MOLLE/PALS ATTACHMENT SYSTEM
A Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE)/Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) (MOLLE/PALS) compatible carrying system including a belt, at least two ladder levels coupled to the belt, the two ladder levels being generally horizontal when the belt is being worn, and an attachment device carried by the belt. The attachment device having a carried element; and a mounting element with a plurality of downwardly extending fingers, the carried element being coupled to the mounting element below the extent of the extending fingers, the mounting element interacting with the two ladder levels.
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The present invention relates to an attachment system, and, more particularly, to an attachment system for coupling an article to a web structure carrying system.
2. Description of the Related ArtCurrent military, tactical and sports enthusiasts use Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) that uses a particular layout of connecting web structures. It is used to define the current generation of load-bearing equipment and backpacks used by a number of NATO armed forces, especially the British and United States Army.
The MOLLE system's modularity is derived from the use of Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) webbing equipment as rows of heavy-duty nylon stitched onto the vest or other wearable items to allow for the attachment of various compatible pouches and accessories. This method of attachment has become a de facto standard for modular tactical gear, replacing the All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system.
The term MOLLE is used to describe generically all load bearing systems and subsystems that utilize the woven PALS webbing for modular pouch attachment. Derivatives based on the MOLLE attachment method (such as the Tactical Tailor MALICE clip system) have also been developed. Any system that utilizes modular attachment methods and is usable with U.S. general issue MOLLE components is often considered “MOLLE-compatible” or is called a “MOLLE” system. Increasingly, non-military manufacturers are incorporating MOLLE technology into outdoor equipment.
The PALS grid of web supports consists of horizontal rows of 1 in (2.5 cm) webbing, spaced 1 in apart, and attached to the backing at 1.5 in (3.8 cm) intervals. Straps on the attachment item can be interwoven between the webbing on the PALS grid and finally snapped into place, making for a very secure fit which can be detached with moderate effort. Newer types of PALS systems include laser cuts in a single piece fabric rather than webbing straps sewn onto the fabric such that the spacing is the same standard so new lasercut ladders are backwards compatible with older pouches made for webbing strap construction rigs.
What is needed in the art is an attachment system to the MOLLE/PALS system that provides a secure, easily attached item for accessible use of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a coupling system for a ladder web system on a wearable article such as a belt that is standalone or part of a garment, a backpack or a waistband.
The invention in one form is directed to a Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE)/Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) (MOLLE/PALS) compatible carrying system including a belt, at least two ladder levels coupled to the belt, the two ladder levels being generally horizontal when the belt is being worn, and an attachment device carried by the belt. The attachment device having a carried element; and a mounting element with a plurality of downwardly extending fingers, the carried element being coupled to the mounting element below the extent of the extending fingers, the mounting element interacting with the two ladder levels.
The invention in another form is directed to an attachment device for attachment to a Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE)/Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) (MOLLE/PALS) compatible carrying system having a carried element, and a mounting element with a plurality of downwardly extending fingers, the carried element being coupled to the mounting element below the extent of the extending fingers, to allow the mounting element to interact with two ladder levels of the carrying system.
An advantage of the present invention is that the low connection to the carried element provides stability to the element being carried, such as a holster.
Another advantage is that the handgun carried in the holster can be drawn with a clean separation from the holster.
Yet another advantage is that the mounting plates/elements can be connected to the holster after the plates are engaged with the MOLLE/PALS system.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring now to
Now, additionally referring to
Mounting element 22 is made of a planar material with holes 32 which are mainly below the lowest level of fingers 24 and 26. Downwardly extending fingers 24 and 26 of mounting element 22 include outwardly angled portions 28 and 30 on distal ends of fingers 24 and 26, which may interact with vertical seams of belt 12 to help secure attachment device 18 to belt 12.
Now, additionally referring to
Now, additionally referring to
Now, additionally referring to
Each of the downwardly extending fingers 124 and 126 of mounting element 122 include an outwardly angled portion 128, 130 on a distal end of fingers 124 and 126. Outwardly angled portions 128 and 130 extend outward away from belt 12 in an angled manner, as can be seen in
Now additionally referring to
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) /Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) (MOLLE/PALS) compatible carrying system, comprising:
- a belt;
- at least two ladder levels coupled to the belt, the two ladder levels being generally horizontal when the belt is being worn; and
- an attachment device carried by the belt, the attachment device including: a carried element; and a mounting element having a body with an upper section and a lower section, the upper section including a plurality of downwardly extending fingers, the lower section being configured to mount the carried element at a location that is below the extent of the extending fingers, the mounting element interacting with the two ladder levels.
2. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 1, wherein the carried element is a holster.
3. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 1, wherein the mounting element further includes a plurality of upwardly extending fingers, the at least two ladder levels including an upper ladder level and a lower ladder level, the plurality of upwardly extending fingers interacting with the lower ladder level, the plurality of downwardly extending fingers interacting with the upper ladder level.
4. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 1, wherein each of the downwardly extending fingers of the mounting element include an outwardly angled portion on a distal end of the fingers, the outwardly angled portion extending in a direction generally parallel with the belt.
5. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 1, wherein each of the downwardly extending fingers of the mounting element include an outwardly angled portion on a distal end of the fingers, the outwardly angled portion extending in a direction generally perpendicular with the belt.
6. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 1, wherein the carried element is coupled to the mounting element below where the extending fingers interact with the two levels of the ladder system.
7. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 1, further comprising an other mounting element coupled to the mounting element and the carried element.
8. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 7, wherein the mounting element and the other mounting element are each made of a planar material having the same thickness.
9. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 7, wherein the other mounting element has at least one upwardly extending finger.
10. The MOLLE/PALS compatible carrying system of claim 1, wherein the belt is a standalone belt, or a belt coupled to one of a backpack, a waist pack or a garment.
11. An attachment device for attachment to a Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE)/Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) (MOLLE/PALS) carrying system, the attachment device comprising:
- a carried element; and
- a mounting element having a body with an upper section and a lower section, the upper section including a plurality of downwardly extending fingers, the lower section being configured to mount the carried element at a location that is below the extent of the extending fingers.
12. The attachment device of claim 11, wherein the carried element is a holster.
13. The attachment device of claim 11, wherein the mounting element further includes a plurality of upwardly extending fingers.
14. The attachment device of claim 11, wherein each of the downwardly extending fingers of the mounting element include an outwardly angled portion on a distal end of the fingers the outwardly angled portion extending in a direction generally parallel with a plane of the extending fingers.
15. The attachment device of claim 11, wherein each of the downwardly extending fingers of the mounting element include an outwardly angled portion on a distal end of the fingers, the outwardly angled portion extending in a direction generally perpendicular with a plane of the extending fingers.
16. The attachment device of claim 11, wherein the carried element is coupled to the mounting element below where the extending fingers interact with two levels of the ladder system.
17. The attachment device of claim 11, further comprising an other mounting element coupled to the mounting element and the carried element.
18. The attachment device of claim 17, wherein the mounting element and the other mounting element are each made of a planar material having the same thickness.
19. The attachment device of claim 17, wherein the other mounting element has at least one upwardly extending finger.
20. The attachment device of claim 17, wherein the mounting element has a first pattern of holes therein and the other mounting element has a second pattern of holes therein, at least half of the holes in the first pattern being alignable with the holes in the second pattern.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 6, 2019
Publication Date: Mar 11, 2021
Applicant: Eberlestock USA LLC (Boise, ID)
Inventor: Glen R. Eberle (Boise, ID)
Application Number: 16/563,169