Patent Publication Number: US-8540126-B2

Title: Gun holster

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/170,153 filed Apr. 17, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a holster for a long gun such as a shotgun or rifle. More particularly, the holster provides a safe firearm support and allows for quick aiming and firing of the firearm. 
     When hunting out in the field, it can be disadvantageous to carry a firearm without any kind of support aids. Long guns such as shotguns and rifles tend to be heavy, and carrying them for hours at a time can be extremely tiresome. Furthermore, in situations that require one or both hands, it&#39;s often undesirable to set the gun down on the ground, especially if the ground is covered in snow or mud. To mitigate these issues, there exist a number of designs of shotgun holsters and slings. There are many designs that use complicated arrangements of straps to support the firearm. These cumbersome straps greatly reduce ease of operation, interfere with the user&#39;s ability to effectively fire the gun, and block access to jacket and vest pockets. 
     Another design teaches a strapless shotgun holster. In this design, the holster is supported only by the user&#39;s belt. However, the holster hangs down from the belt. This interferes with the movement of the user, especially with trying to high-step over obstacles. In addition, the torque created by the holster&#39;s hanging can be uncomfortable and can reduce the effectiveness of the holster in keeping the firearm upright. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a holster for a long gun such as a shotgun or rifle. More particularly, the holster provides a safe firearm support and allows for quick aiming and firing of the firearm. 
     Generally, the gun holster includes a base portion for securing to the user, such as to the user&#39;s belt, and a support portion for supporting the gun. The support portion includes a bottom wall portion that extends forwardly from a lower edge of the base portion. 
     Several embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the base portion and support portion are integrally formed of a folded fairly flexible material, such as leather. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the first example holster of the present invention attached to a belt. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the first example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the first example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the first example holster of the present invention in use with user, belt and firearm. 
         FIG. 6  is a disassembled view of the first example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the first example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the holster of  FIG. 8  with ammunition secured. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a third example holster of the present invention in a collapsed position. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the holster of  FIG. 10  in an extended position. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a fourth example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a fifth example holster of the present invention in the extended position. 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the holster of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a sixth example holster of the present invention in a collapsed position. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the holster of  FIG. 15  in an extended position. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a seventh example holster of the present invention in a collapsed position. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates the holster of  FIG. 17  in an extended position. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an eighth example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a ninth example holster of the present invention in an extended position. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates the holster of  FIG. 20  in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a tenth example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates an eleventh example holster of the present invention with the support portion removed. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates the addition of the support portion to the holster of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a twelfth example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a thirteenth example holster of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a top view of the holster of  FIG. 26 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first example holster  110 . The holster  110  includes a support portion  111  having a cavity  112  for holding a butt of a firearm and a base portion  113  for securing to a user, such as to the user&#39;s belt. The cavity  112  is defined by a back section  130 , a bottom section  132  and a side section  134 , and an opening  114  through which a belt can be inserted. The opening  114  is formed by a back securing section  137  and a folding back securing section  138 . The bottom section  132  extends from the bottom edge of the back section  130 , such that the back section  130  is approximately on the level of the belt and the holster  110  does not hang below the belt. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the first example holster  110  attached to a belt  116  having buckle  143  and strap  144 . The holster  110  is worn on the belt  116  by inserting the strap  144  of belt  116  through the opening  114 , in front of the back section  130  and behind back securing sections  137 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the bottom of the first example holster  110 . The opening  114  is formed by a back securing section  137  and folding back securing sections  138 . The bottom securing section  136  is continuous with the side section  134 , and includes female connectors  118 . The female connectors  118  are connecting devices such as snaps, clasps, buckles, etc., and hold the holster  110  together. Alternatively, the folding sections could be sewn together to form the holster. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the side of the first example holster  110 . As shown, the back section  130  is between the back securing section  137  and the folding back securing sections  138 . The opening  114  for receiving the belt is defined between the back section  130  and the back securing section  137 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the use of the first example holster  110 . A butt  124  of a firearm  126  is received in the cavity  112  and a belt  116  is inserted through the opening  114 . The holster  110  does not hang below the belt  116 . The holster  110  is worn on the belt  116  of the user  122  by inserting the belt  116  through the opening  114  and the user  122  wearing the belt  116 . The butt  124  of the firearm  126  rests in the cavity  112 , keeping the firearm  126  in a safe upward position. One hand of the user  122 , ideally the non-shooting hand  128 , is required to hold the firearm  126  to keep the firearm  126  secured in the holster  110 . The shooting hand  129  of the user  122  may also hold the firearm  126  to be ready for fast aiming and firing of the firearm  126 . The weight of the firearm  126  is distributed by the holster  110  on the belt  116  of the user  122 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the disassembled first example holster  110 . The holster  110  includes the back section  130 , the bottom section  132 , the side section  134 , bottom securing sections  136 , back securing sections  137 , folding back securing sections  138 , female connectors  118  and male connectors  119 . The holster  110  is made from one piece of material, which can be leather, fabric, reinforced fabric, plastic, Cordura® etc. The holster  110  is folded along fold lines  131 , and held together using the female connectors  118  and male connectors  119 . Though one example configuration of female connectors  118  and male connectors  119  is shown (i.e. snaps), various configurations are possible, including rivets, hook and loop, adhesives, thread, etc, as may be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the rear of the first example holster  110  during assembly. The openings  114  are formed by back securing sections  137  and folding back securing sections  138 . The female connectors  118  and male connectors  119  are compatible connecting devices such as snaps, clasps, buckles, etc. The female connectors  118  and male connectors  119  illustrated connect the corresponding folding back securing sections  138 , and work to hold the holster  110  together. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a second example holster  210 . The holster  210  includes a support portion  211  having cavity  212  for holding a butt of a firearm and a base portion  213  for securing to the user, such as to the user&#39;s belt. The cavity  212  is formed by a back section  230 , bottom section  232  and a side section  234 . The back section  230  includes an opening  214  through which a belt can be inserted. The opening  214  is within the back section  230 . The back section  230  is approximately on the level of the belt and the holster  210  does not hang below the belt. The base section  232  includes an attachment area  240  onto which an attachment that can hold ammunition can be attached, and openings  248 . The openings  248  are formed through the corners of the base section  232  and the side section  234  to prevent the accumulation of water in the cavity  212 . Although openings are depicted in  FIG. 8 , they are not required. The second example holster  210  may be molded as one or more pieces of plastic, rubber, etc. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the second example holster  210  with ammunition attached. An ammunition holder  242  holding ammunition  225  is secured to the attachment area  240  or built in as an integral part of the holster. Having ammunition  225  attached to the holster  210  allows for easy access to the ammunition  225  for quick reloading. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a third example holster  310  in a collapsed position. The holster  310  includes a base portion  330  and a pivotable support portion  334 . The pivotable support portion  334  includes a cavity  312  for holding a butt of a firearm. The cavity  312  is formed by a back wall  331 , bottom wall  332  and side walls  335 . An opening  314  for inserting a belt is formed through the base portion  330 . The base portion  330  is approximately on the level of the belt and the holster  310  does not hang below the belt. The holster  310  includes a receiver hinge portion  343  integrally molded with the support portion  334  and a base hinge portion  345  integrally molded with the base portion  330 . The receiver hinge portion  343  is compatible with the base hinge portion  345 , such as by a connecting hinge pin, and the hinges are operable to rotate the rotatable support portion  334  relative to the base portion  330 . A receiver latch  344  is on the rotatable support portion  334 , and a base latch portion  346  is on the base portion  330 . The rotatable support portion  334  is able to move between a collapsed position, illustrated, and an extended position as shown in  FIG. 11 , relative to the base portion  330 , where the rotatable support portion  334  may lock to the base portion  330  via the receiver latch  344  and base latch portion  346 . While in the collapsed position, the holster  310  is easy to store. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a fourth example holster  410 . The holster  410  includes a support portion  411  having a cavity  412  for holding a butt of a firearm and a base portion  413  for securing to a user. The cavity  412  is defined by a back section  430 , side sections  434  and a bottom section  432 . A back securing section  437  by which the holster  410  may be worn on a belt comprises a rear clip section  438  connected to the back section  430  by a top section  439 . An opening  414  is defined between the back section  430  and the back securing section  437 . The back section  430  is approximately on the level of the belt  116  and the holster  410  does not hang below the belt. Openings  448  are located in the cavity  412 , such as through the corners of the bottom section  432  and side sections  434 . The back securing section  437  allows for easy installation and removal of the holster  410 , while the openings  448  in the cavity  412  allow for water to drain from the cavity  412 . The holster  410  may be integrally molded as a single piece of plastic, or otherwise formed as a single piece of material. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a fifth example holster  510 . The holster  510  includes a base section  530  and a removable support portion  533 . The removable support portion  533  includes a bottom rail  532 , spaced-apart top rails  534 , a rear rail  531  and a front rail  535 . The top rails  534  are spaced-apart above the bottom rail  532  to define a cavity. The front rail  535  extends upward vertically from a forward portion of the bottom rail  532  to a forward portion of the top rails  534 . The rear rail  531  is an upwardly open arch or U-shaped member connecting the rearward portion of the bottom rail  532  to rearward portions of the top rails  534 . The removable support portion  533  forms a cavity  512  operable to hold a butt of a firearm. An opening  514  through which a belt can be inserted is formed within the base section  530 . The base section  530  further includes a pocket  550  for receiving the rear rail  531  of the support portion  533 . The base section  530  is approximately on the level of the belt and the holster  510  does not hang below the belt. The removable support portion  533  may be inserted into the base section  530  as shown for use, and the openings in the removable support portion  533  prevent the accumulation of water. Alternatively, the rear rail  531  could be square or other shapes. The base section  530  and the support portion  533  could each be formed of plastic or metal. The framework created by rails  532 ,  534 , and  535  could also be lined with a suitable padded material. In addition, extra rails could also be incorporated for additional support. 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the holster  510  of  FIG. 13 . The removable support portion  533  may be removed from the base section  530  as shown for easy storage or cleaning, while the base section  530  may remain on the belt. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a sixth example holster  610  in the collapsed position and  FIG. 16  illustrates the holster  610  in the extended, use position. Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the holster  610  includes a base section  630  for securing to a user and a support portion  611  including an extendable end section  634 . The extendable end section  634  can be extended relative to the base section  630 . The support portion  611  defines a cavity  612  for holding a butt of a firearm. The cavity  612  is defined by a tab  629 , a base bottom section  632  into which the tab  629  is slidable, base side sections  633 , an extendable bottom section  631  and extendable side sections  635 . The base section  630  includes an opening  614  through which a belt can be inserted. The base section  630  is approximately on the level of the belt and the holster  610  does not hang below the belt. The extendable end section may include grips  650 , such as the recesses shown. The extendable end section  634  may be fully collapsed toward the base section  630  as shown in  FIG. 15  for easier storage, and the grips  650  on the extendable end section  634  may be used for easier extension and compaction of the extendable end section  634 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the extendable end section  634  can be extended relative to the base section  630  and is attached to the base section  630  by the extendable tab  629 . The extendable end section  634  may be adjustably extended relative to the base section  630  as shown to accommodate different sizes of firearm butts, and the grips  650  on the extendable end section  634  may be used for easier extension and retraction of the extendable end section  634 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a seventh example holster  710  in the collapsed position. The holster  710  includes a base portion  730  and a support portion  711  having an extendable end section  734 . The extendable end section  734  can be extended relative to the base portion  730  to make the support portion  711  longer or shorter. A cavity  712  for holding a butt of a firearm is formed by a base bottom wall  732 , base side walls  733 , an extendable bottom wall  731  and extendable side walls  735 . An opening  714  through which a belt can be inserted is within the base portion  730 . The base portion  730  is approximately on the level of the belt and the holster  710  does not hang below the belt. The extendable end section  734  may be fully collapsed to the base portion  730  as shown for easier storage. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates the seventh example holster  710  in the extended position. The extendable connector section  741  comprises an extendable connector bottom tab  729  with extendable connector side walls  739  extending upwardly therefrom. The extendable connector section  741  is formed integrally with the extendable end section  734 . The extendable end section  734  can be extended relative to the base portion  730  and is attached to the base portion  730  by the extendable connector section  741 . A cavity  712  for holding a butt of a firearm is formed by a base bottom wall  732 , base side walls  733 , the extendable connector bottom tab  729 , the extendable connector side walls  739 , an extendable bottom wall  731  and extendable side walls  735  of extendable end section  734 . An opening  714  through which a belt can be inserted is within the base portion  730 . The extendable connector bottom tab  729  and the extendable connector side sections  739  slide within the base bottom section  732  and the base side sections  733 . The base portion  730  is approximately on the level of the belt and the holster  710  does not hang below the belt. The extendable end section  734  may be adjustably extended relative to the base portion  730  as shown to accommodate different sizes of firearm butts. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an eighth example holster  810  of the present invention. The holster  810  is similar to the holster  110  of  FIGS. 1-7 , except as shown and described. The holster  810  includes a base portion  813  having an opening  814  for receiving a belt, and support portion  811  for supporting the gun. The holster  810  is formed from a single piece of flexible material, such as Cordura®. Because the material is not as stiff as the leather, there are rigid inserts sewn into the material, such as a bottom insert  860 , a sidewall insert  862  (which could be two sidewall portions integral with a connecting front curved portion, as shown, or as two separate sidewall portions), and a back insert  864 . The inserts  860 ,  862 ,  864  could be formed of polymer (polypropylene, polyethylene, rubber, etc, fiber composite, or a rigid foam material). 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a ninth example holster  910  of the present invention in an extended position. The holster  910  includes a base portion  930  having an opening  914  for receiving a belt and pivotably connected to a support portion  934 . The support portion  934  includes a bottom wall, side walls  935  and back wall  931 . The support portion  934  includes an integral hinge portion  943  pivotably connected to a hinge portion  945  integrally formed with the base portion  930 . 
       FIG. 21  illustrates the holster  910  of  FIG. 20  in a retracted position. As shown, the support portion  934  can be pivoted relative to the base portion  930  either for convenience, comfort or to pivot it to the retracted position when not in use. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a tenth example holster  1010  of the present invention. The holster  1010  is similar to that described with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9  except as shown or described. The holster  1010  includes a base portion  1030  and a support portion  1011 . The base portion  1030  includes an opening  114  for receiving a belt. The support portion  1010  includes a bottom wall  1032  and side walls  1034 . In this embodiment, the bottom wall  1032  of the support portion  1010  is generally triangular in shape (as before), but with the triangle having a wider base (i.e. toward the user). With the wider support portion  1011 , the user can change the orientation of the gun stock in the support portion  1011  to be more comfortable and more accessible. 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  illustrate an eleventh example holster  1110  of the present invention. In  FIG. 23 , the support portion  1033  is removed. The holster  1110  is similar to that of  FIGS. 13 and 14 , except as shown or described. In this embodiment, the base portion  1030  is connected to the belt  1016  and also serves as the belt buckle. The base portion  1030  includes a hook  1068  on the rear of the base portion  1030 , such that the end of the belt  1016  can be inserted into the opening  1014  of the base portion  1030  and hooked on the hook  1068 . As before, the base portion  1030  includes the pocket  1050  for receiving the removable support portion  1033 , which is the same as before. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a twelfth example holster  1210  of the present invention. Generally, the holster  1210  is similar to that of  FIGS. 1-7 , with the base portion  1230  integrated with a belt  1216 . Again, the bottom wall  1232  of the support portion  1211  extends forwardly from a lower edge of the base portion  1230 . A buckle  1217  is connected adjacent the support portion  1211  for fastening the belt  1216 . 
       FIGS. 26 and 27  illustrate a thirteenth example holster  1310  of the present invention. The holster  1310  is generally similar to that of  FIGS. 1-7  except as shown or described. Generally the holster  1310  includes a base portion  1313  with a back section  1330  and a support portion  1311 . As shown in  FIG. 27 , the support portion  1311  and the bottom wall  1332  is wider toward the user, such that the stock of the gun can be oriented as desired. The holster  1310  could be integrated with a belt as in the design shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure.