Attachment Panel and Receiver System for Tactical Vests

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/641,755, filed on May 2, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This disclosure relates to implementations of an attachment panel and receiver system used to selectively couple a preconfigured loadout to a tactical vest, such as a plate carrier.

Tactical vests are widely used by military, law enforcement, and security personnel to carry essential equipment in a readily accessible manner. These vests are typically configured for compatibility with various attachment systems that allow pouches, bags, tools, medical kits, hydration systems, and other equipment to be secured to a vest or other garments. One standardized attachment system is the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) system, which includes the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS), or a PALS-compatible arrangement of slots. While these attachment systems offer flexibility, they typically require the user to manually remove and reconfigure pouches on the tactical vest itself, which can be time-consuming and impractical in the field or while on duty.

Removable panels compatible with the MOLLE system, such as back panels secured to the rear of a tactical vest, are used to enable rapid reconfiguration of mission-specific loadouts. These removable back panels may support breaching tools, medical gear, hydration systems, or team-specific equipment, and can be swapped out as operational needs change. However, current removable back panels often require assistance from other team members to access or remove the stored items. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a back panel that can be removed by the wearer without assistance.

Accordingly, there is a need for the attachment panel and receiver system disclosed herein. The present invention is directed to providing an attachment panel and receiver system configured to address these and other needs.

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.

Disclosed is an attachment panel and receiver system used to selectively couple a preconfigured loadout to a tactical vest. The attachment panel and receiver system comprises a receiver configured for attachment to the tactical vest, and an attachment panel configured to be selectively coupled to the receiver. The attachment panel includes an array of apertures configured to facilitate attachment of one or more pouches, bags, tools, medical kits, hydration systems, or other equipment.

An example attachment panel and receiver system comprises a receiver including a pocket defining an opening, and an attachment panel including an array of apertures extending therethrough. The pocket of the receiver is configured to slidably receive the attachment panel through the opening.

Another example of an attachment panel and receiver system comprises a receiver and an attachment panel. The receiver includes a pocket defining an opening, the pocket being bounded by a rear wall, a pair of spaced-apart opposing end walls, and a pair of spaced-apart alignment flanges. The attachment panel includes a substantially rectangular base member having an array of apertures extending therethrough, two opposing side edges, and a front surface. The pocket of the receiver is configured to slidably receive the attachment panel through the opening.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

illustrate an attachment panel and receiver systemin accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The attachment panel and receiver systemcomprises a receiverand an attachment panel. The receiveris configured to slidably receive the attachment panel, thereby releasably engaging the attachment panelwith the receiver. The receiveris further configured to resist outward prying of the attachment panelaway from the receiver. The attachment panelincludes an array of apertures configured to facilitate attachment of one or more pouches, bags, tools, medical kits, hydration systems, or other equipment. The removable nature of the attachment panelallows a user to preconfigure a desired loadout and selectively couple the attachment panel, along with the loadout, to the receiveras needed.

Referring to, the receiverincludes a pocketbounded by a rear wallhaving a top endand an inner surface; a pair of spaced-apart opposing end walls (,), each having a lower end (or) and a top end (or); and a pair of spaced-apart opposing alignment flanges (,). The pocketdefines an opening(see) through which the attachment panelis received (see). The alignment flanges (,) are attached to the end walls (,), with one alignment flange (,) adjacent to a respective end wall (or). Each alignment flange (,) extends above the end wall (,) to which it is attached and includes a longitudinally extending groovethat is oriented towards the space between the flange (,) and the rear wall. Each longitudinally extending grooveincludes a detenttherein (see). The alignment flanges (,) are configured to assist in maintaining the attachment panelwithin the pocketof the receiverand in aligning the attachment panelas it is slidably inserted into or withdrawn from the pocket, thereby ensuring that the attachment panelremains properly positioned throughout the insertion and withdrawal process.

Referring now to, each end wall (,) of the receivermay include a plurality of apertures positioned adjacent to an outside edge of the end wall (,). In this embodiment, the apertures are circular openings. One or more of these apertures may be utilized in conjunction with a length of cord to secure the receiverto another object or secure another object to the receiver.

Referring now to, threaded fastenersare used to attach the end walls (,) and flanges (,) to the rear wall, thereby forming the receiver. Each threaded fastenerextends transversely through an opening in one of the flanges (or), through an aligned opening in the underlying end wall (or), and through an opening adjacent the edge of the rear wall. The threaded end of each fastenerextends through the rear wallof the receiverand is removably coupled to a threaded hex nutpositioned in a recess. This assembly ensures that the receiverforms a secure and stable structure suitable for receiving the attachment panel.

Referring now to, the rear wallof the receiveris perforated with an array of aperturesextending through it. In this embodiment, the aperturesare elongate slots. The array of aperturescomprises a plurality of slots arranged in respective sub-arrays (). These slots can be used in conjunction with one or more straps to secure the receiverto the rear plate bagof a plate carrier(see). Example straps include a length of VELCRO® brand ONE-WRAP® tape and other PALS-compatible straps known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although the receiveris shown attached to a plate carrier, it should be understood that the receivercan be secured to other tactical vests, such as a chest rig, that includes a PALS-compatible interface.

Referring now to, the attachment panelcomprises a substantially rectangular base memberwith two opposing side edges (,), a front surface, and a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending rails (,) positioned on opposite sides of the front surface. Each longitudinally extending rail (,) is positioned adjacent to a respective side edge (or), extends from the front surfaceof the base member, and is configured to be slidably received within a corresponding groovein the pocketof the receiver. Each longitudinally extending rail (,) includes a cutoutthat is shaped and positioned to receive the detentof the corresponding groove(see). This detent mechanism may retain the attachment panelin position within the pocketof the receiveruntil a release force sufficient to overcome the detent engagement is applied (e.g., between 10 and 20 pounds of force).

The attachment panelfurther comprises a pair of spaced-apart stops (,). Each stop is a protrusion extending laterally beyond a respective side edge (or) of the base member. When the attachment panelis fully seated in the pocketof the receiver, each stop (,) rests against a ledge(see) located on the back side of a respective alignment flange (,), thereby effectively preventing further insertion.

The attachment panelincludes an array of aperturesextending through it. In this embodiment, the aperturesare elongate slots. The array of aperturescomprises a plurality of slots arranged in respective sub-arrays (). The slotscan be used in conjunction with one or more straps to secure a pouchto the attachment panel(see). Example straps include a length of VELCRO® brand ONE-WRAP® tape and other PALS-compatible straps known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although the attachment panelis shown with one pouchattached, it should be understood that other suitably configured articles, such as pouches, bags, and other equipment, can be secured to the attachment panelusing the array of aperturesand one or more suitable straps.

The receiverand the attachment panelof the attachment panel and receiver systemare fabricated from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a durable and flexible material. However, the receiverand the attachment panelmay also be fabricated of another suitable material, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which exhibits similar properties.

The foregoing description of the invention is intended to be illustrative; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Those skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing description and associated drawings.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.