Abstract:
A firearm holster for securely housing a firearm that is also configured so that a firearm housed in the holster can be rotated out of the holster with minimal effort. The firearm holster is also preferably easily attachable in a concealed manner to ballistics clothing.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/013,268 entitled “Firearm Holster” which was filed on Jun. 17, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to the field of firearms holsters. More particularly, this disclosure relates to concealable firearm holsters configured for removable attachment to ballistics protective wear. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Firearm holsters are apparatuses for holding firearms on a person via a belt or other clothing item. Holsters typically include a shaft in which the muzzle end of a firearm is situated so that the firearm can be held in place on a person. Because of the use of a shaft, a firearm situated in a holster must be removed in a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the storage shaft. 
         [0004]    When holsters are used in concealed locations such as, for example, on a ballistics vest, the removal pattern of a firearm from a traditional holster limits the places in which a holster may be located on a person so that the firearm can be easily removed. Because these limited positions are not necessarily ideal for concealing a firearm, it is desirable to have a functional holster that can be placed in other positions where a firearm can be more easily concealed. 
         [0005]    Another consideration for a firearm holster is the ability to maintain a firearm in a secured position so that the firearm does not move around in a holster while a person wearing the holster is moving. 
         [0006]    What is needed, therefore, is a holster that does not require that a firearm be removed via a motion parallel to the lengthwise orientation of the shaft of a holster. What is also needed is a holster that securely holds a firearm in place while a person wearing the holster is moving. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A firearm holster is disclosed, the firearm holster including a primary layer and a pocket in which a firearm can be placed, wherein the primary layer further includes a cutout extending along a portion of the central axis of the primary layer such that a firearm can be rotated out of the pocket; the firearm holster further including a first attachment layer attached along a first surface of the primary layer. The firearm holster may further include a second attachment layer attached along a second surface of the primary layer. In one embodiment, the first attachment layer includes hook and loop fastener material. The primary layer is preferably made from a substantially rigid material and preferably a polymer-based material. 
         [0008]    The primary layer of the firearm holster described above may further include a first long flap including the first surface and a second long flap including a second surface wherein the first long flap and the second long flap are attached together forming a protrusion with a large surface area for attachment to ballistics clothing. The primary layer may further include a first short flap including a portion of the first surface and a second short flap including a portion of the second surface wherein the first short flap and the second short flap form a trigger guard cover to laterally cover the trigger guard section of a firearm stored in the firearm holster but wherein the first short flap and the second short flap are not attached together so as to leave the trigger guard cover open along the edges of the first short flap and the second short flap such that a firearm can be easily rotated out of the pocket. In one embodiment, the second attachment layer includes hook and loop fastener material. 
         [0009]    The firearm holster described above may further include an indentation at a location approximately between where the first long flap meets the first short flap and the second long flap meets the second short flap wherein the trigger guard of a firearm can be wedged in the indentation to firmly secure a firearm to the holster. In one embodiment the edge of the first short flap and the edge of the second short flap are flush with a trigger guard of a firearm when a firearm is housed in the firearm holster. 
         [0010]    A ballistics garment is disclosed, the ballistics garment including a firearm holster attached to the ballistics garment, the firearm holster including a primary layer wherein the primary layer a cutout extending along a portion of the central axis of the primary layer such that a firearm can be rotated out of the pocket; the firearm holster further including a first attachment layer attached along a first surface of the primary layer. 
         [0011]    The primary layer of the ballistics garment may further include a first long flap including the first surface and a second long flap including a second surface wherein the first long flap and the second long flap are attached together forming a protrusion with a large surface area for attachment to ballistics clothing. The firearm holster of the ballistics garment may further include a second attachment layer attached along the second surface of the primary layer. 
         [0012]    The primary layer of the ballistics garment may further include a first short flap including a portion of the first surface and a second short flap including a portion of the second surface wherein the first short flap and the second short flap form a trigger guard cover to laterally cover the trigger guard section of a firearm stored in the firearm holster but wherein the first short flap and the second short flap are not attached together so as to leave the trigger guard cover open along the edges of the first short flap and the second short flap such that a firearm can be easily rotated out of the pocket. 
         [0013]    The summary provided herein is intended to provide examples of particular disclosed embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosure in any way. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a primary layer of a firearm holster as described herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a first side view of a firearm holster as described herein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a second side view of a firearm holster as described herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a first perspective view of an embodiment of a firearm holster as described herein including a firearm for reference; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a second perspective view of the firearm holster shown in  FIG. 4  and as described herein wherein a firearm is shown stored in the firearm holster; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a third perspective view of the firearm holster shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , and as described herein wherein a firearm is shown stored in the firearm holster; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a first end view of the firearm holster as described herein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows a second end view of the firearm holster as described herein; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the firearm holster as described herein; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows a bottom view of the firearm holster as described herein; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the firearm holster as described herein. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    The figures are provided to illustrate concepts of the invention disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosure to the exact embodiments provided in the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Some of these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. The definitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words being defined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If the definition of any term below diverges from the commonly understood and/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions below control. 
