GB2491624A

GB2491624A - Composite textiles with attachment means

Info

Publication number: GB2491624A
Application number: GB201109663A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Bateman
Original assignee: Solo Int Ltd
Current assignee: Solo Int Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-09
Filing date: 2011-06-09
Publication date: 2012-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-09
Also published as: GB2491624B; GB201109663D0

Abstract

A composite textile comprises a substantially planar sheet 11 of material having first (12a, figure 2) and second 12b surfaces, the material including a plurality of elongate apertures 13 provided therein extending through the material and arranged such that their major axes, being those axes in the elongate direction, are substantially parallel, the textile further comprising a plurality of webbing straps 17 affixed to the second surface, and wherein, in use, the elongate apertures receive attachment means (18, 19, figure 4) of a separate item, such that said item is held adjacent the first surface. Preferably, the webbing straps are arranged to lie substantially parallel to the major axes of the apertures. The textile may further comprise a plurality of reinforcement straps 20 affixed to the second surface and arranged to lie substantially orthogonal to the major axes of the apertures. Also disclosed is an article comprising the textile of the invention, said article preferably comprising apparel, and a method of producing the textile. The textile may be used to construct a vest or carrier (figure 6) for military use, suitable for holding armour plating.

Description

Composite textile with attachment means This invention relates to an improved composite textile, an article comprising a composite textile and a method of making a composite textile.

Background

Military apparel, for example armour-carrying vests, is often provided with means for attaching various sundry items of equipment, such as pouches, bottle-carriers etc. Currently, the most widely-used form of attachment involves stitching a plurality of fabric strips (webbing) to the fabric of the apparel, generally in a horizontal configuration in use, the stitching being along discrete vertical lines so as to form a number of loops in the strips. By providing engaging vertically-aligned coupling straps on the sundry equipment, the equipment can be releasably connected to the loops, and hence to the apparel. Such attachment is widely known as the Molle system. An example of this system is schematically shown in Fig. 1.

Here, a rectangle of generally planar fabric I is shown having, in this case, three Molle webbing straps 2 affixed onto the front face, i.e. the face which is worn externally in use. Each Molle strap 2 is elongate, with the straps running substantially parallel, and generally horizontally in use. Each strap 2 is affixed to the fabric 1 at regions 3, delimited by lines of stitching 4, regularly spaced along the length of the strap. Between each region 3, the strap forms a loop 5, which is able to receive complementary straps, between strap 2 and fabric 1, for affixing sundry items. Preferably, the items will be attached by "basket-weaving" their complementary straps through loops in a number of adjacent straps 2. It should be noted that in Fig. 1, the regions 3 have been enlarged for clarity -these regions may be significantly thinner, or even at the minimum simply comprise a single vertical line of stitching.

This form of attachment is successful in that virtually any item of sundry equipment may be attached to the apparel, as long as it is fitted with complementary coupling straps. Furthermore, the attachment is relatively robust, and yet may be released relatively quickly if required.

However, this form of attachment system has a major drawback, in that, since the Molle straps are attached to the external surface of the apparel fabric in use, the straps are highly visible, and obscure the apparel fabric below. Often, military apparel fabric is covered with a camouflage pattern (not shown in Fig. 1), and, even though the colour of the Molle straps may be chosen to blend in with the camouflage pattern as far as possible, or even have some form of camouflage patterning themselves, the presence of the straps can completely disrupt the main fabric pattern, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the camouflage. It is also noted that such camouflage patterns may be very expensive to design and produce.

Other forms of attachment have been proposed, for example those systems described in WO 2005/018355 Al and EP-A-l 772696. Both of these systems make use of fabric which includes a plurality of generally horizontal slots such that sundry equipment may be coupled thereto. Wa 2005/01 8355 requires a separate elongate clip in order to connect the equipment to the apparel, and is therefore less convenient than conventional Molle. To Applicant's knowledge, neither of these systems has been successfully employed in practice, and both systems appear to be too weak to permit heavy equipment to be attached and worn without issues such as distortion or breakage of the fabric.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome these problems. In addition, the present invention also provides a composite textile which is stronger than any of the known textiles described above.

