PURSE HOLSTER FOR A CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON

Abstract

A purse holster includes a purse holster body having a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening into the interior. A closure flap extends from the back wall and is secured to a front face of the front wall by a flap securing member. The closure flap creates an overhang which extends beyond the front face of the front wall and wherein the overhang is structured to provide for a rake opening of the purse holster. The rake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly to engage the overhang, thus moving the closure flap and releasing it from its securement to the front face by the flap securing member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein resides generally in the art of a concealed carry holster for a purse or handbag. More particularly, the present invention relates to a purse holster that can be separated and transferred from a purse or handbag with minimal effort while avoiding a reveal of a handgun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Purse-based holster systems for the concealed carry of a handgun are either “built” into a purse cavity and are thus not transferrable to other portable platforms or are transferrable across portable platforms but are not easily accessible. The present invention improves upon the latter, avoiding the built in type of holster system.

Current holsters intended to be carried in a purse or other portable platform suffer from having closure mechanisms that make it difficult to quickly open and/or efficiently retrieve the handgun during emergency situations. The closure mechanisms are most often depressible buttons, snaps, zippers or hook and loop fasteners that cannot be quickly opened to retrieve a weapon. When an individual is placed in danger their fine motor skills are negatively affected, making it difficult to open such closure mechanisms. In a high intensity situation such as one where a person would need to draw a handgun, it is not uncommon for them to “freeze up” and be unable to access their weapon, potentially risking their lives. There is a need for a holster system that provides concealed containment of a handgun and yet allows it to be easily accessed.

Holster systems that are transferrable across different portable platforms also present problems for the armed individual. They tend to have designs unsafe for concealed carry or unable to be quickly accessed in a purse, due to the fact they can easily shift, become misplaced or lost within the contents of a purse. Also, such holsters may reveal the weapon during transition which could lead to panic or mischaracterization of a situation involving a handgun.

The present invention provides a solution to these common problems, teaching a purse holster that is easily transferrable yet is still able to be concealed and firmly secured to a purse or handbag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment the present invention provides a purse holster including a purse holster body which includes a front wall and a back wall. The front wall and back wall are joined to define an interior for receiving a handgun and provide an opening into an interior. The purse holster further includes a closure flap, which extends from the back wall and is secured to a front face of the front wall by a flap securing member. The closure flap creates an overhang extending beyond the front face of the front wall to permit engagement by a user's hand in a rake opening of the purse holster, wherein the rake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly to engage the overhang thus moving the closure flap and releasing it from it securement to the front face by the flap securing member.

A second embodiment provides a purse holster as in the first embodiment, wherein the flap securing member is a magnetic closure mechanism.

A third embodiment provides a purse holster as in the first or second embodiments, wherein the magnetic closure mechanism includes a flap mounted member mounted to the closure flap. The flap mounted member selectively and magnetically interacts with a front face mounted member, which is mounted to a front face of the front wall. The magnetic attraction is readily overcome by a rake opening.

A fourth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the first through third embodiments, wherein the purse holster securement member is suitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item. The purse holster securement member is selected from the group consisting of a retaining strap and a spring clip member.

A fifth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the first through fourth embodiments, in combination with a purse or handbag, wherein the purse holster securement member is a spring clip secured to a reinforced material which is secured to the back face of the back wall.

A sixth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the first through fifth embodiments, wherein the spring clip is suitable for securing the purse holster to a structural item selected from a sidewall or interior wall of a purse, or handbag and a belt or waistband of an individual's apparel.

A seventh embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the first through sixth embodiments, in combination with a purse or handbag, wherein the purse holster securement member is a retaining strap selectively secured to a bottom interior of the purse or handbag.

An eighth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the first through seventh embodiments, in combination with a purse or handbag, wherein the retaining strap is secured to a bottom interior of the purse or handbag by a suspender hook.

A ninth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the first through eighth embodiments, wherein the purse holster includes both a retaining strap and a spring clip.

A tenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the first through ninth embodiments, wherein the purse holster further comprises a handgun pocket in the interior for receiving a handgun.