         [0028]    The term “hook and loop” is defined as one or both surfaces known as hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners (and sometimes commonly referred to as Velcro™ brand material). It is contemplated that a hook surface can be substituted for a loop surface depending on the particular use or application for such material, and the description herein is not meant to limit the way hook and loop materials may be used to accomplish the advantages of the invention described herein. When the phrase “hook and loop” is used herein, it should be understood in the disjunctive (i.e., “hook and/or loop”). 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1-3  show various views of an embodiment of a firearm holster.  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a firearm holster  10  with a firearm  12  being partially rotated out of the holster  10 .  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  show views of a firearm holster  10  with a firearm stored inside the holster.  FIGS. 7-11  show various additional views of the embodiment of a firearm holster  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The holster  10  includes a primary layer  14  preferably made of a rigid polymeric material. The primary layer  14  provides structure and support for other parts and features of the holster  10 . For example, a first attachment layer (including, e.g., hook and loop fastener material)  16  is attached adjacent the primary layer  14  along a first surface  18  of the primary layer  14 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a second attachment layer  20  is attached adjacent the primary layer  14  along a second surface  22  of the primary layer  14 . The attachment layers are preferably connected adjacent the primary layer  14  by an adhesive. However, other mechanical attachment methods are contemplated. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  shows the primary layer  14  in one embodiment prior to it being folded along line A-A to form the holster  10 . In alternative embodiments, the primary layer  14  may be made without the need for folding primary layer  14  including the use of injection molding or other techniques that form the holster  10  without the need for folding. When viewing the primary layer  14  in  FIG. 1  prior to folding, numerous features can be seen including a first long flap  24 A and a first short flap  26 A including the first surface  18  thereon and a cutout  28  along line A-A. At the right side of  FIG. 1  can be seen a second long flap  24 B and a second short flap  26 B including the second surface  22  thereon and a sweat guard  30 . When folded, the first long flap  24 A and the second long flap  24 B are attached together by screws, rivets, an adhesive or other attachment method known to persons having ordinary skill in the art to form a pocket  29  in which a firearm can be stored. 
         [0031]    The rigid polymeric material (e.g., plastic) allows for a firearm to be holstered using only one hand and without the holster  10  collapsing in on itself. In this way, a firearm may be easily re-holstered after it has been removed from the holster  10 . The first attachment layer  16  attached along the first surface  18  of the primary layer  14  allows the holster  10  to be attached to the front of a ballistics vest (e.g., via hook and loop material that is often already on such vests). The second attachment layer  20  on the second surface  22  of the primary layer  14  allows a user to attach a vest securing strap, common on many ballistic vests, to the holster  10  if needed. In a preferred embodiment, discussed in more detail below, a small piece of hook and loop material is attached to the strap itself to provide a convenient way to secure such strap against the holster to prevent such strap from interfering with the drawing or re-holstering of a firearm. 
         [0032]    When a firearm is in the holster  10  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the holster  10  effectively curves around such firearm. The holster  10  preferably includes a full sweat guard  30  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 . The full sweat guard  30  also allows for more secure mounting to body armor or other surface because of the increased surface area on which attachment material (e.g., hook and loop fastening material, adhesive, or other tacky substance) can be applied to the primary layer  14 . The primary layer  14  preferably includes a protrusion  32  formed by the first long flap  24 A and the second long flap  24 B being attached together that extends substantially parallel to the grip of a firearm (i.e., when a firearm is holstered within the holster) wherein the protrusion  32  allows for a sturdier mounting platform so that there is limited rocking of the holster  10  when the holster  10  is attached adjacent an object such as, for example, a ballistics vest. The protrusion  32  also allows the holster  10  to be mounted further up on a ballistics vest but still have a large amount of surface to still be attached to attachment material on the vest including, for example, the first attachment layer  16  and the second attachment layer  20 . The protrusion  32  preferably includes one or more rivets  34  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1  to hold the first long flap  24 A and the second long flap  24 B together that form the protrusion  32  of the holster  10 . 
