U.S. patent application number 12/437429 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-07 for support assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Helios Systems Inc.. Invention is credited to Jacqueline M. Dunstan, Gary M. Grundy, Charles M. Neuman.
Application Number | 20100001155 12/437429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41463620 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100001155 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grundy; Gary M. ; et
al. |
January 7, 2010 |
SUPPORT ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A support assembly includes a support member, the support member
having a generally rigid and planar body portion, a first extension
extending generally parallel to and offset to a first side of the
body portion, and a second extension extending generally parallel
to and offset to the first side of the body portion, and an
accessory holder coupled to the support member at a first location
and configured to support an accessory. The body portion may be
configured to be selectively coupled to the accessory holder at a
second location.
Inventors: |
Grundy; Gary M.; (South
Milwaukee, WI) ; Dunstan; Jacqueline M.; (South
Milwaukee, WI) ; Neuman; Charles M.; (Beaver Dam,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-5306
US
|
Assignee: |
Helios Systems Inc.
|
Family ID: |
41463620 |
Appl. No.: |
12/437429 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61051578 |
May 8, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/231.81 ;
248/205.1; 248/309.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F
5/021 20130101; F16B 45/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/231.81 ;
248/309.1; 248/205.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A support assembly comprising: a support member, the support
member comprising: a generally rigid and planar body portion; a
first extension extending generally parallel to and offset to a
first side of the body portion; a second extension extending
generally parallel to and offset to the first side of the body
portion; and an accessory holder coupled to the support member at a
first location and configured to support an accessory; wherein the
body portion is configured to be selectively coupled to the
accessory holder at a second location.
2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first extension
extends from a first end of the body portion and the second
extension extends from a second end of the body portion generally
opposite from the first end.
3. The support assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fastener,
wherein the fastener is configured to extend through the body
portion to selectively couple the body portion to the accessory
holder at the second location.
4. The support assembly of claim 1, further comprising a mounting
adapter coupled to the accessory holder, wherein the first
extension is slidably received within the mounting adapter, and the
support member is coupled to the accessory holder via the mounting
adapter.
5. The support assembly of claim 4, wherein the mounting adapter is
rotably coupled to the accessory holder.
6. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the body portion is
configured to be received between a plurality of strips of webbing
and an item of apparel to a first side of the plurality of strips
of webbing, and the first and second extensions are configured to
be positioned to a second side of the plurality of strips of
webbing, the body portion and the first and second extensions
thereby coupling the support member to the item of apparel.
7. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the support member is
selectively coupleable to (i) an item of apparel having a plurality
of strips of webbing secured to the item of apparel and (ii) a
belt.
8. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the support member
comprises spring steel.
9. A method of utilizing a clip to secure an accessory holder to an
item of apparel, comprising: providing a clip having a generally
planar body portion and a pair of extensions extending parallel to
and to one side of the body portion; securing the clip to an
accessory holder; securing the clip and the accessory holder to one
of (i) an item of apparel having a plurality of generally parallel
strips of material attached to the item of apparel and (ii) a belt;
removing the clip and the portable device from the one of the item
of apparel and the belt; and securing the clip and the portable
device to the other of the item of apparel and the belt; wherein
securing the clip and the portable device to the belt comprises
positioning the clip and accessory holder to extend about at least
a portion of the periphery of the belt.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein securing the clip and the
portable device to the item of apparel comprises positioning the
body portion of the clip to a first side of the plurality of
generally parallel strips of material; and positioning the first
and second extensions of the clip to a second side of the plurality
of generally parallel strips of material.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein securing the clip to the belt
comprises passing a fastener through the body portion and into the
accessory holder.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the accessory holder includes a
mounting adapter that rotatably couples the accessory holder to the
support member, and the fastener extends into the mounting
adapter.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the support member comprises
spring steel.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first extension has a width
wider than a width of the body portion.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein securing the clip to the item of
apparel comprises deforming the item of apparel to reduce the
distance between the strips of material.
16. A support member, comprising: a generally rigid and planar body
portion having a plurality of apertures defined therein; a first
extension extending from a first end of the body portion, the first
extension extending generally parallel to and offset to a first
side of the body portion, the first extension including a mounting
surface, the mounting surface defining at least one aperture in the
first extension and configured to be coupled to an accessory
holder; and a second extension extending from a second end of the
body portion opposite the first end, the second extension extending
generally parallel to and offset to the first side of the body
portion, the second extension extending generally toward the first
extension.
