WO2016154142A1

WO2016154142A1 - Holster

Info

Publication number: WO2016154142A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/023474
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Sereday; Paul Smith; Christopher Michael; Robert Kincaid
Original assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations Llc
Priority date: 2015-03-20
Filing date: 2016-03-21
Publication date: 2016-09-29
Also published as: MX2017011989A; WO2016154142A4; EP3271682A4; US20190257617A1; CA2979848A1; EP3271682A1; AU2016235327A1

Abstract

A holster for a weapon includes a unitary semi-rigid holster body defining a cavity adapted to hold the weapon, the holster body including a closed front, a closed rear, two closed sides extending between the front and rear, a bottom, and an open top adapted to receive the weapon into the cavity. The holster body has an attachment area for securing a holster clip to the holster body to secure the holster body to an article worn or carried by a user. The holster body is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer and is constructed to friction-grip the weapon within the cavity. When the weapon is absent from the cavity and a compressing force is applied against one or both of the closed sides of the holster body, the holster body is constructed to compress from side-to-side by 100% without fracturing, the open top being constructed to automatically return to an original uncompressed shape when the compressing force is removed such that the weapon can be received into the cavity for re-holstering.

Description

HOLSTER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/135,917, filed March 20, 2015. The subject matter of this application is related to the subject matter of commonly owned, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/521,233, filed March 20, 2015, entitled "Holster", both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many users of handguns, particularly military and law enforcement personnel, carry a handgun in a holster designed to protect the handgun and hold it securely. Holsters can be worn in a number of ways, such as on a belt at the waist, on the thigh, under an arm, or around an ankle.

Certain users of handguns must be able to quickly and easily remove the handgun from a holster regardless of the type of holster used. Additionally, these users need to be assured that, when not in use, the handgun will remain safely in the holster.

Some holsters rely solely on friction to secure the handgun in place. This combination might not be suitable for situations where the gun/holster is subject to a great deal of movement because such movement could cause the handgun to lose frictional engagement with the holster. But such holsters can be advantageous because of the low time required to release and/or re-secure the handgun in the holster.

Certain other holsters include a variety of strap or flap arrangements that prevent the removal of the firearm from the holster while the strap or flap is in place. With designs that rely on this method to retain a handgun, a user must first unfasten and/or rotate the strap/flap before the firearm can be withdrawn. Then, to re-secure the handgun in the holster once the handgun has been re-holstered, the user must physically refasten and/or rotate the strap/flap before the firearm is securely retained within the holster. Some users might not prefer these designs because of the time required to release and/or re-secure the handgun. SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a holster for a weapon includes a unitary semi-rigid holster body defining a cavity adapted to hold the weapon, the holster body having a closed front, a closed rear, two closed sides extending between the front and rear, an open bottom, and an open top adapted to receive the weapon into the cavity. The holster body has an attachment area for securing a holster clip to the holster body to secure the holster body to an article worn or carried by a user. The holster body is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer and is constructed to friction-grip the weapon within the cavity. When the weapon is absent from the cavity and a compressing force is applied against one or both of the closed sides of the holster body, the holster body is constructed to compress from side-to-side by at least 30% without breaking, the open top being constructed to automatically return to an original uncompressed shape when the compressing force is removed such that the weapon can be received into the cavity for re- holstering.

In embodiments, the holster body comprising a unitary wall that extends continuously, unitarily around the front, a left side, the rear, and the right side. The holster body having a forward peak portion extending the entirety of a top to bottom forward length of the holster body defining a forward sight accommodating cavity portion for the holster. The holster peak portion is defined by a portion of the unitary wall comprising a pair of angled connecting forward panelar wall portions that meet at the forwardmost peak of the holster, with the pair of angled connecting forward panelar wall portions defining an interior angle of less than 90 degrees. The pair of angled connecting forward panelar wall portions may each have a slight concavity extending inwardly. Rearwardly of the pair of angled connecting forwardly panelar portions, a pair of parallel sidewall portions connect to the forwardly panelar portions defining an interior handgun slide receiving cavity and a pair of interior wall surfaces for frictionally engaging the slide of the handgun. The pair of parallel sidewall portion extend from the top to the bottom of the holster body. Rearward of the pair of parallel wall portions is a T-shaped wall portion. The upper legs of the T of the T-shaped wall portion define a rearward surface for the muzzle end of the handgun, opposite the sight. The lower leg of the T of the T-shaped wall portion defining a pair of narrow parallel rearward walls. The T-shaped wall portion extending upwardly to a pair of trigger guard defining parallel wall portions joined by a rearward bridging wall. A bottom opening is defined by a continuous circular lip that joins to each of the T-shaped wall portion, the parallel sidewall portions, and the pair of angled connecting forwardly panelar portions. The continuous lip and correspondingly the bottom aperture forming a pentagon with rounded corners, two parallel sides, and a line of symmetry. The open top has an top opening sized for receiving the handgun and defined by the upper ends of the pair of angled connecting forward panelar wall portions, the pair of parallel side wall portions, a further pair of parallel side wall portions, and a Y-shaped wall portion. A passive retention portion configured as an elongate spring member defined by two slits extend from within the T-shaped wall portion to the pair of trigger guard defining parallel wall portions. An adjustment member may adjust the distance between the spring member and opposite wall portion thereby adjusting a capture tension of the trigger guard. The spring member may have a projection defining a detent to be positioned inside the trigger guard when the handgun is holstered for retention of the handgun in the holster.

