Patent Publication Number: US-11638474-B2

Title: Auxiliary strap assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/688,917 entitled “AUXILIARY STRAP ASSEMBLY” and filed on Nov. 19, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,191,345, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/769,885, entitled “AUXILIARY STRAP ASSEMBLY” and filed on Nov. 20, 2018, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an auxiliary strap assembly for connection to an underlying load bearing platform, such as a backpack, bag or vest. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Straps are often used for mounting objects to an underlying load bearing platform. However, because the straps are typically flexible, they fail to provide structure to the object(s) being secured with the straps. Moreover, depending on the type of underlying load bearing platform, tightening of the straps can tend to deform the shape of the underlying load bearing platform. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some implementations, an auxiliary strap assembly provides a simple, adjustable strap device for mounting objects to an underlying load bearing platform. In some implementations, the strap assembly includes an elongate anchor body that provides support to the object(s) being secured and/or to the underlying load bearing platform. 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. 
     In some implementations, an auxiliary strap assembly for mounting on an associated load bearing platform having a mounting grid arrangement includes an anchor body comprising at least one anchoring location. Each of the anchoring locations is configured to engage the mounting grid arrangement. A strap is attached to the anchor body at a first end. A second end and/or an intermediate portion of the strap is selectively attached or connected to the anchor body. The second end and/or the intermediate portion of the strap is adjustable relative to the anchor body. 
     In some implementations, the second end and/or the intermediate portion is infinitely adjustable or substantially infinitely adjustable within an available range of adjustment. 
     In some implementations, a cam lock arrangement receives the second end and/or the intermediate portion of the strap. 
     In some implementations, the cam lock arrangement comprises a body portion that defines a slot configured to receive the strap. 
     In some implementations, the slot is canted at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the anchor body. 
     In some implementations, the slot has dimensions that are slightly larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the strap, but close to the width of the strap so that the strap is held in alignment with the slot. 
     In some implementations, the cam lock arrangement comprises a lock body that is pivotally coupled to the body portion and is movable between a lock position, in which movement of the strap through the slot is inhibited or prevented, and a release position, in which movement of the strap through the slot is permitted. 
     In some implementations, the lock body comprises a lock surface that contacts a portion of the strap located within or adjacent the slot, and wherein the lock surface comprises a plurality of teeth configured to engage the strap. 
     In some implementations, the lock body comprises a release tab configured to allow a user to move the lock body to the release position with his or her finger. 
     In some implementations, the lock body includes a protrusion that contacts a cooperating surface on the body portion to limit rotational movement of the lock body. 
     In some implementations, each anchoring location includes a pair of slots located on opposing sides of the anchor body, wherein each slot includes an access opening configured to permit a webbing row or portion, or equivalent structure, to be introduced into the slot. 
     In some implementations, the anchor body is curved about its longitudinal axis. 
     In some implementations, the anchor body comprises strengthening protrusions or ribs that extend in a lengthwise direction of the anchor body or at least have a component extending in the lengthwise direction. 
     In some implementations, an auxiliary strap assembly for mounting on an associated load bearing platform having a mounting grid arrangement, includes an anchor body and a strap attached to the anchor body at a first end. A second end and/or an intermediate portion of the strap is selectively attached or connected to the anchor body. The second end and/or the intermediate portion of the strap is adjustable relative to the anchor body. The anchor body includes a pair of anchoring locations spaced apart from one another in a lengthwise direction of the anchor body a sufficient distance such that there are unused webbing rows or the equivalent located between the webbing rows engaged by the anchoring locations. 
     In some implementations, the anchor body has a sufficient length to create a mounting platform for the object(s) secured to an associated underlying load bearing platform using the strap assembly. 
     In some implementations, the anchor body has a length of about 80-250 mm, about 120-200 mm, about 150-175 mm or about 165 mm (e.g., 164.5 mm). 
     In some implementations, the second end and/or the intermediate portion is infinitely adjustable or substantially infinitely adjustable within an available range of adjustment. 
     In some implementations, the strap assembly comprises a cam lock arrangement receives the second end and/or the intermediate portion of the strap. 
     In some implementations, the cam lock arrangement comprises a body portion that defines a slot configured to receive the strap. 
     In some implementations, the slot is canted at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the anchor body. 
