Trigger Access Guard

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a weapon such as a pistol is holstered, the trigger guard and trigger are normally accessible along the back of the bottom wall of the holster, for example as seen in FIG. 1 depicting prior art. It can be seen that the holster has an opening in which the bottom and the sides of the trigger guard are exposed. This access is provided so that the user can readily grasp and draw the weapon; the user puts three fingers on the weapon's grip, and the index finger inside the trigger guard, while drawing.

But this access also enables unintended access by an unauthorized person, which is very undesirable. Someone can, for example insert a finger or a string into the open space, or any other foreign object. This is because the holster body dimensions are selected to fit a particular weapon and light combination. This includes, importantly, the width of the holster body; it has to be wide enough to allow passage of a light, which almost always is substantially wider than the trigger guard.

The access guard of the present invention acts to reduce, minimize, or even block access to the trigger guard space via the bottom opening. The access guard is designed to do this while still allowing the user to quickly and properly access the trigger of the holstered weapon.

The access guard extends across the bottom opening of the trigger guard area. The access guard in this position blocks access to the trigger guard area, from the bottom. As a result, it is not possible, for example, to insert a finger upward into the trigger guard area when the weapon is holstered; unintended access is prevented.

But the access guard does not block an authorized user's access to the TG space as is needed for drawing the weapon. This is because the portion of the access guard that extends across the bottom opening is flexible, resilient, and deformable. It can be pushed upward by the user's finger that is uppermost on the weapon's grip, relative to the fixed wall portions of the holster—far enough so that the user can draw the weapon from the holster and ready it for use without needing to substantially reset the user's hand on the weapon.

When the weapon is being drawn, the portion of the user's hand that pushes the flexible part of the access guard upward and out of the way, is a finger that extends laterally across the holster and across the trigger guard space. The flexible part of the access guard is able to deflect upwardly to allow this desired user access, when engaged by the user's finger in this manner. But the flexible part cannot be deflected upward enough to provide (unintended) trigger access to a single finger that is inserted vertically into the lateral space; the extent of the access guard across the entire space prevents this from happening.

The access guard thus enables the holster and user to defend the trigger of a holstered weapon, from any foreign object, whether it be a finger or string or something else attempting to find its way into the trigger guard or trigger area. With the access guard in place, even if someone were to pull down on the rear portion (flap) of the access guard with one hand and try to get one's finger into the trigger area with the other hand, one would find it extremely difficult. The access guard blocks access to the trigger space on both sides of the holster, and essentially moves back the opening to the holster an inch or more, where the foreign object has to fight with both the grip of the weapon and the device, to try and find the slightest opening; and even if it did, it then has to travel over an inch farther before it has even an opportunity to get to the trigger.

As a result, a user can still draw and operate the weapon in the desired manner, while unintended access is blocked.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a holster for a user's weapon that has a trigger guard and a trigger. The holster includes a holster body for receiving the weapon when it is holstered by the user, the holster body defining a chamber that includes a trigger area that receives the trigger guard and the trigger when the weapon is holstered, the trigger area having a bottom opening though which the trigger guard of a holstered weapon can be accessed. The holster also includes an access guard connected with the holster body adjacent to the trigger area, the access guard having a flexible portion extending across and covering the bottom opening of the trigger area.

In one aspect, the holster body portions adjacent the trigger area are made from a material that is much more rigid that the flexible material of the access cover.

In one aspect, the flexible portion of the access guard is movable by the user, when the user grips the holstered weapon, from a first position blocking access to the trigger area to a second position enabling access to the trigger area.

In one aspect, the holster body has first and second opposite side wall portions extending to a bottom wall of the holster body, the side wall portions and the bottom wall at least partially defining the boundaries of the trigger area, the side wall portions and the bottom wall defining the bottom opening of the trigger area.

In one aspect, the access guard has first and second edge portions that are secured on the holster body first and second side wall portions, respectively.

In one aspect, a forward edge portion of the access guard is secured on the holster body bottom wall between the holster body first and second side wall portions.

In one aspect, the flexible wall portion includes a section that forms a sloped ramp having an outer edge that engages a grip of a holstered weapon.

In one aspect, the location of the flexible wall portion with respect to the holster body is selected so that the flexible wall portion is engaged by the weapon grip when the weapon is holstered.

In one aspect, the access guard has a generally U-shaped configuration including two legs secured to the holster body and a base extending between the legs and forming the flexible portion of the access guard. The U-shape may extend substantially completely across the bottom opening of the trigger area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains, from a reading of the following Description together with the accompanying Drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a holster that is a first embodiment of the invention and including a trigger access guard, shown with a weapon holstered therein;

FIG. 2A is a pictorial view illustrating how the trigger access guard closes the bottom opening of the trigger space of the holster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a pictorial view similar to FIG. 2A showing a prior art holster for the same weapon as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the holster of FIG. 1 showing the trigger access guard spaced apart from the holster body′

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged opposite side views of a portion of the holster body showing the area where the trigger access guard is positioned;

FIGS. 6 through 9 are perspective views of the trigger access guard alone;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the holster of FIG. 1 with the weapon therein;

FIGS. 11a through 11C are a series of pictorial views illustrating the process of drawing the weapon from the holster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view through the trigger space of the holster of FIG. 1 with the weapon therein; and

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a holster with access guard that is a second embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-10 illustrate a holster 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention. The holster 10 (FIGS. 1 and 10) is configured for holstering a handgun or other weapon 12 having a trigger 14, a trigger guard 16, and a grip 18. The weapon carries a light 20. As described below in detail, the holster 10 also includes an access guard 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the holster 10 includes a holster body 40. The holster body in various embodiments may take different forms; it may be a one piece body, or a two piece body, for example. It may include some attachments or removable pieces or clamps, not necessarily relevant for these purposes. The holster body is made from a relatively thick, rigid material, much thicker and more rigid than the access guard 30. In one embodiment, the holster body thickness is around 0.094″ and is made of rigid material, for example PA66 plastic.

The holster body 40 includes opposite first and second side walls 42 and 44, and a bottom wall 46. The holster body defines a chamber 48 for receiving the weapon 12 in a holstered position in the chamber. An open entranceway 50 is formed at a first or back longitudinal end 52 of the holster 10 (to the left as viewed in FIG. 1) for holstering the weapon 12 and, in turn, drawing the holstered weapon from the holster. The muzzle of the weapon 12 when holstered is at an opposite second or forward longitudinal end 54 of the holster 10.

Rear portions 52 and 54 of the side walls 42 and 44, respectively (FIGS. 4 and 5), together with the holster bottom wall 46, define a part of the holster chamber 48, designated 70 herein, that is referred to herein as the “trigger space”. The trigger space 70 is the portion of the holster chamber 48 in which the trigger guard 16 and the trigger 14 are located when the weapon 12 is holstered. The trigger space 70 has a bottom opening 72 for enabling user access to the trigger space 70 to draw the weapon 12. As discussed above, it is important to block unintended access to this trigger space 70 when the weapon is holstered. As described below in detail, the access guard 30 is provided to cover the bottom opening 72.

In this particular embodiment, the side wall rear portions 52 and 54 are different from each other. This can be seen in a comparison of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The right side wall rear portion 52 has a bottom edge that extends generally front to back of the holster 10, while the left side wall rear portion 54 has a bottom edge that is more slanted. This difference results from other requirements of the holster body 40, but it does not affect the functioning of the access guard 30. The access guard 30 still covers the entire trigger space 70 and bottom opening 72. In other embodiments, this difference may not exist, or may be still different.

The holster body 40 has portions that are engaged by and that support the access guard 30. Specifically, the rear portion 52 of the first side wall 22 (FIG. 4) has on its outer surface a first recessed area or first channel 60, located laterally outward of the trigger space 70, that is open to the outside of the holster 10. An exterior surface 62 of the first side wall 22 forms the inner surface or boundary of the first channel 60. The first channel 60 extends down to the bottom opening 72 of the trigger space 70. At the top of the first channel 60 is a locking opening 64 that extends (through the holster body wall 22) into the chamber 48 from the outside. At the front edge of the first channel 60, a small tab 64 projects rearwardly into the first channel; the tab is spaced apart outwardly from the exterior surface 62, to define a gap between them. The first channel 60 has a generally rectangular configuration, although other configurations are possible.

On the opposite second side wall 24 of the holster 10 is a second channel 66 that is a mirror image of the first channel 60. Thus, the rear portion 54 of the second side wall 24 has on its outer surface a second recessed area or channel 66, located laterally outward of the trigger space 70, that is open to the outside of the holster 10. An exterior surface 68 of the second side wall 24 forms the inner surface or boundary of the second channel 66.

The second channel 66 extends down to the bottom of the trigger space 70. The second channel 66 has a lower edge. At the top of the second channel 66 is a locking slot 68 extending (through the holster body wall 24) into the chamber 48 from the outside. At the front edge of the second channel 66, a small tab 69 projects rearwardly into the second channel; the tab is spaced apart outwardly from the exterior surface, to define a gap between them.

The two channels 60 and 66 are on opposite sides of the trigger space 70. The bottom opening 72 extends laterally between the lower edge of the first channel 60 and the lower edge of the second channel 66.

