Abstract:
A mechanical mechanism which allows a holster to firmly support and hold steady a pistol or revolver, allowing a smooth and quick release of this locking mechanism when required on the draw. This mechanical mechanism can grip the gun only on the trigger guard area, achieving a solid grip and smooth release by means of a sliding block formed around the shape of the front end of the trigger guard, which slides sideways out of the way as the gun is drawn upwards. Tension adjustment is achieved by applying more or less pressure on this sliding block as it moves up in its track, while the gun is drawn upwards. Total locking is achieved by means of a rotating lever, which locks the sliding block in place, preventing it from moving up at all, when securing the gun is required.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is in the field of weapon retention mechanism. More specifically, the present invention is a locking and quick release mechanism for hand gun holsters. 
         [0002]    In the field of competition holsters for Practical pistol shooting there are two main designs in use today: competition holsters with a muzzle support, and competition holsters without a muzzle support—such as our design. 
         [0003]    A range of holsters have been offered from the dawn of the handgun. The holsters known in the art vary considerably and can be grouped according to central themes. One such group is known as competition holsters with a muzzle support and another is known as trigger guard gripping systems. 
         [0004]    Several models of holsters with muzzle support are known in the art including manufacturers and products such as the “CR Speed WSII holster”, the “Arredondo holster” and the “Safariland 013 competition”. 
         [0005]    All of the above holsters commonly rely on a muzzle support to hold the handgun in the holster, and preventing the handgun from being inadvertently displaced (also known as “rocking forward” and “rocking backwards”). 
         [0006]    Holsters with muzzle support commonly secure the handgun in at least two points—around the trigger guard (as most competition holsters do) and below the muzzle. The below the muzzle support is commonly achieved by either a pin protruding into the muzzle area of the barrel or a cup type design for containing the slide and barrel around the muzzle area. 
         [0007]    Although such a configuration simplifies the design of the trigger guard gripping system, as this area no longer has to totally stabilize the gun—but rather much of that is achieved by the muzzle grip. 
         [0008]    A latent deficiency of holsters with muzzle supports is the need for such holsters to be considerably longer and at least longer than the gun barrel of the handgun. Such a long design is “clumsy” and is considered a disadvantage by competition shooters, who prefer holsters securing the trigger guard only. A further deficiency of muzzle support holsters includes the latent inability to fit a variety of barrel lengths without adjustment yielding an even larger and bulkier configuration. 
         [0009]    A further common design for competition can be grouped into competition holsters devoid of a muzzle support. Holsters devoid of a muzzle support are known in the art including manufacturers and products such as the “Ghost holster by Amadini”, the “Speed Sec holster by Hoppner &amp; Shumann”, the “Guga Ribas holster” and the “Stealth holster from Limcat”. 
         [0010]    The holsters in this group support the handgun by securing the trigger guard, allowing the entire gun to be exposed, creating a much more compact design, readily facilitating use of handguns having a multiplicity of barrel length without requiring any adjustments to the holster. 
         [0011]    A latent deficiency of such holsters is their inability to ready facilitate a stable platform for the handgun. Although, a variety of barrel lengths can be used without modification, all such holsters are “handgun specific” (one needs to buy a holster per handgun type). A further latent deficiency includes a relative instability such that handguns can still “rock slightly forward” and “rock backwards” in the holster, and thus the handgun is prone to falling out of the holster if inadvertently displaced in a variety of angles. Also, the varying positions of the gun is a disadvantage to the competition shooter when rapidly drawing the handgun for the holster. 
         [0012]    The shortcomings of the holsters known in the art include, among others, the following deficiencies for the holster designs detailed hereinbelow. 
         [0013]    The Ghost holster utilizes a plastic molded body[Saul, I believe there is a Ghost with an Aluminum body . . . ] and a system to situate the trigger guard which has two parts: a spring loaded metal ball, which protrudes into the front of the trigger guard to hold the gun in place wherein the metal ball can be locked by rotating an external lever. Thus, the handgun is secured for the purpose of preventing the handgun “falling out” of the Ghost holster. Nevertheless, without “locking” the handgun with the external lever, which also prevents the handgun from being drawn, the handgun is prone to “rocking forward” and “rocking back” in the holster. An attempt to resolve the problem is by providing a second locking mechanism with a cam shaped locking lever. In use, subsequent to the handgun being situated fully in the holster, the distal part of the trigger guard applies pressure on the “tip” of the cam, such that the “tail end” of the cam is rotated, thereby securing the bottom the edge perpendicular to the distal part of the trigger guard. 
