Holster for handguns

Abstract

A holster assembly for a handgun having various mechanisms for preventing unauthorized access to a handgun therein and wherein the handgun holster is constructed with injection molded, reinforced plastic inserts that are injection over-molded with a chemically compatible material which provides the desired surface characteristics of the holster.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A handgun holster comprising:
 a body defining a tubular passage for receiving an elongated handgun portion including a barrel; 
 the body defining a trigger guard space adjacent to the passage for receiving the trigger guard of the handgun; 
 a trigger guard retention element connected to the body; 
 the retention element being slidably operable movable with respect to the body between a retention position in which it projects into the trigger guard space and a retracted released position in which it is retracted from the trigger guard space, such that a the handgun received in the holster is retained against extraction forces when the latch retention element is in the retention position, and a the handgun received in the hoister holster is removable from the holster when the retention element is in the released position; 
 a release actuator connected to the body; 
 the release actuator being movable with respect to the body between an actuated position and a retracted position; 
 the release actuator being mechanically engaged with the retention element and operable to move the retention element to the retracted released position when the release actuator is moved to the actuated position; 
 the release actuator being operable to secure the retention element in the retention position when the release actuator is in the retracted position; and 
 wherein the release actuator has a wedge portion received between an end that can mechanically engage a portion of the retention element and a surface portion of the body, such that moving the release actuator to the actuated position advances the wedge portion to drive the end portion of the release actuator away from the surface portion of the body engage the retention element, causing the retention element to move to the release position. 
 
     
     
       2. A handgun holster comprising:
 a body defining a tubular passage for receiving an elongated handgun portion including a barrel; 
 the body defining a trigger guard space adjacent to the passage for receiving the trigger guard of the handgun; 
 a trigger guard retention element connected to the body; 
 the retention element being slidably operable movable with respect to the body between a retention position in which it projects into the trigger guard space and a retracted released position in which it is retracted from the trigger guard space, such that a the handgun received in the holster is retained against extraction forces when the latch retention element is in the retention position, and a the handgun received in the holster is removable from the holster when the retention element is in the released position; 
 a release actuator connected to the body; 
 the release actuator being movable with respect to the body between an actuated position and a retracted position; 
 the release actuator being mechanically engaged with the retention element and operable to move the retention element to the retracted released position when the release actuator is moved to the actuated position; 
 the release actuator being operable to secure the retention element in the retention position when the release actuator is in the retracted position; and 
 a safety strap element connected to the body and movable between a closed position in which a selected portion of the safety strap is positioned over an upper end of the passage to cover a rear end portion of a the handgun received in the holster, and an open position in which the selected portion is positioned away from the upper end of the passage, such that removal of a the handgun in the holster is not obstructed by the selected portion, and wherein the safety strap element is mechanically engaged to the release actuators to secure the release actuator in the retracted position when the safety strap element is in the closed position, and to permit movement of the release actuator to the actuated position when the safety strap element is in the open position.