Abstract:
A holster for concealed handgun carry that relies on the façade for concealment, such as a cell phone, cell phone case or toolbox. The facade is a pivotal shroud with an aperture to open enclosure that is pivotally attached to a holster pocket, and relies on an actuated hinges for securing the shroud in a closed position for concealment and an open position for access to a handgun. Spring loaded hinges may be used for providing opening of the hinged panels of the holster, providing access by the wearer to the handgun contained within the holster. Latching of a closed configuration may be accomplished by a snap, hook and loop fasteners and magnetic fasteners. Access to a handgun contained within the holster may be accomplished with minimal movement of an arm, hand or finger.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    There has been a relatively recent increase in the interest and recreational use of firearms by many private citizens of the United States. As a part of this increased interest in firearms, a desire by many in carrying a handgun in public in a concealed manner on one&#39;s person has led a majority of state jurisdictions to pass laws allowing its citizens to carry concealed firearms in public. A permit or license to carry a handgun in a concealed manner is usually issued by a state jurisdiction after a resident applicant has taken a prescribed handgun safety course, has no criminal record, has no outstanding restraining orders imposed by a court of law, and has passed a background check. Many states may not permit persons within the state to openly carry a handgun in public places. Studies have concluded that concealed carry permit or license holders are much less likely to commit any type of violent crime than the general population. 
         [0002]    Concealing a handgun may be accomplished by hiding it from view of others within a person&#39;s clothing or garments. Carrying a handgun concealed has often been limited to carrying the handgun in a pants or coat pocket, or wearing a holster under a coat, baggy shirt, completely tucked down the pants or on the ankle. Each of these carry methods presents its own challenges to accessibility, concealment, convenience or comfort. When someone needs to dress in more formal attire, such as in an office environment, an inside the waistband (“IWB”) holster can be a good choice for concealed carry, but it normally necessitates that one wear a coat all the time, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. 
         [0003]    While concealing a handgun beneath layers of clothing may accomplish concealment, it may also make it difficult for the user to access the handgun expeditiously when confronted by danger. An example of this method of concealment is a shoulder holster carried beneath an armpit and covered with a jacket. Another example is a holster attached to a lower part of a leg. Both of these examples may limit the speed with which a user can access the handgun. Even a holster worn inside a belt and pant waist may require some form of clothing to conceal the presence of a handgun, such as having to wear a shirt tail outside the pants, which may make quick access difficult. “Printing,” where the outline of the pistol is visible through one&#39;s clothing, is a violation of most states&#39; concealed carry laws, complicating the issue and normally necessitating that the clothing be thick or baggy. 
         [0004]    Another method of concealing a handgun is to enclose it within an article that appears to be something other than a holster for a handgun. The exterior façade may appear to be a carrying case for a mobile phone or pager. It may also be a fanny pack, bi-fold wallet or pouch used when hiking or participating in similar sporting activities. These implementations typically rely on mechanical snaps, zippers and hook-and-loop type fasteners to close an opening used to access the firearm, and usually require the use of two hands or extensive movements of the hands and arms. These enclosing devices may impede access to a handgun when it becomes necessary to access it quickly. 
         [0005]    Although many new handgun designs have been dramatically reduced in size, thereby making it easier to conceal, prior art methods described in available literature for concealing a handgun are still encumbered with either poor concealment or difficulty of quick access when required. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The following disclosure describes a handgun holster for concealed carry that relies on a rotatable shroud as a facade of, for example, a cell phone or a cell phone case with a spring-loaded hinge for securing the rotatable shroud. It is a compact design that can be worn on the street when dressed in casual clothes or in an office setting when wearing more formal work clothes without drawing attention to the fact that the wearer is carrying a handgun. It may rely on a snap or magnetic latch on the front edge of the spring-loaded shroud for rapid acquisition of the handgun. Under this embodiment, a spring may be released for providing opening of the shroud of the holster by simply pressing upward on the shroud, which breaks the snap or magnetic force holding the release spring. 
         [0007]    The handgun holster is designed to fit inside the waistband in front of a side pocket close to a draw hand. Being free of material, zippers or straps, it enables a clean grip of the handgun yet allows for quick access that may be accomplished with the flip of a finger. Access is provided whether a user is standing or sitting, allowing ready access even while sitting in a vehicle. 
         [0008]    This shrouded holster is designed to meet a very specific need for those who wish to carry their firearm on their person. It is designed to allow the person to wear the handgun in a position that is readily accessible, yet it looks like something entirely different than what it is. That is why it is referred to as a “shrouded” or “masked” holster. To the observer, this particular holster is designed to look like a cell phone in a carrying case or holder. It is worn in plain sight with the shrouded portion resting just above the pants line. The pocket member, which is where the service item is held, is hidden inside the waistband. When the wearer wants to access the pistol he or she simply draws their hand upward against the lower edge of the shroud which will break the magnetic seal or the snap (depending on the design chosen) and the spring-assisted shroud will open quickly, revealing the butt of the pistol for a quick retrieval. Alternatively, the holster may appear as, and possibly function as, a belt buckle or some other such item. 
         [0009]    The holster includes a spring-loaded, single-point hinged shroud that appears to be, for example, a cell phone case when closed. When unlatched, the hinged shroud springs open, allowing unimpeded access to the handgun held within the holster pocket, wherein the handgun may be quickly drawn and ready for use. Access is provided with minimal movement of an arm, a hand or even just a finger. A waistband clip may be provided to safely secure the holster containing a handgun inside the waistband of a user while the gun is withdrawn. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster in a stand-alone position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster attached to a waistband; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster in a stand-alone position with the shroud in an open position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster viewed from a back or body side showing placement of an elastic band flexible member; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster viewed from a front side as the holster begins to open; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3C  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster viewed from a back or body side as the holster begins to open; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster and associated components that enable opening operation; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  depicts an exploded view of a shrouded handgun flip holster viewed from a back or body side; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a snap closure mechanism between the shroud and a waistband clip; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster in a closed position cutout view; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster in an open position cutout view; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster with attachment components for connecting the shroud and a holster pocket; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  depicts shrouded handgun flip holster, molded as a single member, with an adjustable pocket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The design of the Shrouded Flip Holster is adaptive. It is generally a 5-Sided box that is open on the bottom and is designed to look like a cell phone, cell phone case, a tool case or even a belt buckle. Some of the illustrations reflect a forward-facing cell phone with a glass front, like a smart phone, some represent a rearward-facing cell phone and some may show a cell phone carrier or case. Wherever these design elements are of a utilitarian purpose they will be noted on the illustrations. Otherwise, a simple box design easily represents the shape of the shroud. 
         [0025]    For reference purposes, Table 1 below provides reference designator identification for the components of embodiment of the disclosed holster. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 100 
                 view of a shrouded handgun flip holster in a stand-alone and an attached position 
               
