Abstract:
Low profile receptacle devices that removably receive at least one weapon via a formed friction fit are disclosed. In an aspect, low profile receptacle devices are disclosed that comprise at least one rigid or semi-rigid sheet of material that makes the devices durable, reliable, compact, ergonomic, highly concealable, and easy to use. Such low profile receptacle devices may be worn on a user&#39;s belt via integration with at least one belt loop.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit, and is a continuation-in-part of Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/260,616 (Attorney Docket No. 3164.01) entitled “Mongo&#39;s Custom Bad Ass Holster,” filed Apr. 24, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to weapon holsters and more particularly to holsters with a low profile configuration. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    Holsters have long been used for carrying various types of weapons on one&#39;s person. Holsters allow for a weapon to be carried in an accessible fashion while still allowing one&#39;s hands to be free to do other things. Some of the biggest concerns associated with holster wear and use include utility, durability, comfort, and degree of concealability. Of course, these issues may mean different things to different users. 
         [0005]    One group of frequent holster users includes military personnel. In a military setting, having proper access to one&#39;s weapon at any given moment can, and often does, mean the difference between life and death. Holsters that break and/or that fail to readily produce and/or receive a weapon can put a soldier in a life-threatening situation wherein a weapon, such as a handgun, goes missing and/or is not quickly and easily retrievable. Similarly, being able to properly store and/or conceal one&#39;s weapon can mean the difference between a peaceful encounter in enemy territory and an unwanted instigation of hostility. Of less consequence, but nevertheless important, is the comfort associated with carrying a weapon around all day. Soldiers that exert significant amounts of physical energy every day desire comfortable gear when it can be provided. 
         [0006]    Several attempts have been made to provide users, such as military personnel, with holsters that are highly concealable and have a minimalistic, yet durable, design; however, the resulting products often fall well below user expectations. The provided holsters are often bulkier, more complex than necessary, and/or oddly shaped causing them to be uncomfortable or inefficient in use, easily broken, and/or configured such that it is difficult to insert or remove one&#39;s weapon from them, amongst other problems. Moreover, several types of holsters exist that include poorly designed straps, latches, locking mechanisms, and the like, which can impede fastidious weapon retrieval in the event of an emergency. Additionally, currently available holsters are often made of flimsy materials, such as leather, and therefore have less than optimal durability. As a result of these defects, many holsters provided to the military go unused and/or become quickly discarded, resulting in wasted funding and the potential hindrance of user safety. 
         [0007]    Given the foregoing, holster devices are needed that allow weapon users, such as military personnel, to carry one or more weapons in a concealed, durable, and easily-accessible fashion. Additionally, hostler devices that are comfortable during long term wear are desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts. These concepts are further described below in the Detailed Description section. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of this disclosure&#39;s subject matter, nor is this Summary intended as an aid in determining the scope of the disclosed subject matter. 
         [0009]    Aspects of the present disclosure meet the above-identified needs by providing receptacle devices for receiving one or more weapons, the receptacle devices being configured in a low profile format. Specifically, in an aspect, receptacle devices are disclosed that comprise at least one sheet of rigid and/or semi-rigid material, such as a thermoplastic. The sheet comprises an opening that is molded to receive at least one weapon via a friction form fit. In some aspects, especially when the material of the sheet comprises a thermoplastic, the compartment, via the configuration of the sheet of material, comprises a flexion-induced tension force based on the inherent flexing nature of the chosen material, such force helping to retain one or more weapons received therein. The sheet of material may be integrated with one or more belt loops in order to securely attach to a user&#39;s belt. 
         [0010]    In some aspects, receptacle devices in accordance with the present disclosure comprise two sheets of rigid and/or semi-rigid material. In such aspects, the sheets may be configured adjacent to one another with the molded compartment formed between the sheets for receiving one or more weapons therein. Opposing distal ends of the two sheets may be securely held together via one or more fasteners. 
         [0011]    In some additional aspects, the receptacle device of the present disclosure may be contoured to fit securely, comfortably, and closely against a user&#39;s hip. In such aspects, proper contouring may provide the user with more freedom of movement as well as help prevent the receptacle device from breaking as a result of user&#39;s awkward body positioning, such as the user is crouching, ducking, and/or crawling. 
