Hexagonal Aperture Mounting Panel for Rigid Rifle Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PALS compatible mounting systems are inadequate for securely attaching heavy equipment like rifles or shotguns, as they may not provide sufficient rigidity to prevent jostling, especially when used in off-road vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A modular mounting system featuring a rigid or semi-rigid panel with a hexagonal array of primary apertures and elongated secondary apertures, combined with a backing plate, indexing plate, and front mounting bracket, which provides a secure and rigid attachment point using carriage bolts and nuts, ensuring compatibility with PALS straps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PALS straps alone are used to secure equipment to the panel, then compatibility with MOLLE equipment is maintained, but heavy equipment such as rifles cannot be secured sufficiently to avoid jostling
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a rigid panel with aperture arrays, separate mounting brackets, and PALS straps. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function - the rigid panel provides structural support, the brackets enable rigid attachment points, and the PALS straps maintain compatibility with MOLLE equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Mounting brackets serve as intermediary elements between the rigid panel and the equipment being secured. These brackets translate the flexible PALS strap attachment into rigid structural support, mediating between the soft MOLLE system and heavy equipment requirements.
2Reliability
If a rigid mounting system is used to secure heavy equipment, then jostling is prevented, but compatibility with PALS straps is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The panel system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rigid mounting points for heavy equipment through the aperture and bracket system, while also maintaining PALS strap compatibility for attaching standard MOLLE pouches and gear. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between rigid security and PALS compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in multiple dimensional spaces: the rigid panel provides three-dimensional structural support for heavy equipment, while the two-dimensional PALS strap grid maintains compatibility with flat MOLLE pouches. This dimensional layering allows both rigid and flexible attachment methods to coexist.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular mounting system includes a panel with a hexagonal array of primary apertures each of which has at least three planes of symmetry. Each of the primary apertures is separated from an adjacent primary aperture by a secondary aperture comprising an elongated opening having a length that is greater than the width of a PALS strap. A mounting system comprising a backing plate, an optional separate indexing plate and a front mounting bracket can be assembled to the panel to provide a rigid attachment between the equipment and the panel.