Abstract:
A holster security device comprising a latching mechanism which is attached to a holster on a side portion thereof so as to form an integral unit. The device comprises a finger-operated tab extending beyond the housing of the security device and a latch hook which engages a male fastener mounted on a holster safety strap. When the male fastener engages its female counterpart and is aligned with the security device, the strap acts to restrain a firearm. A standard lock and key system is used to provide a high-level of security by locking the moving portions of the safety device and preventing unauthorized removal or theft of a firearm. Another feature of the invention is a trigger safety lock operable in conjunction with a latching mechanism while the firearm is seated in the holster. Optionally, the operation of the safety device parts can be mechanically, electrically, or electronically assisted.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/175,963, filed Jan. 13, 2000, entitled HOLSTER SECURITY DEVICE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to holsters for firearms, and in particular, to a holster security device comprising a lock and key mechanism adaptable to existing as well as new holsters to provide personal security and safety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Firearms are presently widely-available, especially in most developed countries, and in particular, among civilians as well as law enforcement agents and military and security personnel. Being so widespread, firearms represent a serious threat to public safety and a danger to children and minors from unauthorized use or accidental discharge. 
     A common way to prevent unauthorized use or accidental firing of a firearm is to remove an essential operative component, such as the magazine of a pistol, and to keep such a component apart from the firearm itself. However, in such a case, the firearm is not ready for use should a need suddenly arise; moreover, the separated component may get lost or misplaced. This can lead to incurring the cost of replacing the lost or misplaced part or, in some instances, having to replace the entire firearm. 
     Another known security means for disabling a firearm from firing a cartridge is an add-on locking device mounted on the trigger guard to prevent access to the trigger, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,840 to Mickel. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,578 to Kay, a standard lock and key is used in a bore-hole in the trigger assembly. The same standard lock can be mounted as part of a holster to prevent inadvertent firing and removal of the firearm. 
     In the latter two cases, however, in order to enable the firearm for use, the add-on device or lock must be physically removed and placed at a suitable location for ready re-use whenever necessary, which is not only time-consuming and inconvenient, but may also result in the misplacement or loss of the removed device or lock. Also, boring holes in and around the trigger assembly is required. Even for the holster embodiment of the lock mechanism, modification to the trigger assembly is required to accommodate the security device. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,987,796 and 5,974,717 to Brooks refer to safety mechanisms fitted in the magazines of firearms, which have the disadvantage of having to modify existing firearms, a practice not always desirable or possible for all varieties of firearms and inexpensive to do. 
     Other techniques for disabling a firearm known to the art include the insertion of an insert into a firearm&#39;s firing chamber or magazine chamber which insert must be withdrawn to enable the firearm to be used. However, an insert into the firing chamber may damage the rifling of the firing chamber. Moreover, such inserts must be separately stored and/or carried by the user, which is not always convenient, and which can also result in the loss or misplacement of the insert. 
     In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,560 and 5,581,927 to Meller, a spring-operated security device is fitted into the handle of the firearm as an integral part thereof and a key which may easily and conveniently be kept with others normally found on a person, enables or disables firing of the firearm. This construction tends to increase the production cost of the firearm. 
     In regard to holsters, U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,798 to Perkins features a safety strap for holsters using a fastener ring fastener on the inside surface of the holster for securing the end of the safety strap. However, it does not lock securely or prevent unauthorized withdrawal of the firearm from the holster. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. No. 5,199,620 to Beletsky, there is described a thumbreak-type holster in which a fastener is mounted on the safety strap of the holster, which can be mated with a securing device on the holster body, to define unlocked and locked positions of the safety strap. An improvement to this design is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,951 to Beletsky et al., where a supplementary latching device such as a sleeve can be slid over the thumbreak, preventing would-be assailants from accessing the thumbreak and removing the firearm. The extra latching device makes quick firearm withdrawal more difficult for the user as well. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a security device for a firearm which does not require potentially damaging modifications to the firearm, nor increase its production costs. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a convenient, efficient, self-contained, and secure system of locking that cannot be easily defeated or neutralized by unauthorized persons. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a security device easily attached to existing holsters which is operated by a key to lock or release a fastener mounted on the safety strap of the holster, thus locking or releasing a firearm from its holster. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a security device for a firearm having advantages over prior art security devices, as the holster itself serves as a convenient safety pouch for a firearm which, when locked therein, denies access to unauthorized users. and prevents accidental firing of the firearm. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a security device which can be used and easily integrated with existing holsters accommodating many different types of firearms, particularly, but not exclusively, handguns such as pistols and revolvers. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a security device that can be used with existing firearms without causing removal of essential parts, placement of add-ons, or making any potentially damaging modifications thereto. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a holster security device comprising a security device for receiving a suitable, removable key which operates a typical cylinder lock; a flat, latch hook for engaging and securely holding a fastener mounted on a holster safety strap; a finger-tab, for operating the latch hook, which extends from the retaining ring of the cylinder lock and protrudes in such a manner as to be convenient to the user, but mostly inaccessible or unseen by others. The finger tab is movable to a stop position and optionally, the retaining ring with the latch hook and finger-tab can be locked by a key. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tongue of the holster safety strap is drawn over the rearward portion of a firearm by the insertion motion of the male fastener into a hole provided in the flange of the security device to mate with a female fastener through the flange hole. An end cap seats and houses the cylinder lock retaining ring and allows it to be partially rotated to a stop position provided by a small raised ball-stop on the inside surface of the end cap which engages a matching stop-hole provided in the cylinder lock retaining ring. This ball-stop and stop-hole arrangement provides a low-level of positive locking since the retaining ring and end cap are in surface-to-surface contact and firmly held together in the safety device. The slight physical contact of the ball-stop and stop-hole provides touch-sensitive feedback to indicate to the wearer of the holster when the ring is in a position such that the latch hook is engaged and ready to be locked using the cylinder lock and key. 
