U.S. patent application number 13/655552 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for cumberbund attachment system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Velocity Systems, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Velocity Systems, LLC. Invention is credited to David B. Strum.
Application Number | 20130098961 13/655552 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48135153 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130098961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Strum; David B. |
April 25, 2013 |
Cumberbund Attachment System and Method
Abstract
The present invention provides a quick attach/detach system for
cumberbunds that maximizes available room for attachment of
auxiliary equipment to a wearable personal device. In one
embodiment, the present invention includes a personal wearable
device having front and back portions, with each of the front and
back portions having an outer wall and an inner wall such that the
inner walls define a pocket within the device, wherein at least one
of the inner walls has a fastening surface, and wherein a finger of
a cumberbund attachment is insertable through a slot in an outer
wall of the device so as to securely yet releasably attach to the
inner wall fastening surface.
Inventors: |
Strum; David B.;
(Amissville, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Velocity Systems, LLC; |
Dulles |
VA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Velocity Systems, LLC
Dulles
VA
|
Family ID: |
48135153 |
Appl. No.: |
13/655552 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61548981 |
Oct 19, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/660 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20130101; F41H
1/00 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 2003/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/660 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/00 20060101
A45F003/00 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: a personal wearable device having front
and back portions, with each of the front and back portions having
an outer wall and an inner wall, with the inner walls defining a
pocket within the device, wherein at least one of the inner walls
has a fastening surface secured thereto, and with the front portion
having at least one slot formed in a side portion thereof; and a
cumberbund attachment having at least one finger extending
therefrom, wherein the at least one finger has a top surface and a
bottom surface, at least one of the top and bottom surfaces being
in the form of a finger fastening surface that is securely yet
releasably attachable to the inner wall fastening surface of the
personal wearable device.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the inner wall fastening surface
comprises a surface having hook or loop fasteners thereon.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the finger fastening surface
comprises a surface having hook or loop fasteners thereon.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one finger is
extendable through the at least one slot.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one finger is not
attachable or securable to the front portion outer wall or the back
portion outer wall of the personal wearable device.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein both of the inner walls have a
fastening surface secured thereto.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the inner walls does not
have a fastening surface secured thereto.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one slot comprises
multiple slots of varying width, and wherein the cumberbund
attachment has at least two fingers of varying widths.
9. A method, comprising: providing a personal wearable device with
front and back portions, with each of the front and back portions
having an outer wall and an inner wall, with the inner walls
defining a pocket within the device, wherein at least one of the
inner walls has a fastening surface secured thereto, and with the
front portion having at least one slot formed in a side portion
thereof; providing a cumberbund attachment having at least one
finger extending therefrom wherein the at least one finger has a
top surface and a bottom surface, at least one of the top and
bottom surfaces being in the form of a finger fastening surface;
and inserting the at least one finger through the at least one
slot, such that the finger fastening surface engages the inner wall
fastening surface.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the inner wall fastening surface
comprises a surface having hook or loop fasteners thereon.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the finger fastening surface
comprises a surface having hook or loop fasteners thereon.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one finger is
extendable through the at least one slot.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one finger is not
attachable or securable to the front portion outer wall or the back
portion outer wall of the personal wearable device.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein both of the inner walls have a
fastening surface secured thereto.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein one of the inner walls does not
have a fastening surface secured thereto.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one slot comprises
multiple slots of varying width, and wherein the cumberbund
attachment has at least two fingers of varying widths.
17. The method of claim 9 including the further step of pulling the
at least one finger through the at least one slot and securing the
finger fastening surface to the inner wall fastening surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/548,981, filed Oct. 19, 2011
and entitled, "Cumberbund Attachment System and Method", the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to outerwear, and more
particularly to customizable outerwear that can adapt to accept
auxiliary gear or cumberbunds in various ways.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Military personnel, law enforcement personnel and/or outdoor
enthusiasts all share a need to be able to quickly attach and
detach peripheral equipment. For military personnel, the peripheral
equipment can be, for example, a chest rig, ammunition pouch,
medical bag, day pack, hydration pack or armor shield. Similarly,
recreationists such as backpackers, campers, hikers, hunters might
attach auxiliary gear such as a tent, food, climbing gear, first
aid materials or other gear. Traditionally, pouches and equipment
are attached to armor or recreational systems via clips, buckles,
straps, snaps, etc. These attachment methods can be cumbersome and
require the user to modify their routine or posture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention permits the individual with a wearable
personal device to add carrying capacity without compromising space
requirements and while maintaining his or her sitting posture,
rucksack inventory or uniform appearance, for example.
[0005] Traditionally, cumberbunds are used in the armor industry.
