US20120286005A1

US20120286005A1 - Weapon retention apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20120286005A1
Application number: US13/469,630
Authority: US
Inventors: John Farnlacher; Dotson Burton; Michael Goerlich
Original assignee: Raven Concealment Systems LLC
Current assignee: Raven Concealment Systems LLC
Priority date: 2011-05-11
Filing date: 2012-05-11
Publication date: 2012-11-15
Also published as: WO2012155088A2; WO2012155088A3

Abstract

Provided is a weapon retention device that includes first and second sides laterally-spaced apart from each other to define a trigger guard space there between. The first and second sides include a shape suitable to extend over a portion of an aperture defined by a trigger guard provided to a handgun while the trigger guard is received within the trigger guard space and protect a trigger within the aperture against contact from a foreign body. A hangar to be coupled to the first and second sides includes an attachment device that releasably couples the weapon retention device to a user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/485,007, filed May 11, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/587,071, filed Jan. 16, 2012, both of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates generally to a weapon retention device and, more particularly, to a device that couples a handgun to a user by cooperating with a trigger guard provided to the handgun.
2. Description of Related Art
Handgun users, including law enforcement personnel who carry a handgun on a daily basis, may carry the handgun in a holster. Such holsters generally allow the handgun to be quickly withdrawn there from, but securely hold the handgun until the authorized user purposely withdraws the handgun from the holster. A handgun should be secured so as not to inadvertently fall out of a holster.
Holsters include a sleeve or pocket in which the barrel of a handgun is inserted. A barrel end of the handgun is fully received within the holster, and is completely encircled by the holster material. Drawing the handgun from the holster requires the barrel to be pulled out of the sleeve. As the gun barrel travels along the length of the sleeve while the handgun is being drawn, there is an opportunity for a front sight or other protrusion coupled to the barrel to get caught on a portion of the holster material encircling the barrel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the subject application involves a weapon retention device that includes first and second sides laterally-spaced apart from each other and a hangar coupled to the first and second sides. The first and second sides define a trigger guard space there between, and are shaped to extend over a portion of an aperture defined by a trigger guard provided to a handgun while the trigger guard is received within the trigger guard space. While the weapon retention device is installed, the first and second sides protect a trigger within the aperture against contact from a foreign body. The hangar is to be coupled to the first and second sides and includes an attachment device that releasably couples the weapon retention device to a user, or an article of clothing worn by the user.
According to another aspect, the subject application involves a weapon retention device that includes first and second sides laterally-spaced apart from each other to define a trigger guard space there between. The first and second sides include a shape suitable to extend over a portion of an aperture defined by a trigger guard provided to a handgun while the trigger guard is received within the trigger guard space to protect a trigger within the aperture against contact from a foreign body. An upper portion of at least one of the first and second sides is located adjacent to an underside of a barrel portion of the handgun while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun. A boss is provided to project inwardly, generally away from an interior surface of at least one of the first and second sides to extend into the trigger guard space. The trigger guard space is suitable to cause the boss to interact with the trigger guard and produce a resistive force that impedes installation of the weapon retention device onto the handgun during installation. An attachment device is provided to releasably couple the weapon retention device to a user or an article of clothing worn by the user. A hangar includes an arm portion with a proximate end that is to be coupled to the first and second sides, and a distal end that is to support the attachment device. At least some of the arm portion is disposed on an opposite lateral side of the first and second sides relative to the user while the weapon retention device is being worn by the user.
According to another aspect, the subject application involves a weapon retention device including first and second sides laterally-spaced apart from each other to define a trigger guard space there between. The first and second sides have a shape suitable to extend over a portion of an aperture defined at least in part by a trigger guard provided to a handgun while the trigger guard is fully received within the trigger guard space to protect a trigger within the aperture against contact from a foreign body. The first and second sides cooperate with a portion of the handgun that is disposed entirely below a barrel of the handgun while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun, and do not extend entirely about the barrel, leaving the uppermost portion of the barrel exposed (i.e., not concealed from view by the first and second sides). A boss is integrally molded as a portion of an interior surface of at least one of the first and second sides. As formed, the boss extends in an inward direction into the trigger guard space, and into the aperture defined at least in part by the trigger guard while the weapon retention device is fully installed on the handgun. A distance separating the first and second sides is suitable to cause the boss to interact with the trigger guard and produce a resistive force impeding placement of the first and second sides adjacent to the aperture during installation of the weapon retention device onto the handgun. A connection element is coupled to the first and second sides, and protrudes generally away from the first and second sides in a forward direction generally toward a muzzle end of the barrel provided to the handgun while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun. A belt attachment device is provided to releasably couple the weapon retention device to a user, or a belt or other article of clothing worn by the user. A hangar is also provided and includes an arm portion with a proximate end that is to be releasably coupled to the connection element and a distal end that is to support the attachment device. The proximate end of the hangar is adapted to be coupled to the connection element in a first manner to render the weapon retention device suitable for use by a left-handed user and in a second manner to render the weapon retention device suitable for use by a right-handed user.
The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a handgun that includes a trigger guard that at least partially defines an aperture in which a trigger is located and a magazine;

FIG. 2 shows a top exploded view of a weapon retention device arranged to support a handgun adjacent to a right hip of a right-handed user, which can be a user who uses a right index finger to pull a trigger to discharge the handgun;

FIG. 3 shows a top exploded view of a weapon retention device arranged to support a handgun adjacent to a left hip of a left-handed user, which can be a user who uses a left index finger to pull a trigger to discharge the handgun;

FIG. 4A shows a partially cutaway view of a handgun on which an embodiment of a weapon retention device has been installed, the partially cutaway view being taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 4B shows a partially cutaway view of a handgun on which another embodiment of a weapon retention device has been installed, the partially cutaway view being taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 shows a first side view of a handgun on which an embodiment of a weapon retention device is installed, the weapon retention device being configured to support the handgun adjacent to a right hip of a person for ready access by a right hand of the person;

FIG. 6 shows a second side view of a handgun on which an embodiment of a weapon retention device is installed, the weapon retention device being configured to support the handgun adjacent to a right hip of a person for ready access by a right hand of the person;

FIG. 7 shows an over hook embodiment of a hangar that is to form a portion of an embodiment of a weapon retention device, the hangar cooperating with a belt worn by a shooter;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the hanger shown in FIG. 7, with a portion of the belt cutaway along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a belt-loop embodiment of a hangar that is to form a portion of an embodiment of a weapon retention device, the hangar cooperating with a belt worn by a shooter;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the hanger shown in FIG. 9, with a portion of the belt cutaway along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a first side view of an embodiment of a body portion that is to form a portion of a weapon retention device;

