Abstract: A backpack is provided, having a pack body and a shoulder strap system configured to hold the pack body securely against the user even during periods of high activity. The strap system includes two shoulder straps each having a lower portion attached to a coupler having an extended interface with the pack body, to inhibit sagging and secure the pack body to the user.

Abstract: A buckle including an auxiliary locking feature includes a female buckle part, including a strap-receiving portion and a body portion defining a recess for receiving a mating portion of a male buckle part and a pair of edge recesses. The male buckle part also has a strap-receiving portion and a pair of flexible female buckle-engaging prongs having catches which snap over mating recesses of female member. The male member also has a resilient cantilevered tongue carrying a release button extending through an opening in the front of the female part, the tongue including integral stop members. The prongs include bosses which engage the stop members. When the prongs are inserted into the recess of the female member, they snap over the mating recesses of the female member and the tongue is pressed downwardly to cause the release button to snap into the opening.

Abstract: A holster for carrying a handgun having a movable welt which reduces the likelihood that the handgun will be the subject of either an accidental or intentional dislodgment. The movable welt rotates about 10° to 15°, and as it rotates, the handgun is moved from a position where its hammer region is secured by a fixed strap and the weapon may not be removed to a position where the strap is no longer an issue and the weapon may be removed.

Abstract: A backpack is provided incorporating a framesheet and having superior torsional flexibility and load support. The backpack includes a sack configured to be disposed on a user's back and having a first side adjacent to the user's back, when worn. The framesheet is attached to the first side of the sack, generally with the spine of the user. A surface contour is provided to the framesheet that facilitates load support and inhibits barreling. The framesheet has a first width in the upper region and a second width less than the first width, the second width residing in the intermediate between the scapulas and the hip bones of the user. Optionally, a stay can also be provided to the backside of the framesheet, preferably along the centerline thereof.

Abstract: An ergonomic duty belt and ergonomic holster and belt loop assembly are disclosed which cooperate to provide a stable platform for a handgun in a holster and other accessories as well while providing superior comfort for the wearer. The ergonomic belt effectively has two widths, a narrow 1½ vertical effective width, which is against the wearer's body, and a traditional 2¼ inch exterior vertical width, which is sized to support the wearer's gear, such as a holster and a weapon. That portion of the ergonomic belt, which is against the wearer, is also padded for additional comfort. The ergonomic holster includes a belt loop assembly which is tapered and padded on its inner surface in the area where the assembly touches the wearer's body when worn as intended to better conform to the body of the wearer and minimize wearer discomfort.

Abstract: A holster for a handgun having a trigger guard including a pouch having housing members secured to inside and outside faces of the pouch, the inside face being that closest to the wearer of the holster. A finger-operated, essentially vertical, lever including a blocking end is urged into the space within the trigger guard by means of a spring and is secured to an inside housing member such that it would not be readily apparent or operable by anyone attempting to remove the handgun from the holster. The holster may also include elongated upwardly extending straps and a snap fastener which can be wrapped around the butt of the handgun constituting a thumb break securing device. A second embodiment includes a horizontal double lever arrangement which blocks removal of the trigger guard as described. A third embodiment utilizes a lever pinned to an outside housing member and having a vertical finger-operated button mounted flush with the surface of the outside housing member.

Abstract: An improved belt-loop assembly for hanging goods from a belt primarily used in conjunction with a holster. The belt loop assembly has a tapered belt loop opening and a platform upon which the belt rests. The taper aids in fixedly positioning the assembly along the belt while the platform protects the belt from wear due to belt positioning screws commonly found in belt loop assemblies.

Abstract: A tactical rig to be worn by police and military personnel includes an accessory panel which is strapped to the thigh of an individual and which is secured to the belt of the wearer with an adjustable strap. The accessory panel includes three heavy straps secured to itself including a series of stitchings which define loops for attaching pouches. One of the pouches may be a holster, which is secured to the panel with a fastener, such as a spring clip passing through one of the loops. The holster is generally U-shaped in cross-section and includes extended portions having loop and pile fasteners which combine to provide a double wrap around a handgun with an attached tactical light or other object carried in the holster. Because of the extended portions and the loop and pile fasteners, there is considerable flexibility in the size and shape of an object, which can be safely carried in the holster.

Abstract: A quick release buckle particularly for use on backpacks including a two part body, an engagement part and a receptor part each of which include attachments for a strap or belt. The body parts telescope into engagement with one body part including a flexible finger and the other a catch. A buckle release strap is secured to the flexible finger and to the body by a snap fastener. At least one upstanding wing on a body part protects the buckle release strap from unintended release.

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.

