Abstract:
The bullet resistant holster for handguns or a protective sleeve for a rifle, comprised of a compartment for holding the handgun or a tube over the muzzle of a rifle, means for securing the handgun within the compartment or straps to secure the tube over the end of a rifle, a bullet blocking material that will absorb and contain the energy of a bullet and any particles that result, by means of tension straps or sewing of the bullet blocking material into the compartment or tube, in such a way as to insure that the bullet blocking material is in tension during the process of absorbing the energy from a bullet, discharged from a handgun, with the handgun in the holster or while removing the handgun from the holster or placing the handgun back into the holster or with the tube over the end of the rifle.

Description:
[0001]    This Application is a continuation of and claims priority to PCT Application PCT/US2010/002460, entitled “Bullet-Proof Holster and Ballistic Pouch”, filed on 11 Sep. 2010; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/276,302, entitled “Bullet-Proof Holster and Ballistic Pouch” filed on 11 Sep. 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF USE 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a holster for use by law enforcement personnel, private citizens or the military, and more particularly, to protect the wearer and others from an inadvertent discharge of the firearm. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    While some form of safety on a firearm is advocated by the majority of firearms owners, the number and type of safeties incorporated in the design of the firearm has been a source of controversy. Safety mechanisms add complexity to the weapon and increase the chances of a mechanical failure either allowing an accidental discharge or preventing an intentional firing of the weapon. Also, manual safeties slow the process of readying the weapon as the user must consciously de-activate that safety. 
         [0004]    Handgun safety is a national concern, since “the right to bear arms” is guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In many other countries, where there is a more limited right for civilians to bear arms, we are seeing that with the increase in global terrorism, the terrorists always find a way to secure weapons while innocent civilians may be left defenseless. Various solutions have been proposed in the prior art to make it safer to carry a handgun. 
         [0005]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/110,064 (Camp) discloses a ballistic resistant gun case that facilitates safe handling of a gun to be contained therein. The gun case includes a pair of side walls having at least one of the side walls being formed with a ballistic resistant layer and one of the side walls being formed with a target indicia on an outer side thereof. During handling of the gun, the gun muzzle is held in close proximity to and pointed toward the target indicia such that an accidentally discharged bullet from the gun during handling will impact the ballistic resistant layer to prevent or minimize bodily injury or property damage. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,653 (Kaiser) discloses a bullet-resistant belt back with neck strap attachment for use by law enforcement officials or civilians for handgun concealment and torso protection. The device includes an upper compartment and a lower compartment. The compartments are foldably connected at one end and attached by Velcro® or a similar securing method at another end. Inserts composed of Kevlar® or other bullet-resistant material are contained within interior sections of both compartments. The upper compartment further includes a metal trauma plate to protect the chest of the wearer. When opened, the belt pack reveals a handgun holster attached to the lower compartment and areas along the upper compartment for identification, such as police badges. A neck strap coupled to upper compartment enables the device to serve as a bullet-resistant vest for the wearer. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,203 (Sacks) discloses a bullet-proof bag or similar portable container having a wall or walls surrounding an internal space accessible through an opening in the bag. The wall or walls are lined with one or more layers of high tensile strength and high stretch resistance material such as to be capable of resisting penetration by a bullet. A single multi-layer sheet is used to form the wall or walls by folding the sheet at the corners, thereby avoiding joins that would be vulnerable to penetration. The penetration resistant material is backed up by one or more layers of an impact absorbing material, such as polycarbonate sheet material and foamed plastics material. The layers of penetration resistance material and impact absorbing material are separately formed as removable inserts that are used to line the bag. 
         [0008]    PCT Application No. PCT/GB1992/000827 (Sacks) discloses various forms of bullet resistant holsters for handguns and a protective sleeve for a rifle but does not disclose how to secure the ballistic material in place such that the protective material will absorb the energy from a handgun bullet or a rifle bullet. This is important because without the definition of the means of securing the ballistic material, when the bullet strikes the ballistic material, the bullet and the ballistic material will move at a speed close to the speed of the bullet with risk of significant injury occurring to anyone that this combined projectile strikes. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,498,276 (Wagner et al.) entitled “Advanced Body Armor Utilizing Shear Thickening Fluids” discloses an armor composite material which contains a fabric that is impregnated with shear thickening fluid. This invention offers a ballistic resistant material that is more flexible and less bulky than comparable, conventional ballistic fabric. The material in the alternative can be puncture resistant. The material offers superior ballistic performance and puncture resistance compared to conventional ballistic fabric-based materials of equal thickness. The material can be applied to applications requiring armor that is compact or flexible, such as body armor, protective clothing and flexible protective devices and shields, and stab resistant clothing and devices. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,426 (Gates) discloses a protective dilatants armor material for protection of personnel from high velocity projectile impact. Such protective material comprises a mixture of a relatively fluid material and suspended medium therein resistant to radiant energy or particles (shrapnel and bullet) penetration. 
