Apparatus for carrying a concealed weapon and method

The apparatus for carrying a concealed weapon provides inconspicuous means for carrying a weapon into any social or business setting. It consists of an outer gun case shaped to resemble an organizer. Concealed inside by means of a fastening device is a support structure for securing the weapon. The support structure consists of a removable holder block which has a cavity shaped to contour the outline of the weapon it is intended to hold. The support structure may also have further cavities for holding ammunition for the weapon. The support structure also has easy access portions in proximity to its edge to facilitate the easy removal of the weapon from the support structure. The concealed gun case could also be designed to have an additional chamber that may be independently accessed without revealing the presence of the weapon in the gun chamber. This additional chamber could contain a daily planner and other stationery material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to cases for carrying a weapon and, more 
specifically, to apparatus for covertly carrying a weapon and methods 
therefor. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
With violent crimes on the rise, increasing numbers of citizens are 
acquiring guns for self defense. Yet, openly displaying a weapon is not 
acceptable in most social and business settings. Nonetheless, in recent 
years, a number of states have made it lawful to carry a concealed weapon 
in public, and many more state legislatures are considering adopting 
similar statutes. Unfortunately, the market has not yet responded 
creatively to enable a person to covertly carry a weapon in public. 
A person desiring to carry a concealed weapon was previously limited to 
three main options--a shoulder holster, a fanny pack, or the inside of the 
sock or boot. None of these have proven satisfactory. To be able to use a 
shoulder holster for concealing a weapon, one must wear a jacket over it. 
Even with a jacket over the holster, there is typically a telltale bulge 
revealing the presence of the holster. A fanny pack is not acceptable in 
most formal settings. Finally, hiding the gun in a sock or a boot is both 
cumbersome and awkward. Further, in an emergency situation, it is not 
possible to remove the gun quickly from the boot or sock. 
Therefore, there existed a need to provide a convenient and inconspicuous 
apparatus for use by both men and women to conceal a weapon in a manner 
acceptable in any business or social situation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, it is an object of 
this invention to provide an apparatus for carrying a concealed weapon. 
It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus that is 
handy, inconspicuous and acceptable in any business or social situation. 
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an apparatus that, 
when closed, resembles a personal organizer and can unobtrusively conceal 
a weapon inside. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus that has 
two separate and independently accessible compartments, one for concealing 
a weapon, and the other for holding a daily planner and/or other 
stationery material. 
It is a still further object of this invention to provide an apparatus 
which has special features that enable the weapon to be extracted quickly. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, an apparatus for 
concealing and carrying a weapon is disclosed comprising, in combination, 
support means for supporting the weapon, covering means for enclosing the 
support means and concealing the weapon, and fastening means coupled to 
the covering means for closing the covering means to conceal the weapon 
and for opening the covering means to remove the weapon from the support 
means. The covering means has an exterior configuration having a 
substantially parallelepiped shape when closed and having an interior 
cavity. A first interior surface of the covering means has a plurality of 
pockets. The apparatus further includes first connection means, coupled to 
a second interior surface of the covering means located opposite the first 
interior surface when the covering means is closed, for removably 
attaching the support means to the covering means. The support means 
comprises a holder block having a first recess in a first side of the 
holder block for securing the weapon, and second connection means coupled 
to a surface of the holder block located opposite the first side of the 
holder block for removably coupling the support means to the covering 
means with the first and second connection means. The holder block forms 
the first recess by providing a bottom planar surface for supporting a 
bottom side of the weapon, and a perimeter wall surface extending upward 
from the bottom planar surface and around a portion of a perimeter area of 
the weapon when the bottom side of the weapon lies on the bottom planar 
surface. Note that the perimeter wall surface extends around all of the 
perimeter area of the weapon except for an area adjacent to a grip of the 
weapon. Additionally, the apparatus includes quick access means located 
beneath the bottom planar surface and comprising a depression in the 
bottom planar surface for permitting a user's fingers (the thumb is first 
inserted) to reach beneath the bottom planar surface for quickly removing 
the weapon. The apparatus also includes a recess in the first side of the 
holder block for retaining a magazine for use with the weapon, and 
including a still further recess in the first side of the holder block for 
retaining a speed loader for use with the weapon. 
