Quick release holster

Abstract

A quick release holster includes a holding member for receiving an object like a firearm. A paddle is coupled to the planar member for insertion inside a user's trousers. A retaining member extends from the holding member towards the paddle. The holding member, paddle and retaining member form a closed loop, as the paddle is preloaded in a cantilever fashion against the retaining member. The retaining member is essentially perpendicular with the holding member, and includes a frictional component, like a rubber grommet for example. To put the holster on, the user slides a portion of the paddle inside the trousers, and then gently pulls on the holding member to separate the retaining member from the paddle. The invention offers advantages over the prior art in that the retaining member is on the outside of the user's trousers, thereby enabling the user to put on and take off the holster without undoing the belt.

1 . A holster, comprising: 
 a. a planar member;    b. a holding member coupled to the planar member;    c. a retaining member extending from the holding member towards the planar member, such that the planar member, holding member and retaining member form a closed loop; and    d. a means for creating friction coupled to the retaining member;    wherein the planar member is preloaded so as to exert force against the retaining member.    
   
   
       2 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the planar member is curved so as to accommodate a user's torso.  
   
   
       3 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the planar member is coupled to the holding member by at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is selected from the group consisting of screws, rivets, glues, hot melt joints, welds, adhesives, stitching, and epoxies.  
   
   
       4 . The holster of  claim 3 , wherein the holding member is formed from a single piece of material folded in a U-shape so as to accommodate a firearm.  
   
   
       5 . The holster of  claim 4 , wherein the holding member is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, styrene, ABS, polycarbonates, Kydex, leather, cloth and vinyl.  
   
   
       6 . The holster of  claim 5 , wherein a curved portion of the U-shape comprises a notched aperture for accommodating a sight of the firearm.  
   
   
       7 . The holster of  claim 6 , wherein a open portion of the U-shape accommodates the trigger guard of the firearm.  
   
   
       8 . The holster of  claim 7 , wherein the holding member is molded such that the interior of the U-shape comprises the negative image of the firearm.  
   
   
       9 . The holster of  claim 8 , wherein the open portion of the U-shape is closed by at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is selected from the group consisting of screws, rivets, glues, hot melt joints, welds, adhesives, stitching, and epoxies.  
   
   
       10 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining member comprises at least one screw coupled to at least one screw boss.  
   
   
       11 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the means for creating friction comprises a rubber grommet disposed about the retaining member.  
   
   
       12 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining member extends from the holding member at an angle of between 85 and 95 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the planar member forms a flexible cantilever arm with respect to the holding member, such that the planar member may be separated from the retaining member by actuating the cantilever arm.  
   
   
       14 . The holster of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch member extending from the holding member towards the planar member.  
   
   
       15 . The holster of  claim 14 , wherein the latch member extends from the holding member between {fraction (1/64)} th  and ½ of an inch beyond the retaining member.  
   
   
       16 . A firearm assembly, comprising: 
 a. a firearm;    b. a holster, the holster comprising: 
 i. a planar member;  
 ii. a holding member coupled to the planar member;  
 iii. a retaining member extending from the holding member towards the planar member, such that the planar member, holding member and retaining member form a closed loop; and  
 iv. a means for creating friction coupled to the retaining member;  
 wherein the planar member is preloaded so as to exert force against the retaining member; and  
   c. a belt;    wherein the belt is positioned within the space circumscribed by the planar member, the holding member and the retaining member.    
   
   
       17 . The firearm assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the holster further comprises a latch member extending from the holding member towards the planar member, wherein the latch member extends from the holding member between {fraction (1/64)} th  and ½ of an inch beyond the retaining member.