An eleventh embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the first through tenth embodiments, wherein the interior contains an interior reinforced panel which is secured to an interior face of the back wall, and the handgun pocket is secured to the reinforcement panel.

A twelfth embodiment provides purse holster comprising: a purse holster body including a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening into the interior; a closure flap extending from the back wall and selectively secured to a front face of the front wall by a flap securing member; a retaining strap; and a spring clip secured to a back face of the back wall and suitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item.

A thirteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in the twelfth embodiment, wherein the flap securing member is a magnetic closure mechanism.

A fourteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfth or thirteenth embodiments, wherein the magnetic closure mechanism includes a flap mounted member mounted to the closure flap, the flap mounted member selectively magnetically interacting with a front face mounted member mounted to a front face of the front wall.

A fifteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfth through fourteenth embodiments, wherein the closure flap creates an overhang extending beyond the front face of the front wall to permit engagement by a user's hand in a rake opening of the purse holster, wherein the rake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly to engage the overhang thus moving the closure flap and releasing it from it securement to the front face by the flap securing member.

A sixteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfth through fifteenth embodiments, further comprising a handgun pocket in the interior for receiving a handgun.

A seventeenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfth through sixteenth embodiments, wherein the interior contains an interior reinforced panel secured to an interior face of the back wall, and the handgun pocket is secured to the reinforcement panel.

An eighteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfth through seventeenth embodiments, further comprising a magazine pocket in the interior for holding a magazine for a handgun.

A nineteenth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfth through eighteenth embodiments, in combination with a purse or handbag, wherein the retaining strap is secured to a bottom interior of the purse or handbag.

A twentieth embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfth through nineteenth embodiments, wherein the retaining strap is selectively secured to the bottom interior of the purse or handbag by a suspender hook.

A twenty-first embodiment provides a purse holster as in any of the twelfth through twentieth embodiments, wherein the spring clip is suitable for securing the purse holster to a structural item selected from a sidewall or interior wall of a purse or handbag and a belt or waistband of an individual's apparel.

A twenty-second embodiment provides a purse holster including a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening into the interior. A closure flap extends from the back wall and secures to a front face of the front wall by a flap securing member. The closure flap creates an overhang extending beyond the front face of the front wall to permit engagement by a user's hand in a rake opening of the purse holster, wherein the rake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly to engage the overhang thus moving the closure flap and releasing it from it securement to the front face by the flap securing member. The purse holster further includes a retaining strap and a spring clip secured to a back face of the back wall and is suitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a purse holster in accordance with the present invention, shown with the closure flap in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the purse, shown with the closure flap in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the purse holster, shown with the closure flap in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the purse holster, displaying the interior of the purse holster body to exhibit the magazine pocket and revolver pocket; and

FIG. 5 is side elevational view of the purse holster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is disclosed by focusing on the specific advances made by the present invention. Specific structures and options with respect to implementing the present invention in a purse holster will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

With reference to the figures and particularly FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a purse holster according to the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. The purse holster 10 is generally used for women to safely carry a handgun within a purse, while also allowing for easy transfer of the holster between interiors of a purse or other portable handbag, tote or the like. While the prior art teaches static holster apparatuses built into a purse frame, the present invention is portable and can be secured within an interior of any suitable large purse or handbag. As such, the holster of the present invention is readily transferable from one platform to another. For instance, it can be secured within a purse but then selectively removed from the purse to another purse or handbag or even for directly being worn by an individual. Notably, the concealed weapon remains in a concealed state during the transfer of the purse holster 10.

The purse holster 10 includes a purse holster body 12 formed by a front wall 14 and a back wall 16. The purse holster body 12 can be produced from any number of suitable materials including various fabrics, leather or the like. The front wall 14 and the back wall 16 are joined to provide an opening 18 at the top of the holster, the opening being accessed or closed off by opening or closing a closure flap 20. The front wall 14 includes a front face 22 and the back wall 16 includes a back face 24. The holster body 12 can be formed from separate front and back walls 14, 16 secured together at their edges or by folding a single piece of fabric or chosen material and joining the outside edges together to form the purse holster body 12 and opening 18 (see FIG. 4, fold line 17). The opening 18 along with the front wall 14 and the back wall 16 define an interior for receiving a hand gun and, in some embodiments, a magazine as well.

