CONCEALED CARRY DEVICE AND GARMENT

Abstract

A tactical upper garment for concealed carry of a weapon has an interior portion and an exterior portion. A weapon retention mounting patch is affixed to the interior portion, and a detachable firearm holster is removably attachable to the weapon retention mounting patch. The holster can be loaded with a firearm and then moved from a location outside the exterior portion to a space inside the interior portion. The detachable firearm holster is movable within said space along a height and a width of the weapon retention mounting patch to a desired position. The detachable firearm holster is pressed against the weapon retention mounting patch at the desired position to attach the detachable firearm holster to the tactical upper garment at the desired position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/840,696, filed Apr. 30, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a device and garment for carrying a firearm or other weapon in a concealed manner.

BACKGROUND

Various garments with integrated concealed carry holsters or accommodations for concealed carry holsters are known.

SUMMARY

Briefly, this disclosure is directed to a tactical upper garment such as a shirt, vest, jacket or the like for concealed carry of a weapon comprising a holster retention mounting patch affixed to the garment interior portion, and a detachable holster which is removably attachable onto the holster retention mounting patch.

In another aspect, a tactical upper garment for concealed carry of a weapon comprises an interior portion, an exterior portion, a weapon retention mounting patch affixed to the interior portion, and a detachable firearm holster which is removably attachable to the weapon retention mounting patch.

In another aspect, a method of concealed carry of a firearm comprises moving a detachable firearm holster from a location outside an exterior portion of a tactical upper garment to a space inside an interior portion of the tactical upper garment. The detachable firearm holster is moved within said space along a height and a width of a weapon retention mounting patch on the interior portion to a desired position. The detachable firearm holster is pressed against the weapon retention mounting patch at the desired position to attach the detachable firearm holster to the tactical upper garment in said space at the desired position.

Other aspects and features will be apparent hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a tactical jacket;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of an interior portion of the jacket, with the jacket shown in an inside-out configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a tactical vest on a manikin;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the vest on a manikin;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the vest on a manikin;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of an interior portion of the vest, with the vest shown inside-out configuration on a manikin;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the interior portion of the vest shown inside-out configuration on a manikin;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the interior portion of the vest shown inside-out configuration on a manikin;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the interior portion of the vest including a weapon retention mounting patch;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of part of the interior portion of the vest including a weapon retention mounting patch to which a detachable holster holstering a firearm is attached;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of part of the interior portion of the vest including a weapon retention mounting patch to which an empty detachable magazine pouch is attached;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part of the interior portion of the vest including a weapon retention mounting patch to which a detachable magazine pouch containing a magazine is attached;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective of the tactical vest on a manikin, illustrating the location of an access opening which provides access to a weapon retention mounting patch;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of a detachable holster holstering a firearm;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the detachable holster without the firearm;

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation of the detachable holster;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation of another detachable holster holstering a firearm;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation of the detachable holster of FIG. 17 without the firearm;

FIG. 19 is a rear elevation of the detachable holster of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation of a detachable magazine pouch;

FIG. 21 is a rear elevation of the detachable magazine pouch;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation of another detachable holster;

FIG. 23 is a rear elevation of the detachable holster of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a front elevation of the detachable holster of FIG. 22 holstering a firearm;

FIG. 25 is front elevation of the interior portion of the vest in an inside out configuration with covering panels overlying weapon retention patches of the garment, the covering panels being shown as partially transparent to illustrate how a detachable holster and a detachable magazine pouch can be attached to the retention patch and covered by the covering panel;

FIG. 26 is an elevation of one side of the interior portion of the vest with a covering panel attached to the weapon retention mounting patch; and

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of part of the interior portion of the garment that includes the weapon retention mounting patch and an upturned covering panel.

Corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding reference characters throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventors have recognized that existing garments with integrated concealed carry holsters or dedicated accommodations for concealed carry holsters constrain the position of the firearm and magazine with respect to the wearer's body. Depending on the unique shape of the wearer's body, as well as numerous other factors, the constrained position of the holster can lead to discomfort or ineffective concealment. Accordingly, as will be explained in further detail below, the inventors have devised an upper body garment that facilitates repositioning the holster on the garment to suit a wearer's needs.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, two versions of a tactical upper garment for concealed carry of a firearm F and optionally its magazine M (each, broadly, a weapon) are indicated at reference numbers 10, 10′. In FIGS. 1-2, the upper garment 10 is a jacket with sleeves, whereas in FIGS. 3-13, the upper garment 10′ is a sleeveless vest. Thus, it will be appreciated that various types of upper garments, including but not limited to long-sleeved jackets, long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, and sleeveless vests, can be used as the basic form of an upper garment within the scope of this disclosure. As will be seen, the jacket 10 and the vest 10′ have the same basic components that pertain to the concealed carry of a weapon. As such, the same reference numbers will be used throughout this disclosure to refer to the pertinent features of the two tactical upper garments 10, 10′.