As thus described, the two channels 60 and 66, together with the bottom opening 72 of the trigger space 70 (which extends between the two channels), form a generally U-shaped configuration. The two channels 60 and 66 can be considered to be the two legs of this U-shape, and the bottom opening 72 can be considered to be the base of this U-shape. At the forward or front edge of the bottom opening 72, the holster body bottom wall has a lip 74 that extends laterally across the holster body between the two side wall portions 52 and 54. This U-shaped configuration is configured to closely receive the access guard 30.

The access guard 30 has a corresponding U-shaped configuration, with first and second legs 80 and 82 connected by a bottom wall 84. This material is strong enough to resist breakage during use of the holster, but flexible enough to enable access as described below. Material for this part may be a Hytrel with flexibility and 40D hardness, although it could be made from a softer or harder durometer depending on need. The access guard 30 is preferably made from a thin material, with a preferred thickness being about 0.040 inches (forty thousandths of an inch), with a non-limiting range of 0.03″ to 0.07″. The access guard 30 in the illustrated embodiment is made from a single piece of material. The access guard 30 could be made in other manners and from other materials.

Each leg 80, 82 of the access guard 30 has a generally rectangular configuration and size that corresponds with, and that is selected to fit into, the corresponding holster body channel 60, 66 in which it is received. Each leg 80, 82 is substantially planar.

The first leg 80 of the access guard 30 fits into the first channel 60 in the holster body 10. It overlies and is supported by the exterior surface 62 of the first channel 60, inside of the tab 64. The first leg 80 has near its distal end (away from the bottom wall) a locking tab 84 on the inside, that fits into the locking slot 64 of the first channel 60. The second leg 82 of the access guard 30 fits into the second channel 66 in the holster body 10. The second leg 82 overlies and is supported by the exterior surface 68 of the second channel 66, inside of the tab 69. The second leg 82 has near its distal end (away from the bottom wall) a locking tab 86 on the inside, that fits into the locking slot 68 of the second channel 66.

The bottom wall 84 of the access guard 30, which forms the base of the access guard U-shape, is one piece of material that can be said for descriptive purposes to have two sections. A forward section 90 of the bottom wall 84, which is relatively short from front to back, engages and overlies the lip 74 on the bottom wall of the holster body 10. The forward section 90 is basically flat. As a result, the access guard 30 is supported on the holster body 10 along the extent of the two access guard legs 80 and 82, and also along the forward edge of the access guard bottom wall 84. The access guard 30 is thus supported on the holster body along all three sides of the U-shaped configuration. The two locking portions 85 and 86 fit into the two locking openings 64 and 68, and the two tabs 64 and 72 overlie the two legs 80 and 82, to help secure the access guard 30 on the holster body 40.

A rear section or flap 92 of the access guard bottom wall 84 does not overlie any portion of the holster body 10. This rear section 92 is flexible, i.e., movable relative to the holster body 10. This rear section 92 acts as a movable flap or curtain that normally blocks access to the trigger space 70 but that is selectively moved to a position allowing access when the weapon 12 is being drawn.

In this embodiment, at least a part of this rear section 92 slopes downward (away from the trigger guard) from front to back. The amount of slope, and the front to back length of the rear section 92 as a percentage of the front to back length of the entire access guard bottom wall 84, are selected to have the bottom opening 72 of the trigger space 70 be covered. The downward projection of the flap 92 is selected so that it lightly touches or rests on the bottom of the trigger guard 16 when the weapon 12 is holstered. This rear section 92 comes down far enough on the weapon grip 18 to still block access to the trigger space 70, while not so far that a finger can't push it up to enable the user to grasp the weapon grip securely. The dimensions of the rear section 92 are selected so that it extends back far enough to touch the front of the weapon grip 18 when holstered. Ss a result, the trigger space 70 is substantially, if not completely, covered by the bottom wall 84 of the access guard 30, when the weapon 12 is holstered.

The dimensions of the holster body 40 are selected to fit a particular weapon and light combination. This includes, importantly, the width of the holster body, which sets the distance between the two holster body wall bottom portions 52 and 54. This sets the width of the trigger space 70; it has to be wide enough to allow passage of not only the weapon 12 but also the light 20, which almost always is substantially wider than the trigger guard 16.

In turn, the dimensions of the access guard 30 are selected to fit the particular holster/weapon combination. Desirably, and as shown, the dimensions are selected so that the back edge of the flap 92 engages the grip 18 of the holstered weapon 12, and the bottom wall 84 covers the trigger guard 18. Thus, complete access to the trigger space 70 is blocked by the access guard 30, as compared to a holster without an access guard 30. This result can be seen in a comparison of (i) FIG. 2B, which depicts the holster and access guard illustrated, and (ii) FIG. 2A which depicts a prior art holster for the same weapon/light combination.

