Pouch, Bag, Pack or Other Similar Container with Rail-Mounted Divider And/Or Retainer

This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/658,981, filed Jun. 12, 2024, titled POUCH, BAG, PACK OR OTHER SIMILAR CONTAINER WITH RAIL-MOUNTED DIVIDER AND/OR RETAINER, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to pouches, bags, packs, or other similar containers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a rail-mounted divider and retainer for such pouches, bags, packs, or other similar containers.

Many examples of pouches, bags, packs, or other similar containers exist. However, a need still exists for improved pouches, bags, packs, or containers, or at least such pouches, bags, packs or other similar containers that provide the public with a useful choice.

The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

An aspect of the present disclosure involves a utility or ammunition magazine holder having a body. The body includes a first wall and a second wall. The second wall is spaced from the first wall. The body defines a storage space between the first wall and the second wall. An opening opens into the storage space. A first elongate rail is supported relative to the first wall and a second elongate rail is supported relative to the second wall. The utility or ammunition magazine holder includes at least one of a divider or a retainer that is configured to slidingly engage each of the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail. The divider is configured to extend at least partially into the storage space to divide at least a portion of the storage space into portions on each side of the divider. The retainer has a retention member extending over the storage space and configured to inhibit or prevent an object positioned in the storage space from unintentional displacement from the storage space.

In some configurations, one or both ends of each of the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail comprises a stop configured to contact and prevent removal of the divider or the retainer from the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail.

In some configurations, at least one end of each of the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail comprises a removable stop, which can be selectively opened or removed to permit the divider or the retainer to be assembled onto the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail.

In some configurations, one end of each of the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail comprises a permanent stop.

In some configurations, each of the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail is located at a top end of a respective one of the first wall and the second wall.

In some configurations, a width of the storage space is defined between by a perpendicular distance between the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail.

In some configurations, the divider comprises a first connector, a second connector, and a divider wall extending between the first connector and the second connector. The first connector is configured to slidingly engage the first elongate rail and the second connector is configured to slidingly engage the second elongate rail.

In some configurations, the divider further comprises a bridge that extends between the first connector and the second connector. The bridge is thicker than the divider wall.

In some configurations, the divider wall extends downwardly from the bridge.

In some configurations, the divider wall is at least about 10%, 15%, or 20% of a depth of the storage space.

In some configurations, the retainer comprises a first clip and a second clip, and the retention member extends between the first clip and the second clip.

In some configurations, the retention member comprises a band or cord.

In some configurations, the retention member comprises an elastic band.

In some configurations, the retention member comprises a pull tab engaged with the elastic band.

In some configurations, each of the first clip and the second clip includes a body having a first end and a second end. The body further comprises a connection slot and a retention member slot, each of which extends through the body between the first end and the second end. The connection slot is configured to receive one of the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail. The retention member slot is configured to receive the retention member.

In some configurations, a tapered surface is provided on each end of the retention member slot.

In some configurations, each of the first clip and the second clip includes a reinforcement flange on each of the first end and the second end.

An aspect of the present disclosure involves a bag, pack, or other container including a body defining a storage space. The body includes a first elongate rail, a second elongate rail spaced from the first elongate rail, and a divider configured to slidingly engage each of the first elongate rail and the second elongate rail. The divider is configured to extend at least partially into the storage space to divide at least a portion of the storage space into portions on each side of the divider.

In some configurations, the divider includes a first connector, a second connector, and a divider wall extending between the first connector and the second connector. The divider wall is at least partially rigid to define a fixed distance between the first connector and the second connector.

Embodiments of systems, components and methods of assembly and manufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout. Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the inventions described herein extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include other uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodiments of the inventions can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.

Certain terminology may be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “above” and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” and “side” describe the orientation and/or location of portions of the components or elements within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the components or elements under discussion. Moreover, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

The present disclosure relates to a modular, adjustable pouch, bag, pack or other similar container or receptacle. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a modular, adjustable utility or ammunition magazine holder, which can be in the form of a pouch. The pouch includes a pouch body having a pair of rails extending along opposing sides of the pouch body. One or more dividers and/or one or more magazine retainers can be slid onto the rail and positioned along the pouch body, as desired. Each end of each of the rails preferably includes a stop to restrict removal of the dividers and retainers from the rails. The stop located on at least one end of each of the rails is removable to permit the dividers and retainers to be deliberately assembled onto or removed from the pair of rails.

