Hybrid Leather Elastomer Holster Shape Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inside-the-waistband holsters made entirely of leather collapse under compression, causing reholstering difficulties and are uncomfortable due to abrasive rough sides and poor breathability, which leads to perspiration accumulation and potential corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid holster design combining a pliable leather layer with a resilient elastomeric cushion material, such as neoprene, and a rigid thermoformable plastic shell, where the cushioning layer is positioned inwardly to reduce friction and enhance breathability, and secured with adhesive and stitching, with adjustable attachment clips for secure carry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an IWB holster is made entirely of leather, then it is durable and resistant to stretching, but the pocket collapses under compression force making reholstering difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The holster combines leather with a rigid thermoplastic material (such as Kydex) to create a composite structure. The leather provides durability and stretch resistance, while the rigid material maintains pocket shape and prevents collapse, enabling easy reholstering while preserving the beneficial properties of leather.
2Reliability
If the rough side of leather is positioned toward the user's body, then the holster is secured in place, but it becomes uncomfortably abrasive and causes perspiration accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The holster design positions the smooth side of the leather toward the user's body and the rough side outward, creating different surface qualities in different locations. The smooth interior surface provides comfort and breathability against the skin, while the rough exterior maintains durability and retention when contacting the handgun.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining leather with a rigid thermoplastic material, the invention creates a composite structure where the rigid material can provide a smooth, non-abrasive interior surface that enhances comfort and breathability while the leather exterior maintains traditional durability and retention properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If leather is used as the sole material, then it allows suitable flexure, but it is not breathable causing perspiration to accumulate and potentially corrode the handgun
Solution Approach 1:
The composite construction combines leather with a rigid thermoplastic material that provides breathability and moisture resistance. This allows the holster to maintain the flexure and adaptability of leather while preventing perspiration accumulation and protecting the handgun from corrosion through the breathable, moisture-wicking properties of the rigid material.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a holster for concealment inside a waistband of a lower garment of a user. The holster includes a support sheet having first and second surfaces and made of at least first and second layers of different material. The first layer comprises a pliable leather material and the second layer comprises a resilient elastomeric cushion material. The second layer is positioned inward toward the user relative to the first layer when the holster is in use. A rigid shell member is attached to the support sheet and forms, with the first side of the support sheet, a pocket configured to encase a portion of a handgun. At least one garment attachment member is provided on the support sheet and is configured to support the holster inside a waistband of a lower garment of a user. In one example, the resilient elastomeric cushion material may be neoprene.