Abstract: The invention provides a buckle arrangement for a backpack comprising at least 4 interlocking buckle components, each of the components being respectively attached to a strap attached to the backpack, wherein each of the buckle components is provided with means for at least indirect interlocking independent releasable engagement with at least two other buckle components, the arrangement being such that a first component is provided with means for at least indirect independent interlocking releasable engagement with a second component wherein the first and second components are respectively attached to a pair of spaced apart straps, which straps in turn are attached to a same first side of the backpack, and the first component is further provided with means for at least indirect independent interlocking releasable engagement with a fourth component, wherein the fourth component is attached to a strap which in turn is attached to a second side of the backpack, at a point diagonally removed from the attachment p

Abstract: The invention provides a personally-worn load-bearing system for carrying weights adjacent to the back and front of a user, comprising front and back load-supporting panels wherein the front and back panels are secured to each other via interconnecting shoulder straps to form a garment, characterized in that the system further comprises a load-bearing weight-distribution waist belt and at least one first front weight-transferring frame element interconnecting the front load-supporting panel and the waist belt and at least one second back weight-transferring frame element interconnecting the back load-supporting panel and the waist belt, wherein the at least one first front weight-transferring frame element and the at least one back weight-transferring frame element transfer at least a major portion of the weight of the front load-supporting panel and the weight of the back load-supporting panel to the load-bearing weight-distribution waist belt.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination shoulder strap and anatomical pad to be used on a carrying bag, comprising a pad, configured to rest on a shoulder of a user and to diverge from an apex at the meeting point of the pad and the user's shoulder, a strap comprising two diverging strap segments, wherein the longitudinal axes of the strap segments meet at an obtuse angle in the area of the apex of the pad, the transverse width of the pad being narrower in the area of the apex by virtue of an indentation formed in the pad within the confines of the formed obtuse angle, the pad being further provided with padding material positioned within each diverging segment of the pad adjacent the narrowed area and the padding being graduated in thickness along its width and having a maximum thickness in the areas bracketing the indentation.

Abstract: The invention provides a personally-worn system for security and combat units, comprising modular, interchangeable, load-bearing front and back panels having predesignated pouch arrangements integrally formed therewith, the front and back panels being interchangably secured to each other via interconnecting shoulder straps. The load-bearing panels are each further provided with interconnection means for optional releasable attachment of front or back body armour panels to an inner-facing surface thereof, and each of the body armour panels, when attached to the load-bearing panels, is secured to the body of the wearer by means of the respective load-bearing panel to which it is attached.