         [0011]    U.S. Provisional Application No. is 61/276,302, entitled “Bullet-Proof Holster and Ballistic Pouch” (Herman J. Novak), provides a discrete protective bullet-resistant apparatus that is compatible for many different shapes and sizes of firearms and can be used by undercover police officers, off-duty police officers, and civilians, a bullet-proof holster that lessens the dangers from an inadvertent discharge of the firearm. 
         [0012]    The breathability of a series of ballistic fabrics and shear thickening fluid-treated ballistic fabrics was evaluated in “Breathability Characterization of Ballistic Fabrics, Including Shear Thickening Fluid-Treated Fabrics,” by Wai K. Chin and Eric D. Wetzel, “ARL-TR-4392”, March 2008. Breathability was characterized using measurements of water vapor transport rate through fabric samples. The results show that uncoated ballistic fabrics offer good breathability that is only slightly lower than conventional military outer garments. Ballistic fabrics treated with shear thickening fluid show a slight decrease in breathability, as compared with uncoated fabrics. Ballistic fabrics with continuous polymer coatings, however, exhibit very low water vapor transport rates. These results indicate that fabrics treated with shear thickening fluid introduce no significant penalty in breathability relative to conventional, uncoated ballistic fabrics. 
         [0013]    Civilians and undercover officers are faced with the problem of properly concealing a firearm. Many undercover officers carry the firearm in a pocket, such as a side trousers pocket. Carrying the firearm in a trousers pocket, however, creates difficulties in rapidly accessing the gun. When an officer is in a seated position, the gun cannot be readily removed from the pocket. Alternatively, if the free hand of the officer is engaged, it may be difficult to remove the firearm from the pocket with the opposite hand. In such situations, the officer may be powerless to use the firearm against the assailant. An additional problem caused by carrying the firearm in a trousers pocket is that the gun tends to wear the material of the pocket, frequently forming holes in the bottom of the pocket. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an overall safety enhancing apparatus for use by law enforcement personnel and civilian personnel which combines the beneficial aspects of the prior art, while overcoming the dangers of an accidental discharge. Such a safety enhancing apparatus would enable a law enforcement officer to conceal a weapon so that it is readily accessible for use during an emergency situation. 
         [0015]    When a handgun is carried in a concealed, belly-band holster, there is always a concern that the firearm will discharge or misfire inadvertently and injure someone. Similarly, there is a concern about removing misfired bullets from a handgun chamber in a hot firearm. 
         [0016]    What is needed is a device that will protect the individual from harm during accidental discharge of a firearm. This includes the accidental discharge of the firearm while wearing it in a holster or the discharge of a bullet or bullet fragments or the explosion of a jammed bullet in a hot firearm whether that firearm is a handgun a rifle or a shotgun. 
         [0017]    What is needed is a bullet resistant holster that is light-in-weight, inexpensive to produce, smaller in size and compatible with existing holsters, and only has the ballistic-resistant properties where necessary. A protective tube for a rifle is required as well. 
         [0018]    It is therefore a primary object of the bullet resistant holster of the present invention to provide a protective firearm holster device, which lessens the dangers from an inadvertent discharge of the firearm. 
         [0019]    It is another object of the bullet resistant holster of the present invention to provide discrete protective bullet resistant apparatus that is compatible for many different shapes and sizes of firearms and can be used by law enforcement, undercover police officers, off-duty police officers, the military, collectors, and civilians. 
         [0020]    Yet another object of the bullet resistant holster of the present invention is to provide protective bullet resistant apparatus which will absorb and contain an errant round discharged from the firearm while the firearm is disposed therein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    These and other objects of the invention, which shall be hereafter apparent, are achieved by the bullet resistant holster and the rifle tube of the present invention. 
         [0022]    The bullet resistant holster of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is made in part of a high-tensile strength fabric such as Kevlar®, Spectra®, or Dyneema®, or Kevlar, impregnated with shear thickening fluid, with or without a layer of ceramic material wrapped in high tensile strength fabric, placed in such a way as to absorb and contain the bullet as well as particles generated from a bullet being discharged from a firearm or after a discharged bullet strikes ceramic material, wrapped in the high tensile strength fabric. This can only be achieved by keeping the high-tensile strength fabric in tension as the bullet, or particles, strike the fabric. The bullet resistant holster comprises a sleeve for holding the firearm, means for securing the firearm within the sleeve, and a bullet blocker for absorbing and containing a single bullet and any bullet particles from the single bullet inadvertently discharged. Several types of bullet blockers are deployed. Preferably the bullet blocker is made of multiple layers of bullet-resistant fabric, attached to the holster, such that the bullet-resistant fabric is in tension during the bullet strike. This can be done by means of straps sewn to the bullet-resistant fabric and then sewn to the holster or by sewing the bullet-resistant fabric directly to the inside surface of the holster. 
