WO2019130297A1

WO2019130297A1 - Pistol-loading holster apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2019130297A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/051385
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel AGES
Original assignee: AGES, Moran Ifrah
Priority date: 2018-01-01
Filing date: 2018-12-23
Publication date: 2019-07-04
Also published as: IL256692B; IL256692A

Abstract

Pistol-loading holster apparatus comprises a stationary outer shell; a slide holder for releasably holding a slide of a pistol; and a receiver holder for releasably holding a receiver of the pistol, wherein the slide holder and the receiver holder are independently longitudinally slidable along the outer shell, and are configured to cause, when the pistol is holstered by the apparatus and the receiver holder is distally displaced, the slide holder to be automatically displaced distally while energy of a recoil spring of the pistol which was compressed during distal displacement of the receiver holder to be released, due to an interconnection of the slide and receiver internally within the pistol, and a cartridge to be loaded into a firing chamber of the pistol in response to distal displacement of the slide held by the slide holder.

Description

PISTOL-LOADING HOLSTER APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of holsters. More particularly, the invention relates to holster apparatus that facilitates the loading of a pistol.

Background of the Invention

Time is of the essence when a pistol holding practitioner, such as a security professional, is under attack. As the aggressor usually attempts an unexpected attack, any delay in removing the pistol from the holster and in a subsequent shooting operation is of course life endangering.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a holster that facilitates the loading of a pistol while being held by the holster.

Some attempts have been made by the prior art to load a pistol with ammunition while it is held by the holster.

CA 2674936 discloses a holster that consists of a holster body containing the lower portion of the pistol, and a slide bar component operatively connected to the holster body and holding the breech block of the pistol. While the slide bar component remains static in position while affixed to a belt attachment, the holster body is slid downwardly relative to the slide bar component, and another user initiated operation is needed subsequently to slide the holster body upwardly to facilitate the loading of ammunition into the firing chamber. Index finger and thumb lock release buttons need to be pressed in order to load the pistol, and index finger and middle finger release buttons need to be pressed in order to remove the pistol from the holster.

The need to perform four distinct actions prior to pulling the trigger to fire, namely of pressing a first set of lock release buttons, sliding the holster body downwardly, sliding the holster body upwardly, and pressing a second set of lock release buttons, unduly increases the time needed to react to an attack, and, more importantly, is dependent upon user movements to load the pistol. An obstruction may develop in the firing chamber or in the barrel if the user hesitantly or otherwise languidly slides the holster body upwardly as the breech may not fully lock into place. Consequently, the user is at times unsure as to whether the pistol is in a ready-to-fire condition. Similar deficiencies may be found in other prior art holsters that facilitate the loading of a pistol while it is held by the holster, such as RU 2285221, TWM 533734, CN 105674802 and US 2015/0285587.

It is an object of the present invention to provide holster apparatus that facilitates the reliable loading of a pistol while held thereby to a ready-to-fire condition.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide holster apparatus that facilitates the loading of a pistol which is independent of user speed or dexterity without drawing attention to the loading of the pistol.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides pistol-loading holster apparatus, comprising a stationary outer shell, a slide holder for releasably holding a slide of a pistol, and a receiver holder for releasably holding a receiver of the pistol, wherein said slide holder and said receiver holder are independently longitudinally slidable along said outer shell, and are configured to cause, when the pistol is holstered by said apparatus and said receiver holder is distally displaced, said slide holder to be automatically displaced distally while energy of a recoil spring of the pistol which was compressed during distal displacement of said receiver holder to be released, due to an interconnection of the slide and receiver internally within the pistol, and a cartridge to be loaded into a firing chamber of the pistol in response to distal displacement of the slide held by said slide holder.

As referred to herein, the slide holder and receiver holder are axially displaceable along the outer shell in a "longitudinal" direction, a "distal" or "forward" direction being in a longitudinal direction away from the user and a "proximal" or "rearward" direction being in a longitudinal direction towards the user, the slide holder and receiver holder are spaced in a "transversal direction", and a "lateral" direction being mutually perpendicular to the longitudinal and transversal directions.

The holster apparatus exploits the relative motion between the slide and receiver of the pistol being loaded while holstered, such that the receiver of the pistol and the receiver holder of the holster apparatus are distally displaced while the slide of the pistol and the slide holder of the holster apparatus are stationary, the slide holder being momentarily coupled to the outer shell. Following distal displacement of the receiver holder to a maximum extent, the slide holder becomes decoupled from the outer shell and is automatically displaced distally upon release of the energy of the recoil spring. Accordingly, the pistol is able to be reliably loaded to a ready-to-fire condition that is independent of user speed or dexterity while holstered, without drawing attention to the pistol being loaded and precipitating retaliatory actions, in contrast to the noticeable loading of a pistol during proximal displacement of the slide as carried out in prior art practice.