According to another embodiment, a holster for a weapon includes a unitary semirigid holster body defining a cavity adapted to hold the weapon, the holster body comprising a closed front, a closed rear, two closed sides extending between the front and rear, a bottom, and an open top adapted to receive the weapon into the cavity. The holster body has an attachment area for securing a holster clip to the holster body to secure the holster body inside the waistband of a user of the weapon, and is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic polyester elastomer, the holster body being constructed to friction-grip the weapon within the cavity. The holster body has a Shore D durometer in the range of about 55 to about 70. When the weapon is absent from the cavity and a compressing force is applied against one or both of the closed sides of the holster body when the holster is inside the waistband of a user, the holster body is constructed to compress from side-to-side, the open top being constructed to automatically return to an original uncompressed shape when the compressing force is removed such that the weapon can be received into the cavity for re-holstering.

According to another embodiment, a holster assembly for a handgun includes a one-piece holster shell formed of an injection-molded polymeric semi-soft material, the holster shell defining a holster retainer attachment area, and a holster retainer attached to the holster shell for securing the holster shell to an article worn or carried by a user of the handgun. The holster retainer is formed of a substantially rigid material, and defines an aperture and a plurality of ridges extending away from the aperture, the holster retainer being rotatable with respect to the holster shell for securement in any desired angular position with respect to the holster shell. The holster assembly also includes a fastener for securing the holster retainer to the holster body, wherein tightening of the fastener causing the plurality of ridges to bite into the semi-soft material of the holster shell and secure the holster retainer to the holster shell.

According to another embodiment, a holster clip is for attachment to a semi-rigid holster body for securing the holster body to an article worn or carried by a user of a handgun adapted to fit in the holster body, the holster clip being formed of a substantially rigid material. The holster clip defines an aperture and a plurality of ridges extending away from the aperture, the holster clip being rotatable with respect to the holster body for securement in any desired angular position with respect to the holster body. The aperture is adapted to receive a fastener for securing the holster clip to the holster body, and tightening of the fastener causing the plurality of ridges to bite into the semi-rigid material of the holster body and secure the holster clip to the holster body.

A feature and advantage of the holster according to embodiments is that the friction retention of the holster with the handgun and the detent on the spring member within the trigger guard is the only retention and such retention is adequate for retaining the handgun in the holster.

Other embodiments of the invention include a method of making and a method of using a holster described herein.

Other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill upon reading this disclosure, and this Summary should not be considered limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:

Figure 1 shows a side perspective view of a handgun holster assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an opposite side perspective view of the Figure 1 holster assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective line drawing of the Figure 1 holster assembly without a handgun, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a front elevation view of the Figure 1 holster, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the Figure 1 holster assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a top view of the Figure 1 holster assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a rear view of the Figure 1 holster assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the Figure 1 holster assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is an opposite-side top perspective view of a holster body or shell of the Figure 8 holster assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a side view of a holster body showing load placement for a testing protocol, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 1 is a side view of a holster clip useable in the Figure 1 holster assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is an opposite side view of the Figure 1 1 holster clip, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 is top view of the Figure 1 1 holster clip, according to an embodiment of the invention, the top and bottom views being substantial mirror images of each other; Figure 14 is an top or end view of the Figure 1 1 holster clip, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 15-18 are side perspective views of a holster adapted for a different make or model of handgun, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 19-22 are side perspective views of a holster adapted for another different make or model of handgun, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 23-26 are side perspective views of a holster adapted for yet another different make or model of handgun, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 1-10, holster 10 is configured to carry handgun or other weapon 15. Holster 10 provides Level 1 adjustable passive retention and can be worn inside the waistband (IWB) for concealment, according to embodiments of the invention. Holster 10 includes a unitary, polymeric holster shell or body 20 with a unitary wall 21 including a pair of opposing sidewalls 22, 24 defining cavity 25 adapted to hold handgun 15. Holster body 20 is semi-rigid and includes closed front 30, closed rear 35, first and second closed sides 40, 45 extending between front 30 and rear 35, bottom 50, and open top 55 defining opening 60 adapted to receive handgun 15 within cavity 25. Bottom 50 is semi-closed, or partially open, defining bottom aperture 52 having substantially rounded corners. Aperture 52 allows debris to exit holster body 20 while still protecting the user from hot barrel and muzzle 54 of the handgun 15. In some cases, the width of aperture 52 is decreased so that it is significantly less than the barrel diameter of handgun 15, ensuring that an extended or threaded barrel, for example, will not get stuck in aperture 52. Bottom 50 is also substantially rounded as it transitions to front 30, rear 35, and sides 40, 45 of holster body 20. The rounded corners of aperture 52 and rounded transitions of bottom 50 avoid sharp edges that might catch on clothing or create discomfort for a user of holster 10.