In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, an apparatus for 
carrying and concealing a weapon is disclosed comprising, in combination, 
support means for supporting the weapon, covering means for enclosing the 
support means and concealing the weapon, and divider means coupled to an 
inner lengthwise seam of the covering means for dividing an interior 
cavity of the covering means into a first and second sub-cavity. The 
apparatus further includes first fastening means coupled to the divider 
means and to the covering means for selectively opening and closing a 
portion of the covering means for selectively accessing the first 
sub-cavity containing the weapon and second fastening means coupled to the 
divider means and to the covering means for selectively opening and 
closing another portion of the covering means for selectively accessing 
the second sub-cavity. A first side of the divider means has a first 
plurality of pockets, and a first interior surface of the covering means 
has a second plurality of pockets. The first sub-cavity is enclosed by the 
portion of the covering means, the first side of the divider means, and 
the first fastening means, and the second sub-cavity is enclosed by the 
other portion of the covering means, a second side of the divider means, 
and the second fastening means. The apparatus further includes insert 
means coupled on a back side thereof with an inner portion of the covering 
means for retaining a pad of paper, a daily planner, or the like. This 
embodiment of the apparatus also includes first connection means, coupled 
to a second interior surface of the covering means located opposite the 
first interior surface of the covering means when the covering means is 
closed, for removably attaching the support means to the covering means. 
The support means comprises a holder block having a first recess in a 
first side of the holder block for securing the weapon, the first recess 
providing a bottom planar surface for supporting a bottom side of the 
weapon, and a perimeter wall surface extending upward from the bottom 
planar surface and around a portion of a perimeter area of the weapon when 
the bottom side of the weapon lies on the bottom planar surface, and 
second connection means coupled to a surface of the holder block located 
opposite the first side of the holder block for removably coupling the 
support means to the covering means with the first and second connection 
means. The perimeter wall surface extends around all of the perimeter area 
of the weapon except for an area adjacent to a grip of the weapon. This 
embodiment of the apparatus further includes quick access means located 
beneath the bottom planar surface and comprising a depression in the 
bottom planar surface for permitting a user's fingers (the thumb is first 
inserted) to reach beneath the bottom planar surface for quickly removing 
the weapon. The apparatus also includes a further recess in the first side 
of the holder block for retaining a magazine for use with the weapon, and 
including a still further recess in the first side of the holder block for 
retaining a speed loader for use with the weapon. 
In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a method for 
concealing and carrying a weapon is disclosed comprising the steps of 
providing support means for supporting the weapon, providing covering 
means for enclosing the support means and concealing the weapon, and 
providing fastening means coupled to the covering means for closing the 
covering means to conceal the weapon and for opening the covering means to 
remove the weapon from the support means. The step of providing the 
support means comprising the steps of providing a holder block having a 
recess in a first side of the holder block for securing the weapon, 
providing connection means coupled to a surface of the holder block 
located opposite the first side of the holder block for removably coupling 
the support means to the covering means. The step of providing the recess 
in the holder block comprises the steps of providing a bottom planar 
surface for supporting a bottom side of the weapon and a perimeter wall 
surface extending upward from the bottom planar surface and around a 
portion of a perimeter area of the weapon when the bottom side of the 
weapon lies on the bottom planar surface, and providing quick access means 
located beneath the bottom planar surface and comprising a depression in 
the bottom planar surface for permitting a user's fingers (the thumb is 
first inserted) to reach beneath the bottom planar surface for quickly 
removing the weapon. 
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention 
will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the 
preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying 
drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 depicts a gun case 10 for containing and concealing a weapon (not 
shown). The gun case 10, in this embodiment, is shaped to look like an 
organizer, and thus be inconspicuous in any social or business setting. 
The gun case 10 has an outer covering 12 which encloses two separate 
compartments--the gun chamber 20 (see FIG. 2) and the organizer chamber 22 
(see FIG. 3). The two chambers are separated by a divider 14. 
Zippers 16 and 18 are attached to the covering 12 and to the divider 14. 
The zipper 16 seals the gun chamber 20 and the zipper 18 seals the 
organizer chamber 22. In the preferred embodiment, zippers 16 and 18 are 
used as the fastening devices, but other forms of fasteners could also be 
used. In this embodiment, since the gun case 10 has been shaped to 
resemble an organizer, it has two broad sides, 11 and 13 (see FIG. 4), and 
four narrow sides. The divider 14 is coupled to the narrow sides, and 
parallels the broad sides 11 and 13. 
FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 depict one embodiment of the interior of the gun chamber 
20 according to the present invention. The gun chamber 20 is bounded on 
one side by a surface 61 of the divider 14 and on the opposite by the 
inside surface 32 of the broad side 11 of the gun case 10. A liner 62 is 
coupled to the surface 61. A number of pockets 63 are connected to the 
liner 62. These pockets 63 may be used to carry business cards, credit 
cards or stationery items. 
Holder block=30 secures a weapon (not shown) in the gun cavity 40. The 
particular embodiment of the holder block 30 indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5 is 
for securing a semi-automatic pistol, but, as discussed later, the holder 
block 30 could be designed for other weapons too. The underside 36 of 
holder block 30 is removably attached to the inside surface 32 of the gun 
case 10 by coupling means such as VELCRO. For the sake of simplicity, this 
coupling means has not been shown in the drawings. 
The gun cavity 40 is shaped to snugly fit around the weapon. The perimeter 
wall 44 of the gun cavity 40 contours the outline of the weapon. The gun 
cavity 40 is of substantially the same depth as the thickness of the 
weapon it is intended to contain. The bottom surface 42 of the gun cavity 
40 on which the weapon rests is substantially planar. 
Two notable features on the holder block 30 allow the weapon to be removed 
quickly from the gun cavity 40 in case of an emergency. The first is the 
grip access 45, provided by removing a portion of the holder block 30 
adjacent to where the handle of the weapon would fit in the gun cavity 40. 
The bottom surface 43 of the grip access 45 is substantially planar with 
the bottom surface 42 of the gun cavity 40. Thus, the grip access 45 
allows the user to remove the weapon from the gun cavity 40 by gripping 
the handle of the weapon. 
To further facilitate the easy gripping of the handle of the weapon, a 
quick access 46 is provided by removing a portion of the bottom surfaces 
42 and 43. The bottom surface 48 of the quick access 46 is substantially 
planar. The quick access 46 begins at the edge of the holder block 30, 
within the grip access 45, and extends into the gun cavity 40, with the 
perimeter wall 50 of the quick access 46 forming a "U". The width and 
depth of the quick access 46 are such as to permit a person's fingers to 
wrap around the handle of the weapon. Now, when the users wish to remove 
the weapon from the gun cavity 40, the users can easily insert their 
fingers (the thumb is first inserted) into the quick access 46. Thus, they 
can reach under the handle of the weapon and get a firm grip on the 
handle. 
The holder block 30 also has provision for holding standard accessories 
that go with the weapon. In FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the holder block 30 has an 
ammunition space 52 for securing a magazine clip (not shown) for use with 
the semi-automatic gun that would be held in gun cavity 40. The perimeter 
wall 56 of the ammunition space 52 contours the outline of the magazine 
clip. The bottom surface 54 of the ammunition space 52 is substantially 
planar, and sunk to a depth approximately equal to the thickness of the 
magazine clip. 
FIGS. 13-18 are different views of the same embodiment of the holder block 
30 depicted in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. 
FIGS. 21 and 22 show the holder block 30 with different embodiments of the 
gun cavity 80 and grip access 110. This holder block, too, is intended to 
secure a semi-automatic gun. The major modification here is the widened 
grip access 110. This is achieved by removing sections 112 and 118 (see 
FIG. 13) of the holder block 30 adjacent to the sides 49 and 47, (see 
FIGS. 13-18) respectively, of the previously discussed grip access 45. The 
bottom surface 114 (FIG. 21) of the widened grip access 110 is maintained 
substantially planar with the bottom surface 81 of the modified gun cavity 
80. The spacing between sides 120 and 122 of the widened grip access 110 
is such as to allow the weapon to be slipped out from the modified gun 
cavity 80 through the grip access 110. Without the widened grip access 
110, the grip access 45 (see FIGS. 13-18) would not allow the weapon to be 
slipped out through it, and the weapon would have to be vertically lifted 
out of the gun cavity 40. Thus, the new grip access 110 allows the weapon 
to be removed horizontally and easily, which can be critical in an 
emergency situation. 
FIGS. 7-12 show another embodiment of the present invention--a holder block 
30 designed to secure a revolver (not shown) and its ammunition (not 
shown). The perimeter wall 78 of the gun cavity 41 contours the outline of 
a revolver. The bottom surface 39 of the gun cavity 41 is substantially 
planar. The grip access 70 and the quick access 146 are similar, in 
structure and purpose, to the grip access 45 and quick access 46 in FIGS. 
2, 4 and 5. The bottom surface 71 of the grip access 70 is substantially 
coplanar with the bottom surface 39 of the gun cavity 41. The bottom 
surface 148 Of the quick access 146 is also substantially planar but sunk 
below the bottom surface 71 of the grip access 70 and the bottom surface 
39 of the gun cavity 41. As explained before, the quick access 146 and the 
grip access 70 together allow the user to reach around and beneath the 
handle of the weapon secured in the gun cavity 41, thereby permitting 
quick removal of the weapon. 
The ammunition spaces 72 and 73 are for holding speed loaders (not shown). 
The bottom surfaces 74 and 75 of the two ammunition spaces 72 and 73 are 
substantially planar and the perimeter walls 76 and 77 contour the outline 
of a speed loader. The depth of the ammunition spaces 72 and 73 is 
substantially equal to the thickness of a speed loader. 
FIGS. 19 and 20 depict the holder block 30 with different embodiments of 
the gun cavity 82 and grip access 90. This holder block 30, too, is 
intended to secure a revolver (not shown). The major modification here is 
the widened grip access 90, similar to the one (110) in FIGS. 21 and 22. 
As discussed earlier, in case of an emergency, this modified grip access 
90 would allow the revolver to be slipped out quickly from the modified 
gun cavity 82. To obtain the widened grip access 90, the gun cavity 41 and 
grip access 70 of FIGS. 7-12 are modified by removing sections 92 and 98 
adjacent to the sides 94 and 96 of the grip access 70. The bottom surface 
91 of the widened grip access 90 is substantially coplanar with the bottom 
surface 83 of the gun cavity 82, and the spacing between the sides 102 and 
100 of the widened grip access 90 is such as to allow the revolver to be 
slipped out through the widened grip access 90. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the organizer chamber 22 is accessed through 
zipper 18. A support 65 is provided on the surface 64 of the divider 14 
for holding a pad of paper 66, such as a daily planner. On the inner 
surface 68 of the side 13 of the gun case 10 are provided pockets 67. The 
pockets 67 could hold business cards, credit cards, stationery, or the 
like. Also, note that the organizer chamber 22 may include a writing 
utensil holder 69 such as shown in FIG. 3 for holding a pen 59 or other 
writing utensil. 
Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the gun case 10 is shown which 
is largely similar to the embodiment of the gun case 10 shown in FIG. 3; 
however, the embodiment of FIG. 6 includes a three-ring binder for holding 
papers, in lieu of the support 65 in FIG. 3. The three-ring binder of the 
gun case 10 in FIG. 6 provides a member which is coupled, in a manner well 
known in the art, to an inner seam of the organizer chamber 22, or 
adjacent to this seam. Three clamping rings 58 are coupled to this member 
in a manner well known in the art. Moreover, the clamping rings 58 may be 
opened by pulling them apart and/or operating opening levers (not shown) 
which are normally found on the three-ring binder member. The clamping 
rings 58 are opened in order to insert papers having corresponding holes, 
and shut in order to lock the papers in place. These papers may include a 
pad of paper, a daily planner, or any papers having holes corresponding to 
the three rings 58. Note, if desired, a writing utensil holder 69 such as 
is shown if FIG. 3 may be incorporated in this, or other, embodiments. 