In some embodiments, the front wall 14 has an angled top edge 26 that extends upwardly from a first side 28 of the front face 22 to the opposed side 30. This angled top edge 26 increases access to the interior to retrieve a handgun or magazine retained in the purse holster 10. When the closure flap 20 is opened to provide access to opening 18, the angled nature of the top edge 26 provides an opening increased in size as compared to a true horizontal top edge, and also permits more user error in attempting to insert one's hand, as one need not enter the opening from above and directly downward, but can rather enter the opening to some degree from the side. It should be noted that the lower end of the angled top edge 26 is preferable proximate the wrist, while the fingers extend toward the opposite side, as generally shown in FIG. 1

The interior defined by the joining of the front and rear walls 14, 16 is sized to ensure a desired handgun is carried in a concealed and safe and responsible manner even during transferring from one platform to another. By transferring from one platform to another, the term platform is to connote any portable item, from a purse or handbag or tote to a car seat or human body. In some embodiments, the interior includes a handgun pocket 32 shaped to receive a handgun in a secure manner. In some embodiments, the interior further includes a magazine pocket 34 to hold a magazine for the handgun. In other embodiments, the magazine pocket 34 can be omitted to further decrease the size of the holster.

In some embodiments, an interior reinforcement panel 36 is secured to the interior face 38 of the back wall 16. The interior reinforcement panel 36 is formed of a material that will add structural integrity over the material of the purse holster body 12. In some embodiments, the reinforcement panel 36 is a fabric that is water resistant or scratch resistant or both. In some embodiments, the reinforcement panel is formed of ballistic nylon. In such embodiments, the handgun pocket 32, and if employed, the magazine pocket 34 are secured to the interior reinforcement panel 36, the reinforcement panel 36 providing strong support for these pockets, which experience forces when a handgun or magazine is being inserted or removed therefrom. In some embodiments, the handgun pocket 32, and if employed, the magazine pocket 34 are formed with a stretchable material to give to the insertion and removal of the handgun and magazine. In some embodiments, the handgun pocket 32 and magazine pocket 34 (if present) are made of elastic material. In some embodiments, they are made military grade elastic. In some embodiments, the magazine pocket 34 (if present) and the handgun pocket 32 are sewn onto the interior reinforcement panel 36 to provide stabilization to the handgun and magazine while still maintaining an easy draw of the weapon and removal of magazine during emergency situations.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the closure flap 20 extends from the back wall 16, being either secured thereto or integral therewith. The closure flap 20 selectively secures over the opening 18 of the purse holster body 12, and creates an overhang 38. In some embodiments, the closure flap 20 is integral with the back wall 16 of the purse holster body 12 and extends past the opening 18 to fold there over and secure to the front wall 14. The closure flap 20 is secured to the front wall 14 by a flap securing member 40. When secured to the front wall 14 by the flap securing member 40, the closure flap 20 flares out away from the front face 22 to provide an overhang generally identified by the numeral 38. The overhang 38 facilitates a “rake opening” function. In some embodiments, the closure flap 20 has a front edge 42 that extends at an angle upwardly from one end to the other. In some embodiments, the overhang 38 extends outward beyond the front face 22 by ¼ inch or more. In other embodiments, the overhang 38 extends outward beyond the front face 22 by ½ inch or more, in other embodiments, ¾ inch or more, and in other embodiments, 1 inch or more. In some embodiments, the overhang 38 extends outward beyond the front face 22 by 1.5 inch or less. In other embodiments, the overhang 38 extends outward beyond the front face 22 by 1 inch or less. In some embodiments, the overhang 38 is measured from the point of securement of the flap securing member 40 and extends outward therefrom by ¼ inch or more, in other embodiments, by ½ inch or more, in other embodiments, ¾ inch or more, and in other embodiments, 1 inch or more. In some embodiments, the overhang 38 extends outwardly from the securement of the flap securing member 40 by 1.5 inch or less, and in other embodiments, by 1 inch or less.

The “rake opening” enables easy access to a concealed carry because it is less demanding of fine motor skills. During an emergency such as a threat of bodily harm, a person may simply swipe or quickly slide their hand in an upward direction against the closure flap 20, particularly engaging the overhang 38 thereof, to disengage the flap securing member 40 and gain access to the handgun through the opening 18. More particularly, the hand is raked upwardly against the overhang 38 and this raking of the hand into the overhang 38 and moving upwardly disengages the flap securing member 40. In embodiments with an angled front edge 42, the front edge 42 is such that the closure flat extends downwardly further proximate the flap securing member 40 to present a distal end that is the preferred area for contact with the overhang 38 because it is proximate the flap securing member 40. The preferred contact at this area during a rake opening being exemplified by arrow A in FIG. 1. The flap securing member 40 can be selected from any weak fastening device that can be easily uncoupled through such a rake motion. In particular embodiments, such as that exemplified in FIG. 2, the flap securing member 40 is a magnetic closure mechanism, including a flap mounted member 40a that interacts with a front face mounted member 40b to magnetically close the closure flap 20 over the opening 18. The purse holster body 12 maintains a closed position when the flap mounted member 40a and the front face mounted member 40b are coupled.

The purse holster 10 of the present invention further includes a retaining strap 44 that extends below the purse holster body 12. When the purse holster 10 is placed in a purse or handbag, the retaining strap 44 can be used to attach the purse holster body 12 to the bottom interior of the purse or handbag device. The retainer strap 44 can alternatively attach to any interior face or pocket of a carrying device. The retaining strap 44 provides specific resistance to movement of the purse holster body 12 while performing a rake opening. That is, while one rakes the hand upwardly, friction between the hand and the front face 22, as well as contact between the hand and the overhang 28 might cause movement of the purse holster 10, frustrating the opening of the closure flap 20, but the retaining strap 44, when secured as disclosed, prevents movement of the purse holster 10, such that relative movement of the closure flap 20 is better ensured. In some embodiments, the retaining strap 44 is selectively secured to a bottom interior of a purse or handbag device by a suspender hook 46, but other securing mechanisms can be employed. Additional substitutes could be used in place of the suspender hook 46 to anchor the purse holster body 10 in any type of carrying platform, including purses or handbags. In some embodiments, the retaining strap 44 is secured to the back face 24 of the back wall 16 by a reinforcement material 48. In some embodiments, the reinforced material 48 is fastened to the purse holster body 12 by a stud 50.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the purse holster 10 of the present invention further includes a spring clip 52 for attaching the purse holster 10 to a sidewall or interior wall of a purse or handbag. In some embodiments, the spring clip is of a generally known type, formed of a piece of shape memory material that provides a base 54 over which extends a clamp member 56 by virtue of a bend 55 in the piece of shape memory material. The clamp member 52 lies in close proximity or even touches the base such that an item (such as a purse or handbag sidewall or interior wall) inserted between the base and the clamp is pinched and held by the shape memory strength of the material. The spring clip 52 provides versatility and may alternatively be attached to a belt buckle or waistband to affix the purse holster body 12 to a person. In some embodiments, the spring clip 52 is secured to the back face 24 of the back wall 16. When the purse holster 10 is placed in a purse or handbag, the spring clip 52 can be used to attach the purse holster body 12 to a sidewall or interior wall of the purse or handbag device. The spring clip 52 could also attach to any structure of suitable thickness such that the spring clip 52 squeezes and secures to the structure. This might include a belt (for carrying the holster 10 on one's body). The spring clip 52 provides specific resistance to movement of the purse holster body 12 while performing a rake opening. That is, while one rakes the hand upwardly, friction between the hand and the front face 22, as well as contact between the hand and the overhang 28 might cause movement of the purse holster 10, frustrating the opening of the closure flap 20, but the spring clip 52, when secured as disclosed, prevents movement of the purse holster 10, such that relative movement of the closure flap 20 is better ensured. In some embodiments, the spring clip 52 is secured to a reinforcement material, which can be the same or different from the reinforcement material 48 noted above. In the embodiment shown, the spring clip 52 is secured to the reinforcement material 48 along with the retaining strap 44. In some embodiments, the spring clip 52 includes a U-shaped end portion 58 which aids the attachment of the purse holster body 12 to a sidewall of purse or handbag. The spring clip 52 and the retaining member can be used separately or at the same time to secure to a purse or handbag or other suitable platform.

