NOVEL HOLSTER AND HARNESS
United States Patent 3797715
A concealable holster and harness may be worn under a shirt comfortably concealing a weapon in a holster which is easily accessible and avoids normal discomforts of continual wearing of a harness, holster and a weapon.
US Patent References:
Pistol holster
Arth - October 1926 - 1601963
Electrical firearm
Leininger - August 1945 - 2381547
Detachable pad for golf bag straps
Zirbel - April 1954 - 2676737
Holster
Adair - April 1950 - 2504369
Natural draw holster
Myres - June 1948 - 2443397
Pistol holster
Arth - October 1926 - 1601963
Electrical firearm
Leininger - August 1945 - 2381547
Detachable pad for golf bag straps
Zirbel - April 1954 - 2676737
Holster
Adair - April 1950 - 2504369
Natural draw holster
Myres - June 1948 - 2443397
Application Number:
05/228570
Publication Date:
03/19/1974
Filing Date:
02/23/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
224/911, 224/901.400, 224/623
International Classes:
A45F3/14; F41C33/02; A45F3/00; F41C33/00; F41C9/00
Field of Search:
224/2B,5BC,5P,1R,2D
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Forlenza, Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner:
Noland, Kenneth
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Auslander, Arthur M.
Claims:
Having thus described certain forms of the invention in some detail, what is claimed is
1. A concealable harness of light weight and with give and holster combination comprising a torso circumferential substantially cloth web, closure means for said torso circumferential substantially cloth web, a single substantially cloth shoulder web passing over the shoulder of the same side as the holster is carried, said shoulder web jointed to said torso circumferential web on the front portion of said torso circumferential web and at the back portion of the torso circumferential web, the points of attachment of the shoulder web to the torso web being closer to the front and back center of the body than to the holster, said shoulder web supporting said torso web beneath the wearer's breast closer to the wearer's breast than th wearer's belt, a supple holster, the upper portion of said holster affixed to said torso circumferential web so that the holster is located on the side and slightly forward of the wearer's armpit on the torso circumferential web and above the waistline.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said holster is at an angle toward a hand reaching for a weapon in said holster.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said portion of said holster facing toward the wearer's body is covered by a soft spongy foam.
4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said foam is rubber.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the inside portion of said holster is slick.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the outside portion of said holster is unfinished soft leather.
7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said holster includes a thong extending from its bottom portion.
8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said torso circumferential web includes a closure.
9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said closure includes a linkage to an end including male and female matachable surfaces adapted to close said web.
10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said torso circumferential web includes an elastic portion.
11. The invention of claim 10 wherein one end of said shoulder is affixed to said elastic portion.
12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shoulder web includes a linkage to said torso circumferential web including male and female matchable surfaces adapted to close said web attached to said torso circumferential web.
13. The invention of claim 1 wherein said torso circumferential web is made of cloth tape.
14. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shoulder web is made of cloth tape.
1. A concealable harness of light weight and with give and holster combination comprising a torso circumferential substantially cloth web, closure means for said torso circumferential substantially cloth web, a single substantially cloth shoulder web passing over the shoulder of the same side as the holster is carried, said shoulder web jointed to said torso circumferential web on the front portion of said torso circumferential web and at the back portion of the torso circumferential web, the points of attachment of the shoulder web to the torso web being closer to the front and back center of the body than to the holster, said shoulder web supporting said torso web beneath the wearer's breast closer to the wearer's breast than th wearer's belt, a supple holster, the upper portion of said holster affixed to said torso circumferential web so that the holster is located on the side and slightly forward of the wearer's armpit on the torso circumferential web and above the waistline.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said holster is at an angle toward a hand reaching for a weapon in said holster.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said portion of said holster facing toward the wearer's body is covered by a soft spongy foam.
4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said foam is rubber.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the inside portion of said holster is slick.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the outside portion of said holster is unfinished soft leather.
7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said holster includes a thong extending from its bottom portion.
8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said torso circumferential web includes a closure.
9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said closure includes a linkage to an end including male and female matachable surfaces adapted to close said web.
10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said torso circumferential web includes an elastic portion.
11. The invention of claim 10 wherein one end of said shoulder is affixed to said elastic portion.
12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shoulder web includes a linkage to said torso circumferential web including male and female matchable surfaces adapted to close said web attached to said torso circumferential web.
13. The invention of claim 1 wherein said torso circumferential web is made of cloth tape.
14. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shoulder web is made of cloth tape.