     In some implementations, the slot has dimensions that are slightly larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the strap, but close to the width of the strap so that the strap is held in alignment with the slot. 
     In some implementations, the cam lock arrangement comprises a lock body that is pivotally coupled to the body portion and is movable between a lock position, in which movement of the strap through the slot is inhibited or prevented, and a release position, in which movement of the strap through the slot is permitted. 
     In some implementations, the lock body comprises a lock surface that contacts a portion of the strap located within or adjacent the slot, and wherein the lock surface comprises a plurality of teeth configured to engage the strap. 
     In some implementations, the lock body comprises a release tab configured to allow a user to move the lock body to the release position with his or her finger. 
     In some implementations, the lock body includes a protrusion that contacts a cooperating surface on the body portion to limit rotational movement of the lock body. 
     In some implementations, each anchoring location includes a pair of slots located on opposing sides of the anchor body, wherein each slot includes an access opening configured to permit a webbing row or portion, or equivalent structure, to be introduced into the slot. 
     In some implementations, the anchor body is curved about its longitudinal axis. 
     In some implementations, the anchor body comprises strengthening protrusions or ribs that extend in a lengthwise direction of the anchor body or at least have a component extending in the lengthwise direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIGS.  1   a  and  1   b    are perspective views of an auxiliary strap assembly assembled to an underlying load bearing platform having ladder webbing. The strap assembly includes an anchor body attached to the ladder webbing and a strap, shown in loose and attached configurations. 
         FIGS.  2   a - 2   f    are several views of the anchor body of the strap assembly of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  3   a - 3   e    are several views of a lock body of a cam lock arrangement of the strap assembly of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  4   a - 4   c    are several views of a biasing element in the form of a torsion spring for biasing the lock body toward a lock position. 
         FIGS.  5   a  and  5   b    are two views of a pivot pin upon which the lock body and biasing element are carried. 
         FIGS.  6   a  and  6   b    are two views of a strap of the strap assembly of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  7   a  and  7   b    are two views of a strap loop that is used to secure a loose portion of the strap of  FIGS.  6   a    and  6   b.    
         FIGS.  8   a  and  8   b    are two views of an alternative strap assembly assembled to an underlying load bearing platform. 
         FIGS.  9   a - 9   d    are several views of the strap assembly of  FIGS.  8   a    and  8   b.    
         FIGS.  10   a - 10   e    are several views of an anchor body of the strap assembly of  FIGS.  8   a ,  8   b  and  9   a   - 9   d.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. Dimensions included in the drawings are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting unless recited in the claims. 
     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. 
       FIGS.  1   a - 7   b    illustrate an auxiliary or accessory strap assembly  100 , or portions thereof, that is adapted for connection to an associated underlying load bearing platform, such as a bag (e.g., backpack, duffel bag) or a tactical vest, for example and without limitation. In some implementations, the strap assembly  100  is adapted for connection to ladder webbing, such as Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) or HEXGRID® mounting system sold by 5.11 Tactical. The strap assembly  100  is configured to provide for attachment of objects to the associated load bearing platform. In some implementations, multiple strap assemblies  100  can be utilized together (e.g., arranged side-by-side) to secure one or more objects to the associated load bearing platform. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the strap assembly  100  includes a body portion, which can be in the form of an anchor body  102 . A strap  104  is attached to the anchor body  102  at a first end  106 . A second end  110  and/or an intermediate portion  112  of the strap  104  can be selectively attached or connected to the anchor body  102 . Preferably, the second end  110  and/or an intermediate portion  112  of the strap  104  is adjustable relative to the anchor body  102  when attached thereto. In the illustrated arrangement, the first end  106  of the strap  104  is permanently connected to a first end  114  of the anchor body  102  and the second end  110  and/or the intermediate portion  112  is connectable to a second end  116  of the anchor body  102 . Preferably, the second end  110  and/or intermediate portion  112  is infinitely adjustable or substantially infinitely adjustable within an available range of adjustment. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the second end  110  and/or the intermediate portion  112  of the strap  104  is selectively connectable to the anchor body  102  by a cam lock arrangement  120 . The cam lock arrangement  120  includes a body portion  122  that defines a slot  124 . The slot  124  is configured to receive the strap  104 . Preferably, the slot  124  has dimensions that are slightly larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the strap  104 . In particular, preferably at least the width of the slot  124  is close to the width of the strap  104  so that the strap  104  is held in alignment with the slot  124 . It has been discovered by the present inventors that a tight fit in at least a width direction of the strap  104  within the slot  124  provides secure locking of the strap  104  within the cam lock arrangement  120 . In some implementations, the slot  124  has a width of about 14-20 mm, about 15-18 mm, or about 16.5 mm. The slot  124  and strap  104  can be sized relative to one another such that a total gap between the strap  104  and the slot  124  in a width direction is about 3-5 mm or about 4 mm (e.g., 3.8 mm). The strap  104  can have a width of about 10-16 mm, about 11-14 mm or about 13 mm (e.g., 12.7 mm). The width of the slot  124  and the strap  104  can have relative proportions in accordance with any of the aforementioned widths. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the body portion  122  of the cam lock arrangement  120  is unitary with the anchor body  102 . However, in other arrangements the body portion  122  could be separate from the anchor body  102  and coupled thereto. In the illustrated arrangement, the body portion  122  is located on at least portions of four sides of the slot  124 . In particular, the body portion  122  is located along entireties of a bottom and both sides of the slot  124 . In addition, the body portion  122  is located along opposing side portions of the top of the slot  124 . For the sake of the present description, the bottom of the slot  124  is located relatively closer to a center of the anchor body  102  and a top of the slot  124  is located relatively further from the center of the anchor body  102 . In the illustrated arrangement, the body portion  122  and the slot  124  of the cam lock arrangement  120  are canted at an oblique (non-perpendicular) angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the anchor body  102 . Such an arrangement assists in threading the strap  104  through the cam lock arrangement  120  when the strap assembly  100  is in place on an associated load bearing platform. 
     The cam lock arrangement  120  also includes a lock body  130  ( FIGS.  3   a - 3   e   ) that is movably coupled to the body portion  122 . In the illustrated arrangement, the lock body  130  is pivotally coupled to the body portion  122 , such as by a pivot shaft or pivot pin  136  ( FIGS.  5   a - 5   b   ) that extends through a cavity in the lock body  130 . The lock body  130  is movable between a lock position in which movement of the strap  104  through the slot  124  is inhibited or preferably prevented (at least up to a maximum locking force of the cam lock arrangement  120 ) and a release position in which movement of the strap  104  through the slot  124  is permitted. The lock body  130  has a lock surface  132  that contacts a portion of the strap  104  located within or adjacent the slot  124 . The illustrated lock surface  132  comprises a raised geometry or roughened surface, which in one implementation can be provided by a plurality of teeth, configured to engage the strap  104 . Preferably, the spacing of the teeth is selected to correspond to surface features (e.g., weave pattern/spacing) of the strap  104 . The lock body  130  also has a release tab  134  configured to allow a user to move the lock body  130  to the release position with his or her finger. 
     The anchor body  102  preferably includes one or more anchoring locations  140 , each of which are configured to secure the anchor body  102  or a portion thereof to the ladder webbing or equivalent. Each anchoring location  140  includes at least one slot  142 . In the illustrated arrangement, each anchoring located  140  includes a slot  142  located on opposing sides of the anchor body  102 . The slots  142  (and resultant or corresponding structure) are mirror images of each other. Each slot  142  includes an access opening  144  configured to permit a webbing row or portion, or equivalent structure, to be introduced into the slot  142 . In the illustrated arrangement, the access opening  144  is located in an intermediate portion of the slot  142  such that the slot  142  extends in each direction from the access opening  144 . Such an arrangement inhibits the webbing row or portion, or equivalent structure, from being unintentionally dislodged from the slot  142 . The anchor body  102  includes at least one arm, and preferably a first arm  146  and a second arm  148  extending along an outside of the slot  142  and one opposing sides of the access opening  144 . In the illustrated arrangement, the first arm  146  is larger than the second arm  148 . The first arms  146  and/or the second arms  148  can be positioned on an opposite side of the ladder webbing (or other mounting structure) from a neck portion  149  of the anchor body  102  located between the slots  142  to inhibit undesired movement of the anchor body  102  relative to the associated load bearing platform. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the anchor body  102  includes a pair of anchoring locations  140 . Preferably, the anchoring locations  140  are spaced apart a sufficient distance such that there are unused webbing rows (or the equivalent) located between the webbing rows engaged by the anchoring locations  140 . In other words, preferably the anchor body  102  has a sufficient length to create a mounting platform for the object(s) secured to the underlying load bearing platform using the strap assembly  100 . In some implementations, the anchor body  102  has a length of about 80-250 mm, about 120-200 mm, about 150-175 mm or about 165 mm (e.g., 164.5 mm). 