         [0023]    Another type of bullet resistant holster is made, in part, of a high-tensile strength fabric such as Kevlar®, Spectra®, or Dyneema®, placed in such a way as to absorb and contain the bullet as well as particles generated from a bullet explosion inside a firearm. The bullet resistant holster comprises a sleeve for holding the firearm, means for securing the firearm within the sleeve, and a bullet blocker for absorbing and containing a single bullet and any bullet particles from the single bullet inadvertently discharged. 
         [0024]    Several types of bullet blockers are deployed. Preferably the bullet blocker is made of multiple layers of bullet resistant fabric. The preferred type of bullet-blocker is a multiplicity of layers of bullet resistant material, held in tension, by means of straps, sewn to the bullet resistant material and also sewn to the holster or by sewing the bullet resistant material to the inside of the holster, in such a way as to keep the bullet-resistant material in tension, during the process of stopping the bullet or the particles from a bullet striking the ceramics encased in the high tensile strength fabric. 
         [0025]    Another type of bullet blocker is fabric that is impregnated with shear thickening fluid. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bullet blocker is Kevlar and the shear thickening fluid impregnates the Kevlar. In another preferred embodiment, the inside and outside cloth of the holster is impregnated with shear thickening fluid. This makes the holster material better able to contain the Kevlar during a shot. The Kevlar material enhanced with the shear thickening fluid is flexible, has low bulk, is lightweight, and is protective. 
         [0026]    Still, another type of bullet-blocker is made of a shaped ceramic material, and may be encased in metal and covered with high-tensile strength fabric. The high tensile strength fabric is placed in such a way relative to the discharge chamber of the firearm as to catch particles generated from a bullet explosion inside the firearm. 
         [0027]    The ballistic-resistant fabric is installed in such a way as to allow penetration of projectiles through the first few layers of bullet resistant fabric while such particles are moving at high velocity, catching the particles after they hit the ceramic and break up into smaller, lower velocity particles. 
         [0028]    Another type of bullet resistant holster of the present invention has a pouch, containing bullet resistant material, with or without ceramics placed either inside or outside of a standard, non-bullet resistant holster causing it to become bullet resistant because the bullet resistant material is kept in tension, as an inadvertent discharge releases a high velocity bullet into the protected holster. It is to be understood that the term “firearm” as used herein, includes not only pistols, handguns, and small arms, but also shotguns, long guns, and rifles. 
         [0029]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example. As the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from spirit of essential characteristics thereof, it is expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the description, like reference numbers refer to the same component throughout the several views. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D disclose a first preferred embodiment of the ballistic pouch of the present invention, the ballistic pouch being used with a conventional holster, the ballistic pouch being mounted internally into a conventional holster. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D disclose a second preferred embodiment of the ballistic pouch and holster of the present invention, the ballistic pouch being mounted externally onto a conventional holster. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D disclose a first preferred embodiment of the bullet-proof holster of the present invention, the bullet-proof holster being used with a belly-band configuration for mounting on around the waist of the wearer. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  4 D, and  4 E disclose a second preferred embodiment of the bullet-proof holster of the present invention, the bullet-proof holster being kept in a pocket of the person using the firearm. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C disclose a third preferred embodiment of the bullet-proof holster of the present invention, the bullet-proof holster being kept in a purse of the person using the firearm. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  discloses a fourth preferred embodiment of the bullet-proof holster of the present invention, the bullet-proof holster being used preferably in shooting ranges and protects the person using the firearm from an exploding gun or jammed bullet; and DETAIL A discloses a bullet blocker layer. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  disclose a preferred embodiment for making the bullet blocker, preferably of small ceramic balls packed tightly together onto a bullet resistant material by an epoxy or similar material. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8A  discloses a preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker of the present invention, the bullet blocker being a ceramic material and said bullet blocker having a generally circular cross-section and receiving a bullet in the center of the ceramic and a second bullet off center; and  FIG. 8B  discloses a preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker of the present invention, the bullet blocker being a ceramic material and said bullet blocker having a generally oval cross-section and receiving a bullet in the center of the ceramic and a second bullet off center. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9A  discloses a preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker of the present invention, the bullet blocker being a processed metal material, preferably hardened steel, and said bullet blocker having a generally circular cross-section and receiving a bullet in the center of the processed metal material; and  FIG. 9B  discloses a preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker of the present invention, the bullet blocker being a processed metal material, preferably hardened steel, and said bullet blocker having a generally oval cross-section and receiving a bullet off center of the processed metal material. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10A  discloses a preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker of the present invention, the bullet blocker being a ceramic reinforced with processed metal material, preferably hardened steel, and said bullet blocker having a generally circular cross-section and receiving a bullet passing through the center of the ceramic and then the center of the processed metal material; and  FIG. 10B  discloses a preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker of the present invention, the bullet blocker being a ceramic reinforced with processed metal material, preferably hardened steel, and said bullet blocker having a generally oval cross-section and receiving a bullet passing through the center of the ceramic and then the center of the processed metal material. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  discloses a ceramic or other super-hardened material sewn within multiple layers of yet another preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 12A ,  12 B, and  12 C disclose yet another preferred embodiment of a top, side, and front cutaway views, respectively, of a bullet blocker of the present invention, the bullet blocker having a plurality of ceramic balls sewn under a top layer of multiple layers of bullet-proof material. 
