Patent Publication Number: US-2022221247-A1

Title: Holster system, holder, holster and quick-release gun anchor system

Description:
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a holster, a support and an anchorage quick release system for guns, for positioning to clothing, objects, equipment or to the wearer&#39;s own body capable of being quickly released. 
     This system is applicable to any gun that can be gripped by a man including replicas and imitations thereof whose weight is supportable by the invention. 
     The industrial application of this invention lies within the field of gun support systems, straps, belts, holsters allowing the attachment of portable guns to the body or to an object comprising even systems as MOLLE, STRIKE, PALS, RIS, Picantinny, similar and compatible accessories. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although no invention identical to the one described has been found, we present below the documents found which reflect the state of the art related to the same. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,554B2 describes a similar strap system which, in practice, is uncomfortable especially when sitting. The ergonomics of the present invention according to claim eleventh corrects this discomfort by requiring one belt less, and by following part ( 18 ) the movements of the leg joint, also allowing a lower weight. 
     Patent number EP1479998A2 presents a fixing device similar to the assembly of  FIGS. 14 and 15  although with fewer adjustment shafts according to claim ten, its mechanisms being completely different. 
     Patent number ES 2 624 194T3 features a double safety holster lacking the features of claim five which eliminates the vertical movement of drawing a gun. While the present invention requires two different movements to activate the locking mechanism ( 3 ), and release button ( 2 ), the cited patent releases two safety mechanisms with a single movement. According to the claim two the locking systems prevent operation by anyone other than the user as well as a quick release. 
     Patent numbers EP 2699868 and EP 2281170 present fastening devices similar to the fastening mechanism described in claim ten. The present invention improves the degrees of adjustment according to claim ten and provides greater simplicity of manufacturing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,754B2 presents a similar device lacking the features of claims one and two. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,958A features a similar system; however, it is only intended to be drawn quickly, not for operating in a tactical or combat environment according to claim one and lacks the locking system according to claim two. 
     Conclusions: As can be seen from the research carried out, none of the documents found solves the problems posed as the proposed invention does. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The holster, support and anchorage quick release system for guns, object of the present invention, regarding the quick release mechanism section as compared to the present systems, the latter suffer from a delay due to the movements necessary to draw the gun which the present invention corrects and improves. 
     In other cases, such as competition holsters, the retention system is based on a sphere which blocks the trigger guard, which requires a vertical drawing movement and/or are not built with sufficient strength so that they would be quickly damaged in combat conditions, or lack a positive action which prevents release by third parties. 
     In the case of the gun being carried on the leg or belt, the existing holsters force the shooter to extract it vertically or horizontally in part or in its entirety before initiating the aiming movement towards the target. The present invention eliminates this movement by initiating the aiming movement from the very same instant of its release. The same occurs in any support position, be it chest, side, anchorage to a vehicle or object, etc. 
     By improving the speed with which the gun is drawn and aims, the present invention enables the shooter to gain a time advantage over existing holsters. The wearer of the gun is able to open fire faster than with existing holsters. 
     Existing holsters incorporating a locking safety either is bulky, cumbersome or makes access to the gun itself difficult, whereas the safety incorporated in the present invention improves upon the above while accomplishing several objectives: being operable with gloves, preventing anyone but the gun carrier from easily releasing it in order to snatch the gun from the carrier, and establishing a second level of security against an accidental release of the gun. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the system can be made of light materials, aluminum, plastic, etc., which improves the ergonomics of the current systems and the comfort of use. 
     The described quick release system can be used while seated in a vehicle since it is not necessary to make a drawing movement as in the conventional ones, i.e., the elbow does not interfere with the seat or the vehicle. 
     The entire system can withstand a pulling force of more than  40  kg exerted on the weapon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present description, drawings representing a preferred embodiment of the present invention are provided herewith: 
         FIG. 1 : Complete view of a possible embodiment of the system on leg strap. 
         FIG. 2 : Complete view of a possible embodiment of the quick release holster assembly anchored to a tactical vest by means of a MOLLE system or similar. 
         FIG. 3 : View of a possible anchoring of the quick release holster to an object, a table in this case. 
         FIG. 4 : View of a possible attachment of the quick release holster to a vehicle. 
         FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 : Details of possible embodiments of the quick release holster mechanism. 
         FIG. 12 : Detail of a possible overall embodiment of the quick release holster adjustment and anchoring system to a harness or leg strap. 
         FIG. 13 : Detail of a possible embodiment of the quick release holster support and adjustment mechanism. 
         FIG. 14 : Detail of a possible embodiment of the quick release holster support and adjustment mechanism that can be detached from the main support block  15   b.    
         FIG. 15 : Detail of a possible simplified realization of the system showing only one anchorage to the belt. 
         FIG. 16 : Detail of a possible realization of the quick release holster anchorage to a tactical vest. 
     
    
    
     The numerical references appearing in said figures correspond to the following constituent elements of the invention:
       1 . Trigger guard ratchet.     2 . Release button     3 . Locking mechanism     4 . Rail, RIS, Picantinny or compatible housing machining     5 . Left ( 5   i ) and right ( 5   d ) main assembly part     6 . Main assembly part     7 . Stabilizers     8 . Through bolt     9 . Screws     10 . Ball spring assembly     11 . Ratchet arm     12 . Ratchet and locking housing     13 . Rail     14 . Right fitting     15 . Left adjustment     16 . Locking     17 . Belt     18 . Flexible joint     19 . Belt attachment piece     20 . Leg belt fastening piece     21 . Molle spider or Molle holster holder     22 . Pressed bushing     23 . Pin     24 . Part added to the gun itself     24   a.  Machining or modification of the weapon   

