This invention relates to an attachment system substructure for mounting pockets, pouches and other accessories to vests, belts and other support using interlocking webbing, this being of particular use with clothing and individual load bearing equipment used by military and law enforcement personnel, and particularly a cummerbund for a ballistic plate carrier.
MOLLE is an attachment standard for modular tactical gear. MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) generally refers to any modular attachment system that utilizes the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (“PALS”) for mounting modular accessory components, such as pockets, pouches, sheaths and holsters to individual load-bearing support articles, such as belts, vests and backpacks used by military and law enforcement personnel. The Pouch Attachment Ladder System (“PALS”) was invented and patented by United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. The PALS webbing allows the pouches and accessories to be attached to other MOLLE compatible vests, packs and pouches. PALS consists of horizontal rows of heavy-duty 1″ nylon webbing sewn to the outside of a pocket, pouch, belt, vest, or pack in a set grid. The horizontal rows of 1″ webbing are spaced 1″ apart, and bar-tacked to the backing at 1.5″ intervals. The array of PALS webbing allows MOLLE compatible accessories to be quickly attached to a MOLLE compatible support article “Natick straps” (reinforced webbing straps sewn to the accessories with push the dot snaps for security), polymer MALICE Clips® from Tactical Tailor or a variety of other “weave and tuck” by connection straps, each of which are interwoven between the PALS webbing of the support article, the accessory or both. While the MOLLE attachment system provides a convenient means for attaching accessories to a support article, the PALS webbing sewn directly to the mounting surfaces of both the support articles and modular accessories adds considerable weight and bulk to the gear. Consequently, it is desirable to have an attachment system that reduces the weight and bulk of the gear, while maintaining the functionality and modularity of the attachment system.
The present invention provides an attachment substructure (lattice) for support articles, such as vests, carriers and packs and allows molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached to the support article, but eliminates the need for a backing material, thereby reducing the weight and bulk of the support article. The attachment substructure may be used in various tactical load bearing items and equipment, such as, ballistic plate carriers, chest rigs, tactical vests and belts, and cummerbunds used in plate carriers and chest rigs. In certain embodiments, the attachment lattice may be constructed from vertical rows of thin webbing or binding tape sewn to the horizontal rows of evenly spaced nylon webbing that form an array of uniformly spaced and sized openings. In other embodiments, the attachment lattice is formed by the array of uniformly spaced and sized openings being die cut directly in the fabric material. The attachment lattice of this invention also allows MOLLE compatible accessories to be mounted on either side of the lattice and in either a vertical or horizontal orientation, which effectively increases the capacity and modularity of the support article.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, in which:
The attachment lattice of this invention provides an attachment substructure for support articles, such as vests, carriers and packs and allows Molle compatible modular pocket, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached to the support article. The attachment lattice eliminates the need for the rows of nylon webbing to be sewn to a backing material on the support article, as with a conventional molle attachment system. In certain embodiments, the attachment lattice may be constructed by vertical rows of thin webbing or edge binding sewn to the horizontal rows of evenly spaced nylon or elastic webbing, which defines an array of uniformly spaced square openings. In other embodiments, the attachment lattice is formed by an array of uniformly spaced openings die-cut, or otherwise formed, directly in a flexible, but durable fabric or sheet material. In each embodiment, the configuration of the attachment lattice provides an array of uniformly spaced square openings arranged in rows and columns, providing both vertical and horizontal channels within which Molle compatible accessories can be interlaced. The attachment lattice itself can be used as a construction material, fabric or substructure from which the bodies of molle compatible support articles and modular accessories are fashioned.
While the drawings show the different embodiments of the attachment lattice of this invention fashioned and incorporated into the construction of various support articles, one skilled in the art will note that the teachings of this invention are not limited to the use or incorporation of the attachment lattice in any particular support article or accessory. The drawings illustrate examples of certain embodiments of the attachment lattice and their use in various support articles and accessories for simplicity of explanation and are not intended to limit the teachings of this invention.
Referring now to the drawings,
One skilled in the art will note that the attachment lattice of this invention provides several advantages over conventional PALS webbing sewn onto the backing material of a support article. The attachment lattice of this invention eliminates the need for a backing material, thereby reducing the weight and bulk of the support article, while still maintaining the ability to attach MOLLE compatible accessories to the lattice. Without the backing material, which supports the PALS webbing in conventional MOLLE systems, the attachment lattice also allows more air flow through the article, which may provide some improved degree of cooling for the user. In addition, the attachment lattice of this invention allows MOLLE compatible accessories to be mounted on either side of the lattice and in either a vertical or horizontal orientation, which effectively increases the capacity and modularity of the support article. The uniform spacing of the square openings of the attachment lattice also reduces movement between the lattice and the attached accessory thereby providing a more secure interconnection.
The embodiment of the present invention herein described and illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/518,062 filed on Apr. 29, 2011, entitled “Attachment Lattice” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61518062 | Apr 2011 | US |