US2832519A

US2832519A - Quick draw holster

Info

Publication number: US2832519A
Application number: US605253A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ojala Arvo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-08-21
Filing date: 1956-08-21
Publication date: 1958-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 1975-04-29

Description

April 29, 1958 A. OJALA QUICK DRAW HOLSTER 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 21, 1956 R '1 Em 9 LZV A0 HRE LT EE AN H9 6 7 JE 8 m Z 3 2 4 0W R T ww. 2 01 [LA 2 v N w W R v 5 A ua m Z HW v" 2 0 2 Z w M M 8 k z I 9 April 29, 1958 A. OJALA QUICK DRAW HOLSTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1956 ARI/O OJAL A,

IN V EN TOR.

HUEBNER, BEEHLER, WORREL 8 HERZ/G,

w ATTORNEYS.

Uted States Patent QUICK DRAW HOLSTER Arvo Ojala, North Hollywood, Calif.

Application August 21, 1956, Serial No. 605,253

6 Claims. (Cl. 2242) The invention relates to pistol or revolver holsters and has particular reference to what is commonly identified as a quick draw holster.

While the design and fabrication of pistol and revolver holsters is somewhat of a well-known art and while the need has existed for a revolver or pistol holder from which the weapon can be Withdrawn with ease for as long as weapons of this kind have been in use, there have been few innovations in fabrication or design for a great many years.

Despite the development of new weapons and personal sidearms, revolvers and pistols, whether automatic or of the rotating chamber type, continue to be a popular defense weapon and continue to necessitate a proper type holster by which they can be carried. Low enforcement agencies still make extensive use of a sidearm of this type, whether they be carried openly displayed by a policeman on the beat or carried in a more or less concealed position by law enforcement agents. Holsters are still in demand by the military where, together with the law enforcement use, quick action in an emergency is a prime essential. Also due to the continued popularity of characteristic Western characters on screen and television performances, the quick draw technique requirements have persisted to the point where much depends upon the ability of a person using such weapons to outdraw and out-shoot a competitor.

To make it possible for one user to out-draw and outshoot another, especially with a weapon having a revolving chamber with a hammer needing to be cocked before firing, the time consumed in cocking the weapon approaches in importance the time consumed in drawing and firing. A fraction of a second advantage in these re spects is often critical.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new and improved holster for pistol and re- .volving type weapons which permits of extremely rapid withdrawal of the weapon in condition for immediate firing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved holster for pistol and revolver type weapons which is of such construction that it will maintain its form in relationship to the weapon in order that the rapidity of withdrawal will be consistent and further need be constructed so that the holster will hold its position and in no Way interfere with manipulation of the gun.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved holster assembly which is of such character that it can be fit to the wearer to conform to the wearers figure in such position that minimum time need be consumed for withdrawing the weapon from the holster in shooting condition.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved holster for pistols and revolver type weapons which is of such fundamental construction that it can be fit to a weapon of virtually any size and proportion and which is further suificiently versatile so that it Patented Apr. 29, 1958 can be adjusted to secure the weapon in the holster against accidental dislodgment without in any way impairing the eifectiveness of the holster as a quick draw holster.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved revolver and holster combination wherein the revolver fits the holster in such fashion that the revolving chamber can be rotated prior to withdrawal of the weapon from the holster thereby to condition it for firing in the shortest possible time.

With these and other objects in view. the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view showing the holster with pistol or revolver included in place on a wearer.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the holster showing the pistol in position therein for normal carrying.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side view showing the holster broken away-to reveal the relationship of the revolver or pistol therein.

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the holster alone with a carrying belt therefor shown in section.

Figure 6 is a pattern layout view showing the particulars with respect to the weapon carrying portion of the holster.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration a person 19 is shown wearing a holster and pistol combination wherein a belt 11 fits diagonally across the hips with a high side 12 on the wearers left and a low side 13 on the wearers right, the belt being secured in the front by a buckle 14. The arrangement is one normal for a right-handed person. If preferred, the belt may be cut to a contour shape as suggested. As will be noted the low side 13 of the belt hangs low on the hip so that a holster indicated generally by the reference character 15 lies low on the right thigh 16 of the right-handed person or wearer 10. A leg strap 17 is useful in keeping the holster snug against the leg in a position such that the right thumb 18 of the wearer falls naturally at the level and location of a hammer 19 of a revolver or pistol indicated generally by the reference character 20.

More particularly the holster comprises a pocket member 21 and a flap member 22 joined together by means of a web 23, as indicated to good advantage in Figures 5 and 6.

As shown the pocket member and the flap member comprise inner and outer walls 24 and 25', respectively, contiguous throughout and which have stitched between them a sheet metal liner 26 of special size and form.

The pocket member includes a vertically folded rounded forward junction 27 and a vertical stitched rear junction 28. Stitches along the rear junction customarily extend throughout the vertical length of the junction and fasten together the inner and outer walls and in turn fasten the walls together in the form of a vertical seam 29.

