Firearm Holster with Adjustable Insert

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/553,795, filed Feb. 15, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to holsters for firearms and more particularly to a firearm holster with one or more adjustable inserts for accommodating various firearms having different sizes, features, and/or accessories coupled thereto.

BACKGROUND

Firearm holsters often may be used for storing a firearm, such as a handgun (e.g., a pistol, revolver, semiautomatic, etc.), relative to a user's body in a relatively secure but accessible manner. Certain types of holsters may be specifically designed to accommodate a particular model of firearm having a particular size and configuration. In this manner, the holster may include features specifically sized and arranged to complement mating features of the intended model of firearm and thus may provide a more secure fit when the intended firearm is received within the holster as compared to when other firearm models having different sizes, configurations, and/or features are received within the holster. Other types of holsters may be of a more universal design, allowing storage of various different models of firearms having different sizes, configurations, and features. As a result, such holsters generally may provide a more secure fit when used with certain firearm models and a less secure fit when used with other firearm models. The challenges in designing a firearm holster that provides a secure fit for multiple different models of firearms may be even greater when the holster is intended to receive a firearm along with one or more accessories mounted thereto, such as a light, a laser, a sight, or another type of firearm-mounted accessory.

A need, therefore, exists for improved firearm holsters and related methods for securely accommodating various firearms having different sizes, features, and/or accessories coupled thereto, which may overcome one or more of the above-mentioned challenges associated with existing firearm holsters and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating examples of the disclosure, in which use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or identical items. Certain examples of the present disclosure may include elements, components, and/or configurations other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some of the elements, components, and/or configurations illustrated in the drawings may not be present in certain examples.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a firearm holster according to one or more examples of the disclosure, with the firearm holster including a holster body, a fitting, a clip, a plurality of inserts, and a plurality of fasteners.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A, with a portion of the holster illustrated in phantom view, showing the inserts in a first position relative to the holster body.

FIG. 1D is a side view of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A, with a portion of the holster illustrated in phantom view, showing the inserts in a second position relative to the holster body.

FIG. 1E is a side view of the holster body and the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional top view of the holster body and the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A, taken along line F-F in FIG. 1E.

FIG. 1G is a perspective view of one of the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1H is a top view of one of the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1I is a bottom view of one of the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1J is a side view of one of the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1K is another side view of one of the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1L is an end view of one of the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1M is another end view of one of the inserts of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A and a firearm partially received within the firearm holster, showing a portion of the holster body in phantom view.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a portion of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A and the firearm of FIG. 2A partially received within the firearm holster.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the firearm holster of FIG. 1A and another firearm partially received within the firearm holster, showing a portion of the holster body in phantom view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth, describing some examples consistent with the present disclosure. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that some examples may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. The specific examples disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. One skilled in the art may realize other examples that, although not specifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of this disclosure. In addition, to avoid unnecessary repetition, one or more features shown and described in association with one example may be incorporated into other examples unless specifically described otherwise or if the one or more features would make an example non-functional. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the examples.

The present disclosure provides firearm holsters and related methods for storing a firearm, such as a handgun, relative to a user's body in a secure but accessible manner. As described herein, a firearm holster may include a holster body and one or more adjustable inserts for accommodating various firearms having different sizes, features, and/or accessories coupled thereto. The adjustable insert(s) may be moved relative to the holster body to different positions for securely accommodating different firearms and/or accessories. For example, the adjustable insert(s) may be disposed, relative to the holster body, in a first position for securely accommodating a first firearm and a second position for securely accommodating a different, second firearm. In this manner, the disclosed firearm holster may overcome one or more of the above-described challenges associated with existing firearm holsters and methods. Particular advantages and benefits of the firearm holsters and methods disclosed herein will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present description and the appended drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1M depict a firearm holster 100 and components thereof according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. FIGS. 2A-3 show the firearm holster 100 used with two different example firearms F.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1M, the firearm holster 100 may include a holster body 110, a fitting 130, a plurality of fasteners 132, a clip 140, a plurality of fasteners 142, one or more inserts 150, and a plurality of fasteners 162. As described herein, the insert(s) 150 may be adjustable relative to the holster body 110, allowing the insert(s) 150 to be adjusted to different positions for securely accommodating various firearms having different sizes, features, and/or accessories coupled thereto.

