Storage apparatus with magnetic contents retention structure

Abstract

An ammunition magazine holding apparatus comprises a magazine holder and a magazine retention strap. The ammunition magazine holding apparatus has a cavity therein defining an upper end portion thereof and a lower end portion thereof. A first magnet element is attached to the magazine holder adjacent to the upper end portion of the cavity. A first configuration of interlock structure extends from a surface of the magazine holder. The magazine retention strap has a second magnetic element at a first end portion thereof and a second configuration of interlock structure at a second end portion thereof. The first configuration interlock structure is mechanically engaged with and separable from the first configuration interlock structure. The second magnetic element is magnetically engagable with the first magnetic element.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional utility patent application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 61/336,608 filed Jan. 25, 2010 entitled “Magnetic Pouch With Adjustable Magnetic Placement”, having a common applicant herewith and being incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to article storage pouches and, more particularly, to article storage pouches with a hook and loop and/or magnetic structure for retaining contents.

BACKGROUND

Storage apparatuses such pouches that use a hook and loop fastener that use for providing a closure structure and/or an article retention structure are well known. One common type of hook and loop fastener is Velcro brand hook and loop fastener. Such fasteners have a first material having a surface covered with a plurality of hook engagement structures and a second material having a surface covered with a plurality of loop engagement structures. When such hook and loop engagement structures are brought into contact with each other they become mechanically engaged with each other thereby securing the first material to the second material. Separation of the two materials is performed by physically peeling them apart from each other to break a mechanical bond/attachment.

There are several shortcomings associated with using hook and loop fasteners for certain types of storage apparatus applications. One such shortcoming relates to using hook and loop fasteners in applications where the user desires to remain quiet in that separation of the hook material from the loop material produces considerable noise. For example, in a combat or law enforcement situation, separation of the hook material from the loop material by a law enforcement or military personnel (e.g., such as when opening a pouch to retrieve a piece of equipment contained therein) can undesirably reveal their physical location. Similarly, such noise would be undesirable/adverse to a hunter while hunting or to a person otherwise engaged in an activity where such noise is undesirable/adverse. Another such shortcoming is that hook and loop material can become worn or contaminated over time, thereby reducing its effectiveness as a closure mechanism.

It is known that magnets can be used as a closure mechanism for a storage apparatus such as a pouch. While such use of magnets overcomes certain shortcomings of hook and loop material (e.g., separation noise), use of magnets in this regard is not without its own shortcomings. One shortcomings with use of a magnet as a closure mechanism is that, unlike hook and loop material, a pair of attracting magnets does not allow an effective means for making minor/fine adjustment of a closure structure through relocation of a position where a first one of such magnets engages a second one of such magnets (e.g., for the purpose of adjusting a length of a retention strap). Another such shortcoming can be that magnets physically interfere with metallic objects that are directly exposed to because they were exposed to a physical obstruction that they are intended to retain.

Therefore, a storage apparatus with a magnetic contents retention structure that is configured for overcoming shortcomings associated with conventional implementations of hook and loop fasteners and/or with conventional implementations of magnets as used in such a storage apparatus would be advantageous, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention include a storage apparatus (e.g., a pouch) with a magnetic contents retention structure. More specifically, such a storage apparatus uses one or more magnetic elements (e.g., a magnet or a ferrous metal element) embedded between or attached to layers of material to releasably secure a closure structure (e.g., a strap) of the storage apparatus. Furthermore, the closure structure carrying one of the magnetic closure elements is configured in a manner that allows the closure structure to be adjustably mounted on a body of the storage apparatus (e.g., for varying an effective length of the closure structure). In this manner, storage apparatuses configured in accordance with the present invention overcome shortcomings associated with conventional implementations of hook and loop fasteners and/or with conventional implementations of magnets as used in such storage apparatuses.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an ammunition magazine pouch comprises a plurality of walls defining a magazine receiving space having an upper end portion and a lower end portion and a magnet attached to a first one of the walls adjacent to the upper end portion of the magazine receiving space.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an ammunition magazine holding apparatus comprises a magazine holder and a magazine retention strap. The ammunition magazine holding apparatus has a cavity therein defining an upper end portion thereof and a lower end portion thereof. A first magnet element is attached to the magazine holder adjacent to the upper end portion of the cavity. A first configuration of interlock structure extends from a surface of the magazine holder. The magazine retention strap has a second configuration of interlock structure at a first end portion thereof and a second magnetic element at a second end portion thereof. The first configuration interlock structure is mechanically engaged with and separable from the first configuration interlock structure. The second magnetic element is magnetically engagable with the first magnetic element.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a storage apparatus comprises a storage body and a retention strap. The storage body has a cavity therein defining an upper end portion thereof and a lower end portion thereof. A first magnetic element is attached to the storage body adjacent to the upper end portion of the cavity. A first configuration of interlock structure extends from a surface of the storage body. The retention strap has a first configuration of interlock structure at a second end portion thereof and a second magnetic element at a first end portion thereof. The first configuration interlock structure is mechanically engaged with and separable from the first configuration interlock structure. The second magnetic-element is magnetically engagable with the first magnetic element.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an ammunition magazine holding apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a magazine retention strap is in a magazine securing configuration.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the ammunition magazine holding apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the magazine retention strap is in a magazine accessing configuration.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the ammunition magazine holding apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the magazine retention strap of the ammunition magazine holding apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS.

FIGS. 1-3 show an ammunition magazine holding apparatus 10 (e.g., a pouch) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The ammunition magazine holding apparatus 10 is an example of a storage apparatus. In view of the disclosures made herein, a skilled person will appreciate that a storage apparatus configured in accordance with the present invention can be intended for use in any number of different types of storage apparatuses.

The apparatus 10 includes a magazine holder 12 (i.e., a storage body) and a magazine retention strap 14 (i.e., a retention strap). The magazine holder 12 includes a front wall 16, a rear wall 18, opposing side walls 20, and a bottom wall 22. The front wall 16, the rear wall 18, the opposing side walls 20, and the bottom wall 22 can each be made from discrete pieces of material that are adjoined for forming the holder 12. Examples of means for adjoining such discrete pieces of material include, but are not limited to, stitching with thread, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, adhesive bonding, and the like. It is disclosed herein that each of such walls can comprise a plurality of layers of material (e.g., a plurality of layers of fabric). One or more mounting structures 23 can be provided on the rear wall 18 for allowing the apparatus 10 to be mounted on a support substrate (e.g., a vest, belt, etc)

The front wall 16, the rear wall 18, the opposing side walls 20, and the bottom wall 22 jointly define a magazine receiving cavity 24. The cavity 24 includes an upper end portion 26 (i.e., open end portion) and a lower end portion 28 (i.e., closed end portion). One or more ammunition magazines can be stored within the cavity 24. Similarly, in other embodiments of storage apparatuses configured in accordance with the present invention, other types of contents can be stored within such a cavity. It is disclosed herein that the cavity 24 can be partitioned to include a plurality of different storage chambers.

A first end portion 30 of the magazine retention strap 14 is attached (e.g., fixedly, adjustably, and/or attachably) to the front wall 16 of the holder 12. As will be discussed below in greater detail, the first end portion 30 can be detachably connected to the front wall 16. Furthermore, as also discussed below in greater detail, the magazine retention strap 14 can be adjustably attached and/or detachably attached in a manner for allowing an effective length of the magazine retention strap 14 to be adjusted with respect to the holder 12. Still further, such detachable attachment allows the magazine retention strap 14 to be removed from and not used with the magazine holder 12.

A second end portion 32 of the magazine retention strap 14 is selectively engagable with the rear wall 18 of the holder 12. In this manner, the magazine retention strap 14 can be selectively engaged with the rear wall 18 for securing a magazine within the cavity 24 and can be selectively disengaged from engagement with the rear wall 18 for allowing a magazine to be inserted into or removed from the cavity 18. Preferably, such selective engagement of the second end portion 32 of the magazine retention strap 14 with the rear wall 18 of the holder 12 is implemented through use of a first magnetic element 34 provided within or on a surface of the rear wall 18 adjacent the upper end portion of the cavity 18 and a second magnetic element 36 provided within or on a surface of the magazine retention strap 14 at its second end portion 32. The first and second magnetic elements 34, 36 are jointly configured for attracting each other when brought into close proximity to each other (e.g., when brought sufficiently near each other). One or both of the magnetic elements 34, 36 can be magnets. Preferably, when only one of the magnetic elements is a magnet, the first magnetic element 34 provided within or on a surface of the rear wall 18 is the magnet and the second magnetic element 36 is a material that is magnetically attracted by the magnet (e.g., a ferrous material such as steel).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, it can be seen that the rear wall 18 and the magazine retention strap 14 can each include a plurality of layers of material. Woven fabric (e.g., polymeric fabric) is an example of such layers of material. Examples of adjoining one layer of material to another layer of material include, but are not limited to, stitching with thread, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, adhesive bonding, and the like.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, it can be seen that the first magnetic element 34 is disposed between the layers of material of the rear wall 18. Similarly, it can be ween that the second magnetic element 36 is disposed between the layers of material of magazine retention strap 14. In this manner, the second end portion 32 of the magazine retention strap 14 can be selectively engaged with the rear wall 18 of the holder 12 through magnetic attraction of the first magnetic element 34 with the second magnetic element 36. The second end portion 32 of the magazine retention strap 14 can include a hand-gripping portion 40 for allowing a user to grasp the magazine retention strap 14 for engaging and disengaging the second end portion 32 of the magazine retention strap 14 from the rear wall 18 of the holder 12

