Holster
A firearm holster is provided which retains a weapon with a laser or light attachment. The holster is generally formed from a hard material and has a cavity open at the underside of the firearm barrel. The holster may include safety features such as a locking tab, securing strap, or muzzle post.
1. Field
The present invention relates to a holster. In particular, the invention relates to a holster that allows a firearm to be holstered with a laser or light attached to the firearm.
2. Background
Weapon-mounted lights and lasers are common on firearms such as handguns. In general, these light and laser attachments are mounted on the firearm below the barrel of the firearm, such that the light or laser beam is parallel to the bore.
Weapon holsters traditionally open to the top and are closed or secured underneath the weapon's barrel. The disadvantage of these holsters is that the weapon cannot be holstered with an attachment, as the holster extends or secures underneath the barrel. As a result, the weapon cannot be holstered and released quickly with the attachment in place. A user must attach the laser or light after the weapon has been released, and detach the laser or light in order to return the weapon to the holster. This is dangerous and undesirable in an emergency or tactical situation.
In addition, holsters require security features to prevent opponents from releasing the weapon from the holster, yet it is desirable for the user to be able to quickly release or holster the weapon.
Thus, a need exists for a holster that allows a weapon to be holstered with a laser or light attached to the weapon
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide a holster for receiving a weapon with an attachment in place.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a holster for receiving a weapon with an attachment in place that includes security features.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a holster for receiving a weapon with an attachment in place that allows for quick release of the weapon.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, drawings, and claims.
The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties encountered heretofore. To that end, an improved holster is provided. The holster receives a weapon with an attachment secured to the underside of the barrel.
Illustrated in
As seen in
The holster has a muzzle post 30 at the muzzle end of the holster. In one embodiment, the muzzle post 30 is stationary and cannot be adjusted (
In a second embodiment, the holster has a slot 28 with a muzzle post 30 within the slot at the muzzle end of the holster 10. The muzzle 14a of the firearm receives the muzzle post 30 and secures the firearm 14 within the holster 10. As shown in
The holster 10 may include a securing strap 50. The securing strap 50 extends around the firearm, as seen in
The holster 10 may include a magnet 60 in the cavity 12 of the holster body 11 (
In a second embodiment, the holster 100 has a plurality of tabs 102 at the butt-end 14c of the holster, instead of a locking tab. The tabs 102 secure the weapon 14 within the holster. (
A third embodiment of the holster 200, as seen in
The holster 10, 100, 200 is made from a hard material such as plastic. Hard plastic (such as Boltaron 4330) has the advantage of not damaging the finish on tactical handguns.
The holster 10, 100, 200 allows a weapon to be holstered while a laser, light, or other attachment 14g remains in place on the firearm below the barrel. The locking tab 22, plurality of tabs 102, trigger shield 40, muzzle post 30, and securing strap 50 are safety features of the holster 10, 100, 200. These safety features prevent an opponent from removing the firearm 14 from the holster and help to secure the weapon 14 within the holster.
The holster 10, 100, 200 can be worn on a person, such as on a belt, around a leg, under an arm, or any other method of carrying a firearm 14 on a person.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while the invention is intended to be used to holster a firearm on a person, it could also be attached to a flat surface, such as the underside of a table, to holster the weapon.
Claims
1. A holster for a firearm having a barrel, muzzle, butt, grip, trigger, trigger guard, and an attachment underneath the barrel, the holster comprising a holster body having a substantially rigid top and sidewalls and open to the underside forming a cavity to receive a firearm with an attachment, wherein the holster body extends substantially the length of the firearm.
2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body extends over the firearm muzzle and further comprises a muzzle post.
3. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body extends over the firearm trigger guard and trigger.
4. The holster of claim 2, wherein the muzzle post slides within a slot in the holster body.
5. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a locking tab operatively attached to the holster body and extending over the butt of the firearm longitudinally along the back of the firearm grip.
6. The holster of claim 5, wherein the locking tab has a pin to secure the locking tab over the firearm butt and along the grip.
7. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a securing strap extending around the firearm.
8. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a pad on a sidewall of the holster body within the cavity.
9. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a magnet attached in the cavity of the holster body.
10. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body further comprises a plurality of tabs securing the butt of the firearm.
11. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body is made from plastic.
12. A method of holstering a firearm having a barrel, muzzle, butt, grip, trigger, trigger guard, and an attachment underneath the barrel, the steps comprising:
- a) providing a holster having a holster body having a substantially rigid top and sidewalls and open to the underside forming a cavity to receive a firearm with an attachment, wherein the holster body extends substantially the length of the firearm; and
- b) inserting a firearm into said holster.
Type: Application
Filed: May 2, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 6, 2008
Inventor: Robert Gamble (West Des Moines, IA)
Application Number: 11/799,569
International Classification: F41C 33/02 (20060101);