FIG. 12 shows a second side view of an embodiment of a body portion that is to form a portion of a weapon retention device;

FIG. 13 shows a top view of a body portion that is to form a portion of an embodiment of a weapon retention device;

FIG. 14 shows a bottom view of a body portion that is to form a portion of an embodiment of a weapon retention device;

FIG. 15 shows a first end view into an open end leading into a trigger guard space along a longitudinal axis of a body portion;

FIG. 16 shows a second end view of a connection element provided to a body portion of a weapon retention device, the connection element extending between first and second sides of the body portion;

FIG. 17 shows a partially cutaway view of a body portion take along line 17-17 in FIG. 13, illustrating an embodiment of an inward-facing surface of a second side of the body portion;

FIG. 18 shows a partially cutaway view of a body portion take along line 18-18 in FIG. 14, illustrating an embodiment of an inward-facing surface of a first side of the body portion;

FIG. 19 shows a first perspective view of a hangar including an arm portion that is to be spaced apart from a body portion of a weapon retention device and support an attachment device that releasably couples the weapon retention device to a user; and

FIG. 20 shows a second perspective view of a hangar including an arm portion that is to be spaced apart from a body portion of a weapon retention device and support an attachment device that releasably couples the weapon retention device to a user, the hangar including a recess that can be positioned adjacent to a magazine release provided to a handgun on which the weapon retention device is installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.
It is also to be noted that the phrase “at least one of”, if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members. For example, the phrase “at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget. Likewise, “at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget.
FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a handgun 100 that includes a trigger guard 102 that at least partially defines an aperture 104 in which a trigger 106 is located. Although the handgun 100 may comprise a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol, for example, the embodiment of the handgun 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a semi-automatic pistol. As such, a magazine 112 is to be inserted in a generally upward direction, indicated by arrow 115, into an interior space within a grip 110 of the handgun 100. The magazine 112 stores a plurality (e.g., 15) of rounds (also referred to as cartridges) of ammunition that are available to be introduced into a firing chamber of the handgun 100 without requiring the user to manually reload the handgun 100 after each shot. The cartridges within the magazine 112 are urged in the generally-upward direction 115 into a firing chamber (not shown) inside the handgun 100 under the force of a spring. The user can adjust a slide 119 in a rearward direction to cause introduction of the first cartridge into the firing chamber. Subsequent cartridges from the magazine 112 can be introduced into the firing chamber automatically when the slide 119 is forced in the rearward direction by the recoil from the previous round. A primer, cap or other ignition source provided to the cartridges is struck by a hammer 114, firing pin, or other suitable striker while the cartridges are in the firing chamber to ignite a charge of gunpowder or other propellant contained within the cartridge. The forces resulting from this ignition propel a slug or other projectile provided to the cartridge from the muzzle 116 at the end of a barrel 118.
The semi-automatic embodiment of the handgun 100 also includes a magazine release 117 comprising a button, lever or other suitable actuation device that is operable by the user to release the magazine 112 from the handgun 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the magazine release 117 is a button provided adjacent to a proximate end of the aperture 104 along the grip 110. The button is to be pushed inward to release the magazine 112, allowing the magazine to fall under the force of gravity from the grip 110.
As shown in FIG. 1, the trigger guard 102 includes a length of a rigid material (e.g., metal, metal alloy, polymer or other composite, or combination thereof) that extends between a bottom region 107 of a barrel portion 108 to the grip 110, which is grasped by a user when properly holding the handgun 100. The trigger guard 102 can be integrally formed (e.g., cast, forged, molded, etc. . . . ) as a monolithic unit (i.e., a single, continuous piece) with the barrel portion 108 and/or the grip 110, or can be an individual component, separate from the barrel portion 108 and/or the grip 110 and fastened thereto with a suitable fastener. Regardless of its configuration, the trigger guard 102, optionally along with portions of the barrel portion 108 and the grip 110, defines the aperture 104 in which the trigger 106 travels when being pulled to fire the handgun 100.
FIG. 1 also shows an illustrative embodiment of a weapon retention device (“WRD”) 120, which may be installed on the handgun 100 to protect and shield the trigger 106 within the aperture 104 from being contacted by foreign bodies. WRD 120 can also optionally couple the handgun 100 to an object such as a user, an article of clothing worn by a user, a piece of furniture such as a nightstand, for example, or a plurality of such objects. The WRD 120 can be installed on the handgun 100 by sliding the WRD 120 generally in the direction of arrow 125 over the trigger guard 102 such that the trigger guard 102 is received within a trigger guard space 122 (FIGS. 2 and 3) defined between first and second sides 124, 126 of the WRD 120 that are laterally-spaced apart from each other. The open top of the WRD 120 leading into the trigger guard space 122 allows the WRD 120 to be slipped onto, snapped onto, or otherwise fitted onto the trigger guard 102 from various different incident directions and angles. When completely and properly installed, the WRD 120 is coupled to the handgun 100 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, with at least a portion, and optionally all, of the trigger guard 102 received within the trigger guard space 122, and a portion of a boss 192 (shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 17 and 18) extending into the aperture 104.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show exploded top views of the embodiment of the WRD 120 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the WRD 120 according to the present embodiment includes a body portion 121 comprising first and second sides 124, 126 that define the trigger guard space 122 there between. At least one, and optionally both of the first and second sides 124, 126 includes a shape that extends over a portion of the aperture 104 defined by the trigger guard 102 while the trigger guard 102 is received within the trigger guard space 122. Installed on the handgun 100 in this manner, the first and/or second sides 124, 126 protect the trigger 106 from being contacted by a foreign body such as an article of clothing worn by the user, a body part of the user, etc. . . . For the embodiment of the WRD 120 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the sides 124, 126 is shaped to extend over substantially the entire aperture 104, thereby fully concealing the trigger 106 from view while the WRD 120 is installed. Other embodiments of the sides 124, 126 can optionally include apertures (not shown) or can otherwise optionally not extend over the entire aperture 104, or otherwise allow limited viewing of the trigger 106 while the WRD 120 is properly installed.
While snapped onto the trigger guard 102, the shaped semi-flexible material forming the sides 124, 126 may cover approximately a region about the trigger guard 102 while exposing substantially all of the remainder of the handgun 100, for example. In such a fashion, the sides 124, 126 may be snapped onto the trigger guard 102, or otherwise physically secured to the trigger guard 102 provided to the handgun 100. The WRD 120 may operate using locking technology, wherein the WRD 120 may be made of particular materials (e.g., stiffness, modulus of elasticity, flexibility, material memory, and so on) and/or particularly shaped or designed (e.g., thickness, presence of bosses, indentations, bumps, and so on) to physically snap on or lock onto the trigger guard 102, for example, as described in detail below. Once snapped into place on the trigger guard 102, the WRD 120 can optionally have some degree of “play” that allows the WRD 120 position to be slightly adjusted relative to the handgun 100. For such embodiments, the WRD 120 can be held in place by the boss 192 extending into the aperture 104, and the degree of play can be determined by at least one of a dimensional difference between the boss 192 and an interior dimension of the trigger guard 102, and an arrangement of the boss 192 relative to the trigger guard 102 when the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100.
