Patent 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 blocking element 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 second 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 second blocking element is moved by pressure on a thumb or finger ledge. A third mechanical blocking element is provided to prevent motion of a handgun when holstered in a manner to cause movement of the second blocking element from the first position.

Full 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 E. Clifton, Jr. on Apr. 27, 2000; and an application entitled “SUPPORT PLATE FOR A HOLSTER”, Ser. No. 09/696,561, filed by William H. Rogers and Norman E. Clifton, Jr. on Oct. 25, 2000; and is a continuation-in-part of an application entitled, “AUTOMATIC LOCKING HOLSTER”, Ser. No. 09/770,710, filed by William H. Rogers and Norman E. Clifton, Jr. on Jan. 26, 2001. 
     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, rotation, 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, an improved holster requires a locking mechanism that prevents rotation of a weapon in the holster, which could dislodge the locking action therein. 
     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 an automatic locking holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along front and back portions and sidewalls having interior surfaces defining an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun holsterable therein. The restraint includes first blocking 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 second blocking means mounted adjacent the rear portion movable between a first position that engages a portion of a handgun to inhibit rearward movement of a handgun and a second position that permits rearward movement of a handgun to withdraw same from the holster. There is third blocking means located in the cavity adjacent a handgun holstered therein to prevent movement of a holsterable handgun to cause movement of the second blocking means from the first position. 
     The third blocking means includes a blocking member located between one of the interior surfaces and a portion of a holsterable handgun. The third blocking means also includes biasing means located between one interior surface and the second blocking means for maintaining the second blocking means in the first position until the second blocking means is selectively moved. The biasing means includes spring means to apply force to the second blocking means to bias the second blocking means in the first position. The second blocking means includes a body member and the spring means is located between one of the interior surface of one of the sidewalls and the body member. 
     The third blocking means includes a horizontally disposed post having opposite end portions located between one of the interior surfaces of one of the sidewalls and a portion of a holsterable handgun. Alternatively, the third blocking means may include an elongate post having an elongate body member and a planar head portion, the head portion being adjacent one of the interior surfaces of one of the sidewalls, the third blocking means further including a spring having opposite end portions and a hollow therein, the spring being located between the head portion and the second blocking means. The post is located inside the hollow of the spring for locating the post closely adjacent a portion of a holsterable handgun. One end portion of the spring is engaged with the head portion of the post to bias the head portion against one interior surface of one sidewall. In addition, the body member of the second blocking means is disposed between the one interior surface of one sidewall and a handgun holsterable in the holster, and having an opening extending therethrough to accommodate the post and to permit contact between one of the end portions of the post and a portion of a handgun holsterable in the holster. 
     In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic locking holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along front and back portions, the sidewalls having interior surfaces defining an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun and its trigger guard holsterable therein, the restraint including first blocking 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, second blocking means mounted adjacent the rear portion movable between a first position that engages a portion of a handgun to inhibit rearward movement of a handgun and a second position that permits rearward movement of a handgun to withdraw same from the holster. The second blocking means includes a body member having a portion generally parallel to one of the interior surfaces of the inner sidewall, the portion of the body member and one of the interior surfaces of the outer sidewall forming a channel for receiving a trigger guard of a holsterable handgun. Third blocking means is located in the cavity adjacent a trigger guard of a handgun holstered therein to prevent movement of such handgun to cause movement of the second blocking means from the first position. The third blocking means includes a blocking member located between one interior surface and a portion of a holsterable handgun. The third blocking means includes biasing means located between one interior surface and the second blocking means for maintaining the second blocking means in the first position until the second blocking means is selectively moved. 
     The holster further includes 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 the 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 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 moved 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. The third blocking means includes a horizontally disposed post having opposite end portions located between one interior surface of one of the sidewalls and a portion of a holsterable handgun. The third blocking means may also include an elongate post having an elongate body member and a planar head portion, the head portion being adjacent one of the interior surfaces of one of the sidewalls, the third blocking means further including a spring having opposite end portions and a hollow therein. The spring is located between the head portion and the second blocking means, the post being located inside the hollow of the spring for locating the post closely adjacent a portion of a holsterable handgun. One end portion of the spring is engaged with the head portion of the post to bias the head portion against the interior surface of one sidewall. The third blocking means includes a blocking element positioned horizontally between one interior surface of one sidewall and a trigger guard of a handgun. 
     The first blocking means includes stop means including an inwardly disposed boss having a front-end portion and a rear end portion. The front-end portion of the boss is shaped to engage an inner surface of an ejection port of a handgun to inhibit upward movement of a handgun. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an automatic locking holster comprising a quick release withdrawal restraint, an inner and outer sidewall joined together along front and back portions, the sidewalls having interior surfaces defining an inner cavity having an open top shaped to fit a handgun having a trigger guard holster therein. The restraint includes first blocking 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, second blocking means including a body member mounted adjacent the rear portion movable between a first position that engages a portion of a handgun to inhibit rearward movement of a handgun and a second position that permits rearward movement of a handgun to withdraw same from said holster. The body member has a channel therein for locating a portion of a trigger guard of a handgun holsterable in the holster to prevent removal of a handgun holstered in the holster unless the body member is in the second position. A third blocking means is located in the cavity adjacent a handgun holstered therein to prevent movement of a handgun in a manner to cause movement of the second blocking means from the first position. 
    
    
     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; 
     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; 
     FIG. 10 is a rear view of the guard block of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the rearward securing assembly in accord with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 11 showing the anti-rotation apparatus in accord with the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a partial diagrammatic view of the assembly of FIGS. 11-13 in use securing a handgun in a holster; 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the rearward securing apparatus in accord with the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the engagement point of the assembly of FIG. 15 with the trigger guard of a handgun in a holster; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is a partial diagrammatic view of the assembly of FIGS. 15-17 in use securing a handgun in a holster; and 
     FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional exploded diagram showing the relative positioning of the components of the anti-rotation blocking device according to the present invention. 
    
    
     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. The stop means is 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 may employ 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 may also include 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—appl. Ser. No. 09/696,561. The 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 6, 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 appl. 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 . 
     As also shown in FIG. 2, 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. 7-8. 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. 6 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  11  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 . 
     With respect to FIG. 11, forward biasing member  99  is comprised of support body  93 , engaging member  94 , pins  95 , roller  96  mounted on axle  96 ′, flange  97  carrying T-nut  98  all substantially identical to the prior members. The mechanical blocking element  100  has been modified to prevent rotation or twisting of a handgun that could be sufficient to dislodge the gun from the rearward securing assembly  14  (FIGS.  1 - 2 ). Body  101  includes a laterally extending post  102  and a boss  104  both of which will engage a trigger guard, and hole  103  for a post, which will be described hereinbelow. Flange  105  finger ledge  106  and surface  107  are as before as is rib  112 . 
     Flanges  109  and  110  are modifications of the apparatus of FIG. 6 to provide a channel  111  to hold a gun trigger guard therein. The trigger guard is guided by flange  109  and abuts rib  112  and post  102 . The curvature of flange  108  provides an engaging surface for a gun trigger. 
     Flange  97  is shown removed in FIG.  12  and illustrates that lower end  116  of body  101  includes ribs  113  and  114 , holes  115  and  119  and flange surface  118  are as before. 
     The reverse of element  100  is shown in FIG.  13  and illustrates anti-rotation apparatus  126 , which consists of two parts: spring  121  and post  125 . Post  125  has top head  124  and fits into smaller upper end  123  of spring  121 , which mounts head  124  against inside surface  47 ′ of sidewall  47 . Larger diameter lower end  122  rests on a portion  127  of body  101  adjacent post hole  103  as indicated by arrow  130 . Post  129 , T-nut hole  128  and cavity  120  are as before. 
     With regard also to FIG. 14, post head  124  is held against the inside surface  47 ′ of a holster sidewall  47  of holster  149  (shown in dotted line). Excessive lateral movement or rotation of a gun  148  is prevented by the engagement of post  125  with the trigger guard  150  at the area shown in broken line  151 . 
     The relative positions of post  102  and rib portion  152  of trigger guard  150  which fits into channel  111  is shown in solid line. The rest of apparatus  100  is not shown for purposes of clarity. 
     Accordingly, gun  148  cannot be moved in a manner to force apparatus  100  out of a locked position into, for example a release position by twisting or other movement. 
     With regard to FIGS. 15,  16 , and  17 , forward biasing member  131  includes body  132 , engaging member  133 , pins  134 , roller  135 , axle  136 , flange  137 , and T-nut  138  all of which are substantially identical to the apparatus previously described hereinabove. 
     Mechanical blocking element  100  is substantially identical to element  49  of FIG. 6 with the exception of post hole  141  to accommodate a post  125  as part of apparatus  126 . Body  140  includes flange  142 , finger ledge  143 , surface  144 , flanges  145  and  146 , and rib  147 . 
     With regard to FIG. 18, gun  154 , mounted in holster  155 , has a slightly different form of trigger guard  156  having a substantially straight lower rib  158 , curved front end  157 . Trigger  159  is also slightly different. 
     The anti-rotation apparatus used here is identical to apparatus  126  (FIG. 13) and is identically mounted. Post  125  engages area  160  (shown in broken line) spring end  122  rests against body portion  162  via arrow  161 . Here as in FIGS. 11-14, the post  125  engagement will prevent movement of element  139  by rotation or twisting of gun  154  to dislodge the gun  154  from the holster  155  by moving the rearward securing apparatus  14  out of the locked position. 
     In both embodiments spring  121  provides force against blocking element body  101 ,  140  to bias the body  101 ,  140  to the locked position and provide further security against withdrawal of a respective handgun  148 ,  154  until the proper steps for release are taken. 
     Rotating hood is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 but is not required for use with anti-rotation blocking apparatus  126 . 
     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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8