           [0042]      FIGS. 13A  discloses still another preferred embodiment of a perspective view of a bullet blocker of the present invention, Kevlar®-wrapped ceramics being sandwiched between Kevlar layers,  FIGS. 13B and 13C  disclosing top exploded views and cutaway side views of the bullet blocker of  FIG. 13A . 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  discloses a perspective view of yet still another preferred embodiment of a bullet blocker of the present invention, the bullet blocker comprising a plurality of packages of bullet-proof material which include bullet-proof ceramics, the packages being disposed in multiple layers of bullet-blocker material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1A through 1D  (an internal pouch) and  FIGS. 2A through 2D  (external pouch), two different preferred embodiments of the bullet-proof ballistic pouch of the present invention are disclosed.  FIGS. 1A through 1D  disclose the ballistic pouch being mounted internally into a conventional holster  10 ; and  FIGS. 2A through 2D  disclose the ballistic pouch being mounted externally onto the conventional holster  10 . In both examples, the high tensile strength material with the optional ceramics are built into the holster  10 , in such a way as to insure that the high tensile strength material is in tension during the time the bullet is being caught. This can be done by sewing tension straps to the high tensile strength material and sewing them to the holster  10 , or by just sewing the Kevlar to the holster material. High tensile strength sewing thread should be used, such as Tenara or many sewing lines of standard high strength standard sewing thread. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C disclose a first preferred embodiment of the ballistic pouch of the present invention, the ballistic pouch being used with a conventional holster, the ballistic pouch being mounted internally into a conventional holster. Referring now to  FIG. 1D , a U-shaped insert  60  housing a multiplicity of optional small ceramic spheres  68  are tightly packed together and secured to a bullet-resistant material. A pair of straps  62  secured to the bullet-resistant material of the insert  60  extending upwardly, and having hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.—Velcro®) secured to the inside and outside surfaces thereof. This U-shaped insert  60  is placed inside of a U-shaped covering  70  having mating hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.—Velcro®) secured to the inside and outside surfaces of a pair of straps  72 , one strap being disposed on each side of the covering  70 . The combination of the insert  60  and the covering  70  serve as a bullet blocker  50 . This bullet blocker  50  is inserted into a holster  10  already owned by the user. The straps  62  and  72  are then secured through a pair of belt slots  14  on the holster  10 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D disclose a second preferred embodiment of the ballistic pouch and holster of the present invention, the ballistic pouch being mounted externally onto a conventional holster. The external pouch configuration of  FIG. 2D  deploys any of a variety of bullet blockers. In one preferred embodiment, the insert  160  of  FIG. 2C  is made of a bullet resistant material, such as Kevlar, and the insert is installed into the bullet resistant pouch  150 . In a second preferred embodiment, the bullet-proof insert  160  also includes a cylindrical-shaped reinforcement of bullet-resistant material  172 , such as Kevlar, for improved protection. In a third preferred embodiment, the cylindrical-shaped reinforcement of bullet-resistant material  172  positioned in the bullet-proof insert  160  also includes a multiplicity of tightly packed ceramic spheres  170  and secured to the bullet-resistant material  172 . For all three embodiments, the insert is placed inside the bullet-resistant pouch  150  and secured thereto with the tension straps of the insert  162 .  FIG. 2D  discloses the holster that the person using the firearm already owns. The holster pouch  150  has hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.—Velcro®) disposed on a plurality of upwardly extending straps secured to the inside and outside surfaces of the holster  10  through the belt slots  14 , the hook-and-loop fasteners being secured to each other. 
