Retention member and holster with friction producing portion

Abstract

The invention provides a retention member with friction producing portion for mounting a hand gun or magazine holster on a user's pants and/or belt that increases the gripping power between the holster and the user's hip thereby permitting quick withdrawal of the gun or magazine from the holster while allowing the holster to remain securely against the user's hip. Also provided is a unitary inside the waistband rigid plastic hand gun or magazine holster.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/635,869, filed Dec. 13, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a retention member with friction producing portion for a hand gun or magazine holster.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous types of gun holsters are known in the art. Traditionally, gun holsters, as well as pouches that hold magazines, are made of leather. Leather is a relatively durable material, which can be used to manufacture a hand gun holster suitable for receiving different models and configurations of hand guns. Therefore, a hand gun owner could use a gun holster that was not specifically designed for the specific model in his possession, however, with time, the leather holster would roughly adapt its configuration to that of the hand gun within it. After the shape adaptation took place, the hand gun user was not always satisfied with the leather holster's ability to, on the one hand, hold the gun within it and, on the other hand, allow for the quick draw therefrom.

Since the leather is susceptible to external forces such as exposure to moisture, expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, and wear and tear effects, the holster's inner configuration is slightly different at various points in time. The difference, over time, in the holster's inner shape consequentially influences the gripping relationship between the gun and the holster and may be detrimental for some hand gun users. A police officer, who is required on occasion to draw the hand gun in a quick fashion, cannot allow or accept a situation whereby upon attempting to swiftly remove the hand gun, he finds the holster attached to the gun in his hand thereby interfering with the next step of loading and/or discharging the weapon. The above situations occur under conditions in which a leather holster is clipped to the user's pants or belt, rather than being threaded through a belt, and in which an expansion of the holster has taken place to the extent that the gripping power between the holster and the hand gun are greater than the gripping power between the holster and the user's pants.

A hand gun holster and a magazine holster (pouch) require the unique characteristics of, on the one hand, the ability to securely grip the hand gun when placed therein, eliminating the possibility, for example, of the hand gun falling out when the holster is placed in a downwardly angle due, for example, to the bending over of the user and, on the other hand, to allow for the quick draw of the gun without any interference.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,089, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, the present inventor has overcome the above shortcomings by providing a holster with specific inner dimensions for receiving a hand gun or magazine, whereby the holster would have a predetermined gripping relationship with the gun or the magazine, thereby eliminating shape variations resulting from external forces such as temperature and moisture.

The present invention provides a retention member for mounting a hand gun or magazine holster on a user that comprises a friction producing portion, which increases the gripping power between the holster and the user, thereby creating even quicker withdrawal of the gun or magazine from the holster while allowing the holster to remain securely against the user.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for mounting a holster on a user, wherein said retention member is made of rigid plastic and comprises a friction producing portion, which enhances retainment of the holster against the user upon withdrawal of the gun or magazine from the holster.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retention member comprises a friction producing portion and a lateral concave configuration complementary to the convex configuration of said user's hip.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retention member is a product of double injection molding.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retention member comprises a friction producing portion and a lateral step configuration along the longitudinal axis thereof, whereby said step forms a ledge that can underride a belt thereby enabling said belt to act as stop means preventing upward movement of said holster, while allowing the quick draw of a gun or magazine therefrom.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retention member comprises a friction producing portion and a lateral step configuration along the longitudinal axis thereof, whereby said step forms a ledge that can underride a belt, and wherein the ledge of said step further comprises at least one flange substantially parallel to said member and substantially perpendicular to the ledge of said step, thereby forming a hook-like configuration for hooking against the front surface of said belt, thereby enabling said belt to act as stop means preventing upward movement of said holster, while allowing the quick draw of a gun or magazine therefrom.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the holster comprises a lateral concave configuration and a friction producing portion. Most preferably, the friction producing portion is a product of double injection molding.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the holster further comprises a retention portion comprising a friction producing portion for mounting the holster to the user's pants and/or belt, if any. The retention portion comprises a straight portion, a top member coupled to the straight portion at a top thereof for holding onto the user's pants and/or belt, if any, at a top thereof, and a bottom member coupled to the straight portion at a bottom thereof for holding onto the user's pants and/or belt, if any, at a bottom thereof. In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the straight portion is adjustable to accommodate different belt widths.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retention portion of a unitary inside the waistband holster comprises a friction producing portion, which enhances retainment of the holster against the user's hip and pants upon withdrawal of the gun or magazine from the holster. Most preferably, the friction producing portion is a product of double injection molding.

While the invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments in one or more of the following figures so that aspects thereof may be more fully understood and appreciated, it is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention. Thus, the following figures which include preferred embodiments will serve to illustrate the practice of this invention, it being understood that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of formulation procedures as well as of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the concave side of a retention member comprising a friction producing portion, which is the product of double injection molding.

FIG. 2 illustrates the concave side of a retention member comprising four segments of a friction producing portion, which is the product of double injection molding.

FIG. 3 illustrates the convex side of a retention member comprising a ledge to underride a belt.

FIG. 4 illustrates the convex side of a retention member comprising a ledge to underride a belt and two flanges.

FIG. 5 illustrates an inside the waistband hand gun holster.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an inside the waistband hand gun holster.

FIG. 7 illustrates the concave side of the inside the waistband hand gun holster.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alterative view of the concave side of a retention member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following drawings, similar numerals have been used to designate similar parts.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the present invention provides an inside or outside the waistband retention member 1 for mounting a holster on a user's pants and/or belt, which is made of rigid plastic via injection molding and which increases the gripping power between the retention member 1 and the user's hip to thereby secure the holster to the user's hip upon the quick withdrawal of the gun or magazine from the holster. The gripping power is increased because the retention member 1 further comprises a friction producing portion 2 that comprises any type of polymer, which may be the same as or different from the plastic making up the retention member 1, so long as the polymer of the friction producing portion 2 creates greater friction between the retention member 1 and the user's hip than the retention member 1 would alone. For example, the friction producing portion 2 can comprise the polymer of the retention member 1 in a modified or treated form whereby the friction producing portion 2 creates greater friction between the retention member 1 and the user's hip. By creating greater friction between the retention member 1 and the user's hip, the friction producing portion 2 allows the retention member 1 to remain securely against the user's hip even when the user withdraws the gun or magazine quickly from the holster.

Inorganic and organic polymers, including natural, synthetic and semisynthetic, are useful polymers for adding friction between the retention member 1 and the user's hip. Such polymers include, but are not limited to, rubber, nylon, rayon, and silicone. Preferably, the polymer is a synthetic polymer such as a thermoplastic elastomer. Types of thermoplastic elastomers include polyurethanes, polyester copolymers, styrene copolymers, olefinics, polyamides, elastomeric alloys, and melt-processible rubbers. Elastomeric alloys comprise polymer alloys of an olefinic resin and rubber. Melt-processible rubbers are sold by Du Pont under the Alcryn tradename.

The friction producing portion 2 may also comprise other types of materials that increase the friction between the retention member 1 and the user's hip.

The friction producing portion 2 may be applied to the retention member 1 in any customary or ordinary method. One such method includes double injection molding. Other examples include, but are not limited to, gluing, spray gluing, taping, stapling, pinning the friction producing portion 2 onto the retention member 1. For example, glue is applied to the retention member 1, the friction producing portion 2 is then applied to the glue, and heat is applied to adhere the friction producing portion 2 to the retention member 1.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the retention member 1 comprising the friction producing portion 2 is a product of double injection molding. Double injection molding, also known as coinjection molding or 2-shot molding, is well known in the art. It is a technique where two dissimilar materials are cast and integrated together. The first molding is cast, and then the second material is cast in the same mold, integrating the two materials. More specifically, double injection molding combines two plastic materials injected in the mold to form a single part.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retention member 1 comprises a lateral concave configuration complementary to the convex configuration of the user's hip, whereby the retention member 1 is comfortable to wear. The friction producing portion 2 may be integrated partially or fully to the concave side or convex side or both sides of the retention member 1. Preferably, the friction producing portion 2 is integrated at least to the lateral concave configuration of the retention member 1 as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 8. FIG. 1 and FIG. 8 illustrate that the friction producing portion 2 has been integrated almost fully to the lateral concave configuration of the retention member 1. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, segments 3 of the friction producing portion 2 may be integrated to the retention member 1. These segments 3 may be integrated in a random or in an organized pattern and may be circular, linear or amorphous in shape. The friction producing portion 2 and the segments 3 thereof may also be integrated in such a way so as to be raised up above the retention member 1 to produce even greater friction between the retention member 1 and the user's hip. The friction producing portion 2 and segments 3 thereof may be in a color that is the same or different from the retention member 1.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retention member 1 comprises an abrasive surface, which produces friction between the holster and the user's hip. The abrasive surface may be created by any traditional method including, but not limited to, etching.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the retention member 1 comprises a friction producing portion 2 (not shown) and a lateral step configuration along the longitudinal axis of the retention member 1, whereby the step forms a ledge 4 that can underride a belt thereby enabling the belt to act as stop means preventing upward movement of a hand gun or magazine holster, while allowing the quick draw of a gun or magazine therefrom.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the retention member 1 comprises a friction producing portion 2 (not shown) and a lateral step configuration along the longitudinal axis of the retention member 1, whereby the step forms a ledge 4 that can underride a belt, and wherein the ledge 4 of the step further comprises at least one flange 5 substantially parallel to the retention member 1 and substantially perpendicular to the ledge 4 of the step, thereby forming a hook-like configuration for hooking against the front surface of the belt, thereby enabling the belt to act as stop means preventing upward movement of a hand gun or magazine holster, while allowing the quick draw of a gun or magazine therefrom.

The present invention further provides an inside the waistband rigid plastic hand gun holster. As shown in FIG. 5, this inside the waistband holster 6 is one single piece of continuous, unitary, uninterrupted rigid plastic. The holster does not comprise any rivets or screws.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the inside the waistband holster 6 comprises a rigid plastic holster having inner dimensions complementary to the configuration of the outer sections of a hand gun or magazine to be placed therein, wherein said holster is a product of injection molding.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the holster 6 preferably further comprises a retention portion 7 for mounting the holster 6 to the user's pants and/or belt. The retention portion 7 comprises a straight portion 8, a top member 9 coupled to the straight portion 8 at a top thereof for holding onto the user's pants or belt at a top thereof, and a bottom member 10 coupled to the straight portion 8 at a bottom thereof for holding onto a user's pants or belt at a bottom thereof. The top member 9 curves first horizontally and then downward toward the bottom member 10 and may include, but is not limited to, a hook, a fastener, a clasp or a clip. The top member 9 wraps over the top of the user's pants and/or belt to secure the holster to the user's pants and/or belt. The bottom member 10 curves upward toward the top member 9 and further comprises a shelf 11 wherein the user's pants and/or belt may lie. In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the straight portion 8 is adjustable to accommodate different belt widths.

As shown in FIG. 7, the inside the waistband holster 6 comprises a lateral concave configuration complementary to the convex configuration of a user's hip, whereby the holster 6 is comfortable to wear, thereby solving the problem in the prior art.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inside the waistband holster 6 further comprises a friction producing portion 2 (not shown). As stated above, this friction producing portion 2 increases the gripping power between the holster 6 and the user's hip to thereby secure the holster 6 to the user's hip upon the quick withdrawal of the gun or magazine from the holster 6. Also as stated above, the friction producing portion 2 may comprise any polymer, which may be the same as or different from the plastic making up the holster 6 so long as the polymer of the friction producing portion 2 creates greater friction between the holster 6 and the user's hip than the holster 6 would alone. For example, the friction producing portion 2 can comprise the polymer of the holster 6 in a modified or treated form whereby the friction producing portion 2 creates greater friction between the holster 6 and the user's hip. The friction producing portion 2 may be applied to the holster 6 in any conventional or traditional method. Most preferably, the friction producing portion 2 is integrated with the holster 6 via double injection molding, a process which has already been explained above. In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the friction producing portion 2 is integrated to the lateral concave configuration of the holster 6 via double injection molding. The friction producing portion 2 may be partially or fully integrated to the lateral concave configuration of the holster 6. Alternatively, segments 3 (not shown) of the friction producing portion 2 may be integrated to the lateral concave configuration of the holster 6 in a random or organized pattern. The segments 3, as stated above, may be circular, linear or amorphous in shape. As previously explained, the friction producing portion 2 and the segments 3 thereof may also be integrated in such a way as to be raised up above the lateral concave configuration of the holster 6 to further increase the friction between the holster and the user's hip.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lateral concave side of the holster 6 comprises an abrasive surface, which produces friction between the holster and the user's hip. The abrasive surface may be created by any traditional or conventional method including, but not limited to, etching.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the retention portion 7 of the holster 6 comprises a friction producing portion 2 or segments 3 thereof. Preferably, the friction producing portion 2 or segments 3 thereof is integrated with the retention portion 7 via double injection molding. Most preferably, the holster 6 comprises a friction producing portion 2 or segments 3 thereof on the lateral concave configuration of the holster 6 and on the retention portion 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the holster 6 further comprises an indentation 12 corresponding to the position of an opening of a trigger guard of a hand gun positioned therein, whereby said indentation 12 releasably interlocks with said trigger guard to form a snap-fit therewith.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative figures and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present figures be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the scope of the invention are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A retention member for mounting a holster on a user, the retention member comprising a friction producing portion.

2. The retention member of claim 1, wherein the retention member is made of rigid plastic via injection molding.

3. The retention member of claim 1, further comprising a lateral concave configuration complementary to the convex configuration of said user's hip.

4. The retention member of claim 3, wherein the friction producing portion is integrated to the lateral concave configuration of the retention member.

5. The retention member of claim 1, wherein the retention member and friction producing portion are a product of double injection molding.

6. The retention member of claim 1, further comprising a lateral step configuration along the longitudinal axis thereof, whereby said step forms a ledge that can underride a belt.

7. The retention member of claim 6, wherein the ledge of said step further comprises at least one flange substantially parallel to said retention member and substantially perpendicular to the ledge of said step.

8. The retention member of claim 1, wherein the friction producing portion comprises a polymer.

9. The retention member of claim 8, wherein the polymer is rubber, nylon, rayon or silicone.

10. The retention member of claim 8, wherein the polymer is a synthetic polymer.

11. The retention member of claim 10, wherein the synthetic polymer is a thermoplastic elastomer.

12. The retention member of claim 1, wherein the friction producing portion is raised up above the retention member.

13. A retention member for mounting a holster on a user, the retention member comprising an abrasive surface.

14. The retention member of claim 13, wherein the abrasive surface is created by etching.

15. The retention member of claim 13, wherein the abrasive surface comprises a friction producing portion.

16. The retention member of claim 15, wherein the friction producing portion comprises a polymer.

17. The retention member of claim 16, wherein the polymer is rubber, nylon, rayon or silicone.

18. The retention member of claim 16, wherein the polymer is a synthetic polymer.

19. The retention member of claim 18, wherein the synthetic polymer is a thermoplastic elastomer.

20. The retention member of claim 15, wherein the friction producing portion is raised up above the retention member.