Handgun holster with retention mechanism

Abstract

A holster includes a retention catch arranged to enter a portion of the weapon to be in a locked position. A release lever is coupled to the holster housing, which includes a shaft arranged to push against a catch interface member that can move the retention catch out of the locked position. The release lever includes a tab which in an initial position rests on a first surface in the holster housing. The release lever is movable so that the tab moves towards a channel formed in the holster housing and the release lever is movable to overcome a biasing force of a biasing device so that the release lever enters into the channel and pushes against the catch interface member to move the retention catch out of the locked position into an unlocked position. Without application of any force on the release lever, the biasing device urges the tab against a second surface and the release lever cannot return to the initial position.

1 . A holster comprising:
 a holster housing which has an opening for inserting therethrough a weapon, and comprising a retention catch arranged to enter a portion of the weapon to be in a locked position; and   a release lever coupled to said holster housing, said release lever comprising a shaft arranged to push against a catch interface member, said catch interface member being configured to move said retention catch out of said locked position;   wherein said release lever comprises a tab which in an initial position rests on a first surface in said holster housing, said release lever being movable so that said tab moves towards a channel formed in said holster housing and said release lever is movable to overcome a biasing force of a biasing device so that said release lever enters into said channel and pushes against said catch interface member to move said retention catch out of said locked position into an unlocked position, and in said unlocked position, without application of any force on said release lever, said biasing device urges said tab against a second surface and said release lever cannot return to said initial position.   
     
     
         2 . The holster according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hood arranged to pivot over a portion of the weapon, wherein in said initial position, said release lever prevents movement of said hood and wherein movement of said tab towards said channel releases and allows movement of said hood. 
     
     
         3 . The holster according to  claim 1 , further comprising an optics cover arranged to pivot over a portion of the weapon, wherein in said initial position, said release lever prevents movement of said optics cover and wherein movement of said tab towards said channel releases and allows movement of said optics cover. 
     
     
         4 . The holster according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hood arranged to pivot over a first portion of the weapon and an optics cover arranged to pivot over a second portion of the weapon, wherein in said initial position, said release lever prevents movement of said hood and said optics cover and wherein movement of said tab towards said channel releases and allows movement of said hood and said optics cover. 
     
     
         5 . The holster according to  claim 4 , wherein said hood is coupled to said optics cover so that said hood and said optics cover move together. 
     
     
         6 . The holster according to  claim 5 , wherein said hood is coupled to said optics cover by means of link arms formed with pivot axles that move in arcuate tracks formed in said optics cover. 
     
     
         7 . The holster according to  claim 5 , wherein said hood is coupled to said optics cover by magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         8 . The holster according to  claim 2 , wherein said hood is formed with a recess and said tab is received in said recess in said initial position. 
     
     
         9 . The holster according to  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the weapon in which said retention catch is arranged to enter is an ejection port or a trigger guard. 
     
     
         10 . The holster according to  claim 1 , further comprising a retention-level member that has two mounting positions in said holster housing, said retention-level member cooperating with said release lever so that at one of said mounting positions said release lever has level-one retention and at the other of said mounting positions said release lever has level-two retention. 
     
     
         11 . The holster according to  claim 10 , wherein said release lever comprises a movable pusher member arranged to move against a biasing force of a biasing device. 
     
     
         12 . A holster comprising:
 a holster housing which has an opening for inserting therethrough a weapon, and comprising a retention catch arranged to enter a portion of the weapon to be in a locked position;   a release lever coupled to said holster housing, said release lever comprising a shaft arranged to push against a catch interface member, said catch interface member being configured to move said retention catch out of said locked position; and   a retention-level member that has two mounting positions in said holster housing, said retention-level member cooperating with said release lever so that at one of said mounting positions said release lever has level-one retention and at the other of said mounting positions said release lever has level-two retention.   
     
     
         13 . The holster according to  claim 12 , wherein said release lever comprises a movable pusher member arranged to move against a biasing force of a biasing device.