EP0826593A2 - Universal accessory support system - Google Patents
Universal accessory support system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0826593A2 EP0826593A2 EP97250253A EP97250253A EP0826593A2 EP 0826593 A2 EP0826593 A2 EP 0826593A2 EP 97250253 A EP97250253 A EP 97250253A EP 97250253 A EP97250253 A EP 97250253A EP 0826593 A2 EP0826593 A2 EP 0826593A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- accessory
- clip
- support
- panel
- engagement
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/0012—Professional or protective garments with pockets for particular uses, e.g. game pockets or with holding means for tools or the like
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
- B63C11/04—Resilient suits
- B63C11/08—Control of air pressure within suit, e.g. for controlling buoyancy ; Buoyancy compensator vests, or the like
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to an accessory attachment system such as for underwater use during snorkeling or SCUBA diving or for use on a backpack or other sportswear. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved attachment system comprised of two main components, a support panel, which is fastened to a garment, such as a buoyancy compensation device (BCD), and accessory clips, which are removably securable to the support panel and serve to attach tools or accessories to the garment.
- BCD buoyancy compensation device
- accessory clips secure accessories to the garment under normal force and may release under extraordinary force yet can be removed easily using the proper hand pressure.
- Rings of a type generally referred to as D-ring are perhaps the most commonly used device for attaching accessories to BCD's and backpacks. Several such rings are often permanently supported on the garment via stitched webbing panels and the like. Accessories can then be clipped, strapped or tied to the rings.
- an arrangement described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,815 incorporates D-rings into a SCUBA air tank cover, and another system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,084, incorporates auxiliary rings into a SCUBA backpack system.
- Hook and loop fasteners much like rings, have also been used to attach accessories to BCD's. One portion of the hook and loop system is typically attached directly to the garment and provides attachment sites for various accessories.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,815 describes such fasteners as accessory attachments on a SCUBA air tank cover.
- Pockets are also commonly used to carry accessories on BCD's and other sport garments.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,334 describes pockets which are reconfigurable, using hook and loop fasteners, on the face of a BCD, both for usability and aesthetic value.
- Pockets when compared with devices which do not enclose the accessory, often suffer the distinct disadvantage of not being of the proper size and shape for the needed accessory.
- a particular form of such a pocket is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,266.
- the purpose of the pocket or cavity, incorporated into the BCD is to enable a diver to carry all of his equipment by one handle attached to the BCD when the diver is out of the water.
- Quick release buckles which are often used to mate one end of a strap with another, were suggested as candidates for attaching accessories to a SCUBA air tank cover described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,815.
- the disadvantages of the aforementioned devices for attaching accessories to a BCD or backpack include inconvenient location of the attachment sites for both reach and vision, inflexibility in configuring the attachment location to the user's needs, and inflexibility in the number of attachment sites.
- the invention provides an innovative universal clip panel and clip system for attaching various articles to such sports or utility garments.
- the clip panel is fastened to a BCD or other sports or utility garment by an appropriate means such as stitching, welding or the like.
- the clip panel which provides the support for the clips, can be located, by the original garment manufacturer or by retrofitting, anywhere on the garment deemed most convenient for reach and vision.
- the clips may be manufactured in various configurations which can be used to attach a wide variety of accessories such as knives, flashlights, gage console retainers, gage console retraction systems, D-rings, snap clips, emergency air bottles or any other portable accessory or tool.
- the clips can also be placed in numerous configurations on the clip panel dependent on the user's desires.
- the clip system also provides numerous attachment sites limited only by the size of the clip panel and the number of clips available.
- the universal clip panel provides particular convenience and flexibility for the user by allowing a multitude of configurations for the positioning of a user's accessories.
- the clip panel system also offers considerable ease of use by providing engagement and disengagement of the clip locking system by using simple hand pressure while providing security against accidental removal of the accessories.
- FIG. 1 a universal accessory attachment system is shown supported on the pocket of a buoyancy compensation device (BCD) vest 2 .
- BCD buoyancy compensation device
- the system including an accessory holder 4 is illustrated holding a dive knife or like accessory.
- the accessory holder 4 is attached to clips 8 as shown in FIG. 2, which are removably retained on a support panel 6 attached to the garment 2 as shown in FIG. 1.
- the clip and panel assembly includes clips 8 , having a generally trapezoidal cross-section, open along its base engageable with and disengageable from the support panel 6 .
- Each clip includes 8 clip hooks 10 having rounded lower edges, as best shown in FIG. 5, which enter into and protrude through slots 12 in support panel 6 and engage with an abutment surface 14 on the underside of support panel 6 . Rounded lower edges of hooks 10 facilitate snapping engagement of clips 8 in slots 12 .
- clip hooks 10 curl outwardly from the sides of clips 8 such that, when engaged, they bear against abutment surface 14 as shown in FIG. 5.
- Abutment surface 14 preferably includes a relatively small ridge profiled to interlock with the open section of a clip hook 10 when engaged.