     A width of the anchor body  102  can be selected for compatibility with the desired mounting arrangement(s) or system(s). In some implementations, the maximum width of the anchor body  102  is about 25-35 mm, about 28-32 mm or about 30 mm (e.g., 30.6 mm). A width of the neck portion  149  can be about 12-16 mm, about 14-15 mm or about 14.5 mm. A width of each of the slots  142  can be about 3-5 mm or about 4 mm (e.g., 3.8 mm). 
     The anchor body  102  can be constructed from any suitable material or combination of materials by any suitable process. In some implementations, the anchor body  102  is constructed from an injection-molded plastic. Similarly, the strap  104  can be constructed from any suitable material or combination of materials by any suitable process. In some implementations, the strap  104  is a woven nylon or similar material. 
     The anchor body  102  can include features configured to enhance its rigidity. For example, the anchor body  102  can be curved about its longitudinal axis—that is, curved in a side-to-side direction such that the front surface and/or the rear surface of the anchor body  102  is curved. Such an arrangement provides greater resistance to bending than a flat body of the same size and material. The anchor body  102  in addition or in the alternative can include strengthening protrusions or ribs  160  that extend in a lengthwise direction of the anchor body  102  or at least have a component extending in the lengthwise direction. In the illustrated arrangement, a plurality of the ribs  160  are located in the neck portion  149 . However, preferably, a plurality of ribs are also provided on the rear surface and extend in a lengthwise direction of the anchor body  102 . 
     The first end  106  of the strap  104  can be coupled to the anchor body  102  by any suitable arrangement. In some implementations, the first end  106  of the strap  104  is permanently connected to the anchor body  102 . For example, the first end  114  of the anchor body  102  defines a fully enclosed slot  170  that extends in a widthwise direction of the anchor body  102 . The first end  106  of the strap  104  is passed through the slot  170  and attached to itself by a suitable fastening mechanism or arrangement, such as by a sewn joint. 
     As described above, the lock body  130  of the cam lock arrangement  120  is pivotally coupled to the body portion  122 . Preferably, the lock body  130  is biased toward the lock position by a biasing element or mechanism, such as a biasing spring  180  ( FIGS.  4   a - 4   c   ). The biasing spring  180  can be at least partially located within a cavity  182  of the lock body  130 . The biasing spring  180  can have a first end  184  that acts on the lock body  130  and a second end  186  that acts on the body portion  122 . The second end  186  can be received within a hole  190  of the body portion  122 . The biasing spring  180  can be a torsion spring having a wound portion  192 , which can surround the pivot pin  136 . 
     The user can utilize the release tab  134  to move the lock body  130  against the biasing force of the biasing spring  180  toward or to the release position. The cam lock arrangement  120  can include a stop arrangement that limits movement of the lock body  130  relative to the body portion  122  and/or defines the release position. In some implementations, the lock body  130  includes a protrusion  200  that contacts a cooperating surface on the body portion  122  to limit rotational movement of the lock body  130 . 
       FIGS.  8   a - 10   e    illustrate another version of the strap assembly  100 , in which the anchor body  102  includes a single anchoring location  140 . The anchor body  102  can be substantially shorter than the previously-described anchor body  102 . For example, the anchor body  102  having a single anchoring location  140  can have a length of about 50-70 mm or about 60 mm. In other respects, the strap assembly  100  can be the same as or substantially the same as described above. 
     Conclusion 
     It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performed simultaneously or in an order different from the steps as ordered herein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “ones” refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a quantity. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “about” or “approximately” means that quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
     Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but should also be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as “about 1 to about 3,” “about 2 to about 4” and “about 3 to about 5,” “1 to 3,” “2 to 4,” “3 to 5,” etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g., “greater than about 1”) and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.