Thigh-mounted carrier panel

Abstract

Articulated as broadly as possible, the present invention is a device for the carrying of items and implement, the device comprising a firm but pliable panel, means whereby items may be attached to the surface of the panel in such way that the items are not obstructed from the reach of a user; and means whereby the panel may be attached to a user. The means whereby items may be attached to the surface of the panel is contemplated to be a pouch attachment ladder system (PALS) or one or more ammunition magazine retention devices integrated with the disclosed carrying panel.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A conveniently accessible and wearable device for the carrying of items, the device comprising—
 a panel having a front surface upon which items may be attached or stored and a cushioned back surface; 
 dedicated means whereby the panel may be attached to the thigh of a user such that the cushioned back surface is in contact with the thigh of the user and the attachment of the panel to the thigh of the user is horizontally stabilized; and 
 dedicated means whereby the panel may be attached to the thigh of a user such that the cushioned back surface is in contact with the thigh of the user and the attachment of the panel to the thigh of the user may be vertically stabilized. 
 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the panel front surface further comprises one or more strips of flexible material affixed to the front surface at two or more points along the length of each strip. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the strips of flexible material are strips of an elastic nylon-based fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein at least one strip of elastic nylon-based fabric is affixed to the front surface at regular intervals along the length of each strip. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein at least one strip of elastic nylon-based fabric is affixed to the front surface horizontally across the front surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the panel front surface further comprises either the hook assembly or the loop assembly of a hook and loop fastening system. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the panel front surface further comprises at least one storage apparatus comprising a pocket defined by four side panels and a bottom panel and means whereby at least one pair of opposing side panels are biased toward one another. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the storage apparatus is permanently affixed to the panel front surface by affixation means joining one side panel of the storage apparatus to the panel front surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the storage apparatus further comprises a dividing panel whereby the apparatus pocket is divided into two or more compartments. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the storage apparatus is removably attached to the panel front surface via hook and loop fastening means or via direct attachment of the storage apparatus via a pouch attachment ladder system integrated with the panel front surface. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the storage apparatus further comprises a dividing panel whereby the apparatus pocket is divided into two or more compartments. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the storage apparatus further comprises a dividing panel whereby the apparatus pocket is divided into two or more compartments. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the dedicated means whereby the panel may be attached to the thigh of a user such that the cushioned back surface is in contact with the thigh of the user and the attachment of the panel to the thigh of the user is horizontally stabilized is at least one adjustable strapping and buckle assembly, the strapping being attached to the panel at two or more points along the edge of the panel and defining an enclosed void between the strapping and the cushioned back surface of the panel in which the leg of a user may be enwrapped. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the dedicated means whereby the panel may be attached to the thigh of a user such that the cushioned back surface is in contact with the thigh of the user and the attachment of the panel to the thigh of the user may be vertically stabilized is at least one adjustable strapping and buckle assembly, the strapping being attached to the panel at one or more points along the edge of the panel and defining a loop of strapping that may be attached to the user's clothing, gear or accessories at a point above the thigh of the user. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the dedicated means means whereby the panel may be attached to the thigh of a user such that the cushioned back surface is in contact with the thigh of the user and the attachment of the panel to the thigh of the user may be vertically stabilized is at least one adjustable strapping and buckle assembly, the strapping being attached to the panel at one or more points along the edge of the panel and defining a loop of strapping that may be attached to the user's clothing, gear or accessories at a point above the thigh of the user. 
     
     
         16 . A conveniently accessible and wearable device for the carrying of items, the device comprising—
 a panel having a front surface upon which items may be attached or stored; an attachment ladder system integrated with the front surface; either the hook or the loop component of a hook and loop fastening system integrated with the front surface; and a cushioned back surface; 
 two or more strapping and buckle assemblies facilitating the attachment of the panel to the thigh means whereby the panel may be attached to the thigh of a user such that the cushioned back surface is in contact with the thigh of the user; 
 at least one of the adjustable strapping and buckle assemblies having the strapping attached to the panel at two or more points along the edge of the panel and defining an enclosed void between the strapping and the cushioned back surface of the panel in which the leg of a user may be enwrapped; and 
 at least one of the adjustable strapping and buckle assemblies having the strapping attached to the panel at one or more points along the edge of the panel and defining a loop of strapping that may be attached to the user's clothing, gear or accessories at a point above the thigh of the user. 
 
     
     
         17 . A conveniently accessible and wearable device for the carrying of items, the device comprising—a panel having a front surface upon which items may be attached or stored;
 at least one storage apparatus integrated with the front surface and further comprising a pocket defined by four side panels and a bottom panel and means whereby at least one pair of opposing side panels are biased toward one another; and a cushioned back surface; 
 two or more strapping and buckle assemblies facilitating the attachment of the panel to the thigh means whereby the panel may be attached to the thigh of a user such that the cushioned back surface is in contact with the thigh of the user; 
 at least one of the adjustable strapping and buckle assemblies having the strapping attached to the panel at two or more points along the edge of the panel and defining an enclosed void between the strapping and the cushioned back surface of the panel in which the leg of a user may be enwrapped; and 
 at least one of the adjustable strapping and buckle assemblies having the strapping attached to the panel at one or more points along the edge of the panel and defining a loop of strapping that may be attached to the user's clothing, gear or accessories at a point above the thigh of the user. 
 
     
     
         18 . A conveniently accessible and wearable device for the carrying of items, the device comprising—
 a panel having a front surface upon which items may be attached or stored; at least one storage apparatus integrated with the front surface and further comprising a pocket defined by four side panels, a dividing panel segmenting the pocket into two or more compartments, and a bottom panel and means whereby at least one pair of opposing side panels are biased toward one another; and a cushioned back surface; 
 two or more strapping and buckle assemblies facilitating the attachment of the panel to the thigh means whereby the panel may be attached to the thigh of a user such that the cushioned back surface is in contact with the thigh of the user; 
 at least one of the adjustable strapping and buckle assemblies having the strapping attached to the panel at two or more points along the edge of the panel and defining an enclosed void between the strapping and the cushioned back surface of the panel in which the leg of a user may be enwrapped; and 
 at least one of the adjustable strapping and buckle assemblies having the strapping attached to the panel at one or more points along the edge of the panel and defining a loop of strapping that may be attached to the user's clothing, gear or accessories at a point above the thigh of the user. 
 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the panel front surface further comprises an attachment ladder system. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the panel front surface further comprises either the hook assembly or the loop assembly of a hook and loop fastening system.