Abstract:
A holster includes a quick release withdrawal restraint and is constructed of an inner and outer sidewall joined together along a front and back to define an inner cavity with an open top shaped to fit a handgun. The quick restraint includes a mechanical stop located in the inner cavity to engage a portion of the handgun adjacent the ejection port to inhibit withdrawal upwardly prior to rearward movement of the handgun. A mechanical blocking element is also provided adjacent the rear of the trigger guard that is biased into a first position to prevent rearward movement of the gun and a second position that allows for rearward movement of a gun when the blocking element is moved by pressure on a thumb or finger ledge.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to an application entitled “RELEASABLE BLOCK FOR ROTATING HOOD HOLSTER” Ser. No. 09/562,085, filed by Norman Clifton on Apr. 27, 2000; and an application entitled “SUPPORT PLATE FOR A HOLSTER”, Ser. No. 09/696,561, filed by William Rogers and Norman Clifton on Oct. 25, 2000. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention generally relates to handgun holsters and more particularly a holster with improved features to prevent inadvertent dislodgement or withdrawal of the handgun from the holster. The holster is designed to retain the handgun securely and yet to permit rapid withdrawal when required. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Most attacks on police officers by assailants trying to remove officer&#39;s handguns from holsters have come from the front or side of officers and not from the rear. It is obvious that an assailant has more mechanical leverage as well as an unobstructed path by simply pulling forward and up on the handle of the weapon while standing in front facing the officer or facing him at his side. 
     Most securing straps of holsters might become unlocked in a violent attack. Because of this possibility, an internal locking method is incorporated in some of the prior art holsters to make it more difficult for the attacker to remove the handgun from the holster in an attack from the rear of the officer. Generally, the internal locking means engages the back recurve of the trigger guard or the top ledge of a cylinder of a revolver. In more recent times the popularity of the semiautomatic pistol has posed a problem in the design of a secure holster because this type of handgun has no cylinder ledges nor trigger guard recurves to serve as a locking point. An attempt to lock upon the forward portion of the trigger guard is not preferred because only a few models of semiautomatics offer a flat ledge at the forward portion of the trigger guard necessary for the locking action. 
     What is needed is an improved handgun holster which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art, and is designed to provide a holster which secures the handgun from withdrawal by any but the wearer and yet permits a fast withdrawal upwardly by one trained in using the holster. Further, a holster is needed that provides obstacles to one attempting an unauthorized withdrawal of the handgun from the front or side of the holster. 
     In addition, a need exists for apparatus that provides a way to allow a user to rapidly reholster a gun securely and quickly if it is not needed in a particular circumstance. For example, a user may draw a gun and find that deadly force is not required and that hand-to-hand action will suffice against a criminal suspect. A user would then need to rapidly reholster the gun without looking but still have the gun secured by a fast acting, self-locking apparatus in a manner that greatly inhibits its grasp by an assailant. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along front and back portions to define an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun holstered therein, the restraint including mechanical means located in the inner cavity to engage a portion of a handgun in the holster to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun upwardly prior to rearward movement of a handgun. Blocking means includes a body member mounted adjacent the rear portion and is biased in a first position that engages a portion of a handgun to inhibit rearward movement of a handgun until the body member is selectively moved, the body member also having a second position that permits rearward movement of a handgun to withdraw same from the holster. The mechanical means includes stop means that has a removable element and means to retain the element to the holster in a fixed position. The mechanical means also includes inwardly disposed stop means having a boss with a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being shaped to engage an ejection port of a handgun to inhibit upward movement of a handgun. The rear portion of the boss is tapered to allow a muzzle of a handgun to slide therealong without contact with the stop means during insertion of a handgun into the holster until a handgun is fully seated in the holster. 
     The blocking means further includes attaching means for mounting the body member to the holster for movement of the body member between first and second positions. The body member includes a finger ledge for selectively moving the body member with respect to attaching the means with a force applied by a finger of a user. The body member is movable out of engagement with a trigger guard of a handgun when force is applied by a middle finger of a user to the finger ledge. The body member is movable inwardly toward a user by force applied to the finger ledge by a middle finger of a user. The body member alternately may be movable downwardly by force applied to ledge by a finger of a user. The body member includes a laterally extending flange member shielding an upper edge of the inner cavity to inhibit entry of debris into the cavity which otherwise may foul movement of the body member. Biasing means is mounted inside the cavity of the holster for forcing a handgun forwardly in the holster for engagement of a handgun with the stop means. The biasing means includes a housing affixed to the holster, the blocking means includes a body member and attaching means for mounting the body member to the housing of the biasing means. The housing includes a laterally projecting post member, the body member of the blocking means having an opening formed therein to fit the post member therein when the blocking means is in the first position to inhibit rotative movement of the body member, the post member being at least partially removed from the opening when the body member is in the second position. 
