BOOT WITH INTERNAL FIREARM HOLSTER

A footwear article having a permanent interior holster, the footwear article configured to secure a firearm to an interior shaft of a boot. The holster includes a sleeve having a plurality of slits disposed through the sleeve, the plurality of slits approximately parallel with a centerline of the interior shaft. The holster further includes a flexible backing connected to the sleeve, whereby insertion of the firearm between the flexible backing and interior shaft creates a compressive force to secure the firearm between the flexible backing and interior shaft. The footwear article further includes a band connected between the holster and an exterior shaft of the boot, whereby the firearm is further secured between the band and the holster.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosed subject matter relates generally to a firearm holster and more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to a permanent firearm holster internal to a boot.

BACKGROUND

A majority of concealed firearm holsters are strapped to a person's upper, mid, or lower torso for ease of access and/or concealment. All concealed carry firearm holsters are worn under or between layers of clothing to which the holsters are temporary and removable. Some holsters can be prone to slippage and awkward to carry. It is desirable to conceal a firearm within a boot for both comfort and security.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosed subject matter is directed to an article of manufacture that secures a firearm to an interior shaft of a boot. The article of manufacture comprises: a boot having an interior shaft; and a holster being configured to secure a firearm to the interior shaft comprising: a sleeve having a top edge and a bottom edge, the sleeve connected to the interior shaft, the sleeve comprising: a top opening formed between the top edge and the interior shaft; and a plurality of slits disposed through the sleeve, the plurality of slits approximately parallel with a centerline of the interior shaft; and a flexible backing attached to an interior side of the sleeve, the flexible backing configured to compress the firearm against the interior shaft.

In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a bottom opening is formed between the bottom edge and the interior shaft in order for a portion of a barrel of the firearm to extend through the bottom opening. In this aspect, the holster may be utilized for firearms of varying sized barrels.

In one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the plurality of slits are evenly disposed between an anterior edge of the sleeve a posterior edge of the sleeve. In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the plurality of slits may extend through the top edge of the sleeve to allow additional expansion of the top opening in order to accept larger sized firearms. The slits do not impact the ability of the flexible backing to accept larger sized firearms.

In one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a band may be configured to secure a grip of the firearm into the holster so the firearm does not accidentally fall out of the boot. The band may comprise a flexible strap connected to the top edge of the sleeve at a first end and demountably connected to an exterior shaft of the boot at a second end. In some embodiments, a snap mechanism is connected between the second end and the exterior shaft. In still another embodiment, the snap mechanism is connected to a pull loop affixed to a cuff of the boot.

In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the flexible backing comprises an elastic fabric configured to expand upon insertion of the firearm within the holster and compress the firearm to the interior shaft. The flexible backing is further configured to expand between the plurality of slits when a spacing between the slits increases upon insertion of the firearm within the holster.

In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the top edge of the sleeve slopes downwardly from an anterior edge of the sleeve to a posterior edge of the sleeve. This downward slope provides more accessibility to the grip of the firearm. In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the bottom edge of the sleeve slopes upwardly from the anterior edge to the posterior edge.

In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the components of holster are joined together using standard sewing techniques. In an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the holster is connected to the interior shaft of the boot using standard sewing techniques.

In some aspects of the disclosed subject matter, the holster may be connected to the interior shaft on either the lateral side of the boot, the medial side of the boot, or both the lateral side and medial side of the boot. In other embodiments, an expandable pocket may be connected to the interior shaft opposite the holster. The expandable pocket may also be configured to secure firearm accessories, such as ammunition, or personal possessions, such a cell phone.

In other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method for securing a firearm to an interior shaft of a boot may comprise the steps of: (1) providing a boot having an interior shaft; (2) providing a flexible backing configured to secure the firearm to the interior shaft, the flexible backing attached to the interior shaft; (3) inserting a firearm into a pocket formed between the flexible backing and the interior shaft; (4) securing a firearm in the pocket by a compressive force created between the flexible backing and interior shaft.