17. The support member of claim 16, wherein the mounting surface
has a width greater than the body portion.
18. The support member of claim 16, further comprising an adapter
member coupled to the first extension at a first location and
configured to support an accessory holder, wherein the body portion
is configured to be selectively coupled to the adapter member at a
second location.
19. The support member of claim 18, wherein the body portion and
first extension are configured to be received on opposite sides of
a belt, and wherein the body portion is configured to be coupled to
the adapter member via a fastener adjacent an edge of the belt,
thereby securing the belt between the body portion, the first
extension, and the fastener.
20. The support member of claim 18, wherein the adapter member is
rotably coupled to the accessory holder.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/051,578, filed May 8, 2008, which is
incorporated by reference herein its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of
support assemblies and support members, and more specifically, to
support assemblies and/or support members such as clips or similar
devices that may be utilized to support or couple a variety of
devices (e.g., firearms, flashlights, radios, etc. or device mounts
used to mount such devices) to an item such as a vest, bag, belt,
or similar item.
SUMMARY
[0003] One embodiment relates to a support assembly comprising a
support member, the support member comprising a generally rigid and
planar body portion, a first extension extending generally parallel
to and offset to a first side of the body portion, and a second
extension extending generally parallel to and offset to the first
side of the body portion, and an accessory holder coupled to the
support member at a first location and configured to support an
accessory, wherein the body portion is configured to be selectively
coupled to the accessory holder at a second location.
[0004] Another embodiment relates to a method of utilizing a clip
to secure an accessory holder to an item of apparel, comprising
providing a clip having a generally planar body portion and a pair
of extensions extending parallel to and to one side of the body
portion, securing the clip to an accessory holder, securing the
clip and the accessory holder to one of (i) an item of apparel
having a plurality of generally parallel strips of material
attached to the item of apparel and (ii) a belt, removing the clip
and the portable device from the one of the item of apparel and the
belt, and securing the clip and the portable device to the other of
the item of apparel and the belt, wherein securing the clip and the
portable device to the belt comprises positioning the clip and
accessory holder to extend about at least a portion of the
periphery of the belt.
[0005] Another embodiment relates to a support member comprising a
generally rigid and planar body portion having a plurality of
apertures defined therein, a first extension extending from a first
end of the body portion, the first extension extending generally
parallel to and offset to a first side of the body portion, the
first extension including a mounting surface, the mounting surface
defining at least one aperture in the first extension and
configured to be coupled to an accessory holder, and a second
extension extending from a second end of the body portion opposite
the first end, the second extension extending generally parallel to
and offset to the first side of the body portion, the second
extension extending generally toward the first extension.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support member according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the support member of FIG. 1
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of the support member of FIG. 1
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a front view of the support member of FIG. 1
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support member according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the support member of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a side view of the support member of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a front view of the support member of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support member coupled to
an item of apparel according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a side view of a support assembly coupled to an
item of apparel according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a support assembly coupled
to a belt according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring generally to the FIGURES, a support member shown
as support members 10 and 110 is illustrated according to various
exemplary embodiments. Support members 10 and 110 are generally
similar in construction except as noted herein, and while certain
features may be described in detail with respect to only one of
support member 10 or support member 110, it should be understood
that any of such features may be equally applicable to both support
member 10 and support member 110 as well as a variety of other
support members and other devices not specifically shown
herein.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, according to an exemplary
embodiment, support member 10 includes a body portion 12 (e.g., a
main, or rear portion, member, element, etc.), a first extension
member 18 (e.g., a first front portion, member, element, lip,
flange, etc.) and a second extension 20 (e.g., a second front
portion, element, member, lip, flange, etc.). Body portion 12 is
coupled to first extension 18 via a top portion 14 (e.g., a first
rounded or curved portion, etc.) and to second extension 20 via a
bottom portion 16 (e.g., a second rounded or curved portion, etc.).
Top portion 14 is provided at a first end of body portion 12 and
bottom portion 16 is provided at a second end of body portion 12
generally opposite of the first end. According to an exemplary
embodiment, first extension 18 may be wider than the remainder of
support member 10 (e.g., to provide a larger surface on which to
mount a variety of devices, etc.).
