Abstract:
An adapter for connecting an article having MOLLE webbing thereon to a surface having no MOLLE webbing thereon comprises an intermediate panel in which is provided a plurality of slots, and on one side of which is provided a hook-and-loop fastener component for selectively attaching the panel to said surface. Straps connect the article to the panel while the fastener component connects the panel to a surface.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/923,824, filed Jan. 6, 2014. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a load carrying and article attachment apparatus wherein one article is attached to another. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in such apparatus, which is typically referred to as a MOLLE system, and provides a device for adapting MOLLE-type attachable articles for attachment with hook-and-loop type material. 
     BACKGROUND 
     MOLLE is an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It is used to define the current generation of load-bearing equipment and rucksacks utilized by a number of NATO armed forces, especially the British Army and the United States Army. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,707, issued Mar. 10, 1998. The system&#39;s modularity is derived from the use of PALS webbing as rows of heavy-duty nylon stitched onto the vest to allow for attachment of various MOLLE-compatible pouches and accessories. 
     The Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) is a grid of webbing used to attach smaller equipment onto load-bearing platforms, such as vests and backpacks. PALS consists of webbing sewn onto the load-bearing equipment and corresponding webbing and straps on the attachment. The straps are interwoven between the webbing on each of two pieces and finally snapped into place, making for a very secure fit which can be detached with moderate effort. The PALS grid consists of horizontal rows of 1 inch (2.5 cm) Mil-W-43668 Type III nylon webbing (most commercial vendors use Type IIIa), spaced 1 inch apart, and reattached to the backing at 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) intervals. 
     PALS and the MOLLE system were first used on rucksacks, but are now found on a variety of tactical equipment, including vests and other carry/storage devices. PALS webbing and the MOLLE-type attachment straps have become standardized so that they are universally compatible. They are used to attach items such as holsters, magazine pouches, radio pouches, knife sheathes, and other gear. A wide variety of pouches are commercially available, allowing soldiers or civilian law enforcement tactical units to customize how they carry their equipment and supplies. 
     In such MOLLE systems, as noted above, webbing is secured in rows on both articles to be attached together; the rows typically being stitched, for example, at intervals thereacross leaving intermittent webbing portions, between intermittent lines of stitching, unattached. The rows of webbing on the items are parallel and typically either horizontally or vertically oriented. When the two articles are juxtaposed, the webbing rows on one of the articles are offset from the webbing rows on the other article. Again, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,707. 
     One or more flexible straps (MOLLE-type straps) on the items are then interwoven through the adjacent webbing rows, securing the two articles together. Snap-together or yieldable latches at the ends of each strap are connected and the articles are secured together. The straps can be selectively released and the articles repositioned with respect to each other to orient them in a desired manner, limited both by the number or extent of the rows of webbing on each, and by the direction of extension of the webbing. 
     It is that limitation to which this invention is directed. Given two articles with rows of webbing secured to each, the possible placement and connection of one article to the other is limited by the location and extent of the webbing. Such a system then cannot accommodate placement of the article relative to a second article significantly offset therefrom and beyond the webbing. For example, it may be desired to secure a pouch to a pack, vest, or belt in an area where there are no corresponding rows of webs. Or, it may be desired to secure a pouch at an angle relative to the rows of webbing. 
     It is thus accordingly desired to be able to interconnect one article to another via a MOLLE-style attachment but without the limited spatial orientation inherent in current MOLLE/PALS systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a flat panel having a hook-and-loop (such as a VELCRO® or other brand) surface with pre-cut slots in a grid or pattern and accommodating a MOLLE attachment system of any desired configuration. The panel may be cut into any desired size or shape and can easily be secured to a hook-and-loop surface on a vest, pack or any surface onto which MOLLE-compatible surface is desired. 
     These and other aspects, features and details of the invention may be understood from a review of the detailed description, drawing figures, and claims, all of which comprise disclosure of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one side of an adapter panel of the invention having a plurality of series of aperture slots therein arranged in a grid pattern and having a surface providing hook components of a hook-and-loop engagement material thereon; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the opposite side of the panel of  FIG. 1 , having a surface providing the loop component of a hook-and-loop engagement material thereon; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate an alternate form of the panel having two series of aperture slots therein; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an alternate form of the panel having a single series of aperture slots therein; 
         FIG. 7  initial threading of a flexible MOLLE-style strap in the slots of the panel of  FIG. 1  (for clarity the article being attached is not shown); 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the MOLLE-style strap interlaced with the panel and with strap ends fastened together; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the article (shown in phantom line) attached to one surface of the adapter panel; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken substantially along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a second article, such as a pack, to which a first article may be attached; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the pouch secured to the panel, shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , attached to an interior surface of a receiving article, such as a pack. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a flat panel having at least one hook-and-loop (such as a VELCRO® or other suitable form) surface with at least one series of pre-cut apertures or slots. Each series of apertures are sized and positioned to accommodate a standard attachment strap of a MOLLE attachment system. The panel may include a plurality of series of apertures, arranged in a grid or pattern of any desired configuration to accommodate attached articles having multiple MOLLE-type attachment straps. The panel may be cut into any desired size or shape and can easily be secured to a hook-and-loop surface on a vest, pack, or any surface onto which MOLLE-compatible surface is desired. 
