WO2016022174A2

WO2016022174A2 - Improved locking pistol holster

Info

Publication number: WO2016022174A2
Application number: PCT/US2015/018815
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nathan J. WASANKARI
Original assignee: Wasankari Nathan J
Priority date: 2014-06-08
Filing date: 2015-03-04
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: WO2016022174A3

Abstract

Disclosed is a push-push latch capable pistol holster with the option of locking the latch in one or more positions, providing one handed operation and controlling access. The improved pistol holster push-push latch can contain opposing jaws with a unique profile for engaging features on a pistol as well as the inner slide housing may contain features for indexing the retained pistol features. The improved pistol holster push-push latch can hold pistols and allow the user to gain access faster than was heretofor possible, with improved security of objects preventing theft and death in the case of unsecured firearms.

Description

IMPROVED LOCKING PISTOL HOLSTER

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&D

[0001] This invention was not made with any Government support or funding. The Government does not retain any rights to the invention.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESERCH AGREEMENT

[0002] No joint research agreement was entered or expressed in the development of this invention.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application is a continuation in part of serial No. 14/298,928 filed 06/08/2014 by Nathaniel J Wasankari titled PUSH-PUSH LATCH WITH LOCKING OPTION AND MODIFIABLE OR FIXED JAW PROFILE still pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a pistol holster having a push-push latching mechanism in which could contain a locking feature preventing operation at the desired location. It is adaptable for engaging a variety pistol models with a multitude of profiles. The push push latch secures the pistol trigger guard and other potential features of the pistol. It is operated by pushing the pistol inward toward the housing to secure the pistol and then pushing inward toward the housing to release the pistol.

2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Pistols are carried as side arms and also kept at hand for personal defense.

These pistols are stolen every day from the home of the owner. Furthermore these pistols are at times used by un-intended persons such as children or an intruder. Many gun owners do not own a locking safe nor do they properly maintain secure possession of their firearms while inside their home or vehicle. These weapons that are staged for personal defense are located in the entry coat closet, master bedroom closet, behind the master bedroom door, beside the bed or any number places that are not secured from theft and miss use. Furthermore the security devices that are available require cumbersome two handed operation and multiple steps to rightfully gain possession of the firearm.

[0006] U.S. Patent Number 8,851 ,344 describes a "Holster" with latches being movable between a retention position. Further more an extraction position in which the firearm is free to be extracted from the holder. Described as each of the latches may be pivotally connected to the body.

[0007] This device does not accurately define the user's action to secure the pistol clamp preventing un-controlled access. Furthermore this clamp device is limited to the retention latches being moved from one position to the other for the sake of preventing the weapon from adversely falling out of the holster, not for the intention of locking the pistol into the holster for unattended security.

[0008] U.S. Patent Number 5,100,036 describes two upwardly extending oppositely facing wall members with a cavity in each and forming a channel receiving a handgun trigger guard. Furthermore that when pivot pins are generally vertical, handgun must be slightly rotated forward so guard bottom passes pins and then withdrawn. This device generally provides for added friction between the pistol and the holster. This secondary action required by the user does not account for the option of locking the latch and by description applies to limited applications due to required orientation for function.

[0009] U.S. Patent Number 6,230,946 describes "A safety holster for a firearm", including a pivotally mounted retaining member for engaging the trigger guard of the firearm and preventing withdrawal. Further States the device includes a fingerprint sensor for scanning fingerprint information of a perspective user of the firearm. The device may contain the ability to lock the firearm into the holster but it does not describe the action of the user required to lock said pistol. Furthermore it restricts the device security control to the use of a digital fingerprint scanner. The action of the locking mechanism is described as that of a pivoting latch, not that the action of inserting the pistol into the device activates the lock.

[0010] U.S. Patent Number 7,556,181 describes "A holster assembly for a handgun having various mechanisms for preventing unauthorized access to a handgun". It goes further to state that the construction of said holster would be by injection molding. It can be seen reasonably by someone with ample knowledge in the art of manufacturing that injection molding is the preferred method for such designs. This claim is not novel in the approach for manufacturing and furthermore it defines the use of a strap across the back end of the retained pistol in preventing the pistol from being withdrawn. The use of a strap to prevent withdraw has been used widely in which they have added the function of a release actuator.

