Attachment System Substructure and Cummerbund of the Same

Abstract

The attachment lattice provides an attachment substructure for support articles, such as vests, carriers and packs and allows molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached to the support article, but eliminates the need for a backing material, thereby reducing the weight and bulk of the support article, while still maintaining the ability to attach MOLLE compatible accessories to the lattice. In one embodiment, the attachment lattice is formed by vertical rows of thin webbing or edge binding sewn to the horizontal rows of evenly spaced nylon webbing. In another embodiment, the attachment lattice is formed by the array openings being die cut directly in the fabric material. The attachment lattice of this invention also allows MOLLE compatible accessories to be mounted on either side of the lattice, which effectively increases the capacity and modularity of the support article.

Description

This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/518,062 filed on Apr. 29, 2011, entitled “Attachment Lattice” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an attachment system substructure for mounting pockets, pouches and other accessories to vests, belts and other support using interlocking webbing, this being of particular use with clothing and individual load bearing equipment used by military and law enforcement personnel, and particularly a cummerbund for a ballistic plate carrier.

MOLLE is an attachment standard for modular tactical gear. MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) generally refers to any modular attachment system that utilizes the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (“PALS”) for mounting modular accessory components, such as pockets, pouches, sheaths and holsters to individual load-bearing support articles, such as belts, vests and backpacks used by military and law enforcement personnel. The Pouch Attachment Ladder System (“PALS”) was invented and patented by United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. The PALS webbing allows the pouches and accessories to be attached to other MOLLE compatible vests, packs and pouches. PALS consists of horizontal rows of heavy-duty 1″ nylon webbing sewn to the outside of a pocket, pouch, belt, vest, or pack in a set grid. The horizontal rows of 1″ webbing are spaced 1″ apart, and bar-tacked to the backing at 1.5″ intervals. The array of PALS webbing allows MOLLE compatible accessories to be quickly attached to a MOLLE compatible support article “Natick straps” (reinforced webbing straps sewn to the accessories with push the dot snaps for security), polymer MALICE Clips® from Tactical Tailor or a variety of other “weave and tuck” by connection straps, each of which are interwoven between the PALS webbing of the support article, the accessory or both. While the MOLLE attachment system provides a convenient means for attaching accessories to a support article, the PALS webbing sewn directly to the mounting surfaces of both the support articles and modular accessories adds considerable weight and bulk to the gear. Consequently, it is desirable to have an attachment system that reduces the weight and bulk of the gear, while maintaining the functionality and modularity of the attachment system.

The present invention provides an attachment substructure (lattice) for support articles, such as vests, carriers and packs and allows molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached to the support article, but eliminates the need for a backing material, thereby reducing the weight and bulk of the support article. The attachment substructure may be used in various tactical load bearing items and equipment, such as, ballistic plate carriers, chest rigs, tactical vests and belts, and cummerbunds used in plate carriers and chest rigs. In certain embodiments, the attachment lattice may be constructed from vertical rows of thin webbing or binding tape sewn to the horizontal rows of evenly spaced nylon webbing that form an array of uniformly spaced and sized openings. In other embodiments, the attachment lattice is formed by the array of uniformly spaced and sized openings being die cut directly in the fabric material. The attachment lattice of this invention also allows MOLLE compatible accessories to be mounted on either side of the lattice and in either a vertical or horizontal orientation, which effectively increases the capacity and modularity of the support article.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the attachment lattice of this invention fashioned as a cummerbund for a ballistic plate carrier;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the attachment lattice and cummerbund of FIG. 1 showing a medical pouch and pistol magazine pouches connected to the lattice in a vertical orientation;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the attachment lattice of FIG. 1 showing the connection of two pistol magazine pouches using a Malice clip on opposite sides of the lattice;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the attachment lattice and two pistol magazine pouches of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another partial perspective view of the attachment lattice and cummerbund of FIG. 1 showing the connection of a medical pouch and pistol magazine pouches;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the attachment lattice of FIG. 1 fashioned into a ballistic plate carrier and showing the connection of pistol magazine pouches to the attachment lattice;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the attachment lattice of this invention fashioned as a cummerbund for a ballistic plate carrier;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the attachment lattice and cummerbund of FIG. 1 showing pistol magazine pouches connected to the lattice in a horizontal orientation; and