         [0012]    Further features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the Detailed Description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a low profile weapon receptacle device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a low profile weapon receptacle device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a low profile weapon receptacle device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a low profile weapon receptacle device that has received a weapon, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of a low profile weapon receptacle device that has received a weapon, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a low profile weapon receptacle device that has received a weapon, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a low profile weapon receptacle device that has received a weapon, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a low profile weapon receptacle device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an image of a low profile weapon receptacle device being utilized by a user, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The present disclosure is directed to weapon receptacle devices that are configured to maintain a low profile when worn. Aspects of the present disclosure provide weapon receptacle devices that comprise a simplistic design using custom molded rigid and/or semi-rigid materials so as to facilitate ease of use, durability, reliability, and comfort associated with use and wear. Specifically, in an aspect, low profile weapon receptacle devices are disclosed wherein at least one sheet of material comprising a uniform width is formed to include at least one opening that is custom molded to securely receive at least one weapon via a friction form fit. 
         [0024]    The term “receptacle” and/or the plural form of this term are used throughout herein to refer to any device capable of securely receiving at least one item for carrying, the device being attachable to a portion of an individual&#39;s person, a piece of apparel, and/or a functional item, such as a backpack, duffel bag, and the like. In some aspects, a “receptacle” may be a holster. 
         [0025]    The term “user” and/or the plural form of this term are used throughout herein to refer to any individual who may need and/or desire to carry an item by utilizing the receptacle devices disclosed herein, particularly, but not only, when the item is a weapon, such as a handgun. Users may include military personnel, law enforcement officials, hunters, and the like. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a top view of a low profile weapon receptacle device  100 , according to an aspect of the present disclosure, is shown. 
         [0027]    Receptacle device  100  may comprise at least one sheet  102  (shown as sheets  102   a  and  102   b  in  FIG. 1 ), at least one opening  104 , at least one fastener  106  (shown as fasteners  106   a  and  106   b  in  FIG. 1 ), and at least one belt loop  108  (shown as belt loops  108   a  and  108   b  in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0028]    Sheets  102  and belt loops  108  may comprise, at least in part, rigid and/or semi-rigid material so as to provide stability and durability to device  100 . Additionally, such material may be pliable at very high temperatures in order to be formed and molded into custom designed shapes and sizes, thereby allowing device  100  to accommodate a variety of items within opening  104  and/or attach to a variety of different belt sizes via loops  108 . In some aspects, sheets  102  and belt loops  108  are constructed to fit popular items and belt sizes. In some additional aspects, sheets  102  and belt loops  108  are formed with minimal customization, so as to enable a single device  100  to receive a variety of different weapons and/or belts. 
         [0029]    By way of example and not limitation, the material used to make sheets  102  and/or belt loops  108  may comprise a thermoplastic, such as Kydex®, which is available from KYDEX, LLC of Bloomsburg, Pa. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s), the Kydex® may reach a significant level of pliability upon being heated to a very high temperature such as, by way of example and not limitation, approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit. As will also be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein, a variety of other materials may be used to construct sheets  102 , loops  108 , and/or any other component of device  100 , including metals, other plastics, rubber, cloth, various other polymers, and the like. By way of example and not limitation, each sheet  102  may be approximately 20.32 cm long and 5.08 cm wide prior to any customization, while each belt loop  108  may comprise material that is 10.16 cm long and 1.91 cm wide. 
         [0030]    Upon being heated to an appropriate temperature, the Kydex® and/or other material comprising sheets  102  may be custom molded to form opening  104 , opening  104  extending across the width of a central portion of sheets  102 . In some aspects, opening  104  is configurable to securely receive an item, which may include, by way of example and not limitation, a specific weapon  402  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), such as a handgun, via a friction induced form fit. Particularly, a portion of the barrel and/or trigger assembly of the handgun comprising weapon  402  may be received by opening  104 ; however, any portion of weapon  402  may be received by opening  104  as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. In forming opening  104 , two sheets  102  may be used, adjacent to one another, or a single sheet  102  may be used, folded upon itself. In either case, device  100  comprises an outer sheet  102   a  and an inner sheet  102   b.    