In general, the upper garment 10, 10′ comprises an interior portion 12 (e.g., a lining) and an exterior portion 14 (e.g., a shell). The interior and exterior portions can be formed from different pieces of material or different surfaces of the same piece of material. During use of the garment 10, 10′ the interior portion is located closer to the wearer's skin than the exterior portion and the exterior portion at least partially conceals the interior portion from the view of others.

Various materials and constructions for garment interior portions and exterior portions are known or may become known to those skilled in the art, and any suitable material or construction may be used for the interior portion 12 or exterior portion 14 without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, the exterior portion 14 is a shell formed from a heavy material, such as denim or leather, capable of concealing the shape of a bulky object such as a firearm F. In certain embodiments, the interior portion 12 can be a lining insulated for cold environments (e.g., formed from quilted material) or formed from material suitable for warmer environments (e.g., moisture wicking material).

In the illustrated embodiment, a harness 16 is sewn into or otherwise fastened to the interior portion 12 for supporting the weight of the firearm F and magazine M during use. The harness 16 may be formed from one or more strips or straps of load-bearing fabric, e.g., canvas. In the illustrated embodiment the harness 16 comprises one strap for each shoulder of the wearer. During use, each strap 18 extends lengthwise from a first end portion at the front of the garment, over the respective shoulder of the wearer, to a second end portion. As will be explained in further detail below, the end portions of each strap 18 are fastened (e.g., sewn) directly to a support that carries the weight of at least a portion of the weapon during use of the garment 10, 10′. As such, the weight of the weapon can be transferred through the support to the harness 16. And since each harness strap 18 extends over a shoulder of the wearer during use, the load applied to the harness strap is borne by the wearer's shoulder. As can thus be seen, the harness 16 transfers a substantial portion of the weight of the weapon to the wearer's body, without requiring that portion of the weight to be carried by the remainder of the interior portion 12. This allows the remainder of the interior portion 12 to be formed from materials selected for characteristics other than load bearing capacity, if desired.

The upper garment 10, 10′ comprises at least one weapon retention mounting patch 20 (broadly, a retention mounting system) on the interior portion along the front of the garment. As will be explained in further detail below, the weapon retention mounting patch 20 is configured to enable a wearer to selectively position at least a portion of a weapon (e.g., a firearm and/or its magazines) at the desired location and in the desired orientation on the interior portion of the garment, in front of the chest or abdomen of the wearer. In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 10, 10′ comprises first and second mounting patches 20 on opposite sides of a central vertical garment closure (hereinafter, a ‘center closure’). The center closure can, for example, comprise a zipper as shown, or also buttons, snaps, or another closure mechanism in lieu of or in addition to the zipper. Each mounting patch 20 comprises an attachment panel 22 (broadly, a hook and loop attachment component) formed from one or more strips 24 of hook and loop (e.g., Velcro) fastener material. The operative side of the attachment panel 22 faces inward toward the wearer during use. In the illustrated embodiment, each attachment panel 22 is formed from a plurality discrete strips of hook and loop fastener material running laterally or widthwise with respect to the garment 10, 10′. The illustrated strips 24 are connected (e.g., sewn or stitched) together in a top-edge-to-bottom-edge arrangement to form a substantially contiguous, rectangular attachment panel 22 that has an elongate shape in the vertical direction of the garment 10, 10′.

In the illustrated embodiment, each mounting patch 20 includes a support 26 onto which the attachment panel 22 is fastened. In one or more embodiments, the support is a sheet of load-bearing fabric onto which the attachment panel 22 is sewn or stitched. The support could also have the shape of a frame along a perimeter portion of the attachment panel in one or more embodiments. The support 26 is fastened (e.g., sewn or stitched) directly onto the interior portion 12 of the garment 10, 10′ and thereby secures the attachment panel 22 to the garment. (The attachment panel can also be sewn directly onto the interior portion of the garment in certain embodiments). In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second end portions of a respective harness strap 18 are fastened (e.g., sewn or stitched) directly to the support 26. Thus, when a weapon is supported on the attachment panel 22, the weight of the weapon is transferred from the panel to the support 26, from the support to the harness 16, and from the harness to the wearer's shoulder. Accordingly, the support 26 is suitably formed from a relatively robust load-bearing material such as canvas or other material capable of transferring the load of the weapon to the harness 16.