The body portion 121 can also include a connection element 132 coupled to the first and second sides 124, 126, allowing for the releasable attachment of a hangar 128 including an arm portion that is spaced apart from the body portion 121 and includes an attachment device 130 that releasably couples the WRD 120 to a user. The attachment device 130 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is in the form of a belt loop for the present embodiment, but any suitable attachment device 130 that cooperates with an article of clothing or an accessory worn by a user can be utilized.
According to the present embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connection element 132 includes an end segment 136 such as a wall that extends between the first and second sides 124, 126, and a nose portion 134 extending outwardly, generally away from the end segment 136. The nose portion 134 can extend in a generally forward direction from the end segment 136, protruding generally toward a muzzle 116 (FIG. 1) of the handgun 100 while the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5, the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100 such that a curved rearward end 138 of the side 124 located adjacent to an entry into the trigger guard space 122 is positioned adjacent to the grip 110 (FIG. 1). The nose portion 134 extends in the generally-forward direction away from the end segment 136, toward the muzzle 116 end of the barrel 118.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hangar 128 can be releasably coupled to a portion (e.g., the nose portion 134) of the connection element 132, subsequently removed, and recoupled thereto in a different orientation and/or position to configure the WRD 120 specifically for use by different users. In FIG. 2, the WRD 120 is specifically adapted to couple the handgun 100 to a right-handed user. Specifically, the hangar 128 is releasably coupled to a first side of the nose portion 134 by inserting mating components 140, 142 of a threaded fastening system 141 (FIG. 5) along axis 146 through apertures 148 (FIGS. 11 and 12), 150 (FIGS. 19 and 20) formed in the nose portion 134 and a connector region 144 (FIGS. 7-10, 19 and 20) of the hangar 128, respectively. The mating components 140, 142 are then tightened together using a screwdriver or other suitable connecting tool. In this configuration, the belt loop or other attachment device 130 coupled to the hangar 128 is to be supported adjacent to a right-hand side of the handgun 100 while the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100 and when viewed from the vantage point of a user holding the handgun 100 by the grip 110, with the muzzle 116 pointed away from the user. Thus, when the attachment device 130 cooperates with a belt worn by the user, for example, and the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100, the handgun 100 is supported inside the belt adjacent to the right hip of the user. In other words, FIG. 8 provides a rear sectional view of a hangar 128 and an attachment device 130 coupled to a belt 152, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7, extending along a right hip of the user (i.e., viewed from behind the user, facing a rear of the user). Similarly, FIG. 10 provides a rear sectional view of a hangar 128 and another embodiment of the attachment device 130 coupled to a belt 152 worn by a user, taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9, extending along a right hip of the user (i.e., viewed from behind the user, facing a rear of the user).
As viewed in FIGS. 8 and 10, the user's right hip, although not shown, is to be located to the left of the hangar 128 and separated from the belt 152 by a portion of the hangar 128 while the WRD 120 is being worn. Further, while the WRD 120 is being worn and used to couple the handgun 100 to the user, the body portion 121 (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 10) of the WRD 120 is to be coupled to the hangar 128 and supported internally of the belt 152 (i.e., closer to the user's right hip than the belt 152 being worn by the user). The attachment device 130 is supported by the hangar 128 to be positioned outwardly relative to the user, facing generally away from the user. And the hangar 128 has a suitable length to support the attachment device 130 in a manner that at least a portion of the attachment device 130 extends over a waistline of the user's pants to cooperate with the belt 152. Accordingly, at least a portion of the attachment device 130 (e.g., a band 174 of the belt loop embodiment of the attachment device 130) is suspended from a portion of the hangar 128 adjacent to an end opposite of the end provided with the connector region 144.
Likewise, as shown in FIG. 3, the WRD 120 is specifically adapted as a mirror image of the configuration shown in FIG. 2 about a horizontal axis to couple the handgun 100 to a left-handed user. The hangar 128 in FIG. 3 is releasably coupled to an opposite side of the nose portion 134 relative to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. To allow for this reconfiguration, the nose portion 134 can extend from a central portion of the body portion 121. Thus, to change the configuration of the WRD 120, the hangar 128 and the attachment device 130 (e.g., the belt loop in the present embodiment) coupled to the hangar 128 are symmetrically installed on a second side of the connection element 132, opposite the first side as for the configuration shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, the hangar 128 is releasably coupled to a second side of the nose portion 134, once again by the mating components 140, 142 of a threaded fastening system 141 extending through the apertures 148, 150 along axis 146. In this configuration, the belt loop or other attachment device 130 coupled to the hangar 128 is supported adjacent to a left-hand side of the handgun 100 while the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100 and when viewed from the vantage point of a user holding the handgun 100 by the grip 110, with the muzzle 116 pointed away from the user. While the belt loop or other attachment device 130 cooperates with the belt 152 worn by the user to couple the handgun 100 to the user, the body portion 121 of the WRD 120 is coupled to the hangar 128 and supported internally of the belt 152 adjacent to the user's left hip (i.e., closer to the user's left hip than the belt 152 being worn by the user) in a manner analogous to the manner in which the WRD 120 is supported adjacent to the user's right hip explained above. The WRD 120 in this configuration supports at least a portion (e.g., a portion of the barrel 118) of the handgun 100 internally of the belt 152 adjacent to the user's left hip, thus positioning the barrel 118 between the user's left hip and the belt 152.
The embodiment of the attachment device 130 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a belt hook. As shown, the belt hook includes a substantially-rigid member 160 formed as a continuous extension of the hangar 128. The member 160 includes a generally ∩-shaped transition region 162 that generally positions a distal end 164 of the member 160 adjacent to a portion of the hangar 128, forming an aperture 166 through which the belt 152 extends. The member 160 can be said to be folded to overlay at least a portion of the hanger 128, thereby defining the aperture 166 between the member 160 and the hangar 128. A hook 168 can be formed adjacent to the distal end 164 of the member 160 to interfere with upward removal of the hangar 128 from the belt 152. The member 160 may be formed from the same material, optionally integrally as a monolithic molded unit as part of the hanger 128. A position of the member 160 with respect to a trigger guard space 122 may be adjustable so that a position of the handgun 100 supported by the WRD 120 is adjustable with respect to belt 152. Adjustments may be made by selecting which adjustment points or holes 170 may receive bolts or screws or other suitable fastening system 141 to removeably attach the hanger 128 to the nose portion 134 of the body portion 121 at the desired location.
FIGS. 9 and 10 show another illustrative embodiment of an attachment device 130 in the form of a flexible belt loop that can be selectively opened and closed with a releasable fastener 172 such as a friction snap, for example. The flexible belt loop includes a band 174 of flexible material that can be folded over onto itself to generally form a portion of a loop that at least partially defines the aperture 166 that can be closed via the friction snap. Examples of the flexible material include, but are not limited to, fabrics, plastics such as nylon and vinyl, and the like, and can optionally be formed as a continuous extension of, or separately coupled to the hangar 128 with an adhesive or suitable fastener. For example, a hub portion 180 of the releasable fastener 172 can extend through one of a plurality of available apertures 182 (FIGS. 19 and 20) adjacent to an end 178 of the hangar 128 and one of the ends 176 of the band 174. The hub portion 180 can optionally include a snap hub connected to a nut or other compatible receiver that secures the hub portion 180 to the end 178 of the hangar 128. A snap cap that is compatible to snap onto the snap hub can be provided to the other end 176 of the band 174, allowing the ends 176 of the band 174 to be secured adjacent to each other and thereby close the loop at least partially defining the aperture 166. However, it is to be understood that the releasable fastener 172 can be any device that at least temporarily secures the ends 176 of the band 174 adjacent to each other, and allows the ends 176 of the band 174 to subsequently be separated to open the loop and facilitate removal of the attachment device 130 from the belt 152.
A position of the band 174 with respect to a trigger guard space 122 may be adjustable so that a position of a handgun 100 supported by the WRD 120 is adjustable with respect to the belt 152. Adjustments may be made by selecting which adjustment points or holes 170 may receive bolts or screws or other suitable fastening system 141 to removeably attach or adjust the hanger 128 to the nose portion 134 of the body portion 121. According to an alternate embodiment, at least one end 176 of the band 174, the end 178 of the hanger 128, or a combination thereof can optionally be provided with a plurality of apertures 182 (FIGS. 24 and 25) arranged along a longitudinal axis of the band 174 and/or the hangar 128. The plurality of apertures 182 offer a plurality of different attachment points that can be used to couple the band 174 to the hangar 128 at different locations, allowing the handgun 100 to be supported at a plurality of different positions (also referred to as ride height) relative to the belt 152.
The illustrative embodiment of the WRD 120 shown installed on the handgun 100 in FIGS. 5 and 6 is configured for use by a right-handed user. The nose portion 134 of the connection element 132 is coupled to the first and second sides 124, 126 to establish a space 154 between the barrel portion 108 of the handgun 100 and the nose portion 134 while the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100. The nose 134 can be integrally molded as a monolithic unit forming part of the connection element 132 and the body portion 121. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the nose 134 is a substantially planar protrusion that extends in an outward direction, generally away from the body portion 121 at the end segment 136 that is opposite the rearward end 138. The nose 134 includes an inclined surface 139 (FIGS. 11 and 12) that slopes downward, generally away from the bottom region 107 of the handgun 100 as the nose portion 134 extends further away from the end segment 136.
The inclined surface 139 is separated from the bottom region 107 of the handgun 100, defining a progressively-widening space 154 toward the muzzle 116 that can receive a portion of the user's clothing or other object. The space 154 provides the user with an opportunity to separate the handgun 100 from the WRD 120 using a single hand. For example, a user attempting to draw the handgun from the WRD 120 may separate the WRD 120 from the article of clothing or other object to which the WRD 120 was coupled. The user can “catch” the nose portion 154 on a pocket of the user's pants or other suitable object by causing the nose portion 154 and the bottom region 107 of the barrel portion 108 to straddle the fabric forming the pants pocket, for example. The user can then adjust the position of the handgun 100 to cause the barrel portion 108 to move away from the nose portion 134, thereby separating the handgun 100 from the WRD 120.
The nose portion 134 provided to the body portion 121 shown in the illustrative embodiment appearing in FIGS. 5, 6, 11 and 12 also includes a forward aperture 190, located forward of the aperture 148 through which the fastening system 141 extends as explained above. A tether (not shown) such as a braided nylon cord, string or other such device can be inserted into the forward aperture 190 and tied or otherwise secured to the nose portion 134. An opposite end of the tether can be tied to an object such as the user; an article of clothing worn by the user; a nightstand, bed or other stationary object; and the like. Tethering the WRD 120 to such an object allows a user to quickly draw the handgun 100 from the WRD 120, which will be pulled from the handgun 100 once the handgun 100 is separated from the object by the length of the tether.
As mentioned above, while the WRD 120 is removeably fastened (e.g., snapped) to the handgun 100, the WRD 120 may leave substantially all portions of the handgun 100 exposed except the handgun's trigger guard 102 and portions therein, such as the trigger 106. To be considered “removeably fastened”, the WRD 120 is removable from the handgun 100 by hand, without requiring the assistance or mechanical advantage offered by a tool, for example.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show opposite side views of the body portion 121 with the hangar 128 removed. The body portion 121 includes opposing side walls 124, 126 that define the lateral bounds of the trigger guard space 122. Each side wall 124, 126 supports an upper flange 194 (also shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 16) that extends laterally outward, generally away from the side walls 124, 126. The upper flange 194 can be molded to follow and closely approximate a lowermost surface, such as the bottom region 107 of the barrel portion 108 (FIG. 1) for example, of the handgun 100 on which the WRD 120 is to be installed. By closely approximating the lowermost surface, the upper flange 194 can minimize the formation of spaces between the sides 124, 126 and the lowermost surface of the handgun 100 through which foreign objects can enter the aperture 104 while the WRD 120 is installed. Further, instead of extending upwardly along a portion of the slide 119 of the handgun 100, for example, the flange 194 on each side can include an upward turn 195 (as shown in FIG. 16) at their respective ends, but terminate short of the slide 119 so as not to extend above the slide 119, or even substantially above a transition region 196 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) of the barrel portion 108 where the bottom region 107 of the handgun 100 transitions to side regions 198, which may include a side portion of the slide 119. The flange 194 can thus optionally be molded in a shape with dimensions specific to a particular make and/or model of handgun 100, interfering with access to the trigger 106 without extending upwardly to conceal side regions 198 of the handgun 100.
Shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 15, one or both of the side walls 124, 126 can include a boss 192 that protrudes inwardly, into the trigger guard space 122 (the width 197 of the trigger guard space 122 being indicated by a double-headed arrow in FIG. 13) defined between the side walls 124, 126. The width of the trigger guard space 122 defined by a portion of the side walls 124, 126 can be approximately equal to, but slightly greater than a width W (FIGS. 4A and 4B) of the trigger guard 102. When the WRD 120 is fully installed on the handgun 100, at least a portion of the boss 192 extends into the aperture 104 defined at least in part by the trigger guard 102. According to an illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 4A, the boss 192 can be formed as a dimple or dent in one or both side walls 124, 126, optionally without precise or specifically-defined dimensions or boundaries. The dimple or dent forms a convex region 201, which is convex with respect to the trigger guard space 122 defined by the two sides 124, 126, as shown in FIG. 4A. One or both of the two opposing sides 124, 126 may include such a convex region 201. As WRD 120 is moved onto the trigger guard 102, portions of the convex regions 201 may be physically pushed apart by the trigger guard 102 as the convex regions 201 make contact with opposite sides of the trigger guard 102. Continuing to move further onto the trigger guard 102, a portion of convex regions 201 may snap or otherwise move toward each other upon or after physically clearing the trigger guard 102 into the aperture 104.
For such an embodiment, the boss 192 can be formed by heating a sheet of plastic material above a transition temperature, such as a glass transition temperature, and allowing the shape of the plastic forming the side wall(s) 124, 126 to be pressed inward into an aperture of a mold having dimensions similar to that of the trigger guard 102. Installation of the WRD 120 according to the present embodiment onto the trigger guard 102 can optionally cause the user to experience a resistive force as the boss 192 advances toward being received within the aperture 104. As the boss 192 becomes seated over, and at least partially within the aperture 104, the resistive force may lessen to an extent to indicate full installation of the WRD 120, but may not be completely alleviated upon completion of the installation. Seating of the boss 192 within the aperture 104 can optionally be accompanied and indicated by an audible “snap” sound to inform the user that the WRD 120 is fully and properly installed.
