Attachment System Substructure and Cummerbund of the Same

Abstract

The attachment lattice provides an attachment substructure for support articles, such as vests, carriers and packs and allows molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached to the support article, but eliminates the need for a backing material, thereby reducing the weight and bulk of the support article, while still maintaining the ability to attach MOLLE compatible accessories to the lattice. In one embodiment, the attachment lattice is formed by vertical rows of thin webbing or edge binding sewn to the horizontal rows of evenly spaced nylon webbing. In another embodiment, the attachment lattice is formed by the array openings being die cut directly in the fabric material. The attachment lattice of this invention also allows MOLLE compatible accessories to be mounted on either side of the lattice, which effectively increases the capacity and modularity of the support article.

We claim: 
     
         1 : An attachment substructure for support articles, such as vests, carriers and packs that allows molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached thereto, the substructure comprising:
 a pliable flat lattice defining a plurality of substantially square openings formed therein and arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows and vertical columns so that the molle compatible modular pocket, pouches and other accessories can be interlaced with the lattice in a vertical or horizontal orientation and on either side of the lattice.   
     
     
         2 : The Attachment substructure of  claim 1  wherein the lattice includes a plurality of horizontal webbing and a plurality of vertical webbing, the horizontal webbing being vertically spaced apart from each other at a first predetermined interval, the plurality of vertical webbing being sewn to the plurality of horizontal webbing and spaced from each other at a second predetermined interval. 
     
     
         3 : An attachment system comprising:
 a support article; an accessory; and means for interconnecting the accessory to the support article,   the support article constructed in part of a pliable flat lattice defining a plurality of substantially square openings formed therein and arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows and vertical columns so that the molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories can be interlaced with the lattice in a vertical or horizontal orientation and on either side of the lattice,   the accessory having an array of rows of webbing mounted thereto,   the interconnection means includes an elongated strap member that is interwoven between the support article lattice and the array of rows of webbing of the accessory.   
     
     
         4 : The attachment system of  claim 3  wherein the lattice includes a plurality of horizontal webbing and a plurality of vertical webbing, the horizontal webbing being vertically spaced apart from each other at a first predetermined interval, the plurality of vertical webbing being sewn to the plurality of horizontal webbing and spaced from each other at a second predetermined interval. 
     
     
         5 : A cummerbund used in a ballistic plate carrier, tactical chest rig or similar support articles, which allows molle compatible modular pockets, pouches and other accessories to be readily attached thereto, the cummerbund comprising:
 an elongated flat body constructed of a pliable flat lattice defining a plurality of substantially square openings formed therein and arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows and vertical columns so that the molle compatible modular pocket, pouches and other accessories can be interlaced with the lattice in a vertical or horizontal orientation and on either side of the lattice.   
     
     
         6 : The cummerbund of  claim 5  wherein the lattice includes a plurality of horizontal webbing and a plurality of vertical webbing, the horizontal webbing being vertically spaced apart from each other at a first predetermined interval, the plurality of vertical webbing being sewn to the plurality of horizontal webbing and spaced from each other at a second predetermined interval.