WO2009005782A1

WO2009005782A1 - Secure, quick-release system for attaching a pouch to a larger bag

Info

Publication number: WO2009005782A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/008146
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cory Nykoluk
Original assignee: 5.11 Inc.
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2009-01-08

Abstract

An attachment system that secures a small bag or pouch to a larger bag, backpack or garment that permits quick attachment and detachment. The back side of the pouch has webbing loops that form vertical channels, a rigid ring just above each fabric loop, and a snap body near the bottom. A pair of relatively rigid straps, which can be reinforced webbing, are woven through the rigid ring and the fabric loops on the pouch and the corresponding loops on the larger bag or garment and secured with the snap body. An enlarged head on each strap prevents the top of the strap from pulling down through the rigid ring.

Description

APPLICATION FOR UNITED STATES PATENT

SECURE, QUICK-RELEASE SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING A POUCH TO A LARGER BAG

S P E C I FI C AT I O N

Background of the Invention

This invention concerns an attachment system for securing together gear-carrying bags and pouches, sometimes known as a MOLLE (modular lightweight load-carrying equipment) attachment system. Specifically, the invention encompasses an improved attachment system for securing a small pouch or bag to a larger bag, backpack or to another article of clothing such as a belt, with security and easy deployment and release.

Attachment systems are well known for securing small pouches or bags to backpacks or other items worn on the body, involving webbing straps woven through webbing loops on both articles. In a typical attachment system the back side of a smaller bag or pouch has a pair of straps extending up from near the top edge, foldable over to engage down through fabric loops (normally webbing loops) , which may be at several vertically spaced apart locations, with each strap essentially woven through these loops alternating with one or more fabric loops on a larger bag, such as a backpack, or over a user' s belt. A fastener such as a snap was at the end of the strap for securing to the bag near its bottom, to maintain the strap from pulling back up and out. One such MOLLE attachment system has been marketed by 5.11 Inc. of Modesto, California, described as a standard MOLLE attachment system.

Sometimes these conventional MOLLE attachment systems are difficult to engage, due to the need for working somewhat blindly, with the back of the small pouch against the backpack or other item, and the need to thread the strap alternately through webbing loops of the small bag and the larger bag, these webbing straps being flexible and thus needing to be fed carefully by their ends. Moreover, the positions at which the pouches have been secured to the larger packs have tended to leave a loose, unconnected top part of the pouch that can form a gap from the pack and can snag on environment during tactical maneuvers.

Some MOLLE attachment systems have included "sticks" or generally rigid elongated members, instead of flimsy straps, for weaving through the loops of pouches or other accessories and backpacks. See equipment shown on the websites Tacticaltailor.com and 0rder-gear.com, both showing MOLLE systems.

There has been a need for a more quickly and easily attachable MOLLE-type securing system, convenient and fast in both attachment and detachment as well as secure, reliable and snag-proof in service, for situations wherein a small pouch may be attached to and removed from a belt, larger bag or backpack.

Summary of the Invention

An attachment system for MOLLE equipment according to the invention secures a small bag or pouch to a larger bag, backpack or user' s belt or other clothing or worn accessory in a secure way that permits quick attachment and detachment. The back side of the pouch has at least one webbing loop forming a vertical element, and in a principal embodiment, a pair of left and right webbing loops that form vertical channels, and a rigid ring is positioned above each fabric loop. Near the bottom of the pouch's back side is a snap body, spaced below the fabric loop and rigid ring. One or, in a principal embodiment, a pair of relatively rigid straps, which can be reinforced webbing straps stiff enough to be pushed downward to thread them into position, are slidably attached through the rigid ring and the fabric loop at each side of the fabric pouch, and a snap head, secured at the bottom end of each of these straps, is positioned for fastening to the corresponding snap body on the pouch. At the top end of each of these relatively short straps is an enlarged head, preferably made by additional webbing layers and stitching, and this head prevents the top of the strap from pulling down through the rigid ring, which preferably is a square ring. The rigid ring is substantially at the top edge of the pouch in a preferred form of the system. With each strap sufficiently stiff to be pushed into place, this connection system provides for quick attachment of a small pouch or bag to a larger bag, backpack or worn item by aligning the back of the pouch on the larger bag, pushing the strap down through a fabric loop of the larger bag or behind a belt, etc. of a wearer, then fastening the lower end of the two straps to the pouch via the snaps. Optionally several loops can be used.

Although the invention is often described herein as involving a pair of fabric loops, a pair of snaps, and a pair of straps, the invention encompasses a single strap engaging in fabric loops to secure a pouch (which can be narrow) to a larger bag, as well as encompassing more than two such straps and sets of loops. The exemplary embodiment described below utilizes two straps.

In one preferred implementation of the invention, an attachment system for a small bag or pouch includes a pouch with a back side, a pair of fabric loops extending horizontally and laterally spaced apart on the back side of the bag, each forming a vertical pass-through channel, and a pair of rigid rings on the back side of the bag, each oriented horizontally and positioned above one of the fabric loops to define a through passage aligned vertically with the pass- through channel defined by the fabric loop. A pair of quick- release fasteners, such as snaps, are secured to the back side of the bag, one spaced downwardly from each of the fabric loops. A pair of generally rigid straps, each positioned vertically along the back side of the bag, extend through the rigid ring and the fabric loop in sliding relationship. Each of the generally rigid straps has an enlarged head at the upper end of the strap above the rigid ring and has a lower end with a cooperating quick-release fastener configured to engage in fastening relationship with one of the fasteners secured to the back side of the bag. The enlarged head is sufficient in size to retain the generally rigid strap from pulling down through the rigid ring, and the length of each strap, between the enlarged head and the cooperating quick- release fastener, is sufficient that the strap can be secured at its bottom end to the bag via the quick-release fasteners with the enlarged head positioned just above the rigid ring.

It is thus among the primary objects of the invention to provide an improved, quickly, conveniently, securely and reliably used strap attachment system such as for MOLLE equipment, for situations where a bag or pouch may need to be frequently attached to and detached from another item. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered along with the accompanying drawings.

Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a prior art attachment system on a pouch or small bag, for securing to a larger bag or other worn item.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a pouch or small bag with the attachment system of the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view indicating the manner of attachment of the pouch pursuant to the invention to a backpack or similar item.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing attachment being made between a small pouch and a backpack using the system of the invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a pouch or small bag 10 having an attachment system according to the prior art. In this type of system a pair of flexible webbing straps 12, shown at left and right on the back side 14 of the pouch, were folded over and extended down to pass vertically through webbing or fabric loops 16, of which several were provided along each of two vertical lines at two spaced apart positions corresponding to the positions the straps 12 were attached, as shown. Each strap had a snap at its bottom end to engage with a snap body 18 below the fabric loops on each side and a snap head 18a on the strap. In the illustrated version two separate and spaced apart fabric loops 16 were included at each side. Normally a user of the pouch and attachment system would weave the flexible strap carefully down through the top loop 16, then through a similar loop on a larger bag or backpack or over a belt or other worn item, then back down through the lowest fabric loop 16, after which the snap would be fastened, at each side. The space between the bottom fabric loop 16 and the snap could also be used to extend over a belt or through a fabric loop of a backpack, although it is preferable to connect a belt higher on the pouch. This made a secure connection to the backpack or other item, and one which could be released quickly and easily, but it was difficult to perform the attachment because the small pouch and bigger pack were necessarily positioned against each other while the user had to carefully thread a flexible, somewhat flimsy webbing strap through a series of fairly tightly-fitting loops of the small pouch and of the larger pack, with small clearances. Often this was not easily accomplished. Moreover, the top loops 16 typically were not fully at the top edge of the pouch's back panel, allowing the pouch to separate from the larger pack in the top inch or so and thus permitting a snagging element to extend out from the wearer's gear.

As seen in Figure 1, this type of existing system often had a simple matrix of fabric loops, defined by three pieces of horizontally extending, spaced apart webbing straps 20 and 24. These were stitched at outer edges and along lines 26, 28 and 30 to form the matrix of loops, the fabric loops 16 at the outer left and right positions being those used in the usual deployment of the attachment system. The main reason for the inner loops is to use a continuous webbing strip across the width at each level, for convenience in manufacture and for integrity of the loops to be employed.

Figure 2 shows an attachment system according to the invention. A pouch or small pack or bag 35 has a back side 36 similar to what is shown in Figure 1, also with snap bodies 18 near the bottom at spaced apart positions, similar to the pouch back of Figure 1. In this case, however, the attachment system differs from that of Figure 1. The back surface 36 has fabric loops 16 as before, at least one of which is provided at each side, left and right, and spaced apart so as to be generally near the edges of the pack or pouch. Intermediate loops 16a may be provided between the loops 16, as in the previous system, with the loops in each line being formed of a continuous webbing strap. The loops 16 establish vertically extending channels. Above each of these fabric loops 16 is a rigid ring, preferably a square ring 38 securely anchored in the pouch. These can be positioned a selected distance above the fabric loops 16, e.g. about one inch if desired.

Preferably a lower set of fabric loops 16 is also provided, on the same vertical line at each side of the pouch, each being on the same vertical line with a rigid ring 38 and an upper fabric loop 16 but with a space between upper and lower fabric loops 16. The lower fabric loops 16 are preferred but not absolutely necessary.

An intermediate horizontal fabric strip 39 can be provided between upper and lower rows of loops 16, 16a, closely adjacent to the strips above and below. If desired the loops 16 at bottom and loops formed by the strip 39, immediately below, can be used without using the top loops 16, thus leaving enough space vertically for a user's belt, to be engaged immediately below the rigid rings 38.

The new attachment system includes a pair of "straps" 40, but these are different in construction from typical prior straps. The straps 40 are not stitched and fixed to the top of the pouch but are positioned to slide through the channels defined by the rigid rings 38 and fabric loops 16 relatively freely. Snap heads 18a are secured to the straps near the bottom ends, as shown, for engagement with the snap bodies 18 on the pouch. These snaps comprise quick-release fasteners that can firmly hold the strap in place to the bottom of the pouch, particularly against shear forces. Other suitable quick-release fasteners can be used.

The straps differ from most prior systems primarily in being stiff and capable of pushing down through the fabric loops, and through fabric loops of another bag or pack or a user's belt, etc., without buckling. Preferably these straps 40 are made of webbing material, which may be in two layers, with a stiffener contained within the strap. Such a stiffener (not shown) can be a flat plastic member captured in the strap 40 by stitching, with a desired degree of stiffness/flexibility but sufficient in stiffness, in combination with the webbing material itself, to allow pushing down through and weaving through two or three fabric loops in succession, without buckling (if desired the "strap" could actually comprise a flat plastic member, without webbing, or even a wooden member) . This makes the new attachment system far easier in use, in comparison with most prior MOLLE attachment systems, to connect the pouch 35 with another pack, backpack, over a belt, etc. The user can push the strap 40 generally from its upper end, from a position where the snap head 18a is at the rigid ring 18, down through a loop of an adjacent bag, preferably then through the upper fabric loop 16 on the pouch 35, preferably then through a lower loop of the adjacent bag, then optionally through the lower loop 16 of the pouch, and then in position to engage the snaps 18, 18a. If desired the lower fabric loops 16 can be bypassed, as in the case of a wider fabric loop on some equipment, or a wide user's belt. The snaps will reliably hold the relatively stiff strap 40 in place under nearly all conditions.

At the upper end of each strap 40 is an enlarged head 42. As indicated in the drawing, this can be made with one or two additional layers of webbing material, or it could be other material stitched onto the top of the strap, but in any event the head is of a size to prevent it from pulling down through the rigid ring 38. The head 42 preferably is positioned so that it resides just above the square ring 38 when the snap is fastened. In this way, the strap 40 is retained against outward pulling by the restraint of the rigid ring 38 against the head 42, and it also helps capture the strap to the pouch when the pouch is not being connected to another item (the snaps should be used in this situation) .

Figure 3 shows in schematic side elevation the system of the invention as used to connect the small pouch 35 to a larger worn item such as a backpack 45. The backpack has webbing loops or fabric loops 46, 46a that are made to receive accessories. These fabric loops may be generally in a pattern such as shown in Figure 1 for the existing form of attachment system on a pouch, and may be formed by a plurality of parallel continuous horizontal webbing straps, with stitching. As illustrated in Figure 3, the relatively rigid strap 40, originally positioned such that its lower end is approximately in the square ring 38 at the top of the pouch 35, has been woven down first through the fabric loop 46 of the backpack 45, then through the upper pouch fabric loop 16 (which normally will be positioned immediately below the backpack' s fabric loop 46) , and then through the lower backpack loop 46a, through the lower pouch loop 16, and to an end position wherein the snap is engaged (the snap head 18a is secured to the snap body 18) . This occurs at both sides, using both engagement straps 40.

An important feature of the illustrated connection is that the topmost loop or channel element is at (or very near) the top edge 47 of the pouch, and in a preferred embodiment this top loop element is the rigid ring 38. The space immediately below the ring 38 is used to engage a loop 46, thus retaining the pouch closely and securely against the pack 45. In a modified embodiment the top loop element could be a fabric loop or otherwise-constructed loop, so long as it can block the strap end (head 42) from pulling through.

Figure 4 shows in perspective the attachment of a pouch 35 to a larger bag or backpack 45. In this view a user has installed one of the straps 40 and is pushing the other strap into place to attach the two bags. As shown, the space immediately below the rigid rings 38 and above the upper pair of loops 16 on the small pouch, the space being denoted as 48 in Figure 3, is used for positioning a backpack loop 46. The strap 40, with its tip contained within the rigid ring 38, is then pushed in a weaving pattern under the loop 46 of the backpack, then through the upper loop 16 (Figure 3) of the small pouch. If desired, as explained above, it can then be further woven through an additional fabric loop 46a of the backpack and then optionally through the lower loop 16 of the small pouch, and then ultimately connected at the bottom end via the snap.

