Patent Application
20220386762
The present disclosure generally relates to Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system. More specifically, the present disclosure discloses a method of creating hard-shell MOLLE system that can be applied on anything that employs MOLLE system such as military backpacks, vests and quad vehicles. The present disclosure further discloses an exemplary backpack that employs the disclosed hard-shell MOLLE system.
Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system refers to the current generation of load-bearing equipment and backpacks used by a number of NATO armed forces including the United States Army. As shown by
The present disclosure discloses an improved MOLLE system using hard-shells and a method of making thereof, which not only increases the durability of the MOLLE system, but also allows the MOLLE system to be used on hard objects such as thermoformed/molded backpacks, bags, vehicle panels, containers etc.
One objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved MOLLE system that allows the MOLLE system to be applied on hard objects and a method of making thereof. Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved MOPLLE system that has a better durability and has the capability to load and carry more accessory and equipment.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of employing MOLLE system on a surface of a hard object is disclosed. The method comprises: 1) creating a plurality of depressed channels on a surface of a hard object in parallel to create a plurality of vertical canals, wherein distance between each vertical canal and its adjacent vertical canal is same; 2) placing a plurality of cross members made of a hard material across the plurality of vertical canals in parallel, wherein the plurality of cross members is perpendicular to the plurality of vertical canals, forming a grid; and 3) fixing the plurality of cross members to the surface of the hard object with screws or rivets.
In other words, the present disclosure works by creating depressed channels in the molded material when formed that establish vertical canals for the users' fingers to pass and for the pouch mounting-straps, or other hardware to pass. The second part of the disclosed system is to have cross members to pass over them at 90 degrees forming the traditional grid pattern. The cross members may be rigid such as polymer sheets, molded plastic parts, or webbing. They can be fixed with hardware such as screws/rivets or sewn. If made of plastics, the cross members have the added utility of being able to have perforations making them capable of accepting screws and attaching items like lights, knife sheaths and camera equipment like action cameras. This would not be possible in the traditional webbing because putting holes in the nylon webbing would damage it, and there is no way to access the back since they are on a flat fabric surface without the channels in the back. The molded mounting surface may further comprise molded depressions that guide the placement of the cross-members and prevent their lateral movement. This makes assembly easier for the worker and necessitates only 3rd dimension staking at the rivet/sewing points.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the disclosure, since the scope of the disclosure is best defined by the following claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.
Broadly, embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a hard-shell Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system and a method of making thereof. In one embodiment, as shown by
In one embodiment, as shown by
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the disclosed method further comprises perforating a plurality of holes 14 on the plurality of cross members 8. This is possible when the cross members 8 are also made of a hard material such as molded plastic, polymer sheet and/or metal. The plurality of holes 14 adds the utility of making the disclosed hard-shell MOLLE system capable of accepting screws and attaching items like lights, knife sheaths and camera equipment like action cameras. For instance, as shown by
The number of vertical canals 6 and cross members 8 may vary depending on the design and/or the surface size of the hard object 4, and it not limited to 4 by 4 grid as shown by the figures. For examples, there can be three vertical canals 6 with six cross members 8 (i.e., 3 by 6 grid), or six vertical canals 6 with five cross members 8 (i.e., 6 by 5 grid). While the length (i.e., the longer side) of the vertical canals 6 will vary depending on the design, the width of the vertical canal 6 preferably should be kept within 24 millimeter (mm) to 30 mm to create best performance. Similarly, while the length and thickness of the cross members 8 can vary depending on the design or size of the grid, the width of the cross member 8 should be kept within 21 mm to 30 mm.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the length for each crossing member 8 and/or molded depression 10 is configured in a way so that it is greater than the width of all vertical canals 6 combined, and length for each of the plurality of vertical canal 6 is also configured to exceed the width of all cross members 8 combined. This provides better performance for the disclosed hard-shell system and also increases its aesthetic appearance.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown by
In one embodiment, the rigid outer shell 18 of the backpack 16 further comprises a plurality of molded depressions 10 aligned in parallel that are perpendicular to and cross the plurality of vertical canals 6 forming a grid, where depth of the plurality of molded depressions 10 is less than depth of the plurality of vertical canals 6. Preferably, the shape of the plurality of molded depressions 10 should be designed to resemble the shape of the plurality of cross members 8, which can also increase the aesthetics aspect of the disclosed MOLLE system as shown by
For optimal performance and appearance, it is suggested that the length for each crossing member 8 and/or molded depression 10 is configured to be greater than the width of all vertical canals 6 combined, and length for each of the plurality of vertical canal is also configured to exceed the width of all cross members 8 combined. Further, the width of the vertical canal 6 preferably should be kept within 24 millimeter (mm) to 30 mm and the width of the cross member 8 should be kept within 21 mm to 30 mm.
In yet another embodiment, the interior of the backpack is different than the outside (i.e., the rigid outer shell). In other word, the interior of the molded section of the molding is different than on the outside so as to form counter-sunk holes for the rivets/screws to live in without scratching the contents of the backpack.
It should also be noted that when the term “a”, “an”, etc. is used, it is to be interpreted as “at least one” throughout the application, drawings, and claims.
Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include the express language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6. Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “means for” or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/877,260, filed on Jan. 22, 2018 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15877260 | Jan 2018 | US |
| Child | 17888567 | US |
