US20170045329A1

US20170045329A1 - Pocket-carried handgun

Info

Publication number: US20170045329A1
Application number: US15/219,545
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Lee Turnington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-10
Filing date: 2016-07-26
Publication date: 2017-02-16

Abstract

A pocket-carried handgun has a planar body having opposed major faces, the body having a periphery defined by opposed elongated top and bottom edges and opposed front and rear edges, the body defining a trigger aperture extending between major faces at an intermediate position away from the periphery, a trigger lever extending from the body into the trigger aperture, and the body defining a grip aperture proximate the trigger aperture and toward the bottom edge. The body may have a rectangular form. The top and bottom edges may be straight edges parallel to each other. The front and rear edges may be straight edges parallel to each other. There may be a removable plug occupying the trigger aperture. The plug may include a portion occupying the grip aperture. The plug may define a space for closely receiving a portion of the trigger lever.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/203,335 filed on Aug. 10, 2015, entitled “HOLSTER-LESS COMPACT POCKET CARRY HANDGUN SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a compact handgun that fits into a pocket for pocket carry that does not resemble a conventional handgun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Concealed carry is the practice of carrying a firearm, usually a handgun, in public in a concealed manner. All 50 states in the US have laws allowing qualified individuals to carry certain concealed firearms in public, either without a permit or after obtaining a permit. Published statistics indicate the number of concealed carry permit holders in the United States is steadily increasing.
Small caliber and small frame handguns that will fit in a pocket are particularly popular for concealed carry. A significant disadvantage to these firearms is they are easily recognized as being a handgun in the carrier's pocket because of their very identifiable, distinct silhouette. In addition, because of their characteristic handgun form, they often turn and twist in different directions in the carrier's pocket, making a smooth draw awkward. Additionally, small pocket carry handguns are often “snappy,” having excess muzzle rise that makes maintaining the sight picture difficult, and the grips are too small or awkward to grasp. Another negative aspect is the magazine capacity of small pocket carry firearms is generally limited to 5-7 rounds. If an extra magazine is needed, it has to be carried either in another pocket or a holster of some sort that requires the carrier to divert at least one hand and his or her attention to retrieve it.
To attempt to address the identifiable, distinct silhouette of a pocket carry firearm in a carrier's pocket, several “wallet” type holsters have been developed that attempt to mask the shape of the handgun. These do not allow the use of laser sights, interfere with magazine release, and/or require extra steps to free the handgun from the “wallet.”
To attempt to improve the ability to smoothly draw a pocket carried firearm from a carrier's pocket, basic “pocket fob” holsters have been designed to hold the gun upright in the carrier's pocket. However, these often do not fit pockets well, do not change the handgun's silhouette adequately to conceal it, do not address the need for an extra magazine, and often turn pockets inside out causing snagging when the handgun is drawn.
Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved pocket-carried handgun that is not readily identifiable as a handgun and that draws smoothly from a pocket. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the pocket-carried handgun according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of not being readily identifiable as a handgun and drawing smoothly from a pocket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved pocket-carried handgun, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved pocket-carried handgun that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.
To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises.
a planar body having opposed major faces, the body having a periphery defined by opposed elongated top and bottom edges and opposed front and rear edges, the body defining a trigger aperture extending between major faces at an intermediate position away from the periphery, a trigger lever extending from the body into the trigger aperture, and the body defining a grip aperture proximate the trigger aperture and toward the bottom edge. The body may have a rectangular form. The top and bottom edges may be straight edges parallel to each other. The front and rear edges may be straight edges parallel to each other. There may be a removable plug occupying the trigger aperture. The plug may include a portion occupying the grip aperture. The plug may define a space for closely receiving a portion of the trigger lever. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the current embodiment of the pocket-carried handgun constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the pocket-carried handgun of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the pocket-carried handgun of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front isometric view of the current embodiment of the trigger stay suitable for use with the pocket-carried handgun of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the trigger stay of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of the pocket-carried handgun of FIG. 1 with the trigger stay of FIG. 4 installed.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the pocket-carried handgun of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the improved pocket-carried handgun 10 of the present invention.
More particularly, the pocket-carried handgun has a planar body or frame 12, opposed front 14 and rear 16 edges, opposed elongated top 18 and bottom 20 edges, and opposed right 22 and left 24 major faces. In the current embodiment, the frame is a polymer frame.
A slide 26 has a bottom 34 slidably connected to the top 18 of the frame 12. The slide also has a front 28, rear 30, top 32, right 36, and left 38. In the current embodiment, the slide is made of steel. The rear of the right and left sides of the slide define slide grips 40, which are serrations that facilitate gripping of the right and left sides of the slide to pull the slide rearwardly. The top of the slide defines an ejection port 42 for ejecting spent cartridge casings and a sight 44 to facilitate aiming of the pocket-carried handgun 10. The front of the slide defines a beveled barrel orifice 46 that receives a barrel 48 having a central barrel bore 50 and a beveled muzzle 132. The rounded bevel of the barrel orifice and muzzle act similarly to a gas port to redirect gas pressure exiting the barrel, thereby reducing muzzle rise and improving the sight picture. In the current embodiment, the barrel is rifled all the way through to the front end. However, in order to ensure all of the rifling ends at a consistent location within the barrel, the muzzle of the barrel alternatively can be slightly recessed and squared off at the front end instead of beveled, or the beveled muzzle of the barrel can be bored out to a size larger than the grooves and lands of the rifling.
The front 14 of the frame 12 receives a top 54 of a LED diode and laser diode housing 52 immediately below the barrel orifice 46. The bottom 56 of the housing is flush with the front of the frame and includes a laser diode 58 and a LED diode 60. The laser diode provides the pocket-carried handgun 10 with a laser sight, and the LED diode provides the pocket-carried handgun with a source of illumination.
The front 14 of the frame 12 also receives the top 64 of a spare magazine 62 in a front magazine receptacle or well 128. The magazine well is elongated, has an opening at the front of the frame, and extends rearward toward a finger grip aperture or orifice 70. The bottom 66 of the spare magazine is flush with the front of the frame. The forward placement of the spare magazine acts to counterbalance muzzle rise and keeps the pocket-carried handgun on target with both of the carrier's hands in front of his or her body and the muzzle 132 of the barrel 48 downrange while changing magazines. The right face 22 of the frame includes a spare magazine release 68 that releasably retains the spare magazine within the front magazine well.
The finger grip orifice 70 and a trigger housing aperture or orifice 76 extend through the frame 12 from the right face 22 to the left face 24 with the finger grip orifice located below the trigger housing orifice. In the current embodiment, the finger grip orifice is circular, and the finger grip orifice and the trigger housing orifice are separated by a web 126 having a thickness of less than or equal to 0.25 inch. The finger grip orifice provides a secure and stable grip for the carrier's middle finger that is superior to the miniature open grip design of many small handguns. The finger grip orifice provides access to a pressure laser power switch 72 to the rear 16 to control the laser sight diode 58 and an LED on/off switch 60 to the front 14 to control the LED diode while the pocket-carried handgun 10 is gripped. A trigger 78 protrudes into the trigger housing orifice 76.
The bottom 20 rear 16 of the frame 12 receives the top 82 of a primary magazine 80 in a rear magazine well 130. The rear magazine well is elongated, has an opening at the bottom of the frame, and extends toward the top of the frame rearward of the trigger housing orifice 76 and the finger grip orifice 70 so as to be in operable communication with an action (not shown) of the pocket-carried handgun 10. The bottom 84 of the primary magazine is flush with the bottom of the frame. The right face 22 of the frame includes a primary magazine release 86 that releasably retains the primary magazine within the rear magazine well.
The rear 16 of the frame 12 defines a concave rear recess contour 88. A hinged pressure back strap 90 having a top 92, bottom 94, front 96, rear 98, and right 100 is a movable portion pivotally connected to the bottom 20 rear of the frame by a hinge pin 102. The back strap is spring biased rearwardly such that the rear of the back strap fills the contour and is flush with the rear of the frame until the pocket-carried handgun 10 is gripped. The back strap maintains a discrete, non-threatening silhouette of the pocket-carried handgun while it is carried in a pocket. When the pocket-carried handgun is gripped, the back strap pivots forward (denoted by dashed lines) towards the front 14 of the frame into recesses (not visible) on each side of the rear magazine well 130 until the rear of the back strap does not protrude into the area rearward of the contour, thereby exposing the rear recess to facilitate gripping.
FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the improved trigger stay 104 of the current invention. More particularly, the trigger stay has a planar spine 124 having a top 106, bottom 108, front 110, rear 112, right side 114, and left side 116. A trigger housing orifice plug 118 and a finger grip orifice plug 122 protrude outwardly from the right side of the spine. The trigger housing orifice plug is located above the finger grip orifice plug, and the plugs are axially registered with the trigger housing orifice 76 and the finger grip orifice 70 when the trigger stay is installed in the frame 12 of the pocket-carried handgun 10. The trigger housing orifice includes a trigger slot 120 that is a space for closely receiving a portion of the trigger 78. When the trigger stay is installed in the frame, trigger movement is prevented and other items such as keys are prevented from entering the trigger housing orifice while the pocket-carried handgun is carried in a pocket or purse. The trigger stay pops out easily when the carrier's middle finger is inserted into the finger grip orifice and pushes on the finger grip orifice plug. The illustrated trigger stay is for use by a right-handed shooter. Alternatively, a trigger stay with the trigger housing orifice plug in finger grip orifice plug protruding outwardly from the left side of the spine can be used by a left-handed shooter. The pocket-carried handgun is inherently ambidextrous and can be used by either a left-handed shooter or a right-handed shooter without any other modifications.
The pocket-carried handgun 10 has a generally rectangular form with rounded corners with the top and bottom edges being straight edges parallel to each other and the front and rear edges being straight edges parallel to each other. The rectangular shape enables stable positioning within the carrier's pants pockets, short pants pockets, slacks pockets, and suit coat pockets. The pocket-carried handgun also eliminates the need for common small handgun accessories such as a holster, spare magazine, and a laser sight that can create snag points and could distract the user. The rectangular shape also endows the pocket-carried handgun with a discrete, non-threatening silhouette resembling a smart phone while being carried in a pocket. In the current embodiment, the pocket-carried handgun has a length of 6 inches, a height of 3.75 inches, and a width of 0.75 inch.
While a current embodiment of a pocket-carried handgun has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, instead of the spare magazine disclosed, the front of the frame can receive a non-lethal pepper spray cartridge. In addition, the hinged pressure back strap can be integrated into a safety mechanism operably connected to an action of the pocket-carried handgun that prevents the pocket-carried handgun from firing unless the hinged pressure back strap is firmly gripped and pivoted into a forward position into the frame. Furthermore, the LED on/off switch can be in any suitable location on the frame in addition to the front of the finger grip orifice. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A pistol comprising:

a planar body having opposed major faces;

the body having a periphery defined by opposed elongated top and bottom edges and opposed front and rear edges;

the body defining a trigger aperture extending between major faces at an intermediate position away from the periphery;

a trigger lever extending from the body into the trigger aperture; and

the body defining a grip aperture proximate the trigger aperture and toward the bottom edge.

2. The pistol of claim 1 further comprising the body having a rectangular form.

3. The pistol of claim 1 further comprising the top and bottom edges being straight edges parallel to each other.

4. The pistol of claim 1 further comprising the front and rear edges being straight edges parallel to each other.

5. The pistol of claim 1 including a removable plug occupying the trigger aperture.

6. The pistol of claim 5 further comprising the plug including a portion occupying the grip aperture.

7. The pistol of claim 5 further comprising the plug defining a space for closely receiving a portion of the trigger lever.

8. The pistol of claim 1 further comprising the body having a movable portion at the rear edge, the movable portion being movable toward the front edge of the body to provide a concave rear recess to facilitate gripping.

9. The pistol of claim 8 wherein the movable portion is pivotally connected to the body.

10. The pistol of claim 8 wherein the movable portion is operably connected to an action of the pistol to prevent discharge of the pistol except when the movable portion is in a forward position.

11. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the body defines an elongated magazine receptacle having an opening at the front edge, and extending toward the grip aperture.

12. The pistol of claim 9 including a second magazine aperture operable communicating with an action of the pistol and having an opening at the bottom edge of the body, and extending toward the top edge of the body rearward of the trigger aperture and the grip aperture.

13. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the grip aperture is circular.

14. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the grip aperture is separated from the trigger aperture by a web having a thickness of less than or equal to 0.25 inch.