Interlock attaching strap system
The present invention discloses an interlock attaching strap system, comprising a carrier having a plurality of first webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed thereon, a holder having a plurality of second webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed thereon, wherein by overlapping the carrier and holder, the first webbing strips and the second webbing strips are capable forming an elongate interlocking channel; at least an elongated interfering strap, which is longitudinally extended on the holder, having an affixing end extended from a peripheral edge of the holder and a free tab end, having a predetermined stiffness, is arranged to slidably pass through the interlocking channel and is overlappedly tucked back to the carrier to enclose the free tab end of the interfering strap between the carrier and the holder so as to securely reinforce the holder on the carrier via the interfering strap.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a strap attaching system for attaching objects, and more particularly, relates a flexi-tab interlock attaching strap system for detachably attaching one object, such as an article holder, to a carrier, such as a supporting pad, a utility vest, a garment, a pouch, a bag, and so on, in a secure, durable, reliable, effective, and convenient manner.
2. Description of Related Arts
Commonly, many professionals or technicians employ article holders to facilitate their job duties, for example, militant personnel or police officials need article holders to carry varying weapons, ammos, holsters, communicating means, pouches, water bottles, etc., correspondents and photographers need article holders to carry camera cases, optical peripherals, and related equipments, and maintenance workers need article holders to carry utility apparatus and so on.
An easy way to attach such article holders to the supports is to permanently sewing the article holders onto the support, for example sewing a pouch onto a vest. However, the article holders sewn on the support could not be repositioned or removed from the supports. Apparently, this kind of permanently attaching method is not welcomed by those personnel, such commando soldiers who eagerly need a versatile load-bearing vest for carrying different apparatuses. Instead, a releasable article holder enables the soldier to design his own vest or supporting pad, to change items from time to time under different circumstances.
As a result, the article holders are frequently fastened to a support such as a user's modular load-bearing vest, supporting pad, or a utility strap provided on a back pack, in a releasable way. There are a variety of methods existed for detachably attaching article holders to the supports. The most common method is to use fastening means directly attaching the article holders to the supports. Such fastening means include hook and loop fasteners, Velcro fasteners, snap fasteners, buckle fasteners, and so on.
However, all above mentioned fastening means had been proved inefficient, unrealistic, expensive or unreliable in practical applications. And more importantly, these fastening means are bulky, uncomfortable and user unfriendly. First of all, these fasteners are made of metal or plastic materials with certain extents of rigidity. So that such metal and plastic fastener would more or less rely on mechanisms to be functioned or purposed, and unquestionably, cause discomfort and uneasiness to the user when positioned close the body.
For instance, the buckle fasteners are not easy to be fastened when the article holder, such as a pouch is heavily stuffed or plumped. And more importantly, such fasteners need releasing mechanism to facilitate the disengagement. In a long run, such releasing mechanisms will more or less be degraded thus resulting malfunctions, or unwanted disengagements. Even though the Velcro fasteners are not relied on the metal or plastic mechanism, but its noise and unreliability are unacceptable to most users.
So, a new type of light weight, low bulky, user-friendly, reliable strap fastening means had been introduced into market to replace traditional fasteners for detachably attaching the article holders to the vests or supporting pads. This kind of user friendly strap attaching fasteners occupies less space and is relative overlapped flatly with respect to the user.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,093 to Annunzio, the strap fastener is made of fabric sewn to the back of the support to form fabric loops provided on the back of the supports through which a belt or a strap is engaged with such fabric loops for suspendedly attaching an article holder to the supporting pad.
Or otherwise, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,7204,707 to John Kirk, such improved strap fastening means comprises at least a mounting panel provided on a first object, such as load-bearing vest or a supporting pad, with a plurality of strip webbings evenly spaced and sewn across the surface of the mounting panel. So that there is a plurality of spacing between strip webbings with a predetermined width formed on the mounting panel. On the other hand, there is a plurality of strip fabrics sewn on the second object, such as an object holder. According to the Kirk's invention, the spacing width between strips webbings on the mounting panel are sufficient to allow a plurality of the strip fabrics on the second object to fit there between.
