Abstract: A novel backpack frame and backpack are described where the frame has a common point from which a pair of upper vertical support members ascend and a pair of lower vertical support members descend. The lower vertical support members are mirror images of each other and one lower vertical support member has a twist in a first direction to form a latitudinal concavity relative to the back side of the backpack and another lower vertical support member has another twist in a second direction to form another longitudinal concavity relative to the backpack back side, where the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A novel backpack frame and backpack are described where the frame has a common point from which a pair of upper vertical support members ascend and a pair of lower vertical support members descend. The lower vertical support members are mirror images of each other and one lower vertical support member has a twist in a first direction to form a latitudinal concavity relative to the back side of the backpack and another lower vertical support member has another twist in a second direction to form another longitudinal concavity relative to the backpack back side, where the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A buckle has two identical components relatively shiftable along a central axis into and out of an assembled state, with an interlocking mechanism for releasably coupling the components in their assembled state. The interlocking mechanism includes a wing on each of the components. The wings have opposed mutually spaced resilient panels defining passages therebetween leading to aligned locking surfaces. Each component also has a prong with oppositely protruding posts and first and second cam surfaces. The first cam surfaces are configured and arranged to urge the panels apart and thereby accommodate insertion of the prongs into the passages to locked positions at which the posts are in snap engagement with the locking surfaces. The second cam surfaces are configured and arranged to act in response to flexure of the prongs towards the central axis to urge the panels apart and to thereby accommodate withdrawal of the prong from the passages.

Abstract: A buckle comprises two components relatively shiftable along a central axis into and out of an assembled state, with an interlocking mechanism for releasably coupling the components in their assembled state. The interlocking mechanism comprises at least one wing on one of the components. The wing has opposed mutually spaced resilient panels defining a passage therebetween leading to aligned locking surfaces. At least one resilient prong on the other component has oppositely protruding posts and first and second cam surfaces. The first cam surfaces are configured and arranged to urge the panels apart and thereby accommodate insertion of the prong into the passage to a locked position at which the posts are in snap engagement with the locking surfaces. The second cam surfaces are configured and arranged to act in response to flexure of the prong towards the central axis to urge the panels apart and to thereby accommodate withdrawal of the prong from the passage.

Abstract: A quick release device for preventing unintended withdrawal of a handgun from a holster comprises a generally U-shaped hood with mutually spaced legs spanned by a bridge. The legs are arranged to straddle the holster, with the hood being rotatable about a fixed first axis between a rearward position at which the bridge overlies the holster opening, and a forward position at which the bridge is removed from the holster opening. At least one interior side plate is fixed with respect to the holster at a location adjacent to one of the hood legs. The interior side plate defines a guide path bordered by and extending forwardly from a locking notch. A trigger plate is connected to the hood leg for rotation about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The trigger plate is rotatable about the second axis to disengage the boss from the locking notch, thereby freeing the boss for movement along the guide path as the hood is rotated about the first axis from its rearward position to its forward position.

Abstract: A modular articulated guide assembly comprises a series of guide lugs disposed transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of flexure of the chute. The guide lugs have generally U-shaped bodies with laterally spaced side walls joined by bottom walls to define guide channels. Centerline tabs project forwardly from the bottom walls, with each centerline tab being slidably received in a central recess in the bottom wall of an adjacent guide lug. The centerline tabs are in an abutting relationship when the guide assembly is retracted on its axis of flexure, and are adapted to slide in their respective central recesses and to move apart when the guide assembly is extended along or flexed from its axis of flexure. The guide lugs are interlocked in a manner permitting their limited movement to accommodate extension and flexture of the guide assembly.

Abstract: A quick release device for preventing unwarranted withdrawal of a hand gun from a holster, comprising a thumb actuated hood translatably fixed with respect to and rotatable about a fixed axis between a rearward position overlying the holster opening and a forward position removed therefrom.

Abstract: A backpack from has a forwardly facing side and a back side. The frame comprises a base having a generally flat midsection with forwardly curved end sections. A pair of mutually spaced arms project from the end sections of the base. The arms have a degree of twist that gradually diminishes from the end sections of the base to the upper distal ends of the arms.

Abstract: A backpack from has a forwardly facing side and a back side. The frame comprises a base having a generally flat midsection with forwardly curved end sections. A pair of mutually spaced arms project from the end sections of the base. The arms have a degree of twist that gradually diminishes from the end sections of the base to the upper distal ends of the arms.

Abstract: A backpack comprises a load carrying section with a forwardly facing front panel. A pair of mutually spaced sleeves are joined to and border the sides of the front panel. An injection molded generally U-shaped partial perimeter frame has a base bordering a bottom of the front panel, with arms projecting from the base and into the sleeves on the sides of the panel. The load carrying section of the backpack is comprised principally of fabric. The front panel is flexible and has a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the fabric forming other portions of the backpack. In one embodiment, the front panel is integrally stiffened. In another embodiment, the front panel forms a pocket configured and dimensioned to accept a flexible stiffening plate.