[0019] Support member 10 is intended to facilitate the task of
coupling a variety of devices, including portable devices and
components such as firearms, ammunitions, flashlights, sprays,
knives, radios, and so on, to an item such as a vest or item of
apparel, bag, belt, or other item. As discussed in further detail
below, support member 10 may be configured to provide an
easy-to-use and secure attachment feature for both military-type
equipment, such as MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying
Equipment) gear (e.g., vests, bags, etc.) that may utilize PALS
(Pouch Attachment Ladder System) webbing, in addition to duty belts
or other belts that may be utilized by military personnel, police
personnel, security personnel, etc. As used herein, both "MOLLE"
and "PALS" refer to a standardized system of mounting various types
of gear and devices to various items of apparel.
[0020] Body portion 12 may be a generally flat, planar member and
may include a variety of apertures, holes, cut-outs, etc. to
accommodate a variety of fasteners or other components that may be
used in conjunction with support member 10. For example, as shown
in FIG. 1, support member 10 may include aperture 28 (e.g., a
through-hole, etc.) that is located such that a user may fasten
first extension 18 to a device (e.g., a radio, etc.) using a
fastener and aperture 26 (see FIG. 2) provided on first extension
18. Similarly, an aperture 24 may be provided such that should a
user desire to use support member 10 with a duty belt, the duty
belt may be positioned between body portion 12 and first extension
18, and a fastener may run through aperture 24 in support member 10
and into a device mount such as a radio mount, etc. such that the
duty belt is secured between the fastener and top portion 14 (see
FIG. 11).
[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment, support member 10 is
configured to secure devices to items of apparel that include a
MOLLE or PALS webbing grid. PALS is a grid of webbing used to
attach various types of equipment onto a load-bearing item such as
a vest, bag, or similar item. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment
of a grid 40 having generally parallel strips 42 that each have a
width 44. A distance 46 is provided between strips 42 and strips 42
are sewn to the underlying material at each distance 48. According
to an exemplary embodiment, support member 10 is configured to
accommodate a PALS web or grid formed from strips of material
(e.g., nylon, etc.) that are about one-inch wide, are spaced
one-inch apart from each other in a generally parallel fashion, and
are sewn or otherwise secured to an underlying material (e.g.,
nylon, etc.) at intervals of about 1.5 inches. According to various
exemplary embodiments, the dimensions shown and discussed herein
may vary.
[0022] Referring further to FIGS. 1-4, according to an exemplary
embodiment, body portion 12 may have an inner dimension 50 between
top portion 14 and bottom portion 16 of about 3.25 inches, and a
width 52 of about 1.125 inches. In some embodiments, inner
dimension 50 and width 52 may be based on the dimensions of a web
grid such as a PALS grid such that inner dimension 50 is about
one-quarter inch greater than the distance encompassing the upper
and lower strips of the grid to which support member 10 attaches,
and width 52 is about three-eighths inch less than the spacing at
which the strips are coupled to the underlying material. According
to various other embodiments, other dimensions may be used in
conjunction with support member 10. It should be noted that while
in many applications the length and width of body portion 12 may be
important to provide a proper fit to a standard grid of webbing,
the sizes and shapes of other portions of support member 10 may be
varied to support particular applications. For example, first
extension 18 may be wider than body portion 12 (e.g., to provide
increased stability for a large device, etc.). Other changes in the
size or shape of the various components may be made, and all such
modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, support member 110 is shown
according to an exemplary embodiment. Support member 110 is
generally similar to support member 10, and may include a body
portion 112, a first extension 118, and a second extension 120.
Body portion 112 is coupled to first extension 118 via a top
portion 114 and to second extension 120 via a bottom portion 116.
Support member 110 may further include apertures 124, 126, and/or
128. As shown in FIGS. 5-8, first extension 18 may be substantially
the same width as the remainder of support member 110, such that
support member 110 has a substantially constant width.
