Abstract:
A movable blocking member is pivotally mounted to the holster and movable between a first position where ratable motion of the hood is blocked and a second position where rotatable motion of the hood is allowed. The hood is rotated to allow a handgun to be removed from a holster. The hood must be depressed downwardly prior to rotation. In one aspect of the block the blocking member prevents rotation of the hood after downward motion of the strap. Alternate embodiments of the block provide a blocking member positionable to prevent the initial downward motion of the hood. Detents and detent recesses are provided to secure the blocking member in a desired position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to releasable blocking device to further enhance apparatus used to prevent the inadvertent withdrawal of a handgun from a holster and particularly to blocking devices for a rotating hood holster. 
     2. Related Art 
     Handgun holsters such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,381 employ a rotatable hood normally positioned in a manner to inhibit inadvertent withdrawal of the handgun. To further enhance. The effectiveness of such apparatus it is desired to provide a pivotal blocking device to make it more difficult for an assailant to grab and withdraw the handgun in a holster employing the device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a handgun holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along lower front and back portions to define an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun holstered therein, an elongated restraining strap having opposite ends and a medial portion bridging the sidewalls across the open top. There are means for pivotal attachment of the opposite ends of the strap to respective sidewalls to permit movement of the strap from a position across the open top to restrict handgun withdrawal to a position generally forwardly of the holster to permit handgun withdrawal. The means for pivotal attachment for preventing forward pivotal movement of the restraining strap until the strap is moved at the means for pivotal attachment in a downward direction. The detent means includes a fixed notch and a movable pawl adapted to engage the notch and to be disengaged from the notch when the strap is moved in the downward direction, the improvement comprising selectively operable blocking means attached to the holster movable between a first position to prevent forward pivotal movement of the strap after the strap has first been moved in the downward direction and a second position to allow forward pivotal movement of the strap after the strap has been moved in the downward direction. 
     The blocking means includes a blocking arm and means for pivotally mounting the blocking arm to the means for pivotal attachment, the blocking arm being selectively movable from a first position where the blocking arm is positioned closely adjacent the movable pawl to prevent forward pivotal movement of the movable pawl after the strap is moved in the predetermined direction by contact with the movable pawl and a second position where the blocking arm is spaced away from the movable pawl to allow forward pivotal movement of the movable pawl after the strap is moved in the predetermined location. The blocking means also includes second detent means releasably engaged between the means pivotal attachment and the blocking arm for securing the blocking in the first position. The second detent means includes a detent boss formed on the blocking arm and a detent recess formed in the means for pivotal attachment, the detent boss positioned in the detent recess when the blocking arm is in the first position. 
     In other aspects of the present invention, there is provided in a handgun holster including a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along lower front and back portions to define an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun holstered therein, an elongated restraining strap having opposite ends and a medial portion bridging the sidewalls across the open top, means for pivotal attachment of the opposite ends of the strap to respective sidewalls to permit movement of the strap from a position across the open top to restrict handgun withdrawal to a position generally forwardly of the holster to permit handgun withdrawal, the means for pivotal attachment including a detent means releasably engaged with the means for pivotal attachment for preventing forward pivotal movement of the restraining strap until the strap is moved at the means for pivotal attachment in a downward direction, selectively operable blocking means attached to a holster movable between a first portion to prevent forward pivotal movement of the strap after the strap has been moved in the downward direction and a second position to allow forward pivotal movement of the strap after the strap has been moved in the downward direction. The blocking means includes a blocking arm and means for pivotally mounting the blocking arm to the means for pivotally mounting the blocking arm to the means for pivotal attachment, the blocking arm being selectively movable from a first position where the blocking arm is positioned closely adjacent the movable pawl to prevent forward pivotal movement of the movable pawl after the strap is moved in the downward direction by contact with the movable pawl and a second position where the blocking arm is spaced away from the movable pawl to allow forward pivotal movement of the movable pawl after the strap is moved in the downward direction. The blocking means includes detent means releasably engaged between the means for pivotal attachment and the blocking arm for securing the blocking arm in the first position. The detent means includes a detent boss formed on the blocking arm and a detent recess formed in the means for pivotal attachment, the detent boss positioned in the detent recess when the blocking arm is in the first position. 
