Multiple-position firearm holster and system

Abstract

An exemplary holster system may include an attachment component configured to be secured on a user; a firearm holster configured to hold a firearm; and a holster adapter operatively coupling the firearm holster and the attachment component. The holster adapter may be configured for one-handed repositioning of the firearm holster relative to the attachment component along an arcuate path between a first position and a second position while the holster system is worn by the user. The first position may include a first location and a first orientation, and the second position may include a second location, different from the first location, and a second orientation, different from the first orientation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A holster adapter for a holster system, the holster system comprising a holster and an attachment component, the attachment component being configured to be secured on a user's body, the holster adapter comprising:
 an attachment component element configured to be secured relative to the user via the attachment component; and   a holster element operatively coupled to the attachment component element, the holster element being configured to be secured to the holster;   wherein the holster element is repositionable relative to the attachment component element along an arcuate path between a first position and a second position while the holster system is worn by the user;   wherein the first position comprises a first location and a first orientation, and the second position comprises a second location, different from the first location, and a second orientation, different from the first orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The holster adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the holster element with respect to the attachment component element in the first position. 
     
     
         3 . The holster adapter of  claim 2 , further comprising a retaining element configured to releasably retain the holster element with respect to the attachment component in the second position. 
     
     
         4 . The holster adapter of  claim 3 ,
 wherein the holster element is repositionable relative to the attachment component element from the first position to the second position by one-handed disengagement of the locking mechanism and movement the holster element along the arcuate path; and   wherein the retaining element is releasable by application of force on the holster element in a direction generally from the second position toward the first position.   
     
     
         5 . The holster adapter of  claim 1 ,
 wherein one of the attachment component element or the holster element comprises a traveler; and   wherein the other of the attachment component element or the holster element comprises a track, the track defining the arcuate path.   
     
     
         6 . The holster adapter of  claim 5 ,
 further comprising a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the holster element with respect to the attachment component element in the first position;   wherein the locking mechanism comprises
 a latch bolt configured to selectively engage the traveler to secure the traveler with respect to the track when the traveler is in the first position, and 
 an actuator operable to retract the latch bolt. 
   
     
     
         7 . The holster adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to automatically engage the traveler when the traveler is moved into the first position. 
     
     
         8 . The holster adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the latch bolt is spring-biased from an unlocked position towards a locked position. 
     
     
         9 . The holster adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pivotable crank operatively coupling the actuator to the latch bolt. 
     
     
         10 . The holster adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the actuator comprises a depressible button. 
     
     
         11 . The holster adapter of  claim 10 ,
 further comprising a housing at least partially containing the traveler;   wherein the button is disposed on a generally forward-facing portion of the housing relative to the user while the holster system is worn by the user.   
     
     
         12 . The holster adapter of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one spring arranged to bias the traveler away from the first position. 
     
     
         13 . The holster adapter of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one spring is positioned so that the at least one spring is at least partially compressed as the traveler reaches the first position. 
     
     
         14 . A holster system, comprising:
 the holster adapter of  claim 1 ;   the holster; and   the attachment component.   
     
     
         15 . The holster system of  claim 14 , wherein the holster comprises one of a firearm holster or a baton holster. 
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling a holster system, the method comprising:
 assembling a holster adapter by operatively connecting (i) an attachment component element configured to be secured to an attachment component and (ii) a holster element configured to be secured to a holster so that the holster element is repositionably coupled to the attachment component element for movement along an arcuate path relative to the attachment component between a first position and a second position,   wherein the first position comprises a first location and a first orientation, and the second position comprises a second location, different from the first location, and a second orientation, different from the first orientation; and   wherein movement along the arcuate path simultaneously changes both a relative orientation and a relative location of the holster element relative to the attachment component element while the holster system is worn by a user.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein assembling the holster adapter comprises installing a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being configured to selectively secure the holster element with respect to the attachment component element in the first position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising integrally forming the attachment component element and at least a portion of the attachment component. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising coupling the attachment component element and the attachment component. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising securing the holster element to the holster.