According to alternate embodiments, the boss 192 can be precisely and intricately molded (e.g., injection molded) with dimensions specific to the trigger guard 102 of a predetermined make and/or model of handgun 100, or optionally specific for a range of models of handguns 100 from a particular manufacturer. An example of such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, which show sectional views of the sides 126, 124 taken along lines 17-17 and 18-18 in FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively. Although both sides 124, 126 are shown and described according to the present embodiment as including the boss 192, alternate embodiments include only one of the sides 124, 126 having a boss 192. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the boss 192 includes a well-defined border 205 molded as part of the inward-facing surfaces 207 of the sides 126, 124, respectively. The border 205 can protrude inwardly from the inward-facing surfaces 207, to extend at least partially into the aperture 104 of the handgun 100 when the WRD 120 is installed. The shape of the border 205 can optionally closely match the inner periphery of the trigger guard 102, but be slightly smaller in its dimensions such that the border 205 can be received within the inner periphery of the trigger guard 102 when the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100. The border 205 can optionally surround a raised plateau portion 209 of the boss 192 that is enclosed by the border 205, or the border 205 itself can form the boss 192, enclosing a region of the inward-facing surfaces 207 to save material costs.
According to alternate embodiments, the boss 192 can optionally include a plurality of protuberances that protrude inwardly from the inward-facing surfaces 207. The plurality of protuberances can be arranged on the inward-facing surfaces 207 to collectively cooperate with different portions of the trigger guard 102 (the inner periphery, outer periphery, or both) to interfere with removal of the WRD 120 from the handgun 100 in the absence of a removal force imparted by the user. For instance, four protuberances can optionally be provided at locations on the inward-facing surfaces 207 to cooperate with the top, bottom and opposite lateral sides of the inner periphery of the trigger guard 102 to interfere with removal of the WRD 120 in any such direction.
A WRD 120 with model-specific features can be compatible with one make and/or model of handgun (i.e., can be fully and properly installed on one make and/or model, or a range of models of a particular manufacturer), but not properly compatible with another make and/or model of handgun. Generally, handguns have corresponding specifications that set forth the dimensions of those handguns and portions thereof. The WRD 120 may be fabricated to fit a particular handgun 100 based, at least in part, on the specifications of that particular handgun. In other words, the WRD 120 may be “custom fitted” to a particular handgun or handgun platform.
For such embodiments, a portion of the exterior periphery of the boss 192 can have a shape and dimension approximately equal to, but slightly smaller than a portion the inner periphery of the trigger guard 102 for which the boss 192 was designed. Thus to fully install the WRD 120 on the trigger guard 102, the boss 192 is positioned substantially entirely within the inner periphery of the trigger guard 102, and extends at least partially into the aperture 104. Since the sides 124, 126 can be formed from a semi-flexible material that is substantially-resilient, the sides 124, 126 of the WRD 120 return to their unbiased shape after being temporarily deformed (e.g., separated when the boss 192 contacts opposite sides of the trigger guard 102 to allow the boss 192 to pass over the trigger guard 102) during installation of the WRD 120 onto the handgun 100 and removal of the WRD 120 from the handgun 100. Upon being fully seated over the aperture 104, at least a portion of the sides 124, 126 can optionally “snap” toward one another such that the boss 192 is positioned substantially entirely within the interior periphery of the trigger guard 102, as shown in FIG. 4B. The snapping can optionally result in an audible confirmation to the user that the WRD 120 is completely installed on the handgun 100. Further, the boss 192 extends at least partially into the aperture 104, and the resistive force exerted against installation of the WRD 120 as the boss 192 is being passed over the trigger guard 102 is substantially entirely alleviated once the boss 192 is fully seated and the WRD 120 is completely installed.
Examples of the semi-flexible material include a thermoplastic, injection-molded material, Kydex (supplied by Kydex LLC of Bloomsburg, Pa.), moldable plastic, or a combination thereof, just to name a few examples. Other examples include Kydex™ sheet manufactured by Kleerdex, Boltaron™ sheet, other brands of PVC, PVC/Acrylic composite and CPVC sheeting and injection molding media, high-density polyethylene, commonly available injection moldable thermo plastic with many brands and types, polypropylene, commonly available injection moldable thermoplastic with many brands and types, nylon, commonly available injection moldable thermo plastic with many brands and types, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), commonly available injection moldable thermoplastic with many brands, and so on.
As mentioned above, while WRD 120 is removeably installed on the handgun 100, WRD 120 may expose substantially all portions of the handgun 100 except the trigger guard 102 and portions within the aperture 104, such as the trigger 106, for example. A substantial portion of the grip 110, barrel 118 and barrel portion 108, and/or slide 119 may remain exposed while the WRD 120 is attached to handgun the 100. Further, at least some of the bottom region 107 of the barrel portion 108, such as the portion of the bottom region 107 adjacent to the muzzle end of the barrel portion 108 for instance, can remain exposed while the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100.
Referring once again to FIG. 11, the body portion 121 of the WRD 120 can optionally include an outline 199 of the boss 192 to render the location and/or shape of the boss 192 visible or otherwise discernible externally of one or both of the sides 124, 126. According to other embodiments, the location and/or shape of the boss 192 can optionally be unidentifiable (i.e., the location of the boss 192 can optionally not be determinable when viewing the external portions of the side walls 124, 126). The outline 199 can optionally indicate a periphery of a recess 214 formed in the external surface of one or both of the side walls 124, 126. The depth of such a recess can correspond to a height that the boss 192 protrudes from the internally-facing surface of the respective side wall(s) 124, 126. In other words, the boss 192 can optionally be formed by molding the side wall(s) 124, 126 with a substantially uniform wall thickness to include the shape of the boss 192, rather than increasing the wall thickness to form the boss 192. According to alternate embodiments, however, the intricately-molded boss 192 can optionally be formed by providing the one or both sides 124, 126 with an increased material thickness where the boss 192 is to be located.
The externally-visible portions of one or both side walls 124, 126, such as the region defined by the outline 199 for example, can optionally include a marking 216 (FIGS. 11 and 12) such as: an advertisement; a uniform resource locator (“URL”); a trademark or other symbol; a notice of an issued patent and/or pending patent application; a country of origin; any other desired marking, or any combination thereof. As such, the marking can include at least one of: a number, a letter, a graphic, and the like. The marking 216 can optionally be indelibly formed (e.g., integrally molded or otherwise formed so that it can not be removed without damage to the material of the side walls 124, 126) as part of the recessed portion 214 or other externally-visible surface of the side walls 124, 126, or can be applied to a surface of the body portion 121 after formation of the recessed portion 214. For such embodiments, the perimeter of the recessed portion 214 can act as a frame for the marking 216. According to alternate embodiments, however, the boss 192 can optionally be integrally molded as a portion of an interior surface of the side portions 124, 126 without formation of the recessed portion 214. For such embodiments, the exterior of the side walls 124, 126 can optionally be substantially-planar, and the optional marking 216 can appear on the substantially-planar surface.
The flange 194 adjacent to the top of the side walls 124, 126 can optionally extend along substantially the entire length of the side walls 124, 126, and at least partially about a circumference of the curved rearward end 138 of the side walls 124, 126. An enlarged flare 204 (FIGS. 2, 3, 13 and 14) or other suitable shield can be provided adjacent to the rearward end 138 of the side wall 124 that, when installed on the handgun 100 is positioned adjacent to a magazine release button 117 (FIG. 1) or lever. The enlarged flare 204 can optionally be provided to the side 124 instead of to side 126 or both sides 124, 126 to protect against inadvertent contact between the distal end 208 of the hangar 128 and the magazine release 117. For example, the enlarged flare 204 protrudes a greater distance from the side wall 124 than another portion of the flange 194 along other portions of the side 124. The enlarged flare 204 establishes an inward limit to the allowable range of travel of the hangar 128 toward the magazine release 117. The flare 204 adjacent to the rearward end 138 of the side 124 is positioned to make contact with an underside of the hangar 128 when the hangar 128 is pushed inwardly a suitable distance, to interfere with further inward travel of the hangar 128 and prevent the underside of the hangar 128 from contacting the magazine release 117 with enough force to result in ejection of the magazine 112.