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the attachment lattice and two pistol magazine pouches of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The attachment lattice of this invention provides an attachment substructure for support articles, such as vests, carriers and packs and allows Molle compatible modular pocket, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached to the support article. The attachment lattice eliminates the need for the rows of nylon webbing to be sewn to a backing material on the support article, as with a conventional molle attachment system. In certain embodiments, the attachment lattice may be constructed by vertical rows of thin webbing or edge binding sewn to the horizontal rows of evenly spaced nylon or elastic webbing, which defines an array of uniformly spaced square openings. In other embodiments, the attachment lattice is formed by an array of uniformly spaced openings die-cut, or otherwise formed, directly in a flexible, but durable fabric or sheet material. In each embodiment, the configuration of the attachment lattice provides an array of uniformly spaced square openings arranged in rows and columns, providing both vertical and horizontal channels within which Molle compatible accessories can be interlaced. The attachment lattice itself can be used as a construction material, fabric or substructure from which the bodies of molle compatible support articles and modular accessories are fashioned.

While the drawings show the different embodiments of the attachment lattice of this invention fashioned and incorporated into the construction of various support articles, one skilled in the art will note that the teachings of this invention are not limited to the use or incorporation of the attachment lattice in any particular support article or accessory. The drawings illustrate examples of certain embodiments of the attachment lattice and their use in various support articles and accessories for simplicity of explanation and are not intended to limit the teachings of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6, 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the attachment lattice of this invention, designated generally as reference numeral 10, which is fashioned as the body of a cummerbund 20 for a tactical vest, chest rig or ballistic plate carrier (not shown). Attachment lattice 10 is formed by a number of parallel vertical rows of webbing or binding tape 12 bar tacked over a number of parallel horizontal rows of one inch wide nylon webbing or elastic webbing 14. As shown, attachment lattice 10 has three horizontal rows of webbing 14 and a plurality of vertical rows of webbing or binding tape 12. It should be noted that the width of the vertical rows of webbing or binding tape 12 is generally narrower than the horizontal rows of one inch wide webbing. The width of the binding tape or webbing used for the vertical rows is generally 0.50 of an inch wide or less. As shown, horizontal rows of webbing 14 are spaced one inch apart and vertical rows of webbing or binding tape 12 are spaced apart 1.50 inches on center so that attachment lattice 10 forms an array of uniformly spaced openings 13 that are approximately one inch square. The array of openings 13 are arranged in rows and columns between webbing 14 and binding tape 12 to form both vertical and horizontal channels of adjacent openings within which Molle compatible accessories can be interlaced.

FIGS. 2-6, 8 and 9 illustrate how Molle compatible pouches and accessories are mounted to attachment lattice 10. The open structure of attachment lattice 10 allows any molle compatible pouch or accessories to be mounted directly to either side of attachment lattice 10 of cummerbund 20 in either a vertical orientation (FIGS. 2-6) or a horizontal orientation (FIGS. 8 and 9). For simplicity of illustration and explanation only, a medical pouch 30 and pistol magazine pouches 40 and 50 are shown mounted to attachment lattice 10, it being understood that other pouches and accessories may be mounted in similar fashion within the teachings of this invention.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate a medical pouch 30 and a pair of pistol magazine pouches 40 mounted to lattice 10 of cummerbund 20 in a vertical orientation. Medical pouch 30 and pistol magazine pouch 40 each have Naptick® straps 32 and 42, respectively, which are interwoven through the opening 13 in attachment lattice 10. Pistol magazine pouches 50 are connected to attachment lattice 10 by Malice® clips 60, which are interwoven between the opening 13 in attachment lattice 10 and the PALS webbing sewn to the back of the pouch. FIG. 3 shows pistol magazine pouches 40 and 50 connected to attachment lattice 10 in open channels of the lattice between the Naptick straps of medical pouch 30. Because they are sewn directly to the body of the accessory, each Naptick strap occupies a channel in the attachment lattice 10. Consequently other accessories may only be mounted on the opposite side of the attachment lattice in an adjacent open channel of the attachment lattice. FIGS. 4 and 5 show two pistol magazine pouches 50 being connected to opposite sides of attachment lattice 10 using a single Malice clip. Malice® clip 60 is interwoven between adjacent openings 13 within the same vertical channel of attachment lattice 10 interlacing between the PALs webbing on the back of each pistol magazine pouch 50 and the horizontal rows of webbing 14. FIGS. 8 and 9 show pistol magazine pouches 50 being connected to lattice 10 of cummerbund 20 in a horizontal orientation. Malice® clip 60 is interwoven within adjacent openings 13 within the same horizontal channel of attachment lattice 10 interlacing between the PALs webbing on the back of each pistol magazine pouch 50 and the vertical rows of webbing or binding tape 12.

