Attachment Mechanism

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for attaching various components to a belt.

It is often desirable to attach various components to a belt. Examples of such components include holsters, sheaths, pouches and the like, for items such as firearms, knives, firearm magazines and other tools. Conventional mechanisms for attaching components to a belt typically include straight “Molle” style straps, with a variety of buttons, buckles, and hook and loop attachment mechanisms. However, these conventional mechanisms suffer from a variety of drawbacks. For example, because they are typically straight, the items being attached to the belt are not presented at a preferred angle for the user (i.e., they are typically undesirably orthogonal to the belt). Additionally, they can be difficult to attach or remove and/or may be at risk of detaching from the belt. Accordingly, improved mechanisms for attaching items to a belt are desirable.

The present disclosure provides an attachment mechanism for attaching components to a belt comprising a strap body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the strap body further comprising loop closures on the inner surface and hook closures on the outer surface. The strap body also comprises a base tab having an aperture, and a bridge section and an overlock tab, wherein the overlock tab passes through the aperture from an inner surface to an outer surface of the strap body and adheres to the base tab. During use, the strap body wraps around the belt, the belt having hook closures on an inside surface of the belt. The loop closures of the base tab are adhered to the hook closures on the inside surface of the belt, the bridge section folds over a top edge of the belt and extends across an outer surface of the belt, and the overlock tab folds over a bottom edge of the belt, wherein loop closures on the overlock tab adhere to hook closures on the inside surface of the belt and/or on a base tab outer surface after the overlock tab extends through the aperture to secure the attachment mechanism.

Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspects of the present disclosure can be realized by any number of methods and systems configured to perform the intended functions. Stated differently, other methods and systems can be incorporated herein to perform the intended functions. It should also be noted that the accompanying drawing figures referred to herein are not all drawn to scale but may be exaggerated to illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure, and in that regard, the drawing figures should not be construed as limiting. Finally, although the present disclosure can be described in connection with various principles and beliefs, the present disclosure should not be bound by theory.

In general, the present disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for attaching various items and components to a belt. In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the beltmay be any typical utility belt and may comprise hook closureson an inside surfaceof the belt.

With reference to, an example of an attachment mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a strap bodyhaving an inner surfaceand an outer surface, the strap bodyfurther comprising loop closureson the inner surfaceand hook closureson the outer surface.

In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the strap bodyfurther comprises a base tabhaving an aperture, a bridge section, and an overlock tab, wherein the overlock tabpasses through the aperturefrom the inner surfaceto the outer surfaceof the strap bodyand adheres to the base tabvis a vis the loop closureson the overlock taband the hook closureson outer surfaceof the base tab. In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the overlock tabmay also adhere to the beltin addition to the base tab, also vis a vis the loop closureson the overlock taband the hook closureson the belt.

With reference specifically to, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the strap bodywraps around the beltand wherein the loop closuresof the base tabare adhered to the hook closureson the inside surfaceof the belt. Next, the bridge sectionfolds over a top edgeof the beltand extends across an outer surfaceof the belt, and the overlock tabfolds over a bottom edgeof the belt, wherein loop closureson the overlock tabadhere to hook closureson the inside surfaceof the beltand on a base tabouter surface after the overlock tabextends through the aperture.

In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the strap body may have a shape similar to the number seven (“7”) or a question mark (“?”), though other shapes may similarly fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In accordance with some aspects, the base tabis proportionally larger than the bridge sectionand the overlock tab(see, for example), though in other accordance with other aspects, the proportions may vary.

In accordance with various aspects, the bridge sectionextends at an angle from the base tab. Stated another way, the bridge sectionis oriented non-orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the belt. The angle may vary based on the desired design, but as illustrated in the Figures, ranges from about 20 degrees to 70 degrees, often approximately 45 degrees. As illustrated in, such an angle allows for items attached to the beltvia the attachment mechanism to be maintained at an angle with respect to the beltwhich may provide easier access to the items by the user. For example, in the case of a holster for a firearm, knife or other tool, the angle provides easier access and withdrawal from the holster.

In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the bridge sectioncomprises an inner smooth surface. For example, the inner smooth surfacemay comprise a laminate such as nylon, plastic, or other polymers, or other materials that are suitably smooth and durable. The inner smooth surfaceprevents the stretching of the warp and weft of the weave of the strap body, particularly in the vicinity of the bridge section. In accordance with the present disclosure, laminate may be attached to other portions of the strap bodyto prevent warp and weft in those locations as well.

In accordance with the present disclosure and with reference to, for example, a variety of componentsmay be attached to the strap bodywhich is in turn secured to the belt. In general, the componentsmay be any Molle (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment—typically a system of loops) compatible component, though alternatively, other non-Molle compatible components may be substituted. Examples of componentsinclude holsters, sheaths, and pouches, though any number of alternative components may fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Finally, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. For example, in various configurations, the hook and loop closures disclosed herein may be reversed. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Likewise, numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the preceding description, including various alternatives together with details of the structure and function of the devices and/or methods. The disclosure is intended as illustrative only and as such is not intended to be exhaustive. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made, especially in matters of structure, deposition materials, elements, components, shape, size and arrangement of parts including combinations within the principles of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. To the extent that these various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to be encompassed therein.