Rigid Insert for Collapsible Holster Receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concealed carry holsters with collapsible firearm receptacles often collapse under the waistband when a handgun is removed, making it difficult to reinsert the firearm, and existing materials used are thick and cumbersome, leading to undesirable printing and detection.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, rigid insert made from materials like carbon fiber reinforced polymer with low friction surfaces and engagement features that fits within the collapsible firearm receptacle to maintain its shape and hold the receptacle open, facilitating easy firearm insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional thick materials (leather, KYDEX) are used to form the holster, then the firearm receptacle maintains its shape, but the holster becomes cumbersome and causes undesirable printing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the holster into two functional components: a thin flexible outer holster body and a separate rigid insert placed only within the firearm receptacle. This segmentation allows the receptacle to maintain shape stability through the insert while the overall holster remains thin and flexible for comfortable wear without printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid insert is placed specifically and only within the firearm receptacle area where shape stability is needed, rather than making the entire holster thick and rigid. This local application of rigidity maintains receptacle form while keeping the rest of the holster thin and flexible for comfort and concealment.
2Device complexity
If the collapsible firearm receptacle is made thin and flexible, then printing is reduced, but the receptacle collapses when the handgun is removed making reinsertion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the holster body from the receptacle structure by inserting a rigid form-holder into the thin flexible receptacle. This allows the outer holster to remain thin for comfort while the inner insert maintains the receptacle's open shape, enabling easy firearm reinsertion without collapsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid insert acts as an intermediary element between the thin flexible holster material and the firearm. It mediates the structural support function, preventing collapse and facilitating easy reinsertion, while allowing the outer holster to maintain its thin, comfortable profile.
3Device complexity
If the receptacle is designed to collapse when empty, then printing is minimized, but manual manipulation of the waistband is required to open the receptacle for reinsertion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the receptacle system into a flexible outer layer and a rigid inner insert. The rigid insert maintains the receptacle in a permanently open state, eliminating the need to manually manipulate the waistband or collapse/expand mechanisms, while the flexible outer layer maintains the low-profile concealment when not in use.
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 insert allows for easy reinsertion of the firearm without manual manipulation of the waistband and reduces the likelihood of printing by maintaining the receptacle's shape and minimizing friction, enhancing the usability and concealment of the holster.
Implementation Method 1
A lightweight, rigid insert made from materials like carbon fiber reinforced polymer with low friction surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An insert for a collapsible firearm receptacle of a concealed carry holster includes a body that may fit snugly into the collapsible firearm receptacle. The insert may also hold the collapsible firearm receptacle in a somewhat open arrangement to facilitate the ready insertion of a barrel of a firearm into the collapsible firearm receptacle and removal of the barrel of the firearm from the collapsible firearm receptacle. The insert may include an outer wall, a front wall, and a rear wall that define an interior of the insert. The insert may also include a lip that protrudes outwardly to extend beyond an upper edge of the collapsible firearm receptacle. Concealed carry holsters that include the insert are also disclosed, as are methods of using the insert and concealed carry holsters that include the insert.