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, it can be seen that the apparatus 10 can be configured for allowing the first end portion 30 of the magazine retention strap 14 to be detachably connected to the front wall 16. In one example, the magazine retention strap 14 being detachably connected to the holder 12 allows the magazine retention strap 14 to be adjustably attached to the holder 12 (e.g., to allow for an effective length of the magazine retention strap 14 to be adjusted with respect to the holder 12). In another example, the magazine retention strap 14 being detachably connected to the holder 12 allows the magazine retention strap 14 to be removed from and not used with the magazine holder 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the first end portion 30 of the magazine retention strap 14 can be detachably connected to the front wall 16 via an interlocking fastener interface. A first interlocking fastener 42 is provided on the front wall 16 of the holder 12 within the cavity 24. A second interlocking fastener 44 is provided at the first end portion 30 of the magazine retention strap 14. The first and second interlocking fasteners 42, 44 are jointly configured for being selectively engagable and disengagable from each other. Preferably, the first and second interlocking fasters are jointly configured for being selectively engagable and disengagable from each other in a manner that allows a relative position of the first end portion 30 of the magazine retention strap 14 to be adjustably positioned at a plurality of different vertical positions along a length of the front wall 16. In one preferred embodiment, the first interlocking fastener 42 includes a first configuration of interlocking structure 46 and the second interlocking fastener 44 includes a second configuration of interlocking structure 48. Hook engagement structures and loop engagement structures are examples of such interlocking structures. As such, the first interlocking fastener 42 can include one of hook engagement structures or loop engagement structure and the second interlocking fastener 44 can include the other one of such engagement structures thereby providing a hook and loop fastener interface (e.g., Velcro brand hook and loop material) therebetween.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ammunition magazine pouch, comprising:

a plurality of walls defining a magazine receiving space having an upper end portion and a lower end portion; and

a magnet attached to a first one of said walls adjacent to the upper end portion of the magazine receiving space.

2. The pouch of claim 1 wherein:

the first one of said walls includes a plurality of layers of material; and

the magnet is disposed between two of said layers of material.

3. The pouch of claim 1 wherein said layers of material are layers of fabric material.

4. The pouch of claim 3 wherein:

the first one of said walls includes a plurality of layers of material; and

the magnet is disposed between two of said layers of material.

5. An ammunition magazine holding apparatus, comprising:

a magazine holder having a cavity therein defining an upper end portion thereof and a lower end portion thereof, wherein a first magnet element is attached to the magazine holder adjacent to the upper end portion of the cavity and wherein a first configuration of interlock structure extends from a surface of the magazine holder; and

a magazine retention strap having a second configuration of interlock structure at a first end portion thereof and a second magnetic element at a second end portion thereof, wherein said first configuration interlock structure is mechanically engaged with and separable from said first configuration interlock structure, and wherein the second magnetic element is magnetically engagable with the first magnetic element.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first configuration interlock structure is provided on the magazine holder within the cavity.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of said magnetic elements is a magnet.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

the magnetic element is attached to a first wall of the magazine holder;

the first wall includes a plurality of layers of material; and

the first magnetic element is disposed between two of said layers of material.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein at least one of said magnetic elements is a magnet.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said layers of material are layers of fabric material.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first configuration interlock structure is provided on the magazine holder within the cavity.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

one of said configurations of interlock structure is a hook engagement structure; and

the other one of said second configurations of interlock structure is a loop engagement structure.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least one of said magnetic elements is a magnet.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

the magnetic element is attached to a first wall of the magazine holder;

the first wall includes a plurality of layers of material; and

the first magnetic element is disposed between two of said layers of material.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first configuration interlock structure is provided on the magazine holder within the cavity.

16. A storage apparatus, comprising:

a storage body having a cavity therein defining an upper end portion thereof and a lower end portion thereof, wherein a first magnetic element is attached to the storage body adjacent to the upper end portion of the cavity and wherein a first configuration of interlock structure extends from a surface of the storage body; and

a retention strap having a second magnetic element at a first end portion thereof and a first configuration of interlock structure at a second end portion thereof, wherein said first configuration interlock structure is mechanically engaged with and separable from said first configuration interlock structure, and wherein the second magnetic element is magnetically engagable with the first magnetic element.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said first configuration interlock structure is provided on the storage body within the cavity.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein at least one of said magnetic elements is a magnet.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein:

the magnetic element is attached to a first wall of the storage body;

the first wall includes a plurality of layers of material; and

the first magnetic element is disposed between two of said layers of material.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein:

at least one of said magnetic elements is a magnet;

said layers of material are layers of fabric material;

said first configuration interlock structure is provided on the storage body within the cavity;

one of said configurations of interlock structure is a hook engagement structure; and

the other one of said second configurations of interlock structure is a loop engagement structure.