         [0047]    The bullet-proof holster depicted in  FIGS. 1A to 1D  and  2 A to  2 C comprise the bullet blocker and the holster of the present invention. The bullet resistant holster has an unprotected position and a safe position. In the safe position, the bullet blocker is secured to the holster, either externally or internally to the holster, with tension straps, and will absorb and contain an inadvertent discharge of a single bullet and any bullet particles from the single bullet. In the unprotected position, the bullet blocker is removed from the holster. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A to 3D , we see the first preferred embodiment of the bullet resistant holster  210  of the present invention. The bullet resistant holster  210  is used with a belly-band  270  or chest band configuration (not shown) for mounting about the waist or chest of the wearer. The bullet resistant holster  210  comprises a sleeve  215 , and a pouch serving as a bullet blocker  248 . The sleeve  215  has an opening  260  extending there through for the waist or chest strap. The sleeve  215  may be a sheet of material, folded back unto itself and stitched securely at two corners. The sleeve  215  further includes a strap  220 , extending upwardly, said strap  220  having hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.—Velcro®) on the inner surface, the strap  220  mating with hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.—Velcro®) on the opposite side of the sleeve  215  (see  FIG. 3D ). The bullet blocker  248  of choice, depicted in  FIG. 3A  is made of multiple layers of bullet-resistant fabric, preferably Kevlar. A multiplicity of small ceramics tightly packed and attached securely to a bullet-resistant material by an epoxy, or similar material. In one preferred embodiment, the pouch  248  of  FIG. 3A  is made of a bullet resistant material, such as Kevlar, and the insert is installed into the bullet resistant pouch  248 . In a second preferred embodiment, the bullet-proof insert  160  also includes a cylindrical-shaped reinforcement of bullet-resistant material  272 , such as Kevlar, for improved protection. In a third preferred embodiment, the cylindrical-shaped reinforcement of bullet-resistant material  272  positioned in the bullet-proof pouch  248  also includes a multiplicity of tightly packed ceramic spheres  276  and secured to the bullet-resistant material  272 . 
         [0049]    The bullet resistant holster  210 , a pouch  248  and a tension strap  220  connecting the bullet resistant holster  210  to the pouch  248  comprise the firearm-carrying device of the present invention. The firearm-carrying device has an unprotected position and a safe position. In the unprotected position, the pouch  248  is disposed within the sleeve  215  abutting the discharge chamber of the firearm  20 . In the safe position, the pouch  248  abuts the discharge chamber of the firearm  20  and is secured to the holster  210 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 4A through 4E  disclose a second preferred embodiment of the bullet resistant holster  310  of the present invention. The bullet resistant holster  310  is for keeping in a pocket of the person using the firearm  20 . The pocket holster  310  comprises a sleeve  335  for holding the firearm  20  and a bullet blocker  360 . The bullet blocker  360  is depicted in  FIG. 4B  and the sleeve  335  is depicted in  FIG. 4C . The bullet blocker  310 , of choice, is a pouch comprised of a multiplicity of small ceramic spheres  370 , tightly packed and attached securely to a bullet-resistant material  372  by an epoxy, or similar material. The tension strap configuration for the pocket holster  310  comprises the bullet blocker insert  348  and tension straps  338  sewn into the pocket holster sleeve  335 , in such a way as to insure that the high tensile strength insert  348  is in tension when struck by a bullet and a strap  341  that is normal to the band, extending upwardly, having hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.—Velcro®) on the inner surface of the longer strap, and having hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.—Velcro®) on the outer surface of the shorter strap to secure the firearm  20  into the holster  310 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 5A through 5C  disclose a third preferred embodiment of the bullet-proof holster  410  of the present invention. The bullet-proof holster  410  is for keeping in a purse of the person using the firearm  20 . The purse holster  410  comprises a sleeve  420  for holding the firearm  20  and a bullet blocker  430 . The bullet blocker  430 , of choice, is the pouch depicted in  FIG. 4B , which is comprised of a multiplicity of small ceramic spheres  450 , tightly packed and attached securely to a bullet-resistant material  445  by an epoxy, or similar material. The sleeve  420  is depicted in  FIG. 4C , and is to be carried inside the purse of the user. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  discloses a fourth preferred embodiment of the bullet resistant holster  510  of the present invention. The bullet resistant holster  510  is used preferably at shooting ranges and similar types of applications. The bullet resistant holster  510  protects the person using the firearm (not shown) from an exploding gun or jammed bullet. The bullet blocker has sufficient strength to absorb and contain an inadvertent discharge from a jammed bullet&#39;s explosion or to absorb and contain an inadvertent discharge of a single bullet and any bullet particles from the single bullet. The high tensile strength material is sewn into the range pouch in such a way as to insure that it is under tension during the process of stopping the bullet or fragments, of the gun, in an explosion. The bullet resistant fabric is positioned in such a way relative to the firearm as to catch particles generated from a bullet explosion inside the firearm. 
