Patent Publication Number: US-8523029-B2

Title: Attachment mount system for removably securing articles to molle/pals-compliant garments

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to provisional application 61/007,856, filed Dec. 17, 2007, entitled Attachment Mount for Accessories onto MOLLE/PALS Garments, and claims priority to provisional application 61/007,855, filed Dec. 17, 2007, entitled Multi-Mount Systems for Accessories Attachable to Garments. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to connectors, fasteners, and attaching systems to secure articles to a garment or the like, and more particularly to an attachment mount for quickly removing and securing holsters, pouches, or other modular accessories to a MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment or a similarly designed garment. 
     2. Relevant Art 
     MOLLE is an acronym for MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment and defines the current generation of load-bearing equipment and rucksacks utilized by the United States Army. The modularity of the system is derived from the use of Pouch Attachment Ladder System or PALS webbing, rows of heavy-duty nylon precisely stitched onto the vest so as to allow for attachment of various MOLLE-compatible pouches and articles. This method of attachment has generally become a standard for all quality modular military gear, replacing the click and stick system used in the earliest modular vest systems (which is still in use by most Western police departments), and is produced for the United States Government under contract by several contractors. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,707. 
     PALS is a grid of webbing invented and patented by the United States Army Natick Soldier Research. Development, and Engineering Center and is used to attach smaller equipment onto load-bearing platforms, such as vests and backpacks. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,080,430; 7,200,871; and 7,240,404. PALS webbing was first used on MOLLE rucksacks, but is now found on a variety of American equipment, such as the Improved Outer Tactical Vest, Interceptor body armor, USMC Improved Load Bearing Equipment backpack and Modular Tactical Vest. PALS webbing is used to readily attach items such as holsters, magazine pouches, radio pouches, knife sheaths, and other gear. A wide variety of pouches are commercially available, allowing soldiers to customize their kit. There are also a variety of attachment methods, including the Malice Clip, the Natick snap, and soft, interwoven straps. The PALS system has been adopted by other forces, such as the British Army, who use it on their Osprey body armor. 
     The PALS webbing grid consists of horizontal rows of one inch Mil-W-43668 Type III nylon webbing (most commercial vendors use Type IIIa), spaced one inch apart, and reattached by reinforced stitches or seams to the backing at one and one-half inch intervals. 
     There have been numerous designs developed so that the user can securely attach an article to the MOLLE/PALS system. These designs can take considerable time to secure and remove the article. Most of the new designs use additional parts to interlock to the PALS system, while the older products use lacing fabric straps. These designs are secure but in many cases are unstable, allowing for a great deal of movement. For articles such as hydration bags or radio pouches movement is usually not a detriment. However, attachment of a pistol holster for quick deployment of the pistol can be a different matter. 
     The holster should be on a stable mount so that the user can quickly get a proper grip on the pistol and release the pistol from the holster. There is also a need to be able to quickly remove the holster from the PALS webbing without first removing the garment from the user&#39;s body. Once removed, it should be possible to quickly place the holster on some other part of the garment or on a different compatible garment worn on the body. While users are traveling in vehicles, it can be advantageous to wear the pistol on the front of the vest, but once deployed and on foot the user might prefer the pistol be mounted elsewhere on the body. Present attachment designs require the removal of the garment in order to remove the article, or they require a secondary receiver member to remain attached to the garment. The article in such a case has a part that matches the receiver member and can be quickly detached; however, the receiver member stays attached to the garment and takes up space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an attachment mount that allows the user to quickly mount articles to a MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment or similarly designed garment in a stable manner without removing the garment first. A compliant garment will have a grid of horizontal rows of nylon webbing spaced apart at precise repeated dimensions. The webbings will have spaced loops of repeated dimensions, with the loops of each webbing vertically aligned. The attachment mount itself is a unitary part that may be riveted or bolted to an article that is to be carried on the garment. The attachment mount is normally attached to and detached from the garment while the user is still wearing the garment. For example, if a user is equipped with a MOLLE/PALS-compliant vest, and if there is a PALS system adapted to the waist or leg, then an article can be quickly detached from the vest and reattached to the waist or leg without the use of tools or time-consuming delays. 