     In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along front and back portions to define an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun holster therein, the restraint including mechanical stop means located in the inner cavity to engage a portion of a handgun in the holster to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun upwardly prior to rearward movement of a handgun and blocking means including a body member mounted adjacent the rear portion and biased in a first position that engages a portion of a handgun to inhibit rearward movement of a handgun until the body member is selectively moved, the body member also having a second position that permits rearward movement of a handgun to withdraw same from the holster. The stop means includes a removable element and means to retain the element to the holster in a fixed position. The stop means includes an inwardly disposed boss having a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion of the boss being shaped to engage the inner surface of an ejection port of a handgun to inhibit upward movement of a handgun. The rear portion of the boss is tapered to allow a muzzle of a handgun to slide therealong without contact with the stop means during insertion of a handgun into the holster until a handgun is fully seated in the holster. The blocking means further includes attaching means for mounting the body member to the holster for movement of the body member between first and second positions. The body member includes a finger ledge for selectively moving the body member with regard to the attaching means with a force applied by the finger of a user. The body member includes a laterally extending flange member shielding an upper edge of the inner cavity to inhibit entry of debris into the cavity which otherwise may foul movement of the body member. Biasing means is mounted inside the cavity of the holster for forcing a handgun forwardly in the holster for engagement of a handgun with the stop means. The biasing means includes a housing affixed to the holster, the blocking means includes a body member and attaching means for mounting the body member to the housing of the biasing means. The housing includes a laterally projecting post member, the body member of the blocking means having an opening formed therein to fit the post member therein when the blocking means is in the first position to inhibit rotative movement of the body member, the post member being at least partially removed from the opening when the body member is in the second position. 
     Other aspects of the invention include an elongated restraining strap having opposite ends and a medial portion bridging the sidewalls across the open top, means for pivotal attachment of the opposite ends of the strap to respective sidewalls to permit movement of the strap from a position across the open top to restrict handgun withdrawal to a position generally forwardly of the holster to permit handgun withdrawal, the means for pivotal attachment including a detent means releasably engaged with the means for pivotal attachment for preventing forward pivotal movement of the restraining strap until the strap is moved at the means for pivotal attachment in a predetermined direction. There is also selectively operable blocking means attached to the holster movable between a first position to prevent forward pivotal movement of the strap after the strap has first been in the downward direction and a second position to allow forward pivotal movement of the strap after the strap has been moved in the downward direction. 
     There is also provided a holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along front and back portions to define an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun holstered therein, the restraint including mechanical means located in the inner cavity to engage a portion of a handgun in the holster to inhibit withdrawal of a handgun upwardly prior to rearward movement of a handgun, blocking means including a body member mounted adjacent the rear portion and biased in a first position that engages a trigger guard of a handgun to inhibit rearward movement of a handgun until the body member is selectively moved, the body member having a second position that permits rearward movement of a handgun to withdraw same from the holster and biasing means mounted inside the cavity of the holster for forcing a handgun forwardly in the holster for engagement of a handgun with the mechanical means. The biasing means includes a housing affixed to the holster, the blocking means includes a body member and attaching means for mounting the body member to said housing of the biasing means. The body member includes a finger ledge for selectively moving the body member with regard to the attaching means with a force applied by the finger of a user. The mechanical means includes stop means having an inwardly disposed boss for engagement with an ejection port of a handgun to inhibit upward movement of a handgun. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the holster according to the present invention with a portion cut away to illustrate the space used to secure stop means to the holster; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the holster of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective of an alternate embodiment of the rearward securing assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the stop means used in the holster; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the stop means of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the rearward securing assembly of FIG. 1 shown attached to the biasing assembly in accord with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blocking member employed in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the blocking member of FIG.  7 : 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the rearward securing assembly in accord with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 is a rear view of the guard block of FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention incorporates features of previous patents and co-pending applications of one or both of the present inventions. 