               
                 110 
                 butt panel of shroud 
               
               
                 120 
                 breech panel of shroud 
               
               
                 130 
                 front panel of shroud 
               
               
                 135 
                 back panel of shroud 
               
               
                 140 
                 hammer panel of shroud 
               
               
                 150 
                 waistband clip 
               
               
                 155 
                 belt hook on waistband clip 
               
               
                 160 
                 holster pocket 
               
               
                 165 
                 strap securing waistband clip to pocket 
               
               
                 170 
                 magnet on shroud 
               
               
                 180 
                 shroud 
               
               
                 190 
                 garment 
               
               
                 195 
                 belt 
               
               
                 200 
                 view of the holster with the shroud in the open position with handgun in the holster 
               
               
                 205 
                 handgun 
               
               
                 210 
                 grip of handgun 
               
               
                 220 
                 butt of handgun 
               
               
                 230 
                 raised back panel of pocket 
               
               
                 240 
                 weight 
               
               
                 250 
                 muzzle of a handgun 
               
               
                 260 
                 fulcrum of the shroud 
               
               
                 300 
                 view of the holster from the backside that illustrates the flexing butt panel 
               
               
                 305 
                 direction of the force to trigger the rotation toward the open position 
               
               
                 310 
                 hinge between shroud and pocket 
               
               
                 315 
                 force applied to butt panel by the butt of a handgun encountering the butt panel during rotation 
               
               
                 320 
                 elastic band used to keep butt panel in the closed position 
               
