Abstract:
A holster for concealed handgun carry that relies on the façade of a cell phone or cell phone case, and which relies on actuated hinges for securing moveable panels. Spring loaded hinges may be used for providing opening of the hinged panels of the holster, providing access by the wearer to the handgun contained within the holster. Latching of a closed configuration may be accomplished by a snap, hook and loop fasteners and magnetic fasteners. Access to a handgun contained within the holster may be accomplished with minimal movement of an arm, hand or finger.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In many jurisdictions, off-duty police officers are required or permitted to carry a handgun that is in some way concealed from the view of others who may be in proximity to the officers. This is particularly important to those who may be working “under cover.” Many of these officers may also wish to carry a concealed handgun in addition to the service weapon normally worn whale on duty. In addition, many states have enacted “right to carry” laws that permit a resident to carry a concealed handgun providing the resident has taken a prescribed handgun safety course, has no criminal record, has no outstanding restraining orders imposed by a court of law, and has passed a background check. Many states may not permit persons within the state to openly carry a handgun in public places. 
     Concealing a handgun may be accomplished by hiding it from view of others within a person&#39;s clothing or garments. While being hidden beneath layers of clothing may accomplish concealment, it may also make it difficult for the user to access the handgun expeditiously when confronted by danger. An example of this method of concealment is a shoulder holster carried beneath an armpit and covered with a jacket. Another example is a holster attached to a lower part of a leg. Both of these examples may limit the speed with which a user can access the handgun. Even a holster worn inside a belt and pant waist may require some form of clothing to conceal the presence of a handgun, such as having to wear a shirt tail outside the pants, which may make quick access difficult. 
     Another method of concealing a handgun is to enclose it within an article that appears to be something other than a holster for a handgun. The exterior façade may appear to be a carrying case for a mobile phone or pager. It may also be a fanny pack, bi-fold wallet or pouch used when hiking or participating in similar sporting activities. These implementations typically rely on mechanical snaps, zippers and hook-and-loop type fasteners to close an opening used to access the firearm, and usually require the use of two hands or extensive movements of the hands and arms. These enclosing devices may impede access to a handgun when it becomes necessary to access it quickly. 
     Although many new handgun designs have been dramatically reduced in size, thereby making it easier to conceal, prior art methods described in available literature for concealing a handgun are still encumbered with poor concealment and difficulty of quick access when required. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following disclosure describes a handgun holster for concealed carry that relies on a façade of a cell phone, or a cell phone case with spring-loaded hinges securing moveable panels. It is a compact design that can be worn on the street when dressed in casual clothes or in an office setting when wearing more formal work clothes without drawing attention to the fact that the wearer is carrying a handgun. Although it may rely on a snap or hook-and-loop material, another embodiment using a single magnetic latch on the front or rear edge of a spring-loaded panel is advantageous for rapid acquisition of the handgun. Under this embodiment, springs may be released for providing opening of the holster by simply pressing inward on a side panel, which breaks the magnetic force holding the release springs. 
     The handgun holster is designed to fit inside the waistband in front of a side pocket close to a draw hand. Being free of material, zippers or straps, it enables a clean grip of the handgun yet allows for quick access that may be accomplished with the flip of a finger. Access is provided whether a user is standing or sitting, allowing ready access even while sitting in a vehicle. 
     The holster includes spring-loaded hinged panels that appear to be a cell phone case when closed. When unlatched, the hinged panels spring open to be flush against the body of the user, allowing unimpeded access to the handgun held within the holster pocket, wherein the handgun may be quickly drawn and ready for use. Access is provided with minimal movement of an arm, a hand or even just a finger. A waistband clip may be provided to safely secure the holster containing a handgun inside the waistband of a user while holding the holster securely in place while the gun is withdrawn. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handgun holster closed for concealed carry; 
         FIG. 2A-FIG .  2 E illustrate sequential snapshots of an embodiment of a handgun holster opening; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handgun holster in a completely open state; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates embodiments of a back side of a handgun holster; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an alternate placement of one of the panels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For reference purposes, Table 1 below provides reference designator identification for the components of embodiment of the disclosed holster. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE DESIGNATOR IDENTIFICATION 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 100 
                 View of Holster in a Stand-Alone and Attached Configuration 
               
               
                 110 
                 Hinged Butt Panel 
               
               
                 120 
                 Hinged Top Panel 
               
               
                 130 
                 Hinged Front Panel 
               
               
                 140 
                 Fixed Hammer Panel 
               
               
                 150 
                 Waistband Clip 
               
               
                 160 
                 Holster Pocket 
               
               
                 180 
                 Back Panel First Version 
               
               
                 185 
                 Back Panel Second Version 
               
               
                 190 
                 Garment 
               
               
                 195 
                 Waistband or Belt 
               
               
                 200 
                 Sequential Snapshot Views of a Holster Opening 
               
               
                 210 
                 Second Fastening Means 
               
               
                 215 
                 First Fastening Means 
               
               
                 220 
                 First Actuating Hinge 
               
               
                 230 
                 Second Actuating Hinge 
               
               
                 300 
                 Perspective View of Completely Open Holster 
               
               
                 310 
                 Third Actuating Hinge 
               
               
                 320 
                 Outline of a Handgun Butte, Handgrip and Hammer 
               
               
                 400 
                 Backside View of Handgun Holster 
               
               
                 410 
                 Fasteners 
               
               
                 500 
                 View of a Second Holster Embodiment 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The detailed description is directed to a handgun holster apparatus for a person desiring to carry a handgun concealed from view of others.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view  100  of an embodiment of a handgun holster closed for concealed carry.  FIG. 1A  shows the holster in a stand-alone configuration. It includes a hinged butt panel  110  (in reference to the side of the holster where the butt of the gun&#39;s handle is positioned), a hinged top panel  120  and a hinged front panel  130 . These hinged panels are preferably spring-loaded for fast access to an enclosed handgun when released. A fixed hammer panel  140  (in reference to the side of the holster where the hammer of the gun is positioned) is rigidly positioned to a back panel of the holster  180  (shown in  FIG. 2E ) opposite the hinged front panel  130 . A holster pocket  160  is provided to hold a handgun securely until deployment, and is attached to the back panel  180  as shown in  FIG. 4 . A waistband clip  150  is provided to secure the holster to a waistband or belt  195  of a garment  190 .  FIG. 1B  shows the holster attached by a waistband clip  150  to a waistband or belt of a garment  190  worn by an individual. 
       FIG. 2A-FIG .  2 E illustrates sequential snapshots of a butt-side panel  110  view. Not shown is a handgun positioned within the holster pocket  160  shown in  FIG. 1A . The hinged front panel  130  is secured in a closed position by a first fastening means  215  attached to the hinged front panel  130  and a second fastening means  210  attached to the hinged butt panel  110 . The hinged front panel  130  is attached to the hinged top panel  120  by a first spring-actuated hinge  220 . Similarly, the hinged top panel  120  is attached to the back panel  180  by a second spring-actuated hinge  230 . 
       FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 2C  shows progressive snapshots of the hinged front panel  130  and the hinged top panel  120  opening under the force of the first and second spring-actuated hinges  220 ,  230  when the user releases the fastening means  210 ,  215  with a press or pull of a finger. The front panel  130  rotates about an axis of the first actuating hinge  220  and the top panel  120  rotates about the axis of the second actuating hinge  230 . 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates a butt-side panel  110  view of the holster fully opened, with the first and second spring-actuated hinges  220 ,  230  shown in a fully opened position. The sequence of snapshots shown between  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2D  occurs very quickly under force of the first and second spring-actuated hinges  220 ,  230  when the fastening means  210 ,  215  is released by the user. The configuration shown in  FIG. 2D  enables a user to quickly access a handgun cradled in the holster pocket.  FIG. 2E  illustrates a hammer side panel  140  view of the holster fully opened, with the first and second spring-actuated hinges  220 ,  230  shown in a fully opened position. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handgun holster in a completely open state or accessible configuration.  FIG. 3A  shows the holster in a stand-alone and open configuration. It includes a hinged butt panel  110 , a hinged top panel  120  and a hinged front panel  130 . As noted above, these hinged panels are preferably spring-loaded for fast access to an enclosed handgun when fastening means  210 ,  215  is released. A fixed hammer panel  140  may be rigidly positioned to a back panel of the holster  180 , or may be connected by a spring-actuated hinge to the back panel  180 , similar to a third spring-actuated hinge  310  connecting the butt panel  110  to the back panel  180 . A holster pocket  160  is provided to hold a handgun when the holster is in a closed or concealed configuration as shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , and an open or accessible configuration, as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B . A waistband clip  150  is provided to secure the holster to a waistband or belt  195  of a garment  190 , as shown in  FIG. 3B .  FIG. 3B  shows the holster attached by a waistband clip  150  to a waistband or belt of a garment  190  worn by an individual.  FIG. 3A  also shows the first fastening means  215 , the second fastening means  210  and the first, second and third spring-actuated hinges  220 ,  230 ,  310 . Similarly to the operation of the spring-actuated hinges  220 ,  230  described above, when the user releases the first fastening means  215  and second fastening means  210 , the third spring-actuated hinge  310  causes the hinged butt panel  110  to quickly swing open. This action coupled with the simultaneous actions of panels  130 ,  120 , as described above, enables access to an enclosed handgun. The fastening means may be a snap fastener, hook-and-loop fastener or a magnetic fastener. For reference purposes, the outline  320  of the butt, the handgrip and the hammer portion of a handgun is shown as dashed lines in  FIG. 3B . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates embodiments of a back side  400  of a handgun holster. The purpose of the back side is to rigidly position the connecting second and third hinges  230 ,  310  and top portion of a holster pocket  160 , while conforming to the shape of the body of a user and protecting user&#39;s clothing from gun oil.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a configuration whereby the back panel  180  and the holster pocket  160  are separate pieces held together by fasteners  410 . The back panel  180  is rigid but the holster pocket  160  is typically fabricated from leather, fabric or extruded synthetic material.  FIG. 49  illustrate a second embodiment of a back panel  185  that is a single fabricated piece of leather or synthetic material. The second embodiment of the back panel  185  may also be an integral part of a completely extruded handgun holster for concealed carry. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the holster, whereby the butt panel  110  may be attached via a third spring-actuated hinge  310  to the front panel  130  instead of to the back panel  180 . This may provide for smoother motion of releasing the fastened means while continuing to move the hand toward the pistol because the user&#39;s finger would not have to reverse direction to move out of the way of the swinging panel after releasing the fastening means. The butt panel  110  would then immediately begin springing upward and away from the hand as it opens, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.