In the meanwhile, the strip webbings are further attached on the mounting panel by perpendicular stitching such as to create longitudinal channels therein which are utilized for the insertion of a strap therein, the strap has an affixing end being attached at one end to the second object, and a free end which is adapted to be passing through the webbings and fabrics respectively defined on the mounting panel and the second object in an alternating manner so as to detachably attach the second object to the mounting panel of the first object.
In short, the above mentioned strap attaching system utilize a flexible strap for detachably coupling two objects in an attaching manner by interweaving such flexible strap between two objects. So that two separated objects could be attached together in a secure manner. In other words, the second object and first object will not disengage until user intentionally and physically separated the first and second object by pulling back the engaging strap.
However, one disadvantage of using flexible straps is that it is usually difficult to deal with the free end of the strap. For example, in Annunzio' case, the free end has to be tucked behind a belt or a pack strap that is tightly pressed against a body or backpack. However, when the second object is not positioned adjacent to a belt or a pack strap, the free end of the flexible strap has to be tucked back to the fabric loops. Or otherwise, there is a receiving cavity defined on the second object for tucking back the free end of the strap. However, since the two ends of such flexible strap are both positioned on the second object, the attaching efficacy of such strap fastening means could not be effectively guaranteed. For example, a bulged second object will loosen the fastening effect after a prolonged service.
To solve this dilemma, Kirk's invention introduced a fastening element formed on the free end of the flexible strap to detachably attach such flexible strap to the first object. According to Kirk's invention, the fastening element could be embodied as conventional means, such snaps, buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners. This enables a user to push the free ends interweave between webbings and fabrics defined on the mounting panel of the first object and the second object. This fastening element design is more convenient for securing the free end of the flexible strap in comparison with Annunzio's invention.
However, there is a hardware associated with this attaching strap, such as a snap button, or a clip, being provided on the free end of the flexible strap. By reutilizing the clips and snaps, the life span of the strap attaching system are once again subject to the vulnerable mechanism of such fasteners. Or otherwise, the snap buttons will rust or become unserviceable when applied in the most extreme operating conditions.
What is more, to ensure the second object is permanently affixed to the first object so it cannot be lost or otherwise separated from the first object, the free end of the strap, having one end affixed to the second object, is preferably, affixed to the first object for providing a firmed attaching effect. Otherwise, the second object is just looks like an object hanging on the first object rather than attaching on the first object.
So it is desirable to develop an interlock strap attaching system which not only maintains the advantages of above mentioned Annunzio's and Kirk's inventions, such as simplicity, interweaving function, modular applications, but also provides an efficient and securable fastening arrangement to the free end of such strap.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONA primary object of the present invention is to provide a flexi-tab interlock attaching strap system for overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of attaching strap system, while maintain the good features of those interlock attaching strap system, such as removable fashion, convenient operation, flat engagement, and so on.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexi-tab interlock attaching strap system, wherein no hardware elements are involved so as to ensure such strap system being inexpensive and reliable after a prolonged application.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexi-tab interlock attaching strap system, wherein the strap having an affixed end provided on a second object, such as a holder, while the other free end is arranged to be tucked back in the first object, such as a carrier, as a result, the interlock attaching strap system could guarantee the loader and the carrier detachably attached in a stable manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexi-tab interlock attaching strap system, wherein the free end of the strap is embodied as a stiffened member by using flexi-tab, so that the maneuverability of such strap could be easier while interweaving between the holder and the carrier.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexi-tab interlock attaching strap system, wherein the plastic reinforcement length of the strap is avoided, instead, the flexi-tab is utilized for facilitating the adjustable and flexible insertion.
