Secondary latching device for holsters

Abstract

A handgun holster with an auxiliary or supplementary latching device is disclosed. The holster includes a body which defines a pouch for holding a handgun and includes a strap which extends over or around a portion of the handgun to hold it in place in the holster when the free end of the retention strap is secured to the holster as by a snap fastener. In the preferred embodiment the holster includes a thumbreak which is used to allow the wearer to separate the snap fastener by downward movement of the wearer's thumb to separate the snap fastener parts and allow the handgun to be withdrawn. A supplementary latching device is present which is movable from a latching to an unlatching position. Several different embodiments of the invention are illustrated including a molded plastic latch which encircles a holster thumbreak and is slidable longitudinally along the thumbreak. Another embodiment employs a metal band encircling the thumbreak with an integral spring detent which engages a recess in the thumbreak to provide a tactile or audible indication of latching operation. Another version includes a molded cap for a thumbreak with a throat like opening for receiving a snap fastener male part with an encircling rimmed cup. Fingergrip recesses are present in the cap. In another embodiment, the supplementary latching device includes two parts, one secured to the thumbreak and a second which is in slidable transverse relationship with thumbreak and the first part.