In one aspect, the outer shell has a proximal face and a hollow interior to accommodate positioning therewithin of the slide holder and of the receiver holder through a dedicated aperture formed in said proximal face, said aperture defining a closed portion for accommodating a sight-receivable notch of the slide holder and an open portion to facilitate introduction of the pistol into the holster apparatus. The proximal face is generally formed with first and second sets of straight grooves that longitudinally extend from said proximal face, longitudinally extending protrusions projecting laterally outwardly from a corresponding planar slide holder wall being configured to facilitate slidable engagement with corresponding straight grooves of said first set, and longitudinally extending protrusions projecting laterally outwardly from a corresponding planar receiver holder wall being configured to facilitate slidable engagement with corresponding straight grooves of said second set.

In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for selectively decoupling the slide holder from the outer shell following distal displacement of the receiver holder by more than a predetermined distance from a predetermined starting position. The decoupling means may comprise mechanical, electronic, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or magnetic means, or a combination thereof.

In one aspect, the mechanical decoupling means is configured as a release lever which is connected, such as pivotally connected, by a laterally disposed pin to a central region of a planar inner wall of the outer shell which is laterally spaced from an adjacent slide holder wall and terminates with a detent, said detent being in abutment with a locking protrusion positioned proximally with respect to said detent when the slide holder is disposed at a predetermined starting position and said release lever is biased to an extreme position, such as an extreme pivotal position, to couple the slide holder with the outer shell and to thereby prevent distal displacement of the slide holder, wherein said locking protrusion protrudes towards the receiver holder from an adjacent longitudinally extending slide holder protrusion.

When the release lever is arcuate, the apparatus may further comprise an oblique decoupling element extending from one of the longitudinally extending receiver holder protrusions towards the adjacent longitudinally extending slide holder protrusion, said decoupling element being proximally spaced from the release lever when the receiver holder is disposed at the starting position and adapted to contact a portion of the release lever that is positioned proximally to the laterally disposed pin following distal displacement of the receiver holder by more than the predetermined distance from the starting position, causing the release lever to rotate away from the extreme pivotal position and the detent to be released from the locking protrusion and allowing the slide holder to be unrestrainedly displaced distally under influence of the released energy of the recoil spring.

In one aspect, the receiver holder is saddle-shaped with symmetrical right and left sections which are interconnected by a restraining element adapted to support and restrain a trigger guard of the pistol after the receiver has been inserted into the receiver holder.

In one aspect, the receiver holder is configured with a distal plate which transversally extends to the closed portion of the outer shell and which is substantially perpendicular to the right and left sections to restrict the ingress of debris into an interior of the slide holder and of the receiver holder.

In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises a dust shield connected to, and extending proximally from, peripheral regions of the distal plate in such a way so as to encircle the outer shell.

In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises a safety lock pivotally connected to one of the sections of the receiver holder and selectively engageable with, and disengageable from, the outer shell to prevent unwanted distal displacement of the receiver holder.

In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises first and second movable retaining means operatively connected to the slide holder and receiver holder, respectively, to prevent disengagement thereof from the outer shell during displacement to an extreme position. In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises a trigger guard locking lever for preventing inadvertent drawing of the pistol when holstered.

In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises attachment means, such as a belt, thigh or vehicle attachment, which are connected both to the outer shell and to a mount to facilitate accessibility of the pistol desired to be manipulated.

When the outer shell has a tubular periphery, the attachment means are detachable from the outer shell and invertible to facilitate reconfiguration of the apparatus for use by a user of different handedness.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:

- Fig. 1A is a side view of a holster apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, showing an exemplary pistol which is holstered thereby;

- Fig. IB is a side view of an exemplary pistol after being drawn from the holster apparatus of Fig. 1A and remaining in a ready-to-fire condition;

- Fig. 2A is a side view of the holster apparatus of Fig. 1A , shown in a starting position;

- Fig. 2B is a side view of the holster apparatus of Fig. 1A , showing a first step of a pistol loading operation;

- Fig. 2C is a side view of the holster apparatus of Fig. 1A , showing a second step of a pistol loading operation;

- Fig. 3 is a perspective, partially cutaway view from the rear of an outer shell used in conjunction with the holster apparatus of Fig. 1A;

- Figs. 4A-C illustrate a perspective view from the side of three positions of the holster apparatus of Fig. 1A, respectively, during a pistol loading operation corresponding to the three positions shown in Figs. 2A-C;