     The attachment mount is affixed to an article and remains with the article when it is moved. As a result, when the article is removed from a garment, no parts remain behind where the article was attached. A second article attached to another attachment mount—an article such as a magazine pouch—can be quickly mounted on the garment at the location where the first article was removed. This capability allows the user to quickly organize the garment for a specific mission. 
     A lower portion of the attachment mount is shaped generally like the end of a dinner fork with four tines that are approximately parallel to each other and in the same plane. The tines are resilient, with the two outer tines generally longer than the two inner tines. Each of the two outer tines has a barb located toward the bottom of the tine. Each barb extends outwardly from an outer tine such that the lower portions of the outer tines must be compressed inwardly towards each other before the outer tines can be withdrawn from loops of a webbing. 
     While the lower portion of the attachment mount is shaped somewhat like an end of a dinner fork, the upper and middle portions of the attachment mount can take on other configurations, depending upon a particular embodiment. One embodiment of an attachment mount has an elongated upper portion. Openings in the upper and middle portions of this embodiment are used for attaching an article to the mount. The openings are arranged such that the attachment mount can be attached to the article at a variety of different angles. Another embodiment of an attachment mount has a shorter upper portion. Openings and a spline in the middle portion of this embodiment are used for attaching an article to the mount. The spline allows the attachment mount to be attached to the article at a greater number of angles. 
     The attachment mount most often attaches vertically to a garment, with the four tines facing downwardly. To attach the attachment mount to the garment, the outer tines of the attachment mount are first inserted through a pair of adjacent loops of a first webbing and then through a pair of adjacent loops of a second webbing. The second webbing is both parallel and proximate to the first webbing, with the pair of loops of the first webbing in a direct line with the pair of loops of the second webbing. 
     When inserting the outer tines into the loops of the first webbing, however, the inner tines are forwardly angled so that they pass over the top of the first webbing as the attachment mount is pushed further downward. The lower portions of the outer tines become compressed inwardly toward the two inner tines as the outer tines are pushed through the pair of loops of the first webbing. As the barbs of the outer tines exit the first webbing, and again as the barbs later exit the second webbing, the outer tines spring outwardly moving the barbs outwardly as well. At this point, each barb will catch upon a lower edge of a respective webbing if an attempt is made to pull up on the attachment mount without first inwardly compressing the outer tines. This prevents the inadvertent withdrawal of the attachment mount in the reverse direction. As the attachment mount is moved downwardly into the pair of loops of the second webbing, the inner tines pass over the top of the first webbing and into the same pair of adjacent loops in the second webbing as are occupied by the outer tines. The barb of each outer tine exits the pair of loops of the second webbing and engages a lower edge of the second webbing. This positions the middle portion of the attachment mount atop a stitch area between the pair of adjacent loops of the first webbing. 
     The resulting position of the middle portion of the attachment mount, coupled with the locking action of the barbs of the outer tines on the lower edge of the second webbing, locks the attachment mount firmly in place. The attachment mount remains locked in position until released from the garment. 