thruillustrate a utility or ammunition magazine holder. In the illustrated arrangement, the utility or ammunition magazine holder is in the form of a pouch and is referred to hereafter as a magazine pouch.thruillustrate portions of the magazine pouch. The illustrated magazine pouchis configured to hold multiple ammunition magazines. However, aspects of the present disclosure can be configured to hold a single ammunition magazine, or can be configured to hold one or more other objects.

thruillustrate multiple embodiments of the magazine pouch, The magazine pouchesare similar in many respects to one another. Therefore, features of the magazine pouchescan be the same as or similar to the corresponding features of other embodiments described herein, or can be of another suitable arrangement.

The magazine pouchhas a body. With reference to, the pouch bodyincludes a first walland a second wall. The second wallis spaced from the first wall. The pouch bodydefines a storage spacebetween the first walland the second wall. The pouch bodydefines an openingthat opens into the storage space of the magazine pouch. In the illustrated magazine pouch, the openingto the storage spaceis at the top of the pouch body. The first walland the second wallform the front and rear walls of the magazine pouch. The magazine pouchcan include opposing side walls,and a bottom wall, such that the storage space of the magazine pouchis at least partially or fully enclosed on all sides except the top. A width W of the storage spaceis defined by a perpendicular distance between the first elongate railand the second elongate rail. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, other orientations can also be preferable. That is, the openingto the storage spacecan be on the side or bottom of the pouchdepending on the needs of a use case.

The illustrated magazine pouchincludes a first elongate railsupported relative to the first walland a second elongate railsupported relative to the second wall. In the illustrated arrangement, the first elongate railis located at an uppermost extent of the first wall. In other words, the first elongate raildefines a top surface of the first walland/or a top surface of the magazine pouch. Similarly, the second elongate railis located at an uppermost extent of the second wall. In other words, the second elongate raildefines a top surface of the second walland/or a top surface of the magazine pouch. However, in other arrangements, one or both of the first elongate railand the second elongate railcould be located below the top surface of the magazine pouchor the top surface of the respective one of the first walland the second wallon either the inside or outside of the magazine pouch.

The magazine pouchincludes at least one dividerand/or at least one retainerthat is configured to slidingly engage one or both of the first elongate railand the second elongate rail. In the illustrated arrangement, the divider(s)and/or the retainer(s)engage each of the first elongate railand the second elongate rail. The divideris configured to extend at least partially into the storage spaceto divide at least a portion of the storage spaceinto portions on each side of the divider. The retainerhas a retention memberextending over the storage spaceand configured to inhibit or prevent an object (such as an ammunition magazine) positioned in the storage space from being unintentionally or inadvertently displaced from the storage space.

In some configurations, one or both ends of each of the first elongate railand the second elongate railcomprises a stop (generally referred to by the reference character) configured to contact and inhibit or prevent removal of the divideror the retainerfrom the first elongate railand the second elongate railby sliding off an end of the rail,. In some configurations, at least one end of each of the first elongate railand the second elongate railincludes a removable stop(), which can be selectively opened or removed to permit the divideror the retainerto be assembled onto the first elongate railand the second elongate railor removed from the first elongate railand the second elongate rail. However, in other configurations, the stopon each end of the rail,can be permanent or non-removable. For example, the divider(s)and/or retainer(s)can be assembled to the rails,during the manufacturing process and the stopscan be permanent or non-removable. In some configurations, one end of each of the first elongate railand the second elongate railincludes a permanent stop. The permanent stopcan be an enlarged portion of the elongate rail,. In some configurations, the permanent stopis integrally formed in the elongate rail,.

In the illustrated arrangement, the removable stopis in the form of a strapthat can be fixed in a position against the elongate rail,that blocks the divideror retainerfrom being removed from (or assembled onto) the elongate rail,. As illustrated in, the strapcan be moved to a position away from the elongate rail,to permit the divideror retainerto be removed from (or assembled onto) the elongate rail,. The strapcan be fixed to the outside of the wall,and secured to the inside of the wall,, such as by a hook-and-loop fastener. However, this arrangement could also be reversed. Other types of removable stopscould also be used.

