Firearm Holstering Systems Having Holster Attachment Components That Are Pivotally Connected to Firearm Holsters

This is a continuation-in-part (CIP) patent application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 19/068, 132, filed Mar. 3, 2025, and titled FIREARM HOLSTERING SYSTEMS HAVING HOLSTER ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS THAT ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO FIREARM HOLSTERS, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/560,885, filed Mar. 4, 2024, and titled FIREARM HOLSTERING SYSTEMS HAVING HOLSTER ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS THAT ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO FIREARM HOLSTERS; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The present application is related to a U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/991,638, filed Mar. 3, 2025, and titled FIREARM HOLSTERING SYSTEMS HAVING HOLSTER ATTACHMENT COMPONENTS THAT ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO FIREARM HOLSTERS.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to firearm equipment. Particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm holstering systems having holster attachment components that are pivotally connected to firearm holsters.

Various holsters have been developed to hold firearms. One particular type of holster is a drop leg holster, which is designed to hold a firearm securely on the thigh of a person. Typically, the drop leg holster is strapped around the person's thigh and also connected to a belt or harness around the person's waist. These types of holsters are often used by persons who require quick access to their firearms while also needing to maintain mobility, such as during tactical operations or outdoor activities.

There is a continuing need to provide improvements to holsters for firearms. In particular, there is a need to improve holsters to provide individuals with more convenient and quicker access to holstered firearms.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to firearm holstering systems having holster attachment components that are pivotally connected to firearm holsters. According to an aspect, a firearm holstering system includes a belt attachment component configured for attachment to a belt. The belt attachment component defines a guide. The system also includes a holster attachment component that is pivotally connected to the belt attachment component. The holster attachment component is configured to pivotally connect to a firearm holster. The holster attachment component includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the firearm holster in at least two different positions with respect to the holster attachment component. Further, the system includes a slider attached to the holster attachment component and positioned within the guide for movement within the guide during pivot of the holster attachment component with respect to the belt attachment component.

The following detailed description is made with reference to the figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations in the description that follows.

Articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means at least one element and can include more than one element.

“About” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical endpoint by providing that a given value may be “slightly above” or “slightly below” the endpoint without affecting the desired result.

The use herein of the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the elements listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional elements. Embodiments recited as “including,” “comprising,” or “having” certain elements are also contemplated as “consisting essentially of” and “consisting” of those certain elements.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range is stated as between 1%-50%, it is intended that values such as between 2%-40%, 10%-30%, or 1%-3%, etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between and including the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

Firearm holstering systems disclosed herein can provide more convenient and quicker access to holstered firearms. In accordance with embodiments, firearm holsters disclosed herein are a type of drop leg holster having a holster attachment component that is pivotally connected to the firearm holster. This permits the firearm to be moved for more convenient and quick access whether the person is in a standing, seated or other position. Particularly, the holstered firearm can be moved to a preferred position for access by rotating it about the pivot and locking it in place at the preferred position.

illustrates a front view of a firearm holstering systemwith a firearm holster removed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The firearm holster is removed for convenience of illustration. Referring to, the systemincludes a belt piece(i.e., a belt attachment component), a holster front paneland back panel(which together form a holster attachment component, generally designated), and a belt connector hub. The belt connector hubhas a pivot mechanism that is pivotal about pointwhich permits the holster attachment component(i.e., the assembly of the front paneland the back panel) to rotate with respect to the belt pieceabout the pivot. During use, the belt pieceis strapped to a person's waist, and the holster attachment componentis strapped to the person's leg. Thus, rotation about the pivotof the belt connector hubpermits the holster attachment componentto move along with the person's thigh.

The belt piecedefines two aperturesandthrough which a person's waist belt (not shown) can be threaded for holding the belt pieceto the wearer's waist. The holster front paneldefines aperturesandthrough which a strapis threaded for holding the belt connector hubto the wearer's thigh. The strapincludes a tri-glide bucklethat enables the strapto have an adjustable length. Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism may be utilized for enabling adjustable length. The strapalso include a side-release buckle with corresponding componentsA andB for securely connecting ends of the straptogether. Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism may be utilized for securely connecting ends of the straptogether.

The strapcan be made of a flexible material such as Nylon, leather, canvas, rubber, polyester, polypropylene, or any suitable material. The belt piece, holster front panel, holster back panel, and/or other materials of the firearm holstering systemcan be made of any suitable rigid material, such as metal or durable plastics (e.g., polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxymethylene (POM, Acetal)).