The operative portion of the attachment panel 22 is relatively large in relation to the overall size of the front of the garment 10, 10′. For example, in one or more embodiments, the front of the garment has a between-the-shoulders width W1 and each attachment panel 22 has a width W2 that is greater than 25% (e.g., greater than 30%, greater than 35%) of the between-the-shoulders width W1. Similarly, the garment 10, 10′ has a waist-to-neck height H1 and each attachment panel 22 has a height H2 that is greater than 35% (e.g., greater than 40%, greater than 45%) of the waist-to-neck height H1. In an exemplary embodiment, the panel width W2 is greater than four inches (e.g., greater than five inches, greater than six inches, greater than seven inches, greater than eight inches) and the panel height H2 is greater than eight inches, (e.g., greater than 10 inches, greater than 12 inches, greater than 13 inches).

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, the illustrated garment further comprises a detachable holster 30 that is removably attachable to the weapon retention mounting patch 20. The holster 30 comprises a front panel 32 and a back panel 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer side of the holster back panel 34 comprises hook and loop fastener material (e.g., Velcro) configured for attachment to the attachment panel 22 of either of the mounting patches 20. In other words, the back panel 34 of the holster 30 and the attachment panel 22 comprise mutual or complementary hook and loop attachment components. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the exposed side of the attachment panel 22 is a loop-type material and the exposed side of the back panel 34 is a hook-type material configured for interlocking engagement with the loop-type material of the attachment panel. Conversely, in another embodiment, the exposed side of the attachment panel 22 is a hook-type material and the exposed side of the back panel 34 is a loop-type material configured for interlocking engagement with the hook-type material of the attachment panel. However, the attachment panel 22 is preferred to comprise the look-type material so that it does not tend to cling to the wearer's undergarments during use.

As can be seen, the attachment panel 22 is much larger than the back panel 34 of the detachable holster 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the back panel 34 has a height H3 that is less than 8 inches (e.g., less than 6.5 inches) and a width W3 that is less than 6 inches (e.g., less than 5 inches, less than 4.5 inches). In one or more embodiments, the holster height H3 is less than 50% (e.g., less than 40%) of the panel height H2. The holster width W3 can be less than 65% (e.g., less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%) of the panel width W2 in one or more embodiments. Since the back panel 34 is much smaller than the attachment panel 22, the detachable holster 30 can be positioned at numerous positions along the height and width of either attachment panel. This enables the wearer to position the holster 30 in the most convenient location for accessing the weapon and/or the most comfortable location for wearing the holster. For example, the back panel 34 can be attachable to the attachment panel 22 at least at any location along the attachment panel at which the height H3 and the width W3 of the back panel entirely overlaps the attachment panel. The illustrated back panel 34 can, in addition, be attached at locations where a portion of the height H3 and/or width W3 protrudes beyond or overhangs the perimeter of the attachment panel 22.

In general, the front panel 32 of the detachable holster 30 is configured to snugly retain firearm F in the holster between the front and back panels 32, 34. For example, in one or more embodiments, the front panel 32 is formed from an elastic material that is laid flat along the back panel 34 and is fastened (e.g., sewn or stitched) to the back panel along its side edge margins. This allows the firearm F to be slid into the pocket between the front and back panels 32, 34, causing the elastic front panel to resiliently stretch away from the back panel. When the firearm F is in place, the stretched front panel 32 resiliently rebounds, snugly retaining or girding the firearm F within the holster 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front panel 32 is secured to the back panel 34 along side edge seams 36 and a narrowing seam 38. The seams 36, 38 define upper and lower openings along the upper and lower edge margins of the front panel 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper opening extends along the substantially the entire width W3 of the holster 30 but the lower opening has a narrower width W4, defined by the inboard end of the narrowing seam 38. The large upper opening facilitates easy insertion of the firearm F into the holster 30 and the narrow lower opening allows the end portion of the firearm barrel to protrude while blocking passage of the larger handle and trigger portion. Further, because of the narrow lower opening, the elastic front panel 32 can resiliently grip the end portion of the firearm F that protrudes through the lower opening.

To further secure the holstered firearm F, the illustrated holster 30 comprises a length-adjustable security strap 40 configured to fasten over the grip and hammer of the firearm received in the holster. As shown in FIG. 16, in one or more embodiments, a back portion 42 of the strap 40 is fastened (e.g. sewn) to the back panel 34, and a front portion 44 of the strap is fastened to the front panel 32. Suitably, the rearward exterior portion surface of the back portion 42 is formed from the same hook and loop fastener material as the rear surface of the back panel 34, thus enabling it to attach to the attachment panels 22. Free end sections of the strap portions 42, 44 include quick-release fasteners, such as snap-type fasteners, that are configured to be fastened together so that the strap 40 extends over the grip and hammer of the firearm F from the back panel 34 to the front panel 32. One of the back and front portions 42, 44 may include two strap segments connected by a strap adjuster buckle for selectively adjusting the length of the security strap 40.

In certain embodiments, additional storage features may be included in the detachable holster 30. For example, in the illustrated embodiment A middle elastic panel 50 (FIG. 15) is fastened to the back panel 34 along a seam 52 (FIG. 16) for snugly retaining a magazine M of the firearm F in the holster 30 at a location between the firearm and the back panel. Additionally, an internal pocket (not visible) is fastened to the interior portion of the front panel 32 by a seam 56 for holding miscellaneous small items such as loose ammunition.

Another embodiment of a detachable firearm holster 30′ is shown in FIGS. 17-19. The firearm holster 30′ has many of the same features as the firearm holster 30, and corresponding parts are given the same reference number, followed by a prime symbol. Like the holster 30, the holster 30′ has a front panel 32′ secured to a back panel 34′ by one or more seams, and the exposed rear surface of the back panel comprises hook and loop fastener material configured for interlocking engagement with the hook and loop fastener material of a garment attachment panel 22. In the illustrated embodiment, instead of the front panel being fastened to the back panel along its opposing side edges, the front panel 32′ is fastened to the back panel 34′ by a bottom seam 33′. Optionally, a side panel (not visible) disposed generally in a front-to-back plane connects one edge margin of the back panel 34′ to a corresponding edge margin of the front panel 32′. However, the opposite vertical side margins of the front and back panels 32′, 34′ are not permanently connected together. Instead, as shown in FIG. 17, the space between these side edge margins is left open to allow the elongate side portion of the firearm F to protrude from the pocket between the front and back panels 32′, 34.

To hold the firearm F in this open-sided pocket, a wraparound strap 39′ is used. Suitably, a first end portion of the wraparound strap 39′ is fastened (e.g., sewn) to an edge margin of one of the holster panels 32′, 34′ and a free second end portion comprises hook and loop fastener material configured to fasten to the hook and loop fastener material on the rear side of the back panel. Thus, the wraparound strap 39′ is configured to extend around the front and rear panels 32′, 34′ and attach to the holster 30′ when the firearm F is received in the pocket between the front and rear panels. In the illustrated embodiment, the side of the free second end portion of the strap 39′ that faces away from the back panel 34′ comprises a hook and loop fastener material, but of the opposite type as the material that engages the back panel, so that this exposed side is configured for interlocking engagement or attachment with the attachment panel 22 of the garment 10, 10′. As above, the holster 30′ comprises quick-release, length-adjustable security strap 40′ configured to be fastened over the handle portion of the firearm F for securely holding the firearm in the holster.

It can be seen that the holster 30′ has an even smaller form factor than the holster 30. Thus, it is believed that the holster 30′ may allow for even greater maneuverability along the garment 30, 30′. In an exemplary embodiment, the back panel 34′ has a height H3′ that is less than 8 inches (e.g., less than 6 inches) and a width W3′ that is less than 4 inches (e.g., less than 3.5 inches). In one or more embodiments, the holster height H3′ is less than 50% (e.g., less than 40%) of the garment panel height H2. The holster width W3′ can be less than 50% (e.g., less than 45%, less than 40%) of the panel width W2 in one or more embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 22-24, another embodiment of a firearm holster is generally indicated at 30″. The firearm holster 30″ has many of the same features as the firearm holster 30, and corresponding parts are given the same reference number, followed by a double-prime symbol. Like the holster 30, the holster 30″ has a front panel 32″ secured to a back panel 34″ by one or more seams 36″, 38″, and the exposed rear surface of the back panel comprises hook and loop fastener material configured for mutual interlocking engagement with the hook and loop fastener material of an attachment panel 22 on the garment 10, 10′. In the illustrated embodiment, the front panel is fastened to the back panel along opposing side edge seams 36″ and two narrowing seams 38″ that cause the width of the pocket between the panels 32″, 34″ to taper toward the centrally located narrow lower opening. In addition to the adjustable upper security strap 40′ (which functions as described above)', the illustrated holster 30″ includes a lower security strap 41″ that is configured to support the barrel of the firearm protruding through the lower opening of the holster 30″. In an embodiment, one end portion of the strap 41″ is permanently fastened (e.g., sewn or stitched) onto the front panel 32″ and the other end portion is releasably fastenable to the hook and loop material along the rear panel 34″ to secure the strap in position. Suitably, the strap 41″ can be formed from elastic material to better accommodate the firearm barrel.

In any of the above holsters 30, 30′, 30″, it is contemplated that an interior surface that engages the firearm F may include a rubberized material such as silicone to aid in gripping/retaining the firearm in the holster.

Referring to FIGS. 20-21, in one or more embodiments, the garment 10, 10′ comprises a detachable magazine pouch 60, in addition to one of the detachable holsters 30, 30′. The magazine pouch 60 comprises a front panel 62 and a back panel 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer side of the holster back panel 64 comprises hook and loop fastener material (Velcro) configured for attachment of the attachment panel 22 of either of the mounting patches 20. In other words, the back panel 64 and the attachment panel 22 comprise mutual or complementary hook and loop attachment components.

As can be seen, the attachment panel 22 is much larger than the back panel 34 of the detachable pouch 60. In an exemplary embodiment, the back panel 64 has a height H4 that is less than 8 inches (e.g., less than 6 inches) and a width W5 that is less than 6 inches (e.g., less than 5 inches, less than 4.5 inches). In one or more embodiments, the pouch height H4 is less than 50% (e.g., less than 40%) of the panel height H2. The pouch width W5 can be less than 65% (e.g., less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%) of the panel width W2 in one or more embodiments. Since the back panel 64 is much smaller than the attachment panel 22, the detachable pouch 60 can be positioned at numerous positions along the height and width of either attachment panel. For example, the detachable pouch 60 can be attached to the attachment panel 22 at least at any location along the attachment panel at which the height H4 and the width W5 of the back panel 64 entirely overlaps the attachment panel. Additionally, the illustrated detachable pouch 60 can be attached at certain locations where the height H4 and/or width W5 overhang the perimeter of the attachment panel 22. This enables the wearer to position the pouch 60 in the most convenient location for accessing magazine M and/or the most comfortable location for wearing the pouch.

In general, the front panel 62 of the detachable pouch 60 is configured to snugly retain a magazine M in the pouch between the front and back panels 62, 64. For example, in one or more embodiments, the front panel 62 is formed from an elastic material that is laid flat along the back panel 64 and is fastened (e.g., sewn) to the back panel by a perimeter seam 66 that extends along the side edge margins and bottom edge margin of the pouch. In addition, the illustrated pouch 60 comprises a central divider seam 68 that divides the pouch into two compartments, each generally configured to receive a single magazine M. A magazine M can be slid into each compartment between the front and back panels 62, 64, causing the elastic front panel to resiliently stretch away from the back panel. When a magazine M is received in a compartment, the stretched front panel 62 resiliently rebounds, snugly retaining or girding the magazine within the pouch 60.

Typically, it is anticipated that a wearer of the tactical garment 10, 10′ will utilize a first one of the mounting patches 20 to support the firearm F in the holster 30, 30′ and a second one of the mounting patches 20 to support the magazine(s) M received in the pouch 60. However, it is also possible to use the garment in other ways, such as by placing both the holster 30, 30′ and the pouch 60 on a single patch 20 or to carry only one of a holster 30 or a pouch, for example.