- Figs. 5A-C illustrate a perspective cutaway view from the side of three positions of the holster apparatus of Fig. 1A, respectively, during a pistol loading operation corresponding to the three positions shown in Figs. 4A-C, showing the operation of a release lever;

- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slide holder, according to another embodiment of the invention; - Fig. 7 is a plan view of a partially removed outer shell, shown when contacted by the slide holder of Fig. 6;

- Fig. 8 is a perspective view from the side of a receiver holder, according to another embodiment of the invention, showing a partially removed outer shell;

- Fig. 9A is a perspective view from the side and rear of a receiver holder, according to another embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 9B is a perspective view from the front of an outer shell which is engageable with the receiver holder of Fig. 9A;

- Fig. 10A is a side view of a holster apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention, showing a safety lock set is in a disengaged position;

- Fig. 10B is a side view of the holster apparatus of Fig. 10A, showing the safety lock set is in an engaged position;

- Fig. 11A illustrates a perspective view from the right of a holster apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention which is provided with a trigger guard locking lever for use by a right- handed user, shown in a released position;

- Fig. 11B illustrates a perspective view from the left of the holster apparatus of Fig. 11A, but which is adapted for use by a left-handed user, showing the locking lever in a released position;

- Fig. 11C illustrates a perspective view from the left of the holster apparatus of Fig. 11B, shown while the outer shell, slide holder and receiver holder have been removed with the exception of the locking lever, which is shown to be in a pivoted position;

- Figs. 12-17 are a perspective view of different embodiments of a holster apparatus, showing six different attachment means, respectively;

- Fig. 18 illustrates a perspective view from the side of a holster apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention which is provided with a dust shield; and

- Fig. 19 illustrates a perspective view from the side of a holster apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

As opposed to prior art holster apparatus that facilitates the loading of a pistol held thereby with ammunition by two user initiated motions independent of safety measures, one downwardly within the holster apparatus and another one upwardly to cause a cartridge to be stripped from the magazine and driven into the barrel chamber, the holster apparatus of the present invention facilitates the loading of a pistol held thereby with only one user initiated motion independently of any safety measures.

The holster apparatus of the present invention facilitates the reliable loading of a pistol held thereby to a ready-to-fire condition that is independent of user speed or dexterity. Thus the user may advantageously be able to load the pistol in the holster apparatus during the midst of an evolving security event, knowing that the pistol will be reliably loaded and in a ready-to-fire condition, without drawing attention to the loading of the pistol and precipitating retaliatory actions during the event. In contrast, a pistol held by prior art apparatus has to be rapidly and aggressively displaced during a loading operation, to ensure that the breech will be securely locked in place, and the loading operation will inevitably draw attention.

A pistol set to a ready-to-fire condition within the holster apparatus of the present invention also has utility when the user is involved in a distressing event, such as a struggle, movement through a crowd, repellence of an aggressor, and the holding of a child. The conspicuous loading of a pistol by two oppositely directed motions during such an event may lead to dangerous repercussions.

A pistol held by the holster apparatus of the present invention may be a semi-automatic pistol for firing a single bullet or an automatic pistol for firing multiple rounds of bullets.

As shown in Figs. 1A-B, an exemplary semi-automatic pistol 5 that is able to be held by holster apparatus, indicated generally by numeral 10 according to embodiment of the invention, comprises a receiver 2 or frame including grip 8 to which the magazine is securable and elongated slide support

14, a slide 4 configured with front sight 9a and with rear sight 9b and which houses the firing pin and the schematically illustrated recoil spring 18 and which is slidably mounted to receiver 2 for front to rear recoiling movement when a round is fired within the barrel, and hammer 6. Spring-loaded hammer 6 is pivotally mounted within receiver 2 and, when released, is movable from an uncocked position to a fully-cocked position at which a cartridge can be fired. When a suitable amount of pressure has been applied to trigger 7 protected by a trigger guard 12 within trigger guard interior

15, a pivotally displaceable sear in engagement with a portion of hammer 6 is released. Hammer 6 then strikes the firing pin, which ignites the primer charge to propel a bullet from the muzzle end of the barrel. As a result of the thrust generated following a firing action, slide 4 is forced rearwardly by the reaction force to compress a recoil spring. During this recoiling movement, the barrel and slide unlock, the spent case is extracted and ejected through ejection port 11, hammer 6 is cocked, and the sear is returned to its initial position.

Upon contacting a receiver stop, slide 4 is thrust forwardly by the compressed recoil spring, contacting the cartridge at the top of the magazine, stripping it from the magazine, loading the cartridge into the firing chamber, and relocking with the barrel.