               
                 325 
                 direction of force applied to butt panel by spring or elastic band inside of shroud 
               
               
                 330 
                 small spring used to keep butt panel in the closed position 
               
               
                 340 
                 retention bar used to hold spring in place 
               
               
                 341 
                 retention sleeve molded into the design and used to hold a spring in place 
               
               
                 400 
                 view of the components used on the inside of the holster 
               
               
                 410 
                 larger primary spring which pushes the shroud into the open position 
               
               
                 415 
                 direction of the force from a spring 
               
               
                 420 
                 primary hinge which connects the shroud to the pocket 
               
               
                 440 
                 rivets, tension screws or other attachable means 
               
               
                 450 
                 brads used to hold the rivets in place 
               
               
                 460 
                 plate used to secure the rivets to the pliable pocket placed between the pocket and the brads 
               
               
                 500 
                 view of the grooved connector on the waistband clip and the shroud 
               
               
                 510 
                 groove connector (male) on shroud 
               
               
                 515 
                 groove connector (female) on waistband clip 
               
               
                 600 
                 cutaway view of the shroud as an attachable module to an existing holster 
               
               
                 610 
                 attachment band for modular design of shroud/hinges/waistband clip 
               
               
                 620 
                 living hinge 
               
               
                 635 
                 holes in modular attachment band used for attaching it to the pocket with rivets 
               
               
                 700 
                 view of the modular molded assembly and how it may attach to a pocket member 
               
               
                 725 
                 shows where spring slides into molded spring retention sleeves 
               
               
                 730 
                 holes in pocket used for attaching it to the attachment band with rivets 
               