As described above, the attachment system of the invention can be used in several different ways, with options as to how many loops are interwoven by the relatively rigid straps 40. Fewer or more interweavings can be done with each rigid strap, and the space between the lower loop 16 and the snap 18 can be used or not used. The backpack (or other larger item) will often have a matrix of loops, so that the pouch can be attached at higher positions or lower positions, more to the left or more to the right.

It should be understood that certain terms are not to be taken as limiting. The term pouch or small bag is intended generally, to mean any accessory item, particularly a container of some sort, that is desired to be attached to and removed from another item worn on the body. The term larger bag or backpack is also to be interpreted broadly. The term fabric loop is intended to mean any form of loop, constructed of fabric or harder materials such as plastics or metal, so long as the loop is sized to receive an attachment strap slidingly through the loop. The terms generally rigid strap or generally stiff strap are intended to mean a strap which can be pushed, through fabric loops with the usual degree of friction involved in connecting a pouch to a backpack using a strap attachment system, without buckling of the strap. The generally rigid strap is somewhat bendable. The term strap is to be taken as referring to a relatively stiff member of any material, including plastic or wood. The term quick release fastener is intended to include not only straps but also VELCRO or other known attachment means which can be quickly deployed and quickly separated. For example, a secure hook connection could be used.

The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I CLAIM:

Claims

1. An attachment system for securing a small bag or pouch to a larger bag or backpack or to a user' s belt or clothing, comprising: a bag with a back side, at least one fabric loop extending horizontally on the back side of the bag, forming a vertical pass-through channel, a rigid ring on the back side of the bag, oriented horizontally and one such rigid ring positioned above each of the fabric loops to define a through passage aligned vertically with the pass-through channel defined by the fabric loop, a quick-release fastener secured to the back side of the bag, one spaced downwardly from each of the fabric loops, a generally rigid strap, positioned vertically along the back side of the bag and with a said generally rigid strap extending through each rigid ring and fabric loop in sliding relationship, the generally rigid strap having an enlarged head at the upper end of the strap above the rigid ring and having a lower end with a cooperating quick-release fastener configured to engage in fastening relationship with one of the fasteners secured to the back side of the bag, the enlarged head being sufficient in size to retain the generally rigid strap from pulling down through the rigid ring, and the length of the generally rigid strap, between the enlarged head and the cooperating quick-release fastener, being sufficient that the generally rigid strap can be secured at its bottom end to the bag via the quick-release fasteners with the enlarged head positioned just above the rigid ring, whereby the generally rigid strap, being sufficiently rigid to be pushed slidingly through fabric loops, can be woven down from the rigid ring through a fabric loop in an adjacent backpack or other larger item or around a belt or other item of clothing, then through the fabric loop of the bag and can be secured by connecting the cooperating quick- release fastener to the bag, so that when each generally rigid strap is thus attached the pouch becomes securely connected to the backpack or larger bag or other item while still allowing for quick and convenient release when needed.

2. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the quick- release fastener and cooperating fastener comprise snaps.

3. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the generally rigid strap comprises a reinforced webbing strap, and the enlarged head on the strap comprises a folded-over and stitched webbing end.

4. The attachment system of claim l_f wherein each fabric loop is formed from a webbing strap stitched to the back side of the bag.

5. The attachment system of claim 1, further including a lower fabric loop spaced directly below each fabric loop and above a said quick-release fastener and each aligned with said vertical pass-through channel for sliding receipt of one of the generally rigid straps.

6. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein each said rigid ring is substantially at the top edge of the back side of the bag, so that the top of the bag is held closely and securely to the backpack or other item.

7. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein each generally rigid strap comprises a webbing strap reinforced with a substantially rigid plastic strip.

8. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein at least two said fabric loops are included at an upper position on the back side of the bag, each being below one of two said rigid rings on the back side of the bag, and including two said quick-release fasteners and two said generally rixgid straps, the rigid rings and fabric loops forming two spaced apart generally vertical pass-through channels for the generally rigid straps.

9. The attachment system of claim 8, wherein the fabric loops at each level on the pouch are formed from a single continuous webbing strap stitched to the back side of the bag.

10. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein each generally rigid strap comprises a webbing strap reinforced with a substantially rigid member.

11. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein each rigid ring comprises a square ring.