Fig. 1A illustrates pistol 5 when holstered by apparatus 10 and set to a ready-to-fire condition as indicated by the fully-cocked hammer 6. Fig. IB illustrates pistol 5 after being drawn from holster apparatus 10 and remaining in the ready-to-fire condition.

An automatic pistol continues to fire in accordance with the aforementioned cycle as long as trigger 7 is held or until all rounds have been fired.

It will be appreciated that any other suitable semi-automatic or automatic pistol is also in the scope of the invention.

Referring now to Figs. 2A-C, the ability to load a holstered pistol with only one user initiated motion is made possible by employing holster apparatus 10, which comprises the three components of an outer shell 13, slide holder 17 and receiver holder 19.

Although outer shell 3 may be displaceable, a preferred implementation is such that it is stationary in order to simplify the loading of a holstered pistol to a ready-to-fire condition with a minimal number of user initiated motions. Accordingly, outer shell 3 is secured by a mount to facilitate accessibility of the pistol desired to be manipulated, for example a belt mount. Slide holder 17 for releasably holding the slide of the pistol and receiver holder 19 for releasably holding the receiver of the pistol are both independently slidable with respect to outer shell 13.

The components of holster apparatus 10 may be made of polymeric materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer having a high strength-to-weight ratio, or of any other suitable weatherproof and durable material with a low coefficient of friction in order to facilitate slidable displacement. The starting position of holster apparatus 10 is shown in Fig. 2A, after pistol 5 has been engaged by both slide holder 17 and receiver holder 19. At the starting position of the pistol loading operation, slide holder 17 and receiver holder 19 are aligned with outer shell 13, at both proximal end 21 and distal end 23. Proximal end 21 is the end closer to the user, generally the upper end when apparatus 10 is secured to a belt, and distal end 23 is the end distant to the user.

It will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable when slide holder 17 and receiver holder 19 are of a different length than outer shell 13, so that slide holder 17 and receiver holder 19 will be located proximally to a maximum extent at the starting position.

In the first step of the pistol loading operation shown in Fig. 2B, receiver holder 19 is displaced distally while slide holder 17 remains aligned with outer shell 13. The distal displacement of receiver holder 19 during the first step causes the recoil spring to become compressed and the hammer or firing pin to become cocked, depending on the pistol configuration. The recoil spring becomes compressed due to relative motion between the slide and receiver, whether the receiver is stationary and the slide is displaced rearwardly during conventional manipulation of the pistol, or whether the slide is stationary and the receiver is displaced forwardly when used in conjunction with holster apparatus 10. The ability to compress the recoil spring while the slide and slide holder are stationary and the receiver and receiver holder are displaced distally advantageously allows a holstered pistol to become loaded. In response to the first step, the second step of the pistol loading operation illustrated in Fig. 2C is performed whereby slide holder 17 is automatically displaced distally while the recoil energy of the compressed recoil spring is released, due to the interconnection of the slide and receiver internally within the pistol, until slide holder 17 is aligned with receiver holder 19. As a result of distal displacement of slide holder 17, a cartridge is loaded into the firing chamber and is ready to be fired upon subsequent removal of pistol 5 from holster apparatus 10.

Fig. 3 illustrates elongated outer shell 13. Outer shell 13 is shown to be configured with a tubular periphery 24 for ease in manufacturing, although any other configuration is also within the scope of the invention. Outer shell 13 has a hollow interior 22 to accommodate the positioning therewithin of the slide holder and of the receiver holder, through a dedicated aperture 28 formed in its proximal face 27. Aperture 28 defines a closed portion 32 and an open portion 33 of periphery 24. The large- dimensioned receiver holder is allowed to slide through open portion 33. Although aperture 28 is shown to be configured with straight edges, it will be appreciated that any other suitable aperture configurations, shapes and proportions are also in the scope of the present invention.

To facilitate slidable engagement with the slide holder and with the receiver holder, outer shell 13 is formed with two sets of straight grooves that longitudinally extend inwardly from its proximal face 27, and may terminate at the distal face of outer shell 13. The first set of grooves 25a-c, which are formed proximate to closed portion 32 of periphery 24, are adapted to facilitate the slidable engagement therealong of the slide holder, and the second set of grooves 26a-b, which are formed proximate to open portion 33, are adapted to facilitate the slidable engagement therealong of the receiver holder. Grooves 25a-b and 26a-b extend laterally outwardly from a corresponding aperture edge 29a-b, each of which extending from a first set groove to a second set groove. Groove 25c is recessed with respect to grooves 25a-b within closed portion 32 to enable the interlocking of the slider holder to outer shell 13 by a slidable dovetail connection.