The holster body 20 comprising the unitary wall 21 that extends continuously, unitarily around the front 30, a left side 40, the rear 35, and the right side 45. The holster body having a forward peak portion 60 extending the entirety of a top to bottom forward length of the holster body defining a forward sight accommodating cavity portion 62 for the holster. The holster peak portion is defined by a portion of the unitary wall comprising a pair of angled connecting forward panelar wall portions 63, 64 that meet at the forwardmost peak of the holster, with the pair of angled connecting forward panelar wall portions defining an interior angle of less than 90 degrees in embodiments. The pair of angled connecting forward panelar wall portions may each have a slight concavity extending inwardly. Rearwardly of the pair of angled connecting forwardly panelar portions, a pair of parallel sidewall portions 66.1, 66.2 connect to the forwardly panelar portions defining an interior handgun slide receiving cavity 67 and a pair of interior wall surfaces 68, 69 for frictionally engaging the slide of the handgun. The pair of parallel sidewall portions extend from the top to the bottom of the holster body. Rearward of the pair of parallel wall portions is a T-shaped wall portion 71. The upper legs of the T of the T-shaped wall portion define a rearward surface 71.2 for the muzzle end of the handgun, opposite the sight. The lower leg 71.4 of the T of the T-shaped wall portion defining a pair of narrow parallel rearward walls 72.2, 72.4. The T-shaped wall portion extending upwardly to a pair of trigger guard defining parallel wall portions 76.2, 76.4 joined by a rearward bridging wall. A bottom opening 77 is defined by a continuous circular lip 77.2 that joins to each of the T-shaped wall portion, the parallel sidewall portions, and the pair of angled connecting forwardly panelar portions. The continuous lip and correspondingly the bottom aperture forming a pentagon 77.7 with rounded corners, two parallel sides, and a line of symmetry. The open top has an top opening 60 sized for receiving the handgun and defined by the upper ends of the pair of angled connecting forward panelar wall portions, the pair of parallel side wall portions, a further pair of parallel side wall portions 78.2, 78.4 , and a Y-shaped wall portion 78.7. The opening when viewed from the side presenting an arcuate convex upper lip 78.9 A passive retention portion 115 configured as an elongate spring member 81 defined by two slits 81.2, 81.4 extend from within the T- shaped wall portion to the pair of trigger guard defining parallel wall portions. An adjustment member may adjust the distance between the spring member and opposite wall portion thereby adjusting a capture tension of the trigger guard. The spring member may have a projection 83, see Figure 6, defining a detent to be positioned inside the trigger guard when the handgun is holstered for retention of the handgun in the holster.

Holster body 20 has one or more attachment points or areas 65, 70 for securing holster clip 75 to holster body 20, thereby securing or connecting holster body 20 to an article worn or carried by a user of handgun 15. Embodiments of the invention are used to secure holster body 20 to a belt, for carrying holster body 20 inside the pants or waistband, for example. Providing two attachment points or areas on opposite sides of holster body 20 enables attachment of clip 75 to either side, enabling ambidextrous use of holster 10. Holster clips may also include one or more connections to an article of clothing or other article at a user's chest, ankle, leg, or shoulder, for example, or to a harness or band, or for otherwise securing the holster to a user or the user's apparel. Clips may also include connections to an article carried by a user, for example a purse or bag.

Holster body 20 is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer material. One such material suitable for use is sold under the HYTREL brand, available from DuPont, and specifically a HYTREL 6356 resin. HYTREL polyester elastomers are known as true thermoplastic polymers that can be processed using known thermoplastic techniques, and are characterized by relatively sharp melting points, temperature-sensitive viscosities, and generally rapid crystallization. Materials suitable for use according to embodiments of the invention provide one or more of strength, durability, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and resilience, and it should be appreciated that materials other than HYTREL brand materials are usable according to embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of holster body 20 provide a Shore D durometer hardness in a range of about 55 to about 70, more specifically of about 60 to about 65, and even more specifically of about 63. Such hardness values have been found to provide holster body 20 with a semi-soft tactile effect that is comfortable to the touch, and otherwise aesthetically pleasing. Inside surface 80 is optionally glossier and/or smoother than outside surface 85, for a smoother feel and draw as handgun 15 is moved into or out of holster body 20. To that end, the inside of the mold core that forms the interior geometry of cavity 25 and inside surface 80 is not textured. Outside surface 85 of holster body 20 optionally has more of a matte finish due to the textured mold cavities that form the exterior geometry of holster body 25 and outside surface 85. Thus, relative to inside surface 80 of holster body 20, outside surface 85 has a slightly more textured feel. The relatively smooth inside surface, combined with the hardness ranges described above, optionally enhance the friction-grip effect on handgun 15 within cavity 25 when it is desired to retain handgun 15 within holster body 20, while creating a smooth feel and draw when it is desired to draw or otherwise remove handgun 15. Inside surface 80 optionally has lower coefficients of static and/or kinetic friction than outside surface 85, or in other embodiments, has higher coefficients of static and/or kinetic friction than outside surface 85. The hardness values and ranges discussed above provide semi-rigidity to holster body 20, allowing compressibility of holster body 20 and enabling better frictional contact with holster clip 75.