[0024] Referring to now FIG. 9, support member 110 is shown
attached to PALS grid 40. According to an exemplary embodiment,
body portion 112 of support member 110 is slid from a top position
beneath one or more of strips 42. Top portion 114 of support member
110 is a curved portion that wraps downward around the upper edge
of one of strips 42, preventing downward movement of support member
110. Bottom portion 116 of support member 110 is a curved portion
that wraps upward around a lower edge of one of strips 42,
preventing upward movement of support member 110. Lateral movement
of support member 110 is limited to the clearance between the width
52 of support member 110 and width 48 between the stitchings on
grid 40. While support member 110 is shown in FIG. 9 without any
additional mounting adapters, accessory holders, etc., for the sake
of clarity, it should be understood that support member 110 may be
coupled to grid 40 as detailed herein in a similar fashion with any
such devices attached to support member 110. Furthermore, support
10 may be coupled to a grid such as grid 40 in a similar
fashion.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 10, a support assembly 70 is shown
according to an exemplary embodiment. Support assembly 70 includes
support member 10 and an accessory support 72. Accessory support 72
may include an accessory holder 74 and a mounting adapter 76.
Accessory support 72 may be used to hold or support a wide variety
of devices such as flashlights, spray canisters, firearms,
ammunitions, etc. As shown in FIG. 10, support assembly 70 is shown
coupled to a PALS or other grid (e.g., a grid or webbing such as
grid 40 shown in FIG. 9). As discussed with respect to FIG. 9, top
portion 14 of support member 10 is configured to be supported by
one of the strips of the PALS grid, and bottom portion 16 is
configured to wrap around another, lower strip of the PALS grid,
and prevent support member 10 from coming loose after being
attached. It should be noted that as shown in the FIGURES, it is
not required, as in many other conventional attachment systems,
that a user weave support member 10 in and out of either the PALS
grid or a corresponding strap or straps provided on the device
(e.g., a device similar to support assembly 70 or a different
device) to be supported. Rather, body portion 12 of support member
10 is positioned to one side of the strips of webbing and first and
second extensions 18, 20 are positioned to an opposite side of the
strips of webbing. Furthermore, any of a wide variety of mounting
adapters, accessory holders, or other devices may be coupled to
support member 10 prior to coupling support member 10 to a PALS or
other type of grid. This provides an easier and faster way of
attaching/detaching a variety of devices using a grid such as a
PALS grid compared to some conventional techniques.
[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment, support member 10 is
slidably received within mounting adapter 76, which is in turn
coupled to accessory holder 74 (e.g., via a threaded fastener, by a
rotatable coupling, etc.). According to various alternative
embodiments, other or additional means of fastening the components
of support assembly 70 may be used (e.g., rivets, indents/detents,
snap-fits, etc.).
[0027] Support member 10 and/or support member 110 may include
mounting features (e.g., apertures, etc.) such that support members
10, 110 may be secured to a variety of support assemblies
configured to support devices such as radios, firearms,
flashlights, or mounting structures for such devices. According to
one embodiment, first extensions 18, 118 may be configured to be
slid at least partially into a mounting adapter or component to be
supported (see FIG. 10), after which support member 10 may further
be secured in place by a fastener (e.g., via an aperture in first
extension 18).
[0028] As noted above, in addition to accommodating a grid system
such as a PALS grid, support assembly 70 and support member 10 may
further accommodate a duty belt (e.g., a non-Molle or non-PALS belt
or item of apparel) such as a duty belt worn by military, police,
or security personnel. For example, referring to FIG. 11, support
assembly 70 is shown coupled to a duty belt 58 such that top
portion 14 of support member 10 is generally supported by duty belt
58. One or more fasteners such as fastener 60 may be used to secure
the duty belt relative to support member 10. As shown in FIG. 11,
fastener 60 extends through body portion 12 of support member 10
(e.g., through aperture 24 shown in FIG. 1), and into a threaded
aperture in mounting adapter 76. Fastener 60 may be adjusted to
provide different amounts of tension to the opposing sides of duty
belt 58.
[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment, support member 10 may
be formed from a single piece of a metal material, such as a spring
steel. This reduces material and labor costs relative to supports
that may require different types of materials and/or multiple
components. According to other embodiments, other suitable
materials may be used that provide the proper strength, rigidity,
and other characteristics to properly support a wide variety of
devices.
[0030] It is important to note that for purposes of this
disclosure, the term "coupled" shall mean the joining of two
members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be
stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be
achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional
intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary
body with one another or with the two members or the two members
and any additional intermediate member being attached to one
another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively
may be removable or releasable in nature. Such joining may also
relate to mechanical, fluid, or electrical relationship between the
two components.
[0031] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the support assembly and support
member shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only.
Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in
this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this
disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.)
without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. Accordingly, all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of
the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or
method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative
embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and/or
omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and
arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the
spirit of the present disclosure.
* * * * *