ATTACHMENT PANEL AND RECEIVER SYSTEM FOR TACTICAL VESTS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/641,755, filed on May 2, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of an attachment panel and receiver system used to selectively couple a preconfigured loadout to a tactical vest, such as a plate carrier.

BACKGROUND

Tactical vests are widely used by military, law enforcement, and security personnel to carry essential equipment in a readily accessible manner. These vests are typically configured for compatibility with various attachment systems that allow pouches, bags, tools, medical kits, hydration systems, and other equipment to be secured to a vest or other garments. One standardized attachment system is the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) system, which includes the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS), or a PALS-compatible arrangement of slots. While these attachment systems offer flexibility, they typically require the user to manually remove and reconfigure pouches on the tactical vest itself, which can be time-consuming and impractical in the field or while on duty.

Removable panels compatible with the MOLLE system, such as back panels secured to the rear of a tactical vest, are used to enable rapid reconfiguration of mission-specific loadouts. These removable back panels may support breaching tools, medical gear, hydration systems, or team-specific equipment, and can be swapped out as operational needs change. However, current removable back panels often require assistance from other team members to access or remove the stored items. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a back panel that can be removed by the wearer without assistance.

Accordingly, there is a need for the attachment panel and receiver system disclosed herein. The present invention is directed to providing an attachment panel and receiver system configured to address these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.

Disclosed is an attachment panel and receiver system used to selectively couple a preconfigured loadout to a tactical vest. The attachment panel and receiver system comprises a receiver configured for attachment to the tactical vest, and an attachment panel configured to be selectively coupled to the receiver. The attachment panel includes an array of apertures configured to facilitate attachment of one or more pouches, bags, tools, medical kits, hydration systems, or other equipment.

An example attachment panel and receiver system comprises a receiver including a pocket defining an opening, and an attachment panel including an array of apertures extending therethrough. The pocket of the receiver is configured to slidably receive the attachment panel through the opening.

Another example of an attachment panel and receiver system comprises a receiver and an attachment panel. The receiver includes a pocket defining an opening, the pocket being bounded by a rear wall, a pair of spaced-apart opposing end walls, and a pair of spaced-apart alignment flanges. The attachment panel includes a substantially rectangular base member having an array of apertures extending therethrough, two opposing side edges, and a front surface. The pocket of the receiver is configured to slidably receive the attachment panel through the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an attachment panel and receiver system, according to the principles of the present disclosure, attached to a plate carrier. Additionally, a pouch secured to the attachment panel is shown.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receiver and the attachment panel shown in FIG. 1, wherein the attachment panel is shown removed from the pocket of the receiver.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the receiver and the attachment panel shown in FIG. 2, wherein the attachment panel is shown partially inserted into the pocket of the receiver.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the receiver and the attachment panel shown in FIG. 3, wherein the attachment panel is shown fully seated within the pocket of the receiver.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the receiver and attachment panel shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the receiver and attachment panel shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the receiver shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the receiver shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is another exploded view of the receiver shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of the receiver and attachment panel shown in FIG. 5, taken along section line 9-9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the attachment panel shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the attachment panel shown in FIG. 11.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-12 illustrate an attachment panel and receiver system 100 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The attachment panel and receiver system 100 comprises a receiver 110 and an attachment panel 112. The receiver 110 is configured to slidably receive the attachment panel 112, thereby releasably engaging the attachment panel 112 with the receiver 110. The receiver 110 is further configured to resist outward prying of the attachment panel 112 away from the receiver 110. The attachment panel 112 includes an array of apertures configured to facilitate attachment of one or more pouches, bags, tools, medical kits, hydration systems, or other equipment. The removable nature of the attachment panel 112 allows a user to preconfigure a desired loadout and selectively couple the attachment panel 112, along with the loadout, to the receiver 110 as needed.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the receiver 110 includes a pocket 114 bounded by a rear wall 116 having a top end 118 and an inner surface 120; a pair of spaced-apart opposing end walls (122, 124), each having a lower end (126 or 128) and a top end (130 or 132); and a pair of spaced-apart opposing alignment flanges (134, 136). The pocket 114 defines an opening 138 (see FIG. 2) through which the attachment panel 112 is received (see FIG. 3). The alignment flanges (134, 136) are attached to the end walls (122, 124), with one alignment flange (134, 136) adjacent to a respective end wall (122 or 124). Each alignment flange (134, 136) extends above the end wall (122, 124) to which it is attached and includes a longitudinally extending groove 148 that is oriented towards the space between the flange (134, 136) and the rear wall 116. Each longitudinally extending groove 148 includes a detent 150 therein (see FIG. 8). The alignment flanges (134, 136) are configured to assist in maintaining the attachment panel 112 within the pocket 114 of the receiver 110 and in aligning the attachment panel 112 as it is slidably inserted into or withdrawn from the pocket 114, thereby ensuring that the attachment panel 112 remains properly positioned throughout the insertion and withdrawal process.

Referring now to FIG. 5, each end wall (122, 124) of the receiver 110 may include a plurality of apertures positioned adjacent to an outside edge of the end wall (122, 124). In this embodiment, the apertures are circular openings. One or more of these apertures may be utilized in conjunction with a length of cord to secure the receiver 110 to another object or secure another object to the receiver 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-6 and 8-9, threaded fasteners 144 are used to attach the end walls (122, 124) and flanges (134, 136) to the rear wall 116, thereby forming the receiver 110. Each threaded fastener 144 extends transversely through an opening in one of the flanges (134 or 136), through an aligned opening in the underlying end wall (122 or 124), and through an opening adjacent the edge of the rear wall 116. The threaded end of each fastener 144 extends through the rear wall 116 of the receiver 110 and is removably coupled to a threaded hex nut 146 positioned in a recess. This assembly ensures that the receiver 110 forms a secure and stable structure suitable for receiving the attachment panel 112.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the rear wall 116 of the receiver 110 is perforated with an array of apertures 140 extending through it. In this embodiment, the apertures 140 are elongate slots. The array of apertures 140 comprises a plurality of slots arranged in respective sub-arrays (142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e). These slots can be used in conjunction with one or more straps to secure the receiver 110 to the rear plate bag 104 of a plate carrier 102 (see FIG. 1). Example straps include a length of VELCRO® brand ONE-WRAP® tape and other PALS-compatible straps known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although the receiver 110 is shown attached to a plate carrier 102, it should be understood that the receiver 110 can be secured to other tactical vests, such as a chest rig, that includes a PALS-compatible interface.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the attachment panel 112 comprises a substantially rectangular base member 152 with two opposing side edges (156, 158), a front surface 154, and a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending rails (160, 162) positioned on opposite sides of the front surface 154. Each longitudinally extending rail (160, 162) is positioned adjacent to a respective side edge (156 or 158), extends from the front surface 154 of the base member 152, and is configured to be slidably received within a corresponding groove 148 in the pocket 114 of the receiver 110. Each longitudinally extending rail (160, 162) includes a cutout 164 that is shaped and positioned to receive the detent 150 of the corresponding groove 148 (see FIG. 10). This detent mechanism may retain the attachment panel 112 in position within the pocket 114 of the receiver 110 until a release force sufficient to overcome the detent engagement is applied (e.g., between 10 and 20 pounds of force).

The attachment panel 112 further comprises a pair of spaced-apart stops (170, 172). Each stop is a protrusion extending laterally beyond a respective side edge (156 or 158) of the base member 152. When the attachment panel 112 is fully seated in the pocket 114 of the receiver 110, each stop (170, 172) rests against a ledge 174 (see FIG. 9) located on the back side of a respective alignment flange (134, 136), thereby effectively preventing further insertion.

The attachment panel 112 includes an array of apertures 166 extending through it. In this embodiment, the apertures 166 are elongate slots. The array of apertures 166 comprises a plurality of slots arranged in respective sub-arrays (168a, 168b). The slots 166 can be used in conjunction with one or more straps to secure a pouch 106 to the attachment panel 112 (see FIG. 1). Example straps include a length of VELCRO® brand ONE-WRAP® tape and other PALS-compatible straps known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although the attachment panel 112 is shown with one pouch 106 attached, it should be understood that other suitably configured articles, such as pouches, bags, and other equipment, can be secured to the attachment panel 112 using the array of apertures 166 and one or more suitable straps.

The receiver 110 and the attachment panel 112 of the attachment panel and receiver system 100 are fabricated from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a durable and flexible material. However, the receiver 110 and the attachment panel 112 may also be fabricated of another suitable material, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which exhibits similar properties.

The foregoing description of the invention is intended to be illustrative; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Those skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing description and associated drawings.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.