Patent Publication Number: US-11639840-B2

Title: Holsters and methods of use

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/068,029, filed Aug. 20, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to holsters. The invention particularly relates to holsters configured to secure a handgun or other item to an individual while the individual is sitting, for example, in a vehicle. 
     There are a wide variety of firearm holsters available for holding and securing handguns. These holsters are configured to secure the handgun in locations on an individual&#39;s body such as at the ribs, waistline, thigh, or ankle. In addition, various holsters are available that are configured to secure a handgun to a fixed structure, such as furniture. Regardless of the securement location for which a holster is adapted, the general intent of a holster is typically to enable an individual to quickly draw or remove the handgun from the holster in the event of an emergency or other situation when use of the handgun is desired. 
     Issues may arise when using conventional holsters while the individual is in a sitting position, such as in a seat of a motor vehicle. Holsters are not typically configured for this type of situation, and as such an individual&#39;s ability to draw the handgun may be hindered. For example, an individual sitting in a vehicle may have problems drawing the handgun if the handgun and/or holster are obstructed by a seatbelt. In addition, due to the individual&#39;s seated position in a relatively confined space (i.e., a motor vehicle), drawing of the handgun from the holster may require the individual to twist or contort their body and/or may require the individual to use both hands, that is, one hand to draw the handgun and the other to steady the holster, adjust an article of clothing, adjust an obstruction such as a seatbelt, etc. In addition to hindering the use of the handgun, if the individual is driving the vehicle the potential requirement of using two hands to draw the weapon necessitates that the individual let go of the steering wheel, which may cause loss of control over the vehicle. 
     Perhaps due in part to these issues, some individuals decide to forego the use of a holster while seated in a vehicle. For example, an individual may rest the handgun on a passenger seat, on their lap, or below their lap. These practices come with their own potential drawbacks such as the accidental discharge of the unsecured handgun and/or the handgun becoming dislodged or sliding during braking, turning, or a collision, as well as damage to the vehicle&#39;s upholstery or molding. 
     Certain holsters are available that are specifically configured to be mounted in a vehicle in locations such as below or to a side of a steering wheel, on a front end of or below a seat, or in an arm rest (e.g., center console) or a glove compartment. While these holsters may address some issues relating to ease of drawing the handgun and maintaining the handgun in a secure position during operation of the vehicle, they are generally fixed in the vehicle and cannot easily be used outside of the vehicle or in another vehicle. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable if a holster was available that was capable of securely retaining a handgun in a manner that allows a seated individual to quickly and easily draw the handgun with a single hand. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides holsters and methods for their use. The holsters are suitable for securely retaining an item, such as a handgun, to an individual that allows for quick withdrawal of the item with a single hand even when the individual is in a sitting position. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a holster is provided that includes at least first and second holster subcomponents that comprise at least first and second partial cavities, respectively. The first and second holster subcomponents are assemblable to align the first and second partial cavities to define a pocket that is configured so that the first and second holster subcomponents are interlocked together to define the holster when an item is placed in the pocket and the first and second holster subcomponents are simultaneously released from each other in response to the item being removed from the pocket. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a firearm holster is provided that includes at least first and second holster subcomponents that are configured to assemble with each other to define a pocket that is configured to receive and retain a handgun. The first and second holster subcomponents are configured to interlock with each other while the handgun is located in the pocket and configured to simultaneously release from each other when the handgun is removed from the pocket. The firearm holster further includes at least one strap configured to secure the first and second holster subcomponents to one another. The firearm holster is configured to be secured to an individual by wrapping the at least one strap about a body part of the individual and then interlock the first and second holster subcomponents by placing the handgun in the pocket. Simultaneously releasing the first and second holster subcomponents from each other by removing the handgun from the pocket simultaneously causes the firearm holster to release from the individual. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided that includes securing a handgun to an individual with a firearm holster such that the handgun is retained within a pocket of the firearm holster, and removing the handgun from the pocket of the firearm holster, wherein subcomponents of the firearm holster interlock together to define the firearm holster when the handgun is placed in the pocket and the subcomponents are simultaneously released from each other in response to the handgun being removed from the pocket. 
