Rotating Lock Lever Assembly for Secure, Simpler Holster Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holsters for law enforcement officers face challenges in securely retaining a handgun while ensuring easy and swift withdrawal during emergencies, with a need for improved assembly efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A holster design featuring a rotating lock lever assembly with a thumb button and pivotally supported shroud, allowing secure retention and easy release through a combination of movable shroud and lever mechanisms, enhanced by a coil spring for automatic return to the blocking position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure retention mechanism is implemented to prevent handgun theft and accidental discharge, then security is improved, but the complexity of the mechanism increases making it harder to operate under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple retention functions into a single integrated lever assembly. The lever simultaneously controls the trigger guard blocking portion and the shroud positioning, reducing the number of separate components and operations needed while maintaining secure retention through coordinated action of multiple retention elements
Solution Approach 2:
The single lever assembly performs multiple functions: it positions the trigger guard blocking portion, controls the shroud retention mechanism, and provides a common actuation point for the user. This multi-functionality reduces operational complexity while maintaining comprehensive security
2Reliability
If a complex retention mechanism with multiple parts is used to ensure secure handgun retention, then security is improved, but the number of assembly steps increases reducing manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple retention components (trigger guard blocker, shroud, spring mechanisms) are merged into a single lever assembly that functions as one integrated unit. This reduces the number of separate parts that need to be sourced, inventoried, and assembled, while maintaining the security functions of each individual component
Solution Approach 2:
The lever assembly contains nested sub-components including the trigger guard blocking portion, the shroud, and spring mechanisms housed within the lever structure. This nesting allows compact packaging and simplified assembly where components are pre-positioned relative to each other
3Reliability
If a secure retention mechanism is implemented to prevent handgun from falling out during physical activity, then retention reliability is improved, but the mechanism requires more parts increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the trigger guard blocking function and the shroud retention function into a single lever assembly, reducing the total part count while maintaining both security functions. The integrated design eliminates the need for separate actuation mechanisms for each retention feature
Solution Approach 2:
The lever assembly serves as a universal control mechanism that simultaneously manages multiple retention functions. A single component structure provides both the trigger guard blocking and shroud positioning capabilities, reducing the overall quantity of parts needed in the system
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 design provides secure handgun retention with easy actuation in stressful situations, improving ease of use and reducing assembly complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The rotating lock lever assembly further comprises a coil spring on the fastener boss, and wherein the pivot portion of the rotating lock lever is pivotally mounted to the fastener boss such that the coil spring biases the rotating lock lever assembly to the protrusion blocking position
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating lock lever assembly configured as an additional security feature for a holster and may be useable in combination with a first user actuable handgun retention mechanism and a second user actuable handgun retention mechanism. The rotating lock lever assembly may include a housing, a pivot portion pivotally mounted to the housing and an elongate member extending from the pivot portion. The elongate member may include a lever button portion and a blocking projection extending from the pivot portion. The blocking projection may have an engagement surface configured to engage with a protrusion portion of a thumb button of the second user actuable handgun retention mechanism when in the protrusion portion blocking position. The rotating lock lever assembly is configured for manual movement of the rotating lock lever assembly between a protrusion portion blocking position and a protrusion portion non-blocking position.