         [0031]    In aspects wherein sheets  102  are comprised of at least one semi-rigid material, such material may comprise an inherent flexible tension property. That is, upon inserting weapon  402  into opening  104 , outer sheet  102   a  may be pushed slightly away from inner sheet  102   b , thereby causing the distance between outer sheet  102   a  and inner sheet  102   b  to increase, allowing for easier insertion of weapon  402 . Once weapon  402  is fully received by opening  104 , the distance between outer sheet  102   a  and inner sheet  102   b  may return to its smaller initial resting state, thereby tightening around weapon  402  in order to securely receive it and prevent its unintentional release from opening  104 . Similarly, the flexible nature of sheets  102  may facilitate easier removal of weapon  402  from opening  104 . By way of example and not limitation, weapon  402  may comprise a specific individual weapon to which opening  104  may be custom molded; a certain type of weapon, such a handgun, ammunition, knife, automatic or semi-automatic firearm; as well as a variety of other specific weapons and/or generic weapons as will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. Furthermore, other objects other than weapon  402  may be received by opening  104 , including mobile cellular phones, portable electronic devices, and similar objects as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. In some aspects, device  100  may be integrated with one or more hooks, straps, snaps, buttons, protrusions, ridges, lips, crevices, locks, tabs, sliders, pins, or similar elements and/or structures that help keep weapon  402  secure within opening  104  in such a way so as to not diminish the simplicity and overall ease of use of device  100 . 
         [0032]    At opposing distal ends of device  100 , fasteners  106  may hold sheets  102   a  and  102   b  together and/or securely attach belt loops  108 . By way of example and not limitation, fasteners  106  may comprise screws, nuts, clips, rivets, washers, bolts, nails, pins, adhesives, or any other similar component as recognized by those skilled in the relevant art(s). In some aspects, fasteners  106  may comprise Kydex® screws that are securable within Kydex® screw inserts integrated with the opposing distal ends of device  100 . 
         [0033]    In aspects wherein device  100  comprises belt loops  108 , loops  108  may be custom designed to fit securely around a specific belt. This may be accomplished by heating the material of loops  108  to an appropriate temperature, at which it may become pliable. Once pliable, the material may be formed around the actual belt to which device  100  may be attached. Various amounts of customization may be applied to loops  108 , such that loops  108  may be formed to receive a specific belt, a certain type of belt, or one or more generic belts. In some aspects, device  100  may be substantially the same width as a given belt. 
         [0034]    In some aspects, while the material of sheets  102  is in a pliable state, sheets  102  may be custom form fitted to fit the hip of a particular user  902  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), thereby facilitating a maximum level of comfort during wear. In alternative aspects, pliable sheets  102  may be formed so as to fit a generically determined hip size, or an approximated hip size for a user  902 . In yet further aspects, sheet  902  may not undergo any form fitting process. 
         [0035]    In some additional aspects, device  100  may be formed so that outer sheet  102   a  comprises a higher degree of curvature than inner sheet  102   b . Such a configuration may allow for maximum comfort and concealment to be achieved for device  100  in that inner sheet  102   b  may be formed to fit comfortably, tightly, and securely upon user  902 &#39;s hip while outer sheet  102   a  may be formed in significantly close proximity to inner sheet  102   b , providing just enough room to create opening  104  between sheets  102   a  and  102   b  and therein securely receive weapon  402 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a bottom view of a low profile weapon receptacle device  100  that has received a weapon  402 , according to an aspect of the present disclosure, is shown. 
         [0037]    In some aspects, the bottom portion of at least one of sheets  102  may comprise securing lip  702  (labeled only as securing lip  702   a  in  FIG. 7 , for clarity). Lip  702  may prevent one or more received portions of weapon  402 , such as the trigger assembly, from passing all the way through opening  104 , thereby adding an extra retention element to device  100 . Lip  702  may be formed as part of one or more sheets  102  or may be securely attached thereto. Lip  702  may comprise any material that may be used to construct device  100 , including thermoplastic, metal, other plastics, rubber, cloth, various other polymers, and the like. 
         [0038]    While various aspects of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 
         [0039]    In addition, it should be understood that the figures in the attachments, which highlight the structure, methodology, functionality and advantages of the present disclosure, are presented for example purposes only. The present disclosure is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be implemented in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures (e.g., transportation of other fluids or compositions of matter to inland hydraulic fracturing sites; utilization of transportation mechanisms and devices other than those mentioned herein). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein, certain features from different aspects of the systems, methods and computer program products of the present disclosure may be combined to form yet new aspects of the present disclosure. 
         [0040]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the relevant art(s) who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of this technical disclosure. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present disclosure in any way.