- clips 8 is not limited to the trapezoidal sectional shape as shown in the FIGURES, but may be configured in a variety of geometries to interface with a variety of accessory holders.
- clip hooks 10 and interlocking abutment surface 14 are not limited to the geometries shown in the FIGURES, but may be reconfigured in shape or size to provide engagement or disengagement more or less easily depending on the intended use.
- support panel 6 preferably has a plurality of slots 12 layed out in parallel rows.
- support panel 6 has at least two parallel rows of slots 12 , each including a series of parallel, generally rectangular slots 12 .
- three or more rows of slots, or slots in various other layout patterns may be provided on panel 6 .
- Clips 8 are engaged and disengaged by using simple hand pressure to deform clips 8 . When an engaged clip 8 is deformed under hand pressure, by pressing the two sides of clip 8 toward one another, clip hooks 10 disengage from abutment surface 14 and can be pulled through slots 12 .
- Clips 8 and support panel 6 are preferably constructed of synthetic molded polymer or any other suitable material.
- the choice of material is generally dependent on the desired appearance, the holding force anticipated for the clips, the ease of deforming the clips for disengagement, the wear life for the system, and the intended use for the clip panel assembly.
- the support panel 6 may be permanently or releasably attached to a sports or utility garment such as the BCD vest 2 shown in FIG. 1.
- the attachment may be accomplished using any of a variety of suitable methods, including but not limited to, adhesives, stitching, sonic welding, rivets, and hook and loop fasteners.
- accessory holders 4 such as a knife sheath as shown, may be attached to support panel 6 the intermediary of clips 8 .
- the accessory holder 4 engages the top surface or intermediate sections of the clips 8 spanning between the sides thereof by any of a number of methods including but not limited to a C-shaped cavity, the sides of which surround the top surface of the clip 8 to maintain accessory holder 4 engaged on two clips 8 , as shown in FIG. 6.
- Accessory holder 4 may assume a variety of configurations to hold various accessories depending upon the size, shape and type of accessory being supported.
Abstract
Description
Claims (11)
- An accessory support assembly comprising:a substantially planar semi-rigid support panel, the support panel having a plurality of parallel rows of slots extending therethrough and an abutment surface on an underside thereof; anda semi-rigid accessory clip, deformable under hand pressure for selective engagement with and removal from the panel, the clip having a support portion for receiving and supporting an accessory and at least two opposing engagement members extending from the support portion configured to enter into the slots of the clip panel and to contact the abutment surface of the clip panel when engaged thereon.
- The accessory support assembly of claim 1, wherein the support panel is supported and retained on a sports or utility garment.
- The accessory support assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip includes first and second side members terminating in the engagement members, a top member extending between the side members and an open bottom region.
- The accessory support assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement members of the clip extend outwardly in mutually opposed directions with respect to one another.
- The accessory support assembly of claim 1, wherein the support panel is releasably attached to a garment.
- An accessory support assembly comprising:a semi-rigid support panel having a support portion extending substantially in a plane, the support panel having a plurality of slots extending through the support portion and an engagement surface on an underside thereof; anda plurality of semi-rigid accessory clips selectively engageable on and removable from the support panel, each clip having a support portion configured to accept, receive and support an accessory and at least one pair of engagement members configured to enter into the slots and to contact the engagement surface of the support panel when engaged.
- The accessory support assembly of claim 6, wherein the clips are deformable under hand pressure to the engagement members with respect to one another.
- The accessory support assembly of claim 6, wherein each accessory clip includes a pair of side members and a central portion coupled to and extending between the side members, each side member terminating in an engagement member.
- The accessory support assembly of claim 6, wherein the slots are arranged in at least two parallel rows.
- The accessory support assembly of claim 6, wherein the support portion is surrounded by a raised peripheral flange, the peripheral range forming a central cavity beneath the engagement surface.