As shown, the holster body 110 may have an elongated shape, with a top end 111 and a bottom end 112 disposed opposite one another, a front end 113 and a rear end 114 disposed opposite one another, and a first lateral side 115 and a second lateral side 116 disposed opposite one another. The holster body 110 may include a first lateral wall 117 and a second lateral wall 118 disposed opposite one another. As shown, the first lateral wall 117 and the second lateral wall 118 each may extend from the top end 111 to the bottom end 112 and from the front end 113 to the rear end 114. In some examples, as shown, the first lateral wall 117 and the second lateral wall 118 may be integrally formed with one another. According to the illustrated example, the first lateral wall 117 and the second lateral wall 118 may be integrally couples to one another along the front end 113 of the holster body 110 and coupled to one another via the fitting 130 and the fasteners 132 along the rear end 114 of the holster body 110. As shown, the holster body 110 may define a receptacle 119 configured to receive a portion of a firearm therein, with the first lateral wall 117 and the second lateral wall 118 each partially defining the receptacle 119.

The holster body 110 may include a plurality of elongated slots 121 defined in one or more walls of the holster body 110, such as the first lateral wall 117 and/or the second lateral wall 118. As shown, the holster body 110 may include a pair of first slots 121 defined in the first lateral wall 117 and a pair of second slots 121 defined in the second lateral wall 118. The first slots 121 may extend parallel to one another in a direction from the front end 113 toward the rear end 114 of the holster body 110. In a similar manner, the second slots 121 may extend parallel to one another in the direction from the front end 113 toward the rear end 114 of the holster body 110. As shown, the first slots 121 and the second slots 121 may be disposed opposite one another. As described below, the slots 121 may facilitate adjustment of the insert(s) 150 relative to the holster body 110.

The fitting 130 and the fasteners 132 may couple the first lateral wall 117 and the second lateral wall 118 to one another along the rear end 114 of the holster body 110. In some examples, as shown, the fasteners 132 may be screws, although other suitable types of fasteners may be used. The clip 140 may be configured to removably secure the firearm holster 100 relative to a user of the holster 100, for example, by securing to a belt or article of clothing worn by the user. As shown, the clip 140 may be coupled to the holster body 110 by the fasteners 142. In some examples, as shown, the clip 140 may be coupled to the first lateral wall 117. In other examples, the clip 140 may be secured to the second lateral wall 118. In some examples, as shown, the fasteners 142 may be screws, although other suitable types of fasteners may be used.

According to the illustrated example, the firearm holster 100 may include a pair of the inserts 150, although a single insert 150 or more than two of the inserts 150 may be used in other examples. As shown, the firearm holster 100 may include a first insert 150 movably coupled to the first lateral wall 117 of the holster body 110 by a pair of the fasteners 162, and a second insert 150 movably coupled to the second lateral wall 118 of the holster body 110 by a pair of the fasteners 162, with the first and second inserts 150 being disposed opposite one another. The inserts 150 may be disposed at least partially within the receptacle 119 of the holster body 110 and configured to engage a portion of a firearm received within the receptacle 119. As shown, the inserts 150 may be disposed entirely within the receptacle 119. The inserts 150 may be configured to selectively move along the slots 121 for adjusting the inserts 150 relative to the holster body 110. As shown, the first insert 150 may be movably coupled to the first lateral wall 117 by the fasteners 162 extending through the first slots 121, and the second insert 150 may be movably coupled to the second lateral wall 118 by the fasteners 162 extending through the second slots 121. In some examples, as shown, the fasteners 162 may be screws, although other suitable types of fasteners may be used. The fasteners 162 may be tightened to selectively secure positions of the inserts 150 relative to the respective lateral walls 117, 118 of the holster body 110. When adjustment of the inserts 150 is desired, for example, to allow the firearm holster 100 to securely accommodate a different type of firearm, the fasteners 162 may be loosened, the inserts 150 may be translated along the respective slots 121 to desired positions relative to the holster body 110, and the fasteners 162 may be tightened again.

As shown, each of the inserts 150 may be formed as an elongated member having a first end 151 and a second end 152 disposed opposite one another, and an inner side 153 and an outer side 154 disposed opposite one another. The inner side 153 may be configured to engage a portion of a firearm received within the receptacle 119, while the outer side 154 may be configured to engage the holster body 110, such as the respective lateral wall 117, 118 to which the insert 150 is coupled. As shown, each of the inserts 150 may include a base 155 extending from the first end 151 to the second end 152, and a pair of arms 156 coupled to the base 155 and spaced apart from one another. Each of the arms 156 may define an opening 157 and a recess 158. Each opening 157 may extend through the respective arm 156 and may be configured to receive one of the fasteners 162 therethrough for coupling the insert 150 to the holster body 110 via one of the slots 121. In some examples, such as when the fasteners 162 are screws, the recess 158 may be configured to receive a mating nut therein for receiving the screw. The shape and configuration of the insert 150 may be provided to securely retain a portion of a firearm received within the receptacle 119, while also facilitating insertion of the firearm into and removal of the firearm from the receptacle 119. In some instances, the inserts may be generally curved between the base 155 and the pair of arms 156 to as to at least partially wrap around a firearm or accessory attached thereto. As shown, the ends 151, 152 of the insert 150 may be tapered or otherwise contoured to facilitate holstering and drawing of a firearm. According to the illustrated example, both the base 155 and the arms 156 may be tapered or contoured along the ends 151, 152.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the firearm holster 100 configured for use with a firearm F having an accessory mounted thereto. As shown, the accessory may be a light L mounted to a rail of the firearm F, and the holster body 110 may be configured to accommodate the light L along with the firearm F. For example, the lateral walls 117, 118 of the holster body 110 may be sized and shaped to accommodate the light L along with the firearm F. Adjustment of the firearm holster 100 to securely accommodate the firearm F with the light L may be carried out by loosening the fasteners 162, inserting the firearm F into the receptacle 119, translating the inserts 150 along the slots 121 such that the inserts 150 contact a slide S of the firearm F, and then tightening the fasteners 162 to maintain the respective positions of the inserts 150. In this manner, the firearm F may be securely retained by the firearm holster 100, specifically the holster body 110 and the inserts 150 thereof, although the holster 100 may allow the firearm F to be withdrawn from and reinserted into the holster 100 by a user, when desired.

FIG. 3 illustrates the firearm holster 100 configured for use with another firearm F having an accessory, in particular a light L, mounted thereto. As shown, the lateral walls 117, 118 of the holster body 110 may be sized and shaped to accommodate the light L along with the firearm F. Similar to the process described above, adjustment of the firearm holster 100 to securely accommodate the firearm F with the light L may be carried out by loosening the fasteners 162, inserting the firearm F into the receptacle 119, translating the inserts 150 along the slots 121 such that the inserts 150 contact a slide S of the firearm F, and then tightening the fasteners 162 to maintain the respective positions of the inserts 150. In this manner, the firearm F may be securely retained by the firearm holster 100, specifically the holster body 110 and the inserts 150 thereof, although the holster 100 may allow the firearm F to be withdrawn from and reinserted into the holster 100 by a user, when desired. Collectively, FIGS. 2A-3 show how the firearm holster 100 may be used for securely accommodating two different firearms having different sizes and features. These are merely examples, as the firearm holster 100 may be used for securely accommodating various other firearms having different sizes, features, and/or accessories coupled thereto.

Although specific examples of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative examples are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, examples of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although examples have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the examples. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples could include, while other examples may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples.