Abstract:
Handgun locking apparatus for securing a handgun in a holster includes a lever member including a body having a forward and rear end portion mounted to the holster and a spring element projecting forwardly and outwardly from the front end portion of the body for contacting an interior surface of a holster for biasing the body against a handgun. A locking flange on the forward end contacts a handgun to positively engage a portion of a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a holstered handgun. An operating arm extends rearwardly from the rear end portion of the body for moving the body away to move the locking flange away from a handgun. A positioning member is affixed inside a holster for engaging a handgun inserted in a holster to position a portion of a handgun in contact with the locking flange. A tension device is mounted to the inside of the holster for positioning the gun properly with respect to the locking apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to safety devices to inhibit unauthorized or accidental withdrawal of a handgun from a holster, and particularly to spring-loaded locking devices that fit into and against the sides of an ejection port of a handgun.  
         [0006]     2. Relevant Art  
         [0007]     A wide variety of safety devices exist to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun from a holster by anyone other than the user. What is desirable is an improved locking device that is safe and allows for rapid withdrawal of a handgun when necessary but greatly reduces the likelihood of accidental or unauthorized movement of the gun. In addition, the safety devices should be compatible with other safety devices to further enhance the security of the user.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a handgun locking apparatus for securing a holsterable handgun in a holster having a body and an interior cavity comprising a lever member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, means for movably mounting the lever member to a holster, the lever member having a locking member for positively engaging a portion of a handgun for locking a handgun in holstered position inside a holster to inhibit the withdrawal of a handgun from a holster. The rearward portion of the lever member is movable by a user to pivot said locking member away from a handgun for allowing a handgun to be withdrawn from a holster. Also included is a tension member locatable in a holster for positioning a handgun inserted into a holster into contact with the locking member. The lever member includes a forward spring member extending outwardly from the forward portion of the lever member for contacting the body of a holster for biasing the forward portion of the lever member towards a holstered handgun to locate the locking member into positive engagement with a handgun holstered in a holster. There is also a molded cavity in the body of a holster, said cavity having an interior surface spaced away from the forward portion of the lever member to allow for movement of the forward portion of the lever member away from a holstered handgun a sufficient distance to allow for withdrawal of a handgun from a holster. The means for movably mounting the lever includes a pair of spaced posts affixed to the lever member for pivotally mounting the lever member to and inside a holster. The rearward portion of the lever member includes an operating arm for operating the lever member to move the locking member away from a handgun for allowing withdrawal of a handgun carried in a holster. The operating lever arm includes a thumb pad for engagement of the operating lever arm by a user for operating the lever member. The lever member includes a passageway therethrough for a fastener for affixing the lever member to a holster. The locking member is sized to fit against an edge of an ejection port of a handgun.  
         [0009]     In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a handgun locking apparatus for securing a holsterable handgun in a holster having a body and an interior cavity comprising a lever member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion of the lever member having an outer surface and an inner surface including at least one locking member for positively engaging a portion of a handgun to lock a handgun in a holster to inhibit the withdrawal of a handgun from a holster, means for pivotally mounting the lever member in the cavity, the rearward portion of said lever member being movable by a user to pivot the locking member away from the handgun for allowing a handgun to be withdrawn from a holster and a tension member in a holster for positioning a handgun into contact with the locking member. The lever member includes a spring member extending outwardly from the forward portion of the lever member for contacting the body of a holster for forcing the forward portion of the lever member to a position to locate the locking member into contact with a handgun holstered in a holster. The means for pivotally mounting includes a pair of spaced posts affixed to the lever member for pivotally mounting the lever member to a holster. The rearward portion of the lever member includes an operating arm for pivoting the lever member to move the locking member away from a handgun for allowing withdrawal of a handgun carried in a holster. The rearward portion of the lever member includes a flange for affixing the lever member to a holster, the flange having a passageway therethrough for a fastener for affixing the lever member to a holster. The locking member is sized to fit against an edge of an ejection port of a handgun.  
         [0010]     In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a handgun locking apparatus for securing a holsterable handgun comprising a holster for carrying a handgun, the holster including a pair of side walls each having forward and rearward edge portions, the side walls joined along respective forward and rearward edge portions to define an interior cavity having a front and rear wall portion, a lever member including a body having a forward and rear portion, a spring element projecting forwardly and outwardly from the front portion of the body for contacting the front wall portion for biasing the body against a handgun carried in the holster, means for movably mounting the body to the holster, the body including a locking flange for positively engaging a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun, an operating arm extending rearwardly from the rear portion of the body for moving the body away from a handgun to move the locking flange away from a handgun when the operating arm is moved from a first position, a positioning member affixed to the rear wall portion of the cavity for engaging a handgun inserted in the holster to position a portion of a handgun in the holster cavity. The body of the lever member is arcuate in shape, having an outer surface positioned away from the forward wall portion of the cavity and an inner surface formed to provide the locking flange. The locking flange includes a projecting boss sized to fit with a portion of an ejection port of a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun. The locking flange includes a surface or projecting boss, being positionable against a forward edge of an ejection port of a handgun, to inhibit upward movement of a handgun until released by the lever. The body of the lever member includes at least one sloping surface for guiding the movement of a handgun being inserted into the interior cavity of said holster. The locking flange includes an extension arm extending forwardly of the forward portion of the body and a blocking member integral with the extension arm positionable closely adjacent a portion of a handgun for inhibiting withdrawal of a handgun from the holster.  
         [0011]     An additional aspect of the present invention provides a handgun locking apparatus for securing a handgun in a holster comprising a lever member including a body having a forward and rear end portion, a spring element projecting forwardly and outwardly from the front end portion of the body for contacting an interior surface of a holster for biasing the body against a handgun carried in a holster, means for movably mounting the body to a holster, the body including a locking flange for contacting a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a holstered handgun, an operating arm extending rearwardly from the rear end portion of the body for moving the body away from a handgun to move the locking flange away from a handgun when the operating is moved from a first position where the locking flange is in contact with a handgun to a second position, a positioning member affixed inside a holster for engaging a handgun inserted in a holster to position a portion of a handgun in contact with the locking flange.  
         [0012]     Also included is a handgun positioning device having a body including a movable arm member having a handgun contacting surface and a camming surface. The body further includes a holster engaging surface and a movable member carried by the body and in contact with the camming surface for moving the arm member to position the handgun contacting surface against a handgun for forcing the arm member to position the handgun contacting surface against a handgun for forcing a handgun into a first position, and means to rigidly mount the device inside a handgun holster. The body further includes a trigger guard-contacting surface for limiting downward travel of a handgun in a holster. Also the movable member includes a threaded rod mounted in the body, the threaded rod having a first end portion in contact with the camming surface and a second end portion adapted for rotation of the threaded rod by a user for moving the handgun-contacting surface. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0013]     The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a holster having an interior molded surface in accord with the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a rearward perspective view of the spring-loaded ejection port lock in accord with the present invention for use with the holster of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the lock of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the lock of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation of the lock of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the lock of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the lock of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the port lock in accord with the present invention showing a partially cutaway section illustrating an interior surface feature of the lock;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the lock of  FIG. 8  partially cutaway and fitted over a handgun;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a handgun showing the relationship of a lock of  FIG. 8  to a handgun;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of the lock of  FIG. 8  showing its relationship to an interior surface of a holster;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the lock of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate two views of an adjustable tension device in accord with the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIGS. 15-17  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the locking device in accord with the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  illustrates another embodiment of the locking device in accord with the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is another view of the locking device in accord with the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is another view of the locking device of  FIG. 19 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is another embodiment of an adjustable tension device in accord with the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a pictorial view of a handgun to be secured by the locking device of  FIGS. 19-20 ; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is a pictorial view of a handgun to be secured by the locking device of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates a holster  10  containing a holstered handgun  11  in interior cavity  13  formed by holster body  12 . Body  12  is a rigidly molded structure with an interiorly disposed portion  14  adjacent the ejection port of handgun  11  or any other surface that can be engaged to inhibit withdrawal of the handgun  11 .  
         [0035]     The interior cavity  13  of the holster  10  is molded for a specific model of handgun  11  and includes space for a spring-loaded ejection port locking device shown generally at  18  in  FIGS. 2-7   
         [0036]     The specific locking device  18  shown in  FIGS. 2-7  is mounted via mounting posts  22  extending outwardly from mounting arms  21  of body  19  that fit within mounting holes  16  of holster  10 . An alternate construction of a locking device will be discussed hereinbelow. An integrally formed operating lever  20  has a thumb pad  24  on an end thereof.  
         [0037]     The body or saddle  19  of locking device  18  is formed to engage upward surfaces of a specific handgun  11  to position the gun properly in the holster and includes an interiorly disposed ejection port indexing edge  26  that fits against respective front edge  27  of the right-side ejection port  29  of handgun  11  ( FIG. 10 ). Preferably, an opposed pair of spaced indexing edges  30 , 31  are also molded into device body  19  to fit against a handgun to also assist in positioning the gun with respect to the device  18 .  
         [0038]     When locking device  18  is secured inside holster  10 , it will rest slightly below the mating surface created by molded cavity  17 . As will be described in more detail below, the insertion of handgun  11  into holster cavity  13  against angled locking saddle surface  23  will cause the locking device  18  to be pushed into cavity  17  forcing locking edge  26  into ejection port  29  and against locking front edge  27 . From this position it will be necessary to move the locking edge  26  away from ejection port  29  to withdraw a handgun  11  upwardly out of the holster. The angled locking saddle surface  23  may be defined as at least one sloping surface to guide the handgun into its proper seated position in the holster.  
         [0039]     From the directions referenced in  FIG. 1 , rearward movement of operating arm  20  by pressure on thumb pad  24  will cause the main body  19  of device  18  to pivot about post axis  22 A toward cavity  17 . The locking edge  26  will move away from port edge  27  a sufficient distance to allow the handgun  11  to be withdrawn from the holster  10 . Forward spring member  19 A is bendable around pivot portion  19 B as operating lever arm  20  is pushed rearwardly causing body  19  to move away from handgun  11 . The member  19 A normally rests against the interior surface of molded cavity  17  and applies a rearward force onto the handgun while the tension device  32  maintains proper positioning of the handgun  11  in the holster cavity  13 .  
         [0040]     An adjustable tension device (ATD)  32  is fixed to the interior cavity  13  of the holster  10 . As handgun  11  is inserted into holster  10 , the handgun  11  will come into contact with an angled funneling surface portion  33  of ATD  32  and position the handgun  11  against the locking device  18  to place the locking surface  26  of device  18  into contact with ejection port  29  of handgun  11 . The handgun  11  will be locked into place with locking edge  26  against edge  27  of port  29 . Tension device only is for muzzle location and applying tension on the holstered pistol, i.e., to give resistance during draw of handgun and take up loose play between pistol and holster.  
         [0041]     With respect to  FIGS. 8-12 , a second embodiment of a spring-loaded ejection port lock  34  is illustrated. A mounting pad  35  includes a hole  36  therethrough for passage of a fastener to rigidly affix lock device  34  to the interior cavity  13  of a holster  10 . Mounting holes  16  ( FIG. 1 ) would not be formed in the holster when using lock device  34 .  
         [0042]     Pad member  35  is part of a forward lever  39  that is movable about a first pivot portion  40 . A second spring member  37  is movable about a second pivot portion  38 . An operating arm  41  has a thumb pad  42  adjacent a hook member  43  used to movably position arm  41  to a portion of holster body  12  as clearly shown in partial cross-section in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0043]     The upper surfaces of the main body  45  of locking device  34  fit spaced away from a molded cavity  44  that is formed to accommodate the lock  34  in a manner similar to the fitting of lock  18  into cavity  17 . Spring lever arm  37  fits within cavity  44  (as shown by bulge  48  in  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0044]      FIGS. 8-12  illustrate the arrangement of the ejection port lock  34  with respect to a specific handgun  11 . Interior surfaces  46  include a locking surface  47  usable against an ejection port in a manner substantially identical to that described hereinabove with respect to  FIG. 1-7 .  
         [0045]      FIGS. 13-14  illustrate the adjustable tension device  32 . Body  49  is preferably formed of hard plastic material and is mounted via hole  52  to holster  10  and includes a camming surface  50  integral with an arm member  50 A and which is movable slightly upwardly by a screw  53  mounted in threaded hole  54 . Member  51  provides a travel limit for screw  53 . Upper surface  55  is adjusted via screw  53  to contact the handgun  11 . Rearward surface  56  contacts the trigger guard of a handgun  11  and functions as a gun travel limit. Lower surface  57  rests against the spine of a holster  10 .  
         [0046]      FIGS. 15-17  illustrate another embodiment of a locking device  58 . With the exception of forward extension arm  59  the device  58  is identical to the lock  34 . Extension arm  59  includes an enveloping hood  60  at the end  61  thereof. Hood  60  fits against the radiused detail  62 A on weapon  62  or the forward muzzle sight of a handgun  62  to hold the gun in the holster  11 .  
         [0047]     Lock device  58  is employed for certain firearms that do not include a sufficient locking surface adjacent the main body or saddle  45 , for example the firearm depicted in  FIG. 22 . Thus the lock device  58  need not include locking edges  26  and  47  but will include a forward locking surface, such as  64 A or  66 A.  
         [0048]     With respect to  FIG. 18 , another embodiment of a locking device  63  is shown in perspective. The lock  63  is substantially identical to lock device  34  with the exception of extension arm  64  which includes sloping surface  64 B. Oval boss  64 A fits within an oval-shaped lightening cut  79  and engaging shoulder  80  formed on Glock  78  ( FIG. 23 ).  
         [0049]      FIGS. 19-20  illustrate another locking device  65  that is substantially identical to the device  34  with exception of the extension arm  66  and locking surface  66 A, which is used with a particular firearm such as a Berretta  76  ( FIG. 22 ).  
         [0050]     Each of the locking devices disclosed hereinabove operates in the following manner. Each locking device has a forward portion with upper and lower surfaces and a rear portion with a pivot point between. The forward portion is pressed downwardly on a handgun in a holster and positively engages the gun at some area (such as ejection ports) to lock the gun in the holster to inhibit withdrawal of the gun. The lower surface of the saddle position includes angled or sloping surfaces which position the device over the gun slide and to center the device by directing movement of the handgun. Pressure on a rearward lever-operating arm causes the forward gun-engaging portion of the device to move away from the gun. The pivoting of the forward portion is around the mounting axle axis of device  18  or around a pivot area such as area  40  of devices  34 ,  58 ,  63  and  65 . Spring members on the front of the device provide a means to push the device onto the gun but in a manner that allows for spacing between the locking portion body or saddle and the mating surface located in the front portion of the holster which provides sufficient space for unlocking the device from the gun by moving the locking portion body away from the locking features of the holstered firearm. The adjustable tension device such as  32  is provided to assist in positioning the gun in the holster to provide for proper engagement between the handgun and the locking device.  
         [0051]     The exact dimensions of the locking devices and mating surfaces depend on the specific handgun involved.  
         [0052]     If the holster  10  used has an open muzzle end, the preferred tension device used will be the device  67  illustrated in  FIG. 21 . The gun contacting surface  68  integral with arm member  72  carrying a camming surface  73 . Camming surface  73  is in contact with adjustment screw  74  threaded through passageway  75 . Bottom surface  71  rests against the spine or rearward portion of a holster  10 . A gun-contacting surface  76  contacts the trigger guard of a handgun and provides a travel limit for a handgun  11  in holster  10 . Adjustment screw  74  is accessible through an open muzzle end of a holster  10  thus making adjustments faster and more convenient.  
         [0053]     A number of other devices such as rollers and wedge-shaped blocks can be used in lieu of ATD&#39;s  32  and  67 . ATD&#39;s  32 ,  67  are preferred devices because they are adjustable in order to provide a correct positioning of the handgun and the locking devices discussed herein.  
         [0054]     The forward spring members, such as member  19 A, are shown as integral plastic elements, it is important to note that the spring members may in fact be other devices such as coil springs that are attached to the main body of a given locking device. In addition, operating arms are also shown as integral with the locking device body of a particular embodiment. It is to be understood that such arms can be separate members attached to the device body by any appropriate means.  
         [0055]     The devices shown in  FIGS. 1-20  are designed for a right-hand draw. Devices for a left-hand draw are mirror images or respective right-hand devices and are otherwise substantially identical in structure and operation.  
         [0056]     While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.