     Further aspects of the present invention include a handgun holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along lower front and back portions to define an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun holstered therein, an elongated restraining strap having opposite ends and a medial portion bridging said sidewalls across the open top, means for pivotal attachment of the opposite ends of the strap to respective sidewalls to permit movement of the strap from a position across the open top to restrict handgun withdrawal to a position generally forwardly of the holster to permit handgun withdrawal, the means for pivotal attachment including a first detent means releasably engaged with the means for pivotal attachment for preventing forward pivotal movement of the restraining strap until the strap is moved at the means for pivotal attachment in a downward direction, wherein the first detent means includes a fixed notch and a movable pawl adapted to engage the notch and to be disengaged from the notch when the strap is moved in the downward direction. Also included is selectively operable blocking means attached to the holster and movable between a first position to prevent movement of the strap in the downward direction and a second position to allow movement of the strap in the downward direction. The blocking means includes a pawl and means for movably mounting the pawl to the means for pivotal attachment, the first position where the pawl is positioned closely adjacent the strap to contact the strap to prevent movement of the strap in the downward direction and the second position away from the strap to allow movement of the strap in the downward direction. The blocking means includes second detent means releasably engaged between the means for pivotal attachment and the pawl for securing the pawl in the first position. The second detent means includes at least one detent recess formed in the pawl and a detent boss formed in the means for pivotal attachment, the detent boss being positioned in the at least one detent recess when the pawl is in the first position. The blocking means includes second detent means releasably engaged between the means for pivotal attachment and the pawl for selectively securing the pawl in the first position and the second position. The second detent means includes a pair of spaced detent recesses formed in the pawl and a detent boss formed in the means for pivotal attachment, the detent boss being positioned in one recess when the pawl is in the first position and in another the recess when the pawl is in the second position. Additional aspects of the present invention include a handgun holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along lower front and back portions to define an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun holstered therein, an elongated restraining strap having opposite ends and a medial portion bridging the sidewalls across the open top, means for pivotal attachment of the opposite ends of the strap to the respective sidewalls to permit movement of the strap from a position across the open top to restrict handgun withdrawal to a position generally forwardly of the holster to permit handgun withdrawal, the means for pivotal attachment including a detent means releasably engaged with the means for pivotal attachment including a detent means releasably engaged with the means for pivotal attachment for preventing forward pivotal movement of the restraining strap until the strap is moved at the means for pivotal attachment in a downward direction. There is provided selectively operable blocking means for attachment to the holster including a pawl and means for movably mounting the pawl to the means for pivotal attachment, the pawl being selectively movable between a first position where the pawl is positioned closely adjacent the strap to contact the strap to prevent movement of the strap in the downward direction and a second position away from the strap to allow movement of the strap in the downward direction. The blocking means further includes detent means releasably engaged between the means for pivotal attachment and the pawl for selectively securing the pawl in the first position and the second position. The detent means includes a pair of spaced detent recesses formed in the means for pivotal attachment and a detent boss formed in the pawl, the detent boss being positioned in one recess when the pawl is in the first position and in another recess when the pawl is in the second position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     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: 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a rotatable hood of a holster shown from the side closest to a wearer according to the present invention, the releasable blocking device not being shown for clarity; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the holster and hood of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the hood apparatus of FIG. 1 employing a releasable blocking device in accord with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of another releasable blocking device in accord with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the mounting bracket used in the device of FIG. 4; 
     FIGS. 6-8 are three views of the movable engaging member employed in the device of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of another releasable blocking device in accord with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the blocking member of FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket of FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawing, a detail of the rotating hood strap for a holster is shown at numeral  10  in FIGS. 1 and 2. The means for pivotal attachment of the strap  10  to the holster includes a thin metal extension leg  11  and a leg portion  12  that is part of the strap  10 . The leg  11  is pivotally mounted within inside cover  13  (adjacent the holster) and outside cover  14  that are molded plastic parts. Two hollow cylindrical bosses  16  are formed of interiorly directed bosses molded as part of covers  13  and  14 , which fit together. Screws and T-nuts are used to secure the covers together via holes  24  defined by the hollow bosses  16  and assembly holes  25 . 
