Holster retention systems and methods

Abstract

A firearm holster may include a holster body for removably receiving at least a portion of a firearm, and a holster retention device. The holster retention device may include a housing coupled to the holster body, a plunger coupled to the housing and configured to move relative to the housing between a first locked position and a first unlocked position, and a locking block coupled to the housing and configured to move relative to each of the housing and the plunger between a second locked position and a second unlocked position. The locking block may include a firearm engagement portion configured for engaging the firearm and preventing removal of the firearm from the holster body when the locking block is in the second locked position and for disengaging the firearm and allowing removal of the firearm from the holster body when the locking block is in the second unlocked position.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A holster for a firearm, the holster comprising:
 a holster body configured for removably receiving at least a portion of the firearm therein; and   a holster retention device comprising:
 a housing coupled to the holster body; 
 a plunger coupled to the housing and configured to move relative to the housing between a first locked position and a first unlocked position; and 
 a locking block coupled to the housing and configured to move relative to each of the housing and the plunger between a second locked position and a second unlocked position, the locking block comprising a firearm engagement portion configured for engaging a portion of the firearm and preventing removal of the firearm from the holster body when the locking block is in the second locked position and for disengaging the portion of the firearm and allowing removal of the firearm from the holster body when the locking block is in the second unlocked position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is configured to cause the locking block to move from the second locked position to the second unlocked position when the plunger moves from the first locked position to the first unlocked position. 
     
     
         3 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plunger is biased to the first locked position; and   the locking block is biased to the second locked position.   
     
     
         4 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plunger is configured to translate relative to the housing between the first locked position and the first unlocked position; and   the locking block is configured to translate relative to the housing between the second locked position and the second unlocked position.   
     
     
         5 . The holster of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the plunger is configured to translate relative to the housing along a first axis; and   the locking block is configured to translate relative to the housing along a second axis extending transverse to the first axis.   
     
     
         6 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plunger is configured to translate relative to the housing between the first locked position and the first unlocked position; and   the locking block is configured to pivot relative to the housing between the second locked position and the second unlocked position.   
     
     
         7 . The holster of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the plunger is configured to translate relative to the housing along a first axis; and   the locking block is configured to pivot relative to the housing about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis.   
     
     
         8 . The holster of  claim 6 , wherein the locking block is pivotably coupled to the housing by one or more protrusions received within one or more holes. 
     
     
         9 . The holster of  claim 6 , wherein the locking block is pivotably coupled to the housing by one or more flexible hinges. 
     
     
         10 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the firearm engagement portion is configured for engaging an ejection port of the firearm when the locking block is in the second locked position and for disengaging the ejection port when the locking block is in the second unlocked position. 
     
     
         11 . A holster retention device for a holster for a firearm, the holster retention device comprising:
 a housing configured for coupling to a holster body of the holster;   a plunger coupled to the housing and configured to move relative to the housing between a first locked position and a first unlocked position; and   a locking block coupled to the housing and configured to move relative to each of the housing and the plunger between a second locked position and a second unlocked position, the locking block comprising a firearm engagement portion configured for engaging a portion of the firearm and preventing removal of the firearm from the holster body when the locking block is in the second locked position and for disengaging the portion of the firearm and allowing removal of the firearm from the holster body when the locking block is in the second unlocked position.   
     
     
         12 . The holster retention device of  claim 11 , wherein the plunger is configured to cause the locking block to move from the second locked position to the second unlocked position when the plunger moves from the first locked position to the first unlocked position. 
     
     
         13 . The holster retention device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the plunger is biased to the first locked position; and   the locking block is biased to the second locked position.   
     
     
         14 . The holster retention device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the plunger is configured to translate relative to the housing between the first locked position and the first unlocked position; and   the locking block is configured to translate relative to the housing between the second locked position and the second unlocked position.   
     
     
         15 . The holster retention device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plunger is configured to translate relative to the housing along a first axis; and   the locking block is configured to translate relative to the housing along a second axis extending transverse to the first axis.   
     
     
         16 . The holster retention device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the plunger is configured to translate relative to the housing between the first locked position and the first unlocked position; and   the locking block is configured to pivot relative to the housing between the second locked position and the second unlocked position.   
     
     
         17 . The holster retention device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the plunger is configured to translate relative to the housing along a first axis; and   the locking block is configured to pivot relative to the housing about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis.   
     
     
         18 . The holster retention device of  claim 16 , wherein the locking block is pivotably coupled to the housing by one or more protrusions received within one or more holes. 
     
     
         19 . The holster retention device of  claim 16 , wherein the locking block is pivotably coupled to the housing by one or more flexible hinges. 
     
     
         20 . The holster retention device of  claim 11 , wherein the firearm engagement portion is configured for engaging an ejection port of the firearm when the locking block is in the second locked position and for disengaging the ejection port when the locking block is in the second unlocked position.