However, they attach externally to vests, plate carriers, backpack
carriers and other personal wearable devices via a lace-up method,
hook and loop fastener, buckles, snaps, or straps, for example,
thereby limiting the surface area to which other equipment can
attach and making the donning and doffing of armor and other
attachments more difficult. The present invention provides a quick
attach/detach system for cumberbunds that maximizes available room
for attachment of auxiliary equipment to the wearable personal
device, which can be an armor carrier, backpack system or other
outerwear, for example. The system of the present invention can be
offered in varied sizes and shapes to accommodate not only
dimensional requests, but capacity of auxiliary equipment and
cumberbunds. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention
can be employed, for example, in a way that allows cumberbunds to
attach internally via button holes which allow attachment fingers
of the cumberbund or auxiliary equipment to insert into an
auxiliary pocket, thereby removing any restriction on available
equipment space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a photograph of a cumberbund attachment system
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a photograph of a cumberbund attachment system
according to one embodiment of the present invention, with fingers
of a cumberbund partially inserted into button holes of an
auxiliary pocket of a personal wearable device.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a photograph of a portion of a personal wearable
device having an auxiliary pocket for use according to one
embodiment of the present invention, with fingers of a cumberbund
attachment system of the present invention fully inserted into
button holes of the wearable device.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] FIGS. 1 through 3 depict an embodiment of a cumberbund
attachment system 25 and method in accordance with the present
invention. Vests, plate carriers, backpack carriers and other
personal wearable devices come in all shapes and sizes with a
variety of optional accessories. In many instances, personal
wearable devices include multiple plies of material that can be
joined along edges to create openings or pockets therein. As shown
in FIG. 1, for example, such personal wearable devices 1 can
include attachment subsystems 5 such as molle panels and the like,
which allow the wearer to attach equipment, gear and even other
equipment holders to the device 1. In one embodiment of the present
invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the personal wearable device 1 is
adapted with an auxiliary pocket 20 formed with a first wall 33
comprising the inside of a front side 14 of the device 1 and a
second wall 35 comprising the inside of a separate outer layer 29
of the device 1. Outer layer 29 can be the back side of the device,
in one embodiment of the present invention. The pocket wall 35
includes hook or loop-type fasteners 22 or other fasteners for
receiving and retaining fingers 3 of a cumberbund in accordance
with the present invention. The portion of the cumberbund of one
embodiment of the present invention is identified at 2 in FIGS. 1
and 3.
[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in one embodiment of the present
invention, the personal wearable device 1 has one or more slots or
button holes 4 formed in at least one side 17 thereof. Each button
hole can be provided with a length L1. Length L1 can vary in size
to accommodate various embodiments of the cumberbund as part of the
present invention. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the internal
pocket wall 35 of the personal wearable device 1 is at least
partially covered by fasteners such as hook or loop-type fasteners
22 to secure cumberbund fingers 3 that extend through the openings
4 in the personal wearable device. The openings 4 provide access to
the pocket 20 and the fasteners 22 contained therein. While one
internal wall 35 of the personal wearable device 1 includes
fasteners 22, it will be appreciated that the opposing internal
wall 33 of the personal wearable device does not include mating
fasteners; otherwise, the pocket would potentially be biased in a
closed position, thereby hindering the use of the present
invention. Nevertheless, one embodiment of the present invention
contemplates such mating fasteners on the respective walls 33, 35
to assist in keeping the pocket closed during use of the
device.
[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cumberbund attachment system
25 includes straps (also referred to as a fingers) 3 which can be
secured to the cumberbund (portion illustrated at 2) at a first end
8 of the finger 3 by means of attachment 7 including, but not
limited to, hook and loop, sewing, bonding or otherwise integrating
the finger 3 with the cumberbund (or other auxiliary gear device).
Each finger further includes a second end 9 opposite the first end
8, which is appropriately terminated so as to prevent frayed edges
from hindering the operation of the present invention. In one
embodiment of the present invention, each finger 3 can have a width
L2, which is substantially equal to or less than the length L1 of a
button hole 4 that the finger is designed to pass through. As shown
in FIGS. 1 and 3, a top surface 6 of each finger 3 is provided with
hook or loop-type fasteners, for example, such that each finger 3
can be removably attached to the interior surface 22 of the device
1 within pocket 20 when the finger 3 is fully inserted into a
corresponding button hole 4 of the device 1. The bottom surface 16
of each finger 3 can be provided with or without hook or loop-type
connectors, depending upon the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] In operation, the user of the present invention assembles
the cumberbund or other device to the personal wearable device
prior to donning the combined system. Such operation is initiated
by inserting at least one finger 3 through a corresponding button
hole 4 on the front side 14 of the personal wearable device 1, then
pulling the finger through (such as by inserting a hand into the
pocket of the device) and securing the connector surface 6 of the
finger to the interior fasteners 22 of the device. The fingers 3
can be adjusted to accommodate the user's girth by reducing or
extending the length of extension of the fingers within the pocket.
In the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the cumberbund portion 2 includes three separate fingers 3 and
the device 1 includes three corresponding button holes 4 sized to
receive each finger 3. While the fingers 3 and holes 4 are shown in
uniform sizes, it will be appreciated that the present invention
contemplates different sized fingers and holes to the extent
greater retention force may be needed in different deployments or
for different users of the present invention.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, each finger 3 is inserted into each
corresponding button hole 4 from the front side 14 of the device 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, each finger 3 is inserted into each button hole
4 such that the attaching surface 6 (see FIG. 1) of each finger 3
is aligned with attachment surface 22 in the pocket of device 1.
The fastening surface 6 of each finger and the corresponding
fastening surface 22 of the device engage each other so that the
cumberbund is securely but removeably attached to the device 1.
Through the use of this internal attachment, the device 1 has
additional room on the external side thereof to receive additional
equipment and other attachments.
[0014] Once installed, the cumberbund will be securely retained
adjacent the personal wearable device 1. For example, the
cumberbund may wrap around a body or wearable personal device such
that the opposite end of the cumberbund may be similarly attached
to a second and opposite side of the device in similar fashion to
that described above. In one embodiment of the present invention,
each finger 3 can be provided with hook or loop attachment means on
top and bottom surfaces thereof so as to increase versatility of
mounting arrangements for the user. As the present invention
assists in maximizing available open space on the outer walls of
the personal wearable devices, it will be appreciated that, in one
embodiment of the present invention, no finger is attachable or
securable to the front portion outer wall or the back portion outer
wall of the personal wearable device.
[0015] It should be understood that the foregoing description and
examples are only illustrative of the present invention; the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention,
including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and
the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily
apparent to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in
the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention. Thus, various alternatives and modifications can be
devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the
invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to
embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that
fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *