Holster for packs

Abstract

A wearable holster for concealing a firearm on a user includes a panel having a forward face, a rear face and an upper edge. A support extends laterally from the forward face and defines a slot sized and shaped to receive a barrel of the firearm. The support does not cover a handle of the firearm. A retainer retains the firearm in the slot. A flap extends outward from the upper edge of the panel and removably covers the support and the handle of the firearm. A quick release fastener for releasably securing the flap in place over the support and the handle includes a first element mounted on the panel and a second element mounted on the flap. The fastener enables quick removal of the flap and access to the firearm.

1 . A wearable holster attachable to a pack for obscuring a firearm on a user, said holster comprising: 
 a panel having a forward face, a rear face and an upper edge,    a support extending laterally from the forward face and defining a slot sized and shaped to receive a barrel of the firearm, the support not covering a handle of the firearm,    a retainer for retaining the firearm in the slot,    a flap extending outward from the upper edge of the panel and removably covering the support and the handle of the firearm,    a quick release fastener for releasably securing the flap in place over the support and the handle, the fastener including a first element mounted on the panel and a second element mounted on the flap, the fastener enabling quick removal of the flap and access to the firearm.    
     
     
         2 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a belt mounting element for releasably mounting the holster on a user's belt.  
     
     
         3 . The holster as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the belt mounting element comprises a strap having a first end margin secured to the rear face of the panel and a second end margin releasably secured to the panel and thereby defining a loop, wherein the belt extends through the loop when the holster is secured to the belt.  
     
     
         4 . The holster as set forth in  claim 3  further comprising a snap fastener for releasably securing the second end margin of the strap to the panel.  
     
     
         5 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the retainer includes a side flap extending outward from a side of the panel, the side flap being sized and shaped to fold over the handle of the firearm when the firearm is received in the support.  
     
     
         6 . The holster as set forth in  claim 5  further comprising a quick-release fastener for retaining the side flap in position over the handle of the firearm.  
     
     
         7 . The holster as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the flap includes a pocket.  
     
     
         8 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1  in combination with a backpack.  
     
     
         9 . The holster as set forth in  claim 1  in combination with a waist pack.  
     
     
         10 . The holster as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the holster has a rifle holder mounted thereon, the belt mounting element of the holster being releasably secured to the rifle holder.  
     
     
         11 . The holster as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the holster is made of fabric.  
     
     
         12 . The holster as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the holster is attached to the belt such that the barrel of the firearm is generally horizontal when the firearm is received in the support.  
     
     
         13 . A pack comprising: 
 a load carrier having an upper portion and a lower portion,    a shoulder harness extending from the upper portion for securing the pack on shoulders of a wearer,    a waist belt extending laterally from the lower portion of the load carrier for releasably securing the pack around a waist of the wearer,    a rifle holder including a lower section secured to the belt and defining a slot for receiving a butt of a rifle, the rifle holder including an upper section for retaining an upper end of the rifle,    a pistol holster secured to the front face of the rifle holder for supporting a pistol, the holster including a flap for concealing the pistol.    
     
     
         14 . The pack as set forth in  13  wherein the rifle holder has a front face facing away from the belt and wherein the holster is releasably secured to the front face.  
     
     
         15 . The pack as set forth in  14  wherein the holster has a rear face, and wherein the holster comprises a fastener having one end margin fixed to the rear face and a second opposite end margin releasably secured to the rear face.  
     
     
         16 . The pack as set forth in  15  wherein the rifle holder comprises at least one loop extending outward from the front face of the rifle holder, wherein the fastener is received through the at least one loop on the rifle holder to releasably secure the holster to the rifle holder.  
     
     
         17 . The pack as set forth in  16  wherein the fastener comprises a pair of spaced apart straps and the at least one loop comprises spaced apart first and second rows each having a plurality of loops, each loop of the first row being aligned with a corresponding loop in the second row.  
     
     
         18 . The pack as set forth in  17  wherein the rear face further comprises a snap fastener for releasably securing the second end margin to the holster.  
     
     
         19 . The pack as set forth in  18  wherein the straps extend from an upper portion to a lower portion of the rear face of the holster and the first row of loops is disposed on an upper portion of the of the front face of the rifle holder and the second row of loops is disposed therebelow.