Finger-actuated handgun retention device for holster

Abstract

A handgun retention device for a holster includes a catch that extends into a handgun receiving cavity defined by a body of the holster where the catch engages a trigger guard of a holstered handgun to retain the handgun in the cavity. A lever is operably coupled to the catch and extends below the grip of the holstered handgun and aft of its trigger guard, typically behind a rear margin of the holster, where the lever can be depressed to move the catch and release the handgun. The position of the release lever may promote safe gun handling. In a preferred embodiment, the catch and lever are formed of a resilient injection molded resin in a unitary structure with a spring arm that flexes when the lever is pressed inwardly toward the user's body.

1 . A holster for a handgun having a trigger and a trigger guard, comprising 
 a holster body defining a handgun-receiving cavity having a top opening through which a handgun is inserted into the cavity and drawn from the cavity; and    a retention mechanism attached to the holster body, the retention mechanism including a spring arm having a fixed end attached to the holster body and a movable end on which a catch is supported for movement between a first position wherein at least a portion of the catch extends into the cavity to engage the trigger guard of the handgun when holstered, and a second position wherein the catch is moved away from the trigger guard to allow the holstered handgun to be drawn from the cavity, and the retention mechanism further including a lever attached to the spring arm proximal the movable end thereof and extending aft of the trigger, such that when the lever is depressed the catch moves toward the second position.    
   
   
       2 . The holster of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting body interposed between the spring arm and the holster body.  
   
   
       3 . The holster of  claim 1 , further comprising a positioning pin and a positioning socket for positioning the retention mechanism relative to the holster body.  
   
   
       4 . The holster of  claim 1 , in which the spring arm has a thickness in the direction of flexure and a width in the general direction extending from the lever to the catch, and wherein the width is substantially greater than the thickness.  
   
   
       5 . The holster of  claim 1 , in which the spring arm includes spaced apart first and second sections connected by a beam extending transversely of the first and second sections.  
   
   
       6 . The holster of  claim 1 , in which the catch is formed in an inverted-J shape.  
   
   
       7 . The holster of  claim 1 , in which the catch includes a outer surface for facilitating reinsertion of the handgun.  
   
   
       8 . The holster of  claim 1 , in which the retention device is removably attached to the holster body.  
   
   
       9 . The holster of  claim 1 , further comprising an upwardly-facing resting surface against which the trigger guard rests when holstered.  
   
   
       10 . The holster of  claim 1 , in which the body includes an opening for allowing movement of at least part of the handgun retention device therethrough.  
   
   
       11 . The holster of  claim 1 , in which the lever, the catch, and the spring arm are formed of unitary construction.  
   
   
       12 . The holster of  claim 1 , in which the retention device is formed of injection molded resin.