     Leg  11  has a centrally located slot  15  having a vertical lengthwise axis. Slot  15  encircles a boss  16 . The lower end of leg  11  includes integral pawl  18  that extends outwardly to fit within a slot or notch  19  formed in the body of stationary metal plate  23 . Plate  23  has a circular hole (not shown) through which passes one of the bosses  16 . 
     Cam groove  20  is formed by the interior surfaces of covers  13  and  14  and provides a path for pivotal movement of pawl  18 . 
     The means for pivotal attachment of the hood strap  10  and its operation is substantially identical to that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,381 and particularly to FIG. 8 therein. Some modifications have been made regarding the size and interior form of covers  13  and  14  that do not fundamentally change the operation of the device. 
     Holes  25  are used for assembly of the hood strap  10  by way of bolts or other means as may be desired in the circumstances. Hole or recess  26  is formed to carry a detent mounted pivotally on a rotatable arm at hole  27  as will be discussed hereinbelow. Posts  28  secure the upper portion of strap  10  to leg  12 . Leaf spring  21  is mounted in a cavity formed in the interior surfaces of walls  13  and  14 . 
     Downward movement (from broken line to solid line) of leg  11  against spring  21  provides for downward movement of pawl  18  out of slot  19 . This allows for counterclockwise rotation of inside leg  12 . Pawl  18  will ride in cam groove  20  during movement. 
     In FIG. 3, one embodiment of the releasable block apparatus  29  is illustrated. Serrated handle  30  is mounted via posts  31  to a body comprising a pivot arm  32  and a blocking arm  33  and is mounted to the pivot attachment means at pivot hole  27  by bolt  35 . A detent boss  34  is mounted to fit into detent recess or hole  26  when block  29  is positioned as shown in solid line to block rotary movement of leg  11 . Blocking arm  33  is mounted in the same plane as leg  11  in order to make contact with leg  11  when an attempt to rotate it is made and to thus prevent movement of the hood  10 . Movement of apparatus  29  to the broken line position is accomplished by pushing on handle  30  in the direction of the arrow which will force detent  34  out of detent recess  26 . 
     The detent boss  34  and the surface around detent recess  26  are smooth, hard, low friction surfaces that allow movement of blocker  29  with a minimum of effort but provide sufficient holding force to prevent accidental movement of the blocker  29 . In addition, blocker  29  cannot be moved by an attempt to rotate hood  10  by force. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the basic features of a rotating hood strap  10  with respect to a holster wall  22 . Slot  17 , formed by cutouts in walls  13  and  14 , allows for rotating movement of leg  11  after it has been depressed as shown in FIG. 1. A similar slot exists in the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     FIGS. 4-8 illustrate another embodiment of a blocking member  36 . Rotatable hood  10  is substantially the same as the hood strap  10  in FIGS. 1-3. Thumb ledge  37  is used to depress inside leg  12  downwardly to move pawl  18  on extension leg  11  out of notch  19  in stationary plate  23 . As before, leg  11  is biased upwardly by spring  22 . Hole  25  is used for assembly. 
     The releasable block apparatus  36  in this embodiment is designed to prevent downward movement of leg  11  unless the blocking device  36  has been rotated out of the way. 
     The block apparatus  36  consists of a movable engaging member  38  having a plastic body  39  with serrations  40  on top to allow for movement by a thumb of a user. The body  39  is formed to have a blocking boss or pawl  41  extending laterally from a travel limit ledge  42  as part of a forward arm portion  43 . The rear arm portion is shown at  44 . 
