Holster
The present invention is a molded weapon holster device for concealing a weapon beneath the clothing of a user. The molded holster is designed to attach to the user's undergarments, such as a brassiere, with a strap and closing mechanism that are positioned around the material running between the bra cups. The holster and the barrel portion of the weapon lie between the bra cup and the user's breast. The holster device is additionally secured by its placement underneath the material connecting the bra cups and by the friction between the interior of the bra cup and the textured surface of the barrel portion of the holster device as the holster device sits within the user's brassiere. The holster device secures the weapon underneath the clothing such that it is invisible outside the clothing yet readily accessible when needed.
This patent application claims the benefit of provisional application 61/435,535, which was filed on Jan. 24, 2011.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying a concealed weapon attached to the user's undergarments such that the weapon is sufficiently hidden to prevent detection yet readily available for protection.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ARTCommonly, people desire to carry weapons on their body in a concealed manner. A holster allows a user to carry a weapon, securely attached to the body, and still maintain the use of both hands. Police and military users may use visible holsters. But for civilians, a concealed holster is beneficial. A concealed holster gives the user several advantages. Members of the public will not know the user is carrying a weapon and the user can maintain the element of surprise against any attacks. In addition, other people will not be unnecessarily preoccupied by the weapon's presence since they are unaware of it. Many holsters are hidden from view yet still accessible should the user feel threatened or encounter a dangerous situation.
Typically holsters are worn at the waist. Holsters are also available for the ankle, thigh, or shoulder. These types of holsters are commonly worn under loose clothing, so as to conceal their presence from the general public. However the shoulder and waist versions are commonly worn over the clothing and concealed by a sports coat. The majority of women do not wear sports coats and many women's garments are more fitted and would not adequately conceal a weapon. Much of the prior art, although designed for men, can be used by woman as well. However, the majority of holsters aren't, designed specifically for women and do not accommodate the woman's curvier body or her typically more fitted clothing.
Women also have the option of holsters built into purses or handbags. Purse holsters present a challenge when the woman needs to quickly draw the weapon. If the holster is not secured to the side of the bag, it can get misplaced amongst the many items stored in the woman's purse. Also, the woman will have to open the purse before gaining access to the weapon. In situations, of potential grave danger, time is of the essence and any seconds lost could result in death or injury. In addition, there is also a safety issue, if the woman ever leaves her purse unattended, as if during a meal, at work, driving or shopping. The weapon would become accessible to passersby or innocent children. Both of these situations would be dangerous to all nearby persons. Also, these types of purse holsters are of no use to a woman whose purse has been stolen or snatched. In that instance, the criminal not only has the woman's valuables but he has also gained a weapon to use against the woman.
A woman also has the option of a holster that is designed to wrap around her torso and holds the gun at the front-or back of, her body. This type of holster is often constricting on the body and uncomfortable due to the rigid nature of the device. The women's torso holsters commonly include straps similar to bra straps for securing and keeping the device in place. The user of this torso holster will now have an excessive number of straps under her clothing (two for bra and two for holster).
The present invention is an improvement because it is specially designed for and accommodating of the female body. Typical holsters are designed mainly for male users although they can be used by females. The present invention uses the natural contours of the female physique to aid in concealing and securing the weapon. The firearm barrel and holster is partly positioned between the breast and the bra cup of the user. In addition, a portion of the gun is positioned beneath the length of material that connects the bra cups.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONA primary object of the present invention is to conceal a weapon in the undergarments of the user, such that the barrel of the firearm rests both between the breast and the user's brassiere as well as underneath the material that connects the cups of the brassiere.
It is an object of the present invention to securely conceal a weapon underneath the clothing of the user such that the weapon cannot be forcibly removed or knocked loose or out of place.
It is an object of the present invention to attach a weapon to the brassiere of the user such that the weapon will be concealed beneath the clothing of the user.
It is an object of the present invention to securely hold a weapon next to a person's body such that both hands are free for other tasks.
It is an object of the present invention to describe a method for securing the weapon and holster device to the brassiere of the user.
It is an object of the present invention to describe a method for removing the weapon from the holster device while leaving the holster device attached to the undergarment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe holster is configured to be removably attached to an undergarment, such as a bra. The holster device is constructed of a thermo plastic molded clamshell. The holster portion of the device snaps in place over the barrel/slide and trigger guard of a weapon. The holster, device is appropriate for use with 380 pistols, j-frame revolvers, and other small weapons. The holster device is molded to accommodate the exterior shape of the weapon. In the present embodiment, the front panel is molded into the shape of the front side of a revolver and the back panel is molded into the shape of the backside of a revolver. The front and back panels together form a molded clamshell holster which securely holds the revolver until it is removed by the user. The weapon may also be a canister of pepper spray, a knife, a laser or any other similarly shaped weapon. The holster device is closed on the top portion and opens on the bottom and sides to allow the firearm to be inserted and later released when the user pulls it in a downward motion to break it away from the holster device.
Attached to the front portion of the holster is a strap that includes a one-way snap. The strap includes precut holes on one end and no holes on the opposite end. This embodiment uses a suede strap; however the strap can be made of different materials such as leather, plastic, nylon, as well as numerous other materials. The precut holes on the strap are similar in appearance and function to the holes one would find on a traditional belt. The holes on one end of the strap serve to adjust the position of the holster in position on the user's undergarments. (The 9 cm strap has 2 holes, 14 cm strap has 3 holes, 22 cm, strap has 4 holes, and 23.5 cm strap has 7 holes in this embodiment) In the embodiment that utilizes the one way snap, the male portion of the one-way snap is secured, through the precut holes, to the front panel of the holster device with a screw. In the instance where the user desires to alter the position of the holster device or the length of a particular strap, the user would loosen the screw attaching the male portion of the closing mechanism to the end of the strap with precut holes. The user would then reposition the male portion of the one-way snap over the precut hole that would best accommodate the user's needs and proceed to secure the male portion of the one-way snap to the strap and front panel of the holster device by tightening the screw. The female portion of the one-way snap is positioned at the end of the strap that does not contain any precut holes.