         [0014]    The “double lock” mechanism of the Ghost holster secures the handgun and facilitates a relatively “smooth” draw. Nevertheless, the Ghost holster is devoid of a tension adjustment, which adversely affects the benefits of the Ghost holster. 
         [0015]    The Speedsec holster from Hoppner &amp; Shumann also utilizes a plastic molded body with a trigger guard retention mechanism. A rotating cam activated in response to a handgun being seated in the holster is provided. Like the Ghost holster, the distal end of the trigger guard rotateably displacing the cam such that a portion protrudes into the trigger guard, thereby securing the handgun. An external lever is also provided for locking the can until the handgun is drawn subsequent to releasing the locking lever. 
         [0016]    Thus, due to the Ghost holster being devoid of a tension adjustment to the draw, only “fully locked” and “fully loose” position can be achieved. Moreover, since the cam has to rotateably displace out of place the holster is incapable of offering a “snug” and “tight” position of securing the trigger guard. Furthermore, the locking mechanism of the Ghost holster is rotatably displaceable “in” and “out” of the trigger guard and thus the Ghost holster is “loose” around the area of the trigger guard and thus the locking mechanism does not circumvent instability of the handgun. 
         [0017]    Nevertheless, the Speedsec holster is also devoid of a tension adjustment, which adversely affects the benefits of the Speedsec holster. 
         [0018]    Thus, due to the Speedsec holster being devoid of a tension adjustment to the draw, only “fully locked” and “fully loose” position can be achieved. Moreover, since the cam has to rotateably displace out of place the holster is incapable of offering a “snug” and “tight” position of securing the trigger guard. Furthermore, the locking mechanism of the Speedsec holster is rotateably displaceable “in” and “out” of the trigger guard and thus the Ghost holster is “loose” around the area of the trigger guard and thus the locking mechanism does not circumvent instability of the handgun. 
         [0019]    There is therefore a need for a holster readily facilitating securing a handgun in a “snug” and “tight” position when securing the handgun in the holster and readily facilitating a substantially smooth and rapid draw of the handgun from the holster. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    This invention achieves the following goals:
       1. It allows a gun to be held securely and without any rocking in a holster design which grips only around the trigger-guard of the gun, without need for a muzzle support. This allows for a more compact holster design and a faster draw due to the short distance required to release the gun from the holster (approx 8 mm of upward motion before the gun is free of the holster)   2. It allows the gun to be release from the holster with a smooth and almost resistance free motion upward—however it will not allow the gun to come loose of the holster in any other direction but straight up.   3. It allows the tension of the draw to be adjusted by the user to suite his tastes and needs.   4. It allows the gun to be locked in the holster, by means of a safety lever which can be disengaged quickly and easily when needed.   5. It allows various guns to be used by changing the locking block assembly only.
 
Our holster&#39;s locking mechanism utilizes a sliding block system which achieves the goals listed above.
       
 
         [0026]    According to preferred embodiments of the present invention there is provided a holster including a sliding block wherein the sliding block include a first locking face for engaging a portion of a handgun trigger guard, and a bias attached to the sliding block. 
         [0027]    According to further embodiments of the present invention, the sliding block is vectoraly displaceable relative to the holster. 
         [0028]    According to still further embodiments of the present invention, the sliding block is vectoraly displaceable at an acute angle to the holster. 
         [0029]    According to further preferred embodiments of the present invention there is provided a holster including a sliding block for securing a handgun which sliding block engages a portion of a trigger guard of the handgun, and a bias for readily applying a force against displacing the sliding block. 
         [0030]    According to further embodiments of the present invention, the sliding block is transversely displaceable, in response to a handgun being inserted into the holster. 
         [0031]    According to still further embodiments of the present invention, the sliding block is transversely displaceable, in response to a handgun being displaced outwardly of the holster. 
         [0032]    According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, the holster further includes a controller track formed in the holster for readily controlling displacement of the sliding block. 
         [0033]    According to further embodiments of the present invention, the bias is selected from the group consisting of: a “quick draw” bias, a competition bias, a retention bias and a secure bias. 