- A buoyancy compensation device comprising:a vest supporting an inflatable bladder;an accessory suport panel supported on the vest, the accessory support panel having a substantially planar support section, at least two rows of apertures and extending through the support section and an abutment surface on an underside of the support section; andsemi-rigid accessory clips deformable under hand pressure for engagement with and disengagement from the support panel, each clip having a pair of side members and a top member partially surrounding an opening for receiving an accessory, and a pair of clip portions extending from the side members for contacting the abutment surface and thereby to retain the clip on the support panel.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US70631496A | 1996-08-30 | 1996-08-30 | |
US706314 | 1996-08-30 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0826593A2 true EP0826593A2 (en) | 1998-03-04 |
EP0826593A3 EP0826593A3 (en) | 1999-11-17 |
Family
ID=24837045
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97250253A Withdrawn EP0826593A3 (en) | 1996-08-30 | 1997-08-29 | Universal accessory support system |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0826593A3 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10333843A1 (en) * | 2003-07-24 | 2005-02-24 | Pape, Thomas, Dr. | Belt for divers has belt strap in belt guide of skirt part, mainly at upper edge of skirt part |
EP1654942A2 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2006-05-10 | Safari Land Ltd., Inc. | Vest and pocket fastening system |
US9663255B2 (en) | 2008-11-25 | 2017-05-30 | Irvin W. Ritola | Hinged strap-binder |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3964266A (en) | 1975-07-21 | 1976-06-22 | Bartlett Ronald D | Buoyancy compensating back pack assembly |
US5011334A (en) | 1989-06-22 | 1991-04-30 | Soniform, Inc. | Buoyancy compensator with interchangeable accessories |
US5267815A (en) | 1991-11-19 | 1993-12-07 | Irving Feder | Combination protective cover and dive gear stowage and retrieval system for scuba air tanks |
US5378084A (en) | 1991-11-18 | 1995-01-03 | Walters; William D. | Backpack systems |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3105359A (en) * | 1959-12-09 | 1963-10-01 | Clifford J Ellis | Vest |
US3282482A (en) * | 1965-06-01 | 1966-11-01 | John A Scharsu | Harness for holding a fishing rod or the like |
AU5063685A (en) * | 1984-10-24 | 1986-05-15 | Courtney William Lee | Diver scuba gear |
CA1257461A (en) * | 1984-12-03 | 1989-07-18 | Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Of Her Majesty's Canadian Government | Personal webbing |
US5027992A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1991-07-02 | Murray Iii Edward F | Connector headgear |
GB2249468A (en) * | 1990-09-19 | 1992-05-13 | Dowty Armourshield Ltd | Device for hanging objects on clothes |
GB2264039B (en) * | 1992-02-13 | 1996-04-24 | Dowty Armourshield Ltd | Suspension devices for supporting objects on a garment or the like,vehicle or building |
US5361412A (en) * | 1993-04-19 | 1994-11-08 | Perry Betty J | Emergency preparedness vest apparatus |
FR2721179A1 (en) * | 1994-06-17 | 1995-12-22 | Poulain Jean Claude | Garment with detachable pockets |
-
1997
- 1997-08-29 EP EP97250253A patent/EP0826593A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3964266A (en) | 1975-07-21 | 1976-06-22 | Bartlett Ronald D | Buoyancy compensating back pack assembly |
US5011334A (en) | 1989-06-22 | 1991-04-30 | Soniform, Inc. | Buoyancy compensator with interchangeable accessories |
US5378084A (en) | 1991-11-18 | 1995-01-03 | Walters; William D. | Backpack systems |
US5267815A (en) | 1991-11-19 | 1993-12-07 | Irving Feder | Combination protective cover and dive gear stowage and retrieval system for scuba air tanks |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10333843A1 (en) * | 2003-07-24 | 2005-02-24 | Pape, Thomas, Dr. | Belt for divers has belt strap in belt guide of skirt part, mainly at upper edge of skirt part |
DE10333843B4 (en) * | 2003-07-24 | 2008-11-20 | Pape, Thomas, Dr. | Tauchergurt |
EP1654942A2 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2006-05-10 | Safari Land Ltd., Inc. | Vest and pocket fastening system |
EP1654942A3 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2008-05-28 | Safari Land Ltd., Inc. | Vest and pocket fastening system |
US9663255B2 (en) | 2008-11-25 | 2017-05-30 | Irvin W. Ritola | Hinged strap-binder |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0826593A3 (en) | 1999-11-17 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5240156A (en) | Modular component system | |
US5346419A (en) | Buoyancy compensator device with backpack and adjustable harness | |
US6267276B1 (en) | Strap-supported fishing pouch with rod carrier | |
US4461411A (en) | Camera carrying harnesses | |
US4907729A (en) | System for carrying articles | |
US7080430B2 (en) | Quick-mount interlocking attaching system | |
US9687066B2 (en) | Backpack jacket | |
US20030173391A1 (en) | Carrier for battery powered tools | |
US8032951B1 (en) | Detachable pocket system | |
US20070152007A1 (en) | Modular Pack System | |
US7387225B2 (en) | Garment attachable elastomeric lanyard | |
US5046894A (en) | Buoyancy compensator with interchangeable backpack and commerbund | |
EP0853037A2 (en) | Equipment support garment for divers | |
US4537339A (en) | Umbrella support | |
US4973277A (en) | Safety belt harness system | |
US11432639B2 (en) | Versatile sling system, apparatus and hub | |
US20190104809A1 (en) | Modular locking connectors for portable harness systems, methods and devices | |
US5201447A (en) | Quick release holster | |
US10232918B2 (en) | Board carrier | |
CA2503084A1 (en) | Personal flotation device | |
US6729520B2 (en) | Mechanics tool chest organizer | |
EP0826593A2 (en) | Universal accessory support system | |
US20030052144A1 (en) | Body-worn harness for lifting and carrying objects | |
WO2010111170A2 (en) | Adjustable position bottle holster | |
US6755594B1 (en) | Diving harness system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;RO;SI |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Free format text: 6B 63C 11/02 A, 6A 45F 5/02 B, 6A 45F 3/04 B, 6B 63C 11/08 B, 6A 41D 13/00 -, 6F 16B 13/00 - |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;RO;SI |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid | ||
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20000301 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8566 |