Modular Stowage System

Abstract

The present invention is an attachment system for modular stowage units. The system features a rail matrix utilized with a clasp system. Each rail component of the matrix features either a raised bridge or a loop onto which the clasp system attaches and may be a modular rail. Clasp designs include small and large bladed versions where the blade is designed to interface with an underside of a loop and secure an object to the rail matrix. Clasps may be designed to work with woven modular interfaces currently on the market

1 . A modular attachment system for affixing an accessory object to a carrier object, collectively the “attachment objects,” the attachment system comprising:
 a. plurality of essentially parallel rails forming a matrix and connected to a surface of one of the attachment objects, each rail further comprising at least one loop extending outward from the surface upon which the rails are attached, the rails being oriented with respect to each other such that at least one loop of a first rail and at least one loop of a second rail define a column of loops along a column axis and have a defined space between them, a side of the loops facing the surface of the attachment object being defined as an underside of the loops; 
 b. a clasp connected to another of the attachment objects, the clasp further comprising a base by which the clasp is attached to the another attachment object, a movable blade and at least one gate on the base through which the movable blade travels; 
 wherein, the attachment system is actuated by placing the clasp against the rails such that the at least one gate is positioned in a defined space between the loops and the blade is parallel with the column axis, the blade then being then actuated in a manner to interface with an underside of the loops of the loop column. 
 
     
     
         2 . The modular attachment system of  claim 1 , the rails each further comprising a flexible base from which the loops project that may be stitched to a fabric surface. 
     
     
         3 . The modular attachment system of  claim 1 , the rails further comprising at least one raised bridge and attachment nodes on opposite sides thereof, the nodes and one bridge forming one attachment loop. 
     
     
         4 . The modular attachment system of  claim 3 , the rails further comprising:
 a. a first end piece, containing at least one part of an attachment node;   b. a second end piece, containing at least one part of an attachment node such that the second end piece and the first end piece are complimentary and together form a complete attachment node; and   c. at least one middle module comprising a bridge section and at least two ends, one end being complimentary with the first end piece and another end being complimentary with the second end piece;   wherein a full rail is assembled by associating one first end piece with at least one middle module and associating one second end piece with a middle module.   
     
     
         5 . The modular attachment system of  claim 1 , the clasp further comprising:
 a. at least one maxillary part of a jaw on at least one gate and extending away from the base;   b. at least one mandible part of a jaw positioned on the blade and extending away from the base such that when the blade is actuated, the jaw will close upon one loop of the loop column; and   c. a latch mechanism configured to hold the blade in an actuated position relative to the base until purposefully moved from the actuated position.   
     
     
         6 . The modular attachment system of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one more mandible part on the blade and one more maxillary part on the base. 
     
     
         7 . The modular attachment system of  claim 5 , the blade further comprising a stop to hinder removal of the blade from the base. 
     
     
         8 . The modular attachment system of  claim 1 , at least one loop further comprising a positioning structure and the clasp further comprising a complimentary positioning structure designed to associate with the positioning structure of the at least one loop. 
     
     
         9 . The modular attachment system of  claim 1 , the clasp further comprising at least one other gate, defining a space between said gates and a common passage for the blade through the gates, the space between the gates sufficient to accommodate at least one loop; wherein the blade is threaded through the common passage of the gates and underneath at least one loop. 
     
     
         10 . The modular attachment system of  claim 9 :
 a. the blade further comprising a locking hole on a forward end of the blade and a locking detent on a rearward end of the blade; and   b. an upper most gate further comprising a locking tab;   wherein the blade, when in an open position, interfaces with the locking tab by means of the locking hole and when in a closed position interfaces with the locking tab by means of the detent.   
     
     
         11 . The modular attachment system of  claim 10 , the base further comprising a locking hole at a lower end and the locking hole of the blade and the locking hole of the base may be used to fasten the blade and base together. 
     
     
         12 . A modular attachment system for a woven mounting system, the woven mounting system comprising a matrix of parallel stitched bands forming columns of loops, each with a column axis, the attachment system comprising a clasp connected to a surface of an object, the clasp further comprising:
 a. a base by which the clasp is attached to the surface of the object;   b. a movable blade; and   c. at least one gate on the base through which the movable blade travels;   wherein, the attachment system is actuated by placing the clasp against the matrix such that the at least one gate is positioned in a defined space between the loops and the blade is parallel with the column axis, the blade then being then actuated in a manner to interface with an underside of the loops of the loop column.   
     
     
         13 . The modular attachment system of  claim 11 , the clasp further comprising at least one hook positioned on at least one gate, wherein the at least one hook may be utilized to interface with a loop in the loop column. 
     
     
         14 . A rail for a modular attachment system, the rail comprising at least one raised bridge and attachment nodes on opposite sides thereof, the nodes and one bridge forming one attachment loop. 
     
     
         15 . The rail of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a. a first end piece, containing at least one part of an attachment node;   b. a second end piece, containing at least one part of an attachment node such that the second end piece and the first end piece are complimentary and together form a complete attachment node; and   c. at least one middle module comprising a bridge section and at least two ends, one end being complimentary with the first end piece and another end being complimentary with the second end piece;   wherein a full rail is assembled by associating one first end piece with at least one middle module and associating one second end piece with a middle module.