This aim is achieved by providing apertures within the main material of the textile for receiving Molle-type attachment straps, and providing webbing on the interior surface of the material in use.

Other advantages also result, for example, due to the presence of apertures, the textile is more breathable and therefore cooler than traditional textile, and furthermore allows draining of water therethrough, so that apparel made from the textile may be worn in water (e.g. crossing a river) without risk of trapping water in the apparel.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term "Molle-type" is used throughout this specification to refer to Molle fixings and other generally equivalent fixings having elongate straps intended to be woven into orthogonal straps on the complementary item.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a composite textile comprising a substantially planar sheet of material having first and second surfaces, the material including a plurality of elongate apertures provided therein and extending through the material, for receiving in use attachment means of a separate item, such that when attached, the separate item is held adjacent the first surface, the elongate apertures arranged such that the major axes, being those axes in the elongate direction, of said apertures are substantially parallel; wherein the composite textile further comprises a plurality of webbing straps affixed to the second surface.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an article comprising said composite textile, having the first surface arranged on the outside of the article in use.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a composite textile, comprising the steps of: i) providing a substantially planar sheet of material having first and second surfaces, ii) cutting a plurality of elongate apertures into the material, the elongate apertures arranged such that the major axes, being those axes in the elongate direction, of said apertures are substantially parallel; and iii) affixing a plurality of webbing straps to the second surface.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows a known Molle-type attachment system; Fig. 2 schematically shows a front surface of a composite textile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 schematically shows a rear surface of the composite textile of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 schematically shows the rear surface of Fig. 3 with two sundry items attached; Fig. 5 schematically shows a rear surface of a composite textile in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 6 schematically shows an article of apparel constructed using the composite textile of the present invention.

A composite textile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in Fig. 2. For the sake of example, a rectangular sheet 11 of substantially planar material is shown with its front surface 1 2a, i.e. that surface which would be outermost on an article made using the textile, shown uppermost. The material of sheet 11 may comprise for example a layer of fabric, plastic-backed fabric or other substantially planar materials as is known in the art, preferably being flexible if for example the textile is to be used to construct apparel.

The sheet 11 includes a number of elongate apertures or slots 13 extending through the sheet 11, which are arranged into a number of groups 14a-14d. The major axes of the apertures 13, i.e. the direction of elongation, are substantially parallel. The major axes of each aperture 13 within a respective group 14a-d are substantially coincident, i.e. so that apertures of each group are arranged in a row. Furthermore, each group 14a-d is substantially equally spaced from the or each adjacent neighbouring group, noting that group 14b for example is adjacent to both groupsl4a and 14c, while group 14d is only adjacent to group 14c. It can also be seen that within each group, each aperture is substantially aligned (vertically as shown) with a corresponding aperture in the or each adjacent group, so as to form "columns" of apertures. Each aperture 13 is dimensioned so as to allow a Molle-type complementary strap to pass therethrough, i.e. the length of the slot is dimensioned to be slightly greater than the width of such a strap, so that such a strap may pass easily therethrough, and yet not be too loosely retained therein.

Fig. 2 also shows a number of lines of stitching iSa, 15b and 16 which extend substantially throughout the or each region of the textile which includes the apertures. Stitching lines iSa and 15b run substantially parallel to the major axes of the apertures 13, with each line 15a positioned slightly below (as shown) its nearest aperture group 14, and each line 15b positioned slightly above (as shown) its nearest aperture group 14. Stitching lines 16 extend substantially orthogonally to lines 15a, b, and are positioned between adjacent apertures 13 within each group 14. It can be seen that the lines 15a, b and 16 effectively surround each aperture 13, which helps to prevent uncontrolled ripping of the apertures during use.

Although not shown in Fig. 2, front surface 12a may be provided with a camouflage pattern. It is apparent that such a pattern would not be significantly disturbed by the apertures or stitching lines. This benefit is increased if the stitching uses thread of a complementary colour to the camouflage pattern.

Fig. 3 schematically shows the rear surface of the composite textile of Fig. 2.

The rectangular sheet 11 of substantially planar material is shown with its rear surface 12b, i.e. that surface which would be innermost on an article made using the textile, shown uppermost. With this view it can be seen that the lines of stitching 15a, 15b serve to affix a number, in this case three, of webbing straps 17 to the sheet 11, so that each strap 17 is affixed along its lateral edges by respective stitch lines I 5a and 1 5b. Stitch lines 6 also act to affix the straps 17 to the sheet 11. The webbing straps 17 are arranged to lie between groups 14a-d of apertures 13, such that the webbing straps 17 and the apertures 13 do not overlap in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet. Although not shown in Fig. 2, the ends of each strap 17 may be stitched to the sheet 11 to avoid loose projecting ends.

Fig. 4 schematically shows the rear surface of Fig. 3 with sundry items attached in two different ways. In use, a sundry item would be attached by feeding complementary Molle-type strap of the device (hereinafter called an "attachment strap") through an aperture 13 in the direction from the front surface 12a to the rear surface 12b. The attachment strap would then be folded over, and passed through another aperture 13 in the same vertical column as the first aperture in the direction from the rear surface I 2b to the front surface I 2a. The end of the attachment strap may then be affixed to the sundry item by an attachment means such as a popper as is known in the art. Preferably, the item's attachment strap would be "basket-woven" onto the textile, such that the strap passes through a first aperture 13 toward the rear surface 12b, then back through the next aperture in the column toward the front surface 12, then back through the next aperture in the column toward the rear surface 12b again, with this process repeated as necessary until the end of the item's strap is adjacent the front surface 12a and can be attached to the item. In Fig. 4, attachment strap 18 is basket-woven in this way. An alternative method for attaching the item, which is quicker but weaker, would be to feed the item's attachment strap through a first aperture toward the rear surface 12b, then feed it back toward the front surface 12a through a non-adjacent aperture 13 within the same column, and then attach itto the item. In Fig. 4, attachment strap 19 is shown attached in this way.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a rear side of a composite textile in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, in a view analogous to that of Fig. 3, and as far as possible like reference numerals have been retained. Here, instead of having a single line of stitching 16 running between adjacent apertures 13 of a group 14, an additional number, in this case five, of reinforcement webbing straps 20 are affixed to the second surface and arranged to lie substantially orthogonal to the major axes of said apertures, i.e. vertically as shown. Affixing of these straps is by lines of stitching 21 which run along the lateral edges of the reinforcement straps 20. The reinforcement straps 20 are arranged to lie between apertures 13 of each group 14, such that the reinforcement straps 20 and the apertures 13 do not overlap in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.

This second embodiment provides a composite textile of even greater strength than that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 schematically shows an article of apparel constructed using the composite textile according to either of the above-described embodiments. The apparel is shown as a vest or carrier 22, suitable for holding armour plating for example. For the purposes of explanation, the figure shows a plurality of apertures 13, although in real-life the apertures would likely be difficult to discern. The apertures are arranged into three distinct regions on the carrier 22, including a relatively large region on the front chest region 23a, and relatively small regions 23b, 23c on each sleeve. This is exemplary only, and regions of apertures may be provided wherever required.

A composite textile in accordance with the present invention may be constructed by: i) Providing a substantially planar sheet of material having first and second surfaces. Preferably the sheet would be provided into its required shape before the following steps are carried out.

ii) Forming a plurality of elongate apertures into the material, the elongate apertures arranged such that the major axes, being those axes in the elongate direction, of said apertures are substantially parallel. The apertures may be formed by cutting or stamping out regions of the material for example.

iii) Affixing a plurality of webbing straps to the second surface.