The semi-rigidity of holster body 20 allows compression of holster body 20 from side-to-side. When handgun 15 is within cavity 25, a compressive force acting from outside holster body 20 on one or more of closed sides 40, 45 compresses inside surface 80 against the sides of handgun 15, further increasing the amount of frictional force holding handgun 15 within cavity 25 and reducing the likelihood of accidental dislodgement or removal of handgun 15 from holster 10. Additionally, embodiments of the invention provide that when handgun 15 is absent from cavity 25 and a compressing force is applied against one or both of closed sides 40, 45, holster body 20 is constructed to compress from side-to-side by at least about 30% without breaking, more specifically at least about 50% without breaking, still more specifically at least about 75% without breaking, and still more specifically about 100% without breaking. Compressibility percentages are established by determining an uncompressed distance between top 90 of first side 40 and top 95 of second side 45 at centerline 100 (Figure 10) of holster body 20, centerline 100 extending from top to bottom of the holster, determining a compressed distance between first side 40 and second side 45 at the same location, dividing the compressed distance by the uncompressed distance, and subtracting from 100%. Alternatively, compressibility percentages are equivalently calculated by subtracting compressed distance from uncompressed distance and dividing the result by the uncompressed distance. 100% compressibility means that first closed side 40 and second closed side 45 come into contact with each other at the top of cavity 25.

In various embodiments, one or both of sides 40, 45 include optional slots 105 and 110, which define passive retention portion 115. Passive retention portion 1 15 provides for increased frictional engagement between holster body 20 and the trigger guard of the handgun. Passive retention portion 115, if included, may be adjusted, via one or more retention screws 130 or other fasteners received in aperture 135, to provide an adjustable frictional tension between passive retention portion 1 15 and the handgun trigger guard, without increasing the frictional tension between a remaining portion of holster body 20 and handgun 15. Passive retention portion 1 15 includes one or more stiffening ribs 140, to provide relatively increased rigidity or stiffness to the spring created by passive retention portion 1 15, to compensate for the semi-rigid or semi-soft nature of the material used to form holster body 20. Passive retention portion 1 15 also is of generally increased size, again to compensate for the nature of the material, by providing slot extensions 142, 143 that extend generally parallel to portion 144 of rear 35 and diagonally relative to the remainder of slots 105, 110. Passive retention portion 1 15 thus provides increased frictional tension between passive retention portion 115 and handgun 15 inside cavity 25.

Attachment points or areas 65, 70 for holster clip 75, according to one embodiment, each define an aperture 145 through holster body 20, one on each side 40, 45 to provide ambidextrous use of holster 10. The area surrounding each aperture 145 is substantially planar and large enough to accommodate holster clip 75 in a variety of sizes and rotational alignments. Each aperture 145 is adapted to receive a fastener 150 for holster clip 75. Holster body 20 defines internal recesses 155, one on each side 40, 50, each extending to the top of holster body 20 and each for receiving fastener retainer 160 and substantially preventing rotation thereof within recess 155. Fastener retainer 160 can be inserted into and slid along recess 155 from the top of holster body 20 to aperture 145. Fastener 150 then is inserted through holster clip 75, into either aperture 145, and retained by retainer 160. According to the illustrated embodiment, fastener retainer 160 is a substantially square-shaped nut for threading onto fastener 150, which is in the form of a screw or bolt, for example.

Front 30 of holster body 20 includes raised portion 165 for accommodating a sight of handgun 15. Raised portion 165 defines a plurality of recesses, depressions or fillets 170, 175, which simultaneously provide cosmetic features and structural strengthening of front 30. According to the illustrated embodiment, fillets 170 are relatively shorter and fillet 175 is relatively longer, to accommodate a logo or branding, for example. Flared areas 177 transition front 30 of holster body 20 to sides 40, 45. According to one embodiment, flared areas 177 extend at an angle of about 3 degrees outwardly from sides 40, 45, to mitigate pinch and to aid in insertion of handgun 15. Additionally, one or both of sides 40, 45 include wider portions 180, 185 with transition areas 187, 189 to the remainder of sides 40, 45. According to one embodiment, the transition area extends at an angle of about 84 degrees, which has been found advantageous in slipping holster 10 inside a waistband, frictionally securing it within the waistband, and effectively transferring externally applied compressive force to handgun 15 when secured within holster 10, for example. Top 55 of holster body 20 extends high enough to cover a substantial portion of handgun 15, but low enough to not interfere with or cover controls on handgun 15, or any current or future RMR sight mounting locations. Flat edge 190 of top 55 optionally extends substantially parallel to the grip of handgun 15, and adjacent edge 192 of top 55 optionally is shaped in a way that allows the semi-rigid material of holster body 20 to stop on the trigger guard of handgun 15 instead of pushing into the trigger guard cavity when clip 75 is pushed toward inwardly toward handgun 15 or other external compressive force is applied.