Outer shell 13 is also configured with a planar wall 37 that is disposed laterally outwardly from aperture edge 29b, in order to be spaced from an adjacent slider holder wall after the slider holder is coupled with outer shell 13. An arcuate, sickle-shaped release lever 34 terminating with a triangular detent 38 is pivotally connected by pin 36 to a central region of wall 37.

Figs. 4A-C illustrate a perspective view of three positions of holster apparatus 10, respectively, during a pistol loading operation corresponding to the three positions shown in Figs. 2A-C.

Slide holder 17 has a longitudinally extending protrusion 41 that projects laterally outwardly from a corresponding planar slide holder wall 43, which is adapted to be in slidable abutment with aperture edge 29b (Fig. 3) and with a similar distally spaced surface provided with outer shell 13. Protrusion 41, which is primarily of a uniform thickness, is adapted to be received within a corresponding first set groove 25b of outer shell 13 in order to facilitate the slidable displacement of slide holder 17.

Dovetail element 44 configured for slidable engagement with first set groove 25c of outer shell 13 may be formed with a notch 47 for accommodating the front sight of the pistol. Receiver holder 19 is saddle-shaped with symmetrical right and left sections 51 and 52, e.g. planar, which are interconnected by a narrow and planar restraining element 56, adapted to support and restrain the trigger guard after the receiver has been inserted into receiver holder 19. Each of the sections 51 and 52 is bounded by symmetrical concave edges 57 and 58 that subtend e.g. an angle of approximately 90 degrees. Concave edge 57 curves for example from a corresponding longitudinal edge of restraining element 56 to a corresponding longitudinal edge of a longitudinally extending protrusion 59 which projects laterally outwardly from the corresponding section at a terminal edge thereof that is adjacent to outer shell 13. Protrusion 59, which is primarily of a uniform thickness, is adapted to be in slidable engagement with a corresponding second set groove 26b of outer shell 13 (Fig. 3). While the concave edge 57 of each of sections 51 and 52 are unconnected except by planar restraining element 56 to facilitate insertion therethrough of the receiver, a concave restraining element 61 interconnects the entire concave edge 58 of sections 51 and 52 to restrain the trigger guard or any other portion of the receiver and to satisfactorily support the elongated slide support of the receiver in anticipation to being drawn.

The concave configuration of edge 57 also facilitates a rapid draw of pistol 5 when holstered as shown in Fig. IB, so that when a hand is placed on grip 8, one finger is able to contact trigger guard 12 to bring the pistol under full control of the shooter while the trigger finger is being correctly aligned.

The spacing between the two planar slide holder walls 43 and between the two sections 51 and 52 of receiver holder 19 is selected to ensure that the corresponding pistol component held thereby, i.e. the slide or the receiver, will be firmly held so that slide holder 17 will be displaced distally during the second step of the pistol loading operation in Fig. 4C under the influence of recoil energy, yet will be able to be easily released when the pistol is being drawn. Slide holder 17 and receiver holder 19 are adapted to conform to the dimensions of a given pistol, so as to provide an exact fit while ensuring that the pistol component is securely held but easily released by the corresponding holder.

Outer shell 13 is preferably configured with an ejection aperture 31 aligned with aperture port 11 (Fig. IB) of the holstered pistol and with a similar ejection aperture provided with slide holder 17 during the positions illustrated in Figs. 4A and Fig. 4B. An obstructed cartridge may be unloaded through ejection aperture 31 while the pistol is holstered, after receiver holder 19 is distally displaced as shown in Fig. 4B and contacts the obstructed cartridge. A chambered cartridge may be similarly unloaded.

Figs. 5A-C illustrate a cutaway view of holster apparatus 10, respectively, during a pistol loading operation corresponding to the three positions shown in Figs. 4A-C, showing the operation of release lever 34.

The starting position of holster apparatus 10 is illustrated in Fig. 5A. At the starting position, a triangular locking protrusion 46 protruding from protrusion 41 of slide holder 17 towards receiver holder 19 is in abutment with triangular detent 38 of pivotable release lever 34, while being positioned proximally with respect thereto, to couple slide holder 17 with outer shell 13 and to thereby prevent the displacement of slide holder 17. An oblique decoupling element 62 extending from protrusion 59 of receiver holder 19 towards protrusion 41 is proximally spaced from release lever 34. Release lever 34 is spring-biased, and is therefore caused to return to the starting position while being normally prevented from being rotated in a clockwise direction.

In the first step of the pistol loading operation, receiver holder 19 is distally displaced; however, slide holder 17 is prevented from being distally displaced since locking protrusion 46 continues to be engaged with triangular detent 38 of release lever 34.