               
                 740 
                 resizing clamp for pocket 
               
               
                 750 
                 resizing hole in pocket 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0026]    Turning to  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1A  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  100  in a stand-alone position with a shroud  180  in a closed position.  FIG. 1A  shows the shroud  180  of a substantially rigid material, such as injection-molded plastic. It is closed on all sides except a bottom side opposite a breech panel  120 . The shroud  180  is made up of a 5 panels, including a front panel  130 , a back panel  135  that faces against the wearer&#39;s body, a hammer panel  140  that is closest to a hammer of a pistol while it is resting in a holster pocket  160 , a butt panel  110  that is closest to a butt of a pistol while it is resting in the holster pocket  160 , and the breech panel  120 . The shroud  180  envelops the top opening of the holster pocket  160 , concealing the presence of a handgun within the holster pocket  160 . 
         [0027]    The holster pocket  160  is made of a pliable material, such as leather, fabric, etc., that cradles a pistol in a resting position. The use of a pliable material for the holster pocket allows a variety of sizes of pistols to be used, making it somewhat universal, instead of requiring a different pocket mold specific to each handgun model. The bottom of this pliable holster pocket  160  may be open or closed. If the bottom is open, it will allow any barrel length on the handgun to be contained within the holster pocket  160 . The shroud  180  will accommodate several different sizes of compact handguns. 
         [0028]    The holster pocket  160  has a waistband clip  150  with an upward-facing belt hook  155  on a lower edge to catch onto a belt  195  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) and stabilize the holster in place as a pistol is drawn from the holster. The waistband clip  150  is attached to the holster pocket  160  with a strap  165 . The strap  165  can be attached to the holster pocket  160  by gluing, stitching, fusing, riveting or other attachment means. The waistband clip  150  may be made of metal. There may be a magnet  170  on a lower edge of the front panel  130  that is attracted to the metal in the waistband clip  150 , wherein the magnetic force keeps the shroud  180  in a down or closed position. 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1B  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  100  positioned under a waistband of a garment  190 , with the shroud  180  in a closed position. When in a closed position within a garment waistband, the entire holster will look like a cell phone resting horizontally in its case, just above a belt  195 . The holster pocket  160  is concealed inside the waistband of the garment  190  and is attached by the waistband clip  150  that clips to the garment  190 , and the belt hook  155  hooks under the belt  195 . To secure the holster on one&#39;s person, the holster pocket  160  is inserted inside the waistband of the garment  190 , the waistband clip  150  slides down over the top edge of the waistband of the garment  190 , between the garment  190  and the belt  195 , allowing the waistband clip  150  to be mostly hidden from view by the belt  195 . The holster pocket  160  will be hidden from view by the garment  190 . 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  200  in a stand-alone position with the shroud  180  in an open position, shown with a handgun  205  in the holster  200 . The shroud  180  may have a variety of different appearances. In  FIG. 2 , a shroud  180  is depicted that resembles a cell phone with its protective holder around it. Other versions may look like a tool case, a belt buckle or a variety of different items. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the shroud  180  rotates up and over to reveal a grip  210  and a butt  220  of the handgun  205 , positioned with its muzzle  250  facing downward within the holster pocket  160 . 
         [0031]    There may be a magnet  170  on the shroud  180  with corresponding metal for opposite polar attraction in the waistband clip  150 . A magnet  170  may, alternatively, be positioned in the pocket  160  for providing resistance that passively and releasably engages the shroud  180  in the closed position until the magnetic force is broken, at which point the shroud  180  springs open. 
         [0032]    The shroud  180  is attached to the holster pocket  160  where it intersects with the lower edge of the hammer panel  140  at a fulcrum  260  of the shroud  180 . This fulcrum  260  of the shroud  180  is at the uppermost edge of the holster pocket  160  to allow the shroud  180  to open in an upward and over motion. This allows the holster pocket  160  to be worn inside a waistband without the shroud  180  interfering with the belt or garments, which may occur if the fulcrum were lower on the holster pocket  160 . 
         [0033]    The holster pocket  160  may also have a raised back panel  230  to prevent the wearer from getting grease on their clothing and to prevent snagging on clothing. 
         [0034]    The shroud  180  may have a weight  240  molded into or attached to the inside of the breech panel  120  that weighs down the shroud  180  and helps keep the shroud  180  in the closed position. The weight  240  also enhances the opening force as the shroud  180  is opened and the weight  240  rotates over the tipping point. A magnet  170  may serve a dual purpose acting as both a weight  240  and a magnet, being attracted to the metal in the handgun itself when the shroud  180  is in a closed position. 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIGS. 3A-3C ,  FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate a flexing butt panel  110 .  FIG. 3A  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  300  viewed from a back or body side showing placement of an elastic band flexible member  320 .  FIG. 3B  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  300  viewed from a front side as the holster begins to open, and  FIG. 3C  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  300  viewed from a back or body side as the holster begins to open, but using a small spring  330  to allow the butt panel  110  to flex. 