Embodiments of holster clip 75 now will be described with additional reference to Figures 11-14. Clip 75 includes inner mounting portion 195, outer hook portion 200, and hook end 205. Mounting portion 195 defines two apertures 210, 215. A user of holster 10 chooses which of apertures 210, 215 to use to connect clip 75 to attachment point or area 65, 70 with fastener 150. Providing two apertures 210, 215 allows height adjustment of clip 75 with respect to holster body 20. Apertures 210, 215 are disposed at the bottom of recesses 220, 225 for accommodating a head of fastener 150 (Figure 1).

In addition to height adjustment with respect to holster body 20, clip 75 can be attached and secured to holster body 20 in an of an infinite number of angular orientations with respect to holster body 20. Inner surface 220 of mounting portion 195 defines a plurality of raised ridges 225 near and extending radially outwardly from each aperture 210, 215. The illustrated embodiment includes 12 such ridges extending radially outwardly, but 4, 8, or other numbers of raised ridges 225 are contemplated according to the disclosure. Ridges 225 also can form a square shape around apertures 201, 215 instead of the radially outwardly or "starburst" shape or pattern. Ridges 225 provide "bite" into the semi-rigid or semi-soft material of holster body 20, increasing the static friction between holster clip 75 and holster body 20 when fastener 150 and fastener retainer 160 are used to tighten holster clip 75 against holster body 20.

As referenced earlier herein, attachment area 65, 70 surrounding apertures 145 is substantially planar and is large enough to accommodate holster clip 75 at any angular orientation with respect to holster body 20, providing infinite incremental rotation of clip

75 relative to holster body 20. Radially extending ridges 225 serve to effectively and evenly engage attachment area 65 or 70 no matter what angular orientation of clip 75 a user chooses.

Figures 15-26 illustrate additional embodiments of the invention for accommodating different types and styles of handgun 15. Figures 15-18 illustrate a holster adapted for a GLOCK 19/23/32 handgun, Figures 19-22 for a GLOC 42 handgun, and Figures 23-26 for a S&W &P Shield handgun. Figures 1-9 illustrate a holster adapted for a GLOCK 17/22/31 handgun, and features and advantages described with respect to those figures apply equally to holsters of Figures 15-20, and vice versa. Of course, other handguns and weapons can be held by the various holster embodiments described herein. Additionally, the clip of Figures 11-14 can be used with any of the holster embodiments referenced herein, and can be of different sizes or proportions to fit or be selected by a particular user. Multiple clips can be provided in combination with holster body 20 in a single package.

In contrast to certain prior art IWB holsters that are folded over or have a folded- over appearance in which sidewalls are fastened together to form an open or openable rear side, holster body 20 according to embodiments of the invention is of an unfolded configuration. No folding, folding over, or bending of holster body 20 is needed before holster body 20 is used to hold handgun 15 or other weapon, and holster body 20 is not molded to have a folded appearance. Additionally, holster body 20 is unitary and continuous and remains permanently closed at front 30, rear 35, and both sides 40, 45. Holster body 20 is molded as it is intended to be used, that is, it is molded in a ready-to- use configuration. Many such prior art IWB holsters also are formed of a rigid material and are subject to fracturing, breaking upon compression, whereas the semi-rigid or semi- soft nature of holster body 20 means that holster body 20 can be compressed without fracturing and will return to its original, open state for re-holstering when compression force is removed.

A series of tests was performed on holster embodiments according to the invention, to measure compressibility of each holster. An uncompressed distance between top 90 of first side 40 and top 95 of second side 45 at centerline 100 of holster body 20 was measured. With reference to Figure 10, 5 pound, 7.5 pound, 10 pound, 12.5 pound, and 15 pound weighted rod assemblies were placed on-end on side 45 of holster body 20 at the circle indicated at 250. A compressed distance between first side 40 and second side 45 at centerline 100 was measured, i.e. from the top points indicated at 90, 95 in Figure 9 or between top point 95 in Figure 10 and the corresponding top point on the opposite side. Compression percentages were determined by dividing the compressed distance by the uncompressed distance, and subtracting from 100%. Experimental data according to these tests are shown in Table 1 below.

IWB Holsters Compression Test Results

* indicates that internal features are touching, for example at passive retention feature 115.

Table 1

For each holster embodiment, the first column is the separation distance in inches between sides 40 and 45, taken at holster centerline 100 between points 90, 95. The second column is the percentage compressibility taken with respect to the separation distance at 0 Ibf load, which represents the uncompressed distance or state. Thus, the first row and first two columns of data in the table indicates that the Glock 17/22/31 embodiment had an uncompressed (0% compressed) separation distance of 1.096 inches, for example. The second row and first two columns indicate that a 5 Ibf Load applied to the holster body compressed the holster body 20 to a separation distance of 0.710 in, yielding a percentage compressibility of 35%. All Ibf loadings, distances, and percentages can be considered approximate, if desired, and preceded by the word "about". Additionally, all distances can be rounded to the nearest 100th or 10th of an inch, i.e. 2 or 3 decimal places.

