Tool holder compatible with molle/pals attachment systems

Abstract

A tool holder compatible with MOLLE/PALS webbing systems has a holder body defining a tool compartment with a holder opening, a back surface extending along a holder longitudinal axis, a bottom surface, and a front surface. A strap has a first end secured adjacent a top end of the tool holder with the strap body extending down along the holder back surface and around the bottom surface to the strap distal end portion, which includes a connector first portion. A connector second portion is secured to a holder front surface for releasably engaging the connector first portion. When the connector first portion engages the connector second portion, the strap wraps around the holder bottom surface and extends part way upward along the holder front surface.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tool holder compatible with MOLLE/PALS webbing systems comprising:
 a holder body defining a tool compartment with a holder opening, a holder back surface extending along a holder longitudinal axis, and a holder bottom surface;   a strap having a strap proximal end portion, a strap body portion, and a strap distal end portion, wherein the strap proximal end portion is secured adjacent a top end of the tool holder and the strap body portion extends down along the holder back surface to the strap distal end portion;   a connector first portion secured to the strap distal end portion; and   a connector second portion secured to a holder front surface and configured to releasably engage the connector first portion, wherein when the connector first portion engages the connector second portion, the strap wraps around the holder bottom surface and extends part way upward along the front surface.   
     
     
         2 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , wherein the tool holder defines a retractor pocket located between the back surface and the tool compartment and having a tether opening adjacent the holder opening. 
     
     
         3 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , wherein the holder bottom surface and the holder back surface define an acute internal angle. 
     
     
         4 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , wherein the strap body portion includes a first strap body portion and a second strap body portion each extending from a common point of attachment on the holder back surface adjacent the holder opening. 
     
     
         5 . A tool pouch compatible with MOLLE/PALS webbing, the tool pouch comprising:
 a holder body defining a tool compartment with a holder opening, a holder back surface extending along a longitudinal pouch axis, and a holder bottom surface;   at least one strap having a strap proximal end portion, a strap body portion, and a strap distal end portion, wherein the strap proximal end portion is secured to the holder back surface adjacent the holder opening and the strap body portion extends along the holder back surface to the strap distal end portion and has a length sized to extend around the bottom surface of the tool holder and part way up a holder front surface;   a connector first portion secured to the strap distal end portion of each at least one strap; and   a connector second portion secured to the holder front surface and configured to releasably mate with and engage the connector first portion;   wherein the at least one strap is configured to be inserted through passageways defined by the MOLLE/PALS webbing and the connector first portion secured to the connector second portion, thereby attaching the tool holder to the MOLLE/PALS webbing.   
     
     
         6 . The tool pouch of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one strap extends at an angle along the holder back surface with respect to the longitudinal pouch axis. 
     
     
         7 . The tool pouch of  claim 5 , wherein the holder body is made of a pliable material and wherein the tool holder further comprises:
 a self-tightening strap secured to and extending between a first side portion and a second side portion of the holder body and extending across a middle portion of the holder body, wherein the self-tightening strap comprises an elastic material and is sized to bias the tool compartment towards a closed state along the middle portion;   wherein elastic properties of the self-tightening strap urge the middle portion against an implement installed in the tool compartment to frictionally engage the implement.   
     
     
         8 . The tool pouch of  claim 7 , wherein the self-tightening strap is located about halfway between the holder opening and the holder bottom surface.