As compared to current holsters intended to be carried in a purse or other portable platform, the present invention provides closure mechanisms and structures making is much easier to quickly open and/or efficiently retrieve the handgun during emergency situations. The closure mechanisms and structures include a closure flap with an overhang relative to the front face of the holster and the overhang allows for a quick rake opening of the holster to retrieve a handgun and/or magazine. This is true even when an individual is placed in danger and their fine motor skills are negatively affected. In some embodiments, this is further facilitated by an angled front edge of the closure flap. And further by choosing a relatively weak closure flap securing member 40.

In light of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present invention significantly advances the art by providing a purse holster for a concealed carry weapon that is structurally and functionally improved in a number of ways. While particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby inasmuch as variations on the invention herein will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention shall be appreciated from the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A purse holster comprising:

a purse holster body including a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening into said interior;

a closure flap extending from said back wall and secured to a front face of said front wall by a flap securing member; and

wherein said closure flap creates an overhang extending beyond said front face of said front wall, said overhang structured to provide for a rake opening of said purse holster wherein said rake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly to engage said overhang thus moving the closure flap and releasing it from it securement to the front face by the flap securing member.

2. The purse holster according to claim 1, wherein said flap securing member is a magnetic closure mechanism.

3. The purse holster according to claim 2, wherein said magnetic closure mechanism includes a flap mounted member mounted to the closure flap, said flap mounted member selectively magnetically interacting with a front face mounted member mounted to a front face of the front wall, the magnetic attraction being readily overcome by a rake opening.

4. The purse holster of claim 3, further comprising a purse holster securement member suitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item, the purse holster securement member selected from the group consisting of a retaining strap and a spring clip member.

5. A purse holster according to claim 4, in combination with a purse or handbag, wherein said purse holster securement member is a spring clip secured to a reinforced material secured to said back face of said back wall.

6. The purse holster of claim 4, wherein said spring clip is suitable for securing the purse holster to a structural item selected from a sidewall or interior wall of a purse or handbag and a belt or waistband of an individual's apparel.

7. A purse holster according to claim 4 in combination with a purse or handbag, wherein said purse holster securement member is a retaining strap extending below the purse holster body and selectively secured to a bottom interior of the purse or handbag.

8. The purse holster according to claim 7 in combination with a purse or handbag, wherein said retaining strap is secured to a bottom interior of the purse or handbag by a suspender hook.

9. The purse holster according to claim 4, wherein the purse holster includes both said retaining strap and said spring clip, said retaining strap extending below the purse holster body.

10. The purse holster according to claim 1, further comprising a handgun pocket in said interior for receiving a handgun.

11. The purse holster according to claim 10, wherein said interior contains an interior reinforced panel secured to an interior face of said back wall, and said handgun pocket is secured to said reinforcement panel.

12. A purse holster comprising:

a purse holster body including a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening into said interior;

a closure flap extending from said back wall and selectively secured to a front face of said front wall by a flap securing member;

a retaining strap extending below the purse holster body; and

a spring clip secured to a back face of said back wall and suitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item.

13. A purse holster comprising:

a purse holster body including a front wall and a back wall joined to define an interior for receiving a handgun and providing an opening into said interior;

a closure flap extending from said back wall and secured to a front face of said front wall by a flap securing member;

wherein said closure flap creates an overhang extending beyond said front face of said front wall, said overhang structured to provide for a rake opening of said purse holster wherein said rake opening is achieved by swiping a hand upwardly to engage said overhang thus moving the closure flap and releasing it from it securement to the front face by the flap securing member;

a retaining strap extending below the purse holster body; and

a spring clip secured to a back face of said back wall and suitable to secure the purse holster to a structural item.