     The engaging member  38  is pivotally mounted to mounting bracket  46  by post  45  that fits into bracket hole  47 . Bolts  53  fit into bolt holes  48  having countersunk lands  52  to movable hood  10  and therethrough to holster  22 . Bracket  46  is designed to fit onto outside cover  14 . 
     The reverse of mounting bracket  46  is shown in FIG.  5  and includes a V-shaped channel  49  that has a laterally protruding detent boss  50  integral thereto. Upstanding lands  51  fit into countersunk grooves in inside cover  14  to provide a flush fit for the bracket  46 . 
     The lower portion of engaging member  38  is shown in FIG.  6 . Arm member portion  55  has two detent notches  54  formed therein for selective engagement with the detent boss  50  on the reverse of bracket  46  as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     A reverse of the engaging member  38  is shown in FIG.  8 . The member  38  is molded from a hard plastic and has an interior space  56  to reduce weight. 
     In FIG. 7 the forward portion of the member  38  is shown. Beneath ledge  42  is an extension of the body  39  to form a boss  57  that defines a vertical groove or slot  58  that is sized to carry an edge of extension leg  11  when the member  38  is in a blocking position as will be discussed hereinbelow. 
     With respect again to FIG. 4, the movement of the engaging member  38  forward as shown places blocking boss  41  below a lower edge  59  of inside leg  12  preventing downward movement thereof. The same motion places leg  11  edge into slot  58  and places travel limit ledge  42  against a lower portion of rearward edge  60  of leg  12 . The combination of these actions prevents downward motion of legs  11  and  12  beyond clearances provided as manufacturing tolerances and accordingly, hood  10  cannot be rotated in a manner to allow removal of a handgun in holster  22  when engaging member  38  is positioned forwardly as shown. Rearward movement of engaging member  38  allows for downward movement of legs  11  and  12  and rotation of hood  10  because blocking boss  41  has been rotated out of the way. Detent boss  50  and the two detent notches  54  in arm member  55  provide for two positions of member  38 . 
     Detent boss  50  and detent notches  54  are formed of a hard plastic with a smooth slick surface and rounded edges to allow movement but prevent movement of the engaging member  38  unless the user affirmatively operates the releasable block apparatus  36 . 
     In FIGS. 9-11 another embodiment of a releasable blocking device according to the present invention is illustrated at numeral  61 . Mounting bracket  62  has two holes  63  for mounting to the pivot attachment means and it to a holster  22  (shown only pictorially) in the same manner as the devices of FIGS. 1-8. Two tracks in the form of arcuate channels  64 ,  65  are formed within the bracket  62 . The upper channel  64  has two notches  66  and  67  formed therein. A first rearward notch  66  is used to secure the engaging member  68  into an open position allowing for the rotation of strap hood  10 . 
     A second forward notch  67  is used to secure member  68  into a forward locked position to prevent downward movement of legs  11  and  12  in a manner similar to that shown in FIG.  4 . 
     With respect to FIG. 11, the engaging member  68  includes a blocking post  69  for downward contact with a lower edge  59  of inside leg  12  to limit travel of leg  12  to prevent pawl  18  from being moved out of notch  19  when engaging member  68  is in the forward locked position. Spring lever  71  is biased upwardly to position laterally extending detent or boss  70  into either notch  66  or  67  as desired. Guide bracket  72  is fitted to slide inside channels  64  or  65 . 
     Below spring lever  71  is a sliding guide member  73  that is an extension of engaging member  68  and rests inside lower channel  65 . Downward pressure on spring lever  71 , which preferably includes a serrated top portion  74 , will cause downward movement of boss  70  out of the notch  66  or  67  that it was in so that engaging member  68  can be moved between a first open position and a second locked position as desired. 
     In each of the figures, the embodiment illustrated is designed to fit on and become part of the pivot attachment means used to attach the hood  10  to the holster  22 . 
     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 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.