Abstract:
A holster for a handgun having an open “U” shape body and or having one or multiple spring loaded self-closing doors/flaps connected to the holster body by pivots, thereby defining a cavity for receiving and holding a handgun, allowing the handgun to be drawn in multiple directions, a thumb/finger enagaging lever with a connecting nib member that extends through the trigger guard of the handgun and has a pivot connection to the holster body for securing a handgun within the cavity/pocket of the holster, a finger enagaging cover guard encloses the finger engaging lever/button, obstructing unauthorized observation of the action of operating the finger engaging lever/button.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed generally to a holster for a weapon such as a pistol/handgun. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a holster with an open “U” shape holster body and/or having one or multiple spring loaded self-closing flaps/doors connected to the front and/or rear of the holster where it would be mounted to the user allowing the handgun to be easily removed from the holster in a forward, backward, upward or downward direction. The holster of the present invention has a rotating guard retention system for securing a handgun such that the handgun is restrained in the holster by means of a nib member going through the trigger guard of the handgun and a finger engaging guard which prevents unauthorized observation of the finger engaging lever being engaged. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Various devices have been employed to secure the gun in the holster and prevent unauthorized access, such as cover flaps, restraining straps, spring mechanisms, and custom molded holsters. While these devices have generally been effective in discouraging unauthorized access to officer&#39;s and military personnel handguns, they become obstacles which the military and law enforcement will have to overcome such as unlocking the handgun multiple times and pulling up on the handgun to withdraw. A telegraphing motion takes place, while drawing of the firearm by means of having the user of the holster unlock handgun from the holster and to pull the handgun up or out from the holster to perform a draw. 
         [0003]    Some holsters rely on a friction fit between the gun and the holster to secure the handgun in place. Other holsters rely on guards that hold the handgun in place, while most holsters rely on an upward motion to withdraw the handgun from the holster. These types of holsters are generally not suitable for situations where the handgun is subject to a great deal of movement because such movement could cause the handgun to lose friction engagement with the holster and allow the handgun to become dislodged from the holster. 
         [0004]    Generally, with holster designs that rely on straps, flaps and guard arrangements to retain the handgun in the holster, the user must first unfasten and/or rotate the strap or unfasten and open a flap or guard and second pull up before the handgun can be withdrawn. 
         [0005]    At least five other designs provide alternative methods for restraining a handgun in a holster: Serpa, U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,784 issued Jul. 6, 1999 and Kincaid, Publication No. US2009/0321480A1 filled date Jun. 30, 2008. The Serpa and Kincaid designs provide a rigid holster having retention devices that engages the trigger guard of a handgun in order to retain a handgun in the holster. These designs, however, create some disadvantages. 
         [0006]    First among these disadvantages is the Serpa holster, which only has the option of drawing the gun in an upward motion while removing the handgun from the holster. Second, the Kincaid holster includes a number of retention devices that hold the handgun in place but require of a number of steps to unlock the handgun from the holster and withdraw the handgun in a upward or outward direction thus increasing the time required to withdrawal the handgun from the holster and aim at the target. 
         [0007]    Third, handgun users must be able to quickly and easily remove the handgun from its holster regardless of the type of holster used or the location of the holster. Additionally, users need to be assured that, when not in use, the handgun will remain safely in the holster. Of greater importance, the user must be able to quickly secure or draw the weapon at a moment&#39;s notice. 
         [0008]    These holsters mentioned above all require the user of the handgun to pull up or pull out in an upward motion to withdraw the handgun from the holster. These methods are often not preferred because of the time that is required to pull the handgun up or out from the holster versus drawing the handgun in a forward motion. 
         [0009]    Designs providing a front draw holster include Shoemaker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,653 issued May 28, 1991, Bianchi, U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,007 issued Jul. 7, 1981 and Villwock, U.S. Pat. No. 3,008,617 issued Nov. 14, 1961. The Shoemaker design provides a front draw holster having a “U” shape holster body and a restraining strap, which goes over the handgun to restrain the handgun. The Bianchi holster design provides a holster with an open “U” shape body having a retention strap with nib member, which restrains the handgun in the holster. The Villwock design provides a front draw holster by mean of using magnetic snap fasteners on the front doors to hold the handgun in the holster. These designs, however, create some disadvantages. 