[0011] U.S. Patent Number 8,235,263 describes a "Retention holster having a guard and guard release", "wherein the guard release lever is capable of being pivoted to a guard release position when a user's thumb/finger applies a pivoting force to the thumb/finger engagement portion such that the guard locking portion is sufficiently withdrawn from the guard locking means to allow the retention guard to pivot to the open position" This design, while retaining the pistol by mechanical means, does not provide for a means to secure the pistol in a manor such as to prevent withdraw by only specified users. This design is to prevent the accidental removal of the retained pistol via gravity or unintended action by the wearer. This design further falls short as to provide for said holster to be used as a secure storage device left unattended and in mobile application in which the owner is not wearing the holster such as in a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is a pistol holster having a push-push type latch which has the option of being locked in one or more positions and has opposing jaws which come together to retain the trigger guard or other feature of the pistol. The latch is operated by applying a force toward the latch to engage the jaws and retain the pistol. A force is then applied to the pistol toward the housing to disengage the jaws and release the retained pistol. The latch has a capability of being locked to prevent the push action and either maintains retention of the pistol or prevents retention of a pistol. Also included is a set opposing jaws that have a mating shape for specific features on the pistol such as the so-called trigger guard. Likewise the jaws shape may be altered by the user or manufacture to retain other specific objects or object features. Furthermore the jaws may contain the ability to conform to objects, for example with the use of springs, or compressible material. The present invention includes an inner housing that moves relative to an outer housing generating an interaction between the outer housing and the jaws moving them in a manner that engages to retain the pistol. The inner housing is held in one of two positions by the use of a heart shaped cam surface that guides an inner self-engaging latch mechanism.

[0013] It is therefore the primary objective of the present invention to provide a security locking capable push-push latch capable pistol holster.

[0014] It is another objective of the present invention to provide latching engagement to pistol features such as the so-called trigger guard.

[0015] It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide indexing interaction between a push-push type latch and the pistol feature being latched.

[0016] It is still another object of the present invention to enhance the quality of retaining, securing and displaying Pistols with the use of a push-push type latch capable housing. [0017] These and other objects of the present invention, will become apparent to those skilled in this art upon reading the accompanying description, drawings, and claims set forth herein. The headings provided herein are for the convenience of the reader only. No headings should be construed to limiting upon the content in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 shows the side view of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows the back view of the present invention

[0020] FIG. 3 shows the top cut-away view of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows the side view of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows the top view of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows the side cut-away view in the released position of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows an isometric top view of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a side view with interacting pistol of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 9 shows a top view with interacting pistol of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 10 shows a side cut-away view with interacting pistol of the present invention. [0028] FIG. 11 shows an isometric top view with interacting pistol of the present invention.

[0029] FIG.12 shows a side view with interacting pistol in retained position of the present invention.

[0030] FIG.13 shows a top view with interacting pistol in retained position of the present invention.

[0031] FIG.14 shows a side cut-away view with interacting pistol in retained position of the present invention.

[0032] FIG.15 shows a top isometric view with interacting pistol in retained position of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Definitions

[0033] Push-push and clicker type latches are latches that operate by the user applying a force in one direction toward the latch body to secure the latch. The user then applies a force in the same direction toward the latch body to release the latch.

[0034] A self-engaging latch mechanism is a device that automatically or as a derivative result of the user input results in the physical change of the latch engaging it into a feature or surface. [0035] A compressible material is a material that when force is applied it deforms the physical dimension of the material and the material will then return to some ratio of the compressed force dimension and the pre compressed force dimension when the force is released.

[0036] A trigger guard is a feature on a pistol that is usually found in the forward position of the pistol's trigger to guard against accidental operation.

[0037] A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice-versa. It is often a cylinder with an irregular shape that strikes a lever at one or more points on its circular path. The cam can be a flat or curved surface which is making contact with another surface generating desired movement as one or both cam surfaces move.

[0038] A holster is a housing made of either pliable or hard material that is shaped to receive a pistol for the intention of the user to wear the pistol on his or her body.

Likewise the holster may be used to retain a pistol in a physical location for storage or access purposes.

2. Best mode of the invention

[0039] FIG. 14 shows a cut-away side view and FIG.3 shows a top sectional view of the best mode contemplated by the inventor of the improved locking pistol holster according to the concepts of the present invention. 3. How to make the invention

[0040] It can be amply seen from the drawings that the improved locking pistol holster 30 is consisting of an outer housing 10 and an inner housing 16 that slides relative to each other controlled using a rail and grove mate. The push-push latch would be operated by the user implying a force toward the latch housing sliding the inner housing 16 inside the outer housing 10 resulting in the internal self-engaging latch 18 moving through a heart shaped cam surface positing the internal self-engaging latch 18 into one of the two at rest positions.

[0041] The inner housing 16 would maintain a force against the outer housing 10 by use of springs 19 to keep the inner self-engaging latch 18 in one of the two at rest positions of the heart shaped cam surface. The heart shaped cam provides control of the inner self-engaging latch mechanism 18 by guiding apposing pins through cannels and along sloping surfaces. The sloping surfaces are terminated by steps which step down to the next segment of the cam surface preventing the internal self-engaging latch opposing pins 18 from movement in the direction in which it had just traveled prior to the step down.

[0042] As the action of sliding the inner housing 16 relative to the outer housing 10 takes place opposing jaws 14 contact the outer housing forcing movement in a controlled direction. The jaws 14 contact the outer housing 10 and slide along the housing wherein the opposing jaws 14 move relative to each other by the interaction of the push-push latch and outer housing 10 in which the motion of the jaws is best described as swinging such as a lever. The Jaws 14 are held opposing each other by use of springs to maintain a force that separates them when they are not forced together by the interaction with the outer housing 10. This separating force allows the jaws 14 to release the retained pistol 20 allowing the user to gain access to the object when desired.

[0043] The inner housing 16 and the outer housing 10 are to have the option for locking capability which can be engaged to prevent movement of the inner housing 16 relative to the outer housing 10. This locking mechanism is accurately portrayed by the use of a tubular barrel lock in which the user can depress a pin engaging the inner housing along a feature preventing relative movement. The tubular barrel lock can be released by the user allowing motion of the inner housing 16 and the outer housing 10 to then apply a force toward the push-push latch inner housing 16 generating movement of the jaws 14 due to the interaction of the jaws 14 and the outer housing 10 at the interaction point to release the retained pistol 20.

[0044] The Jaws 14 will have a profile that is matched to a retained pistol 20 feature. An example of this matched profile is the use of opposing shaped lobes to engaged a so-called trigger guard 12. As the Jaws 14 are pushed together by the interaction of the outer housing 10 they close around the so-called trigger guard retaining pistol from unwanted movement. The profile of the jaws 14 may be modified by the manufacture to provide a better fit for a variety of pistol models and types. An example of this jaw profile modification is the use of opposing lobes to secure a rounded trigger guard versus a flat shaped trigger guard. Additional profiles might also be selected for the list; triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, oval, rectangle, circle, slot, bevel or tear drop or any additional shape description found to best fit the desired pistol feature.

[0045] The Jaw 14 profile might also be manufactured to allow the end user to adjust the profile to better fit a wide variety of objects to be retained aside from a pistol 20. The end user may have the option to install provided inserts into the profile altering the jaw 14 profile and generating the best fit for a desired retained object 20. Furthermore said jaws 14 may have a profile consisting of conforming material for conforming around objects of which may be selected from the group: rubber, foam, springs, air bags, balloons, fluid envelopes, or material softer than the object or feature being clamped by the jaw profile.

[0046] As can be seen in the drawings the inner housing 16 may contain features for indexing feature(s) 17 clamped by the jaws in which the indexing is achieved by one or more of the following mechanisms; grove, slot, pin, dove tail, tear drop, repeating pattern, tooth, knurled surface, bump, adhesive bonding, or gravity. The inner housing 16 would have contoured mating surfaces 17 that interlock with a so-called trigger guard 12 preventing unwanted movement and providing a more secure retention of the grasped pistol feature, in this case of retaining a pistol via the trigger guard.