         [0053]    In one preferred embodiment, a pouch  540  of DETAIL “A” is made of a bullet resistant material, such as Kevlar, and the insert is sewn into the shooting range case  510  at the discharge chamber of the firearm and other sites where the firearm can cause damage. In a second preferred embodiment, the bullet-proof pouch  540  also includes a cylindrical-shaped reinforcement of bullet-resistant material  560 , such as Kevlar, for improved protection. In a third preferred embodiment, the cylindrical-shaped reinforcement of bullet-resistant material  560  positioned in the bullet-proof pouch  540  also includes a multiplicity of tightly packed ceramic spheres  565  and secured to the Kevlar insert  560 . 
         [0054]    The bullet blocker may be made of an optional shaped ceramic material, and encased in metal and covered with high-tensile strength fabric. The high tensile strength fabric is placed in such a way relative to the discharge chamber of the firearm as to catch particles generated from a bullet explosion inside the firearm. 
         [0055]    Several types of bullet blockers may be deployed. Preferably, the bullet blocker is made of multiple layers of bullet-resistant fabric. 
         [0056]    Then, a multiplicity of small ceramics  650 , tightly packed and attached securely to a bullet-resistant material  660  by an epoxy, or similar material, as depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In  FIG. 7B , 0.1 inch to 0.5 inch diameter small ceramic spheres are secured together with epoxy, making the assembly of ceramic spheres moldable, acting like billiard balls (see  FIG. 7A ), redirection the force of impact from the bullet by 90°. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8A  discloses a first preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker  710  of the present invention, the bullet blocker being a hardened material, such as a ceramic, said bullet blocker  710  having a generally circular cross-section and receiving a first bullet “a” in the center of the ceramic and a second bullet “b” off center.  FIG. 8B  discloses a second preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker  720  of the present invention, the bullet blocker  720  being a hardened material, such as a ceramic, and said bullet blocker  720  having a generally oval cross-section and receiving a first bullet “c” near the center of the ceramic and a second bullet “d” off center. 
         [0058]    This is a single unit with two similar side panels, securely attached together to form a pocket. The elongated bullet blocker of  FIG. 8B  is positioned at the sealed end of the ballistic holster, abutting the discharge chamber of the firearm while the firearm is positioned in the ballistic holster, so that the bullet blocker will receive and deflect any inadvertent discharge or explosion of the loaded firearm and any particles therefrom. Strips of high tensile strength bullet-resistant fabric are strategically placed throughout the holster to absorb particle fragments ricocheting from the bullet blocker. The firearm is retained in the holster by a pair of snap fasteners which enable easy access thereto. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9A  discloses a third preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker  730  of the present invention, the bullet blocker  730  being a hardened material, such as a hardened steel, said bullet blocker  730  having a generally circular cross-section and receiving a bullet in the center of the processed metal material.  FIG. 9B  discloses a fourth preferred embodiment of the bullet blocker  735  of the present invention, the bullet blocker  735  being a hardened material, such as a hardened steel, and said bullet blocker  735  having a generally oval cross-section and receiving a bullet off center. 
         [0060]      FIG. 10A  discloses a fifth preferred embodiment of the bullet blockers ( 750  and  755 ) of the present invention, the bullet blockers ( 750  and  755 ) being a ceramic reinforced with processed metal material, preferably hardened steel, and said bullet blockers ( 750  and  755 ) having a generally circular cross-section and receiving a bullet passing through the center of the ceramic and then the center of the processed metal material.  FIG. 10B  discloses a sixth preferred embodiment of the bullet blockers ( 760  and  765 ) of the present invention, the bullet blockers ( 760  and  765 ) being a ceramic reinforced with processed metal material, preferably hardened steel, and said bullet blockers ( 760  and  765 ) having a generally oval cross-section and receiving a bullet passing through the center of the ceramic and then the center of the processed metal material. 