     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The main gun release mechanism may comprise the following parts ( FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 ): 
     Trigger guard ratchet ( 1 ). The function of said ratchet is to lock the gun in the invention as soon as it is inserted by yielding its beveled side under the insertion action of the trigger guard of the gun. The release of the ratchet ( 1 ), is commanded by the ratchet arm ( 11 ), in turn pressed by the release button ( 2 ). The ratchet arm ( 11 ) pivots on an axis ( 11   a ) and is held pressed in the locked position by a spring ( 11   b ) such that if no action is exerted on the release button ( 2 ), release of the gun is impossible. The ratchet arm ( 11 ) is attached to the ratchet ( 1 ) by means of the pin ( 11   c ) which is housed with sufficient play in its through bore in the ratchet arm to allow free circular movement around the shaft ( 11   a ). 
     The trigger guard ratchet ( 1 ) is housed in a ratchet and locking housing ( 12 ) comprising the main parts ( 5   i,    5   d,    6  and  12 ). The ratchet and locking housing ( 12 ) may be common to all model guns while parts ( 5   i,    5   d  and  6 ) are molded or machined to achieve a perfect fit to the shape of the weapon for which it is intended. Assembly parts ( 6  and  5   d ) are bolted by through bolts to assembly part ( 5   i ) or by another method depending on the manufacturing material. 
     Part ( 5   i ) has a machining or molding ( 4 ) intended to accommodate the rail ( 13 ), a Picanntiny rail, an RIS or any compatible one. 
     The through bolt ( 8 ) reaches the machining ( 4 ), threaded on the assembly ( 5   i,    6 ,  5   d ). Its tightening allows to block the sliding of the rail ( 13 ) or its position adjustment along the rail itself. 
     The stabilizers ( 7 ) screwed to the main assembly part ( 6 ) according to the type of gun allow a stabilized fixation of the front of the gun, according to the shape of the gun, RIS machining or similar or the muzzle itself. 
       FIGS. 8, 9 : The ratchet and locking housing ( 12 ) contains the locking mechanism ( 3 ), the shaft housing ( 11   a ) and the release button ( 2 ). The locking mechanism ( 3 ) in its possible embodiments ( FIGS. 5, 8, 9 ) is retained in its positions by means of a spring and ball assembly ( 10 ) which engages in a recess in the locking mechanism ( 3 ), or in the ratchet and locking housing ( 12 ). The locking mechanism ( 3 ) prevents actuation of the release button ( 2 ) when it is in the locked position by interposing itself in the possible travel of the release button ( 2 ), and allows actuation of the release button ( 2 ) when it is in its unlocked position allowing the travel of the release button ( 2 ). 
     The ratchet and locking housing ( 12 ) is fixed to the assembly ( 5   i,    5   d,    6 ) by means of screws ( 9 ) or other method depending on the material from which it is made. 
       FIGS. 10, 11 : The gun can also be attached to the release mechanism in the area near the muzzle by means of the stabilizer ( 7 ). Said piece can be screwed to the mechanism according to  FIGS. 5 and 10 , where the shape of the gun itself, its barrel or a piece ( 24 ) added to the gun itself, or a modification thereof ( 24   a ) is used:  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 12, 13 : Attachment of the hanger bracket system. The quick release assembly is anchored to the rail ( 13 ) by means of the machining ( 4 ) and the through bolt ( 8 ). The right fitting ( 14 ) has a concave, roughened or knurled inner surface, which seats on the left fitting ( 15   a ) or ( 15 ) which has a convex roughened or knurled surface ( FIGS. 12, 13 ), and is locked in position by a convex surface locking piece ( 16 ) which seats on the concave surface of the left fitting ( 15   a ). 
     Part ( 19 ) has a housing for the belt ( 17   a ). Part ( 15   a ) is fixed to the leg belt ( 17 ) by means of part ( 20 ) screwed to the previous one. The flexible joint ( 18 ), detailed in  FIG. 14 , connects part ( 19 ) with part ( 15   a ) or ( 15   b ) ( FIG. 14 ). 
       FIG. 14 : A possible embodiment of the adjustment mechanism ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ) in which for manufacturing reasons it is required to be manufactured separately in the manner separated from part ( 15   a ). 
     The left fitting ( 15 ) is fixed to the support part ( 15   b ) by means of the screws ( 20   b ) or another method. The screws ( 20   a ) fasten the rail to the right fitting ( 14 ) via through bolts in the rail ( 13 ). 
     The screws ( 20   c ) are screwed into the locking ( 16 ) allowing some play in the normal axis of the assembly in turn allowing tilting of the rail ( 13 ) and thus the gun. 
     Detail of the attachment of the flexible joint ( 18 ) to parts ( 19 ,  15   a,    15   b ). A possible embodiment of the flexible joint ( 18 ) by means of a metallic spring or a braided steel cable. It is fixed at the ends by means of a pressed bushing ( 22 ) at its end, which is housed in a machined or moulded seat into parts ( 19 ,  15   a,    15   b ). A pin ( 23 ) prevents rotational or oscillating movements. 
       FIG. 15 : A possible simplified embodiment of the system. Part ( 15   c ) is directly attached to the belt ( 17 ), and to part ( 15   c ) the adjustment mechanism containing parts ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ) and the rail ( 13 ). The adjustment mechanism can be dispensed with and the rail ( 13 ) can be directly anchored to part ( 15   c ), by means of screws or other method depending on the manufacturing material. 
       FIG. 16 : Detail of the rail ( 13 ) screwed to a MOLLE attachment, or MOLLE spider for holster ( 21 ) on tactical vest. The inclination adjustment is given by the position of the rail fastening screws in the holes provided in the MOLLE attachment.