Patents by Inventor Norman E. Clifton

Norman E. Clifton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9322612
    Abstract: Trigger guard lock device for retaining a firearm in a holster and enabling unlocking and removing the handgun from the holster in a single motion. In an aspect, a trigger guard device comprises a device body having a channel for receiving a firearm trigger guard, a lock automatically locks upon insertion of the guard and is positioned within the channel for retaining the guard and a release lever to permit the lock to pivot. The release is positioned at the top rear of the holster such that the release is actuated by finger of a user during the natural withdrawal motion. In this manner, the user may unlock and remove the handgun in a single motion. Also, the device includes an adjustable stabilizer for the handgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9277803
    Abstract: Implement lock assembly for retaining batons, nightsticks, and other handheld devices within a holster. The assembly includes a base, a lock, and a release. Operation of the assembly is by a user applying pressure to the lock, pivotally moving the lock from an open position to a closed position. In the normal open position, an implement may be inserted or removed from the holster. In the closed position, the lock retains the implement within the holster. The lock may be opened by applying pressure to the release. The lock may engage and retain a baton along the length of the baton grip, allowing a user to adjust the position of the baton within the holster when the baton is retained by the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Rogers Holster Co., LLC
    Inventors: Norman E. Clifton, Jr., James H. Radney
  • Publication number: 20150097011
    Abstract: A belt clip assembly for inside-the-waistband holster/firearm system that is readily adjustable for different angles as desired by users and is adjustable in length in the vertical position. The assembly includes a clip and a base mountable to a holster. The elongated clip is positioned outwardly of the waistband and beneath the belt of a user with a lower tab that hooks the lower belt edge to prevent the same from moving upward when a firearm is withdrawn from a holster, and a spaced pair of prongs hook over the top of the waistband and prevent movement downwardly. A series of vertical fastener apertures extend through the clip so that the holster may be vertically adjusted. Two spaced pegs extend from the base and inserted into peg recesses on either side of each fastener aperture to permit angular mounting between a holster and clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150076192
    Abstract: Implement lock assembly for retaining batons, nightsticks, and other handheld devices within a holster. The assembly includes a base, a lock, and a release. Operation of the assembly is by a user applying pressure to the lock, pivotally moving the lock from an open position to a closed position. In the normal open position, an implement may be inserted or removed from the holster. In the closed position, the lock retains the implement within the holster. The lock may be opened by applying pressure to the release. The lock may engage and retain a baton along the length of the baton grip, allowing a user to adjust the position of the baton within the holster when the baton is retained by the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Norman E. Clifton, JR., James H. Radney
  • Patent number: 8925773
    Abstract: A holster assembly for a revolver includes a holster pocket for removably accommodating a revolver therein, the holster pocket generally surrounding an insertion axis of the revolver, and a locking device arranged in the holster pocket for automatically engaging the revolver upon insertion into the holster pocket and selectively operable to allow subsequent removal of the revolver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Salariland, LLC
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton
  • Patent number: 8910839
    Abstract: A firearm holster assembly includes a holster pocket having an interior volume for accommodating a firearm within, a locking device mounted within the interior volume for selectively impeding the withdrawal of the firearm therefrom, the locking device including an operating lever extending outwardly from the holster pocket and operable to disengage the locking device from the firearm, and a locking device safety mechanism mounted to the holster pocket and including an operating arm operable to selectively inhibit operation of the operating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton
  • Patent number: 8870042
    Abstract: Holster assembly has elongated retainer body having elongated axis and including spaced sidewalls to accommodate weapon upper portion therebetween, and connecting wall bridging the spaced sidewalls, retaining arms each having retaining arm first end engagable with recessed weapon area in the weapon upper portion, and a second end, the retaining arms being pivotally mounted to the retainer body between each retaining arm ends, and elongated operating lever extending parallel to the axis and having operating lever first end, adapted for manipulation by user, and operating lever second end, the operating lever being pivotally mounted to and between the sidewalls of the retainer body between the operating lever ends and operable to selectively position the operating lever second end to impede and allow pivoting of the retaining arms. Cowling adjacent lever first end to protect the upper end of the weapon and several safety features are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton
  • Publication number: 20140310855
    Abstract: An expandable belt loop that is preformed, flexible and resilient is joined to a base member that can be used as part of a belt mounting system for holsters for firearms, flashlights, batons, or other functional items. The belt loop has an internal barb that is engageable with a back side surface of a belt and with the base is slidable on a service belt to a desired position where the bias of the loop towards constriction and frictional binding together with the barb, fix it in place on the belt. The expandable belt loop has three different regions that snugly accommodate each of the three most common widths for service belts, as well as, belts intermediate in size, while its base member can be formed in different shapes for the purpose of attaching differing item carriers or holsters, as well as being formed integral with an item carrier holster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, JR.
