Holster for packs
A wearable holster for concealing a firearm on a user includes a panel having a forward face, a rear face and an upper edge. A support extends laterally from the forward face and defines a slot sized and shaped to receive a barrel of the firearm. The support does not cover a handle of the firearm. A retainer retains the firearm in the slot. A flap extends outward from the upper edge of the panel and removably covers the support and the handle of the firearm. A quick release fastener for releasably securing the flap in place over the support and the handle includes a first element mounted on the panel and a second element mounted on the flap. The fastener enables quick removal of the flap and access to the firearm.
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The present invention relates generally to a holster, and more particularly, to a wearable holster for obscuring a firearm on a user.
When backpacking in remote locations, backpackers may encounter a dangerous animal. Accordingly, a backpacker may want to carry a readily accessible small firearm, e.g., a handgun, for personal protection. However, the backpacker may not want to appear threatening to strangers. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a holster for the small firearm that conceals or obscures the firearm but also gives the wearer quick and easy access.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect of the present invention, a wearable holster for obscuring a firearm on a user generally comprises a panel having a forward face, a rear face and an upper edge. A support extends laterally from the forward face and defines a slot sized and shaped to receive a barrel of the firearm. The support does not cover a handle of the firearm. A retainer retains the firearm in the slot. A flap extends outward from the upper edge of the panel and removably covers the support and the handle of the firearm. A quick release fastener for releasably securing the flap in place over the support and the handle includes a first element mounted on the panel and a second element mounted on the flap. The fastener enables quick removal of the flap and access to the firearm.
In another aspect of the present invention, a pack generally comprises a load carrier having an upper portion and a lower portion. A shoulder harness extends from the upper portion for securing the pack on shoulders of a wearer. A waist belt extends laterally from the lower portion of the load carrier for releasably securing the pack around a waist of the wearer. A rifle holder includes a lower section secured to the belt and defines a slot for receiving a butt of a rifle. The rifle holder includes an upper section for retaining an upper end of the rifle. A pistol holster secured to the front face of the rifle holder supports a pistol. The holster includes a flap for concealing the pistol.
Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present invention, alone or in any combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
The backpack 12 of this embodiment comprises an external frame 17 (broadly, a load carrier) for supporting a bag and/or other equipment, a shoulder harness 19 (e.g., straps) for releasably securing the backpack around the shoulders of the user 11, and the waist belt 13 extending laterally from a lower portion of the frame for releasably securing the backpack around the user's waist. The frame 17 includes a pair of spaced apart vertical frame members 23A, 23B and cross members 25 extending laterally between the frame members. Backpack 12 includes conventional frame 17, shoulder harness 19, and belt 13 but these may be of other configurations without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the backpack 12 may have an internal frame instead of an external frame, or it may not have a frame.
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The side-flap fastening assembly 103 may be adjustable in length for accommodating different types of handguns having various sizes and shapes. For example, an adjustment component 109 of the assembly 103 for adjusting the length comprises a catch bar disposed between a pair of openings. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment component 109 is formed integrally with the fastener 105. A free end 113 of one of the fastening components 107A is fed through one of the openings of the adjustment component 109, looped over the catch bar and through the other opening, thereby adjustably securing the fastening component to the fastener 105.
In this embodiment, an upper flap 115 extends outward from the upper edge 63 of the panel 57. Referring to
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As explained above, the illustrated holster 10 is adapted to be mounted on the rifle holder 15 (
As discussed above, the rifle holder 15 comprises two vertically aligned rows of mounting loops 43 extending between the sides 37A, 37B of the holder. As shown in
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In use, to introduce the handgun 69 in the holster 10, the user 11 inserts the handgun into the slot 71 of the support 67. Depending on the type of handgun, if it is necessary to adjust the retainer strap assembly 79, the user 11 removes the elongate members 81, 85 and refastens them to the support 67 in a selected position relative to the opening of the slot 71. (The user may need to remove the handgun first.) The user 11 wraps the elongate members 81, 85 around the rear end of the barrel and fastens them together to retain the handgun 69 in the slot 71 of the support 67. The user 11 folds or pivots the side flap 100 over the handle 73 of the handgun 69 and fastens the strap components 107A, 107B of the side flap fastening assembly 103 to retain the side flap over the handgun. The upper flap 115 is folded or pivoted over the side flap 100 and the support 67. The hook and loops fastener components 119, 121 are engaged to secure to upper flap 115 to the side flap 100 and the panel 67. As shown in
To withdraw the handgun 69 while the holster 10 is mounted on the user 11, the user unfastens the quick-release fastener of the upper flap 115 by pulling upward on the flap. When the upper flap 115 is unfastened (or at least partially unfastened), the user 11 unfastens the side flap 100 (e.g., unclips the clip 105) and pivots the side flap away from the support 67. At this point, the handle 73 of the handgun 69 is at least partially exposed. The user 11 unfastens the elongate members 81, 85 of the retainer strap assembly 79 at which time the handgun 69 may be pulled out of the slot 71.
As can be seen, embodiments of the invention make the small firearm obscured but readily accessible in an emergency situation or wild animal encounter. In this way, when encountering other hikers, for example, they remain relaxed because the firearm is not visible. It will be understood that the holster and rifle holder may be made as an aftermarket or modular kit to be adapted to or attached to any pack.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(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.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods 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 wearable holster attachable to a pack for obscuring a firearm on a user, said holster comprising:
- a panel having a forward face, a rear face and an upper edge,
- a support extending laterally from the forward face and defining a slot sized and shaped to receive a barrel of the firearm, the support not covering a handle of the firearm,
- a retainer for retaining the firearm in the slot,
- a flap extending outward from the upper edge of the panel and removably covering the support and the handle of the firearm,
- a quick release fastener for releasably securing the flap in place over the support and the handle, the fastener including a first element mounted on the panel and a second element mounted on the flap, the fastener enabling quick removal of the flap and access to the firearm.
2. The holster as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a belt mounting element for releasably mounting the holster on a user's belt.
3. The holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the belt mounting element comprises a strap having a first end margin secured to the rear face of the panel and a second end margin releasably secured to the panel and thereby defining a loop, wherein the belt extends through the loop when the holster is secured to the belt.
4. The holster as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a snap fastener for releasably securing the second end margin of the strap to the panel.
5. The holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the retainer includes a side flap extending outward from a side of the panel, the side flap being sized and shaped to fold over the handle of the firearm when the firearm is received in the support.
6. The holster as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a quick-release fastener for retaining the side flap in position over the handle of the firearm.
7. The holster as set forth in claim 6 wherein the flap includes a pocket.
8. The holster as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a backpack.
9. The holster as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a waist pack.
10. The holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the holster has a rifle holder mounted thereon, the belt mounting element of the holster being releasably secured to the rifle holder.
11. The holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the holster is made of fabric.
12. The holster as set forth in claim 2 wherein the holster is attached to the belt such that the barrel of the firearm is generally horizontal when the firearm is received in the support.
13. A pack comprising:
- a load carrier having an upper portion and a lower portion,
- a shoulder harness extending from the upper portion for securing the pack on shoulders of a wearer,
- a waist belt extending laterally from the lower portion of the load carrier for releasably securing the pack around a waist of the wearer,
- a rifle holder including a lower section secured to the belt and defining a slot for receiving a butt of a rifle, the rifle holder including an upper section for retaining an upper end of the rifle,
- a pistol holster secured to the front face of the rifle holder for supporting a pistol, the holster including a flap for concealing the pistol.
14. The pack as set forth in 13 wherein the rifle holder has a front face facing away from the belt and wherein the holster is releasably secured to the front face.
15. The pack as set forth in 14 wherein the holster has a rear face, and wherein the holster comprises a fastener having one end margin fixed to the rear face and a second opposite end margin releasably secured to the rear face.
16. The pack as set forth in 15 wherein the rifle holder comprises at least one loop extending outward from the front face of the rifle holder, wherein the fastener is received through the at least one loop on the rifle holder to releasably secure the holster to the rifle holder.
17. The pack as set forth in 16 wherein the fastener comprises a pair of spaced apart straps and the at least one loop comprises spaced apart first and second rows each having a plurality of loops, each loop of the first row being aligned with a corresponding loop in the second row.
18. The pack as set forth in 17 wherein the rear face further comprises a snap fastener for releasably securing the second end margin to the holster.
19. The pack as set forth in 18 wherein the straps extend from an upper portion to a lower portion of the rear face of the holster and the first row of loops is disposed on an upper portion of the of the front face of the rifle holder and the second row of loops is disposed therebelow.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 22, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 28, 2007
Applicant: American Recreation Products, Inc. (St. Louis, MO)
Inventor: Christopher Meesey (Dardenne Prairie, MO)
Application Number: 11/316,494
International Classification: F41C 33/00 (20060101); F41C 33/02 (20060101); A45F 3/04 (20060101);