With continuing reference to, the holster attachment componentincludes a stand-off componentconfigured for attachment of a holster (not shown). Particularly, the stand-off componentincludes multiple postsA,B, andC onto which the holster can suitably attach. For example, the holster may define multiple holes that align with the postsA,B, andC for securing the holster to the postsA,B, andC, such as by screwing. In this example, the holster attachment componentincludesposts in a triangular-shaped arrangement but alternatively may include any suitable number of posts of any suitable size and in any suitable arrangement.

The stand-off componentincludes a locking mechanism having a rotation mechanism that can lock the firearm holster in various positions with respect to the holster attachment component. Particularly, the rotation mechanism permits rotation of the firearm holster about a pivot. The postsA,B, andC can rotate about the pivot, and the holster can rotate accordingly. Thereby, the firearm (while in the holster) can be rotated to a desired position for convenient access whether the person is in a standing, seated or other position. Particularly, the holstered firearm can be moved to a preferred position for access by rotating it about the pivotand locking it in place at the desired position.

The stand-off componentdefines two abutmentsA andB that function to stop the rotation of the stand-off componentat the two maximum points of rotation. The abutmentA prevents the rotation of the stand-off componentat a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction. Conversely, the abutmentB prevents the rotation of the stand-off componentat a maximum point of rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. As shown in, the stand-off componentis positioned at a location mid-way between the two maximum points of rotation.

illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systemshown inwith the stand-off componentat a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction. Referring to, a lower portionof the stand-off componentis abutted against the abutmentA. In this position, the stand-off componentcannot be further rotated in the clockwise direction.

illustrates a back view of the firearm holstering systemshown in.

illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systemshown inbut with a holsterattached thereto. Referring to, the holsterincludes a fastenerfor holding a firearm in place once received into opening endinto its final holding place within the holster. In this example, the fasteneris a snap fastener. Double arrowindicates the two different directions of rotation of the holsterabout pivotshown in. In, the holsteris upright as in a position when the stand-off componentis in the position shown in.

illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systemshown inbut with a holsterattached thereto. Referring to, the holsteris positioned with the openingfacing to the right as when the stand-off componentis in the position shown in.

illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systemshown inbut being worn by a person. Referring to, the personis standing. Also, the holster is positioned upright in a ready position for the personto access a holstered firearm. The strapis secured to the thigh of the person. Also, the belt pieceis attached to a beltof the person.

illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systembeing worn by the personas shown inbut with the personin a sitting position. Referring to, the holstered firearmis rotated in the same position as shown insuch that it faces forward. In contrast,illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systembeing worn by the seated personas shown inbut with the holstered firearmis rotated to face downward.

illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the belt piece, the front panel, and the back panelassembly shown in. Referring to, the belt connector hub, includes a back capwith a protrusionfor attachment to a front portion. The back cap, when attached to the front portioncan hold the belt pieceand permit rotation of the belt piecewith respect to the front paneland the back panel.

With continuing reference to, the front paneland the back panelcan be attached together by an attachment assembly that includes screwsA andB that can screw into threaded componentsA andB, respectively. The screwsA andB can be screwed into threaded componentsA andB, respectively, for holding together the front paneland the back panel.

It is noted that the protrusionof the back capcan be selectively inserted into one of multiple aperturesA,B, orC to thereby adjust a height of the lower assembly of the front paneland the back panel, which holds the firearm and its holster.

illustrates a front view of another firearm holstering systemwith a firearm holster removed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The firearm holster is removed for convenience of illustration. Referring to, the systemincludes a belt piece, a holster panel, and a belt connector hub. Generally, the belt piece, the holster panel, and the belt connector huband any other components described herein for attaching the systemto a belt may also be referred to as a “belt attachment component”. The belt connector hubhas a pivot mechanism that is pivotal about pointwhich permits the holster panelto rotate with respect to the belt pieceabout the pivot. During use, the belt pieceis strapped to a person's waist, and the holster panelis strapped to the person's leg. Thus, rotation about the pivotpermits the holster panelto move along with the person's thigh.

The belt piecedefines two aperturesandthrough which a person's waist belt (not shown) can be threaded for holding the belt pieceto the wearer's waist. The holster paneldefines aperturesandthrough which a strapis threaded for holding the belt holster panelto the wearer's thigh. The strapincludes a tri-glide bucklethat enables the strapto have an adjustable length. Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism may be utilized for enabling adjustable length. The strapalso include a side-release buckle with corresponding componentsA andB for securely connecting ends of the straptogether. Alternatively, any other suitable mechanism may be utilized for securely connecting ends of the straptogether.

The strapcan be made of a flexible material such as Nylon, leather, canvas, rubber, polyester, polypropylene, or any suitable material. The belt pieceand the holster panel, and/or other materials of the firearm holstering systemcan be made of any suitable rigid material, such as metal or durable plastics (e.g., polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxymethylene (POM, Acetal)).

With continuing reference to, the holster panelincludes a stand-off componentconfigured for attachment of a holster (not shown). Generally, the stand-off componentand other components providing similar functionality may also be referred to as a “holster attachment component” due to the functionality of attaching a belt attachment component to a holster as described in examples herein. Particularly, the stand-off componentincludes multiple postsA,B, andC onto which the holster can suitably attach. For example, the holster may define multiple holes that align with the postsA,B, andC for securing the holster to the postsA,B, andC, such as by screwing. In this example, the stand-off componentincludesposts in a triangular-shaped arrangement but alternatively may include any suitable number of posts of any suitable size and in any suitable arrangement.

The stand-off componentincludes a locking mechanism having a rotation mechanism that can lock the firearm holster in various positions with respect to the stand-off component. Particularly, the rotation mechanism permits rotation of the firearm holster about a pivot. The postsA,B, andC can rotate about the pivot, and the holster can rotate accordingly. Thereby, the firearm (while in the holster) can be rotated to a desired position for convenient access whether the person is in a standing, seated or other position. Particularly, the holstered firearm can be moved to a preferred position for access by rotating it about the pivotand locking it in place at the desired position.

The stand-off componentdefines two abutmentsA andB that function to stop the rotation of the stand-off componentat the two maximum points of rotation. The abutmentA prevents the rotation of the stand-off componentat a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction. Conversely, the abutmentB prevents the rotation of the stand-off componentat a maximum point of rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. As shown in, the stand-off componentis positioned at a location mid-way between the two maximum points of rotation.

Now with reference to, the holster paneldefines a guide. Although not shown in, the systemincludes a slider (designatedininin) that is attached to the stand-off component(or holster attachment component) and positioned within the guidefor movement within the guideduring pivot of the stand-off component(or holster attachment component) with respect to the belt holster panel(or belt attachment component). The guideis arc-shaped in this example, but it should be understood that the guidecan be any suitable shape or size for guiding a lower part of the stand-off componentduring its movement and holding a lower portion of the stand-off componentto the stand-off component(or holster attachment component).

illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systemshown inwith the stand-off componentat a maximum point of rotation in a clockwise direction. Referring to, a lower portion of the stand-off componentis abutted against the abutmentA. In this position, the stand-off componentcannot be further rotated in the clockwise direction.

illustrates a back view of the firearm holstering systemshown in.

illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systemshown inbut with a holsterattached thereto. Referring to, the holsterincludes a fastenerfor holding a firearm in place once received in its place within the holster. In, the holsteris upright as in a position when the stand-off componentis in the position shown in.

illustrates a front view of the firearm holstering systemshown inbut with a holsterattached thereto. Referring to, the holsteris positioned with its opening facing to the right as when the stand-off componentis in the position shown in.

illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the belt pieceand the holster panelassembly shown in. Referring to, a back capwith a protrusioncan attach the belt pieceto the holster panel. The back cap, when attached to the front portion, can hold the belt pieceand permit rotation of the belt piecewith respect to the holster panel.

With continuing reference to, screwsA andB can be screwed into threaded componentsA andB, respectively, for holding together the holster paneland the stand-off component. This arrangement permits rotational movement within a guide.

In this example, slideris a thread component, and configured to receive screw. This arrangement permits rotational movement within the guide.

It is noted that the protrusionof the back capcan be selectively inserted into one of multiple aperturesA,B, orC to thereby adjust a height of the lower assembly of the holster panel, which holds the firearm and its holster.

illustrates a front view of another holster paneland the stand-off componentassembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to, the assembly is in the same position as the assembly shown in.

illustrates another front view of the holster paneland the stand-off componentassembly shown inbut in a different position than shown in. Referring to, the assembly is in the same position as the assembly shown in.

illustrates a front view of the holster panelshown inwith a holsterattached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

illustrates another front view of the holster paneland the holstershown inattached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to, the holsteris in a different position as shown in.

illustrates a front view of another holster paneland the stand-off componentassembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to, the assembly is in the same position as the assembly shown in.

illustrates another front view of the holster paneland the stand-off componentassembly shown inbut in a different position than shown in. Referring to, the assembly is in the same position as the assembly shown in.

illustrates a front view of the holster panelshown inwith a holsterattached in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.