The specific testing protocol included using a 1 inch diameter steel rod having a weight adapter and sandpaper contact face and defining a total weight or load of 5 Ibf. A steel outer tube was slipped over the steel rod to hold the steel rod in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation without affecting the load. 2.5 lb, 5 lb, and 10 lb weights also were provided for connection to the weight adapter. The initial, uncompressed holster opening or separation distance was measured using calipers at locations 90, 95 (Figs. 9- 10). Using the steel rod assembly of the steel rod, sandpaper face, and weight adapter, the rod end was placed tangent to the upper edge of the holster and centered with centerline 100 of the holster, as illustrated at 250 in Fig. 10. The separation distance at the holster opening was measured with the calipers. The process was repeated for each holster embodiment and weight combination. It should be noted that in some cases, the top portion of holster body 20 underneath the steel rod assembly did not remain coplanar with the end of the rod, such that only edge or substantial-edge contact was created between the steel rod and the holster body at substantially the lowermost portion of the face of the steel rod. It should also be noted, as indicated in the table, that interior features of holster body 20, for example passive retention portion 115 and the portion of holster body 20 opposite it within cavity 25, were brought into contact for certain higher weight loads.

Derived compressibility ranges for the given loads in Table 1 are shown in Table 2, below. All lbf loadings and ranges can be considered approximate, if desired, and preceded by the word "about".

Table 2

Compression distances, that is, the distance that the holster is compressed, for each of the loads and holster embodiments in Table 1 can be readily calculated. For the Glock 17/22/31 embodiment, for example, compression distances (in inches) of 0.386, 0.576, 0.791, 1.016, and 1.096 are calculated for lbf loads of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15, respectively. The following ranges of compression distances are derivable from Table 1. The uncompressed distance for each embodiment can be considered to be about 1 inch. Thus, deriving ranges from the table, for an uncompressed side-to-side separation distance of about 1 inch: a compression load (in lbf) of about 5 yields a compression distance (in inches) of about 0.4, about 0.3, or about 0.5, or a range of about 0.3 to about 0.5; a compression load (in lbf) of about 7.5 yields a compression distance (in inches) of about 0.6 or about 0.7, or a range of about 0.6 to about 0.7; a compression load (in lbf) of about 10 yields a compression distance (in inches) of about 0.8 or about 0.7, or a range of about 0.7 to about 0.8; a compression load (in lbf) of about 12.5 yields a compression distance (in inches) of about 1.0, or about 0.9, or about 0.8, or a range of about 0.8 to about 0.8 to about 1.0; and a compression load (in lbf) of about 15 yields a compression distance (in inches) of about 1.0, or about 0.9, or about 0.8, or a range of about 0.8 to about 1.0. As previously stated herein, all lbf loadings, distances, and ranges can be considered approximate if needed, and preceded by the word "about". Distances and ranges can be derived to one, two or three decimal places.

In all cases, once compression loading on holster body 20 is removed or released, for example in an environment inside the waistband of a user, holster body 20 substantially or completely springs back into shape and restores the uncompressed distance, and restores or resumes the original shape of opening 60, allowing handgun 15 or other weapon to be easily reholstered without partial or complete blockage by holster top 55 or its edges before entry of handgun 15.

It should be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to a semiautomatic-type handgun being secured within the presently disclosed holsters. However, it should be appreciated that design features and operating principles of handgun holsters of this invention may also be employed to construct holsters or holders for any revolver or semiautomatic-type handgun, edged weapons, as well as less-lethal products (i.e., tasers, pepper spray, mace canisters, or batons). It should also be appreciated that terms such as "handgun", "handgun holster", and "weapon" are used for basic explanation and understanding of the operation of the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention. Such terms are not necessarily to be construed as limiting the systems, methods, and apparatuses of this invention.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Further, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes, modifications, and/or adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An inside the waist band holster for a handgun, comprising: a unitary semi-rigid holster body defining a cavity adapted to hold the weapon, the holster body comprising a closed front, a closed rear, two closed sides extending between the front and rear, a bottom, and an open top adapted to receive the weapon into the cavity, the holster body having a unitary continuous wall extending around the closed front, the two sides, and the closed rear; the holster body having an attachment area for securing a holster clip to the holster body to secure the holster body to an article worn or carried by a user of the weapon; wherein the holster body is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer Shore D durometer in the range of about 55 to about 70, the holster body being constructed to friction-grip the weapon within the cavity with the friction increasing upon compression of the holster from side to side when worn inside the waistband, and further constructed such that opposing two sidewalls do not contact one another under such side to side compression when the handgun is removed and 12.5 lbs. force is applied to the two sides at the open top, and further constructed such that when the sufficient sidewall force is applied at the open top of the opposing two sidewalls for the sidewalls to contact each other, the holster body will not fracture, the open top returning to an original uncompressed shape when such sidewall force is removed.