It can be seen that the garment 10, 10′ enables a wearer to open or partially open the center closure and reach from a space outside the exterior portion 14 to a space inside the interior portion 12 adjacent either of the retention patches 20. Accordingly, to use the garment 10, 10′, the wearer secures the firearm F in one of the detachable holsters 30, 30′, 30″ and optionally secures one or more magazines M in the detachable magazine pouch 60. Subsequently, the wearer passes the loaded holster 30, 30′, 30″ through one open portion of the center closure and optionally passes the loaded magazine pouch 60 through the center closure. The wearer can then attach the firearm holster 30, 300, 30″ and optional magazine pouch 60 to the respective attachment panel 22 at the desired location. The wearer can select any desired location along the height H2 of the attachment panel 22 and any desired location along the width W3 of the attachment panel. In addition, the wearer can select the desired rotational orientation of the holster/pouch on the respective attachment panel 22. The mutual hook and loop attachment components interlockingly engage one another to securely hold the holster 30, 30′, 30″ and pouch 60 to the respective attachment panel 22 in the desired position. If the wearer desires to change the attached position of the holster 30, 30′, 30″ or pouch 60, the wearer will simply reach through the open portion of the center closure, separate the hook and loop attachment component of the holster/pouch from the hook and loop attachment component of the attachment panel 22, move the holster/pouch to the desired position, and attach it in place using the mutual hook and loop fastener components. If the wearer requires firearm access during use of the garment 10, 10′, the wearer can reach through the central garment opening, release the security strap 40, 40′, 40″ and remove the firearm F while keeping the holster 30, 30′, 30″ in position. Likewise, the wearer can reach through respective access opening 70, remove a magazine M from the magazine pouch 60, and withdraw the magazine pouch, when use of a magazine is required.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 10, and 12, in one or more embodiments, the exterior portion 14 of the garment 10, 10′ also includes additional front access openings 70 that provide other points of access to the weapon retention mounting patches 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 10, 10′ includes a first access opening 70 on a first side of the center closure and a second access opening on the second side of the center closure. The access openings 70 may be concealed from view in certain embodiments. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the access openings are located generally along an existing seam of the garment. Objects such as a holstered or un-holstered firearm F and a pouched or un-pouched magazine M are passable through the access openings from and to the space inside the garment 10, 10′ adjacent the respective patch 20. Accordingly, instead of reaching through the central center closure, the wearer can reach a hand through an access opening 70 to access a detachable holster 30, 30′, 30″ or detachable magazine pouch 60 that is attached to the respective mounting patch 20. Of course, it will be appreciated that a wearer can attach or reposition the holster 30, 30′, 30″ or pouch 60 through the access openings 70 instead of the center closure when desired.

Referring to FIGS. 25-27, in one or more embodiments, the garment 10, 10′ includes a cover panel 80 configured to conceal the contents of the patch 20 from view through an open portion of the garment's center closure. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover panel 80 comprises a rectangular sheet of fabric 82 comprising one or more hook and loop attachment components 84 configured to releasably attach the cover panel to the attachment panel 22. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover panel 80 comprises separate attachment components 84 at each of the four corner regions of the sheet 82, although other arrangements are also possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover panel 80 has a height that is slightly greater than the height H2 of the attachment panel 22 (e.g., about one inch greater) and a width that is about the same as the width W2 of the attachment panel. The greater height of the cover panel 80 allows cover panel to bow outward away from the attachment panel 22 as it extends from an upper end portion secured to the upper end portion of the attachment panel to the lower end portion secured to the lower end portion of the attachment panel. This allows the holstered firearm F or pouched magazine M to be received between the cover panel 80 and the attachment panel 22. The cover panel 80 thus covers the exposed side of the firearm F or magazine M, helping to conceal it from view, even through a fully open center closure of the garment 10, 10′. It can be seen that cover panels 80 can be used on one or both of the attachment panels 22 of the garment, as desired.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above device without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A tactical upper garment for concealed carry of a weapon, the tactical upper garment comprising:

an interior portion;

an exterior portion;

a weapon retention mounting patch affixed to the interior portion; and

a detachable firearm holster which is removably attachable to the weapon retention mounting patch.

2. The tactical upper garment of claim 1, wherein the detachable firearm holster is removably attachable to the weapon retention mounting patch at a plurality of spaced apart positions along the weapon retention mounting patch.

3. The tactical upper garment of claim 1, wherein the weapon retention mounting patch comprises an attachment panel having a height and a width and the detachable firearm holster comprises a back panel having a height and a width, the back panel being attachable to the attachment panel at least at any location along the attachment panel at which the height and the width of the back panel entirely overlap the attachment panel.

4. The tactical upper garment of claim 3, wherein the height of the back panel is less than 50% of the height of the attachment panel.

5. The tactical upper garment of claim 3, wherein the width of the back panel is less than 65% of the width of the attachment panel.

6. The tactical upper garment of claim 3, wherein the garment has a between-the-shoulders width and the width of the weapon retention mounting patch is greater than 25% of the between-the-shoulders-width.

7. The tactical upper garment of claim 3, wherein the garment has a waist-to-neck height and the height of the attachment panel is greater than 35% of the waist-to-neck height.

8. The tactical upper garment of claim 3, wherein the attachment panel and the back panel comprise mutual hook and loop attachment components extending along substantially an entirety of the height of the attachment panel and substantially an entirety of the width of the attachment panel.

9. The tactical upper garment of claim 1, further comprising a harness fastened to the weapon retention mounting patch to support at least a portion of a load of the detachable firearm holster attached to the weapon retention mounting patch.

10. The tactical upper garment of claim 9, wherein the harness comprises a strap for extending lengthwise over a shoulder of a wearer from a first end portion fastened to the weapon retention mounting patch to a second end portion fastened to the weapon retention mounting patch.

11. The tactical upper garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises an access opening adjacent a side of the wearer through which a weapon is passable from a space inside the interior portion to a space outside the exterior portion.

12. The tactical upper garment of claim 1, wherein the detachable firearm holster comprises a front panel fastened to a back panel, the back panel being formed of inelastic material and having a back side forming a hook and loop fastener component, the front panel being at least partially formed from elastic for snugly retaining the firearm in the detachable firearm holster between the front panel and the back panel.

13. The tactical upper garment of claim 12, wherein the detachable firearm holster further comprises a releasable security strap for securing the firearm in the detachable firearm holster.

14. The tactical upper garment of claim 1, further comprising a central vertical garment closure, wherein the weapon retention mounting patch is a first weapon retention mounting patch on a first side of the central vertical garment closure, the tactical upper garment further comprising a second weapon retention mounting patch on a second side of the central vertical garment closure.

15. The tactical upper garment of claim 1, further comprising a detachable magazine pouch, the detachable magazine pouch being removably attachable to the weapon retention mounting patch at a plurality of spaced apart positions along the weapon retention mounting patch.

16. The tactical upper garment of claim 15, wherein the detachable magazine pouch comprises a front panel fastened to a back panel, the back panel being formed of inelastic material and having a back side forming a hook and loop fastener component, the front panel being at least partially formed from elastic material for snugly retaining a magazine in the magazine pouch between the front panel and the back panel.

17. The tactical upper garment of claim 15, wherein the weapon retention mounting patch comprises an attachment panel having a height and a width and the detachable magazine pouch comprises a back panel having a height and a width, the back panel being attachable to the attachment panel at least at any location along the attachment panel at which the height and the width of the back panel entirely overlap the attachment panel.

18. The tactical upper garment of claim 17, wherein the height of the back panel is less than 50% of the height of the attachment panel.

19. The tactical upper garment of claim 17, wherein the width of the back panel is less than 65% of the width of the attachment panel.

20. A method of concealed carry of a firearm, the method comprising:

moving a detachable firearm holster from a location outside an exterior portion of a tactical upper garment to a space inside an interior portion of the tactical upper garment;

moving the detachable firearm holster within said space along a height and a width of a weapon retention mounting patch on the interior portion to a desired position; and

pressing the detachable firearm holster against the weapon retention mounting patch at the desired position to attach the detachable firearm holster to the tactical upper garment in said space at the desired position.

21. A tactical upper garment for concealed carry of a weapon, the tactical upper garment comprising:

an interior portion;

an exterior portion;

a weapon retention mounting patch affixed to the interior portion;

a detachable firearm holster which is removably attachable to the weapon retention mounting patch;

and a covering panel releasably securable to the weapon retention mounting patch for covering the detachable firearm holster attached to the weapon retention mounting patch;

wherein the weapon retention mounting patch comprises an attachment panel having a height and a width and the detachable firearm holster comprises a back panel having a height and a width, the back panel being attachable to the attachment panel at least at any location along the attachment panel at which the height and the width of the back panel entirely overlap the attachment panel;

wherein the height of the back panel is less than 50% of the height of the attachment panel;

wherein the width of the back panel is less than 65% of the width of the attachment panel;

wherein the garment has a between-the-shoulders width and the width of the weapon retention mounting patch is greater than 25% of the between-the-shoulders-width;

wherein the garment has a waist-to-neck height and the height of the attachment panel is greater than 35% of the waist-to-neck height.