     To release the attachment mount from the garment, the outer tines are squeezed inwardly until the barbs of the outer tines are within the bounds of the loops of the second webbing. While still squeezing the outer tines inwardly, the attachment mount is lifted out of the first and second webbings, thereby detaching the attachment mount from the garment. Note that removal of the attachment mount can be effected quickly. It can also be effected while still wearing the garment. Note also that such quick removal of the attachment mount can also be accomplished using only one hand and while wearing the garment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear elevational view of an attachment mount in accord with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side elevational view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the attachment mount of  FIG. 1  connected to a holster for a handgun in a vertical position; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  but with the holster at an angle to the vertical relative to the attachment mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of an attachment mount, in accord with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a left side elevational view of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of an attachment mount, in accord with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a left side elevational view of  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of the attachment mount of  FIG. 1  properly installed on spaced, horizontal webbings of a garment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Embodying the principles of the present invention is an attachment mount, a preferred embodiment of which is depicted in  FIGS. 1-8  and designated generally by reference numeral  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , a substantially planar attachment mount  10  is formed of a hard, resilient plastic material. The attachment mount  10  comprises an upper portion  11  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ); an inner tine body  48  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ) with an upper portion  49  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and a lower portion  50  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ); a spaced pair of outer tines  15 , each outer tine  15  having an outer edge  56  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ), an upper portion  21  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ), and a lower portion  54  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ); and a spaced pair of inner tines  16  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ), each inner tine  16  having an upper portion  58  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and a lower portion  60  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The attachment mount  10  also includes two junctions  24  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ). Each of the two junctions  24  is located where the upper portion  21  of an outer tine  15  meets the upper portion  49  of the inner tine body  48 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 1-6 , the upper portion  58  of each inner tine  16  is formed integrally with the lower portion  50  of the inner tine body  48 . The upper portion  21  of each outer tine  15  is formed integrally with the upper portion  11  of the attachment mount  10 . The pair of outer tines  15  bracket both of the inner tines  16  as well as the inner tine body  48  of the attachment mount  10  and are also spaced from the inner tines  16  and the inner tine body  48 . The four tines  15 ,  16  are generally parallel to each other and lie in the same plane, such that the four tines  15 ,  16  somewhat resemble an end of a dinner fork, although the outer tines  15  are longer than the inner tines  16 . The hard, resilient plastic material of the attachment mount  10 , combined with the spacing  20  between the outer tines  15  and the inner tines  16 , permits the outer tines  15  to be compressed inwardly towards each other. Upon release, the outer tines  15  spring back to their former positions. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the upper portion  21  of each outer tine  15  is wider than the remainder of the outer tine  15 , and each outer tine  15  has a rounded tip  17 . A barb  18  is located at the lower portion  54  of each outer tine  15  as well. The barb  18  extends outwardly from the outer edge  56  of each respective outer tine  15 . Note that when securing the attachment mount  10  to the MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment  25 , each barb  18  extends beyond an outer edge of a respective loop  29  thereby helping to secure the attachment mount  10  to the garment  25 , as described below with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 1-6 , in the present embodiment the height of the attachment mount  10 , including the outer tines  15 , is about three times the combined heights of a loop  29  (see  FIG. 13 ) and a space between webbings  26  (see  FIG. 13 ), or approximately six inches. The width of the attachment mount  10  is about the width of two loops  29 , or approximately three inches. The distance between the barbs  18  of the outer tines  15  is about three and seven-sixteenths inches. The spacing  19  between the inner tines  16  is about one-quarter of an inch. The spacing  20  between each inner tine  16  and a respective outer tine  15  is also about one-quarter of an inch. As alluded to earlier, the outer tines  15  can be compressed inwardly such that the distance between the barbs  18  is temporarily diminished, allowing the outer tines  15  and the inner tines  16  to both be inserted into the same pair of adjacent loops  29  in a webbing  26 , as described below with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the