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(11) | EP 0 826 593 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Universal accessory support system |
| (57) A clip and panel assembly for carrying various accessories or tools is described
herein. The clip panel system can be attached to a buoyancy compensation device (2)
used in SCUBA diving or to other sports or utility garments. Semi-rigid plastic clips
(8) are engaged with a semi-rigid plastic support panel (6) to hold a variety of tools
or accessories. The support panel (6) is affixed to the garment. The clips (8) have
clip hooks which fit through slots on the support panel (6) and engage an abutment
surface on the underside of the support panel. The clips are engaged and disengaged
from the panel by applying simple hand pressure to slightly deform the clips. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 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. The 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.
[0002] The problem of carrying and securing tools or accessories, such as for SCUBA diving, while keeping the hands free has been approached in several different ways. In particular, a number of attachment systems have been proposed for attachment of accessories to BCD vests often worn by SCUBA divers, backpacks, and other sports and utility garments. Most known systems are generally incorporated directly into the vest or garment. Categories of such attachment systems include rings, hook and loop fastener systems, loops, pockets, quick release buckles, and various combinations thereof.
[0003] 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. For example, 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. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,815 describes such fasteners as accessory attachments on a SCUBA air tank cover.
[0004] Pockets are also commonly used to carry accessories on BCD's and other sport garments. For example, 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. In that device, 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.
[0005] 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Thus, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, it is an object of the invention to overcome certain limitations of the heretofore known means by which to attach accessories to a BCD, backpack or similar sports or utility garment. 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.
[0007] Removal of the clips from the clip panel is accomplished by squeezing, using finger pressure, the upper and lower portions of the clip so that each of the clip's locking sites disengages from the clip panel and can then be pulled up through clip panel slots. Locking hooks on the clips prevent the clips from being removed when pulled on under a normal amount of force during use. 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a front view of a BCD vest showing a clip panel assembly attached to the vest and having an accessory holder with an accessory clipped to the clip panel;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the clip panel assembly of FIGURE 1 showing the clip panel with a clip engaged to the clip panel and another clip and tool holder disengaged from the clip panel;
FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the clip panel assembly of FIGURE 2 with one clip engaged to the clip panel;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary clip of the type used with the panel of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the clip panel assembly through line 5-5 of FIGURE 3 showing a clip panel with one clip engaged with the clip panel and an accessory holder engaged with the clip; and
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the tool holder engagement area along line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 showing in greater detail one engagement mechanism for the tool holder engaged with a clip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Referring now to the drawings, and turning first to FIG. 1, a universal accessory attachment system is shown supported on the pocket of a buoyancy compensation device (BCD) vest 2. 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.
[0010] In particular, 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. In the preferred embodiment shown, 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. It should be noted that the shape of 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. Likewise, 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.
[0011] As best shown in FIG. 3 support panel 6 preferably has a plurality of slots 12 layed out in parallel rows. In the preferred embodiment shown, support panel 6 has at least two parallel rows of slots 12, each including a series of parallel, generally rectangular slots 12. Alternatively, 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.
[0012] Various 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.
[0013] It is understood that, while the detailed drawings, specific examples, and particular components describe preferred embodiments of the present invention, they serve the purpose of illustration only. The apparatus of the invention is not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Further, although particular shapes and proportions have been shown, various other shapes, geometries and proportions could be utilized for the various components of the clip and panel assembly. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
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; and
a 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.
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; and
a 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.
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; and
semi-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.