         [0061]    When the bullet blocker may be a shaped ceramic or metal, or their combination, as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ,  9 A and  9 B, and  10 A and  10 B, the shape of the bullet blocker is critical in the containment of the bullet and bullet and bullet fragments. The catching layer must have sufficient depth to receive the speeding projectile and contain within the ballistic holster of the present invention the bullet, the bullet fragments, and any fragments from the catching layer. This must be true whether the bullet strikes the center of the catching layer or is off center. The bullet blocker of the present invention may be a single layer structure of ceramic or a processed metal. 
         [0062]    However, in the preferred embodiment, modern technical armors generally comprise a multi-layer system including a hard surface layer over a catching layer. Additional catching layers may be added behind the first catching layer for added protection where required. Technical ceramics generally form the hard layer and make up the first armor surface which the bullet impacts. Ceramics contemplated for use in the present invention include but are not limited to: aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, boron carbide, and titanium diboride. The catching layer may be a technical ceramic such as those previously exemplified compounded with a metal binder such as aluminum, titanium, copper, beryllium or the like or a processed metal, such as steel or a shear thickening fluid. 
         [0063]    The ceramic, stand alone or with steel, are one version of what will work in the bullet proof holster. Ceramic balls, between 0.1 inch to 0.5 inch diameter (are held together with a hard epoxy) will work as a bullet blocker. Exemplary ceramic shaped surfaces include cylinders, spheres, cubes, cones, truncated cones, rectangular prisms, ellipsoids, pyramids, polyhedrons, and any combination of these. Any hard material, like ceramics, will work. Ceramics can be eliminated if more Kevlar® is used. Kevlar®, with shear thickening fluid (STF) will also be able to replace the ceramics. 
         [0064]      FIG. 11  discloses another preferred embodiment of bullet blocker  810  for use with the bullet-proof holster and ballistic pouch of the present invention. The bullet blocker  810  comprises ceramic  824  or other super-hardened material sewn within multiple layers  820  of a bullet resistant material, the bullet blocker  810  abutting the discharge chamber of the firearm (not shown). 
         [0065]      FIGS. 12A ,  12 B, and  12 C disclose still yet another preferred embodiment of a top, side, and front cutaway views, respectively, of a bullet blocker  910  for use in the present invention. The bullet blocker  910  has a plurality of ceramic balls  928  sewn into a sewn pocket  925  under a top layer  915  of multiple layers of bullet-proof material  920 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 13A  discloses still a perspective view another preferred embodiment of a bullet blocker  950  of the present invention, Kevlar®-wrapped ceramics  960  are sandwiched between Kevlar layers  965 ,  FIGS. 13B and 13C  disclosing top exploded views and cutaway side views of the bullet blocker of  FIG. 13A . 
         [0067]      FIG. 14  discloses a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of a bullet blocker  970  for use in the present invention. The bullet blocker  970  preferably comprises a plurality of packages  972  of bullet-proof material which include bullet-proof ceramics, the packages being disposed in multiple layers  975  of bullet-blocker material. 
         [0068]    The bullet blocker is made from a shaped ceramic, is encased in metal and covered in ballistic fabric. The ballistic fabric is installed in such a way as to allow penetration of projectiles through the first few layers of fabric while such particles are moving at high velocity, catching the particles after they hit the ceramic and break up into smaller, lower velocity particles. If a misfired firearm explodes and that firearm is in the case, ceramics and high strength fabric contain the particles. If a concealed firearm discharges during wearing or movement, the bullet-proof ballistic holster or pouch will retain the charge and any fragments. 
         [0069]    The invention provides personal protection against the inadvertent discharge or explosion of a loaded firearm. A handgun, with a misfired bullet, can be placed in the bullet-proof holster of the present invention until the handgun cools and the bullet can be removed safely from the firearm. 
         [0070]    The bullet resistant holster of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is made in part of a high tensile strength fabric such as Kevlar®, Spectra®, or Dyneema®, placed in such a way as to absorb and contain particles generated from a bullet explosion inside a firearm. This is done by sewing the bullet blocker Kevlar, into the holster in such a way as to insure that it is under tension during the process of stopping the bullet or metal particles. The bullet resistant holster comprises a sleeve for holding the firearm, means for securing the firearm within the sleeve, and a bullet blocker for absorbing and containing a single bullet and any bullet particles from the single bullet inadvertently discharged. Other bullet-resistant fabrics include Spectra® and Dyneema® or Kevlar® with impregnated a shear thickening fluid or Kevlar with a bladder filled with a shear thickening fluid. The ballistic-resistant materials comprise multiple layers of tightly-woven, ballistic-resistant fabric or cloth, such as Kevlar® ballistic fabric. Other types of high-strength, synthetic fibers may be used to make the ballistic fabric, including: glass fibers, carbon/graphite fibers, aramid fibers (such as Kevlar®, Twaron®, Technora®), para-aramid fibers, high and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers (such as Spectra®, or Dynema®). Ultra-high strength, steel filaments can also be woven into ballistic fabric or Kevlar®, or other high tensile fabric with a shear thickening fluid. 