     Technical effects of the holsters and method described above preferably include the ability to secure a handgun (or other item) to an individual while seated in a vehicle in a manner that allows for convenient removal of the item while also simultaneously releasing the holster from the individual. 
     Other aspects and advantages of this invention will be appreciated from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1  and  2    represent two opposing side views of an individual&#39;s leg depicting a first embodiment of a firearm holster secured to the leg and in which a handgun is secured in the firearm holster in accordance with certain nonlimiting aspects of the invention. 
         FIGS.  3  and  4    represent subcomponents of the firearm holster of  FIGS.  1  and  2    that are separated from each other, wherein  FIG.  3    represents the subcomponents interconnected with a pair of straps that are connected together by a coupling and  FIG.  4    represents the pair of straps disconnected at the coupling. 
         FIG.  5    represents an isolated front view of the subcomponents of the firearm holster of  FIGS.  1  through  4   , evidencing the manner in which the holster is an assembly of the subcomponents. 
         FIGS.  6  through  10    represent, respectively, perspective, front, top, right end, and exploded views of a second embodiment of a firearm holster in accordance with certain nonlimiting aspects of the invention. 
         FIG.  11    represents an isolated front view of a third embodiment of a firearm holster in accordance with certain nonlimiting aspects of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The intended purpose of the following detailed description of the invention and the phraseology and terminology employed therein is to describe what is shown in the drawings, which include the depiction of one or more nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, and to describe certain but not all aspects of what is depicted in the drawings, including the embodiment(s) depicted in the drawings. The following detailed description also identifies certain but not all alternatives of the embodiment(s) depicted in the drawings. Therefore, the appended claims, and not the detailed description, are intended to particularly point out subject matter regarded as the invention, including certain but not necessarily all of the aspects and alternatives described in the detailed description. 
     The following describes embodiments of holsters that are configured to secure to an individual a weapon, such as a handgun  410  represented in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . The holsters are particularly beneficial for use by individuals while in a seated position, such as when traveling in a motor vehicle. In particular, the depicted holsters are configured to receive and retain a handgun, secure the handgun against a portion of an individual&#39;s body, such as below the knee (i.e., lower leg) of an individual&#39;s leg  310  as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , and automatically be released from the individual by removing the handgun from the holsters. As such, the holsters provide a convenient method for supporting a handgun that may reduce the likelihood of the holsters causing obstruction or tangling of the legs of the individual in the event of the handgun being drawn therefrom. Although the holsters are described herein and represented in the drawings as configured for being secured to the lower leg  310  of the individual, it should be apparent that the holsters may be configured to be secured to locations of individuals other than the lower leg  310 . 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    show a first embodiment of a firearm holster  10  secured to an individual&#39;s leg  310  and securing the handgun  410  thereto. The holster  10  includes at least two separate (sometimes referred to herein as first and second) holster subcomponents  12  and  14 . As more readily apparent in  FIG.  5   , the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are complementary to each other and when assembled form what may be referred to as a holster assembly. The holster subcomponent  14  in its entirety is receivable between (interdigitated with) two legs  15  of the holster subcomponent  12 , with a continuous separation or gap  20  therebetween so that the subcomponents  12  and  14  can be selectively assembled with each other and disassembled from each other without any interference fit therebetween. Each holster subcomponent  12  and  14  includes a base component (referred to herein as base portions  12 A and  14 A) and a cavity component (referred to herein as cavity portions). As more readily apparent in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the cavity portion of the holster subcomponent  12  comprises a pair of cavity members  12 B that are spaced apart from each other to define a partial cavity  22 A therebetween, and the cavity portion of the holster subcomponent  14  comprises a pair of cavity members  14 B that are spaced apart from each other to define a partial cavity  22 B therebetween, such that each holster subcomponent  12  and  14  comprises one of the partial cavities  22 A and  22 B. When assembled together, the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  form parts of the holster  10  that are adapted and configured to secure the handgun  410  thereto. In particular, when the subcomponents  12  and  14  are assembled with each other as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  5   , the partial cavities  22 A and  22 B of the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are aligned to define in combination a continuous uninterrupted cavity between the subcomponents  12  and  14 , forming what is referred to herein as a pocket  24  ( FIG.  1   ) that is sized and shaped complementary to the handgun  410  intended to be secured with the holster  10 . When present within the pocket  24 , the handgun  410  serves as the sole means for interlocking the subcomponents  12  and  14 , preventing their disassembly from each other. As such, removal of the handgun  410  from the pocket  24  simultaneously frees the subcomponents  12  and  14  from each other, allowing the subcomponents  12  and  14  to freely separate from each other without impediment. 