  • Patent number: 8863423
    Abstract: A magazine includes a body member having a front, a back, and opposing side walls that define a first orifice at a first distal end of the body member, a retention plate member having a base, end wall, and retention spring portion, and a planar engagement surface extending from the base portion at an oblique angle relative to the base portion, wherein a portion of the front wall of the body member is disposed in a gap defined by the end wall portion and the retention spring portion, and an end plate member slidably engaging the body member, the end plate member having a base portion that defines an orifice having an engagement surface defining an oblique angle relative to the base portion, wherein the planar engagement surface of the retention plate member is disposed in the orifice in contact with the planar engagement surface of the end plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Prezine LLC
    Inventors: Norman E. Clifton, Jr., William H. Rogers, Matthew E. McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20140291363
    Abstract: Trigger guard lock device for retaining a firearm in a holster and enabling unlocking and removing the handgun from the holster in a single motion. In an aspect, a trigger guard device comprises a device body having a channel for receiving a firearm trigger guard, a lock automatically locks upon insertion of the guard and is positioned within the channel for retaining the guard and a release lever to permit the lock to pivot. The release is positioned at the top rear of the holster such that the release is actuated by finger of a user during the natural withdrawal motion. In this manner, the user may unlock and remove the handgun in a single motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140237880
    Abstract: Cam lever mounts, devices, systems and methods with pivotable/foldable levers for attaching grips, sights, flashlights to picatinny rails on firearms. A moveable mount having one side with an upper and lower shroud covers has a space therebetween. A lever pivotally attached in the space moves from open to closed positions with substantial portions of the lever protected by the upper and lower shroud covers. The lever pivoting end can be attached to one end of an elongated member with other end attached to a stationary mount so that rotating the lever from open to closed draws the moveable mount toward the stationary mount. Inner sides of the moveable and stationary mounts can have clamp edges facing one another which can attach and detach to the picatinny rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton
  • Patent number: 8806796
    Abstract: Cam lever mounts, devices, systems and methods with pivotable/foldable levers for attaching grips, sights, flashlights to picatinny rails on firearms. A moveable mount having one side with an upper and lower shroud covers has a space therebetween. A lever pivotally attached in the space moves from open to closed positions with substantial portions of the lever protected by the upper and lower shroud covers. The lever pivoting end can be attached to one end of an elongated member with other end attached to a stationary mount so that rotating the lever from open to closed draws the moveable mount toward the stationary mount. Inner sides of the moveable and stationary mounts can have clamp edges facing one another which can attach and detach to the picatinny rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Prezine, LLC
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton
  • Patent number: 8770455
    Abstract: An adjustable belt mount includes a belt mount body and a generally L-shaped belt sizing insert. The belt mount body defines a belt aperture adapted to receive a belt therethrough, and first and second belt sizing slots being spaced and extending parallel to each other and communicating with the belt aperture. The belt mount body also includes a forward extension adapted to releasably connect an accessory thereto. The belt aperture is adapted to receive belts of various widths therethrough. The belt sizing insert is arranged in the belt aperture, and includes a planar portion carrying a retaining body extending from a first side thereof and releasably received by either of the first and second belt sizing slots, to accommodate belts of differing widths, and a delimiting portion extending generally perpendicular from a second side thereof. The delimiting portion can thereby form varying predetermined width passageways within the belt aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130333261
    Abstract: A magazine includes a body member having a front, a back, and opposing side walls that define a first orifice at a first distal end of the body member, a retention plate member having a base, end wall, and retention spring portion, and a planar engagement surface extending from the base portion at an oblique angle relative to the base portion, wherein a portion of the front wall of the body member is disposed in a gap defined by the end wall portion and the retention spring portion, and an end plate member slidably engaging the body member, the end plate member having a base portion that defines an orifice having an engagement surface defining an oblique angle relative to the base portion, wherein the planar engagement surface of the retention plate member is disposed in the orifice in contact with the planar engagement surface of the end plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Norman E. Clifton, JR., William H. Rogers, Matthew E. McKendrick
  • Patent number: 8196792
    Abstract: A mounting plate and leg harness assembly for carrying holsterable items having a rigid center portion and vertically disposed sides and two spaced side panels integral with a respective side of the center portion, each side panel having an outside edge, a first pair of vertically spaced elongate slots located adjacent the center portion and a second pair of vertically spaced elongate slots located adjacent the outside edge. Two horizontally disposed straps are threaded through the respective upper and lower slots with the straps spanning the center portion. The side panels are bendable adjacent the respective sides of the center portion to conform the plate to the shape of the leg of a wearer when the straps are tightened. A vertical adjustable strap is mounted to the plate for connection to a belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D667216
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Prezine, LLC
    Inventors: Norman E. Clifton, Jr., Matthew E. McKendrick
  • Patent number: D706894
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Grip Pod Systems International, LLC
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D710595
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D712999
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D717393
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Prezine, LLC
    Inventors: Norman E. Clifton, Jr., James H. Radney