BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001]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 Art
[0002]Current 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.
[0003]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.
[0004]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.
[0005]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.
[0006]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 INVENTION
[0007]The 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.
[0008]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.
[0009]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.
[0010]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.
[0011]Another advantage is that the handgun carried in the holster can be drawn with a clean separation from the holster.
[0012]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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]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:
[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holster mounted to a MOLLE/PALS article, such as a belt, including an embodiment of an attachment system of the present invention securing the holster to the article;
[0015]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the attachment system shown in FIG. 1;
[0016]FIG. 3 is another plan view of an optional addition to the attachment system of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0017]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the attachment system of FIGS. 1 and 2, along with the optional addition of FIG. 3; and
[0018]FIG. 5 is a view of a holster mounted to a MOLLE/PALS article, such as a belt, including another embodiment of an attachment system having a mounting element of the present invention securing the holster to the belt;
[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting element of FIG. 5;
[0020]FIG. 7 is a cross section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 illustrating some of the features of the mounting element of FIGS. 5 and 6; and
[0021]FIG. 8 is an illustration of the attachment system and mounting element of FIGS. 5-7 with a schematical overlay illustrating how the attachment system interacts with the ladder system of the MOLLE/PALS article.
[0022]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 INVENTION
[0023]Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a ladder carrying system 10 including a human carryable article 12 in the form of a MOLLE/PALS article 12, such as a belt 12 with two ladder levels 14 and 16 coupled to belt 12, and an attachment device 18 here shown in the form of a holster attachment device 18. The ladder levels 14 and 16 are generally made of a strip material such as a woven flat band that is connected to belt 12 by way of sewn seams at predetermined spaced apart locations. The seams are at generally perpendicular to the longitudinal run of ladder levels 14 and 16 along belt 12 and the seams have corresponding locations along the two ladder levels 14 and 16. The two ladder levels 14 and 16 are generally horizontal when being carried by user U. Article 12 is illustrated as a belt 12, but can be any human carryable article 12, such as a standalone belt 12, a belt of a backpack, a vest, a belt of a harness or the like, or the belt of a waist pack. Attachment device 18 is carried by belt 12 and attachment device 18 includes a carried element 20 and a mounting element 22. Carried element 20, in the form of holster 20 is shown as carrying a handgun G, although other carried elements are also contemplated, which include, but are not limited to a bayonet scabbard, a magazine pouch, or a container.
[0024]Now, additionally referring to FIG. 2, mounting element 22 has downwardly extending fingers 24 and 26, with outwardly directed portions 28 and 30 at the distal ends of fingers 24 and 26. Shown to the right side of FIG. 2 is a representative portion of ladder levels 14 and 16, the extent of which defines a mounting zone Z. Fingers 24 and 26 extend through zone Z as they interact with the two ladder levels 14 and 16. Further, carried element 20 is coupled to mounting element 22 below the extent of the extending fingers 24 and 26, and even beyond portions 28 and 30. The coupling taking place with at least some of the holes 32, which are a pattern of holes. Mounting element 22 interacts with the two ladder levels 14 and 16, and portions 28 and 30 help to preclude mounting element 22 from being displaced upward out of ladder levels 14 and 16.
[0025]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.
[0026]Now, additionally referring to FIG. 3, there is shown another mounting element 34 that can be coupled to mounting element 22 and carried element 20. Mounting element 34 and mounting element 22 may each be made of a planar material having the same thickness. Mounting element 34 has upwardly extending fingers 36 and 38, and a main body with holes 40 extending through the planar material. Holes 40 have the same pattern as holes 32 to accommodate fasteners or coupling elements to hold holster 20 to both mounting elements 22 and 34. Mounting element 34 can interact with ladder levels 14 and 16, or at least ladder level 16, to provide a secure coupling of holster 20 to ladder levels 14 and 16. Fingers 24 and 26 of mounting element 22 can be slid through ladder levels 14 and 16, then mounting element 34 can be slid through ladder levels 16 and 14 from beneath, then holster 20 can be secured to elements 22 and 34 using some of holes 32 and 40 with coupling devices extending therethrough, as can be envisioned in FIG. 4.
[0027]Now, additionally referring to FIG. 5 there is shown another embodiment of a ladder carrying system in the form of ladder carrying system 110 with belt 12, as in the previous embodiment, with two ladder levels 14 and 16. Ladder carrying system 110 includes an attachment device 118, here shown in the form of a mounting element 118, with a carrying element 120 in the form of a holster 120 mounted thereto.
[0028]Now, additionally referring to FIG. 6 mounting element 122 is illustrated in a perspective view, and FIG. 7 is a cross section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 illustrating some of the features of mounting element 122. Mounting element 122 includes downwardly extending fingers 124 and 126, with downwardly extending fingers 124 and 126 interacting with upper ladder level 14. Mounting element 122 also includes upwardly extending fingers 136 and 138 that interact with lower ladder level 16. The interaction of fingers 124, 126, 136 and 138, respectively with ladder levels 14 and 16 serve to hold mounting element 122 to MOLLE/PALS article 12 for carrying the weight of attachment system 118, and so that when the carried item in carrying element 120 is withdrawn, in an upward movement, attachment system 118 remains connected with MOLLE/PALS article 12. Carrying element 120 is coupled to mounting element 122 with fasteners that extend through some of holes 132.
[0029]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 FIG. 7, and extend in a direction generally parallel with belt 12. The contours and angles of fingers 124 and 126 and the outward extension of angled portions 128 and 130 also serve to ensure a continued engagement of mounting element 122 with ladder level 14. Outwardly angled portions also extend in a direction generally perpendicular with belt 12 as can be seen in extension of portion 128 in FIG. 7. Another way of viewing outwardly angled portions 128 and 130 that are on a distal end of fingers 124 and 126, are that outwardly angled portions 128 and 130 extend in a direction generally perpendicular with a plane of extending fingers 124 and 126, as seen in FIG. 7.
[0030]Now additionally referring to FIG. 8 there is illustrated how mounting element 122 of attachment system 118 interacts with ladder levels 14 and 16, by illustrating ladder levels 14 and 16 as a schematical overlay of mounting element 122. This view illustrates how attachment system 118 interacts with the ladder system of MOLLE/PALS article 12. Note the geometry of mounting element 122 interacts with ladder levels 14 and 16. Fingers 124 and 126 and the space therearound allows for the insertion through elements of ladder level 14, with portions 128 and 130 extending outward to thereby engage the bottom of ladder level 14. The angle of the lower part of portions 128 and 130 allowing for easy insertion at the top of ladder level 14. The flexibility of MOLLE/PALS article 12 allows fingers 136 and 138 to engage the lower portion of ladder level 16 (also see FIG. 5) and extend part way up behind ladder level 16. Also note that the top portion of ladder level 16 remains behind mounting element 122.
[0031]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.