2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster body has a spring member with a detent positioned to capture a trigger guard of the handgun when the handgun is holstered.

3. The holster of claim 2, wherein the holster body has a Shore D durometer in the range of about 60 to about 65.

4. The holster of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises a HYTREL brand thermoplastic polyester elastomer.

5. The holster of claim 2, the holster spring member is defined by a pair of slits extending through one of the sidewalls and the spring member is adjustable with a threaded member.

6. The holster of claim 5, wherein the slits extend upwardly and downwardly and are positioned partially below a holster clip attached to one of the sidewalls.

7. An inside the waist band holster for a handgun, comprising: a unitary semi-rigid holster body defining a cavity adapted to hold the weapon, the holster body comprising a closed front, a closed rear, two closed sides extending between the front and rear, a bottom, and an open top adapted to receive the weapon into the cavity, the holster body having a unitary continuous wall extending around the closed front, the two sides, and the closed rear; the holster body having an attachment area for securing a holster clip to the holster body to secure the holster body to an article worn or carried by a user of the weapon; wherein the holster body is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer wherein the holster body comprises a first sidewall forming one of the two closed sides and a second sidewall forming the other of the two closed sides, the first and second sidewalls defining a distance between them when the weapon is absent from the holster cavity, the distance being an uncompressed distance; further wherein a force of about 10 pounds applied to the first sidewall compresses the holster body by about 65% to about 80% of the uncompressed distance; further wherein release of the force causes the holster body to substantially restore the uncompressed distance.

8. The holster of claim 7, further wherein a force of about 15 pounds applied to the first sidewall compresses the holster body by about 90% to about 100% of the uncompressed distance; further wherein release of the force causes the holster body to substantially restore the uncompressed distance.

9. The holster of claim 7, wherein a force of about 5 lbf applied to the first sidewall at the top of the holster body reduces the distance by a range of about 0.3 in to about 0.5 in.

10. The holster of claim 7, wherein the holster body includes a pair of slots extending through the holster body and defining between them a passive retention portion to provide frictional retention of the weapon in the cavity of the holster body, further wherein the passive retention portion comprises at least one strengthening rib; further wherein the holster body defines at least one aperture to receive a retention fastener, the retention fastener being tightenable or loosenable to adjust the degree of frictional retention of the weapon by the passive retention portion.

11. The holster of claim 7, wherein the body has an attachment area with an aperture through the holster body adapted to receive a fastener for a holster clip, the holster body further defining an internal recess adapted to substantially prevent rotation of a fastener retainer that receives the fastener within the recess, the holster further comprising the holster clip.

12. The holster of claim 11, wherein the internal recess extends to the open top of the holster body for insertion of the retainer along the recess to the aperture.

13. The holster of claim 11, wherein the attachment area for securing a holster clip is substantially planar and is constructed to accommodate securement of the holster clip at any angular orientation of the holster clip relative to the holster body.

14. The holster of claim 7, in combination with a holster clip; wherein the attachment area comprises a holster body aperture through the holster body, the holster body aperture being adapted to receive a fastener for the holster clip; further wherein the holster clip defines two clip apertures, both of the two clip apertures being constructed to receive the fastener and being selectively alignable with the holster body aperture such that the fastener passes through a selected clip aperture and into the holster body aperture, to adjust the height of the holster clip with respect to the holster body.

15. The holster of claim 7, in combination with a holster clip, the holster clip defining an aperture to secure the holster clip to the attachment area of the holster body, the holster clip further defining at least one ridge near the aperture to increase static friction between the holster clip and the holster body when the holster clip is secured to the holster body.

16. The holster of claim 15, wherein the at least one ridge comprises a plurality of ridges extending radially outwardly from the aperture.

17. The holster of claim 1, in combination with a holster clip, the holster clip being rotationally adjustable with respect to the holster body for securement in any desired angular orientation with respect to the holster body; the holster clip comprising two apertures therethrough for selective alignment with an aperture in the attachment area of the holster body, to adjust the height of the holster clip with respect to the holster body; and the holster clip comprising a plurality of ridges extending radially away from each of the two apertures, to increase static friction between the holster clip and the holster body.

18. An inside the waist band holster for a weapon, comprising: a unitary semi-rigid holster body defining a cavity adapted to hold the weapon, the holster body comprising a closed front, a closed rear, two closed sides extending between the front and rear, a bottom, and an open top adapted to receive the weapon into the cavity; the holster body having an attachment area for securing a holster clip to the holster body to secure the holster body inside the waistband of a user of the weapon; wherein the holster body is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic polyester elastomer, the holster body being constructed to friction-grip the weapon within the cavity; wherein the holster body has a Shore D durometer in the range of about 55 to about 70; wherein when the weapon is absent from the cavity and a compressing force is applied against one or both of the closed sides of the holster body when the holster is inside the waistband of a user, the holster body is constructed to compress from side-to-side, the open top being constructed to automatically return to an original uncompressed shape when the compressing force is removed such that the weapon can be received into the cavity for re- holstering.