Description:
The present invention relates to a novel holster and harness, particularly effective for concealment of a weapon with ready accessibility of the weapon.
In the past holsters and harnesses have been provided for ready accessibility of a weapon. The holster and harness has no purpose without a weapon and a weapon may not be of any use if it is not readily accessible.
In many instances, such as in civilian clothed security personnel or civilian carrying of weapons, there is a further important provision which must be made, that being concealment.
Holsters and harnesses of the past, concealed or visible, have often been bulky, uncomfortable to wear, expensive to produce and many difficult to conceal.
According to the present invention, a holster and harness is provided which may readily conceal a weapon, one which permits ready accessibility and comfort of wearing with a weapon over a prolong period of time.
Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the claims, the invention and manner in which it may be carried out may be further understood by reference to the description following and the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front elevation showing the holster and harness of the present invention being worn with a weapon.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a detail of a holster mounted on a harness.
FIG. 4 is a detail isometric of the holster and harness of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a detail of the front of a holster of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a detail of the back of the holster of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a detail of the girth web closure of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a detail of the shoulder strap of the present invention.
Referring now to the figures in greater detail, where like reference numbers denote like parts in the various figures.
In FIG. 1 the holster and harness 10 is shown as worn under a shirt 11 (in phantom). The holster 12 is supported forward of the side and arm, below the breast and below the breast pocket 13 (in phantom) of the shirt 11.
The holster 12 is mounted on the circumferential web 14 which normally engirdles the torso 15. The web 14 is preferably closed about the torso 15 by engaging its end 16 through a link 17 and folding the end 16 over itself to a proper size for the torso 15, then closing the end 16 against itself.
The end 16 has along its length a male portion 18 and female portion 19 of the fastening material known by the trade mark Velcro. The Velcro has a male fastening portion 18 comprising plastic barbs and a female portion comprising a matted plastic. The two portions, when pressed together, firmly, hold each other.
As in the present invention, the size of the web 14 may be adjusted to comfort and the web closed about the link 17 with the male portion 18 and female portion 19 grasping firmly.
The shoulder web 20 is attached to the front of the circumferential web 14 as shown in FIG. 1, where it may be held by stitching 21 and a rivet 22, or both. The back of the shoulder web 20, as shown in FIG. 2 may be likewise held by stitching 23 and/or a rivet 24.
It is preferable to have the back portion of the shoulder web 20 joined intermediate of an elastic portion 25 which may be jointed by a stitching 26, 27, spacing apart edges 28, 29 of the circumferential web 14.
As shown in FIG. 8, the shoulder web 20 may optionally be adjusted over a link 30 with a web end 31, having along its length a male portion 18 and a female portion 19 of Velcro as heretofore described.
In FIG. 3, the holster 12 is shown attached to the circumferential webbing 14. The holster 12 is preferably angled slightly rearward and held to the web 14 by stitching 32 and rivets 33. The holster 12 may have an opening 34 for the barrel of a gun to protrude through. A thong 35 preferably is attached to a grommet 36 and dangles so that it may be engaged under the belt 37 of the wearer to keep the holster 12 from free movement.
As shown in FIG. 5, the inside surface 38 of the holster 12 is smooth and slick so that there is no impediment nor friction between the weapon and the inside surface 38.
The outside surface 39, facing away from the wearer's body, is preferably an unfinished simple leather soft suede which tends to be supple and also restrains unnecessary movement by friction between the outside surface 39 and shirt 11.
As shown in FIG. 6, the inside surface 40, facing toward the wearer's body, is covered by a soft spongy rubber-like material 41, preferably having very small pores.
In use, the holster and harness 10 of the present invention is put on by passing the arm 42 through the loop formed by the shoulder web 20 and the circumferential web 14. The web 14 is tightened to be firm against the torso 15 by pulling the web end 16 through the link 17, then closing the web 14 by joining the male and female portions 18, 19 of the Velcro fastener.
The circumferential web 14 is preferably a strong cloth tape, although it could be a leather strap. The advantage of the tape is its light weight and natural "give." By the same token, the circumferential web 14 closure could be a buckle, but such closure would tend to be bulky and expensive. Especially for concealment, minimum bulk is preferable.
The attachment of the shoulder web 20 to the elastic portion 25 provides a comfortable adjustment of the holster and harness 10 of the present invention so that there is no discomfort in normal breathing, nor undue movement of the holster and harness 10 of the present invention. The elastic 25 has give circumferentially and over the shoulder.
As shown in FIG. 3, the holster 12 is at an angle along the circumferential web 14. The angle coincides with the natural angle that a hand would approach a weapon in the holster 12 as it passes through the shirt 11 to the weapon.
