Load bearing system with secure pouch attachment

Abstract

The invention provides a modular load-bearing system to be worn by security and combat personnel, comprising a base surface provided with a plurality of sleeve means and a plurality of pouches, each of the pouches having a major flange-like extension attached at one of its ends to a back surface of the pouch, the extension being sized to be inserted through one of the sleeves and to be retained therein by releasable interacting fastening means provided on a surface associated with the base surface and on the pouch.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular load-bearing system to be worn by security and combat personnel, comprising a base surface provided with a plurality of sleeve means and a plurality of pouches, each of said pouches having a major flange-like extension attached at one of its ends to a back surface of said pouch, said extension being sized to be inserted through one of said sleeves and to be retained therein by releasable interacting fastening means provided on a surface associated with said base surface and on said pouch.  
     
     
         2 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said base surface is an outer surface of a garment.  
     
     
         3 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said sleeves are formed from a plurality of panels, each of said panels being attached to said base surface along two spaced-apart lateral edges.  
     
     
         4 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said interacting fastening means is of the hook-in-piles Velcro™-type.  
     
     
         5 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said pouches are of varying dimensions.  
     
     
         6 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said releasable interacting fastening means are provided on an extension of said sleeve.  
     
     
         7 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said releasable interacting fastening means are provided directly on said base surface.  
     
     
         8 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said back surface of said pouch and an outer face of said sleeve are provided with interacting fastening means for removable interconnection thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said pouch is further provided with a minor flange-like extension attached to an end of said back surface of said pouch opposite the end supporting said major flange-like extension, said major flange-like extension protruding beyond said sleeve, interacting fastening means being provided for connecting said minor flange-like extension with a protruding portion of said major flange-like extension.  
     
     
         10 . A modular load-bearing system according to  claim 9 , further provided with an openable flap depending from said base surface and when closed arranged to cover said minor flange-like extension, said flap and said minor flange-like extension being provided with interacting fastening means for interconnection when said flap is closed.