FIREARM HOLSTERING SYSTEMS HAVING HOLSTER ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS THAT ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO FIREARM HOLSTERS

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part (CIP) patent application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 19/068, 132, filed Mar. 3, 2025, and titled FIREARM HOLSTERING SYSTEMS HAVING HOLSTER ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS THAT ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO FIREARM HOLSTERS, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/560,885, filed Mar. 4, 2024, and titled FIREARM HOLSTERING SYSTEMS HAVING HOLSTER ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS THAT ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO FIREARM HOLSTERS; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The present application is related to a U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/991,638, filed Mar. 3, 2025, and titled FIREARM HOLSTERING SYSTEMS HAVING HOLSTER ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS THAT ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO FIREARM HOLSTERS.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to firearm equipment. Particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm holstering systems having holster attachment components that are pivotally connected to firearm holsters.

BACKGROUND

Various holsters have been developed to hold firearms. One particular type of holster is a drop leg holster, which is designed to hold a firearm securely on the thigh of a person. Typically, the drop leg holster is strapped around the person's thigh and also connected to a belt or harness around the person's waist. These types of holsters are often used by persons who require quick access to their firearms while also needing to maintain mobility, such as during tactical operations or outdoor activities.

There is a continuing need to provide improvements to holsters for firearms. In particular, there is a need to improve holsters to provide individuals with more convenient and quicker access to holstered firearms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a firearm holstering system with a firearm holster removed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIG. 1 with a stand-off component at a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIG. 1 but with a holster attached thereto;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIG. 1 but with a holster attached thereto;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIG. 4 but being worn by a person;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the firearm holstering system being worn by the person as shown in FIG. 6 but with the person in a sitting position;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system being worn by the seated person as shown in FIG. 7 but with the holstered firearm is rotated to face downward;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view of the belt piece, the front panel, and the back panel assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a front view of another firearm holstering system with a firearm holster removed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIG. 10 with the stand-off component at a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction;

FIG. 12 is a back view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIGS.

10-12 but with a holster attached thereto;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the firearm holstering system shown in FIGS. 10-13 but with a holster attached thereto;

FIG. 15 is an exploded, perspective view of the belt piece and the holster panel assembly shown in FIGS. 11-14;

FIG. 16 is a front view of another holster panel and the stand-off component assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is another front view of the holster panel and the stand-off component assembly shown in FIG. 16 but in a different position than shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the holster panel shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 with a holster attached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is another front view of the holster panel and the holster shown in FIG. 18 attached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a front view of another holster panel and the stand-off component assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is another front view of the holster panel and the stand-off component assembly shown in FIG. 20 but in a different position than shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the holster panel shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 with a holster attached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is another front view of the holster panel and the holster shown in FIG. 18 attached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is an exploded, perspective view of the holster panel and the stand-off component assembly shown in FIGS. 16 and 17; and

FIG. 25 is an exploded, perspective view of the holster panel and the stand-off component assembly shown in FIGS. 20 and 21.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm holstering systems having holster attachment components that are pivotally connected to firearm holsters. According to an aspect, a firearm holstering system includes a belt attachment component configured for attachment to a belt. The belt attachment component defines a guide. The system also includes a holster attachment component that is pivotally connected to the belt attachment component. The holster attachment component is configured to pivotally connect to a firearm holster. The holster attachment component includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the firearm holster in at least two different positions with respect to the holster attachment component. Further, the system includes a slider attached to the holster attachment component and positioned within the guide for movement within the guide during pivot of the holster attachment component with respect to the belt attachment component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is made with reference to the figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations in the description that follows.

Articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means at least one element and can include more than one element.

“About” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical endpoint by providing that a given value may be “slightly above” or “slightly below” the endpoint without affecting the desired result.

The use herein of the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the elements listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional elements. Embodiments recited as “including,” “comprising,” or “having” certain elements are also contemplated as “consisting essentially of” and “consisting” of those certain elements.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range is stated as between 1%-50%, it is intended that values such as between 2%-40%, 10%-30%, or 1%-3%, etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between and including the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