upper portion  11  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ) of the attachment mount  10  includes a hole pattern  13  containing a plurality of holes and slots. The inner tine body  48  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6 ) of the attachment mount  10  includes a horizontal slot  22 . Together, the hole pattern  13  and the horizontal slot  22  are used to affix an article, such as a holster  40  with handgun  41 , to the attachment mount  10 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 7 and 8 , fasteners  42 , such as rivets or T-nuts and bolts, are passed through selected openings of the hole pattern  13  and horizontal slot  22  and used to fasten the holster  40 , or other article, to the attachment mount  10 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the holster  40  may be mounted to the attachment mount  10  so as to be substantially aligned with the mount  10 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the holster  40  may also be mounted to the attachment mount  10  so as to be at an angle relative to the mount  10 . The openings of the hole pattern  13 , together with the horizontal slot  22 , allow for the holster  40  to be mounted at a variety of possible angles, as is well known in the art. The holster  40  and attachment mount  10  are normally positioned on a garment  25  (see  FIG. 13 ) at a comfortable or appropriate angle. One factor in determining the resulting angle is the type of MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment  25  worn, such as a vest or a waist or leg band. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  depict a second preferred embodiment of an attachment mount, designated generally by reference numeral  110 . The attachment mount  110  of the present embodiment provides a further way of affixing an article to the attachment mount  110  at a variety of possible angles relative to the mount  110  and of removably securing the article to a MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment  25  (see  FIG. 13 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the substantially planar attachment mount  110  is formed of a hard, resilient plastic material. The attachment mount  110  comprises an upper portion  111 ; an inner tine body  148  (see  FIG. 9 ) with a front surface  151  (see  FIG. 9 ), an upper portion  149  (see  FIG. 9 ), and a lower portion  150  (see  FIG. 9 ); a spaced pair of outer tines  115 , each outer tine  115  having an outer edge  156  (see  FIG. 9 ), an upper portion  121  (see  FIG. 9 ), and a lower portion  154  (see  FIG. 9 ); and a spaced pair of inner tines  116  (see  FIG. 9 ), each inner tine  116  having an upper portion  158  (see  FIG. 9 ) and a lower portion  160  (see  FIG. 9 ). The attachment mount  110  also includes two junctions  124  (see  FIG. 9 ). Each of the two junctions  124  is located where the upper portion  121  of an outer tine  115  meets the upper portion  149  of the inner tine body  148 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the upper portion  158  of each inner tine  116  is formed integrally with the lower portion  150  of the inner tine body  148 . The upper portion  121  of each outer tine  115  is formed integrally with the upper portion  111  of the attachment mount  110 . The pair of outer tines  115  bracket both of the inner tines  116  as well as the inner tine body  148  of the attachment mount  110  and are also spaced from the inner tines  116  and the inner tine body  148 . The four tines  115 ,  116  are generally parallel to each other and lie in the same plane, such that the four tines  115 ,  116  somewhat resemble an end of a dinner fork, although the outer tines  115  are longer than the inner tines  116 . The hard, resilient plastic material of the attachment mount  110 , combined with the spacing  120  between the outer tines  115  and the inner tines  116 , permits the outer tines  115  to be compressed inwardly towards each other. Upon release, the outer tines  115  spring back to their former positions. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the upper portion  21  of each outer tine  115  is wider than the remainder of the outer tine  115 , and each outer tine  115  has a rounded tip  117 . A barb  118  is located at the lower portion  154  of each outer tine  115  as well. The barb  118  extends outwardly from the outer edge  156  of each respective outer tine  115 . Note that when securing the attachment mount  110  to the MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment  125 , each barb  118  extends beyond an outer edge of a respective loop  29  thereby helping to secure the attachment mount  110  to the garment  25 , as described below with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the upper portion  149  of the inner tine body  148  of the attachment mount  110  includes a locking spline  114  encircling an attaching hole  113  (see  FIG. 9 ). The spline  114  is formed integrally with the front surface  151  of the inner tine body  148 . The spline  114  is capable of engaging a compatible spline of an article while a connector (not shown) can be passed through the attaching hole  113  to affix the article to the attachment mount  110 . The article can be affixed to the attachment mount  110  in a number of angled positions. The spline  114  permits angular relationships in increments of approximately fifteen degrees between the attachment mount  110  and the article. The lower portion  150  of the inner tine body  148  of the attachment mount  110  also includes an attaching hole  122  (see  FIG. 9 ). This hole  122  can be used by itself or in conjunction with the spline  114  and the attaching hole  113  of the upper portion  149  of the inner tine body  148  for affixing the article to the attachment mount  110 , as is well known in the art. 