A camouflage pattern may be provided on the first surface, preferably before the apertures are cut.

The above-described embodiments are exemplary only, and other possibilities and alternatives within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in use, the textile could be arranged at 90 degrees to the examples shown in Figs. 2-5, such that the major axes of the apertures run approximately vertically. A further alternative is to include both vertically and horizontally aligned apertures, allowing additional flexibility of attachment.

The textile may be provided with a layer of lining material adjacent its rear surface, which substantially overlies the surface in use. This could for example comprise a breathable mesh material, which increases the comfort and I or insulation for a wearer. The lining material need not be camouflaged, but may advantageously be of a complementary colour to any camouflage pattern used on the front surface of the textile. The lining material may be attached to the sheet material in various ways, for example by stitching.

In the examples shown in Figs. 2 to 5, for simplicity a rectangular sample of sheet material has been shown. Of course, the sheet material may be of virtually any size or shape. Furthermore, a single sheet could include discrete regions of apertures and / or webbing straps. For example, when being used to construct a vest-type apparel, apertures and webbing may be provided proximate the wearer's chest and on the wearer's sleeves in use, while the other areas may be devoid of apertures I webbing.

The apertures may be shaped so as to be non-linear, for example shaped so S as to include enlarged regions at each end of the aperture. This may facilitate insertion of attachment straps, without adversely affecting the strength of the textile, or its camouflaging properties to a significant extent. In this case the apertures could be stamped out for example.

The edges of the apertures may be sealed to prevent fraying, depending on the nature of the sheet material used.

Although particularly described for use with apparel construction, the composite textile could be used for many other purposes, for example covering military tanks or other equipment.

Claims

Claims 1. A composite textile comprising a substantially planar sheet of material having first and second surfaces, the material including a plurality of elongate apertures S provided therein and extending through the material, for receiving in use attachment means of a separate item, such that when attached, the separate item is held adjacent the first surface, the elongate apertures arranged such that the major axes, being those axes in the elongate direction, of said apertures are substantially parallel; wherein the composite textile further comprises a plurality of webbing straps affixed to the second surface.
2. A composite textile according to claim 1, wherein the webbing straps are arranged to lie substantially parallel to the major axes of said apertures.
3. A composite textile according to either of claims 1 and 2, wherein the apertures are arranged in a plurality of groups, each group including a plurality of said elongate apertures, such that the major axes of the apertures of each group are substantially coincident.
4. A composite textile according to claim 3, wherein the webbing straps are arranged to lie between groups of apertures, such that the webbing straps and the apertures do not overlap in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.
5. A composite textile according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of reinforcement straps affixed to the second surface, said reinforcement straps being arranged to lie substantially orthogonal to the major axes of said apertures.
6. A composite textile according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the reinforcement straps are arranged to lie between two adjacent apertures within a group, such that the reinforcement straps and the apertures do not overlap in the direction orthogonal to the material.
7. A composite textile according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate apertures are dimensioned to allow a Molle-type strap to pass thereth rough.
8. A composite textile according to any preceding claim, wherein the first surface is provided with a camouflage pattern.
9. A composite textile according to any preceding claim, comprising a layer of lining material adjacent to the second surface.
10. A composite material according to claim 9, wherein the lining material comprises a mesh material.
11. An article comprising said composite textile, having the first surface arranged on the outside of the article in use.
12. An article according to claim 11, wherein the major axes of the elongate apertures are substantially horizontal during use.
13. An article according to either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the article comprises apparel.
14. A method of producing a composite textile, comprising the steps of: i) providing a substantially planar sheet of material having first and second surfaces, ii) cutting a plurality of elongate apertures into the material, the elongate apertures arranged such that the major axes, being those axes in the elongate direction, of said apertures are substantially parallel; and iii) affixing a plurality of webbing straps to the second surface.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein a camouflage pattern is provided on the first surface.
16. A composite textile substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
17. An article substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
18. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.