John C French

US Patent:

6547111, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Jul 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/919975

Inventors:

John M. French - Boise ID

Assignee:

Michaels of Oregon Co. - Oregon City OR

International Classification:

F41C 3302

US Classification:

224244, 224911

Abstract:

A handgun holster has a body that includes inner and outer sides. A catch projects into a handgun receiving pocket toward the inner side. The catch extends within and engages the trigger guard of a handgun carried in the pocket, preventing the handgun from being removed from the pocket. A guide plate is moveable away from the end of the catch in response to outward pressure, to provide clearance for the trigger guard to pass by the catch so that the handgun can be removed from the holster only when the handgun is manipulated appropriately by the wearer. The catch includes a cam surface mounted on a mounting plate so that the trigger guard will slide past the catch when the handgun is placed into the holster. The guide plate and mounting plate cover extend past the rear of the trigger of the holster so as to prevent accidental contact with the trigger.

US Patent:

6641009, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Jun 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/177585

Inventors:

John M. French - Boise ID
Thomas A. Marx - Portland OR

Assignee:

Michaels of Oregon Co. - Oregon City OR

International Classification:

F41C 3302

US Classification:

224244, 224193, 224911, 382115, 382124, 382126

Abstract:

A handgun holster has a body defining a handgun receiving pocket. The holster includes a retention device proximate to said pocket and capable of selectively resisting withdrawal of said handgun from said holster. The holster also includes a biometric device capable of sensing a characteristic of an individual, and being effective to selectively release said handgun from said holster.

US Patent:

6685067, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

May 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/160731

Inventors:

John M. French - Boise ID

Assignee:

Michaels of Oregon Co. - Oregon City OR

International Classification:

F41C 3302

US Classification:

224198, 224192, 224272, 224912, 2483112

Abstract:

A holster securement system for securing a holster to a belt comprises a body having at one end a loop for receiving the belt. The securement system also has a holster mount capable of being rigidly connected to the holster. An engagement member selectively detachably interconnects the body and the holster mount. The engagement member rigidly connects the holster mount to the body when engaged, and the engagement member enables the body and the holster mount to be selectively movable with respect to each other when disengaged.

US Patent:

D519281, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

29/205843

Inventors:

John M. French - Boise ID, US

Assignee:

Michaels of Oregon Co. - Oregon City OR

International Classification:

0301

US Classification:

D 3327

US Patent:

7461765, Dec 9, 2008

Filed:

Aug 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/916027

Inventors:

John M. French - Boise ID, US
Brian J. Shults - Nampa ID, US

Assignee:

Michaels of Oregon Co. - Overland Park KS

International Classification:

F41C 33/02

US Classification:

224243, 224238, 224912, 382126

Abstract:

A security hood assembly for a holster includes a hood that is movably supported in association with a holster body so that the hood extends over a portion of a holstered handgun or other service item when the hood in a closed position, to prevent unauthorized removal of the service item. A lever may be operably coupled to the hood for driving the hood toward an open position, to allow the service item to be removed from the holster. In some embodiments, a latch mechanism releasably engages when the hood is in the closed position to prevent the hood from being opened through direct manipulation of the hood. The hood is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, such as injection molded plastic. Holsters including the security hood assembly may also include internal retention devices, hood biasing mechanisms, and electronic devices responsive to opening of the hood.

US Patent:

20050205624, Sep 22, 2005

Filed:

Mar 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/073021

Inventors:

John French - Boise ID, US
Brian Shults - Nampa ID, US

Assignee:

Michaels of Oregon Co. - Oregon City OR

International Classification:

F41C033/02

US Classification:

224244000

Abstract:

A handgun retention device for a holster includes a catch that extends into a handgun receiving cavity defined by a body of the holster where the catch engages a trigger guard of a holstered handgun to retain the handgun in the cavity. A lever is operably coupled to the catch and extends below the grip of the holstered handgun and aft of its trigger guard, typically behind a rear margin of the holster, where the lever can be depressed to move the catch and release the handgun. The position of the release lever may promote safe gun handling. In a preferred embodiment, the catch and lever are formed of a resilient injection molded resin in a unitary structure with a spring arm that flexes when the lever is pressed inwardly toward the user's body.

US Patent:

20050258205, Nov 24, 2005

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/851550

Inventors:

John French - Boise ID, US

Assignee:

Michaels of Oregon Co. - Oregon City OR

International Classification:

A45F003/14
A45F003/12
A41F015/02

US Classification:

224264000

Abstract:

A carrying strap and method of making wherein the strap is adapted to support a load and includes a flexible webbing material and a spring element that dissipates and attenuates the shocks and vibrations caused by bouncing of the load as it is carried. One embodiment of the carrying strap includes (1) an elongate length of flexible webbing material and (2) a spring element including a resilient material positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the flexible webbing material such that each of the resilient material and the section of flexible webbing material has a corrugated profile. In response to the load causing a shock force on the carrying strap, the spring element expands and contracts to absorb, attenuate, and/or dissipate the shock force caused by bouncing of the load as it is carried.

US Patent:

20130181021, Jul 18, 2013

Filed:

Mar 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/425732

Inventors:

Liam Yarbrough - Pamona KS, US
Brian Shults - Nampa ID, US
Steve Hardwick - Overland Park KS, US
John M. French - Boise ID, US

Assignee:

BUSHNELL, INC. - Overland Park KS

International Classification:

F41C 33/02

US Classification:

224244, 224243

Abstract:

A handgun holster includes a first body section and a second body section, each section being constructed of a single, unitary piece of material. The two body sections are interconnected to form a handgun holster body defining an internal handgun receiving pocket, the pocket including a barrel section and a trigger section. A biasing element is integrally formed in the first body section and includes a flexible portion extending inwardly into the trigger section of the pocket from a first surface of the first body section. A retention element is integrally formed in the second body section and includes a raised portion extending inwardly into the trigger section of the pocket from a first surface of the second body section that opposes the first surface of the first body section.