Firearm holstering systems disclosed herein can provide more convenient and quicker access to holstered firearms. In accordance with embodiments, firearm holsters disclosed herein are a type of drop leg holster having a holster attachment component that is pivotally connected to the firearm holster. This permits the firearm to be moved for more convenient and quick access whether the person is in a standing, seated or other position. Particularly, the holstered firearm can be moved to a preferred position for access by rotating it about the pivot and locking it in place at the preferred position.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a firearm holstering system 100 with a firearm holster removed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The firearm holster is removed for convenience of illustration. Referring to FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a belt piece 102 (i.e., a belt attachment component), a holster front panel 104 and back panel 106 (which together form a holster attachment component, generally designated 108), and a belt connector hub 110. The belt connector hub 110 has a pivot mechanism that is pivotal about point 112 which permits the holster attachment component 108 (i.e., the assembly of the front panel 104 and the back panel 106) to rotate with respect to the belt piece 102 about the pivot 112. During use, the belt piece 102 is strapped to a person's waist, and the holster attachment component 110 is strapped to the person's leg. Thus, rotation about the pivot 112 of the belt connector hub 110 permits the holster attachment component 110 to move along with the person's thigh.

The belt piece 102 defines two apertures 114 and 116 through which a person's waist belt (not shown) can be threaded for holding the belt piece 102 to the wearer's waist. The holster front panel 104 defines apertures 118 and 120 through which a strap 122 is threaded for holding the belt connector hub 110 to the wearer's thigh. The strap 122 includes a tri-glide buckle 124 that enables the strap 122 to have an adjustable length. Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism may be utilized for enabling adjustable length. The strap 122 also include a side-release buckle with corresponding components 126A and 126B for securely connecting ends of the strap 122 together. Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism may be utilized for securely connecting ends of the strap 122 together.

The strap 122 can be made of a flexible material such as Nylon, leather, canvas, rubber, polyester, polypropylene, or any suitable material. The belt piece 102, holster front panel 104, holster back panel 106, and/or other materials of the firearm holstering system 100 can be made of any suitable rigid material, such as metal or durable plastics (e.g., polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxymethylene (POM, Acetal)).

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the holster attachment component 110 includes a stand-off component 128 configured for attachment of a holster (not shown). Particularly, the stand-off component 128 includes multiple posts 132A, 132B, and 132C onto which the holster can suitably attach. For example, the holster may define multiple holes that align with the posts 132A, 132B, and 132C for securing the holster to the posts 132A, 132B, and 132C, such as by screwing. In this example, the holster attachment component 110 includes 3 posts in a triangular-shaped arrangement but alternatively may include any suitable number of posts of any suitable size and in any suitable arrangement.

The stand-off component 128 includes a locking mechanism having a rotation mechanism that can lock the firearm holster in various positions with respect to the holster attachment component 110. Particularly, the rotation mechanism permits rotation of the firearm holster about a pivot 130. The posts 132A, 132B, and 132C can rotate about the pivot, and the holster can rotate accordingly. Thereby, the firearm (while in the holster) can be rotated to a desired position for convenient access whether the person is in a standing, seated or other position. Particularly, the holstered firearm can be moved to a preferred position for access by rotating it about the pivot 102 and locking it in place at the desired position.

The stand-off component 128 defines two abutments 134A and 134B that function to stop the rotation of the stand-off component 128 at the two maximum points of rotation. The abutment 134A prevents the rotation of the stand-off component 128 at a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction. Conversely, the abutment 134B prevents the rotation of the stand-off component 128 at a maximum point of rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the stand-off component 128 is positioned at a location mid-way between the two maximum points of rotation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 100 shown in FIG. 1 with the stand-off component 128 at a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction. Referring to FIG. 2, a lower portion 200 of the stand-off component 128 is abutted against the abutment 134A. In this position, the stand-off component 128 cannot be further rotated in the clockwise direction.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the firearm holstering system 100 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 100 shown in FIG. 1 but with a holster 400 attached thereto. Referring to FIG. 4, the holster 400 includes a fastener 402 for holding a firearm in place once received into opening end 404 into its final holding place within the holster 400. In this example, the fastener 402 is a snap fastener. Double arrow 406 indicates the two different directions of rotation of the holster 400 about pivot 130 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the holster 400 is upright as in a position when the stand-off component 128 is in the position shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 100 shown in FIG. 1 but with a holster 400 attached thereto. Referring to FIG. 5, the holster 400 is positioned with the opening 404 facing to the right as when the stand-off component 128 is in the position shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 100 shown in FIG. 4 but being worn by a person 600. Referring to FIG. 6, the person 600 is standing. Also, the holster is positioned upright in a ready position for the person 600 to access a holstered firearm 602. The strap 122 is secured to the thigh of the person 600. Also, the belt piece 102 is attached to a belt 604 of the person.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 100 being worn by the person 600 as shown in FIG. 6 but with the person 600 in a sitting position. Referring to FIG. 7, the holstered firearm 602 is rotated in the same position as shown in FIG. 6 such that it faces forward. In contrast, FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 100 being worn by the seated person 600 as shown in FIG. 7 but with the holstered firearm 602 is rotated to face downward.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the belt piece 102, the front panel 104, and the back panel 106 assembly shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 8, the belt connector hub, includes a back cap 900 with a protrusion 902 for attachment to a front portion 904. The back cap 900, when attached to the front portion 904 can hold the belt piece 102 and permit rotation of the belt piece 102 with respect to the front panel 104 and the back panel 106.

With continuing reference to FIG. 9, the front panel 104 and the back panel 106 can be attached together by an attachment assembly that includes screws 906A and 906B that can screw into threaded components 908A and 908B, respectively. The screws 906A and 906B can be screwed into threaded components 908A and 908B, respectively, for holding together the front panel 104 and the back panel 106.

It is noted that the protrusion 802 of the back cap 900 can be selectively inserted into one of multiple apertures 910A, 910B, or 910C to thereby adjust a height of the lower assembly of the front panel 104 and the back panel 106, which holds the firearm and its holster.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of another firearm holstering system 1000 with a firearm holster removed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The firearm holster is removed for convenience of illustration. Referring to FIG. 10, the system 1000 includes a belt piece 1002, a holster panel 1004, and a belt connector hub 1006. Generally, the belt piece 1002, the holster panel 1004, and the belt connector hub 1006 and any other components described herein for attaching the system 1000 to a belt may also be referred to as a “belt attachment component”. The belt connector hub 1006 has a pivot mechanism that is pivotal about point 1008 which permits the holster panel 1004 to rotate with respect to the belt piece 1002 about the pivot 1008. During use, the belt piece 1002 is strapped to a person's waist, and the holster panel 1004 is strapped to the person's leg. Thus, rotation about the pivot 1008 permits the holster panel 1004 to move along with the person's thigh.

The belt piece 1002 defines two apertures 1010 and 1012 through which a person's waist belt (not shown) can be threaded for holding the belt piece 0102 to the wearer's waist. The holster panel 1004 defines apertures 1014 and 1016 through which a strap 1018 is threaded for holding the belt holster panel 1004 to the wearer's thigh. The strap 1018 includes a tri-glide buckle 1020 that enables the strap 1018 to have an adjustable length. Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism may be utilized for enabling adjustable length. The strap 1018 also include a side-release buckle with corresponding components 1022A and 1022B for securely connecting ends of the strap 1018 together. Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism may be utilized for securely connecting ends of the strap 1018 together.

The strap 1018 can be made of a flexible material such as Nylon, leather, canvas, rubber, polyester, polypropylene, or any suitable material. The belt piece 1002 and the holster panel 1004, and/or other materials of the firearm holstering system 1000 can be made of any suitable rigid material, such as metal or durable plastics (e.g., polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxymethylene (POM, Acetal)).

With continuing reference to FIG. 10, the holster panel 1004 includes a stand-off component 1024 configured for attachment of a holster (not shown). Generally, the stand-off component 1024 and other components providing similar functionality may also be referred to as a “holster attachment component” due to the functionality of attaching a belt attachment component to a holster as described in examples herein. Particularly, the stand-off component 1024 includes multiple posts 1026A, 1026B, and 1026C onto which the holster can suitably attach. For example, the holster may define multiple holes that align with the posts 1026A, 1026B, and 1026C for securing the holster to the posts 1026A, 1026B, and 1026C, such as by screwing. In this example, the stand-off component 1024 includes 3 posts in a triangular-shaped arrangement but alternatively may include any suitable number of posts of any suitable size and in any suitable arrangement.

The stand-off component 1024 includes a locking mechanism having a rotation mechanism that can lock the firearm holster in various positions with respect to the stand-off component 1024. Particularly, the rotation mechanism permits rotation of the firearm holster about a pivot 1028. The posts 1026A, 1026B, and 1026C can rotate about the pivot 1028, and the holster can rotate accordingly. Thereby, the firearm (while in the holster) can be rotated to a desired position for convenient access whether the person is in a standing, seated or other position. Particularly, the holstered firearm can be moved to a preferred position for access by rotating it about the pivot 1028 and locking it in place at the desired position.