     The base portions  12 A and  14 A of the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  combine to define a composite base of the resulting holster  10 . As indicated in  FIG.  5   , the composite base comprises two end portions  26 A and  26 B separated by the cavity members  12 B and  14 B that combined to define the pocket  24 . Slots  28  and  30  are defined in the end portions  26 A and  26 B, respectively. In the nonlimiting embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1  through  5   , the slot  28  is defined entirely within the base portion  12 A of the first holster subcomponent  12  and the slot  30  is defined entirely within the base portion  14 A of the second holster subcomponent  14 . 
     In  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the first and second holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are shown as secured to the individual&#39;s lower leg  310  with straps  16  and  18  (sometimes referred to herein as first and second straps  16  and  18 ). As more readily seen in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the straps  16  and  18  are threaded through the slots  28  and  30  in the holster subcomponents  12  and  14 , respectively, and may be secured thereto with hook and loop fasteners  36  and  38 , respectively, at first ends thereof. The straps  16  and  18  are preferably capable of being coupled to one another at second ends thereof with side release buckle fasteners  32  and  34 .  FIG.  4    shows the hook and loop fastener  38  of the second strap  18  as disconnected. In certain other embodiments, the first and second holster subcomponents  12  and  14  may be coupled with a single, adjustable strap rather than two separate straps  16  and  18 . Furthermore, means other than straps could be used to secure the holster  10  to the individual&#39;s lower leg  310  or to another anatomical region of the individual. 
     Though the embodiment of  FIGS.  1  through  5    utilizes two complementary holster subcomponents  12  and  14 , the holster  10  could comprise more than two holster subcomponents that are configured to be combined to define the pocket  24  and end portions  26 A and  26 B of the holster  10 . Furthermore, the first holster subcomponent  12  could have more than two legs  15  that receive two or more complementary portions of the second holster subcomponent  14 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS.  1  through  5   , the base portion  12 A and cavity members  12 B of the first holster subcomponent  12  are coupled together with fasteners, rivets, or the like, and the base portion  12 B and cavity members  14 B of the second holster subcomponent  14  are coupled together with fasteners, rivets, or the like. Alternatively, either or both of the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  may be integrally formed as a single unitary component, for example, formed of a molded or machined material. For example, the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  may each be formed of an integral, molded polymeric material fabricated using a suitable molding technique, such as injection molding. 
     As noted above, in the embodiment represented in  FIGS.  1  through  5    the first and second holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are not required to be equipped with any means for attaching and interconnecting to each other, for example, as a result of being directly coupled with one or more interlocking interfaces located on either subcomponent  12  and  14  to yield the holster  10 . Instead, the gap  20  separates the subcomponents  12  and  14  when they are arranged as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  5   , and while located in the pocket  24  the handgun  410  functions as a temporary intermediate interlocking feature that preferably serves as the sole means by which the subcomponents  12  and  14  are interconnected together to yield the holster  10 . In other words, the handgun  410  located within the pocket  24  ( FIGS.  1  and  2   ) comprises the sole means by which the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are secured together, and the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  freely disassemble with each other in the absence of the handgun  410  in the pocket ( FIG.  5   ), such that removing the handgun  410  from the pocket  24  in  FIGS.  1  and  2    releases the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  from each other, which for example, enables the subcomponents  12  and  14  to move in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows in  FIG.  5   . Under the effect of gravity, once the handgun  410  is removed from the pocket  24  the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are released from each other and free to fall, thereby releasing the holster  10  from the individual. 
     As shown in the  FIGS.  1  and  5   , the first and second holster subcomponents  12  and  14  fit together such that the second holster subcomponent  14  is between and partially surrounded by the legs  15  of the first holster subcomponent  12 . This feature is not strictly required as the partial cavities  22 A and  22 B of the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  may be merely aligned side by side and the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  secured together by the handgun  410  when located within the pocket  24  formed by the partial cavities  22 A and  22 B. However, an arrangement in which one of the holster subcomponents is partially surrounded by the other holster subcomponent may reduce the likelihood that gaps or misalignment will occur between the holster subcomponents  12  and  14 . As such, interdigitating portions of the subcomponents  12  and  14  is believed to reduce the likelihood that the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  will disengage while the handgun  410  is retained in the pocket  24  defined by the partial cavities  22 A and  22 B. 
     During use, an individual may couple the side release buckle fasteners  32  and  34  of the straps  16  and  18  to each other, assemble the subcomponents  12  and  14  to align their partial cavities  22 A and  22 B and thereby form the pocket  24 , interlock the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  by placing a handgun  410  in the pocket  24 , and then wrap the coupled straps  16  and  18  around their lower leg  310  and tighten the resulting holster assembly around their leg  310  by pulling on the free end of the strap  18  before securing the strap  18  to itself with the hook and loop fastener  38  of the strap  18 . Alternatively, the coupled straps  16  and  18  could be wrapped around the lower leg  310  before interlocking the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  by placing a handgun  410  in the pocket  24  of the holster  10 . Once the partial cavities  22 A and  22 B of the subcomponents  12  and  14  are aligned to form the pocket  24 , the handgun  410  can be fully inserted into the pocket  24  to act as an intermediate interlocking feature that secures the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  together to yield the holster  10 . The individual may then adjust the tightness of the firearm holster  10  on their lower leg  310  by releasing, for example, the hook and loop fastener  36  of the strap  18  and then adjusting the amount of the strap  18  that is inserted through the slot  30  before again coupling the hook and loop fastener  36 . Subsequently, the individual may remove the handgun  410  from the pocket  24 , with the result that the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are simultaneously disconnected from one another, releasing the entire holster  10  from the lower leg  310  to enable the holster  10  to fall from the lower leg  310  under the force of gravity. 
     Use of the firearm holster  10  while seated provides a natural (e.g., ergonomic), vertical draw of the handgun  410  from the pocket  24 . Further, drawing the handgun  410  and releasing the firearm holster  10  from the lower leg  310  may significantly reduce the likelihood of tripping or obstruction to the individual&#39;s movement by the holster  10 . In addition, once the straps  16  and  18  have been adjusted to the desired length, an individual can quickly and repeatedly attach the firearm holster  10  to their lower leg  310  as desired by simply inserting the handgun  410  into the pocket  24  formed by the partial cavities  22 A and  22 B while the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are arranged as represented in  FIG.  5   . Since the holster  10  is not permanently mounted or affixed to the vehicle, it can easily be transported to and used in other vehicles or locations. 
       FIGS.  6  through  11    represent second and third embodiments of firearm holsters  100  and  200 . In  FIGS.  6  through  11   , consistent reference numbers are used to identify elements or components that are the same or functional equivalents of elements or components identified in  FIGS.  1  through  5   , but with a numerical prefix ( 1  or  2 ) added to distinguish the particular embodiment from the embodiment of  FIGS.  1  through  5   . In view of similarities between the first, second, and third embodiments, the following discussion of  FIGS.  6  through  11    will focus primarily on aspects of the additional embodiments that differ from the embodiment of  FIGS.  1  through  5    in some notable or significant manner. Other aspects of the additional embodiments not discussed in any detail can be, in terms of structure, function, materials, etc., essentially as was described for the first embodiment. 
     Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS.  1  through  5   ,  FIGS.  6  through  10    represent the firearm holster  100  comprising holster subcomponents  112  and  114 , and  FIG.  11    represents the firearm holster  200  comprising holster subcomponents  212  and  214 . The holster subcomponents  112 ,  114 ,  212  and  214  may be used as alternatives for the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  of the embodiment of  FIGS.  1  through  5   . As such, the holster subcomponents  112 ,  114 ,  212  and  214  may be used in combination with the straps  16  and  18  for securing the handgun  410  to an individual. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS.  6  through  10   , the holster subcomponents  112  and  114  do not include the slots  28  and  30  of the first embodiment. Instead, belt loops  128  and  130  are located on surfaces of the base portions  112 A and  114 A of the holster subcomponents  112  and  114 . Therefore, the holster subcomponents  112  and  114  may be used with the straps  16  and  18  in a manner similar to that described for the first embodiment, or may be used with a single body belt or strap (not shown) that passes through both belt loops  128  and  130 .  FIG.  10    represents each of the holster subcomponents  112  and  114  as comprising two separate pieces that are secured together with fasteners to form their respective holster subcomponent  112  or  114 . The separate pieces of the subcomponent  112  (both labeled as  112  in  FIG.  10   ) are represented in  FIG.  10    as mirror images of each other. Similarly, the separate pieces of the subcomponent  114  (both labeled as  114  in  FIG.  10   ) are represented in  FIG.  10    as mirror images of each other. Fasteners that secure the belt loop  128  to the subcomponent  112  can serve to simultaneously secure the pieces of the subcomponent  112  together at its base portion  112 A, and fasteners that secure the belt loop  130  to the subcomponent  114  can serve to simultaneously secure the pieces of the subcomponent  114  together at its base portion  114 A. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the holster subcomponents  212  and  214  are fabricated of pliable materials so that the pocket (unnumbered in  FIG.  11   ) is able to elastically conform to the shape of a handgun placed in the pocket, with the result that the holster  200  may have a smaller profile relative to the holster  10  of  FIGS.  1  through  5   . In addition, the holster subcomponents  212  and  214  are configured to be permanently or releasably coupled to straps (not shown) with fasteners  228  and  230 , such as rivets, rather than the slots  28  and  30  of the first embodiment. 
     Various alternative embodiments are foreseeable in addition to the embodiments described above. In addition, it is foreseeable that the holsters  10 ,  100 , and  200  may be configured to receive and support items other than or in addition to a handgun. In such embodiments, the holster subcomponents  12 ,  14 ,  112 ,  114 ,  212 , and  214  may be retained in fixed positions relative to each other while the one or more items act as interconnecting features within one or more pockets defined by the holster subcomponents  12 ,  14 ,  112 ,  114 ,  212 , and  214 . Such other items may include but are not limited to nonlethal weapons such as pepper spray and stun guns, flashlights, knives, extra magazines/ammunition for a handgun, etc. 
     In embodiments in which the firearm holsters  10 ,  100 , and  200  are intended to be attached to the anatomy of an individual with a strap, the firearm holster  10  may include means for assisting the individual in securing the holsters  10 ,  100 , and  200  to a body part. For example, the holsters  10 ,  100 , and  200  may include temporary means of interlocking the holster subcomponents  12 ,  14 ,  112 ,  114 ,  212 , and  214  to each other while the strap is manipulated such that the holsters  10 ,  100 , and  200  may first be secured to the individual, the gun can be inserted, and then the temporary interlocking means released. Such temporary interlocking means may include but is not limited to various connectors and fasteners such as push pins, clips, clasps, latches, etc. In such embodiments, the handgun  410  (or other item) is intended to be the sole means by which the holster subcomponents  12  and  14  are secured together while the holster  10 ,  100 , or  200  is worn by the individual, so that the holster subcomponents  12 ,  14 ,  112 ,  114 ,  212 , and  214  will freely disassemble with each other in the absence of the handgun  410  in the pocket. 
     The holsters  10 ,  100 , and  200  and their components may be formed of various materials. For example, the straps  16  and  18  may include various natural or synthetic leather materials and/or natural or synthetic, woven or nonwoven fabric materials. The holster subcomponents  12 ,  14 ,  112 ,  114 ,  212 , and  214  may include various molded, machined, or otherwise formed metallic materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials, and/or composite materials. The holster subcomponents  12 ,  14 ,  112 ,  114 ,  212 , and  214  may even include natural or synthetic, woven or nonwoven fabric or leather materials if constructed in a manner that is sufficiently rigid to function in the manner described herein. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of specific or particular embodiments, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the physical configuration of the holsters  10 ,  100 , and  200  could differ from that shown, and materials and processes/methods other than those noted could be used. In addition, the invention encompasses additional embodiments in which one or more features or aspects of different disclosed embodiments may be combined or one or more features or aspects of a particular embodiment could be omitted. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.