[0047] The external housing 10 is consisting of features for attachment to additional objects for the purpose of securing the Improved locking pistol holster to a immobile object or for the purposes of retaining on the user's body for carrying of retained pistol.

[0048] Additional modifications can be made by the manufacture to allow the external housing 10 to have mounting ability for surfaces as described in the list; vehicle dash board, exterior house wall, interior house wall, surface of helicopter, surface of airplane, ceiling, floor, vehicle passenger cab, vehicle cargo cab, law enforcement cage or barrier separating officer from criminal, vehicle trunk lid, external vehicle surface, commercial display cabinet, retail display cabinet, motorcycle, backpack, personal protection body armor, submarine interior surface, submarine exterior surface, boat interior surface, boat exterior surface, glass, wood, sheetrock, steel, aluminum, plastic, tile, or cardboard.

[0049] These modifications to the external housing 10 may include altering the shape of the outer housing in such a way it better fits the desired mounting surface. Furthermore the outer housing 10 may be manufactured with a universal shape in which the manufacture could produce a custom fit bracket, plate, extension, or other mounting method to enable the push-push latch inner housing 16 and the outer housing 10 to better be mounted to the desired surface.

4. How to use the Invention

[0050] The applications of the Improved locking pistol 30 are many as can be seen by those skilled in this art. The Improved locking pistol holster 30 can be used to retain Pistols of a wide model variety. These retained pistols 20 would have the capability of being locked by the user preventing un-controlled access and unwanted use. These retained objects can now be secured and displayed in a manner that makes them readily available to the owner and desired and approved users. [0051] The action of the push-push latch inner housing 16 by the user allows for one handed operation to retain and release pistols 20. These pistols may need to be accessed in situations where speed is a factor of life and death. Wherein an officer of the law must retain their firearms preventing unwanted access by general public they must also have immediate access themselves at times of need. Said officer could disengaged the locking feature by use of a key, lever, latch, electronic switch, electronic button or any other manor to release the push-push latch inner housing 16 allowing them to rapidly remove the secured firearm held by the jaws 14. In this scenario the firearm would likely be fitted with a so-called trigger guard in which the jaws 14 would have the corresponding profile 17.

[0052] In addition the similar so-called trigger guards are found on most firearms owned by the general public as well as the branches of the military. Many members of the general public maintain said firearms for use as personal defense weapons. In order to have immediate access to said firearm when required they often do not secure the firearm inside a locking safe or by any other manor of locking the weapon. The

Improved locking pistol holster 30 would allow the user to secure their weapon at a location desired such as behind a door, alongside a bed, inside a closet or any other location they want to mount it. The user could then secure the device when desired by engaging the locking mechanism preventing access to the weapon. Control of weapons in this manor would prevent theft as well as accidental deaths of children caused when they gain access to unsecured firearms.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster, comprising: an internal two position self-engaging latch mechanism; a heart shaped cam surface controlling said self-engaging latch mechanism generating two positions by which the self- engaging latch mechanism is internally at rest; a lockable feature by which to prevent motion between internal housing retaining the self-engaging mechanism at self-engaging position one and self-engaging position two; and said lockable feature having a mechanism by which the user can engage preventing the push- push latch from movement between the internal self-engaging mechanism position one and internal self-engaging mechanism position two.

2. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 1 , wherein said internal two position self-engaging latch mechanism is operated by the user or a generated force to engage the latch for operation.

3. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 1 , wherein said internal two position self-engaging latch mechanism is having opposing pins to maintain a force in opposite directions with the use of one or more force generating mechanisms selected from the group consisting of; spring, hydraulic pressure, air pressure, gravity or compressible material.

4. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 1 , wherein a heart shaped cam surface controls the movement of said internal self-engaging latch with the use of ramping surfaces and steps between distinct cam surfaces in controlling the latching pin directions and provide distinct rest positions for said latching pins at two locations.

5. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 1 , wherein said lockable feature prevents the push-push latch movement preventing the internal self-engaging mechanism pins movement from rest position one to rest position two; said lockable feature achieved by use of one or more selected from the group consisting of; tubular barrel push lock, swing latch lock, opposing electric force, opposing magnetic force, sprung pin, sprung bar, twist to extend lock, bolt, pin, wire, lever or plate.

6. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster, comprising: opposing jaws operated by push-push action and outer housing interaction; a universal jaw profile for engagement of pistol features; a jaw profile for engagement to so- called trigger guard; a modifiable jaw profile for engagement to non-specific features; a jaw profile having conforming material for conforming around features; and mechanism for generating force for automatic jaw separation at desired position.

7. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 6; wherein opposing jaws move relative to each other by the action of the push-push latch and outer housing interaction in which the motion of the jaws is described by one or more of the motions from the group; cam, swing, hinge, slide, push or pull.

8. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 6; wherein the said jaws have a universal jaw profile for engaging objects and or features as selected from the group; triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, oval, rectangle, circle, slot, bevel or tear drop.

9. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 6; wherein said jaw profile engages so-called trigger guard, as used on weapons found in military use, civilian use, and use on non-lethal weapon applications.

10 A. lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 6; wherein said jaws have a modifiable profile the end user or manufacture can use to change the profile with the use of inserts of which may poses unique and specific profiles or universal profiles.

11. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 6; wherein said jaw profile having conforming material for conforming around objects or features of which may be selected from the group; rubber, foam, springs, air bags, balloons, fluid envelopes, or material softer than the object being clamped by the jaw profile.

12 A. lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 6; wherein said jaws have a mechanism for generating force for automatic jaw separation at a desired position achieved to release the retained pistol by one or more selected from the group consisting of; a spring, opposing electric force, opposing magnetic force, sprung pin, sprung bar, wire, lever, hydraulic, pneumatic or stored energy force.

13 A. lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster, comprising: an internal

housing mechanism that slides relative to an external housing mechanism in a controlled direction; an internal housing contains features for indexing object(s) clamped by jaws; internal slide has force generated between it and the external housing in one direction; an external housing is having features for attachment to additional objects; and external housing is consisting of adaptable and interchangeable features for mounting to surfaces.

14. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 13; wherein an internal housing mechanism that slides relative to an external housing mechanism in a controlled direction by the use of one of the mechanisms selected from the group; rails, tube, collar, guides, groves, bushing, dove tail, tapper or pins.

15. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 13; wherein an internal housing contains features for indexing object(s) clamped by jaws in which the indexing is achieved by one or more of the following mechanisms; grove, slot, pin, dove tail, tear drop, repeating pattern, tooth, knurled surface, bump, adhesive bonding, or gravity.

16. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 13; wherein the internal slide has force generated between it and the external housing in one direction achieved by one or more from the following group; spring, opposing electric force, opposing magnetic force, sprung pin, sprung bar, wire, lever, hydraulic, compressible material, pneumatic or gravity.

17. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 13; wherein an external housing is having features for attachment to additional objects for the purpose of adding additional features to the push-push latch enabled holster such as selected from the group; optics, bi-pod, tri-pod, locking mount, dove tail, light source, griping function, so-called picatinny rail, weaver rail, floating rail structure, mounting plate, hinge connection, threaded hole, threaded stud, or secondary weapon such as knife, Gun, Taser or pepper Spray.

18. A lockable push-push latch capable pistol holster according to claim 13; wherein the external housing is consisting of adaptable and interchangeable features for mounting to surfaces selected form the group; vehicle dash board, exterior house wall, interior house wall, surface of helicopter, surface of airplane, ceiling, floor, vehicle passenger cab, vehicle cargo cab, law enforcement cage or barrier separating officer from criminal, vehicle trunk lid, external vehicle surface, commercial display cabinet, retail display cabinet, motorcycle, backpack, personal protection body armor, submarine interior surface, submarine exterior surface, boat interior surface, boat exterior surface, glass, wood, sheetrock, steel, aluminum, plastic, tile, or cardboard.