         [0034]    According to still further embodiments of the present invention, the holster further includes a pressure pad attached to the sliding block. 
         [0035]    According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, the pressure pad is selected from the group consisting of a compression bias, a leaf bias, and a torsion bias. 
         [0036]    According to further embodiments of the present invention, the holster further includes a locking block assembly seated in the holster for readily accommodating a class of handgun. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  shows a typical shape of a competition holster which does not utilizes a muzzle support; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  shows a typical shape of a competition holster which does utilize a muzzle support; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the locking mechanism in the holstered position according to the present invention. The reverse view shows the trigger-guard would be inserted into the grove from above; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  shows a view of the locking mechanism in the unholstered position according to the present invention. The reverse view shows the trigger-guard would be inserted into the grove from above; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5 . shows a side view of the holster according to the present invention, showing the safety lever in the open position; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the holster according to the present invention, showing the safety lever in the locked (“safe”) position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    The present invention will now be described in terms of specific example embodiments. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the example embodiments disclosed. 
         [0044]    It should also be understood that not every feature of the methods and systems handling the described device is necessary to implement the invention as claimed in any particular one of the appended claims. 
         [0045]    Various elements and features of devices are described to fully enable the invention. It should also be understood that throughout this disclosure, where a method is shown or described, the steps of the method may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that one step depends on another being performed first. 
         [0046]    Before explaining several embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0047]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The systems, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
         [0048]    In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs “comprise”, “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb. 
         [0049]    The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to system organization and method of operation, together with features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which:  FIG. 1  shows a holster including a locking block. A belt attachment with a ball-joint for adjustment. The holster includes the locking-block assembly where the gun is gripped by its trigger guard. 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  shows a prior art holster with a muzzle support. 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  shows a preferred embodiment of the holster locking mechanism  10  according to the present invention. When a gun is seated in the holster locking mechanism  10 , the trigger guard of the handgun slides precisely into a matching groove  11  formed in a locking block  12 . Preferably, the trigger guard depresses a sliding block  14 . 
         [0052]    Preferably, the trigger guard depresses a lower tooth  18  of sliding block  14  thereby displacing sliding block  14  to a lower “locked” position as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0053]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , when holster locking mechanism  10  is in the “locked” position. Preferably, in the “locked” position an upper tooth  16  of sliding block  14  is pushed into the trigger guard. 
         [0054]    Preferably, upper tooth  16  of sliding block  14  is shaped and contoured for being readily situated in the handgun trigger guard. 
         [0055]    Preferably, the displacement of sliding block  14  and upper tooth  16  is controlled by way of an angled controller track  34  attached to, or integrally formed with holster locking mechanism  10 . Angular controller track  34  guides and/or controls sliding block  14  and create a substantially lateral displacement of sliding block  14  substantially responsive to sliding block performing a substantially vertical displacement. 
         [0056]    Thus, by the trigger guard displacing lower tooth  18 , a complimentary lateral displacement of upper tooth  16  is created, thereby “locking” and scuring the trigger guard in holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0057]    Optionally, upper tooth  18  includes a locking face  36  for readily securing the trigger guard and substantially preventing any inadvertent displacement of the handgun during holster locking mechanism  10  being in the “locked” position. 
         [0058]    Preferably, locking face  36  engages a portion of the handgun trigger guard by upper tooth being inserted into the trigger guard and gripping the front of the trigger guard securely 
         [0059]    Preferably, a bias  22  is attached to, or integrally formed with sliding block  14  for readily facilitating applying pressure on sliding block  14  such that inadvertent displacement of sliding block  14  is substantially circumvented. 
         [0060]    Preferably, the displacement of sliding block  14  is performed vectoraly in relation to holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0061]    Preferably, the displacement of sliding block  14  is performed vectoraly in relation to holster locking mechanism  10  at an acute angle to holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0062]    Thus, it is especially preferred for sliding block  14  to secure the handgun by sliding block  14  engaging a portion of the trigger guard of the handgun substantially contemporaneously with bias  22  applying a force against inadvertent displacing of sliding block  14 . 
         [0063]    Optionally, upper tooth  18  is substantially transversely displaceable, in response to a handgun being inserted into holster locking mechanism  10  and lower tooth  16  is transversely displaceable, in response to a handgun being displaced outwardly of holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0064]    Preferably, bias  22  is selected from the group consisting of: a “quick draw” bias, a competition bias, a retention bias and a secure bias. 