Importantly, with the access guard 30 in place, the user can grasp and draw the weapon without needing to significantly reset the user's hand on the weapon's grip. FIGS. 11A-11C are a series of pictorial views that illustrate the process of drawing the weapon 12 from the holster 10 with access guard 30. When the user wants to draw the weapon 12, the user grasps the weapon grip 18 with the user's hand, in the normal manner, placing the thumb on one side, and the fingers on the other side. The user's middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie are placed on the weapon grip 18, opposite the thumb.

Because of the presence of the access guard 30, the user's middle finger cannot directly reach up to and engage the bottom of the trigger guard 16, and the index finger cannot engage the trigger 14, as may be the case in a holster without this access guard 30. Rather, the flap 92 of the bottom wall 84 of the access guard 30 is initially engaged by the user's middle finger. Because the flap 92 of the bottom wall 84 of the access guard 30 is flexible, it is pushed up by the middle finger, enough to contact the bottom of the trigger guard 16. At this point, the user's finger and hand are very close to the final position that is needed to grasp and draw the weapon 12 with a solid hold on the grip 18.

As the user draws the weapon 12, the access guard 30 stays with the holster body 40; the trigger space 70 is exposed; and the user can move the middle finger up the final amount into engagement with the trigger guard 16, and engage the trigger 14, without needing to significantly reset the hand position on the weapon. The user's finger pushes up against the flap 92, and as it pushes up, the access guard 30 deforms, with the flap moving upward. Because the material of the access guard 30 is very thin, it is flexible, enough to enable the finger to move all the way up against the bottom of the trigger guard 16 itself. The user maintains a good hold on the weapon's grip 18. Thereafter, when drawing the weapon 12, there is minimal need for reconfiguring of the hand on the weapon 12, which would cause delay. The user's fingers end up sliding off the flexible material of the access guard 30 and into position, ready to shoot. Since the flap 92 is flexible, it moves all the way up to the trigger guard 16 and then only leaves a 0.040″ barrier so that the user can have the best grip possible.

Effectively, the bottom wall 84 of the access guard 30 is a small curtain that covers the bottom opening 72 of the trigger space 70 but that can be pushed aside when needed. It normally covers the trigger guard 16 and blocks access to the trigger guard and trigger 14, but when the user engages, it will flex up enough to enable the user to get a good grasp of the weapon's grip 18. It should be understood that the terms “blocking” and “enabling” are not absolutes, of course, but rather are used in their ordinary meaning as applied herein.

After the weapon 12 is drawn from the holster 10, the flap 92 flexes back into its original position (its free state). As a result, when the user thereafter puts the gun 12 back in the holster 10, the user might engage the flap 92 and get lightly pinched. But the flap 92 is light and thin and flexible, so that is not a problem.

It can be seen that the access guard 30 greatly reduces the likelihood of accidental and/or intentional access to the trigger space 70 and trigger mechanism when the weapon 12 is holstered. The thin material thickness and smooth texture of the access guard 30 ensure that it does not inhibit the user from forming a proper shooting grip and does not interfere with a clean draw of the weapon 12 from the holster 10. The tough but flexible TPU material of the access guard 30 does not harm or create any discomfort for the user upon re-holstering the weapon 12, such as pinched fingers or knuckles that might occur if a rigid wall material were used.

The access guard 30 enables the user to defend the trigger of a holstered weapon, from any foreign object, whether it be a finger or string or something else attempting to find its way into the trigger space 70. With the access guard 30 in place, even if someone were to pull down on the rear portion (flap) 92 of the access guard 30 with one hand and try to get one's finger into the trigger space 70 with the other hand, one would find it extremely difficult. The access guard 30 blocks access to the trigger space 70 on both sides of the holster 10 and both sides of the trigger guard 16, and essentially moves back the opening to the trigger space 70 an inch or more, where the foreign object has to fight with both the grip 18 of the weapon 12 and the access guard 30, to try and find the slightest opening; and even if it did, it then has to travel over an inch farther before it has even an opportunity to get to the trigger 14.

The access guard 30 is replaceable by the user in the event of wear or damage, ensuring that protection can be maintained throughout the service life of the holster 10. And the access guard 30 has other benefits. For example, it prevents debris etc. from getting into the trigger space 70.

FIG. 13 illustrates a holster 10a that is a second embodiment of the invention. As is apparent from FIG. 13, the holster 10a has a wider holster body requiring a wider access guard. Specifically, the holster side walls are spaced apart farther from each other. That leaves a wider trigger space, with a wider bottom opening, which therefore requires a wider access guard 30a. Because the access guard is a separate element from the holster body, it is easy to design the holster exactly to fit the weapon and light, then simply control access to the trigger with the separate and custom designed access guard. In addition, the dimensions and slope of the bottom wall of the access guard can be varied from model to model, to fit the weapon grip most appropriately.