The holster device is secured to the undergarment of the user in multiple ways. The holster device is positioned between the user's chest and the material that connects the two cups of the user's bra. The strap is snapped in place around the material connecting the bra cups to secure the holster to the undergarment. The barrel/slide and trigger of the weapon are positioned inside the shell portion of the holster device. The holster device is secured by not only the material connecting the bra cups but also by the combination of the bra cup and user's breast. The holster device enclosing the weapon is secured between the cup portion of the user's brassiere and the breast. The holster device is additionally secured by the textured surface of the holster. The textured side of the holster is positioned against the inside of the bra cup to prevent slippage and further secure the holster device. In addition, the consumer of the holster device is provided with additional straps of varying lengths (9 cm, 14 cm, 22 cm and 23.5 cm in this embodiment) to accommodate a majority of the bras available to consumers. Each strap has a one-way or directional snap that prevents the holster from being forcibly removed or knocked loose accidentally. One-way snaps prevent the snap from inadvertently unclasping on the side permanently attached to the holster (the male side in this embodiment). The design of the one-way or directional snap ensures that the closed snap can only be undone on the side of the snap that is on the exterior of the holster (the female side in this embodiment) and not on the side of the snap attached to the holster with the screw (the male side in this embodiment).
Once the holster device is positioned it can be secured by closing the closing mechanism attached to the strap. The one-way snap secures the holster device in position between the user's skin and the undergarment, while the firearm is in position inside the holster device. Once the user removes the firearm by pulling the weapon downward, the one-way snap continues to secure the empty holster in place. Naturally, a variety of other closing mechanism configurations are also contemplated, such as Velcro, hooks, and so on.
Once the user has properly positioned the holster device resting inside the bra cup, only the, grip portion of the firearm should be visible. The weapon will be totally concealed since the grip portion will be covered by the user's clothing. In addition, the breasts of the user will raise the shirt a small distance from the skin, helping to further conceal the weapon tucked beneath the user's bra. The larger a user's breasts, the more concealed the weapon will be. However, a user with smaller breasts would only need to wear a shirt with a pattern, ruching, or fullness, to further conceal the weapon.
When the time comes for the user to draw the weapon from the holster device, the user will reach under the shirt to gain access to the weapon and then pull the weapon straight down with her shooting hand to release it from the holster portion of the holster device. In cases where time is of the essence, the user can also fire the weapon through the shirt. The design of the holster device ensures that the trigger guard is fully covered until the gun is pulled away from the body while at the same time allowing the user to have a full combat grip on the weapon. As the gun is pulled downward, the holster will flex thereby releasing the gun from the holster.
While the above description is of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that the invention may be modified, altered, or varied without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the following claims.
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Claims
1. A molded holster device for use with articles of clothing such that said holster device is partially concealed within, said clothing comprising:
- said holster device shaped to secure an item;
- said holster device including a back panel formed of a molded rigid substance;
- said holster device including a front panel formed of a molded rigid substance;
- the back and front panels being connected at the top portion of said back and front panels by a connection means to form a closed top of said holster device;
- said connection means being molded rigid plastic connecting the top portions of said back and front panels of said holster device;
- a length of material attached to said front panel by a closing mechanism;
- said closing mechanism attaching said front panel to said length of material;
- said closing mechanism attached to said front panel with the male side of the closing mechanism positioned on the side of said length of material with precut holes for adjusting the position of said holster device;
- the female side of said closing mechanism attached to the opposite side of said length of material.
2. The holster device according to claim 1, wherein said molded rigid substance is plastic.
3. The holster device according to claim 2, wherein said article of clothing is a brassiere.
4. The holster device according to claim 3, wherein said closing mechanism is a mechanism selected from the group consisting of: a one-way snap, Velcro, and hooks.
5. The holster device according to claim 4, wherein said length of material is a strap.
6. The holster device according to claim 5, wherein said item is a weapon selected from the group consisting of: a firearm, a canister of pepper spray, a knife and a taser.
7. The bolster device according to claim 6, wherein said back, and front panels are shaped to conform to the contours of said weapon selected.
8. A method comprising:
- a) Placing a weapon within the panels of a holster device with the closed end of said holster device in an upright position;
- b) Placing said holster with an enclosed weapon between a bra cup and a breast of the user;
- c) Opening a closing mechanism of said holster device;
- d) Placing a length of material attached to said closing device around said material connecting the bra cups;
- e) Securing said closing mechanism;
9. A method comprising:
- a) Placing a weapon within the panels of a holster device with the closed end of said holster device in an upright position;
- b) Placing said holster with an enclosed weapon between a bra cup and a breast of the user;
- c) Opening a closing mechanism of said holster device;
- d) Placing a length of material attached to said closing device around said material connecting the bra cups;
- e) Reaching beneath an outer garment concealing said holster device;
- f) Grasping a grip portion of said weapon;
- g) Pulling said weapon in a downward motion to release said weapon from the grasp of said holster device wherein said holster device remains in place.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 24, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2012
Inventors: Lisa Looper (Oklahoma City, OK), Bart Looper (Oklahoma City, OK)
Application Number: 13/357,433