Accordingly, to achieve the above mentioned objects, the present invention provides a flexi-tab interlock attaching strap system, comprising:
a carrier, having a carrying side, adapted for being carried by a wearer, a holder having a loading side and an opposed holding side corresponding to the carrying side of the carrier; and
an interlocking arrangement, which comprises:
a plurality of first webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed on the carrying side of the carrier and defining a plurality of transverse carrier slots between the first webbing strips and the carrying side of the carrier,
a plurality of second webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed on the holding side of the holder and defining a plurality of transverse holder slots between the holding side of the holder to align with the transverse carrier slots respectively to form an elongated interlocking channel when the holding side of the holder is overlapped on the carrying side of the carrier to alternate the first webbing strips with the second webbing strips; and
at least an elongated interfering strap, which is longitudinally extended on the holder, having an affixing end extended from a peripheral edge of the holder and a free tab end, having a predetermined stiffness, which is arranged to slidably pass through the interlocking channel to securely interlock the holder with the carrier and is overlappedly tucked back to the carrying side of the carrier within the transverse carrier slot at an opposed peripheral edge of the holder, to enclose the free tab end of the interfering strap between the carrier and the holder so as to securely reinforce the holder on the carrier via the interfering strap.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
Furthermore, the flexi-tab interlock attaching strap system comprises an interlocking arrangement 30, which comprises a plurality of first webbing strips 31 transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed on the carrying side 11 of the carrier 10 and defining a plurality of transverse carrier slots 311 between the first webbing strips 31 and the carrying side 11 of the carrier 10; furthermore, the interlocking arrangement 30 comprises a plurality of second webbing strips 32 transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed on the holding side 22 of the holder 20 and defining a plurality of transverse holder slots 321 between the holding side 22 of the holder 20 to align with the transverse carrier slots 311 respectively to form an elongated interlocking channel 33 when the holding side 22 of the holder 20 is overlapped on the carrying side 11 of the carrier 10 to alternate the first webbing strips 31 with the second webbing strips 32.
What is more, the interlocking arrangement 30 comprises at least an elongated interfering strap 34, which is longitudinally extended from the holder 20, having an affixing end 341 extended from a peripheral edge 23 of the holder 20 and a free tab end 342, having a predetermined stiffness, which is arranged to slidably pass through the interlocking channel 33 to securely interlock the holder 20 with the carrier 10 and is overlappedly tucked back to the carrying side 11 of the carrier 10 within the transverse carrier slot 311 at an opposed peripheral edge 24 of the holder 20, to enclose the free tab end 342 of the interfering strap 34 between the carrier 10 and the holder 20 so as to securely reinforce the holder 20 on the carrier 10 via the interfering strap 34.
In other words, the carrying side 11 of the carrier 10 is functioned as a mounting surface for detachably attaching the holder 20 in a secure and detachable manner. The first webbing strips 31 and the second webbing strips 32 are respectively defined on the carrier 10 and the holder 20 to form transverse carrier slots 311 and transverse loader slots 321. Meanwhile, the carrier 10 and the holder 20 could be overlappedly disposed so that the carrier slots 311 and the loader slots 321 are aligned in an alternate way forming an extended interlocking channel 33. The interlocking channel 33 is an extending passageway defined longitudinally from an upper portion to a lower portion of the mounting surface of the carrier 10. Therefore, by sequentially passing the free tab end 342 of the interfering strap 34 through the interlocking channel 33, the holder is capable of being attached onto the carrier 10.
In short, the interlock attaching strap system 1 is adapted for attaching a holder, such as an article holder to a carrier, such as a load-bearing vest, a supporting pad, a utility garment, each of which has a mounting surface defined thereon. As shown in
Accordingly, the second webbing strip 32 is stitched on the holding side 21 of the holder 20. It is noted that the width of each elongated groove 12 defined on the carrier 10, i.e. the width between adjacent first webbing strips 31 are of sufficient measurement, so that the second webbing strips 32 defined on the holder 20 is capable of being placed into such elongated grooves 12 respectively.
In other words, the distance between each two adjacent first webbing strips 31 is at least larger than a width of the corresponding second webbing strip 32 to allow the first webbing strips 31 positioning with the second webbing strips 32 in an alternating manner so as to communicate the carrier slots 311 with the holder slots 321 to form the elongated interlocking channel 33.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a plurality of stitching 14 perpendicularly and spacedly stitched on each of the first webbing strip 11 so as to divide the carrier slot 311 into a plurality of engaging sub-slots 141 laterally adjoining with each other along the first webbing strip 31. It is noted that such stitching 14 are alignedly stitched on each of the first webbing strip 31 being hold in place on the carrying side 11, so that the engaging sub-slots 141 defined on such plurality of first webbing strips could form a plurality of parallel extending passageway 142 longitudinally extended along the carrying side 11 of the carrier 10.
Here, the free tab end 342 has a predetermined stiffness adapted for facilitating such inserting maneuverability of the interfering strap 34. It is noted that by tucking the stiffened free tab end 342 back to the transverse carrier slot 311 defined on the carrier 10, the interfering strap 34 is capable of coupling the carrier 10 and the holder 20 with a stable and secure manner.
This is due to the fact that the engaging sub-slots 141 and the extending passageways 142 are of substantial and corresponding size for permitting the insertion of the interfering strap 34. As shown in
As a result, the extending passageway 142 enable the free tab end 342 of the interfering strap 34 alternatively pass the carrier slot 311 and the loader slots 321 in sequence to interweave the loader 20 and the carrier 10 together in a detachable manner.
Here, the interfering strap 34 is made of a predetermined length of flexible material, and preferably, the affixing end 341 is affixed to an upper edge of the holding side 21 of the holder 20, and the stiffened free tab end 342 is along the length of the interfering strap 34.
According to the present invention, the free tab end 342 of the interfering strap 34 is formed by folding a free end portion of the interfering strap 34 over a piece of semi-rigid material (such as a plastic tab) and fixing its location by sewing means. It is noted that other suitable means such as by gluing or fusing well known within the art could be used for forming such free tab end 342.
That is to say, the free end potion of the interfering strap 34 is overlapped to form the free tab end 342 to enhance the stiffness thereof so as to retain the free tab end 342 of the interfering strap 34 within the respective transverse carrier slot 311 when the free tab end 342 of the interfering strap 34 is overlappedly tucked back to the carrier 10.
Alternatively, as shown in
Furthermore, even the hook-structured free tab end 342′ is detached from the carrier 10, the hook structure defined on the free tab end 342′ is capable of hooking on the second webbing strip 32 so as to prevent the interfering strap 34 thoroughly loosen up.
Additionally, the carrier 10 further comprises two length-adjustable thigh belts 13 sidewardly extended from two side edges of the carrier 10 respectively for detachably fastening the carrier 10 on the wearer's thigh. Or otherwise, as shown in
Conclusively, after sequentially inserting the interfering strap 34 through the first webbing strip 31 and the second webbing strip 32, the stiffened free tab end 342 could be tucked back into the carrier slot 311 as well as the extending passageways 142 for securing the free tab end 342 of the interfering strap 34 in position.
That is to say, the interfering engaging strap 34 has an affixing end 341 provided on the holder 20, which has a loading side 21 for carrying objects, and a free tab end 342 which is capable of being detachably tucked back into the carrier 10, such as a vest, or a mounting pad. In comparison with prior art, no hardware is associated to fasten the free tab end 342, more importantly, two ends of the interfering strap 34 are respectively defined on the carrier and holder instead of the same object.
Unquestionably, the free tab end design of the present invention poses a huge advantage over prior art. In case of the holder 20 is bulky or heavily stuffed, the interfering strap 34 with two ends disposed on the holder 20 would be susceptible to unwanted disengagement. However, according to the present invention, the free tab end 342 is fittingly and tightly received back into the engaging passageways 142 defined on the carrier 10, so that a bulgy holder 20, such as a heavily stuffed pouch, will increase the engaging pressure on the free tab end 342 of the interfering strap 34 thus biasing the interfering strap 34 flatly and tightly sandwiched between the carrier 10 and holder 20.