It is preferable that the shirt 11 has a button or two open, providing an opening 43 for ready entry of the hand toward the weapon. The opening is usually conceded by an overlying tie.
The spongy rubber backing 41 of the holster 12 and the thin leather from which the holster 12 is preferably made tends to cause the holster 12 with a weapon to conform closely to the shape of the torso 15. The sponge 41 also serves as a soft resilient intermediate between the torso 15 and the holster and harness 10 to avoid discomfort or chafing.
As a practical matter, as shown in FIG. 8, the holster and harness 10 may have an adjustable shoulder web 20. Thus for use, the holster and harness 10 does not have to be custom fitted for each user.
An additional advantage of having the shoulder web 20 adjustable is that the holster and harness 10 can also be removed without removal of the shirt 11 by releasing the shoulder web 20 and circumferential web 14, then drawing the holster and harness 10 out from the front of the shirt 11.
It should be noted that the concealment of the present invention is effected by maintaining the harness and holster 10 with a weapon beneath the breast and forward of the armpit.
Thus, there is no discomfort caused by the arm 42 having to be spaced away from the torso 15 because of the holster and harness 10 with the bulk of its weapon and barrel. The position of the arm 42 is also a natural one when the holster and harness 10 of the present invention is worn.
While slings, straps and harnesses have been used in the past, the simplicity of the present invention allows a minimum of webbing to provide a maximum of support with a maximum of concealment and ease of access. Further, the adjustments which in harnesses of the past might have to be made with loops or buckles, are all naturally built into the webbing and closures. It should be noted that the holster and harness 10 of the present invention would not be very effective were the barrel of the weapon to rest below the belt line since the barrel would interfere with free movement of the body and the user when sealed and might show a bulge.
Mounting the holster 12 under the breast and on the circumferential web 14 raises the bottom of the holster 12 so that a large variety of weapons may be held with various size barrels and yet not be too large to interfere with effective use of the holster and harness 10 of the present invention. The grasping of the thong 35 under the belt restrains undue movement of the holster and harness 10 of the present invention.
The circumferential web 14 and shoulder web 20 might well be made of strong cloth tape.
The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms of description; it is recognized, though, that various modifications are possible.
In the past holsters and harnesses have been provided for ready accessibility of a weapon. The holster and harness has no purpose without a weapon and a weapon may not be of any use if it is not readily accessible.
In many instances, such as in civilian clothed security personnel or civilian carrying of weapons, there is a further important provision which must be made, that being concealment.
Holsters and harnesses of the past, concealed or visible, have often been bulky, uncomfortable to wear, expensive to produce and many difficult to conceal.
According to the present invention, a holster and harness is provided which may readily conceal a weapon, one which permits ready accessibility and comfort of wearing with a weapon over a prolong period of time.
Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the claims, the invention and manner in which it may be carried out may be further understood by reference to the description following and the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front elevation showing the holster and harness of the present invention being worn with a weapon.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a detail of a holster mounted on a harness.
FIG. 4 is a detail isometric of the holster and harness of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a detail of the front of a holster of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a detail of the back of the holster of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a detail of the girth web closure of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a detail of the shoulder strap of the present invention.
Referring now to the figures in greater detail, where like reference numbers denote like parts in the various figures.
In FIG. 1 the holster and harness 10 is shown as worn under a shirt 11 (in phantom). The holster 12 is supported forward of the side and arm, below the breast and below the breast pocket 13 (in phantom) of the shirt 11.
The holster 12 is mounted on the circumferential web 14 which normally engirdles the torso 15. The web 14 is preferably closed about the torso 15 by engaging its end 16 through a link 17 and folding the end 16 over itself to a proper size for the torso 15, then closing the end 16 against itself.
The end 16 has along its length a male portion 18 and female portion 19 of the fastening material known by the trade mark Velcro. The Velcro has a male fastening portion 18 comprising plastic barbs and a female portion comprising a matted plastic. The two portions, when pressed together, firmly, hold each other.
As in the present invention, the size of the web 14 may be adjusted to comfort and the web closed about the link 17 with the male portion 18 and female portion 19 grasping firmly.
The shoulder web 20 is attached to the front of the circumferential web 14 as shown in FIG. 1, where it may be held by stitching 21 and a rivet 22, or both. The back of the shoulder web 20, as shown in FIG. 2 may be likewise held by stitching 23 and/or a rivet 24.