Additional measures can also be taken to protect against inadvertent releases of the handgun's magazine 112. For example, the hangar 128 can optionally be provided with an inward-extending flange 206 (FIGS. 2, 3, 19 and 20) to bolster the rigidity and strength of the hangar 128. The flange 206 extends generally inward, at an angle of approximately 90° to the major plane of the hangar 128. When the WRD 120 is configured for a left-handed user, the distal end 208 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 20) of the hangar 128, which includes a region 210 (FIGS. 24 and 25) that supports the attachment device 130, extends adjacent to, and optionally over the magazine release 117. To further protect against inadvertent releases of the handgun's magazine 112, a portion of the flange 206 can be cutaway or otherwise removed, or never formed in the first place when the flange 206 and/or hangar 128 is formed, to establish a notch 212 at a location where the flange 206 would otherwise extend over the magazine release 117. Again, the hangar 128 of the WRD 120 can optionally be specific to a make and/or model of handgun to ensure proper location of the notch 212. Thus, should the hangar 128 be urged inward toward the magazine release 117, the enlarged flare 204 of the side 124 can limit the range the hangar 128 can travel in this direction. And even if a force sufficient to urge the distal end 208 of the hangar 128 beyond the limit established by the enlarged flare 204, the magazine release 117 can be at least partially received by the notch 212 to avoid being actuated by the flange 206 to release the magazine 112 that may otherwise occur in the absence of the notch 212 (i.e., if the flange 206 existed where the notch is located). The notch 212 can optionally have a depth sufficient to allow a portion of the hangar 128 to contact a portion of the handgun 100, the flare 204, another surface, or any combination thereof without causing the hangar 128 to exert enough force on the magazine release button 117 to release the magazine 112.
As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the body portion 121 includes a floor 220 that spans the trigger guard space 122 between the bottoms of the sides 124, 126. The floor 220 begins adjacent to an enclosed end adjacent to the end segment 136 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 13) that establishes a forward end of the trigger guard space 122 between the side walls 124, 126, but stops short of an opposite, open end 218 (FIG. 14) leading into the trigger guard space 122 along the longitudinal axis of the body portion 121. The floor 220 of the trigger guard space 122 is separated from the rearward end 138 of the side walls 124, 126 by a gap 222 (FIG. 5) spanning distance D, which is shown in FIG. 14. The gap 222 allows a region where the grip 110 of the handgun 100 meets the trigger guard 102 of the handgun 100 to remain unobstructed. Accordingly, a user's finger can be located in that region, even when the WRD 120 is installed on the handgun 100. As a result, the user can properly hold the grip 110 of the handgun 100 with all fingers (i.e., middle finger to little finger) even while the WRD 120 is installed, but cannot insert the trigger finger into the aperture 104 until the WRD 120 has been removed from the handgun 100. In other words, the user can place the middle finger adjacent to where the trigger guard 102 meets the grip 110 within the gap 222. Thus, the user can hold the handgun 100 just as the user would hold the handgun 100 while shooting, with the exception of the trigger finger, while the WRD 120 is installed. As soon as the handgun 100 is removed from the WRD 120, the user can insert the trigger finger into the aperture 104 and commence shooting with minimal delay.
As shown in FIG. 15, the floor 220 can optionally include a plurality of inwardly-sloped sections 226. Each sloped section 226 can be declined toward the other, collectively forming a somewhat “V” shaped floor 220 that is tapered downward toward a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise along a central region of the floor 220. Likewise, the end segment 136 can be collectively formed from a plurality of inward-angled walls 228. The apex of the V-shaped portions allows a space to remain between the floor 220 and the bottom of the trigger guard 102, as well as between the end segment 136 and the forward portion 230 of the trigger guard 102. It is believed that this remaining space afforded by the apex of the V-shaped portions minimizes the formation of a vacuum between those V-shaped portions and the respective portions of the trigger guard 102 compared to a vacuum that could possibly form if the V-shaped portions were planar surfaces instead. Regardless of whether the belief is accurate, the V-shaped portion(s) minimize the resistance encountered in removing the handgun 100 from the WRD 120 that may otherwise occur if the floor 220 and the end segment 136 were formed from flat, planar surfaces.
One or more gussets 224 (FIGS. 14 and 16) can be provided to support the nose portion 134. Each gusset 224 can extend between a portion of the nose 134 and the end segment 136 and/or one or both of the sides 124, 126. A pair of gussets 224 can optionally extend from each side of a lower region of the nose 134 adjacent the end segment 136, as shown in FIG. 16, and optionally also adjacent an upper region where the nose 134 is joined to the end segment 136. According to alternate embodiments, a portion of the flange 194 adjacent the top of the side walls 124, 126 can act as the gussets adjacent to the top of the nose 134.
Referring once again to FIGS. 11 and 12, the nose 134 also includes a plurality of apertures 148, 190 formed therein. A first aperture 190 allows a cord to be tied to the nose 134 at one end, and to the user (or the user's clothing or another anchor) at the other end. The cord can help couple the WRD 120 to the user, allowing the user to cleanly draw the handgun 100 from the WRD 120 without separating the WRD 120 from the user.
A second aperture 148 formed in the nose 134 receives the adjustable fastening system 141 that also extends through the hangar 128 as described above. Although cooperation between the adjustable fastening system 141, hangar 128 and the nose 134 along axis 146 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may allow the hangar 128 a degree of freedom to pivot about the fastening system 141, the connector region 144 (FIGS. 19 and 20) of the hangar 128 can be laterally offset from a loop supporting region 210 by a transition region 232. At least a portion of the transition region 232 can be disposed between the gussets 224 located adjacent to the top and bottom of the nose 134 when the hangar 128 is coupled to the nose 134 via the fastening system 141. Contact between the gussets 224 and a portion of the hangar 128, such as a portion of the transition region 232 for example, prevent, or at least limit rotational adjustment of the hangar 128 relative to the body portion 121 about the fastening system 141.
The embodiment of the transition region 232 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 includes an angled portion 234 and an elbow 236. The elbow 236 can form a relatively sharp angle that allows the transition region 232 to extend deep into the space between the gussets 224 providing support to the nose 134, thereby preventing the transition region 232 from being fully removed from between the gussets 224 while the hangar 128 is properly secured to the nose 134 by the fastening system 141. The angled portion 234 supports the loop supporting region 210 outwardly, away from (i.e. separated from) the body portion 121. This separation is believed to maintain a suitable distance between the loop supporting region 210 and the handgun 100 to minimize the likelihood of the handgun 100 getting caught on the hangar 128 while being drawn.
Once the attachment device 130 is coupled to the loop supporting region 210 as shown and described with reference to FIG. 10, for example, the attachment device 130 may exhibit a tendency to rotate about the releasable fastener 172. To counter this tendency, the loop supporting region 210 can optionally be provided with a friction-enhancing surface. For example, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a plurality of protuberances 238 extend upwardly, generally away from the surface of the loop supporting region 210. Other embodiments can include a coarse, textured surface on the loop supporting region 210 (e.g., a sandpaper-like finish), a tacky surface, etc. . . . provided to the loop supporting region 210 to minimize rotational adjustment of the attachment device 130 relative to the loop supporting region 210 about releasable fastener 172.
While there has been illustrated and described what are presently considered to be illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may also include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A weapon retention device comprising:

first and second sides laterally-spaced apart from each other and defining a trigger guard space between said first and second sides, the first and second sides comprising a shape suitable to extend over a portion of an aperture defined by a trigger guard provided to a handgun while the trigger guard is received within the trigger guard space to protect a trigger within the aperture against contact from a foreign body; and

a hangar to be coupled to the first and second sides and comprising an attachment device that releasably couples the weapon retention device to a user.

2. The weapon retention device of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the first and second sides comprises a boss that extends inwardly into the trigger guard space, and

the first and second sides are separated by a distance suitable for the boss to produce a resistive force during installation of the weapon retention device onto the handgun and be at least partially received within the trigger guard space when the weapon retention device is fully installed on the handgun.

3. The weapon retention device of claim 2, wherein the boss is formed in a manner to define an external periphery that closely resembles a portion of an inner periphery of the trigger guard provided to the handgun.

4. The weapon retention device of claim 3, wherein the external periphery defined by the boss is molded with a dimension specific to the trigger guard of a predetermined model of the handgun.

5. The weapon retention device of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second sides comprises a boss that extends inwardly into the trigger guard space when the weapon retention device is fully installed on the handgun.

6. The weapon retention device of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides are integrally formed together as part of a single, monolithic member.

7. The weapon retention device of claim 6, wherein the single, monolithic member is formed from an injection-molded thermoplastic material.

8. The weapon retention device of claim 1 further comprising a connection element coupled to the first and second sides, wherein the connection element couples the first and second sides together in a semi-flexible fashion, allowing substantially-elastic deformation of the first and second sides relative to each other.