When receiver holder 19 is distally displaced to a maximum extent as shown in Fig. 5B, the oblique decoupling element 62 contacts the portion of release lever 34 that is positioned proximally to pin 36 and causes release lever 34 to pivot in a clockwise direction while overcoming the biasing force of the spring, until detent 38 is released from locking protrusion 46 of slide holder 17. Thus slide holder 17 is unrestrained and free to be distally displaced under the influence of the released recoil energy, as shown in Fig. 5C.

It will be appreciated that release lever 34 may be mounted on the other planar wall of outer shell 13, and configured to rotate in a counterclockwise direction after being contacted by decoupling element 62. Also, holster apparatus 10 may be provided with two or more release levers 34. Resilient means, or another type of movable retaining means, are preferably provided to prevent the slide holder and receiver holder from being disengaged from the outer shell during displacement to an extreme position.

Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a slide holder 67, which is configured with a catch 72 that protrudes from an intermediate region of the surface 74 of dovetail element 44 in the direction of the outer shell. Outer shell 63 shown in Fig. 7 is formed with a longitudinal groove 69 recessed from first set groove 25c (Fig. 3) of the outer shell, within which catch 72 is receivable. A helical spring 77 constituting the resilient means, or any other flexible element, is connected at a first end thereof to a proximal wall 68 of recessed groove 69 and at a second end thereof to a narrow, proximally facing portion 76 of catch 72. When slide holder 67 is caused to be distally displaced under the influence of recoil energy, helical spring 77 becomes extended. Additional distal displacement of slide holder 67 is limited following contact, as shown, between catch 72 and distal wall 79 of recessed groove 69. Helical spring 77 also ensures that slide holder 67 will return to the starting position after being distally displaced.

In the holster apparatus 90 illustrated in Figs. 9A and 9B, receiver holder 89 is configured with a distal plate 94 which transversally extends to the closed portion 102 of outer shell 103, and is substantially perpendicular to planar right and left sections 92 and 97. Distal plate 94 is configured with a proximally extending guide rod 93, which is adapted to be receivable within cavity 107 formed within closed portion 102 of outer shell 103. Cavity 107, which may be of a tubular cross section or of any other desired configuration such as of a square or rectangular cross section, may be in communication with catch-receivable groove 69 (Fig. 7), so that guide rod 93 will apply a force to catch 72 to supplement the released force of helical spring 77 and thereby cause slide holder 67 to return to the starting position following performance of a cartridge loading action. Alternatively or in addition, guide rod 93 serves to deflect any obstacles that may have accumulated within catch- receivable groove 69 and that restrict motion of catch 72, preventing slide holder 67 from being sufficiently proximally displaced to lock into place. Distal plate 94 also serves to occlude the interior of slide holder 67 and receiver holder 89 to restrict the ingress thereto of dirt or other debris. Sections 92 and 97 may be interconnected by a curvilinear element 99 that facilitates locking the trigger guard. Figs. 10A and 10B illustrate holster apparatus 110 which is provided with a receiver holder safety lock 114. Safety lock 114 is pivotally connected to section 52 of receiver holder 119, and has a terminal concave abutment surface 116 adapted for manipulation by the user's right-hand thumb 107, but may also be pivotally connected to the other section of receiver holder 119, depending on the user's handedness. One transversal end of lock 114 is configured with a plurality of notches 111, e.g. sawtooth notches, which are engageable with complementary projections 117 provided at the adjacent transversal surface 115 of outer shell 113. When lock 114 is in a disengaged position, as shown in Fig. 10A, receiver holder 119 is able to be distally displaced in a first step of the pistol loading operation. Distal displacement of receiver holder 119 is prevented when notches 111 of lock 114 are engaged with projections 117 of outer shell 113 as shown in Fig. 10B.

Fig. 11A-C illustrate holster apparatus 120 which is provided with a trigger guard locking lever 124, for preventing inadvertent drawing of pistol 5 when holstered. Locking lever 124 may be positioned to the right of holster apparatus 120 as shown in Fig. 11A, or to the left of holster apparatus 120 as shown in Figs. 11B-C, depending on the handedness of the user. Locking lever 124 is configured with a concave surface 122 and with a planar abutting element 126 adjacent to concave surface 122, the latter being finger-engageable, as well as with a terminal thickened impeding element 128 formed at the backside of concave surface 122.