         [0065]    When the handgun is pulled upward, the inner edge of the front of the trigger-guard pulls upper tooth  16  of sliding block  14  upwards with the handgun being displaced upwards. Due to the angle of angled track  34 , substantially upward displacement of the handgun and sliding block  14  is translated into a substantially transverse displacement of upper tooth  16 . Thus, the trigger guard is released as sliding block  14  is substantially displaced and upper tooth  16  is no longer preventing the trigger guard from being displaced outwardly, facilitating the handgun to be drawn out of holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0066]    Preferably, resistance to inadvertent substantially upward displacement of sliding block  14  is adjustable and is achieved by means of a tension screw  20 . Subsequent to tightening tension screw  20 , bias  22  applies more pressure on a pressure-pad  24  which, in turn, pressure pad  24  applies friction to sliding block  14  making the “draw” heavier or lighter as desired. 
         [0067]    Similarly, higher degrees of security of the handgun and prevention of inadvertent displacement of the handgun are achieved by adjusting tension screw  20 . 
         [0068]    Occasioning on sliding block  14  being in the lower position (once a handgun is holstered) the handgun can be even more securely locked into place using a safety lever  26  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Preferably, safety lever  26  is rotateably displaceable, thereby creating a barrier, substantially preventing the even deliberate upward displacement of the sliding block  14  of  FIG. 3 , effectively “locking” holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0069]    Preferably, safety lever  26  of  FIG. 5  is engaged by rotateably displacing lever  26  to a position substantially perpendicular to the “open” position. Preferably, safety lever  26  is disengaged by rotateably displacing lever  26  to a position substantially perpendicular to the “locked” position. 
         [0070]    Preferably, lever  26  “clicks” into either “open” or “locked” position by way of a protrusion  28  situating in a complimentary indentation on safety lever  26 . 
         [0071]    Preferably, positive “clicking” into place of safety lever  26  is readily facilitated by means of a lever bias  30  applying pressure on protrusion  28  thereby facilitating displacement of protrusion  28 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 4  shows the locking system in the up “open” position, before a handgun is seated into holster locking mechanism  10  or subsequent to the handgun being drawn from holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0073]    Subsequent to the handgun being inserted into holster locking mechanism  10 , the trigger guard of the handgun comes down into groove  11  formed in locking block  12  from above. 
         [0074]    Subsequent to the front end of the trigger guard being displaced against lower tooth  18  of sliding block  14 , sliding block  14  is displaced substantially downwards. 
         [0075]    Preferably, controller track  34  is angled substantially between 15-45 degrees, thereby bringing about a corresponding angular displacement of sliding block  14 . As sliding block  14  is angularly displaced, upper tooth  16  enters the trigger guard, just above the front arc of the trigger guard. 
         [0076]    Optionally, controller track  34  is angled at substantially 20 degrees, thereby bringing about a corresponding angular displacement of sliding block  14   
         [0077]    A gap  38  is formed between lower tooth  18  and upper tooth  16  of sliding block  14  is contoured and dimensioned to precisely match the contour and dimensions of the front of the trigger guard for the specific handgun gap  38  formed between lower tooth  18  and upper tooth  16  of sliding block  14  has been designed for. 
         [0078]    Thus, gap  38  formed between lower tooth  18  and upper tooth  16  of sliding block  14  is handgun specific for a handgun class. 
         [0079]    The term “handgun class” as used herein, shall include but will not be limited to, a specific make of handgun, a specific model of handgun, a specific trigger guard configuration and the like. 
         [0080]    Lower tooth  18  and upper tooth  16  of sliding block  14  fit substantially snugly around the front of the trigger guard, thereby substantially preventing the handgun from rocking “forward” and/or rocking “backwards” in holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0081]    Due to lower tooth  18  and upper tooth  16  being laterally displaced, as the handgun is drawn, lower tooth  18  and upper tooth  16  can be dimensioned to precisely fit the contour of the trigger guard thereby providing enhanced “locking” capabilities of holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0082]    Namely, due to lower tooth  18  and upper tooth  16  not being rotateably displaceable and are vectoraly displaced, holster locking mechanism  10  substantially “locks” and secures the handgun in holster locking mechanism  10   
         [0083]      FIG. 3  shows holster locking mechanism  10  in the lower position subsequent to the handgun being stuated in holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0084]    Upper tooth  16  protrudes considerably into groove  11  formed in holster locking mechanism  10  where the trigger guard of the handgun would be situated and secured. Upper tooth  16  substantially protrudes into the trigger guard, thereby securing the trigger guard and preventing an inadvertent displacement of the handgun. Preferably, the handgun cannot rock forward or rock back, and the handgun can only be removed in a substantially straight vertical motion. 
