FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system. More specifically, the present disclosure discloses a method of creating hard-shell MOLLE system that can be applied on anything that employs MOLLE system such as military backpacks, vests and quad vehicles. The present disclosure further discloses an exemplary backpack that employs the disclosed hard-shell MOLLE system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system refers to the current generation of load-bearing equipment and backpacks used by a number of NATO armed forces including the United States Army. As shown byFIG. 1, conventional MOLLE systems employ Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) webbing2as rows of heavy-duty nylon stitched onto the military backpacks, bags, vests and similar sewn products to allow for the attachment of various compatible pouches and accessories such as various sizes of magazines, knives, water bottle etc. This method of attachment has become a de facto standard for modular tactical gear.

The present disclosure discloses an improved MOLLE system using hard-shells and a method of making thereof, which not only increases the durability of the MOLLE system, but also allows the MOLLE system to be used on hard objects such as thermoformed/molded backpacks, bags, vehicle panels, containers etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved MOLLE system that allows the MOLLE system to be applied on hard objects and a method of making thereof. Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved MOPLLE system that has a better durability and has the capability to load and carry more accessory and equipment.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of employing MOLLE system on a surface of a hard object is disclosed. The method comprises: 1) creating a plurality of depressed channels on a surface of a hard object in parallel to create a plurality of vertical canals, wherein distance between each vertical canal and its adjacent vertical canal is same; 2) placing a plurality of cross members made of a hard material across the plurality of vertical canals in parallel, wherein the plurality of cross members is perpendicular to the plurality of vertical canals, forming a grid; and 3) fixing the plurality of cross members to the surface of the hard object with screws or rivets.

In other words, the present disclosure works by creating depressed channels in the molded material when formed that establish vertical canals for the users' fingers to pass and for the pouch mounting-straps, or other hardware to pass. The second part of the disclosed system is to have cross members to pass over them at 90 degrees forming the traditional grid pattern. The cross members may be rigid such as polymer sheets, molded plastic parts, or webbing. They can be fixed with hardware such as screws/rivets or sewn. If made of plastics, the cross members have the added utility of being able to have perforations making them capable of accepting screws and attaching items like lights, knife sheaths and camera equipment like action cameras. This would not be possible in the traditional webbing because putting holes in the nylon webbing would damage it, and there is no way to access the back since they are on a flat fabric surface without the channels in the back. The molded mounting surface may further comprise molded depressions that guide the placement of the cross-members and prevent their lateral movement. This makes assembly easier for the worker and necessitates only 3rd dimension staking at the rivet/sewing points.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