     As used herein, “hook-and-loop” engagement material is used to describe an attachment means that includes two separable component surfaces: a “hook” component and a “loop” or “pile” component. VELCRO® is a common brand name under which such material is produced and sold. Fabric used as the loop or pile component may be material not especially intended for such use, but having sufficient nap to engage the hook component. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , therein is shown at  10  an adapter panel according to one embodiment of the present invention having a first side surface  12  and a second side surface  14 . The panel  10  has four series  16  of aperture slots  18 . In this example, the multiple series of slots are arranged in a grid-like pattern with substantially aligned columns and rows. Also in this example, each series  16  includes six slots  18 , although any number of slots that permits acceptable engagement may be acceptable.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show opposite sides of a panel  20  having two series  16  of slots  18 ;  FIGS. 5 and 6  show opposite sides of a panel having only one series  16  of slots  18 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  will be used in subsequent figures to illustrate one example of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , the panel  10  accepts one or more of the aforementioned straps  24  of the MOLLE system, engaging the web rows (not shown) on the attached article (shown in phantom line at  26 ) to be attached. The flexible strap(s)  24  of the object to be attached  26  may be interlaced or woven through the slots  18  and the webbing area  28  between the slots  18 . It will be appreciated that, typically, the attachment  26 , such as a pocket, does not flex significantly but is provided with spaced rows of webbing through which the straps  24  are interwoven, providing secure attachment to the panel  10  and accommodating a variable positioning of the article  26  to be attached to the panel  10 . The panel  10  is moveable and selectively positioned on a surface of the other article receiving the attached article, as will be described later. Although not illustrated in the drawings for sake of simplicity, it will be appreciated that the MOLLE straps  24  may be woven through the slots  18  and cross-webbing of the attachment  26  (not shown) as is well known in the field, or can be assembled as shown when less flexible attachment straps  24  are used. 
     The slots  18  may be simple slits that will allow passage of the attachment strap  24 , or may be elongated cut-out openings, as illustrated. The hook-and-loop material may cover the entirety of a surface  12 ,  14  of the panel  10 , or may be applied only to certain areas. According to one embodiment, the panel  10  is simply cut from a laminated or otherwise assembled sheet of fabric with hook components on one side and loop components on the other. One such fabric is sold by Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester N.H., under the trademark ONE-WRAP®. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the second or receiving article may be, for example, a pack  30 . An interior surface  32  (or exterior surface) may include a complementary component of the hook-and-loop attachment material. Generally, because the hook component is typically rough to the tough and can unintentionally engage the nap of many fabrics or materials, material comprising the loop or pile component is used as the lining or other surface of the receiving article. The placement of the hook-and-loop components may, however, be interchanged as desired. If the panel  10  is made from a two-sided material, as described above, the panel  10  may be reversed, as needed, to engage whichever complementary attachment surface is available on the receiving article  30 . 
     The panel  10  can be oriented with series of slots vertically or horizontally disposed, or at other angles relative to the surface of the receiving article in order to provide not only positional location of the attached article on the receiving article but angular or rotational orientation as well, at the point of use or attachment together of the two articles in use or in the field, for example. 
     The panel  10  is thus moveable across and able to be placed on significant areas of the receiving article  10  having no web rows (PALS webbing), but nevertheless providing a series  16  or grid of apertures  18  for receiving the straps  24  on the attached article  26  extended through the apertures  18  of the panel  10  forming web rows. The receiving article is provided with surfaces having complimentary hook-and-loop material on such components so as to receive the panel in a wide variety of areas on the receiving article. 
     While the illustrations demonstrate a somewhat simplified illustration of the connection between the panel and the receiving article, in some embodiments of the invention, additional joining fasteners or straps may be employed. Further, in some embodiments of the invention, the panel may be mated to the receiving article by way of interleaved straps or joining fasteners. Additionally, in some embodiments, straps or joining fasteners may be woven and passed through the panel or receiving article at a plurality of locations to improve the rigidity of the spatial relationship between the panel and the receiving article. 
     While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it should be apparent that other modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention.