US 2016/0095422 A1Published application

Connector Apparatus, System, and Method of Use

OwnerDouglas Ralphinventor

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Abstract

Provided in various example embodiments is a connector apparatus, system, and method of use comprising a reusable connector that when attached to gear may be used without tools to removably and adjustably attach the gear securely to a base unit such as belts having different widths or a MOLLE/PALS attaching system. Connectors may comprise disengageable uni-directional teeth on mating slide and engagement members. In various example embodiments each connector can simultaneously engage with multiple rows of straps in a MOLLE/PALS attaching system, the connectors can be used to mount gear alternatively either high or low, and multiple connectors can be used on a single piece of gear. A user can adjust the connection of gear while wearing the gear using certain example embodiments of the connector.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A reusable connector capable of repeatedly attaching and detaching gear tightly to belts or straps of different widths, without the use of tools, the connector comprising:

a slide member comprising an elongated first body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and having a width between a left side and a right side and having a thickness between a front side and a back side, with a protrusion extending from the second end of the front side, the protrusion defining a first support surface adapted to securely engage a first edge of a belt or strap, the slide member having first teeth extending outward from the front side;
an engagement member comprising a second body comprising a second support surface adapted to engage a second edge of the belt or strap, the engagement member further comprising one or more second teeth adapted to engage the first teeth, the engagement member slidably attached with the slide member and positioned so that the first and second teeth are engaged and so that the second support surface faces the first support surface;
a fastener adapted to fasten gear to the connector;
the first and second teeth configured to allow the engagement member to be translated toward the protrusion without the use of tools but not translated away from the protrusion when the first and second teeth are engaged;
the first end of the slide member adapted to be elastically deflected away from the engagement member sufficiently to disengage the first and second teeth, without the use of tools;
and
the engagement member adapted to be translated away from the protrusion without the use of tools when the first end of the slide member is elastically deflected away from the engagement member sufficiently to disengage the first and second teeth.

4 more elements

A method of repeatedly attaching and detaching gear tightly to belts or straps of different widths, without the use of tools, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing a reusable connector, the connector comprising:
a slide member comprising an elongated first body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and having a width between a left side and a right side and having a thickness between a front side and a back side, with a protrusion extending from the second end of the front side, the protrusion defining a first support surface adapted to securely engage a first edge of a belt or strap, the slide member having first teeth extending outward from the front side;
an engagement member comprising a second body comprising a second support surface adapted to engage a second edge of the belt or strap, the engagement member further comprising one or more second teeth adapted to engage the first teeth, the engagement member slidably attached with the slide member and positioned so that the first and second teeth are engaged and so that the second support surface faces the first support surface;
a fastener adapted to fasten gear to the connector;
the first and second teeth configured to allow the engagement member to be translated toward the protrusion without the use of tools but not translated away from the protrusion when the first and second teeth are engaged;
the first end of the slide member adapted to be elastically deflected away from the engagement member sufficiently to disengage the first and second teeth, without the use of tools;
and
the engagement member adapted to be translated away from the protrusion without the use of tools when the first end of the slide member is elastically deflected away from the engagement member sufficiently to disengage the first and second teeth;
(B) providing a belt or strap having a width between an upper surface and a lower surface;
(C) positioning the belt or strap so that its upper surface is adjacent and securely engaged by the first support surface of the slide member;
(D) positioning the belt or strap adjacent the front surface of the slide the slide member;
and
(E) translating the engagement member relative to the slide member toward the second end of the slide member until the second support surface of the engagement member contacts the lower surface of the belt or strap;
(F) all of the foregoing steps being accomplished without the use of tools.

11 more elements

A method of repeatedly attaching and detaching gear securely to a base comprising regularly spaced-apart rows of straps that are attached to the base at periodic intervals along the straps, without the use of tools, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing a reusable connector, the connector comprising:
a slide member comprising an elongated first body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and having a width between a left side and a right side and having a thickness between a front side and a back side, with a protrusion extending from the second end of the front side, the protrusion defining a first support surface adapted to securely engage a first edge of a belt or strap, the slide member having first teeth extending outward from the front side;
an engagement member comprising a second body comprising a second support surface adapted to engage a second edge of the belt or strap, the engagement member further comprising one or more second teeth adapted to engage the first teeth, the engagement member slidably attached with the slide member and positioned so that the first and second teeth are engaged and so that the second support surface faces the first support surface;
a fastener adapted to fasten gear to the connector;
the first and second teeth configured to allow the engagement member to be translated toward the protrusion without the use of tools but not translated away from the protrusion when the first and second teeth are engaged;
the first end of the slide member adapted to be elastically deflected away from the engagement member sufficiently to disengage the first and second teeth, without the use of tools;
and
the engagement member adapted to be translated away from the protrusion without the use of tools when the first end of the slide member is elastically deflected away from the engagement member sufficiently to disengage the first and second teeth;
(B) providing a base comprising regularly spaced-apart rows of straps that are attached to the base at periodic intervals along the straps, each strap having a width between an upper surface and a lower surface;
(C) inserting the second end of the slide under a first one of the straps;
(D) positioning the first strap so that its lower surface is adjacent the second support surface of the engagement member;
(E) positioning the first strap adjacent the front surface of the slide the slide member;
and
(F) translating the slide member relative to the engagement member so that the first support surface of the slide member moves toward the engagement member until the first support surface contacts and securely engages the upper surface of the first strap, while simultaneously guiding the first end of the slide member under a second one of the straps as the slide member translates longitudinally past the engagement member;
(G) all of the foregoing steps being accomplished without the use of tools.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.