     Regarding  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the upper portion  111  of the attachment mount  110  is less than the height of the upper portion  11  of the attachment mount  10  of the first preferred embodiment (see  FIGS. 1-6 ). The inner tine body  148 , the outer tines  115 , and the inner tines  116  of the attachment mount  110  of the second preferred embodiment, however, are all of substantially the same dimensions as their counterparts in the first preferred embodiment. Given this, the distance between the barbs  118  of the outer tines  115  is about three and seven-sixteenths inches. The spacing  119  between the inner tines  116  is about one-quarter of an inch. And the spacing  120  between each inner tine  116  and a respective outer tine  115  is also about one-quarter of an inch. This means that the outer tines  115  can be compressed inwardly such that the distance between the barbs  118  is temporarily diminished, allowing the outer tines  115  and the inner tines  116  to both be inserted into the same pair of adjacent loops  29  in a webbing  26 , as described below with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  depict a third preferred embodiment of an attachment mount, designated generally by reference numeral  210 . The attachment mount  210  of the present embodiment and the attachment mount  110  of the second preferred embodiment (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) are substantially the same, save for the location of a locking spline  214  in the attachment mount  210  of the present embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the attachment mount  210  comprises an upper portion  211 ; an inner tine body  248  (see  FIG. 11 ) with a front surface  251  (see  FIG. 11 ), an upper portion  249  (see  FIG. 11 ), and a lower portion  250  (see  FIG. 11 ); a spaced pair of outer tines  215 ; and a spaced pair of inner tines  216  (see  FIG. 11 ). The attachment mount  210  also includes two junctions  224  (see  FIG. 11 ). Each of the two junctions  224  is located where the upper portion  221  of an outer tine  215  meets the upper portion  249  of the inner tine body  248 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the lower portion  250  of the inner tine body  248  includes the locking spline  214  encircling an attaching hole  222  (see  FIG. 11 ). The spline  214  is formed integrally with the front surface  251  of the inner tine body  248 . The spline  214  is capable of engaging a compatible spline of an article while a connector (not shown) can be passed through the attaching hole  222  to affix the article to the attachment mount  210 . The article can be affixed to the attachment mount  210  in a number of angled positions. The spline  214  permits angular relationships in increments of approximately fifteen degrees between the attachment mount  210  and the article. The upper portion  249  of the inner tine body  248  includes an attaching hole  213  (see  FIG. 11 ). This hole  213  can be used by itself or in conjunction with the spline  214  and the attaching hole  222  of the lower portion  250  of the inner tine body  248  for affixing the article to the attachment mount  210 , as is well known in the art. 
       FIG. 13  shows the attachment mount  10  of the first preferred embodiment (see  FIGS. 1-6 ) of the present invention installed on a MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment  25 . Note that the attachment mount  110  of the second preferred embodiment (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) and the attachment mount  210  of the third preferred embodiment (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) are each installed on a MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment  25  in similar fashion. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the MOLLE/PALS-compliant garment  25  comprises a plurality of spaced, horizontally-aligned webbings  26  and a backing  27 . Each of the webbings  26  is secured to the backing  27  at equally spaced locations by a plurality of vertical stitch areas  28 . The stitch areas  28  are reinforced and multi-seamed so that each webbing  26  is firmly and precisely secured to the backing  27 . A vertical loop  29  is formed between each pair of stitch areas  28  in the webbing  26 . The loops  29  of one webbing  26  are aligned vertically with the loops  29  of another webbing  26 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 13 , the attachment mount  10  most often attaches vertically to the garment  25 , with the four tines  15 ,  16  facing downwardly on the body such that gravity assists in securing the attachment mount  10  to the garment  25 . Generally speaking, when attaching the attachment mount  10  to the garment  25 , the outer tines  15  of the attachment mount  10  are first inserted through a pair of adjacent loops  29  of a first webbing  26  and then through a pair of adjacent loops  29  of a second webbing  26 . The second webbing  26  is both parallel and proximate to the first webbing  26 , with the pair of loops  29  of the first webbing  26  in a direct line with the pair of loops  29  of the second webbing  26 . 
