Handgun holster

Abstract

A holster for carrying a handgun includes an elongated strap with a clip-on affixed to one end of the strap. The opposite end of the strap is formed as a loop. Functionally, the clip-on is used for securing the holster onto the belt of a user, and the loop is dimensioned to receive and hold the barrel of the handgun. In use, the handgun is held in the holster between the belt and the body of the user. Thus, the loop supports the handgun, and the user's belt is tightened to support and stabilize the handgun against the body of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A holster for carrying a handgun, wherein the handgun includes a barrel, and a hand grip, the holster comprising:
 a strap having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end of the strap is formed as a loop to receive and hold the barrel of the handgun; and   a clip-on attached to the upper end of the strap, wherein the clip-on is adapted for engagement with a belt of a user to orient the strap with the loop below the belt and the handgun positioned between the strap and the body of a user, and wherein the belt holds the handgun against the body of a user when the belt is tightened.   
     
     
         2 . The holster of  claim 1  wherein the loop defines a plane and the strap defines an axis and the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the axis of the strap. 
     
     
         3 . The holster of  claim 1  wherein the clip-on comprises:
 a base plate, wherein the base plate is flat and is fixedly attached to the upper end of the strap: 
 a clamping member, wherein the clamping member has a first end and a second end; and 
 a restraining hinge interconnecting the first end of the clamping member with the base plate to bias the second end of the clamping member toward the base plate to clamp the belt therebetween. 
 
     
     
         4 . The holster of  claim 1  wherein the strap and the loop are made of a same material selected from the group consisting of leather, plastic, cloth and elastomer. 
     
     
         5 . The holster of  claim 1  wherein the handgun is a revolver having cylinder positioned between the barrel and the handgrip. 
     
     
         6 . The holster of  claim 5  wherein the cylinder of the revolver rests against the loop when the barrel of the handgun is inserted into the loop. 
     
     
         7 . The holster of  claim 1  wherein the handgun is a pistol having a trigger guard. 
     
     
         8 . The holster of  claim 7  wherein the trigger guard of the pistol rests against the loop when the barrel of the pistol is inserted into the loop. 
     
     
         9 . A holster for carrying a handgun, wherein the handgun includes a barrel, and a hand grip, the holster comprising:
 a belt, wherein the belt is adapted to be positioned around the waist of a user;   a strap having a first end and a second end;   a clip-on attached to the first end of the strap, wherein the clip-on is adapted for engagement with the belt to orient the strap with the second end of the strap extended downwardly from the belt; and   a loop affixed to the second end of the strap to receive and stabilize the barrel of the handgun while the belt holds the handgun against the body of the user.   
     
     
         10 . The holster of  claim 9  wherein the loop is integral with the strap. 
     
     
         11 . The holster of  claim 9  wherein the strap and the loop are made of a same material selected from the group consisting of leather, plastic, cloth and elastomer. 
     
     
         12 . The holster of  claim 9  wherein the strap and the loop are made of a different material and are respectively selected from the group consisting of leather, plastic, cloth and elastomer. 
     
     
         13 . The holster of  claim 9  wherein the loop defines a plane and the strap defines an axis and the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the axis of the strap. 
     
     
         14 . The holster of  claim 9  wherein the clip-on comprises:
 a base plate, wherein the base plate is flat and is fixedly attached to the first end of the strap; 
 a clamping member, wherein the clamping member has a first end and a second end; and 
 a restraining hinge interconnecting the first end of the clamping member with the base plate to bias the second end of the clamping member toward the base plate to clamp the belt therebetween. 
 
     
     
         15 . The holster of  claim 14  wherein the handgun includes a cylinder and the cylinder of the handgun rests against the loop when the barrel of the handgun is inserted into the loop. 
     
     
         16 . A method for manufacturing a holster for a handgun having a barrel and a handgrip, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 providing an L-shaped template pattern;   using the template pattern to create a workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes an elongated first segment perpendicular to an elongated second segment, and wherein the first segment is contiguous with the second segment at a common connecting area;   folding the second segment to form a loop, wherein the second segment has a free end and the loop is formed with the free end of the second segment joined to the connecting area; and   attaching a clip-on onto the first segment, wherein the first segment has a free end and the clip-on is fastened to the free end of the first segment to establish a strap for the holster extending from the clip-on to the loop.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the workpiece is made of a material selected from the group consisting of leather, plastic, cloth and elastomer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the clip-on comprises:
 a base plate fixedly attached to the first segment; 
 a clamping member; and 
 a restraining hinge interconnecting the clamping member with the base plate to clamp a belt of a user therebetween. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the loop defines a plane and the strap defines an axis and the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the axis of the strap. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the L-shaped template pattern is dimensioned with the first segment having a length h, with the second segment having a length d, and with both segments having a same width w, wherein the length d of the second segment is established to create the loop for receiving the barrel of the handgun.