9. The weapon retention device of claim 8, wherein the connection element comprises a nose portion that protrudes in a forward direction generally toward a muzzle of the handgun while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun.

10. The weapon retention device of claim 9 further comprising a reinforcing gusset that extends between the nose portion and at least one of the first and second sides, wherein the hangar is to be removably coupled to the nose portion and the reinforcing gusset interferes with pivotal movement of the hangar relative to the nose portion.

11. The weapon retention device of claim 9, wherein the nose portion is coupled to the first and second sides to establish a space between a barrel portion of the handgun and the nose portion while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun.

12. The weapon retention device of claim 1 further comprising a connection element coupled to the first and second sides, wherein the hangar is to be removably coupled to the connection element with an adjustable fastener that can be repeatedly removed and replaced.

13. The weapon retention device of claim 12, wherein the first and second sides and the connection element are arranged substantially symmetrically in a lateral dimension and the hangar is compatible for installation adjacent to both the first and second sides.

14. The weapon retention device of claim 1, wherein the hangar comprises an elongated arm portion to be coupled adjacent a proximate end to a connection element connecting the first and second sides and to support the attachment device adjacent to a distal end of the arm portion, the arm portion extending adjacent to at least one of the first and second sides when coupled to the first and second sides.

15. The weapon retention device of claim 14, wherein the attachment device comprises a belt loop and a releasable fastener to selectively close the belt loop for removably coupling the weapon retention device to a belt worn by the user.

16. The weapon retention device of claim 14, wherein the elongated arm portion comprises a plurality of receivers arranged adjacent to the distal end to support the attachment device at a plurality of locations along the arm portion and establish a plurality of different holding positions where the weapon retention device holds the handgun on the user.

17. The weapon retention device of claim 14, wherein the arm portion comprises a reinforcing flange that extends along at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the arm portion.

18. The weapon retention device of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing flange is integrally formed as a monolithic portion of the arm portion, and at least partially defines a recess at a location along the arm portion where the arm portion extends adjacent to a magazine release of the handgun when the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun.

19. The weapon retention device of claim 1, wherein an uppermost portion of the first and second sides comprises a shape substantially similar to a lowermost region of a barrel portion of the handgun, and the first and second sides are terminated at an elevation below substantially all of the barrel portion while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun.

20. The weapon retention device of claim 1 further comprising a floor extending between a bottom of the first and second sides, the floor comprising at least one sloped section that is at least partially separated from a lowermost portion of the trigger guard when the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun.

21. The weapon retention device of claim 20, wherein the floor extends longitudinally along a portion of, but less than an entire length of the first and second sides.

22. A weapon retention device comprising:

first and second sides laterally-spaced apart from each other to define a trigger guard space between said first and second sides, the first and second sides comprising a shape suitable to extend over a portion of an aperture defined by a trigger guard provided to a handgun while the trigger guard is received within the trigger guard space to protect a trigger within the aperture against contact from a foreign body, wherein at least one of the first and second sides is terminated adjacent to an underside of a barrel portion of the handgun;

a boss provided to an interior surface of at least one of the first and second sides to extend in an inward direction into the trigger guard space, wherein the trigger guard space is suitable for the boss to interact with the trigger guard and produce a resistive force that impedes installation of the weapon retention device onto the handgun;

an attachment device that releasably couples the weapon retention device to a user; and

a hangar comprising an elongated arm portion with a proximate end to be coupled to the first and second sides and a distal end that is to support the attachment device, wherein at least a portion of the arm portion is disposed on an opposite side of the first and second sides relative to the user while the weapon retention device is being worn by the user.

23. The weapon retention device of claim 22, wherein the first and second sides are substantially-elastically urged apart from each other as the boss interacts with the trigger guard during installation of the weapon retention device on the handgun, and at least one of the first and second sides snaps toward another of the first and second sides when the boss passes beyond the trigger guard during installation of the weapon retention device.

24. The weapon retention device of claim 22 further comprising a connection element coupled to the first and second sides in a symmetrical arrangement, wherein the hangar is to be removably coupled to the connection element by an adjustable fastener in a first orientation for a left-handed user and in a second orientation, that is different than the first orientation, for a right-handed user.

25. The weapon retention device of claim 22, wherein the boss is molded as part of the interior surface with a dimension specific to the trigger guard of a predetermined model of the handgun.

26. The weapon retention device of claim 22, wherein the arm portion comprises a reinforcing flange along at least a portion of a periphery of the arm portion, and the reinforcing flange at least partially defines a recess that receives a portion of a magazine release actuator provided to the handgun to avoid actuating the magazine release actuator when the arm portion is urged toward the handgun while the trigger guard of the handgun is received within the trigger guard space.

27. A weapon retention device comprising:

first and second sides laterally-spaced apart from each other to define a trigger guard space between said first and second sides, the first and second sides comprising a shape suitable to extend over a portion of an aperture defined at least in part by a trigger guard provided to a handgun while the trigger guard is received within the trigger guard space to protect a trigger within the aperture against contact from a foreign body, wherein the first and second sides cooperate with a portion of the handgun that is disposed entirely below a barrel of the handgun while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun;

a boss integrally molded as a portion of an interior surface of at least one of the first and second sides to extend in an inward direction into the trigger guard space while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun, wherein a distance separating the first and second sides is suitable to cause the boss to interact with the trigger guard and produce a resistive force during installation of the weapon retention device onto the handgun;

a connection element coupled to the first and second sides, wherein the connection element protrudes generally away from the first and second sides and generally toward a muzzle of the barrel provided to the handgun while the weapon retention device is installed on the handgun;

a belt attachment device that releasably couples the weapon retention device to a belt worn by a user; and

a hangar comprising an arm portion with a proximate end to be releasably coupled to the connection element and a distal end that is to support the attachment device, wherein the proximate end of the hangar is adapted to be coupled differently to the connection element to render the weapon retention device suitable for use by a left-handed user and a right-handed user.

28. The weapon retention device of claim 27, wherein the distal end of the arm portion comprises an adjustable fastening system that couples the belt attachment device to a plurality of different locations along the arm portion so a position of said weapon retention device is adjustable with respect to said belt.

29. The weapon retention device of claim 27, wherein the first and second sides are substantially-elastically urged apart from each other as the boss interacts with the trigger guard during installation of the weapon retention device on the handgun, and at least one of the first and second sides snaps toward another of the first and second sides when the boss enters the aperture defined at least in part by the trigger guard.