         [0071]    Another type of bullet blocker is fabric that is impregnated with shear thickening fluid. This method is discussed at length in U.S. Pat. No. 7,498,276 (Wagner et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,426 (Gates). The fabric materials and articles formed therefrom comprising high strength, high modulus polymeric fibers or yarns impregnated with a fluid, composed of particles suspended in a solvent, which undergo a shear-thickening transition such that the coefficient of friction between the fibers or yarns is increased during an impact event. The fabrics comprising high tenacity fibers are incorporated as an important element in containment structures used to dissipate the kinetic energy of moving objects and thereby prevent passage of those moving objects through such containment structures to a person to be protected against direct contact and damage by such moving objects. Fibers which can be used include aramid fibers such as poly (phenylenediamine terephthalamide), graphite fibers, nylon fibers, glass fibers and the like. The bullet blocker may also be made of a fabric that is encased with small particulate materials suspended in a fluid which exhibit dilatant behavior when subjected to a bullet from a firearm. Many of these materials are commercially available from the Barrday Corp. of Charlotte, N.C. 
         [0072]    Still, another type of bullet-blocker is made of a shaped ceramic material, and may be encased in metal and covered with high-tensile strength fabric. The high tensile strength fabric is placed in such a way relative to the discharge chamber of the firearm as to catch particles generated from a bullet explosion inside the firearm. 
         [0073]    Throughout this application, various patents, applications, and publications are referenced by number. The disclosures of these documents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. 
         [0074]    It is evident that many modifications, and variations of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes and bounds of the present invention be determined by the appended claims rather than by the language of the above specification, and that all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a conjointly cooperative equivalent are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of these claims. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  holster already owned 
           14  belt loop in holster 
           20  firearm 
           50  bullet blocker 
           60  insert 
           62  insert straps 
           66  internal pouch Kevlar insert 
           68  insert ceramics 
           70  insert covering 
           72  strap on covering 
           150  bullet-resistant pouch 
           152  support straps on pouch 
           154  Velcro for pouch straps 
           158  tension straps for insert 
           160  bullet-resistant insert 
           162  tension straps for insert 
           170  ceramics in Kevlar reinforcement for insert 
           172  Kevlar reinforcement for bullet blocker for insert 
           210  belly-band holster 
           215  sleeve for belly-band holster 
           220  strap for belly-band holster 
           225  stitched corners for belly-band holster 
           248  pouch for belly-band holster 
           255  insert strap for belly-band holster 
           260  opening for belly band 
           270  belly band 
           276  ceramics for insert for belly-band holster 
           310  pocket holster 
           338  tension straps sewn into pocket holster insert 
           341  strap for pocket holster 
           348  pocket holster insert 
           360  bullet blocker for pocket holster 
           370  ceramics in Kevlar reinforcement for insert 
           372  Kevlar reinforcement for insert 
           410  purse holster 
           420  sleeve 
           425  tension straps on outside of purse holster 
           430  bullet blocker 
           440  snap for purse holster 
           445  Kevlar reinforcement for for purse holster pouch 
           450  ceramics for Kevlar pouch for purse holster 
           455  tension straps sewn into purse holster 
           510  shooting range case 
           540  bullet resistant pouch 
           550  bullet blocker for shooting range case 
           555  tension strap for shooting range case 
           560  Kevlar insert for shooting range case 
           565  ceramics for Kevlar insert for shooting range case 
           650  small spheres of hardened material 
           660  bullet-resistant material 
           710  bullet blocker (hardened ceramic material) 
           720  bullet blocker (hardened ceramic material) 
           730  bullet blocker (steel) 
           735  bullet blocker (steel) 
           750  1 st  bullet blocker 
           755  2 nd  bullet blocker 
           760  1 st  bullet blocker 
           765  2 nd  bullet blocker 
           810  bullet blocker 
           820  multiple layers of bullet blocker material 
           824  ceramics sewn into bullet blocker 
           828  multiple layers covering ceramics 
           910  bullet blocker 
           915  Kevlar top layer 
           920  multiple layers of bullet blocker material 
           925  sewn pocket 
           928  ceramic ball 
           950  bullet blocker 
           954  stitching 
           960  ceramic inside pocket 
           965  Kevlar layers 
           970  bullet blocker 
           972  ceramic material wrapped in bullet blocker material 
           975  multiple layers of bullet blocker material