The stand-off component 1024 defines two abutments 1030A and 1030B that function to stop the rotation of the stand-off component 1024 at the two maximum points of rotation. The abutment 1030A prevents the rotation of the stand-off component 1024 at a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction. Conversely, the abutment 1030B prevents the rotation of the stand-off component 1024 at a maximum point of rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the stand-off component 1024 is positioned at a location mid-way between the two maximum points of rotation.

Now with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the holster panel 1004 defines a guide 1032. Although not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the system 1000 includes a slider (designated 1504 in FIG. 15, 2400 in FIGS. 24, and 2500 in FIG. 25) that is attached to the stand-off component 1024 (or holster attachment component) and positioned within the guide 1032 for movement within the guide 1032 during pivot of the stand-off component 1024 (or holster attachment component) with respect to the belt holster panel 1004 (or belt attachment component). The guide 1032 is arc-shaped in this example, but it should be understood that the guide 1032 can be any suitable shape or size for guiding a lower part of the stand-off component 1024 during its movement and holding a lower portion of the stand-off component 1024 to the stand-off component 1024 (or holster attachment component).

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 1000 shown in FIG. 10 with the stand-off component 1024 at a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction. Referring to FIG. 11, a lower portion of the stand-off component 1024 is abutted against the abutment 1030A. In this position, the stand-off component 1024 cannot be further rotated in the clockwise direction.

FIG. 12 illustrates a back view of the firearm holstering system 1000 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 1000 shown in FIGS. 10-12 but with a holster 1300 attached thereto. Referring to FIG. 4, the holster 1300 includes a fastener 1302 for holding a firearm in place once received in its place within the holster 1300. In FIG. 13, the holster 1300 is upright as in a position when the stand-off component 1024 is in the position shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering system 1000 shown in FIGS. 10-13 but with a holster 1300 attached thereto. Referring to FIG. 14, the holster 1300 is positioned with its opening facing to the right as when the stand-off component 1024 is in the position shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the belt piece 1002 and the holster panel 1004 assembly shown in FIGS. 11-14. Referring to FIG. 15, a back cap 1500 with a protrusion 1500 can attach the belt piece 1002 to the holster panel 1004. The back cap 1500, when attached to the front portion 904, can hold the belt piece 1002 and permit rotation of the belt piece 1002 with respect to the holster panel 1004.

With continuing reference to FIG. 15, screws 1506A and 1506B can be screwed into threaded components 1508A and 1508B, respectively, for holding together the holster panel 1004 and the stand-off component 1024. This arrangement permits rotational movement within a guide 1510.

In this example, slider 1504 is a thread component, and configured to receive screw 1510. This arrangement permits rotational movement within the guide 1032.

It is noted that the protrusion 1502 of the back cap 1500 can be selectively inserted into one of multiple apertures 1512A, 1512B, or 1512C to thereby adjust a height of the lower assembly of the holster panel 1004, which holds the firearm and its holster.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of another holster panel 1600 and the stand-off component 1602 assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 16, the assembly is in the same position as the assembly shown in FIGS. 10 and 13.

FIG. 17 illustrates another front view of the holster panel 1600 and the stand-off component 1602 assembly shown in FIG. 16 but in a different position than shown in FIG. 16. Referring to FIG. 17, the assembly is in the same position as the assembly shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 illustrates a front view of the holster panel 1600 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 with a holster 1800 attached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates another front view of the holster panel 1600 and the holster 1800 shown in FIG. 18 attached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 19, the holster 1800 is in a different position as shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 illustrates a front view of another holster panel 2000 and the stand-off component 2002 assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 20, the assembly is in the same position as the assembly shown in FIGS. 10 and 13.

FIG. 21 illustrates another front view of the holster panel 2000 and the stand-off component 2002 assembly shown in FIG. 20 but in a different position than shown in FIG. 16. Referring to FIG. 21, the assembly is in the same position as the assembly shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of the holster panel 2000 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 with a holster 2200 attached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates another front view of the holster panel 2000 and the holster 2200 shown in FIG. 18 attached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 23, the holster 2200 is in a different position.

FIG. 24 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the holster panel 1600 and the stand-off component 1602 assembly shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Referring to FIG. 24, screws 1604A-1604C can be screwed into threaded components 2400 and 1606A and 1606B, respectively, for holding together the holster panel 1600 and the stand-off component 1602.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the holster panel 2500 and the stand-off component 2502 assembly shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. Referring to FIG. 25, screws 2504A-2504C can be screwed into threaded components 2400 and 2506A and 2506B, respectively, for holding together the holster panel 2500 and the stand-off component 2502.

While the embodiments have been described in connection with the various embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used, or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.