FIGS. 23 and 24 depict a simpler form (210) of the gun case 10 discussed 
hitherto. The major modification here, as compared to the gun case 10 in 
FIG. 1, is that the gun case 210 in FIGS. 23 and 24 has only one 
compartment--the gun chamber 220. The gun case 210 is obtained essentially 
by eliminating the divider 14 of the gun case 10--beyond that, the two gun 
cases are substantially similar. Also, note that in all other embodiments 
of the gun case 10, the gun cavity is situated for right,handed shooters; 
however, the gun cavity 240 in FIG. 24 is situated for left-handed 
shooters. 
The holder block 230 is similar in structure and purpose to the holder 
block 30 in FIGS. 1-22. In fact, any of the previously discussed 
embodiments of the holder block 30 may be used with the gun case 210. 
Thus, the gun cavity 240 of the holder block 230 may be designed for 
different weapons, and the ammunition space 252 may be designed for 
various standard accessories to be used with the weapon (not shown) in gun 
cavity 240. Further, instead of the grip access 245, a widened grip access 
(not shown) may be incorporated. The quick access 246 is similar in 
structure and purpose to the one (46) discussed previously. 
Also, the holder block 230 is removably attached to an inner surface of a 
side of the covering 212 of the gun case 210. On the opposite inner 
surface 266 are provided a number of pockets 264, which may be used for 
storing business cards, stationery, or the like. Also note, a writing 
utensil holder could be incorporated here too, if desired. The zipper 218 
controls access to the gun chamber 220. 
Operation 
With reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 13-18, the general operation of the gun 
case follows hereinafter. Note, that the general operations for other 
embodiments of the gun case are similar. 
The gun case 10 is about the size of an average organizer and hence may 
easily be carried in the user's hand, a brief case, or a handbag without 
arousing suspicion. Indeed, the gun case 10 may be used regularly as a 
daily planner. The zipper 18 can be opened revealing the organizer chamber 
22 alone. The pad of paper 66 could be a personal planner, a diary, or 
just a writing pad. The pockets 67 could hold leaflets, business cards, or 
the like. The writing utensil holder 69 in FIG. 3 removably stores a pen 
59, pencil, or other writing device. 
The gun cavity 40 is shaped to contour the particular weapon it is intended 
to contain. Since the holder block 30 is removably coupled to the gun case 
10, a user need not buy a different gun case 10 for different weapons--the 
user would ideally have one gun case 10, but numerous holder blocks 30 
with gun cavities 40 designed for various weapons and ammunition spaces 52 
for accessories. Then, depending on the type of weapon the user desires to 
carry in the gun case 10, the holder block 30 with the gun cavity 40 
designed for that weapon is coupled to the wall 32 of the gun chamber 20. 
When the weapon needs to be extracted from the gun case 10, the user would 
access the gun chamber 20 by releasing the zipper 16 enclosing the gun 
chamber 20. Without the grip access 45, removing the weapon from the gun 
cavity 40 would not be easy because the gun cavity 40 is designed to fit 
snugly around the weapon. The grip access 45 enables the user to reach the 
sides of the handle and vertically lift the weapon out of the gun cavity 
40. The widened gun access 110 (see FIG. 21) also allows fast removal of 
the weapon, because it may be slipped out horizontally, or substantially 
so, through the widened gun access 110. Yet another feature enabling the 
easy removal of the weapon from the gun cavity 40 is the quick access 46 
feature. Since the quick access 46 extends below the handle of the weapon, 
users will be able to wrap their fingers around the handle and grip the 
weapon handle firmly. Finally, spare ammunition may be stored in the 
ammunition space 52 designed to contain the ammunition for the particular 
weapon in the gun cavity 40. 
The operation of the gun case 210 is similar to that explained for the gun 
case 10, except that the gun case 210 has only the gun chamber 220. 
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with 
reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by 
those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and 
details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of 
the invention. Note that the preferred embodiments of the gun cases carry 
semi-automatic weapons and revolvers; however, other weapons may be 
implemented if desired. For example, in any of the embodiments of the gun 
case 10, VELCRO or other types of fasteners could be used to replace the 
zippers 16, 18, and 218 as fastening devices.