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Maximum concealment holster and shorts combinationRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Body GarmentsMaximum concealment holster and shorts combination description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070250980, Maximum concealment holster and shorts combination. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] There are no related patent applications. [0002] This application did not receive federal research and development funding. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Generally, the present invention relates to shorts that are outfitted with a secure concealment pocket fit to hold a small caliber handgun. More specifically, the pocket is positioned in the front crotch area and is easily accessed by a slight pulling on the waistband from either the right or left hand side. [0004] While the right to bear arms is granted to private citizens, the invention is particularly ideal for individuals involved in law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Agency, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, as well as military employees. Individuals in such fields are particularly vulnerable to attack, thus the ability to conceal a weapon in an unexpected place could potentially save lives. [0005] Members of our law enforcement forces are constantly in perilous positions. Thus, their ability to effectively defend themselves is of great importance. In today's world, the ability to defend one often directly correlates with the use of a gun. In fact, many law enforcement workers carry both a primary weapon, and one or more back up weapons. [0006] Additionally, the Second Amendment's "Right to Bear Arms" Clause grants the people the right to keep and bear arms. Coinciding with this grant are the concealed-carry weapons laws prevalent in many states. Many citizens have relied on these laws to ensure that they are equipped to defend themselves should it become necessary. [0007] To feed this ever-growing demand, an array of products have been introduced. These products intend to equip both law enforcement and the private citizen. The majority of the prior art utilizes a holster to meet its objective. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,265,781 and 3,227,336 disclose handgun holsters that are worn inside the lower garment, but depend on support from the user's belt or waistband. These patents are ineffective for law enforcement forces and for any user who makes substantial movements. The holster is not secured to anything structurally sound and thus does not stay in place. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,168,972 shows a swivel joint between the belt loop and holster that allows the user to put their gun in the holster and have it hang from their pants. However, this holster is on a movable joint and thus is not securely held in an angular position and so it moves around during strenuous activity by the wearer. Therefore, the waist or belt mountable holsters may be suitable for a private user who does not plan to move around too much, but are useless to law enforcement and active citizens. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,089 introduces a shoulder holster. This classic holster is a traditional place for law enforcement to carry a back up or primary weapon. However, because this fact is so widely known, it puts these individuals at a disadvantage. Criminals know that it is common practice to utilize a shoulder holster thus any move toward grabbing the gun is a sign to them. Also, they may also assume a gun is there and try to take it from the individual. Moreover, shoulder holsters offer little concealment because the user must wear a large shirt or jacket to cover the gun. In periods of hot weather, the private citizen is unable to effectively use a shoulder holster. Finally, it has also been documented that it is difficult for people of larger girth to draw from a shoulder holster which leads to ineffective use of the holster. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,402 discloses an ankle holster system. The ankle holster system is also a classic back up weapon system. However, it presents certain disadvantages because of the difficulty encountered in drawing the weapon. When law enforcement or private citizens are defending themselves or others, it is cumbersome to reach to one's ankle and quickly retrieve a weapon from an ankle holster. [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,919 discloses a pouch with a concealed interior that is worn like a fanny pack. This pouch is unsuitable for use by an entire class of individuals. Citizens who are in suits or dresses are unable to utilize the pouch. More importantly, the user has no control over the weapon. Criminals can either tear the pouch from the user or the pouch may inadvertently be left behind. Also, fanny packs are useless to law enforcement personnel in carrying weapons because they are not concealed from public view. [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,834 discloses a vest replete with a carrying pocket for a gun. This invention also has problems related to control over the gun. As with the fanny pack, the vest could be taken off and left, or simply stolen. Additionally, because the user could not take the vest off, it presents a comfort and ease of use problem. Similarly U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,830 discloses a briefcase with hidden compartments. This patent also shares the same control and discomfort issues. However, it also presents a new problem because of the slow access it affords the user. If attacked, the user must somehow open and access the gun quickly. This response is highly complicated and thus the briefcase is not likely to be helpful in a crisis. More importantly, it is completely ineffective for law enforcement officers because they cannot carry around briefcases during their ordinary police activities. [0012] Finally U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,711 relays a concealed weapon holder for the car. While this invention serves a certain audience, it is also ineffective for anyone planning on defending himself or herself outside of the car. [0013] Reviewing the holsters reveals that it is clear that there has yet to be an invention that serves the needs of law enforcement personnel or the active private citizen. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] The invention is a concealed carry holster for handguns. The holster comprises a pair of shorts comprising a lightweight material such as spandex and having a waist opening and two leg openings. The shorts comprise a waistband around the waist opening. A drawstring may be provided in the waistband for providing additional support in securing the holster and firearm to the body of the wearer. Non-slip material may be provided around each leg opening for further aiding in the carrying of a concealed handgun. This non-slip material may include elastic material. [0015] A holster piece attaches to the exterior of the shorts in the frontal crotch region. In the preferred embodiment, the holster piece is typically formed in the shape of an uppercase "A." A lower region of the holster piece is sewn into the shorts using industrial strength stitching. A fastening means such as Velcro.RTM., secures the upper region of the holster piece to the shorts. [0016] In a further embodiment, the holster piece is individualized for either left-handed or right-handed weapon retrieval. In this embodiment, the holster includes a top edge that is longer than the bottom edge and a first edge of the holster that is nearest the trigger forms right angles to the top and bottom edges. A second edge of the holster, most further from the trigger, forms an angle with the bottom that is greater than ninety degrees and an angle with the top that is less than ninety degrees. Stitching near the first edge is generally in the shape of an outline of the trigger guard and barrel or lower receiver of the weapon. This stitching helps secure the weapon in place. [0017] The holster piece is arranged such that a user can pass his hand down his pants or exterior shorts to easily retrieve a handgun stowed within the holster. [0018] The invention at hand features important improvements in comfort, control, accessibility, and in the element of surprise. It is also novel because it presents a new and secure alternative for weapon concealment that does not involve the use of a traditional holster. The invention comprises shorts made of nylon and/or spandex with a sturdy waistband. To offer additional safety, non-slip bases are placed around each leg opening of the shorts. A six-inch by six-inch pocket is double-stitched on the top and bottom into the front crotch area with either nylon or plastic. Approximately, five inches of industrial strength Velcro.RTM. is sewn along the side seams for form a secure pocket that allows access to the inner contents. Notably, one inch of the side seam may be left open to allow the user to quickly insert their finger and pull apart the Velcro.RTM.. [0019] Alternatively, the invention may be manufactured without the frontal flap and the industrial strength Velcro.RTM. along the side seams. In this embodiment of the invention, the holster is comprised of a pocket double-stitched onto the front crotch of the shorts in which the upper portion of the holster remains open, allowing the holster to fit more closely against the body and for easier access to the gun. The holster may be manufactured so that the wearer may choose an embodiment that is designed for a singularly left or right sided draw of the gun from the shorts. The dimensions and features of this pocket are specifically designed to hold small caliber, `back up` weapons (preferably a .380 caliber handgun). Larger caliber weapons are harder to conceal, and much heavier, thus they are rarely used as a `back up` weapon. [0020] The present invention makes great advancements toward providing a more comfortable weapon concealment system. For one, the shorts can be worn under any type of clothing. Most of the prior art presented cumbersome restrictions requiring the user to wear a jacket, long pants, or some other limitation. Also, most holsters are built to fit a man's frame, and thus are uncomfortable on a female's smaller frame. The present invention eliminates this problem because the spandex shorts easily conform to every individual's unique frame. Finally, the holsters that comprise the prior art tend to move around and thus cause discomfort. The present invention also alleviates this problem because the taut spandex conforms to the user's body and therefore holds the weapon securely. Therefore, the user may comfortably conceal their weapon, even during the most strenuous activity. Complete freedom of body movement is particularly ideal for law enforcement personnel because their job is so physically demanding. [0021] Control over one's weapon is also a vital element of a weapon concealment system. A great deal of the prior art, such as briefcases and fanny packs, is disappointing because it can easily be taken off and left, or ripped from one's body. The present invention ensures that the user will have complete control over their weapon at all times. In the present invention, the weapon is concealed safely within another garment, thus the user cannot inadvertently displace the weapon or have it stolen from their person. [0022] The user's ability to access their weapon is another important characteristic needed in a weapon concealment system. In the past, some of the prior art, most notably the ankle holsters, have ignored this requirement. For the user to make effective use out of their concealed weapon they must be able to retrieve it. The current invention serves this need because it is easily and quickly accessible to the user. The user need only pull on the waistband to grab and pull out their weapon. 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