It is preferable to have the back portion of the shoulder web 20 joined intermediate of an elastic portion 25 which may be jointed by a stitching 26, 27, spacing apart edges 28, 29 of the circumferential web 14.
As shown in FIG. 8, the shoulder web 20 may optionally be adjusted over a link 30 with a web end 31, having along its length a male portion 18 and a female portion 19 of Velcro as heretofore described.
In FIG. 3, the holster 12 is shown attached to the circumferential webbing 14. The holster 12 is preferably angled slightly rearward and held to the web 14 by stitching 32 and rivets 33. The holster 12 may have an opening 34 for the barrel of a gun to protrude through. A thong 35 preferably is attached to a grommet 36 and dangles so that it may be engaged under the belt 37 of the wearer to keep the holster 12 from free movement.
As shown in FIG. 5, the inside surface 38 of the holster 12 is smooth and slick so that there is no impediment nor friction between the weapon and the inside surface 38.
The outside surface 39, facing away from the wearer's body, is preferably an unfinished simple leather soft suede which tends to be supple and also restrains unnecessary movement by friction between the outside surface 39 and shirt 11.
As shown in FIG. 6, the inside surface 40, facing toward the wearer's body, is covered by a soft spongy rubber-like material 41, preferably having very small pores.
In use, the holster and harness 10 of the present invention is put on by passing the arm 42 through the loop formed by the shoulder web 20 and the circumferential web 14. The web 14 is tightened to be firm against the torso 15 by pulling the web end 16 through the link 17, then closing the web 14 by joining the male and female portions 18, 19 of the Velcro fastener.
The circumferential web 14 is preferably a strong cloth tape, although it could be a leather strap. The advantage of the tape is its light weight and natural "give." By the same token, the circumferential web 14 closure could be a buckle, but such closure would tend to be bulky and expensive. Especially for concealment, minimum bulk is preferable.
The attachment of the shoulder web 20 to the elastic portion 25 provides a comfortable adjustment of the holster and harness 10 of the present invention so that there is no discomfort in normal breathing, nor undue movement of the holster and harness 10 of the present invention. The elastic 25 has give circumferentially and over the shoulder.
As shown in FIG. 3, the holster 12 is at an angle along the circumferential web 14. The angle coincides with the natural angle that a hand would approach a weapon in the holster 12 as it passes through the shirt 11 to the weapon.
It is preferable that the shirt 11 has a button or two open, providing an opening 43 for ready entry of the hand toward the weapon. The opening is usually conceded by an overlying tie.
The spongy rubber backing 41 of the holster 12 and the thin leather from which the holster 12 is preferably made tends to cause the holster 12 with a weapon to conform closely to the shape of the torso 15. The sponge 41 also serves as a soft resilient intermediate between the torso 15 and the holster and harness 10 to avoid discomfort or chafing.
As a practical matter, as shown in FIG. 8, the holster and harness 10 may have an adjustable shoulder web 20. Thus for use, the holster and harness 10 does not have to be custom fitted for each user.
An additional advantage of having the shoulder web 20 adjustable is that the holster and harness 10 can also be removed without removal of the shirt 11 by releasing the shoulder web 20 and circumferential web 14, then drawing the holster and harness 10 out from the front of the shirt 11.
It should be noted that the concealment of the present invention is effected by maintaining the harness and holster 10 with a weapon beneath the breast and forward of the armpit.
Thus, there is no discomfort caused by the arm 42 having to be spaced away from the torso 15 because of the holster and harness 10 with the bulk of its weapon and barrel. The position of the arm 42 is also a natural one when the holster and harness 10 of the present invention is worn.
While slings, straps and harnesses have been used in the past, the simplicity of the present invention allows a minimum of webbing to provide a maximum of support with a maximum of concealment and ease of access. Further, the adjustments which in harnesses of the past might have to be made with loops or buckles, are all naturally built into the webbing and closures. It should be noted that the holster and harness 10 of the present invention would not be very effective were the barrel of the weapon to rest below the belt line since the barrel would interfere with free movement of the body and the user when sealed and might show a bulge.
Mounting the holster 12 under the breast and on the circumferential web 14 raises the bottom of the holster 12 so that a large variety of weapons may be held with various size barrels and yet not be too large to interfere with effective use of the holster and harness 10 of the present invention. The grasping of the thong 35 under the belt restrains undue movement of the holster and harness 10 of the present invention.
The circumferential web 14 and shoulder web 20 might well be made of strong cloth tape.
The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms of description; it is recognized, though, that various modifications are possible.