     1. The present holster employs the biasing apparatus of Rogers, et al &#39;239 to force a handgun forwardly to position the ejection port of a semi-automatic handgun against a stop in the holster. Once seated in this manner, the gun cannot be withdrawn in a simple vertical manner. Rather, the gun must be forced rearwardly against the biasing means to remove it from the stop means. In the present invention, the stop means has been improved to make it removable in the event it becomes worn down so that a new stop means may be inserted. In addition, the stop means is replaceable by another stop means more appropriate to the handgun being used. In the present invention, the stop means is specifically designed to work with a Glock handgun. If the holster is to be used with another type of handgun, the stop means can be easily replaced with one that provides a better match for the handgun actually being used. 
     2. The present invention employs the bridging strap of Rogers, et al &#39;381. The bridging strap rides over the rear of a handgun and includes a hood that is rotatable forwardly thus allowing the gun to be withdrawn. The hood is connected to a vertically movable leg member that must be depressed downwardly to allow for rotation of the hood forwardly. 
     3. The present holster also includes the hood blocking means of Rogers, et al application &#39;085. A positive locking means is positionable in a manner to prevent downward movement of the leg member unless a blocking member is rotated rearwardly out of the way. Because the blocking member must be rotated rearwardly to allow the leg member to be moved downwardly the required action makes it very difficult for an assailant to withdraw the gun. When used with the biasing element and stop means as discussed above even greater security is achieved. 
     4. The present holster is designed to be used with the improved holster back plate disclosed in Rogers, et al—application Ser. No. 09/696,561. The improved back plate cooperates with a holster belt to prevent movement of the holster forwardly and rearwardly along the belt. This feature includes greater assurance that the holster remains where the user sets it and provides the security of knowing precisely where the accompanying handgun is located. 
     5. The present holster provides for an alternative to the rear strap used in Rogers &#39;980. The strap used therein operates to hold the rear of the holster—shaped like a clam shell—to be held tightly together providing additional security against assailant withdrawal. 
     With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate at numeral  10  a side view and rear view respectively of the holster  11  in accordance with the present invention. Biasing apparatus  12  forces a handgun  16  (shown in dotted line in FIG. 1) forwardly against stop means  15  (shown only generally in FIG.  2 ). 
     Hood strap assembly  13  is shown up in FIG.  1  and rotated forwardly in FIG.  2 . The rearward securing assembly is shown generally at  14  and is movable inwardly. (in broken line) from its normal position (shown in solid line) as indicated by arrow  21 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, forward biasing means  12  includes a support body  22  by which the apparatus  12  is attached to holster  11 . An engaging member  23  is pivotally mounted via pin  24 . Member  23  carries a roller  25  mounted on axle  26  and is internally spring biased to be forced against trigger guard  17 . Flange  27  provides for mounting body  22  to holster  11  via a T-nut  28  or other appropriate means as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,239 incorporated herein by reference. With respect again to FIG. 2, hood strap assembly  13  includes hood strap  29  having a thumb ledge  30  by which leg  31  can be pushed downwardly to allow for strap  29  to be rotated forwardly as shown once the locking mechanism is cleared as clearly illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,381 which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     Releasable blocking apparatus  32  includes a thumb ledge  33  by which a blocking element  34  can be moved rearwardly to allow leg  31  to be pushed downwardly as clearly illustrated in application Ser. No. 09/562,085 which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the preferred stop means used in the present invention. Stop means insert  35  includes a series of ribs  36  that match curved interior channel  38  in holster  11  resting on ledges  39  (FIG. 2) which fixes it in place when the holster is closed with screws  45 . Interior upper channel  37  provides clearance for the forward sight  18  of a handgun  16 . Boss  40  includes three portions: a first flat portion  41  fits into the forward portion of an ejection port  19 ; and second and third portions  42  and  43  that “cam up” or guide the muzzle of a handgun  16  when it is inserted into the holster  11 . Biasing apparatus  12  also engages the gun, forcing it upwardly against the forward portion of the holster  11  providing that boss  40  fits into port  19 . Direct rearward (i.e., vertical) movement of the handgun  16  will be blocked by the forward part of the gun  16  adjacent the forward edge of port  19  coming into contact with front portion  41  of boss  40 . Accordingly, rearward motion of the gun  16  against biasing apparatus  12  is required to clear boss  40  and remove the gun  16  from holster  11 . 