         [0010]    One of the disadvantages of the Shoemaker design would be that the user would have to move the strap, flap or guard before the handgun can be re-holstered, typically causing the user to look down at the holster and take his or her eyes off of a possible target. Then, once the handgun has been re-holstered, the user must physically reposition and refasten the strap, flap or guard before the handgun is securely retained within the holster. 
         [0011]    Disadvantages of the Bianchi design would be that the user would have to look down at the holster, taking the eyes off the target to remove the retention strap to withdraw the handgun from the holster. Then, once the handgun is to be re-holstered, the user must physically remove the retention strap in order to lock the handgun in the holster. 
         [0012]    Disadvantages of the Villwock design would be the front door having snap fasteners that would interfere with the drawing of the handgun due to the snap fasteners getting caught on the edges of a handgun. Also, the Villwock holster design does not include a retention device to secure the handgun to the holster, preventing unauthorized access. Then, once the handgun is to be re-holstered, the user must physically close front doors and snap the fasteners into their sockets in order to enclose the handgun in the holster. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is the object and advantage of the present invention to provide a handgun holster with a open “U” shape body having one or multiple spring loaded self-closing doors/flaps, which are designed to allow the handgun to be enclosed in the holster pocket and to be released forward or in multiple directions from the user/holster and closed after drawing the holstered firearm. The holster of the present invention offers the user the ability to unlock the handgun and to draw the handgun in a forward, backwards, downwards or upward direction. This is made possible by having one or multiple spring loaded self-closing doors/flaps mounted or fixed to the front/rear of the handgun/holster, eliminating the requirement of pulling up/out motion, as found in most prior art. 
         [0014]    It is the object and advantage of the present invention to provide a handgun holster that allows the user to not only to pull up or pull out the handgun from the holster but also to allow the handgun to be drawn in multiple directions wherein the holster would have an open “U” shape holster body where the front or rear of the handgun is exposed, or have one or multiple spring loaded self-closing door/flap connected to the front or rear of the holster to form a pocket/cavity to enclose the handgun in the holster. 
         [0015]    It is the object and advantage of the present invention to provide a handgun holster with a thumb engaging lever/button located on the inner side wall between the user and the holster which is engaged by the users thumb to release the handgun so it can be withdrawn in multiple directions away from the holster and/or have a finger engaging lever/button located on the outer side of the holster, where it can be engaged by the user&#39;s finger to release the handgun so it can be withdrawn in multiple directions away from the holster, where it would be mounted to a duty belt, ankle holster, leg/thigh holster, and chest, shoulder/armpit holster. The holster of the present invention also may include a finger engaging guard, which prevents unauthorized observation of and access to the finger engaging lever when it is being engaged. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The illustrative embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1A  shows an outer side view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster wherein a handgun is enclosed in a cavity/pocket of the holster. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  shows an outer view of illustrative embodiments of the holster being drawn in a forward motion away from the holster with a spring-loaded self-closing door/flap in the open position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1C  shows an inner view of the first illustrative embodiment of the holster wherein the handgun is being drawn in a forward motion away from the holster. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1D  shows an inner view of the illustrative embodiments of the holster wherein the handgun is inserted into the holster cavity or pocket and the spring-loaded self-closing door/flap are in the closed position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  shows a front view of the first illustrative embodiment of the holster with the thumb engaging lever and multiple spring-loaded self-closing doors/flaps connected to the front. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  shows a rear view of the illustrative embodiments of the holster with a thumb engaging lever located on the inner side of the holster. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  shows an inner view of the illustrative embodiments of the holster with a thumb engaging lever and the spring-loaded self-closing door/flap in the closed position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  shows an inner view of an illustrative embodiment of the shoulder/armpit holster wherein the handgun is being drawn in a downward direction. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3C  shows an outer side view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster wherein the handgun is inserted into the shoulder/armpit holster with the spring-loaded door/flap in the closed position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3D  shows an outer side view, of an illustrative embodiment of the shoulder/armpit holster wherein the handgun is being drawn in a downward motion. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the shoulder/armpit holster. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4B  shows a rear view of an illustrative embodiment of the shoulder/armpit holster. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5A  shows the outer side view of the illustrative embodiments of the holster with a finger engaging lever and spring-loaded self-closing door/flap in the closed position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5B  shows the outer side view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster wherein a handgun is inserted into the holster with a finger engaging lever guard and a spring-loaded self-closing door/flap in the closed position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  shows a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster with a finger engaging lever with a connecting nib member which goes through the trigger guard area, and a finger engaging guard adjacent to the finger engaging lever or button with multiple spring loaded self-closing doors/flaps. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6B  shows a rear view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster with rear view of the finger engaging lever guard. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  shows an inner view of the illustrative embodiments of the holster with a handgun inserted into the holster with a thumb engaging lever with a spring-loaded self-closing door/flap in the closed position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8A  shows a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster with one spring-loaded self-closing door/flap in the closed position and a thumb engaging lever on the inner side of the holster. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8B  shows a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster with one spring loaded self-closing door/flap with a finger engaging lever and a finger engaging lever guard illustrated in dashed lines. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9A  shows a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster with two spring-loaded self-closing door/flap in the closed position and a thumb engaging lever on the inner side of the holster. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9B  shows a top view of the illustrative embodiments of the holster with one spring-loaded self-closing door/flap in the closed position and a finger engaging lever on the inner side of the holster and a finger engaging lever guard illustrated in dashed lines. 
           [0038]      FIG. 10A  shows a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster with an open “U” shape body with a thumb engaging lever or button on the inner side of the holster. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10B  shows a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the holster with an open “U” shape body, with a finger engaging lever or button located on the outer side of the holster along with the finger engaging lever guard illustrated in dashed lines. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11A  shows the thumb engaging lever. 
           [0041]      FIG. 11B  shows the finger engaging lever. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    For simplicity and clarity, the design factors and operating principles of the fast draw security holster  100  are explained with reference to various illustrated embodiments of a fast draw holster  100 , according to this invention. The basic explanation of the design factors and operating principles of the fast draw security holster  100 , is applicable for the understanding, design, and operation of the fast draw security holster of this invention. 
         [0043]    Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity, the embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to a semiautomatic-type handgun  2 F, being secured within the present fast draw security holster  100 . However, it should be appreciated that the operating principles of the fast draw security holster  100  of this invention may also be employed to construct holsters or holders for any revolver  2 F, semiautomatic-type handgun  2 F, edged weapon, less than lethal product (i.e., a taser, pepper spray, mace canister, baton, or the like), or other device, so long as these items have an appropriate edge, surface, or void that may be engaged. 
         [0044]    Furthermore, it is also within the scope of the present invention that the fast draw security holster  100  may be employed as a holder for tactical accessories, such as ammunition magazines and/or flashlights, as well as for everyday items such as cell phones, personal digital assistants, or the like. 
         [0045]    It should also be appreciated that the terms “handgun  2 F”, “handgun holster  100 ”, “fast draw security holster  100 ” and “weapon  2 F” are used for basic explanation and understanding of the operation of the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention. Therefore, the terms “gun”, “handgun”, “handgun holster”, “fast draw security holster” and “weapon” are not to be construed as limiting the systems, methods, apparatuses, or applications of this invention. 
