Loop based stabilization and support for protective accessory

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for stabilization and support of an accessory such as a kneepad. The accessory includes non-invasive attachment devices such as straps. The apparatus includes an article of apparel, an attachment panel secured to a load supporting portion of the article of apparel in a position that facilitates operation of the accessory. An attachment interface that includes a plurality of insertion points can be secured to the attachment panel. The attachment interface secures the accessory with respect to the article of apparel. The plurality of insertion points form a plurality of position adjustments for the accessory. A load from the non-invasive attachment devices can be passively transferred to the article of apparel through one of the plurality of insertion points through which the non-invasive attachment device is inserted, the attachment interface and the attachment panel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure is related to apparel and, more specifically, to support structures including a loop or plural loop structures and the like for securing accessories such as kneepads to a garment, such as a military uniform, police uniform, work garment, or the like.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Protective kneepads are widely available and are used not only by workpersons to protect the knees during work requiring contact between the knee and objects or the ground, such as carpet laying, flooring working, and the like, but are often used by military and law enforcement personnel who may be operating in a prone position such as infantry, sniper, SWAT units and the like, or by anyone who expects that they may come into contact with hard objects at some point. It will be appreciated that knee pads are available in a variety of shapes and configurations including protection afforded to, for example, portions of the shin or portions of the leg above a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes an apparatus and method for attaching an accessory, such as a bracket for holding a camera, to a garment using non-invasive attachment devices. The apparatus includes an attachment panel that is placed on the garment to stabilize and support the accessory, with a plurality of insertion points for the attachment devices. The attachment panel is fixed to the garment in a way that allows the accessory to be attached at different positions. The method involves using the non-invasive attachment devices to transfer the load of the accessory to the garment through one of the insertion points. The technical effects of this invention include providing stabilization and support for the accessory while also allowing for flexibility in positioning the accessory on the garment.

Problems solved by technology

In other words, the attachment devices generally do not penetrate the underlying fabric with devices such as pins, buttons, or the like since the underlying fabric may be associated with a garment, such as a uniform garment, where marring with pins and the like would be undesirable and where rapid removal may be necessary or desirable.

However, disadvantages are still present.

However, disadvantages can arise in that the tighter the straps are secured around the knee, the higher likelihood that the straps will cause constriction and discomfort in the wearer.

Further, it can be appreciated that if the straps become loose, which is common during vigorous working of the leg and knee, the kneepads can slip down such that they are positioned improperly, cannot perform the protective function, and become ineffective.

In a worst case scenario, kneepads that slip out of place can become trip hazards or the like and can become a liability for the wearer.

Pads that are ineffectively positioned, for example, below or to the side of the proper location at the knee area, can lead to a failure of support for one or both knees and an increase in the chance for discomfort or injury.

Still further, the wearer must re-adjust the kneepads more often leading to inconvenience and distraction, which can have devastating consequences in a high stakes environment such as a military, law enforcement, or engineering operation.

In some approaches to providing a kneepad system that does not slip, elaborate systems of snaps, fixtures and pockets have been developed, none of which provides a completely suitable solution.

For example, snaps can be complicated, can come undone, can create a pressure point when kneeled upon, and the like.

Other fixtures can be complicated and can provide for tensions in the underlying clothing that can affect the look and wearability of the clothing, can pull out the retaining structures, or the like.

Pockets are generally unsuitable since, in order to prevent binding of the protector, the pocket must be sufficiently large.

It will be appreciated that since the loops of '871 are stitched horizontally, there is a relatively large pulling force exerted which can lead prematurely to failure of the loop or the fabric of the garment, or the stitching of the loop and / or garment; and can lead to a misshaping or other distortion of the garment.

Disadvantages with the system are the concentration of downward pulling forces on a single point at the tack button and the use of a non-standard three strap configuration.

One obvious disadvantage of Dumont's approach is that a hook and loop system has limits on the degree of stress that they can withstand before releasing.

Further, over time, the hook fastener strips that can be, for example, sewn into the knee area of the pants will inevitably be worn out by laundering and will lose effectiveness.

It will be appreciated that the solutions in the above identified documents are disadvantageous in that the knee padding or cushioning pads are inserted into pockets sewn inside the leg of the pants across the knees area.

Repeated contact between the material and the kneeling surface would eventually cause the disintegration of the clothing material across the knees area, particularly if the material in the area of the pants or apparel coming into contact with the work surface was not reinforced.

It will be appreciated that, disadvantageously, the plates utilized for fastening the kneepads to the pants may not be durable enough to withstand constant laundering.

Metal plates may be prone to rusting or crushing; plastic plates may be easily cracked.

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