         [0033]    The primary layer  14  extends around a firearm forming a trigger guard cover  36 , to preferably fully cover a firearm trigger guard  38  from the sides (i.e., laterally) as shown for example in  FIG. 5 . Preferably, the primary layer  14 , as wrapped around a firearm trigger guard, includes an indentation  40  that allows a firearm trigger guard  38  to be wedged in place within the indentation  40  but still allow for such firearm to be pulled or rotated out by a user using limited force. The indentation  40  is located approximately between where the first long flap  24 A meets the first short flap  26 A and where the second long flap  24 B meets the second short flap  26 B. Preferably, the trigger guard cover  36  is open and flush with the trigger guard of a holstered weapon (see, e.g., the trigger guard  38  shown in  FIG. 5 ). Because of the open trigger guard cover  36 , a holstered firearm can be easily rotated out of the holster  10 . The convenient rotating motion removal technique is also made possible by the presence of the cutout  28  on the front, top of the holster  10  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The cutout  28  and the open bottom of the trigger guard cover  36  provide clearance for the front of a firearm and the trigger guard of a firearm, respectively, to be rotated out of the holster  10  (as opposed to requiring a pull motion to pull a firearm out of a holster linearly along the lengthwise direction of the shaft of a holster). 
         [0034]    The muzzle of a holstered firearm preferably fits flush with a front end  42  of the holster  10  to cut down on any part that can cause wear or discomfort to a user while the holster  10  is attached to body armor or other clothing material. Different versions of the holster  10  as described herein are preferably formed to specifically fit to the contours of varying types and makes of handguns. The sweat guard  30  is cut low enough to allow a user to easily grab the rear sight portion of a firearm when drawing or re-holstering a firearm. A back side  44  of the holster  10 , including the second surface  22 , is preferably made as flat as possible to maximize contact surface area of the hook and loop material. 
         [0035]    Preferably, a retention screw  46  is located near the indentation  40  to enable a user to widen or narrow the indentation to thereby adjust the size of the space where a firearm trigger guard is wedged within the indentation so as to provide a tighter or looser fight depending on a user&#39;s preference. 
         [0036]    The previously described embodiments of the present disclosure have many advantages, including, inter alia, the ability to easily rotate a firearm out of the holster  10  due to the open trigger guard cover  36  and cutout  28  adjacent where the muzzle end of a firearm would be located in the holster  10 ; and the protrusion  32  which allows the holster  10  to be mounted at a very high location on, for example, a ballistics vest and wherein such mounting is made more stable by the additional surface area covered by hook and loop fastener material or other attachment material. This latter advantage is particularly important for female users. The unique features of the holster described herein are particularly helpful for concealed use under a police, private security or military uniform, attached to a ballistics vest. 
         [0037]    Another aspect that makes the holster described herein different from other holsters is that it includes a substantially rigid polymer in the overall body of the holster wherein such rigid polymer allows easy re-holstering. 
         [0038]    The retention of the trigger guard of a firearm at the indentation  40  allows for a gun to be held tightly in place while a user is doing strenuous activities but still allow a firearm to be easily removed with limited force. The front and back of the holster preferably has hook and loop material to allow for a secure attachment to a vest or other ballistics clothing. 
         [0039]    The protrusion  32  described herein allows for a very stable mounting platform on a ballistics vest because it provides a large surface area for use of hook and loop fastener material or other fastener material. 
         [0040]    In use, the concealable firearm holster  10  functions to hold a small handgun in a concealed position on a ballistics vest under a uniform. The holster can also be secured to any other surface with hook and loop material such as, for example, under a night stand, in the center console of a vehicle, or under another garment. 
         [0041]    An interesting feature of the concealable ballistics vest holster is its ability to be mounted anywhere on the hook and loop material portion of a ballistics vest. This is because the back of the holster is substantially covered in hook and loop material (specifically the hook portion). The majority of ballistics vests are covered in the loop portion of material. 
         [0042]    An interesting feature of the concealable ballistics vest holster  10  is its ability to keep any straps of an adjacent ballistics vest from impeding access to or otherwise interfering with operation of the holster and any associated firearm. The second attachment layer  20  allows a strap of an adjacent vest to be attached securely to the holster  10  surface to keep such strap from impeding access to or otherwise interfering with operation of the holster and any associated firearm. As such, a related embodiment is disclosed including a ballistics vest including one or more straps, wherein the one or more straps include a hook and/or loop fastener surface for removable attachment to the second attachment layer  20  of the holster  10 . 
         [0043]    Another interesting feature of the concealable ballistics vest holster is its ability to allow a concealed firearm to be drawn upwards out of the holster or rotated out of the holster. This is because of the tension on a holstered firearm trigger guard created at the indentation  40  in which a firearm trigger guard may be wedged. Retention of a holstered firearm is made possible by the primary layer  14  of the holster  10  effectively sandwiching the front of a trigger guard of a holstered firearm and wrapping around a portion of such trigger guard. The trigger guard is open at the bottom to allow no interference to rotate a firearm out of the holster. 
         [0044]    Another feature of the concealable ballistics vest holster is its ability allow a firearm to be re-holstered due to the ridged form of the primary layer  14 --the rigid material keeps its shape and the holster is thereby prevented from collapsing. 
         [0045]    The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.