user control by preventing accidental operation of the locking device, providing a tactile indication and ensuring secure firearm storage or retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
the operating arm includes a resilient leg that extends into detents on the mounting plate when in the blocking and clear positions, such that movement of the operating arm between positions requires compression of the resilient leg relative to the operating arm
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm holster assembly includes a holster pocket having an interior volume for accommodating a firearm within, a locking device mounted within the interior volume for selectively impeding the withdrawal of the firearm therefrom, the locking device including an operating lever extending outwardly from the holster pocket and operable to disengage the locking device from the firearm, and a locking device safety mechanism mounted to the holster pocket and including an operating arm operable to selectively inhibit operation of the operating lever.