Holster and holster spacer

Abstract

A holster system having a spacer and a holster for receiving a handgun. The holster comprising a holster body having a forward end, a rearward end, and a holster wall extending therebetween. The holster wall defining a cavity extending along a handgun receiving and withdrawal axis. The spacer comprising a ramp portion for receiving and positioning a forward portion of handgun frame as the handgun is inserted into the holster, the ramp portion having a recess for receiving the trigger guard while the handgun is holstered. The spacer further comprising a landing portion extending downward from an upper end of the ramp portion, the landing portion having a leaf spring that confronts a rearward facing surface of the handgun and biases the handgun against two rails of the holster while the handgun is holstered.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination of a spacer and a holster for receiving a handgun, the handgun having a handgun frame, a handgrip connecting to the handgun frame at the rearward end of the handgun frame, a slide on a top of the handgun frame, an exposed barrel with a muzzle at the forward end of the slide, a trigger guard and trigger forward of the handgrip and below the handgun frame, the combination comprising:
 the holster comprising a holster body defining a cavity extending forwardly along a handgun receiving and withdrawal axis, the holster body comprising a plurality of wall portions unitarily formed of a polymeric material, the plurality of wall portions including a pair of side wall portions joined at a top and bottom of the side wall portions;   the spacer comprising a ramp portion for engaging and positioning a forward portion of handgun frame as the handgun is inserted into the holster, the ramp portion having a recess for receiving the trigger guard while the handgun is holstered; and   the spacer further comprising a landing portion extending downward from an upper end of the ramp portion, the landing portion having a leaf spring that confronts a rearward facing surface of the handgun and biases the handgun against two rails of the holster while the handgun is holstered.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  further including a central panel that supports the ramp portion and the landing portion, the central panel having a side surface defining a side plane, the side plane being perpendicular to a plane defined by a ramp surface of the ramp portion. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the central panel and the landing portion define a T-shape when viewed in cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the central panel and the ramp portion define a T-shape when viewed in cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the spacer has an overall length, an overall width and an overall thickness, the overall length being more the twice the overall width. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the overall width is greater than the overall thickness and the overall length is more the three times the overall thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the leaf spring has a first end and a second end, both ends being supported by the landing portion of the spacer. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the leaf spring is cantilevered with a first end of the leaf spring being supported by the landing portion of the spacer and a second end of the leaf spring being unsupported. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the ramp portion and the landing portion define an angle, the angle having a magnitude being between 0 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . A spacer for use with a holster, the holster configured to receive a handgun, the handgun having a handgun frame, a handgrip connecting to the handgun frame at the rearward end of the handgun frame, a slide on a top of the handgun frame, an exposed barrel with a muzzle at the forward end of the slide, a trigger guard and trigger forward of the handgrip and below the handgun frame, the spacer comprising:
 a ramp portion for engaging and positioning a forward portion of handgun frame as the handgun is inserted into the holster, the ramp portion having a recess for receiving the trigger guard while the handgun is holstered; and   a landing portion extending downward from an upper end of the ramp portion, the landing portion having a leaf spring that confronts a rearward facing surface of the handgun and biases the handgun against two rails of the holster while the handgun is holstered.   
     
     
         11 . The spacer of  claim 11  further including a central panel that supports the ramp portion and the landing portion, the central panel having a side surface defining a side plane, the side plane being perpendicular to a plane defined by a ramp surface of the ramp portion. 
     
     
         12 . The spacer of  claim 12  further including an eyelet portion, the eyelet portion having a hole extending through the central panel. 
     
     
         13 . The spacer of  claim 12  wherein the central panel and the landing portion define a T-shape when viewed in cross-section. 
     
     
         14 . The spacer of  claim 12  wherein the central panel and the ramp portion define a T-shape when viewed in cross-section. 
     
     
         15 . The spacer of  claim 12  wherein the spacer has an overall length, an overall width and an overall thickness, the overall length being more the twice the overall width. 
     
     
         16 . The spacer of  claim 16  wherein the overall width is greater than the overall thickness and the overall length is more the three times the overall thickness. 
     
     
         17 . The spacer of  claim 11  wherein the leaf spring has a first end and a second end, both ends being supported by the landing portion of the spacer. 
     
     
         18 . The spacer of  claim 11  wherein the leaf spring is cantilevered with a first end of the leaf spring being supported by the landing portion of the spacer and a second end of the leaf spring being unsupported. 
     
     
         19 . The spacer of  claim 11  wherein the ramp portion and the landing portion define an angle, the angle having a magnitude being between 0 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . A spacer for use with a holster, the holster configured to receive a handgun, the handgun having a handgun frame, a handgrip connecting to the handgun frame at the rearward end of the handgun frame, a slide on a top of the handgun frame, an exposed barrel with a muzzle at the forward end of the slide, a trigger guard and trigger forward of the handgrip and below the handgun frame, the spacer comprising:
 a ramp portion for engaging and positioning a forward portion of handgun frame as the handgun is inserted into the holster; and   a landing portion extending downward from an upper end of the ramp portion, the landing portion having a leaf spring that confronts a rearward facing surface of the handgun and biases the handgun against two rails of the holster while the handgun is holstered.