     When the holster safety strap is closed and fastened with the fastener, and the latch hook has been engaged with the fastener in the safety device, yet another level of security is provided to the holster since the firearm cannot be removed unless the latch hook is freed from the strap by the operation of the finger-tab. If, optionally, the cylinder lock and key are not used, the latch hook still provides a high degree of protection for the firearm, while allowing it to be quickly removed by the wearer by a simple motion of a finger on the finger tab which rotates the retaining ring and releases the latch hook from the holster safety strap fastener allowing the strap to be opened and the firearm to be immediately drawn. 
     The depth of the security device when assembled on its mounting flange is substantially shorter than the transverse dimension of the flange, thereby advantageously providing a relatively flat, compact construction which does not add bulk or much weight to the holster. 
     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a convenient and inexpensive security device adaptable to existing as well as new holsters for a variety of firearms, without necessitating the removal of any essential operating part of the firearm, the adding-on of removable locks or other safety devices, or requiring any potentially damaging modification to the firearm itself. The invention is based on the advantageous and convenient use of a key and lock system, and does not require expensive or potentially dangerous modifications to a firearm. 
     Optionally, the holster locking safety device can be operated without locking with a key, yet maintain a higher degree of security against stealthy or unauthorized withdrawal of a firearm than that provided by existing firearm safety devices and commonly used holster safety straps. This is achieved, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, by provision of a latch hook which engages a fastener mounted on a holster strap and is released only with the mechanical operation of a finger-operated tab conveniently mounted on the holster itself. This feature is relatively inexpensive to produce and permits time-saving removal of the firearm by the wearer of the holster in those situations requiring it, while maintaining security of the firearm within its holster. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings and description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout, and in which: 
     FIG. 1A depicts a general view of a holster security device, constructed and operated in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B depicts an exploded isometric view of the security device of FIG. 1A, showing its component parts in relation to one another; 
     FIG. 1C depicts a number of possible locations where a finger-tab extension to a cylinder lock retaining ring may be suitably connected so as to mechanically operate an attached latch hook in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 depicts an exploded isometric view of the assembled security device and other parts of the present invention in relation to their mounting on a typical holster; 
     FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view of a typical holster and a firearm seated therein, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4A-B depict respectively, isometric and detail views of a typical holster, and firearm seated therein, featuring an optional trigger lock feature of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 depicts another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a holster security device constructed as a flange or sliding plate; and 
     FIG. 6 depicts yet another preferred embodiment of a holster security device, using a horizontally movable latching mechanism with a sliding, clasp-type slot. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1A depicts a general view of a holster security device  10 , constructed and operated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown, security device  10  comprises a mounting flange  12 , a finger tab  14  which is integrally formed with a retaining ring  16  (FIG. 1B) which has a latch hook  18  for engaging a male fastener  20  of a holster safety strap  22  (FIG.  3 ). 
     Fastener  20  mounted on safety strap  22  is used to secure and retain a firearm  23  in a holster  24 , by engaging female receptacle  25  (FIG.  2 ), thereby providing a first level of safety and security against unauthorized access to or theft of firearm  23  held in holster  24 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, finger tab  14  protrudes above mounting flange  12  and is used to manually operate latch hook  18 , which is shown in the locked position and is visible through a hole  26  in mounting flange  12 . In one preferred embodiment of the invention, both finger tab  14  and latch hook  18  are integral to security device  10 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1B, there is shown an exploded isometric view of the component parts of security device  1 O and a typical key  28  for use thereof. Latch hook  18  and finger tab  14  are integral elements of a cylinder lock retaining ring  16  which is configured to fit over commercial cylinder lock  30 . Lock  30  serves to restrain rotation of ring  16  about the axis of cylinder lock  30  when key  28  has been turned in the locking position. When cylinder lock  30  is operated by key  28 , a pin  32  extends through the cut-out portion  34  of ring  16  and is advanced to insert itself in a matching hole  36  in end cap  38 . Cylinder lock  30  is protected and enclosed within a cylinder lock-housing unit  40 , a portion of which protrudes through an upper hole  42  of flange  12 . 