         [0046]    The holster  100 , of the present invention, having a body formed by an inner side wall  2 J, an outer side wall  2 K, and a rear wall  2 M, to form a open “U” shape holster  100 , body or have one or multiple torsion spring-loaded  2 E, self-closing doors/flaps  2 D, joined together by a pin/rod  2 E 1 , connected to the front of the holster  100 , to form a cavity/pocket  2 H. The finger grove  2 A and a finger guide  2 B are formed in the outer side wall  2 K, where the finger engaging lever/button  2 C, is mounted to the outer side wall  2 K of the Holster  100 . The finger engaging retention lever/button  2 C is formed with a spring groove  2 C 4 , and is mounted to the outer side wall  2 K, of the holster  100  body by means of a pin/rod  2 C 5 , in conjunction with a torsion spring  2 C 3 , to be functional by means of pivoting or rotating. The holster  100  has formed screw receiving holes  2 L, to allow a belt/strap receiving back/hip plate  2 P, with belt/strap receiving slots  2 O, to be mounted to the inner side wall  2 J. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 1-10B , show various views of a first, illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of a fast draw security holster  100 , having a retention device/system  2 C, and an open “U” shape and/or having one or multiple spring loaded self-closing doors/flaps  2 D, mounted to the front and/or rear  2 M, of the handgun  2 F, according to this invention. It should be appreciated that, in various exemplary embodiments, the fast draw security holster  100  is adapted to retain a semiautomatic-type handgun  2 F, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5  and  7 . Generally, semiautomatic type handguns  2 F, include a slide, a frame, and a hammer and/or firing mechanism and have a front, or muzzle, end and a back, or hammer/firing pin, end. The slide generally includes a barrel, while the frame generally includes a grip, a trigger guard, and a trigger. The trigger guard includes an inner surface, which defines an area wherein the trigger is located and allows a user&#39;s finger access to the trigger, and an outer surface, which defines the outer perimeter of the trigger guard. 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10B , the fast draw security holster includes a holster body defining a cavity for receiving and holding the handgun. The cavity  2 H may be formed from any number or combination of walls, including, for example, a “U” shape wall with an open front portion and/or one or multiple spring-loaded self-closing doors/flaps  2 D, mounted to the front or rear  2 M, of the handgun  2 F. Alternatively, the cavity  2 H may be formed by a material shaped or bent substantially in a “U” shape. Thus, the cavity may be formed by any cavity  2 H, space, or platform that is capable of retaining an appropriate portion of the handgun  2 F. 
         [0049]    In various illustrative embodiments, the holster  100  body comprises at least a pair of opposed side walls comprising a first side wall  2 K, and a second side wall  2 J. Typically, the first side wall  2 K is considered the outer side of the holster  100 , and is worn away from the user&#39;s body, while the second side wall  2 J, is considered the inner side of the holster  100 , and is worn against or adjacent to the user&#39;s body. 
         [0050]    The holster  100  body may further comprise a front wall  2 D, and/or a rear wall  2 M, having one or multiple spring loaded doors/flaps  2 D connected to the front and/or rear of the holster. Optionally, the front wall  2 D, and/or the rear wall  2 M may comprise extended portions of the first side wall  2 K, and/or the second side wall  2 J. 
         [0051]    It should also be appreciated that the holster  100  may be formed such that one or more of the first side wall  2 K, the second side wall  2 J, and/or the one or multiple spring loaded self-closing doors/flaps  2 D, work as a wall mounted in the front and/or the rear  2 M of the holster  100 . The one or multiple spring-loaded self-closing doors/flaps  2 D work as a wall, and will be sufficient to define the cavity  2 H, for receiving the handgun  2 F. 
         [0052]    Alternatively, the walls of the holster  100  may be contoured or shaped to better accommodate a specific type or model of handgun  2 F, or other item to be retained within the holster  100 . 
         [0053]    The body and other parts of the holster  100  may be formed of any appropriate durable material or combinations thereof for example, a polymeric material or a polymeric composite. Alternate materials of construction may include one or more of the following: leather, steel, aluminum, titanium, and/or other metals, as well as various alloys and composites thereof, glass-hardened polymers, polymer or fiber reinforced metals, carbon fiber or glass fiber composites, continuous fibers in combination with thermoset and thermoplastic resins, chopped glass or carbon fibers used for injection molding compounds, laminate glass or carbon fiber, epoxy laminates, woven glass fiber laminates, impregnate fibers, polyester resins, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, polyimide resins, cyanate resins, high-strength plastics, nylon, glass, or polymer fiber reinforced plastics, thermoform and/or thermoset sheet materials, or the like, and/or various combinations of the foregoing. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 1-10B , a fast draw security holster  100 , is constructed in accordance with the present invention with a handgun  2 F disposed therein. The fast draw security holster  100  includes a holster  100 , body characterized as having an inner wall  2 J, an outer wall  2 K, a spring loaded self-closing front door/flap  2 D, or open front, a rear wall  2 M, and a closed or open bottom, which together cooperate to define a pocket/cavity  2 H, (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) for holding the handgun  2 F. The holster  100  body is typically molded or shaped so that the handgun  2 F, fits snugly in the pocket/cavity  2 H, formed by the walls, as illustrated in  FIG. 1-10B . The walls further cooperate to define an open top portion and a bottom portion. The handgun  2 F, is inserted into the holster  100  body through the open top portion such that a barrel of the handgun  2 F, is disposed substantially adjacent to the bottom portion of the holster  100 , body and the handle of the handgun  2 F extends upwardly from the open top portion. With the handgun  2 F disposed in the holster  100  body, a trigger guard of the gun abuts the rear wall  2 M, near the open top portion of the holster  100  body. The holster  100  body is attachable to a belt, ankle, or leg holster via a belt passing through receiving slots/holes  2 O, incorporated into the holster  100  body and belt receiving slots/holes  2 O, formed in a backing plate  2 P, as shown herein. The backing plate  2 P is typically secured to the inner wall  2 J, of the holster  100 , with a plurality of screws passing through a plurality of holes  2 L, in the holster  100 , next to the thumb locking release lever/button  2 C, as shown  FIGS. 1C and 1D . For use in shoulder fitting, holster  100  of the present invention, has loops  2 Q, attaching the holster  100 , via body straps to secure the holster  100 , to under the shoulder as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0055]    Holster  100  bodies as described above can be manufactured of various types of materials, and in shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of handguns  2 F or other devices.  FIG. 1-4B  shows a right hand holster  100  of the present invention;  FIG. 3-4B  shows a right hand shoulder version of the holster  100 .  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show right side views,  1 C and  1 D show left side views,  2 A and  2 B show front and back views, and  3 A and  3 B show right side views of shoulder holster  100 .  FIGS. 3C and 3D  show right side views, while  1 K and  1 L show front and back views of a shoulder-fitted version of holster  100 . Referring now to  FIG. 1-4B , the fast draw security holster  100 , of the present invention, is provided with a thumb engaging lever/button  2 C, located on the inner side wall  2 J, of the holster  100 , between the wearer and the holster  100 . Referring now to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 4 , in order to lock the handgun  2 F, in the holster  100  body when the handgun  2 F, is not in use, the thumb locking release lever/button  2 C, includes one or multiple nibs  2 G, of a projecting piece, part, or projection, of any appropriate size and shape, which is extendable through the trigger guard of the handgun  2 F, so as to secure the handgun  2 F in the cavity/pocket  2 H, of the holster  100 . Referring now to  FIG. 1-10B , the fast draw security holster  100 , of the present invention is provided with one or multiple spring loaded self-closing doors/flaps  2 D, which at any length of the holster  100 , allow closure to the handgun  2 F in the cavity/pocket  2 H of the holster  100 . 
         [0056]    As illustrated most clearly in  FIG. 1-10B , the holster  100 , includes a finger/thumb engaging lever/button  2 C, which is located on the outer side wall  2 K, or the inner side wall  2 J, which is connected to the holster  100 , by means of having a pin/rod  2 C 5 , in conjunction with a torsion spring  2 C 3 , to allow the finger/thumb engaging lever/button  2 C, to pivot/rotate in a manner to unlock the handgun  2 F, from the holster  100 , when engaged, and lock the handgun  2 F, when it is inserted into the cavity/pocket  2 H. The holster of the present invention also includes a finger guard/cover  21  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B ,  6 ,  8 B,  9 B and  10  B, which is constructed in a manner/method to enclose the finger engaging lever/button  2 C, obstructing unauthorized observation of the action of engagement of the finger engaging lever/button  2 C, which is located on the outer side wall adjacent to the spring loaded finger engaging lever/button  2 C. The holster  100 , illustrated in  FIG. 1-10B  also includes one or multiple spring loaded doors/flaps  2 D, to allow the handgun  2 F, to be enclosed in the holster  100 , cavity/pocket  2 H, and/or to be drawn in any direction away from the holster  100 , and the user. The holster  100 , of the present invention can comprise of an open “U” shape holster  100 , body as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The holster  100 , body can be formed with a finger groove  2 A, and a bottom finger guide  2 B, on the outer side wall  2 K, to allow the user&#39;s finger to be guided to the finger engaging lever/button  2 C, to draw the handgun  2 F, from the holster  100 . The holster body  100  may also be formed with a groove  2 N, to provide a clear area for the finger/thumb engaging lever/button  2 C, to pivot on a pin/rod  2 C 5 , and a torsion spring  2 C 3 , when that lever/button is actuated to lock or unlock the handgun  2 F.