     Stop means  35  is a unitary plastic element that fits into interior space  38  and is secured into position when screws  45  are tightened to close the holster  11  without any additional mechanical means and is therefore easily replaceable. The holster  11  is held together rearwardly in a clamshell-like fashion via screws  45  that provide for sufficient closure of the holster side  46  and the two inward overlapping sidewall portions  47  and  48 . Portion  47  is unitary with side  46  and is formed to overlie portion  48  to further provide for security against gun  16  being withdrawn by an assailant a rearward engaging means  14  is employed to prevent rearward movement of the gun  16  unless a blocking element  49  is pushed inwardly and out of the way of the trigger guard  17  by a user. 
     The blocking element is shown in FIGS. 6-8. Element  49  includes a body  50  having a first end portion  51  to which it is mounted to biasing member body  22  using pin  24  and a second end portion  52  including a finger ledge  57  by which it is moved sideways with a middle finger preferably, or an index finger. 
     First end portion  51  includes pin (or screw) hole  53  by which it is rigidly attached to body  22 . Another medially located hole  56  in body  22  fits over laterally extending post  55  mounted on body  27 . Hole  54  provides a passageway for a screw or bolt  45  mounting biasing assembly  12 . Flange  58  extends laterally and aids in blocking debris from entering the holster  11  and the associated securing apparatus such as the pivot means. Cavity  59  in ledge  57  reduces weight. Rib sections  60  and  62  cooperate with the specific embodiment of biasing apparatus  12  used in the holster  11 . Rib  61  is preferably in contact with trigger guard  17 . The rib  61  is upraised to fit forwardly of ledge  57  against trigger guard  17  to minimize the allowed rearward movement of handgun  16  before the movement is blocked. When blocking element  49  is moved sideways by finger pressure on ledge  57 , rib  61  is moved away from trigger guard  17  and sufficient room will exist between adjacent flange  63  and surface  63 ′ to allow enough to allow enough rearward movement of the handgun  16  to disengage the ejection port  19  from stop means boss  40  but not enough movement to allow the gun  16  to clear the rotating hood  29  if the hood  29  is upward in its blocking position. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a rearward securing assembly  67 . Biasing assembly  68  is substantially the same as the assembly  12 . Housing  69  provides space  70  for spring  71  and guard block  72  that is normally biased to be in contact with trigger guard  17 . Vertical channel  73  is also formed in housing  69  and provides a travel path for holding pin  74  by which block  72  is mounted to spring  71 . Trigger guard arm  75  extends upward on the inward (user&#39;s) side of holster  76  and terminates in thumb ledge  77 . Downward pressure on ledge  77  pushes guard block  72  downwardly in space  70  below trigger guard  17  allowing for rearward motion of gun  16  as before. Spring  71  mounted being locating elements  78  and  79 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of a rearward securing assembly  80 . Biasing assembly  81  is substantially as before and includes a space  82  in housing  83  in which guard block  84  is mounted on spring  85  via pin  86  which moves in vertical channel  87 . Finger ledge  88  is used to depress block  84  downwardly to allow rearward movement of trigger guard  17  for withdrawal of gun  16  as before. 
     Finger ledge  88  is formed with a medially located channel  89  to keep ledge  88  close to the gun  16  for close to the handgun  16  for increased safety spring locating elements  91 ,  92  are as before. 
     To summarize, when handgun  16  is inserted into the holster  1  the tapered portion of stop  15  results in an angled entry of the muzzle with the trigger guard  17  rearwardly. As the handgun  16  is inserted further, biasing means  12  begins to force handgun  16  forwardly as trigger guard  17  makes contact with rear securing means  14  at a rearward portion of cam or flange surface  63 ′ and the trigger guard pushes the blocking element  49  inwardly out of the way to permit handgun  16  to become fully seated, whereupon the blocking element  49  by surface  61 ′ of rib  61  engages the trigger guard  17  to prevent rearward movement and to automatically lock the gun in the holster. Further securing is accomplished by rotating hood  29  over the handgun  16  and further securing by hand lock-blocking element  34 . 
     While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.