In other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method for securing a firearm to an interior shaft of a boot may comprise the steps of: (1) providing a holster comprising: a sleeve having a top edge, the sleeve connected to the interior shaft, the sleeve comprising: a top opening formed between the top edge and the interior shaft; and a plurality of slits disposed through the sleeve, the plurality of slits approximately parallel with a centerline of the interior shaft; and a flexible backing attached to an interior side of the sleeve, the flexible backing configured to compress the firearm against the interior shaft; (2) providing a band having a first end and a second end; the first end connected to the top edge; the second end configured to demountably connect to an exterior shaft of the boot opposite the interior shaft; (3) inserting a firearm into the top opening; whereby a grip of the firearm abuts the top opening; (4) inserting a portion of a barrel of the firearm through a bottom opening formed between a bottom edge of the sleeve and the interior shaft; (5) connecting the second end to the exterior shaft; whereby a grip of the firearm is secured between the band and the holster; (6) expanding the flexible backing between the plurality of slits; and (7) compressing the firearm against the interior shaft.

These and other features of the present invention are described in greater detail below in the section titled DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology will be used in the following description, and are shown in the drawings, and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the disclosed subject matter as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. The words “anterior” and “posterior” refer to the front and rear end, respectively, of a body part. The words “medial” and “lateral” refer to the inward side and outward side, respectively, of a body part. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

Referring to the drawings,FIGS. 1-3show an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter comprising a footwear article100, preferably a boot102, having an interior shaft104and exterior shaft106in which a firearm300may be secured and concealed by means of a holster200attached to the interior shaft104of the boot102. The holster200comprises a pocket218formed between a flexible backing204that is capable of expanding upon insertion of the firearm300into the pocket218. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a sleeve202is permanently attached to the inward side of the flexible backing204with respect to the interior of the boot102by means of stitching220between the flexible backing204and the sleeve202. Other means of attachment may be provided such as rivets, glue, or other suitable means of attachment. In other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the holster200comprises solely of the flexible backing204without the sleeve202attached.

In some embodiments, the holster200may be attached to the interior shaft104on the lateral side, medial side, or both the later side and medial side of the boot102. In other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, a second holster202may be provided on the opposite side of the interior shaft104of the holster200, as shown inFIG. 1. The holster200is preferable positioned on the interior shaft104in order that a grip304of the firearm300extends outwardly and rearwardly from a cuff108of the boot102, but the location of the holster200may vary depending on the style and dimensions of the boot102and firearm300. In some embodiments, the holster200is positioned within the boot102so that the barrel of the firearm300is aligned approximately vertically with a pull loop110of the boot102. The pull loop may be aligned with the centerline (CL) of the interior shaft104.

In some embodiments, a band having a first end and second end is provided to further secure the firearm300to the holster200. The first end402is connected to the top edge, preferably near the midpoint of the top edge210. The second end is demountably connected to the exterior shaft106near the cuff108. The band is configured to secure the grip304between the band400and the holster200. In some embodiments the band comprises a flexible strap configured to stretch over the grip304; whereby the grip304is urged downwardly towards the holster200. In some embodiments, the band may be constructed of elastic or rubber. A snap mechanism406may be connected between the second end404and the exterior shaft106. As shown inFIG. 5, in some embodiments, a male snap member408may be provided on the exterior shaft106to receive and secure the snap mechanism406to the exterior shaft106. In a preferred embodiment, the male snap member is disposed on the pull loop110.

In an embodiment, and referring toFIG. 3, the holster200comprises a sleeve202made of durable material such as leather, synthetic material, rubber, plastic, fiberglass, or other suitable material. The sleeve202comprises a plurality of slits206disposed through the sleeve202. In some embodiments, the plurality of slits206are approximately parallel with the centerline CL of the interior shaft104. The plurality of slits206may be evenly disposed between the anterior edge214and the posterior edge216of the sleeve202.

In an embodiment, the flexible backing204may comprise an elastic fabric configured to expand upon insertion of the firearm300within the holster200and compress the firearm300to the interior shaft104. The flexible backing204may be further configured to expand between the plurality of slits206when the space between the plurality of slits increases upon insertion of the firearm300within the holster200.

In some embodiments, and referring toFIG. 3, the flexible backing204and the sleeve202are attached to the interior shaft104of the boot102. It is appreciated that the number of slits206depends on the dimensions of the holster200and the firearm300. In some embodiments, the sleeve202includes seven slits206resulting in eight strips208.

In some embodiments, and referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the holster200is connected to the interior shaft104by traditional sewing techniques. A stitching215connects the sleeve202to the interior shaft104. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible backing204is connected between the sleeve202and the interior shaft104via the stitching215.

In some embodiments, the flexible backing204and the sleeve202are attached to the interior shaft104along the anterior edge214, bottom edge212, and posterior edge216. In this arrangement, a bottom opening is not present in the holster200.