It is noted that the quantity of such interfering strap 34 is dependent on the size of the holder 20. In case of a heavy-loaded holder is in application, a proportionally increased number of such interfering strap 34 would be used for achieve a securer engagement.
Furthermore, the present invention introduces a method for interlocking a carrier with a holder, comprising the steps of:
(a) slidably passing a tab end of an interfering strap through one of first webbing strips transversely extended on the carrier, wherein the interfering strap is longitudinally extended on the holder and has an affixing end extended from a peripheral edge of the holder;
(b) slidably passing the tab end of the interfering strap through one of second webbing strips transversely extended on the holder;
(c) slidably passing the tab end of the interfering strap through the succeeding first webbing strip on the carrier;
(d) slidably passing the tab end of the interfering strap through the succeeding second webbing strips on the holder to interlock the first webbing strips with the second webbing strips so as to securely mounting the holder on the carrier; and
(e) overlappedly tucking the tab end of the interfering strap back to the first webbing strip on the carrier to enclose the tab end of the interfering strap between the carrier and the holder so as to securely reinforce the holder on the carrier via the interfering strap.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. Its embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An interlock attaching strap system, comprising:
- a carrier, having a carrying side, adapted for being carried by a wearer,
- a holder having a loading side and an opposed holding side corresponding to said carrying side of said carrier; and
- an interlocking arrangement, which comprises:
- a plurality of first webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed on said carrying side of said carrier and defining a plurality of transverse carrier slots between said first webbing strips and said carrying side of said carrier,
- a plurality of second webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed on said holding side of said holder and defining a plurality of transverse holder slots between said holding side of said holder to align with said transverse carrier slots respectively to form an elongated interlocking channel when said holding side of said holder is overlapped on said carrying side of said carrier to alternate said first webbing strips with said second webbing strips; and
- at least an elongated interfering strap, which is longitudinally extended on said holder, having an affixing end extended from a peripheral edge of said holder and a free tab end, having a predetermined stiffness, which is arranged to slidably pass through said interlocking channel to securely interlock said holder with said carrier and is overlappedly tucked back to said carrying side of said carrier within said transversely carrier slot at an opposed peripheral edge of said holder, to enclose said tab end of said interfering strap between said carrier and said holder so as to securely reinforce said holder on said carrier via said interfering strap.
2. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said interfering strap has a free end potion overlapped to form said free tab end to enhance said stiffness thereof so as to retain said free tab end of said interfering strap within said respective first webbing strip when said free tab end of said interfering strap is overlappedly tucked back to said carrier.
3. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 2, wherein said free tap end of said interfering strap has a hook structure arranged to slide along said interlocking channel towards said opposed peripheral edge of said holder so as to prevent said interfering strap from being pulled backward.
4. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 1, wherein a width of said interfering strap is slightly smaller than a width of each of said transverse holder slots and said transverse carrier slots such that said interfering strap is slid through one of said transverse holder slots and then one of said transverse carrier slots in sequence.
5. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 2, wherein a width of said interfering strap is slightly smaller than a width of each of said transverse holder slots and said transverse carrier slots such that said interfering strap is slid through one of said transverse holder slots and then one of said transverse carrier slots in sequence.
6. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 3, wherein a width of said interfering strap is slightly smaller than a width of each of said transverse holder slots and said transverse carrier slots such that said interfering strap is slid through one of said transverse holder slots and then one of said transverse carrier slots in sequence.
7. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 1, wherein a distance between each two adjacent first webbing strips is at least larger than a width of said corresponding second webbing strip to allow said first webbing strips positioning with said second webbing strips in an alternating manner so as to communicate said transverse carrier slots with said transverse holder slots to form said interlocking channel.
8. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 3, wherein a distance between each two adjacent first webbing strips is at least larger than a width of said corresponding second webbing strip to allow said first webbing strips positioning with said second webbing strips in an alternating manner so as to communicate said transverse carrier slots with said transverse holder slots to form said interlocking channel.
9. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 6, wherein a distance between each two adjacent first webbing strips is at least larger than a width of said corresponding second webbing strip to allow said first webbing strips positioning with said second webbing strips in an alternating manner so as to communicate said transverse carrier slots with said transverse holder slots to form said interlocking channel.
10. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 2, wherein said carrier further comprises two length-adjustable thigh belts sidewardly extended from two side edges of said carrier respectively for detachably fastening said carrier on said wearer's thigh.
11. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 9, wherein said carrier further comprises two length-adjustable thigh belts sidewardly extended from two side edges of said carrier respectively for detachably fastening said carrier on said wearer's thigh.
12. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 2, wherein said carrier is a vest garment adapted for said wearer to wear said carrier.
13. The interlock attaching strap system, as recited in claim 9, wherein said carrier is a vest garment adapted for said wearer to wear said carrier.
14. A method of interlocking a carrier with a holder, comprising said steps of:
- (a) slidably passing a free tab end of an interfering strap through one of first webbing strips transversely extended on said carrier, wherein said interfering strap is longitudinally extended on said holder and has an affixing end extended from a peripheral edge of said holder;
- (b) slidably passing said free tab end of said interfering strap through one of second webbing strips transversely extended on said holder;
- (c) slidably passing said free tab end of said interfering strap through said succeeding first webbing strip on said carrier;
- (d) slidably passing said free tab end of said interfering strap through said succeeding second webbing strips on said holder to interlock said first webbing strips with said second webbing strips so as to securely mounting said holder on said carrier; and
- (e) overlappedly tucking said free tab end of said interfering strap back to said first webbing strip on said carrier to enclose said free tab end of said interfering strap between said carrier and said holder so as to securely reinforce said holder on said carrier via said interfering strap.
15. The method, as recited in claim 14, wherein a plurality of transverse carrier slots are formed at said first webbing strips respectively and a plurality of transverse holder slots are formed at said second webbing strips to align with said longitudinal carrier slots respectively when said holder is overlapped on said carrier to alternate said first webbing strips with said second webbing strips, wherein said interfering strap is slidably passing through said longitudinal carrier slots and said longitudinal holder slots in sequence.
16. The method, as recited in claim 14, wherein said interfering strap has a free end potion overlapped to form said free tab end to enhance a stiffness thereof so as to retain said free tab end of said interfering strap within said respective first webbing strip when said free tab end of said interfering strap is overlappedly tucked back to said carrier.
17. The method, as recited in claim 15, wherein said interfering strap has a free end potion overlapped to form said free tab end to enhance a stiffness thereof so as to retain said free tab end of said interfering strap within said respective first webbing strip when said free tab end of said interfering strap is overlappedly tucked back to said carrier.
18. The method, as recited in claim 16, wherein said free tab end of said interfering strap has a hook structure arranged to slide through said first and second webbing strips so as to prevent said interfering strap from being pulled backward.
19. The method, as recited in claim 17, wherein said tap end of said interfering strap has a hook structure arranged to slide through said first and second webbing strips so as to prevent said interfering strap from being pulled backward.
20. The method, as recited in claim 15, wherein a width of said interfering strap is slightly smaller than a width of each of said transverse holder slots and said transverse carrier slots such that said interfering strap is slid through one of said transverse holder slots and then one of said transverse carrier slots in sequence.
21. The method, as recited in claim 17, wherein a width of said interfering strap is slightly smaller than a width of each of said transverse holder slots and said transverse carrier slots such that said interfering strap is slid through one of said transverse holder slots and then one of said transverse carrier slots in sequence.
22. The method, as recited in claim 19, wherein a width of said interfering strap is slightly smaller than a width of each of said transverse holder slots and said transverse carrier slots such that said interfering strap is slid through one of said transverse holder slots and then one of said transverse carrier slots in sequence.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 29, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 1, 2006
Inventor: James Cragg (Culver City, CA)
Application Number: 11/000,113
International Classification: A45F 3/14 (20060101); A45C 15/00 (20060101);