19. A holster for a weapon, comprising: a unitary semi-rigid holster body defining a cavity adapted to hold the weapon, the holster body comprising a closed front, a closed rear, two closed sides extending between the front and rear, a bottom, and an open top adapted to receive the weapon into the cavity; the holster body having an attachment area for securing a holster clip to the holster body to secure the holster body to an article worn or carried by a user of the weapon; wherein the holster body is constructed of an injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer, the holster body being constructed to friction-grip the weapon within the cavity; wherein when the weapon is absent from the cavity and a compressing force is applied against one or both of the closed sides of the holster body, the holster body is constructed to compress from side-to-side by at least 30% without breaking, the open top being constructed to automatically return to an original uncompressed shape when the compressing force is removed such that the weapon can be received into the cavity for re-holstering.

20. The holster of claim 19, wherein the holster body has a Shore D durometer in the range of about 55 to about 70.

21. The holster of claim 20, wherein the holster body has a Shore D durometer in the range of about 60 to about 65.

22. The holster of claim 19, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises a HYTREL brand thermoplastic polyester elastomer.

23. The holster of claim 19, wherein when the weapon is absent from the cavity and a compressing force is applied against one or both of the closed sides of the holster body, the holster body is constructed to compress from side-to-side by at least 50% without breaking, further wherein release of the force causes the holster body to substantially resume its original uncompressed shape such that the weapon can be received into the cavity for re-holstering.

24. The holster of claim 19, wherein when the weapon is absent from the cavity and a compressing force is applied against one or both of the closed sides of the holster body, the holster body is constructed to compress from side-to-side by 100% without breaking, further wherein release of the force causes the holster body to substantially resume its original uncompressed shape such that the weapon can be received into the cavity for re- holstering.

25. The holster of claim 19, wherein the holster body comprises a first sidewall forming one of the two closed sides and a second sidewall forming the other of the two closed sides, the first and second sidewalls defining a distance between them when the weapon is absent from the holster cavity, the distance being an uncompressed distance; further wherein a force of about 10 pounds applied to the first sidewall compresses the holster body by about 65% to about 80% of the uncompressed distance; further wherein release of the force causes the holster body to substantially restore the uncompressed distance.

26. The holster of claim 25, further wherein a force of about 15 pounds applied to the first sidewall compresses the holster body by about 90% to about 100% of the uncompressed distance; further wherein release of the force causes the holster body to substantially restore the uncompressed distance.

27. The holster of claim 19, wherein the holster body comprises a first sidewall forming one of the two closed sides and a second sidewall forming the other of the two closed sides, the first and second sidewalls defining a distance between them at the top of the holster body; further wherein when the weapon is absent from the holster cavity and the cavity is uncompressed, the distance is about 1 inch; further wherein a force of about 5 lbf applied to the first sidewall at the top of the holster body reduces the distance by a range of about 0.3 in to about 0.5 in.

28. The holster of claim 19, wherein the holster body includes a pair of slots extending through the holster body and defining between them a passive retention portion to provide frictional retention of the weapon in the cavity of the holster body, further wherein the passive retention portion comprises at least one strengthening rib; further wherein the holster body defines at least one aperture to receive a retention fastener, the retention fastener being tightenable or loosenable to adjust the degree of frictional retention of the weapon by the passive retention portion.

29. The holster of claim 19, wherein the attachment area comprises an aperture through the holster body adapted to receive a fastener for the holster clip, the holster body further defining an internal recess adapted to substantially prevent rotation of a fastener retainer that receives the fastener within the recess.

30. The holster of claim 29, wherein the internal recess extends to the open top of the holster body for insertion of the retainer along the recess to the aperture.

31. The holster of claim 19, wherein the attachment area for securing a holster clip is substantially planar and is constructed to accommodate securement of a holster clip at any angular orientation of the holster clip relative to the holster body.

32. The holster of claim 19, in combination with a holster clip; wherein the attachment area comprises a holster body aperture through the holster body, the holster body aperture being adapted to receive a fastener for the holster clip; further wherein the holster clip defines two clip apertures, both of the two clip apertures being constructed to receive the fastener and being selectively alignable with the holster body aperture such that the fastener passes through a selected clip aperture and into the holster body aperture, to adjust the height of the holster clip with respect to the holster body.

33. The holster of claim 19, in combination with a holster clip, the holster clip defining an aperture to secure the holster clip to the attachment area of the holster body, the holster clip further defining at least one ridge near the aperture to increase static friction between the holster clip and the holster body when the holster clip is secured to the holster body.

34. The holster of claim 33, wherein the at least one ridge comprises a plurality of ridges extending radially outwardly from the aperture.

35. The holster of claim 19, in combination with a holster clip, the holster clip being rotationally adjustable with respect to the holster body for securement in any desired angular orientation with respect to the holster body; the holster clip comprising two apertures therethrough for selective alignment with an aperture in the attachment area of the holster body, to adjust the height of the holster clip with respect to the holster body; and the holster clip comprising a plurality of ridges extending radially away from each of the two apertures, to increase static friction between the holster clip and the holster body.