Abstract:
A concealment holster that is designed to be concealed under a jacket or shirt, or even under the waistband of a pair of trousers includes two clips that support it on the wearer&#39;s belt. A foam and mesh backing provides comfort to the wearer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/585,866, filed Jan. 12, 2012, by the same inventors, the benefit of the filing date of which is hereby claimed, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a concealment holster—that is, a handgun holster that is designed to be concealed under a jacket or shirt, or even under the waistband of a pair of trousers. Some such holsters have either hard leather or laminate backing which does not allow heat dissipation and wicking of moisture. In addition, the hard backing creates hot spots 86 discomfort when worn over time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a holster that is an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of a clip that forms part of the holster of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a schematic side view showing a portion of the holster with the clip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    This invention relates to a concealment holster. The invention is applicable to holsters of varying configurations. As representative of the invention,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a holster  10  that is a first embodiment of the invention. 
         [0007]    The holster  10  includes a plate  12  that is supported on the user&#39;s belt B ( FIG. 3 ) by two belt clips  14 . 
         [0008]    The plate  12  ( FIG. 1 ) supports a pocket  16  in which the handgun (not shown) is received and supported. 
         [0009]    The two belt clips  14  are, in this embodiment, identical to each other. Each belt clip  14  is made from molded plastic material. 
         [0010]    Each clip  14  has a configuration as best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . A C-shaped outer section  20  of the clip  14  has a slot  22  for receiving the user&#39;s belt B. 
         [0011]    A support web  26  extends away from the top back side of the C-shaped outer section  20 . A first portion  28  of the support web  26  extends downward, parallel to the C-shaped outer section  20 . A second portion  30  of the support web  26  extends laterally inward for a short distance, and a third portion  32  extends downward to form a mounting section of the clip  14  that is spaced farther inward from the C-shaped outer section  20 . 
         [0012]    Four screw holes  40 ,  42  are located in the mounting section  32  of the clip  14 . Three of the screw holes  40  are located in an arc that is centered on and above the fourth screw hole  42 . 
         [0013]    When the clip  14  is mounted on the plate  12 , as shown, the mounting section  32  of the clip lies flat against the front surface of the plate. A first mounting screw  44  extends through the lower screw hole  42  of the clip  14  and into the plate  12 . This first mounting screw  44  acts as a pivot. 
         [0014]    A second mounting screw  46  extends through a selected one of the three upper screw holes  40  of the clip  14 . Choosing one or the other of the three upper screw holes  40  sets the pivotal position of the clip  14  on the plate  12 . This sets the forward/backward cant of the holster  10  relative to the belt B. 
         [0015]    The waistband  50  ( FIG. 3 ) of the user&#39;s trousers can fit into the gap between the C-shaped outer section  20  and the first portion  28  of the support web  26 . The hem  52  of the user&#39;s shirt can fit into the gap between the first portion  28  of the support web  26  and the plate  12 . As a result, the holster  10  provides several available levels of concealment. 
         [0016]    The backside (facing the user) of the plate  12  is lined with a foam backing material  54  to eliminate discomfort such as hotspots, and to add comfort to the body when the holster  10  is being worn for long periods of time. One preferred material is TemperDri UB Lining available from Emtex Inc. of Danvers, Mass. 
         [0017]    The backside (facing the user) of the foam backing is coated with a spacer mesh material  56  that is antibacterial and antimicrobial, to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms and to wick away moisture caused by perspiration. One preferred material is Milco Industries Style 1877 fabric, available from Milco Industries of Bloomsburg, Pa.