FIG. 6 shows the attachment lattice 10 of FIG. 1 fashioned into the outer covering of part of a ballistic plate carrier 70. Attachment lattice 10 replaces the backing material that normally covers and supports the ballistic plate 82 and allows molle compatible accessories, such as pistol magazine pouches 50 and 60 to be mounted directly to the lattice on the outside of the carrier.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the attachment lattice of this invention, designated generally as reference numeral 80, which is again fashioned as the body of a cummerbund 90 for a tactical vest or ballistic plate carrier (not shown). Attachment lattice 80 consists of a sheet of fabric or flexible material 82 having an array of uniformly spaced openings 83 cut or otherwise formed therein. The attachment lattice 20 may be constructed from any durable fabric, such as a heavy nylon or leather, or alternatively constructed from a flexible sheet of material, rubber or plastic as desired. Again, openings 83 are approximately one inch square and the array of openings 83 are uniformly arranged in rows and columns between webbing 14 to form both vertical and horizontal channels of adjacent openings within which Molle compatible accessories can be interlaced.

One skilled in the art will note that the attachment lattice of this invention provides several advantages over conventional PALS webbing sewn onto the backing material of a support article. The attachment lattice of this invention eliminates the need for a backing material, thereby reducing the weight and bulk of the support article, while still maintaining the ability to attach MOLLE compatible accessories to the lattice. Without the backing material, which supports the PALS webbing in conventional MOLLE systems, the attachment lattice also allows more air flow through the article, which may provide some improved degree of cooling for the user. In addition, the attachment lattice of this invention allows MOLLE compatible accessories to be mounted on either side of the lattice and in either a vertical or horizontal orientation, which effectively increases the capacity and modularity of the support article. The uniform spacing of the square openings of the attachment lattice also reduces movement between the lattice and the attached accessory thereby providing a more secure interconnection.

The embodiment of the present invention herein described and illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1: An attachment substructure for support articles, such as vests, carriers and packs that allows molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached thereto, the substructure comprising:

a pliable flat lattice defining a plurality of substantially square openings formed therein and arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows and vertical columns so that the molle compatible modular pocket, pouches and other accessories can be interlaced with the lattice in a vertical or horizontal orientation and on either side of the lattice.

2: The Attachment substructure of claim 1 wherein the lattice includes a plurality of horizontal webbing and a plurality of vertical webbing, the horizontal webbing being vertically spaced apart from each other at a first predetermined interval, the plurality of vertical webbing being sewn to the plurality of horizontal webbing and spaced from each other at a second predetermined interval.

3: An attachment system comprising:

a support article; an accessory; and means for interconnecting the accessory to the support article,

the support article constructed in part of a pliable flat lattice defining a plurality of substantially square openings formed therein and arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows and vertical columns so that the molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories can be interlaced with the lattice in a vertical or horizontal orientation and on either side of the lattice,

the accessory having an array of rows of webbing mounted thereto,

the interconnection means includes an elongated strap member that is interwoven between the support article lattice and the array of rows of webbing of the accessory.

4: The attachment system of claim 3 wherein the lattice includes a plurality of horizontal webbing and a plurality of vertical webbing, the horizontal webbing being vertically spaced apart from each other at a first predetermined interval, the plurality of vertical webbing being sewn to the plurality of horizontal webbing and spaced from each other at a second predetermined interval.

5: A cummerbund used in a ballistic plate carrier, tactical chest rig or similar support articles, which allows molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached thereto, the cummerbund comprising:

an elongated flat body constructed of a pliable flat lattice defining a plurality of substantially square openings formed therein and arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows and vertical columns so that the molle compatible modular pocket, pouches and other accessories can be interlaced with the lattice in a vertical or horizontal orientation and on either side of the lattice.

6: The cummerbund of claim 5 wherein the lattice includes a plurality of horizontal webbing and a plurality of vertical webbing, the horizontal webbing being vertically spaced apart from each other at a first predetermined interval, the plurality of vertical webbing being sewn to the plurality of horizontal webbing and spaced from each other at a second predetermined interval.