Abstract: A pocket for an article having oppositely facing sides, comprising a front component cooperating in a nested relationship with a back component to define a chamber having an open upper end sized to receive the article. The front and back components, when in their nested relationship, having confronting front and back walls and overlapping bottom walls closing the lower end of the chamber. The bottom walls are interconnected in a manner accommodating movement of the front component relative to the back component between a closed position at which the sides of an article received in the chamber via the open upper end are tightly confined between the front and back walls, and a release position at which the front wall is deflected away from the back wall to accommodate removal of the article from the chamber via the open upper end. A back mounting bar extends across and cooperates in spaced relationship with the exterior of the back wall to define parallel back channels.

Abstract: A backpack frame has a front side and a back side and comprises generally parallel base and top sections that extend transversely across and are spaces one from the other along a center line of the frame. Side rails connect the base section to the top section. The side rails are arranged on opposite sides of the frame center line, and a stabilizing rib interconnects the side rails and extends transversely across the center line at an intermediate location between the base and top sections. The side rails converge inwardly from the base section towards the frame center line to the stabilizing rib, and diverge outwardly from the stabilizing rib and away from the center line to the top section.

Abstract: A pocket comprises an inner cup cooperating in a nested relationship with an outer cup to define a chamber having a closed bottom end and an open upper end sized to receive an article. A hinge interconnects the inner and outer cups at the closed bottom end of the chamber. The hinge is configured to accommodate swinging movement of the outer cup relative to the inner cup between a closed position at which the sides of the article received in the chamber are tightly confined between opposite interior surfaces of the inner and outer cups, and a release position deflected outwardly from the closed position to accommodate removal of the article from the chamber via its open upper end.

Abstract: A backpack frame comprises side rails defining a first profile. The first profile has a flat first base segment lying on a first reference plane, and a first concave segment leading from the first base segment to an upper end of the frame, with the first concave segment being spaced a maximum distance from the first reference plane at a first location between the first base segment and the upper end of the frame. An intermediate structure interconnects the side rails. The intermediate structure defines a second profile having a second flat base segment lying on a second reference plane parallel to the first reference plane, and a second concave segment leading from the second base segment to the upper end of the frame, with the second concave segment being spaced a maximum distance from the second reference plane at a second location between the second base segment and the upper end of the frame. The first and second locations are offset from one another.

Abstract: A modular assembly for detachable securing an accessory component to a garment or the like, comprises a meshed fabric, with an array of first openings forming an integral part of the garment. A base plate and a locking plate are provided, the former being secured to the accessory component. A plurality of studs are provided on one of the plates, and a plurality of second openings are provided on the other of the plates. The plates are adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of the meshed fabric, with the studs on the one plate projecting through respective first openings in the meshed fabric and into interlocked engagement within the second openings of the other plate.

Abstract: A quick release buckle has male and female components releasably joined in snap engagement. A release lever on the female component provides a means of disengaging the components. The release lever may be actuated either by pulling on a lanyard cord to which it is connected, or by accessing a lift tab projecting from its forward end.

Abstract: A quick release buckle has male and female components releasably joined in snap engagement. A release lever on the female component provides a means of disengaging the components. The release lever may be actuated either by pulling on a lanyard cord to which it is connected, or by accessing a lift tab projecting from its forward end.

Abstract: A backpack frame has a front side and a back side and comprises generally parallel base and top sections that extend transversely across and are spaces one from the other along a center line of the frame. Side rails connect the base section to the top section. The side rails are arranged on opposite sides of the frame center line, and a stabilizing rib interconnects the side rails and extends transversely across the center line at an intermediate location between the base and top sections. The side rails converge inwardly from the base section towards the frame center line to the stabilizing rib, and diverge outwardly from the stabilizing rib and away from the center line to the top section.

Abstract: A pocket comprises an inner cup cooperating in a nested relationship with an outer cup to define a chamber having a closed bottom end and an open upper end sized to receive an article. A hinge interconnects the inner and outer cups at the closed bottom end of the chamber. The hinge is configured to accommodate swinging movement of the outer cup relative to the inner cup between a closed position at which the sides of the article received in the chamber are tightly confined between opposite interior surfaces of the inner and outer cups, and a release position deflected outwardly from the closed position to accommodate removal of the article from the chamber via its open upper end.

Abstract: A buckle for capturing and releasably retaining an end tab of a flexible strap wherein the flexible strap has a substantially uniform width and thickness and an end tab of increased thickness. The buckle includes a base, and parallel side walls, which extend upwardly from and cooperate with the base to define an open-ended receiving channel having an entry end and an exit end. Flanges are spaced vertically from the base and extend inwardly in cantilever fashion from the side walls to define an opening-ended slot communicating with and extending along the length of the receiving channel. The slot is configured and dimensioned to accommodate longitudinal pinching and lateral insertion of the strap into the receiving channel. The flanges have undersides configured to accommodate receipt of the end tab in the receiving channel via the entry end, and to releasably retain and prevent withdrawal of the end tab from the receiving channel via the exit end.