Abstract: A paddle type holster including a holster body formed to provide a pouch for holding a handgun or other object and an inside the waistband formed holster support structure. The support structure is in the form of a curved broad surface which generally conforms to the human waist shape and includes a connector portion which extends between the curved portion of the support structure and the holster body. The holster body is rotatably adjustable with respect to the curved portion. The connector portion is likewise vertically adjustable with respect to the holster body to further control the relationship of the support structure. The adjustments are secured by fasteners and by mechanical interlocking of the parts of the holster. A holster or pouch for tall objects is disclosed with a "Z" shaped paddle member.

Abstract: A hydration system for backpackers or other athletes including a bladder, a filling opening, an enclosing cover and filling opening, a flexible line and a deformable valve to be held in the user's mouth. The cover is of smaller volume than the bladder to protect the bladder from bursting upon overfilling. The valve is operated by pressure in the mouth, usually by the user's jaw and teeth to open a slit and allow potable liquid to flow from the bladder through the line and into the flexible valve for the user's consumption. The slit is located in the side wall of a membrane having a reverse fold whereby pressure from the bladder, in the absence of user applied valve deforming pressure tends to close rather than open the slit. The line includes a quick disconnect fitting to allow the filing of the bladder from the line as well as from its own filler opening.

Abstract: A holster for a handgun having a trigger guard is formed of material such as leather or the like which is folded upon itself to make a pocket with an opening at the top. A pair of openings are located on opposite sides of the pocket adjacent the position of the trigger guard when the handgun is in the pocket. A retainer member of low friction material having resilient arms and clamp members with inwardly extending projections is fastened in the holster such that the arms and clamp members extend through the openings. When the handgun is placed in the holster, the trigger guard pushes past the projections on the clamp members which then latch around the trigger guard securing the handgun in the holster.

Abstract: A universal holster is designed to accommodate a number of different brands, sizes, and lengths of semi automatic handguns and includes a body formed of a layer or double layer of suitable material such as leather formed to define a pocket. Extensions along edges of the body form straps of unequal length with a snap fastener forming a channel the trigger guard of a handgun. One portion of the snap fastener is spaced a short distance from the end of the shorter strap forming a projection which may be contacted by the forefinger of the wearer to open the snap fastener to draw the handgun from the holster. Two additional extensions or bosses are positioned around a spacer near the front of the body. A pair of extensions at the opposite end of the body to define a portion of a pocket around the handgun hammer end of the handgun and to secure a pair of short straps carrying fastening devices for attachment to a shoulder strap.

Abstract: A holster is disclosed employing a formed composite of fabric-foam and fabric in which the outer face is formed to match the contour of a hand gun to carried in the holster while the inner face is generally flat. A belt loop assembly is secured to the inner face including a generally "Y" shape with an opening between the arms of the "Y". Hook or pile fastener fabric is located within the belt loop assembly. A thumb break or strap includes an end which extends through the opening into the belt loop and is held in place by contact with the hook and pile fastener. The thumb break is angularly adjustable within the belt loop and securable at various angles by the hook and pile fastener. The belt loop assembly, most importantly defines a belt loop and the thumb break and the hook and pile fastener cooperate to restrict the size of the belt loop and provide restriction against unwanted movement of the holster on a belt.

Abstract: A backpack includes a pair of contoured side rails and three separate molded plastic support members removably attached to the rails. The upper support member includes a structure for carrying much of the weight of the carry bag. The carry bag includes hook and loop fasteners on fabric strips for securing the bag to the rails. The upper support member and other support members include slots and ports for attaching various straps and pads. One of the support members includes a flexible section to which the waistband and pad structure is attached, thereby providing flexibility to accommodate hip movement of the wearer. Separate back and lumbar pads are strapped to the support members. The separate plastic support members may be removed from one pair of contoured side rails and fastened to a pair of side rails of different length to accommodate wearers of different heights and proportions.

Abstract: A modular backpack for carrying heavy loads over substantial periods of time includes a back panel with a polyfoam layer, a stretch fabric cover, and a fabric layer between the polyfoam layer and the back panel, all thermally molded to the back panel to define a number of smaller polyfoam pads, a carry bag attached to the back panel, a separate waist support having separate molded left and right waistband pads fastened thereto, a molded bun pad of multilayered polyfoam positioned between the waistband pads and stitched to the lower part of the back panel and to a bottom panel of the carry bag, leaving a space between itself and the back panel to insert and remove the waist support and waistband pads. A pair of generally triangular stress panels are stitched to the lower part of the back panel on each side so as to overlay the outside of the waistband pads and padded shoulder straps are attached to the stress panels and to the upper part of the back panel.