         [0085]    Preferably, occasioning on controller track  34  being angled at substantially 20 degrees from the vertical line of sliding block  14 , a substantially vertical displacement of substantially  8 mm is preferably sufficient for the trigger guard to “clear” upper tooth  16  and facilitate a rapid draw of the handgun. 
         [0086]    Namely, substantially vertical displacement of sliding block  14  corresponds to a substantially lateral displacement of upper tooth  16 , thereby readily facilitating the handgun to rapidly be removed forward from holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0087]    Subsequent to the handgun being drawn, as shown in  FIG. 4 , lower tooth  18  is then protruding into the groove  11  formed in holster locking mechanism  10 , until the handgun is re-holstered by pressing the trigger guard against upper tooth  16  and displacing until locking face  36  passes through the trigger guard. 
         [0088]    Preferably, a tension adjustment of the draw, also known as how hard the user has to pull on the handgun to draw the handgun out of holster locking mechanism  10  is readily achieved by tightening or loosening of tension screw  20 . 
         [0089]    Preferably, subsequent to tightening tension screw  20 , a corresponding tension screw nut  32  is attached to, or integrally formed with, locking block  12 . 
         [0090]    Preferably, an end  40  of tension screw  20  is readily accommodated by tension screw nut  32  such that rotation of tension screw  20  translates to lateral displacement of tension screw  20 . Thus, lateral displacement of tension screw  20  affects the force applied by bias  22  on pressure pad  24 . 
         [0091]    Preferably, a user can adjust the tension of bias  22  by rotating tension screw  20  and increasing or decreasing the friction of sliding block  14  within holster locking mechanism  10  and either making the draw of the handgun harder (heavier) or easier (lighter). 
         [0092]    Occasioning on tension screw  20  being loosened, pressure on bias  22  is relaxed, applying less pressure on pressure pad  24  and thereby allowing sliding block  14  to slide up and down more freely, with less friction, creating a smoother and lighter draw of the gun. 
         [0093]    Optionally, pressure pad  24  can be constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: machined aluminum, Delrin or other suitable material. The pressure can be applied and adjusted to pressure pad  24  using bias  22  (as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ) or by way of non-limiting examples only, by way of a leaf bias or a torsion bias. 
         [0094]    As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , holster locking mechanism  10  can be secured, thereby preventing deliberate drawing of a handgun  42  by way of safety lever  26 . 
         [0095]    Preferably, safety lever  26  lever is situated in adjacency to a grip  44  of handgun  42  such that safety lever  26  is readily reachable by the shooters index finger as the clasps grip  44  of handgun  42 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 5  shows safety lever  26  in an unlocked position. Preferably, safety lever  26  has been rotated substantially perpendicularly, thereby co-aligning a locking tip  46  of safety lever  26  with a barrel  48  of handgun  42  and out of the way of sliding block  14  facilitating sliding block to be displaced to release handgun  42  from holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 6  shows safety lever  26  in the engaged (locked) position. In this position, safety lever  26  protrudes out roughly parallel with grip  44  of handgun  42  readily facilitating access to the user for an easy and fast disengagement of safety lever  26  with an index finger, as the hand of the user closes around grip  44  of handgun  42 . 
         [0098]    Locking tip  46  of safety lever  26  in this position is rotated to protrude and block sliding block  14  from being displaced. By preventing sliding block  14  from being displaced handgun  42  cannot be drawn out of holster locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0099]    Pressing from above on safety lever  26  is a small protrusion  28  which is bias loaded by a safety lever bias  30 . Small protrusion  28  presses into corresponding indentations cut into safety lever  26 , thereby affixing the position of safety lever  26 , either in the locked position or the unlocked position. 
         [0100]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. In particular, the present invention is not limited in any way by the examples described.