With reference to, the illustrated dividerincludes a first connector, a second connector, and a divider wallextending between the first connectorand the second connector. The first connectoris configured to slidingly engage the first elongate railand the second connectoris configured to slidingly engage the second elongate rail. With reference to, each of the illustrated connectors,is generally shaped like a short cylindrical tube with a downwardly facing slit that provides the connector,with some flexibility to accommodate variations in the cross-sectional dimension (e.g. diameter) of the elongate rails,. However, the slits preferably are small enough that the rails,cannot pass through the slits under forces experienced during normal use.

The interior spaces of illustrated connectors,and the illustrated rails,each have a circular cross-sectional shape. However, other suitable complementary shapes could also be used. Moreover, in some configurations, the shape of the interior spaces of the connectors,accommodates—but does not match—the shape of the rails,.

In some configurations, the divider wallis substantially rigid such that the first connectorand the second connectorare held at a fixed, spaced distance from one another. In some configurations, the entire divideris substantially rigid. Accordingly, a width of the divider wallor the dividercan determine at least a local width of the storage space. In some configurations, the divideris constructed as a unitary piece, such as by molding, for example. The dividercan be molded from a substantially rigid material, such as a plastic material. However, in other configurations, the divideror a portion thereof can be flexible or non-rigid and can permit the distance between the first connectorand the second connector(and, thus, the distance between the first railand the second rail) to vary. Such an arrangement can be useful to separate portions of a storage space while permitting the shape of the storage space to be varied, such as in a bag (e.g., gym bag) or pack (e.g, backpack), for example.

In the illustrated arrangement, the dividerfurther comprises a bridgethat extends between first connectorand the second connector. The bridgeis thicker (has a greater width) than the divider wall. The bridgecan define an uppermost extent or top surface of the divider. In some configurations, the divider wallextends downwardly from the bridge. The divider wallcan include strengthening ribs, which extend in a vertical direction or downwardly from the bridge.

With reference to, the connectors,can comprise a width Wso as to provide rotational resistance to a load to the divider wall. In some scenarios, a load can be applied to a lower end of the divider wallthus applying a rotational load to the divider. By providing the width Wof the connectors,with a sufficient dimension, the rotational load can be distributed to the rails,over a length sufficient to inhibit or prevent rocking or disengagement of the connectors,with the rails,. Also, the width Wof the connectors,can provide a smoother sliding action of the divideralong the rails,by inhibiting or preventing binding of the dividerdue to misalignment of the rails,. Additionally, the width Wof the connectors,can provide strength for unexpectedly high loads in any direction. It should also be appreciated that the width Wprovided to the connectors,in isolation (as opposed to the entirety of the divider) can allow the provision of the above-described advantages without the detriment of consuming storage space within the magazine pouch. In some configurations, the width Wcan be between about 15-40% or 20-35% of a width of the divider. In some configurations, the width Wcan be between about 5-35% or 10-25% of a length (vertical direction in) of the divider.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, although the above embodiments of the dividerinclude a first connectorand a second connector, other embodiments utilizing only a single connector can be utilized. Such an embodiment can use a single connector to attach the dividerto one of the elongate rails,. Such an embodiment can provide less stability but more flexibility for dividing or arranging contents of the magazine pouch.

The size of the divider wallcan be selected to provide a desirable amount of separation within the storage space for the item or items intended for use in the pouch or other bag, pack, or other container. In the illustrated arrangement, the divider walldoes not need to extend a significant distance into the storage space to properly separate the ammunition magazines. In some configurations, the divider wallis about, or at least about 10%, 15%, or 20% of a depth of the storage space. In other configurations, the divider wallcan be about, or at least about, 50% of the depth of the storage space or can be about 100% or 100% of the depth of the storage space. In other configurations, the divider wallcan be no more than about 10%, 15%, 20%, or 50% of the depth of the storage space.

In the illustrated arrangement, the retainerincludes a first clipthat engages, e.g., slidingly engages, the first elongate railand a second clipthat engages, e.g., slidingly engages, the second elongate rail. The retention memberextends between the first clipand the second clip. In some configurations, the retention membercomprises a band or cord. In the illustrated arrangement, the retention membercomprises an elastic band. In the illustrated configuration, the retention membercomprises a pull tabengaged with the elastic band.

