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.

1 . An apparatus for providing stabilization and support for an accessory, the accessory including non-invasive attachment devices, the accessory adapted to be attachable over a garment using the non-invasive attachment devices, the apparatus interfacing with the non-invasive attachment devices for providing the stabilization, the apparatus comprising:
 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; and   an attachment interface secured to the attachment panel,   wherein the attachment interface secures the accessory with respect to the article of apparel by providing a plurality of insertion points for the non-invasive attachment devices, the plurality of insertion points forming a plurality of position adjustments for the accessory, a load from the non-invasive attachment devices being transferred passively 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.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory includes a knee pad. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the non-invasive attachment devices include straps. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the non-invasive attachment device includes an upper strap and a lower strap, the upper strap being inserted through the one of the plurality of insertion points. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment panel includes a cloth panel onto which the plurality of insertion points are attached. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of insertion points includes a loop. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the load supporting portion of the article of apparel includes one of an inner leg seam and an outer leg seam and the position includes above the knee portion of the article of apparel. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the load supporting portion of the article of apparel includes a back portion of a pant leg and the position includes an above the knee portion of the article of apparel. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel includes an athletic garment. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel includes a workpant garment. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel includes a uniform lower garment. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the uniform lower garment includes a lower garment of one of: an Army Combat Uniform (ACU), an Airman Battle Uniform (ABU), a Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of insertion points includes a plurality of loops. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of loops includes a first set of loops having an odd number thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of loops includes a first set of loops having an odd number thereof and a second set of loops adjacent to the first set of loops having one of an odd number of loops thereof and an even number of loops thereof. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for fixing to an article of apparel, the apparatus providing stabilization and support for an accessory, the accessory including non-invasive attachment devices, the accessory adapted to be attachable over a garment using the non-invasive attachment devices, the apparatus interfacing with the non-invasive attachment devices for providing the stabilization, the apparatus comprising:
 an attachment panel that, when fixed to a load supporting portion of the article of apparel in a position that facilitates operation of the accessory, provides stabilization and support of the accessory; and   an attachment interface secured to the attachment panel, the attachment interface securing the accessory with respect to the article of apparel by providing a plurality of insertion points for the non-invasive attachment devices, the plurality of insertion points forming a plurality of position adjustments for the accessory, a load from the non-invasive attachment devices being transferred passively 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.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the accessory includes a knee pad. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the non-invasive attachment devices include straps. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the non-invasive attachment device includes an upper strap and a lower strap, the upper strap being inserted through the one of the plurality of insertion points. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the attachment panel includes a cloth panel onto which the plurality of insertion points are attached. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of insertion points includes a loop. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of insertion points includes a plurality of loops. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of loops includes a first set of loops and a second set of loops adjacent to the first set of loops the first and the second set of loops arranged side by side in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         24 . A method for providing stabilization and support for an accessory on an article of apparel, the accessory including non-invasive attachment devices, the accessory adapted to be attachable over a garment using the non-invasive attachment devices, the apparatus interfacing with the non-invasive attachment devices for providing the stabilization, the method comprising:
 fixing an attachment panel to a load supporting portion of the article of apparel in a position that facilitates operation of the accessory and provides stabilization and support of the accessory;   securing an attachment interface to the attachment panel, the attachment interface including a plurality of insertion points for the non-invasive attachment devices, the plurality of insertion points forming a plurality of position adjustments for the accessory; and   passively transferring a load from the non-invasive attachment devices to the article of apparel through one of the plurality of insertion points through which the non-invasive attachment device is inserted.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising inserting the non-invasive attachment device into one of the plurality of insertion points so as to establish a position adjustment for the accessory. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the non-invasive attachment device includes an upper strap and a lower strap, and wherein the inserting includes inserting the upper strap through the one of the plurality of insertion points so as to establish the position adjustment. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the accessory includes a knee pad. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the non-invasive attachment devices include straps. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of insertion points includes a plurality of loops.