     Locking pin  32 , when extended into a recess  36  formed in end cap  38 , provides additional, positive locking protection since retaining ring  16  is locked in position, and male fastener  20  is thus not removable from the safety device  10  unless unlocked by key  28 . 
     In operation, finger or thumb pressure on tab  14  causes the rotation of tab  14  and rotation of retaining ring  16 , so that latch hook  18  engages the shank of holster safety strap fastener  20  (see FIG.  2 ), when it is inserted into the receptacle of female receptacle  25  through hole  26  in the center of flange  12 , to hold it securely within hook  18 . This constitutes a second level of safety and security against unauthorized access to firearm  23 . 
     When security device  24  is locked by key  28 , finger tab  14  will not operate, as ring  16  cannot be rotated and thus latch hook  18  cannot be released from the narrow shank of fastener  20 , and the firearm  23  is thus unable to be drawn from the holster, being primarily restrained by safety strap  22 . Thus, the combination of cylinder lock  30  and latch hook  18  provides an even higher level of protection against quick grabs or unauthorized access. 
     Retaining ring  16  is seated firmly in end cap  38 , and thus both parts are in direct surface-to-surface contact during any movement of ring  16 . When retaining ring  16  is rotated by operation of finger tab  14 , ball-stop  44 , which protrudes from the surface of end cap  38 , encounters a small stop-hole  46  machined into ring  16 . This contact provides touch-sensitive feedback since the adjacent surfaces are in such tight contact that any resistance is immediately felt. This is a convenient and useful way to know when to stop applying pressure on finger tab  14  and when to use key  28  to lock security device  10 . 
     A plurality of fastener means, such as a threaded screw  48 , inserted in flange hole  50 , is used to hold cylinder lock  30  and its related components securely fixed between end cap  38  and flange  12  to form assembled security device  10 . Hole  52  is provided in flange  12  for attaching a protective cover  54  in accordance with the arrangement indicated in FIG.  2 . 
     In an optional modification, the operation of finger-operated tab  14  may be electrically controlled, by an actuator  56 , via element  57 , which moves tab  14  in response to an actuation signal, thereby causing rotation of retaining ring  16  and latching/unlatching action of latch hook  18 , when tab  14  is rotated parallel to the circumference of, and in the plane of, the retaining ring  16 . 
     FIG. 1C depicts a number of possible locations A-E where a finger-tab  14  may be suitably connected to retaining ring  16  so as to mechanically operate integrally formed latch hook  18  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     Finger-tab  14  may be of any suitable length for the finger operation, and optionally, it may be constructed to be short and hence of low-profile. With appropriate modification of holster  24 , this design reduces the risk of making public the security features incorporated in the holster. Tab  14  in this optional embodiment is less obvious than usual, since its low profile brings it very close to the body of the wearer and hence makes it more difficult for would-be gun snatchers to succeed in finding and operating the finger tab  14  without the direct knowledge of the wearer. 
     FIG. 2 depicts an exploded isometric view of the various components and parts of assembled security device  10  of the present invention, in relation to their mounting in a typical holster  24 . 
     Security device  10 , in its assembled form, is placed so as to align fastener hole  60  and flange hole  26  where male fastener  20  and female receptacle  25  meet. Security device  10  is mounted against holster  24  and surrounded by a spacing gasket  62  which is provided with a minimum cut-out portion in its upper perimeter, so as to allow a small degree of freedom of rotation of finger tab  14 , slightly above the edge of holster  24 , in a preferred embodiment. 
     Security device  10  is covered by protective cover  54 , which may be composed of any suitable material, such as leather, cloth, metal, plastic, or molded rubber, but in a preferred embodiment, cover  54  is made of leather and nylon cloth to match the material used in the construction of holster  24 , thus enabling security device  10  to be enclosed by stitching, gluing or any other method known to makers of holsters. A decorative fastener cap  64  is inserted into the hollow space in female receptacle  25  which protrudes through hole  26  provided for this purpose in cover  54 , the whole being secured as a unit by the use of a joining rivet  66  which is inserted to pass through cover  54  and joined firmly within hole  68  in flange  12  of security device  10 . 
     The invention is attached to holster  24  on its outer side so as to be accessible for ease of insertion of key  28  when holster  24  is worn on either flank of a wearer. When worn in the usual manner, the holster is usually snugly fitted to the body by a belt (not shown) fitted through slots  70 , so that finger tab  14  is also held against the body. This makes it generally difficult for a stranger to see tab  14 , even if not of short size, and at the very least, more unlikely that an unauthorized person will succeed in trying to grab the firearm  23  from its holster  24  even when not locked by key  28 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view of the operation of security device  10  (not seen) of the present invention using a typical holster  24  and firearm  23  seated therein, highlighting a few of the security and anti-theft features of the present invention. 
     Male fastener  20  attached to safety strap  22  of holster  24  is drawn over the rearward portion of firearm  23  (arrow “X”) which is firmly seated in holster  24 , and fastened together with its female receptacle  25  (located under cap  64 ) where it is held in place by finger tab  14  rotation (arrow “Y”) and action of latch hook  18  (shown in FIG. 2) which engages male fastener  20  by its narrow shank. Key  28  is then inserted into the keyhole in cylinder lock  30  which protrudes through the material of protective cover  54  enclosing security device  10 . Since safety strap  22  of holster  24  is immovably locked within the security device, unauthorized withdrawal from holster  24  or accidental firing of firearm  23  is effectively prevented. In the preferred embodiment shown, protective cover  54  is stitched to holster  24  to give it a finished appearance. 
     Rotating key  28  in the opposite direction in lock  30 , releases pin  32  from recess  36 , and by finger operation of tab  14 , latch hook  18  disengages from the shank of male fastener  20 , allowing it to be released, thus freeing strap  22  which in turn allows withdrawal of firearm  23 . 
     Optionally, using only the safety strap  22  and latch hook  18 , the invention can be operated without locking with key  28 , to permit time-saving removal of firearm  23  by the wearer of the holster  24  in those situations requiring it, without sacrificing firearm  23  safety. 
     Refer ring now to FIGS. 4A-B, there are depicted respectively, isometric and detail views of a typical holster, and firearm seated therein, featuring an optional trigger lock feature of the present invention. 
     The trigger lock feature is provided by a shaft  75  connected at one end to retaining ring  16 , and having an elbow  76  attached to its free end. As shown in the detail view of FIG. 4B, when finger tab  14  is moved downward, retaining ring  16  rotates so that latch hook  18  engages male fastener  20 , while the free end of shaft  75  extends downwards into trigger housing  78 . Elbow  76  assumes a folded position behind trigger  80 , and presents an obstruction to the depression of trigger  80 , thereby providing a safety feature against possible attempts to pull trigger  80  while firearm  23  is seated in holster  24 . 
     Alternatively, a lateral finger tab  82  may be attached to shaft  75 , to enable downward motion by finger depression (arrow “Z”). 
     FIG. 5 depicts another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a slidable flange  84  having finger-operable end tabs  85  extending therefrom. A typically lower portion of flange  84  is formed with a latch hook  86  which engages male fastener  20  of holster safety strap  22 . Flange  84  has a hole  88  formed therein to accommodate the extended pin  32  of cylinder lock  30  (mounted behind flange  84 ) which is used to lock slidable flange  84  in a fixed position in accordance with this preferred embodiment. With appropriate modifications of holster  23 , which are within the skill of the art, slidable flange  84  is employed in place of finger tab  14 , retaining ring  16 , and latch hook  18 . The actuator  56  (FIG. 1B) can be adapted in a manner known to those skilled in the art to electromechanically operate slidable flange  84 . 
     Flange  84  may be constructed of any suitable, rigid or semi-rigid material encased within the holster, and operates by moving in a horizontal direction, right or left, so that latch hook  86  located on its lower portion engages and locks onto the shank of male fastener  20 . Slidable flange  84  can also be locked in position using cylinder lock  30  as previously described. 
     FIG. 6 depicts yet another preferred embodiment of a holster security device, using a horizontally movable latching mechanism  90  with a sliding, clasp-type slot  92 . With appropriate modifications of holster  23 , which are within the skill of the art, latching mechanism  90  is employed in place of finger tab  14 , retaining ring  16 , and latch hook  18 . By sliding motion, latching mechanism  90  engages the shank of male fastener  20  of safety strap  22 , thereby restraining safety strap  22 , and securing firearm  23  in holster  24  (as per FIG.  3 ). 
     When moved in the opposite horizontal direction, the wider end of clasp-type slot  92  moves so as to provide sufficient clearance to permit withdrawal of fastener  20  from slot  92 , thereby freeing holster safety strap  22 , and enabling withdrawal of firearm  23  from holster  24 . 
     As before, actuator  56  (FIG. 1B) can be adapted in a manner known to those skilled in the art to electromechanically operate latching mechanism  90 . 
     Having described the invention with regard to certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, since further modifications may now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the following claims.