         [0036]    Unlike a hooded holster that requires the wearer bring their hand downward onto the handgun and then commit some combination of pushing levers and latches to release the weapon from the holster, the presently disclosed shrouded handgun flip holster  300  allows a handgun  205  to be approached from below the holster  300  with hands at a side position. In one sweeping motion  305  of the hand or arm, a hand may connect with the shroud  180  along its lower edge causing the magnetic force between the magnet  170  and the waistband clip  150  to be broken, and as the shroud  180  swings open to expose a handgun grip  210 , the user can draw the handgun  205  on the same upward motion. This simple engagement is advantageous when a threat is real and imminent and the wearer&#39;s stress level is elevated. The fewer things one must think about under stress—the better the chances of survival. 
         [0037]    Some gun grips  210  are somewhat longer than others whereby the butt  220  of the handgun  205  could rub against the butt panel  110  of the rotating shroud  180 , during the rotating motion of the shroud  180  pivoting on a hinge  310  for opening the holster  300 . This interference between the butt  220  and the butt panel  110  results in hindering the full rotation of the shroud to a fully open position. So a means has been added to allow the butt panel  110  to flex open slightly  315  as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . A spring-loaded hinge  330  or elastic material  320  may be provided between the breech panel  120  and the butt panel  110 . While at rest, the butt panel  110  is releasably held in the closed position by the tension  325  of a small closing spring  330 , a flexible elastic band or fabric  320  or other similar means. 
         [0038]    So when the shroud  180  rotates upward and over, the butt panel  110  slides along the corner of the handgun butt  220  and, reacting to this force  315 , the small closing spring  330  or the elastic band  320  give way and the butt panel  110  is allowed to release outward slightly, allowing the shroud  180  to pass over a larger handgun butt  220  during the rotation. The elastic band  320  is sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the inside of the shroud  180 , with one end beginning on the front panel  130 , then attaching the middle of the band to the butt panel  110  and the other end on the back panel  135 . 
         [0039]    This allows the butt panel  110  to flex open while maintaining the appearance of being a solid unit when at rest in the closed position. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3C  depicts the use of a small closing spring  330  to position the butt panel  110  in a flexibly closed position. The small closing spring  330  could be positioned between the butt panel  110  and the breech panel  120  and attaching to each panel by spring retention sleeves  341  that could be molded into the shroud during the injection molding process. The legs of the spring  330  would go into a retention sleeve  341  on one panel and the other end into a spring retention sleeve  341  on the other panel. The purpose of these spring retention sleeves  341  is to act as an anchor to the spring  330  so that it may exert the force in the desired direction. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIGS. 4A and 4B ,  FIG. 4A  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  400  and associated components that enable opening operation, and  FIG. 4B  depicts an exploded view of a shrouded handgun flip holster  400  viewed from a back or body side. One of the features of the presently disclosed holster is the way quick access to a handgun is achieved. A large opening spring  410  and a large hinge  310  are located at the fulcrum where the pocket  160  and the hammer panel  140  intersect. 
         [0042]    Once the user&#39;s hand purposefully comes into contact with the lower edge of the shroud  180  and breaks the magnetic field of the magnet  170  holding the holster closed, the force  415  from the powerful primary opening spring  410  quickly drives the shroud into the open position. This action allows quick access to the handgun within the pocket  160 . The holster pocket  160  may be attached to the shroud  180  and hinge  310  with a plate  460 . A spring  410  is attached to the plate  460  with a spring retention bar  340  and secured with tension screws or rivets  440  with brads  450  or some other means. The primary hinge  310  may be attached with glue, rivets and brads  440 ,  450 , screwed, fused, inserted into a molded sleeve in the shroud  180  or attached by some other means. A spring retention bar  340  is used to anchor the opening spring  410  while the shroud  180  is being forced open by the spring&#39;s action. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4A  shows the location of an elastic band  320 , spanning the inside surfaces from the back panel  135  across the butt panel  110  and to the front panel  130 . The alternative to the elastic band  320  is the butt panel spring  330  located as illustrated. Also shown is the location of the spring retention sleeve  341  located on the inside surface of the butt panel  110 . One leg of the butt panel spring  330  is inserted here and the other leg of the butt panel spring  330  is inserted into a corresponding spring retention sleeve  341  located on the inside of the breech panel  120 . 
         [0044]    Turning to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  shows a snap closure mechanism  500  between the shroud  180  and a waistband clip  150 , provided by a grooved connector  515  on the waistband clip  150  and the shroud  180 . As an alternate embodiment for the waistband clip  150 , it may be made of the same substantially rigid material as the shroud  180 . In this configuration, there may be male grooved ridge  515  in the waistband clip  150  and an opposite integral female grooved connector  510  molded into the shroud  180 . The male and female parts of the grooved connector are aligned for engagement when the shroud  180  is moved to the closed position, similar to a snap, and provides resistance that releasably and passively engages the shroud  180  in the closed position. This groove is shallow and offers just enough resistance to inhibit the primary spring from swinging the shroud  180  to the open position until purposefully pushed into the opening sequence by the wearer with a force  305  from the lower edge of the shroud  180 . 
         [0045]    Turning to  FIGS. 6A and 6B ,  FIG. 6A  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  600  in a closed position cutout view and  FIG. 6B  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  600  in an open position cutout view.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  (as viewed from the back side with the back panel  135  removed) show cutaway views of the shroud as an attachable module to an existing holster. They show the shroud  180  first in the closed position and then in the open position. One option that may present a manufacturing advantage is to make the shrouded holster modular. In this embodiment, the shroud  180  may be manufactured as a more complete molded design of the same substantially rigid material, attached to the holster pocket  160  via an attachable band  610  that holds the shroud assembly in place. The attachment band  610  is secured to the holster pocket  160  by rivets  440  or screws through holes  635  in the attachment band  610 . This embodiment incorporates two living hinges  620  molded into the shroud during the manufacturing process. A first living hinge  620  is at the juncture of the hammer panel  140  with the attachment band  610 , replacing a hinge  310 , and a second living hinge  620  is at the juncture between the flexing butt panel  110  and the breech panel  120 . The spring retention bar may be replaced with integrated spring retention sleeves  341  that are small spaces molded right into the shroud assembly and are used to anchor one or both ends of a spring to the housing or shroud  180 . The spring retention sleeves  341  are the same as those discussed above. 
         [0046]    When the grooved connector ( 510 ,  515  shown in  FIG. 5 ) or snap, is released, the opening spring  410  creates a force  415  that quickly moves the shroud  180  to the open position, at which time the handgun is accessible. The weight  240  that is attached to the inside of the breech panel  120  and helps to weight down the shroud  180  in the closed position, now helps the shroud  180  to open more quickly once its weight shifts over the tipping point. 
         [0047]    If a handgun held within the holster is of a smaller size and does not rub against the flexing butt panel  110  as the shroud  180  opens, the butt panel  110  stays in its closed position by the force  415  of the small closing spring  330  that is attached to both the butt panel  110  and the breech panel  120  by corresponding spring retention sleeves  341 . The opening spring  410  would require only one spring retention device  340 ,  341  because the spring  410  is pressing against both surfaces, but a closing spring  330  would require that both ends of the spring be anchored to the body because it is pulling the two ends together from the inside angle. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  depicts a shrouded handgun flip holster  700  with attachment components for connecting the shroud and a holster pocket. This figure illustrates a view of the modular molded assembly and how it may attach to a holster pocket  160 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , the attachment band  610  may have a crease or a seam lengthwise down the middle. In assembly, the flanged sides of the attachment band  610  are folded over the top edge of the pocket  160  of this or any inside-the-waistband holster. It is attached with rivets and brads  440 ,  450 , screws, or some such attachment means, through the holes  635  in the attachment band  610  and the holes  730  through the pocket member  160 . The legs of the opening spring  410  are inserted  725  into the spring retention sleeves  341  already molded into the modular attachment band  610 . The waistband clip  150  can either be pre-molded onto the attachment band  610  or attached in some other method after the injection molding process—such as rivets or screws. The butt panel spring  330  is inserted  725  into its spring retention sleeves  341 . The weight  240  is attached to the inside surface of the breech panel  120 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment that may present an even greater manufacturing advantage by making the shrouded holster a single piece molded assembly. In this embodiment, the pocket  160 , the waistband clip  150  and the shroud  180 , including the living hinges  620 , may be manufactured as a complete molded design of the same substantially rigid material, eliminating the need for an attachable modular band, rivets, plates, screws and any other fasteners, along with the associated labor. This embodiment incorporates two living hinges  620  molded into the shroud during the manufacturing process. One living hinge  620  is at the juncture of the hammer panel  140  with the pocket  160 , and the other is at the inside juncture between the flexing butt panel  110  and the breech panel  120 . The spring retention sleeves  341  are small spaces molded right into the shroud assembly and are used to anchor one or both ends of a spring to the housing or shroud  180 . The spring retention sleeves  341  are the same as those discussed above. One end of the butt panel closing spring  330  slides into a spring retention sleeve  341 , located on the inside of the breech panel  120 , while the other end of the spring  330  fits into another spring retention sleeve  341  located on the inside of the butt panel  110 . The force  415  of this butt panel spring  330  is in the direction of the closed position. The larger primary spring  410  releases to the open position. 
         [0050]    In this embodiment, the material of the pocket  160  is made of the same substantially rigid material of which the other components of the shrouded holster are made, but may be molded in a thinner fashion in order to achieve a more pliable result for the pocket  160  than the other sections of the shrouded holster. In all of the embodiments a pocket  160  may be designed to fit a variety of sizes of pistols safely and securely, making it universal. The pocket  160  may have resizing holes  750  which, when used with resizing clamps  740 , adjust the size of the opening of the pocket  160  to accommodate different pistols.  FIG. 8  shows a resizing clamp  740  that slides through one of several resizing holes  750 , that are spaced at different locations on the pocket  160 . The clamp squeezes the front side and the back side of the pocket  160  together to constrict the cavity of the pocket  160 , allowing for a tighter or looser fit as needed. The resizing clamps  740  hold their position in the pocket with teeth, rings, snaps, glue or some other means. 
         [0051]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.