Magnetic handgun holster

Abstract

A low profile magnetic handgun holster for inside waistband carry. The holster comprises a semirigid body having a first side contoured to one lateral side of a handgun, a second side configured to face a wearer, and a cavity in the first side that receives a permanent magnet. The magnet retains a ferromagnetic portion of the handgun against the first side. The second side can comprise a waistband clip. A polymer layer can cover the magnet to prevent marring and to increase friction. The first side can comprise a textile layer and wrap beneath a trigger guard to block access to the trigger. Because retention is provided primarily by magnetic attraction and body pressure, the handgun can be drawn along more than one path rather than only straight up.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetic handgun holster comprising:
 a semirigid holster body comprising:   a first side, wherein the first side is contoured to conform to one lateral side of a handgun, and   a second side opposite the first side configured to face away from the body of a wearer, the first side comprising a cavity to hold a permanent magnet and positioned to magnetically attract a ferromagnetic portion of the handgun so that the handgun is retained against the first side during wear, wherein the handgun holster is positioned between a human body and clothing and clipped to a waistband of the clothing.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , further comprising a waistband or belt clip, wherein the waistband or belt clip is fastened to the second side of the holster body and configured to couple the holster to a waistband. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 2 , wherein the waistband clip and the holster body are formed as a one piece molded structure. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 2 , wherein the waistband clip comprises a plurality of openings that permit adjustment of ride height or cant when the clip is fastened to different openings. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , further comprising a polymer layer that covers the magnet and provides a non marring contact surface for the handgun. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , wherein the first side is further molded to wrap around the trigger well of the handgun and block access to the trigger while the handgun is holstered. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , wherein the first side is covered in a textile layer bonded to an exterior surface of the first side. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 7 , wherein the textile layer comprises one or more of leather, suede, synthetic polyester, nylon polymer, wood pulp, cotton, flax, jute, or silk. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , wherein the handgun holster is adapted to allow the handgun to be removed from the handgun holster at more than one angle. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , wherein the handgun can be withdrawn from the holster in an upward, forward, or in a sweeping path that departs from a vertical or straight up path. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is a neodymium magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , further comprising a ferrous backing plate disposed within the magnet cavity on a side of the magnet opposite the handgun to direct magnetic flux toward the handgun. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , wherein the holster body comprises an acrylic polyvinyl chloride sheet. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 1 , wherein the holster body comprises an open lateral edge opposite the first side so that the handgun is not fully encased in the holster body. 
     
     
         15 . A magnetic handgun holster comprising a one piece thermoplastic body that provides a holster body and a waistband clip, the holster body comprising a first side and an opposite second side, the first side comprising a magnet cavity, and a permanent magnet fixed within the cavity so that magnetic attraction between the magnet and a ferromagnetic portion of a handgun retains the handgun against the first side during wear. 
     
     
         16 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 15 , wherein the one piece thermoplastic body is formed from a single sheet that has been heated, shaped, and cooled. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 15 , wherein the first side comprises barrier configured to cover a trigger well of the handgun while holstered. 
     
     
         18 . The magnetic handgun holster of  claim 15 , wherein the first side comprises a textile layer bonded to an exterior surface of the first side. 
     
     
         19 . A method of carrying and drawing a handgun comprising:
 coupling a magnetic handgun holster to a waistband so that a first side of the holster faces a wearer and an opposite second side faces outward from the wearer,   seating a handgun in the magnetic handgun holster so that a ferromagnetic portion of the handgun is adjacent a permanent magnet fixed within a magnet cavity of the first side, thereby retaining the handgun against the first side by magnetic attraction and body pressure, and   withdrawing the handgun from the holster along a selected path that is not limited to a single vertical direction.