     More specifically, the lower portions  54  of the outer tines  15  are first inserted into the pair of adjacent loops  29  of the first webbing  26 . Before the lower portions  54  of the outer tines  15  pass completely through these loops  29 , however, the inner tines  16  are forwardly angled so that the inner tines  16  pass over the top of the first webbing  26  as the attachment mount  10  is pushed further downward. The lower portions  54  of the outer tines  15  become compressed inwardly toward the two inner tines  16  as the outer tines  15  are pushed through the pair of loops  29  of the first webbing  26 . As the barbs  18  of the outer tines  15  exit the first webbing  26 , and again as the barbs  18  later exit the second webbing  26 , the outer tines  15  spring outwardly moving the barbs  18  outwardly as well. Note that at this point, each barb  18  will catch upon a lower edge  35  of a respective webbing  26  if an attempt is made to pull up on the attachment mount  10  without first inwardly compressing the outer tines  15 . This prevents the inadvertent withdrawal of the attachment mount  10  in the reverse direction. As the attachment mount  10  is moved downwardly, the inner tines  16  pass over the top of the first webbing  26  and enter into the pair of adjacent loops  29  in the second webbing  26  below. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 13 , each outer tine  15  is wider at an upper portion  21  (See FIGS. !- 5 ) than along any other area of the outer tine  15 . Also, a junction  24  is formed where the upper portion  21  of each outer tine  15  meets an upper portion  49  of the inner tine body  48  of the mount  10 . When the attachment mount  10  is fully inserted through the pairs of loops  29  of both the first and second webbings  26 , the wider width of the upper portions  21  of the outer tines  15  generally fill the spaces within the pair of adjacent loops  29  of the first webbing  26 . Each of the two junctions  24  of the attachment mount  10  prevents the attachment mount  10  from being pushed further past the upper edge  38  of the first webbing  26 . The barb  18  of each outer tine  15  is spaced at such a distance from a respective junction  24  that when the junction  24  generally abuts the upper edge  38  of the first webbing  26 , the barb  18  is engaging a respective lower edge  35  of the second webbing  26 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 13 , as the outer tines  15  are being inserted into the pairs of adjacent loops  29  of the first and second webbings  26 , the inner tines  16  are being passed over the top of the first webbing  26  and inserted into the same pair of adjacent loops  29  of the second webbing  26  that the outer tines  15  have been inserted into. This positions the upper portion  49  of the inner tine body  48  of the attachment mount  10  atop a stitch area  28  between the pair of adjacent loops  29  of the first webbing  26 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 13 , the resulting position of the inner tine body  48  of the attachment mount  10 , coupled with the wider upper portions  21  of the outer tines  15  generally filling the pair of adjacent loops  29  of the first webbing  26 , creates a bind between the pair of loops  29  of the first webbing  26  and the attachment mount  10 . The bind placed upon the pair of loops  29  of the first webbing  26 , coupled with the locking action of the barbs  18  on the lower edge  35  of the second webbing  26 , locks the attachment mount  10  firmly in place. The attachment mount  10  remains locked in position until released from the garment  25 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 13 , to release the attachment mount  10  from the garment  25 , the outer tines  15  are squeezed inwardly until the barb  18  of each outer tine  15  clears an outer edge of a respective loop  29  of the second webbing  26 . While still squeezing the outer tines  15  inwardly, the attachment mount  10  is then lifted out of the first and second webbings  26 , thereby detaching the attachment mount  10  from the garment  25 . 
     While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.