Attachable tow handle pocket for garment

Abstract

A load-bearing garment, such as a vest, is provided having stretchable web platform on an outside surface, such as between front and back panels of the vest. The stretchable web platform includes stretchable bands that extend horizontally, and vertical webbing extending between multiple horizontal bands. Additional embodiments are directed to a mounting system in a plate carrier for a plate. Still further embodiments are directed to a handle and strap system for a vest or other garment that permits a quick rescue of a person wearing the vest.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly comprising:
 a pouch having a MOLLE-compatible support structure attached thereto configured for releasably attaching the pouch to a load bearing garment, the pouch comprising a sleeve;   a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end anchored to the pouch; and   a handle at the second end of the strap;   wherein the strap and the handle are configurable between (1) a storage configuration in which the strap is at least mostly received in the sleeve and the handle is positioned adjacent to the pouch, and (2) a deployed configuration in which the handle is positioned away from the pouch and the strap is at least mostly pulled out of the sleeve, so that a rescuer can grasp the handle when the handle and the strap are the storage configuration, pull the handle so that the strap and handle move into the deployed configuration, continue to pull the handle until the strap is tensioned, and pull the handle to drag, via the tensioned strap, a wearer of the load bearing garment when the pouch is releasably attached to the load bearing garment via the MOLLE-compatible support structure.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the strap further comprises:
 a reinforced section proximal to the handle; and   a flexible section distal to the handle, wherein the reinforced section is configured to slide through an opening of the sleeve to move the flexible section into the sleeve and change the strap from the deployed configuration to the storage configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the handle comprises a loop and an internal set of hook and loop fasteners arranged on an inside of the loop so as to maintain the loop in a collapsed state when the internal set of hook and loop fasteners are engaged with one another. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an external set of hook and loop fasteners, a first part of the external set positioned on the pouch, a mating second part of the external set positioned on the handle and configured to engage the first part of the external so that the handle is secured to the pouch in the storage configuration.   
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the MOLLE-compatible support structure comprises a first MOLLE-compatible support structure attached to a first side of the pouch, the assembly further comprising a second MOLLE-compatible support structure attached to a second side of said pouch opposite the first side. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an attachment member comprising (i) a semi-rigid section of webbing configured to weave through features of the MOLLE-compatible support structure of the pouch and features of the load bearing garment so as to releasably attach the pouch to the load bearing garment, and (ii) a first snap component at an end of the attachment member;   a plastic rectangular ring positioned at a first end of the pouch and configured for aligning the attachment member for passage through at least the features of the MOLLE-compatible support structure of the pouch; and   a tab attached at a second end of the pouch, the flap comprising a second snap component configured to releasably engage the first snap component on the attachment member.   
     
     
         7 . An assembly comprising:
 a pouch having a support structure attached thereto configured for releasably attaching the pouch to a load bearing garment;   a handle deployable from the pouch;   a strap connecting the handle to the pouch; the strap configurable between (1) a storage configuration in which the strap is stowed relative to the pouch, and (2) a deployed configuration in which the strap is extended from the pouch so that a rescuer can pull the handle to drag a wearer of the load bearing garment when the pouch is releasably attached to the load bearing garment via the support structure.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the handle comprises a loop. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the handle comprises a set of internal closures arranged on an inside of the loop so as to maintain the loop in a collapsed state when the internal closures are engaged with one another. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first set of closures on the pouch; and   a second set of closures on the handle, the second set of closures configured to engage the first set of closures so that the handle is secured to the pouch in the storage configuration.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the MOLLE-compatible support structure is attached to a first side of the pouch, the assembly further comprising a second MOLLE-compatible support structure attached to a second side of said pouch opposite the first side. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an attachment member configured to weave through features of the MOLLE-compatible support structure of the pouch and features of the load bearing garment so as to releasably attach the pouch to the load bearing garment.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a guide attached to the pouch and configured for aligning the attachment member for passage through at least the features of the MOLLE-compatible support structure of the pouch.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a tab attached to the pouch and comprising a first fixture configured to engage a second fixture on the attachment member.   
     
     
         15 . An assembly comprising:
 a front panel;   a liner panel to which the front panel is attached;   a rear panel;   a strap webbing attached between the liner panel and the rear panel;   a handle webbing attached to the strap webbing;   a MOLLE-compatible support structure attached to the rear panel and configured for releasably attachment to a load bearing garment; and   a sleeve formed between the front panel and the liner panel, at least a portion of the strap webbing stowable in the sleeve and removable from the sleeve so that a rescuer can pull the handle to drag a wearer of the load bearing garment when the MOLLE-compatible support structure is releasably attached to the load bearing garment.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising stitching through the liner panel, the strap webbing, and the rear panel, wherein the strap webbing is attached between the liner panel and the rear panel by the stitching. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the strap webbing further comprises a reinforced section formed by a first section of the strap webbing being folded over and attached to a second section of the strap webbing. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the handle webbing is positioned between the first section of the strap webbing and the second section of the strap webbing. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the reinforced section further comprises a support board positioned between the first section of the strap webbing and the second section of the strap webbing. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the MOLLE-compatible support structure comprises a first MOLLE-compatible support structure attached to the rear panel, the assembly further comprising a second MOLLE-compatible support structure attached to the front panel.