With continued reference to the illustrated arrangement in, the retention membercan be a continuous connected piece of elastic cord. The elastic cord can continuously pass through the first clip, the pull taband the second clip. The illustrated arrangement can be particularly advantageous by allowing the retention memberto equalize tension around an irregular shaped item. For example, as illustrated in, the ammunition magazinehas a sloped upper surface. In such an arrangement, the retainercan be asked to conform to the irregular surface. By providing the retention memberin the continuous configuration described above, the tension in the retention membercan be generally equalized as the retention membercan slide through the pull tab, the first clipand the second clipas required by a particular item received within the magazine pouch.

With continued reference to, the illustrated arrangement shows a retention memberas a continuous clastic cord tied at a single point with a knot. In other configurations the elastic cord can be formed continuously or can be bonded or glued. Furthermore, the retention membercan be constructed in a compound nature wherein some portions are clastic and some portions are inelastic.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the illustrated arrangement ofdepicting a knot in the retention membercan somewhat limit the sliding and equalization of the retention memberin that the knot can not pass through the pull tab, the first clipand the second clip. However ample space between the first clipor the second clipand the pull tabis provided such that the knot can have sufficient room to adjust as necessary to a common load. If during use the knot becomes abutted to one of the first clip, the second clipor the pull tab, a user can simply slide the retention membersuch that knot is re-centered.

The illustrated pull tabis constructed such that it singularly locates a pulling pointfor the retainer. In the illustrated arrangement, the pull tabcaptures legsof the retention memberin two openingsand allows a user to pull the pull tabat the pulling pointthus flexing the retaineropen for loading and unloading. In other words, the arrangement of the pull taballows a user to manage the legsof the retention memberwith a single touch point. The openingsof the pull tabcan be of relatively generous size such that the legscan be spaced apart when retaining an object. This arrangement can be advantageous by providing a wider retention stance on an object. In some embodiments, the pull tabcan include a single openingfor containment of the legsof the retention member.

With reference tothru, each of the first clipand the second clipincludes a bodyhaving a first end defining a first reinforcement flangeand a second end defining a second reinforcement flange. The bodyfurther comprises a connection slotand a retention member slot, each of which extends through the bodybetween the first end and the second end. The connection slotis configured to receive one of the first elongate railand the second elongate rail. The connection slotcan be the same as or substantially the same as the slots defined by the first connectorand the second connector.

The retention member slotis configured to receive the retention member or elastic cord. In the illustrated configuration, a tapered surfaceis provided on each end of the retention member slot. The tapered surfacesallow the elastic cordto extend upwardly as it exits the retention member slot.

With continued reference to, in the illustrated arrangement, the retention member slotand the connection slotcan be arranged in which they are axially parallel. This arrangement can be advantageous for molding as both connection slotand retention member slotcan be molded in the same tool action. This arrangement can also be advantageous in that the width of the clips,can establish a distance to hold apart the legsof the retention memberthis providing a generally wider operational area of the retainer. This arrangement is also advantageous in that the sidesof the clips,are relatively smooth for the passage of an object being inserted into the magazine pouch. That is, if the retention member slotand the connection slotwere arranged perpendicularly, the retention membercould pass by the sidesof the clips,and be exposed to wear caused by entering and exiting object to the magazine pouch.

In the illustrated arrangement, the clips,can include an end profile taperin which a middle portion of the clips,is wider than the top. Such an arrangement can be advantageous by providing a widened entry passage into the magazine pouch. That is, when an object, such as the ammunition magazine, is being inserted into magazine pouch, the end profile taperof the opposing clips,form a funnel-shaped opening that can provide an easier entry for the object. Furthermore, the first reinforcement flangeand the second reinforcement flangecan provide a lower friction sliding surface to an object when being inserted into the magazine pouch. The reduced surface area provided by the first reinforcement flangeand the second reinforcement flangecan provide lower sliding friction. Also, the additional material provided by the first reinforcement flangeand the second reinforcement flangecan provide some sacrificial wear material to the clips,. That is, the first reinforcement flangeand the second reinforcement flangecan wear down before reduction in the material of the bodybegins, which could structurally compromise the clips,.

The illustrated first reinforcement flangeand the second reinforcement flangecan also provide a finger surface to push against for a user when adjusting the clips,. Typically, a user can grasp the clips,and place a load in a direction parallel to the axis of the first elongate railor second elongate railto slide or reposition the clips,. The raised nature of the first reinforcement flangeor second reinforcement flangecan provide a structure to push against such that the user need not strictly rely on the friction force between fingers and the body.