In some embodiments, and referring toFIG. 4, the sleeve202comprises a plurality of slits206extending from a top edge210of the sleeve202to positions near a bottom edge212of the sleeve202resulting in a plurality of parallel strips208. The portion of the sleeve202below the bottom of the plurality of slits206forms a continuous bottom strip224extending the length of the bottom edge212. In this configuration, top edge210is configured to expand to the extent the flexible backing204will allow and such expansion is not limited by the length of the top edge210.

In some embodiments, the sleeve202comprises a top opening formed between the top edge210and the interior shaft104. The top opening is bounded by the stitching215at each end. In some embodiments, the sleeve202comprises a bottom opening formed between the bottom edge212and the interior shaft104. The bottom opening is bounded the stitching215at each end. The barrel of the firearm may pass through the top opening and the bottom opening to a position where the grip304rests on the top edge210of the holster200.

In some embodiments, the flexible backing204is capable of expanding towards the center of the boot102when the firearm300is inserted between the flexible backing204and interior shaft104. The expansion of the flexible backing204results in the expansion of the spacing between the strips208, further resulting in a compressive force to secure the firearm300within the pocket218.

In some embodiments, and referring toFIG. 3, the top edge210slopes downwardly from the anterior edge214to the posterior edge216. In some embodiments, the bottom edge212slopes upwardly from the anterior edge214to the posterior edge216. In some embodiments, the posterior edge216and bottom edge form a curved corner222. The flexible backing204has the same exterior dimensions as the sleeve202, so when the flexible backing204and sleeve202are attached to the interior shaft104, the flexible backing204is completely covered by the sleeve202.

In some embodiments, flexible backing204may be an elastic fabric or other suitable elastic material to allow for expansion and contraction of the holster200. The flexible backing204configured to provide a compressive force against the firearm300in order to secure the firearm300to the interior shaft104of the boot102. The compressive force generated between the flexible backing204and the interior shaft104may be sufficient to secure the firearm300within the holster200when the boot102is turned upside down.

In other embodiments, and referring toFIG. 6, an expandable pocket600may be connected to the interior shaft104opposite the holster200. The pocket600configured to secure firearm accessories such as bullets, ammunition and/or clips, or personal possessions such a pocket knives, cell phone, cash, identification and/or credit cards. The expandable pocket600comprising a top pocket edge602, side pocket edges604a,604band a bottom pocket edge608. The expandable pocket600may be connected to the interior shaft104along the side pocket edges604a,604band bottom pocket edge606to form an pocket access608between the top pocket edge602and interior shaft104.

In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and referring to flow chart700ofFIG. 7, a method for securing a firearm to an interior shaft of a boot is provided. The method includes, at block702, providing a boot having an interior shaft. The method further includes, at block704, providing a flexible backing configured to secure the firearm to the interior shaft, the flexible backing attached to the interior shaft. The method further includes, at block706, inserting a firearm into a pocket formed between the flexible backing and interior shaft. At block708, the method further includes securing a firearm in the pocket by a compressive force created between the flexible backing and interior shaft

In another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, and referring flow chart800ofFIG. 8, a method for securing a firearm to an interior shaft of a boot is provided. The method includes, at block802, providing a holster comprising: a sleeve having a top edge, the sleeve connected to the interior shaft, the sleeve comprising: a top opening formed between the top edge and the interior shaft; and a plurality of slits disposed through the sleeve, the plurality of slits approximately parallel with a centerline of the interior shaft; and a flexible backing attached to an interior side of the sleeve, the flexible backing configured to compress the firearm against the interior shaft. The method further includes, at block804, providing a band having a first end and a second end; the first end connected to the top edge; the second end configured to demountably connect to an exterior shaft of the boot opposite the interior shaft. The method further includes, at block806, inserting a firearm into the top opening; whereby a grip of the firearm abuts the top opening. The method further includes, at block808, inserting a portion of a barrel of the firearm through a bottom opening formed between a bottom edge of the sleeve and the interior shaft. At block810, the method further includes, connecting the second end to the exterior shaft; whereby a grip of the firearm is secured between the band and the holster. The method further includes, at block812, expanding the flexible backing between the plurality of slits. At the block814, the method further includes, compressing the firearm against the interior shaft.

It is to be understood that while certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, the disclosed subject matter is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the single claim below, the disclosed subject matter is not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.