An elongated and three-dimensionally shaped support and protective cover 127 for locking lever 124 laterally projects from receiver holder 129. Locking lever 124, which may be of a complete or partial arcuate cross section, is pivotally connected to surface 131 of support 127 by transversally oriented pin 121. When abutting element 126 is pressed, usually by the user's index finger, locking lever 124 is pivoted about pin 121 such that impeding element 128 is introduced within the interior 15 of trigger guard 12, and a spring or any other suitable means fixes locking lever 124 in the pivoted position and prevents it from pivoting in an opposite direction. This spring (not shown) also returns locking lever 124 to the position shown in Fig. 11B. Locking lever 124 may also be configured to automatically pivot to the pivoted position when contacted by trigger guard 12 during introduction of pistol 5 within holster apparatus 120. In this pivoted position, the drawing of pistol 5 outwardly from holster apparatus 120 is prevented as a distal portion of trigger guard 12 will contact impeding element 128 and will therefore be unable to be additionally proximally displaced. It is noted that in the pivoted position, impeding element 128 is longitudinally spaced from trigger 7 and is unable to press on the trigger to cause inadvertent firing of a cartridge, particularly by virtue of the configuration of receiver holder 129 which limits the maximum distance within which the receiver is able to be introduced.

Abutting element 126 is disposed laterally outwardly from trigger guard interior 15 when locking lever 124 is set to the pivoted position, and, when pressed, will cause locking lever 124 to pivot about pin 121 to the released position shown in Figs. 11A-B. When locking lever 124 is in the released position, pistol 5 may be unimpededly drawn from holster apparatus 120.

Fig. 18 illustrates a holster apparatus 125 provided with a curvilinear dust shield 123 connected to, and extending proximally from, the periphery of distal plate 94. Dust shield 123, which may encircle outer shell 103 to a certain extent, serves to prevent infiltration of dust and obstructions to the slide holder and to the receiver holder when distally displaced during a pistol loading operation.

Fig. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a receiver holder 89, which is configured with a spring 82, or other resilient means, for preventing disengagement from the outer shell during displacement to an extreme position and for urging the receiver holder to the starting position after having been distally displaced. In this embodiment, the protrusion 84 longitudinally extending distally from decoupling element 62 is truncated or notched, and one end of spring 82 is connected to protrusion 84 and the other end of spring 82 is connected to a portion 88 of the outer shell which laterally extends inwardly from its tubular periphery. Spring 82 is compressed during distal displacement of receiver holder 89. While receiver holder 89 is held in the displaced position, the slide holder is distally displaced automatically under the influence of recoil energy to cause loading of a cartridge into the firing chamber. Afterwards, release of the potential energy of spring 82 causes receiver holder 89 to return to the starting position. The resistance provided by spring 82 is preferably sufficiently great to prevent unwanted distal movement unless the user applies a distally directed force that overcomes the spring resistance.

Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 19, holster apparatus 205 is configured with a longitudinally extending spring 212 which is located externally to outer shell 103. The first end of spring 212 is connected to receiver holder 129, and the second end of spring 212 is connected to distal plate 94, which may be fixed to outer shell 103. Spring 212 becomes compressed during distal displacement of receiver holder 129. While receiver holder 129 is held in the displaced position, the slide holder is distally displaced automatically under the influence of recoil energy to cause loading of a cartridge into the firing chamber. Afterwards, release of the potential energy of spring 212 causes receiver holder 129 to return to the starting position.

Figs. 12-17 illustrate six different attachment means, respectively, that are connected to the outer shell.

In Fig. 12, holster apparatus 130 comprises a belt attachment 135 for left hand shooters that is connected to the closed portion 32 of outer shell 13.

In Fig. 13, holster apparatus 140 comprises a belt attachment 145 for left hand shooters that is connected to the tubular periphery 24 of outer shell 13.

In Fig. 14, holster apparatus 150 comprises a belt attachment 155 for right hand shooters that is connected to the tubular periphery 24 of outer shell 13. Belt attachment 155 is releasably connected to outer shell 13 by screws, or any other suitable type of fasteners, which are introducible through corresponding apertures 151 formed in belt attachment 155 and apertures 156 formed in outer shell 13 in order to be secured by means such as internal threading. Alternatively, other types of suitable releasable connection means may be employed. In this fashion, belt attachment 155, or any other attachment means described herein, may be customized to the user's size and shooting preferences.

In Fig. 15, holster apparatus 160 comprises a thigh attachment 165 which is suitably arranged for left hand shooters and which is connected to the closed portion 32 of outer shell 13. Thigh attachment 165 is configured with a planar element 161, which is formed with two longitudinally spaced apertures 166 and 167, e.g. rectangular, to be fed with a corresponding thigh strap 168 engageable with the left thigh and securable to a peripheral region of outer shell 13, and with two transversally apertures 169a and 169b to be fed with a corresponding strap 171 that is securable to the user's belt. Holster apparatus 160 may be easily reconfigured for use by right hand shooters by detaching thigh attachment 165 from outer shell 13, inverting thigh attachment 165 so that apertures 166 and 167 will be positioned to the right of the user, and then reattaching thigh attachment 165 to outer shell 13.