It should be noted further that on the belt 11 is a downwardly depending tab 30 in which is a substantially horizontal slot 31. The web 23 which is adapted to be confined within the slot 31 has formed therein

notches

32 and 33 which are clearly shown with respect to depth and location on Figure 6. It will be noted in this connection that the length of the horizontal slot 31 is approximately the same as the length of a broken line 34 extending across the web from the bottom of the slot 32 to the bottom of the slot 33.

sesame When the pocket member and flap member are in position so that the web is received in the slot 31, the

notches

32 and 33 will be at the ends of the slot and will firmly anchor the web within the slot. Thus firmly anchored the prospect of the pocket member being displaced during a quick draw and slid upward with respect to the location of the slot is virtually minimized.

The sheet metal liner 26 satisfies a variety of needs including that of stifiening the upper portion or": the pocket member in a selected position and form. Once in place the liner is secured by the employment of Stitches 35 which may extend around the open perimeter of the pocket member. 7

The sheet metal liner is relatively stiff and when combined with the leather forming the inner wall 2 and outer wall 25 a combination of these three materials face to face is one adapted to the forming of a space 36 of fixed size and proportions. A tab 37 is wider at its outer end than at the junction 38 of the tab with the liner proper, the shape of which tends to anchor the liner in its selected position so that it will be undisturbed once the inner and outer walls of the pocket member are folded and shaped in the desired position.

In the form of the invention chosen for submission the weapon to be used is a pistol or revolver type weapon, either single or double action, comprising a handle 4%, a barrel 41, and a mid-portion 42 in which a rotating chamber 43 is mounted. Usually the chamber is one divided into six shell bores 4-4. The weapon includes a trigger 45 around which extends a trigger guard 46.

The hammer 19 previously referred to is adapted to be pulled backward in cocked position ready for firing by finger pressure upon the trigger 45. When the pistol or revolver is in position in the pocket member, a securing loop 47 may be slung over the hammer 19 to keep the weapon from slipping out of its proper position within the pocket member. A particular advantage lies in havin an end 48 of the loop where it is attached to the pocket member located at the upper rear wall face of the pocket member, as shown to good advantage in Figure 5. This requires that the loop 47 be long enough to be swung around the front curved edge of the pocket member into a position over the hammer when ordinary carrying is desired.

Also of special importance is the shape and pro-pen tioning of the space 36 so that there is a clearance between the inner face of the interior of the material forming the space 36 and the perimeter of the chamber 43. So proportioned the chamber is free to rotate without impairment in any fashion while the weapon is permitted to remain within the pocket member. Moreover, in that position there is provided a shelf edge 49 at the rear of the pocket member such that it provides a shelf in proper location upon which the trigger guard 46 supports the entire pistol when in the case. This remains true whether or not the securing loop 47 be attached.

It is also significant to note that the metal liner 26 is of such size that ends 50 fall slightly short of the stitched junction 25 and permit a slight degree of flexibility to the pocket member around the area of the stitched junction 28, thereby incorporating a degree of flexibility to the pocket member without at the same time permitting collapse of the space 36 to a point where it might bear upon the perimeter of the chamber 43 and thus impair most effective withdrawal of the weapon from the pocket member. Ordinarily the sheet metal liner 26, although of relatively light gage, is suthciently stiff so that when joined with the material of the inner and outer walls, a substantially rigid form may be maintained. By

resting the trigger guard on the shelf edge the rotating chamber cannot fall deeply enough into the pocket member to permit any binding. Hence although the weapon may tilt to the position illustrated in Figure 4, there will be no binding of the pocket member upon the weapon at any point.

In use the holster is strapped to the person, as indicated in Figure 1, The pistol is then dropped into position. It is an important consideration that the thumb 118 when the wearer swings his arm down falls into a notch 55 of the hammer so that pressure of the thumb upon the hammer will cock the hammer while the weapon still rests in the pocket member. Cocking the hammer means that the chamber 43 is simultaneously rotated while the weapon ostensibly rests upon its trigger guard in the pocket member. With one sweeping movement, however, and without differentiation between one position and another, the weapon is swept upwardly by continued movement of the users hand and withdrawal 7 begins virtually with the close of rotation of the chamber iovement. At the same time the handle 40 of the weapon is grasped with the fingers of the users hand, the shooting finger of which falls within the trigger guard 46 in front of the triggerAS. Consequently as the barrel 41 of the pistol is raised to shooting position, the weapon can be fired. Although these movements have been described as independent movements, each continues so rapidly in succession that all of the movements become virtually one and the cocking, withdrawal and firing can thus be rapidly accomplished in less than one second in the hands of an experienced operator. As a guard against impairment of this rapid movement, the holster is secured to the leg by the leg strap 17 and is prevented from slipping upwardly by engagement of the

notch

32, 33 in the slot 31 of the belt.

After the weapon has been shot and returned, which return is facilitated by reason of the open nature of the pocket member, the weapon can be secured against further withdrawal by stretching the loop 47 into position over the hammer 19.

There has been accordingly described herein a distinct improvement in a pistol or revolver type holster which is firm and rugged in character, comfortable when worn, and which is adapted to extermely rapid withdrawal of the weapon for use.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A quick draw revolver holster comprising an exterior pocket member, an interior flap member normally joined thereto and a web having a fold intermediate said members and connecting the tops of said members, said pocket member comprising inside and outside walls folded at a vertical forward junction and having a vertical rear junction, said inside and outside walls having an unbroken curvature and being curved at a progressively diminishing rate toward each other and continuously through said forward junction, and a relatively stiff liner sheet of form-holding consistency bound in a position intermediate said walls, said liner having a breadth in a vertical direction extending throughout a chamber portion of a revolver and having a shape standing clear of said chamber.

2. A quick draw revolver holster comprising an exterior pocket member, an interior flap member normally joined thereto and a web having a fold intermediate said members and connecting the tops of said members, said pocket member comprising inside and outside walls folded at a vertical forward junction and having edges forming a vertical rear junction, and a relatively stiff sheet metal liner in a fixed position intermediate said walls, said liner having a breadth in a vertical direction extending throughout a chamber portion of a revolver and having a shape standing clear of said chamber, said liner including a tab extending upwardly into an exterior end of said web and having a form holding said pocket member outwardly away from said web.

3. A quick draw revolver holster assembly comprising a belt adapted for securement at the hips of a wearer and having a contour shape whereby a holster side thereoffits low on the hip and the opposite side fits high on the hip and means forming an elongated substantially horizontal slot on the holster side, a holster having an exterior pocket member, an interior fiap member normal- 1y joined thereto and a web extending through the slot, said web being wider than the length of said slot and having a fold intermediate said members and connecting the tops of said members, and notches at the edges of said fold enabling said fold to fit within and around the ends of said slot, said pocket member comprising inner and outer walls folded at a vertical forward junction and having a vertical stitched rear junction, and a relatively stiff sheet metal liner in a fixed position inter mediate said walls, said liner having a breadth in a vertical direction adapted to extend throughout a chamber portion of a revolver and having a shape adapted to stand clear of said chamber, said liner including a tab extending upwardly into an exterior end of said web.

4. A quick draw revolver holster assembly comprising a belt adapted for securement at the hips of a wearer and having a contour shape whereby a holster side thereof fits low on the hip and the opposite side fits high on the hip and means forming an elongated substantially horizontal slot on the holster side, a holster having an exterior pocket member, an interior flap member normally joined thereto and a web extending through the slot, said web being wider than the length of said slot and having a fold intermediate said members and connecting the tops of said members, and notches at the edges of said fold enabling said fold to fit within and around the ends of said slot, said pocket member comprising inner and outer walls folded at a vertical forward junction and having a vertical stitched rear junction, and a relatively stiff sheet metal liner in a fixed position intermediate said walls, said liner having a breadth in a vertical direction adapted to extend throughout the chamber portion of a revolver and having a shape adapted to stand clear of said chamber, said liner including a tab extending upwardly into an exterior end of said web, and a hammer securing loop having an anchoring end secured to the inner side of said pocket member intermediate said forward and rear junctions.

5. A quick draw revolver and holster combination comprising a revolver having a rotating chamber, a hammer, a trigger guard, a barrel and a handle, a holster comprising a pocket member, a flat member normally secured to an inside face of said pocket member, said members being joined at the tops thereof, said pocket member comprising outer and inner walls of soft material and an intermediate wall of stiff material, said members having a vertical forward junction and] a vertical rear junction, one of said walls having a breadth extending downwardly to a location below the rotating chamber, said vertical rear junction at the top thereof having an exposed depression forming a rest for said trigger guard whereby when the guard is resting on the depression the barrel is located above the bottom of the pocket member, said forward junction having an upper edge located below and exposing said hammer, said intermediate wall having a fixed open form at the area occupied by the chamber and having an inner length and breadth exceeding the length and breadth of said rotating chamber whereby said revolver is adapted to be cocked and the chamber rotated while still in said pocket member.

6. A quick draw revolver and holster combination comprising a revolver having a rotating chamber, a hammer, a trigger guard, a barrel and a handle, a holster adapted for attachment to a belt comprising a pocket member, a fiat member normally secured to an inside face of said pocket member and a web joining the tops of said members, said pocket member comprisinginside and outside walls having a vertical forward junction of progressive continuous curvature and a vertical rear junction, a liner of stiff sheet material between said walls having a tab extending into an outer end of said web and having a breadth extending downwardly to a location below the rotating chamber, said vertical rear junction at the top thereof having an exposed depression forming a rest for said trigger guard whereby when the guard is resting on the depression the barrel is clear of the bottom of the pocket member, said forward junction having an upper edge located below and exposing said hammer, said pocket member at the area occupied by the chamber having an inside length and breadth exceeding the length and breadth of said rotating chamber on all sides thereof whereby said revolver is adapted to be cocked while still in said pocket member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 84,841 Mordt Aug. 11, 1931 1,230,043 Shelton June 12, 1917 2,037,132 Hoyt Apr. 14, 1936 2,092,222 Myres Sept. 7, 1937 2,297,008 McMillan Sept. 29, 1942 2,504,369 Adair Apr. 18, 1950 2,577,869 Adams Dec. 11, 1951 OTHER REFERENCES Stoeger: The Shooters Bible No. 40-1949 Ed. pg. 183, item No. (copy in Div. 29).