In Fig. 16, holster apparatus 180 comprises a side attachment 185 which is securable to a vehicle or other platform and which is configured similarly as thigh attachment 165 of Fig. 15, but with a plurality of longitudinally spaced circular apertures 188 through which a securing bolt is introducible. Side attachment 185 is invertible for use by a user of different handedness.

In Fig. 17, holster apparatus 190 comprises a front attachment 195 which is securable to a vehicle or another platform.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Pistol-loading holster apparatus, comprising:

a) a stationary outer shell;

b) a slide holder for releasably holding a slide of a pistol; and

c) a receiver holder for releasably holding a receiver of the pistol,

wherein said slide holder and said receiver holder are independently longitudinally slidable along said outer shell, and are configured to cause, when the pistol is holstered by said apparatus and said receiver holder is distally displaced, said slide holder to be automatically displaced distally while energy of a recoil spring of the pistol which was compressed during distal displacement of said receiver holder to be released, due to an interconnection of the slide and receiver internally within the pistol, and a cartridge to be loaded into a firing chamber of the pistol in response to distal displacement of the slide held by said slide holder.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell has a proximal face and a hollow interior to accommodate positioning therewithin of the slide holder and of the receiver holder through a dedicated aperture formed in said proximal face, said aperture defining a closed portion for accommodating a sight-receivable notch of the slide holder and an open portion to facilitate introduction of the pistol into the holster apparatus.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the proximal face is formed with first and second sets of straight grooves that longitudinally extend from said proximal face, longitudinally extending protrusions projecting laterally outwardly from a corresponding planar slide holder wall being configured to facilitate slidable engagement with corresponding straight grooves of said first set, and longitudinally extending protrusions projecting laterally outwardly from a corresponding planar receiver holder wall being configured to facilitate slidable engagement with corresponding straight grooves of said second set.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for selectively decoupling the slide holder from the outer shell following distal displacement of the receiver holder by more than a predetermined distance from a predetermined starting position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the decoupling means comprise mechanical, electronic, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or magnetic means, or a combination thereof.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the mechanical decoupling means are configured as a release lever which is pivotally connected by a laterally disposed pin to a central region of a planar inner wall of the outer shell which is laterally spaced from an adjacent slide holder wall and terminates with a detent, said detent being in abutment with a locking protrusion positioned proximally with respect to said detent when the slide holder is disposed at a predetermined starting position and said release lever is biased to an extreme pivotal position, to couple the slide holder with the outer shell and to thereby prevent distal displacement of the slide holder, wherein said locking protrusion protrudes towards the receiver holder from an adjacent longitudinally extending slide holder protrusion.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the release lever is arcuate, the apparatus further comprising an oblique decoupling element extending from one of the longitudinally extending receiver holder protrusions towards the adjacent longitudinally extending slide holder protrusion, said decoupling element being proximally spaced from the release lever when the receiver holder is disposed at the starting position and adapted to contact a portion of the release lever that is positioned proximally to the laterally disposed pin following distal displacement of the receiver holder by more than the predetermined distance from the starting position, causing the release lever to rotate away from the extreme pivotal position and the detent to be released from the locking protrusion and allowing the slide holder to be unrestrainedly displaced distally under influence of the released recoil energy.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiver holder is saddle-shaped with symmetrical right and left sections which are interconnected by a restraining element adapted to support and restrain a trigger guard of the pistol after the receiver has been inserted into the receiver holder.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the receiver holder is configured with a distal plate which transversally extends to the closed portion of the outer shell and which is substantially perpendicular to the right and left sections to restrict the ingress of debris into an interior of the slide holder and of the receiver holder.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a dust shield connected to, and extending proximally from, peripheral regions of the distal plate in such a way so as to encircle the outer shell.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a safety lock pivotally connected to one of the sections of the receiver holder and selectively engageable with, and disengageable from, the outer shell to prevent unwanted distal displacement of the receiver holder.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first and second movable retaining means operatively connected to the slide holder and receiver holder, respectively, to prevent disengagement thereof from the outer shell during displacement to an extreme position.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a trigger guard locking lever for preventing inadvertent drawing of the pistol when holstered.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising attachment means that are connected both to the outer shell and to a mount to facilitate accessibility of the pistol desired to be manipulated.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the outer shell has a tubular periphery.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the attachment means are detachable from the outer shell and invertible to facilitate reconfiguration of the apparatus for use by a user of different handedness.