Attachment System for PALS and MOLLE Gear

Abstract

An attachment system for removably attaching together a first item and a second item, each having spaced parallel mounting strips, includes a track base, a mounting device, and a fastening blade. The track base includes two parallel rails, and at least one spanning plate connecting the rails for engaging a mounting strip of the first item to thereby attach the track base to the first item. The mounting device includes parallel rails, and at least one spanning plate connecting the rails, and a slot. The fastening blade is removably insertable into the slot to engage at least one mounting strip of the second item and attach the mounting device to the second item. The rails of the mounting device are configured to engage the rails of the track base to removably attach the mounting device to the track base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment system for removably attaching together a first item and a second item, each having spaced parallel mounting strips, the attachment system comprising:
 a track base comprising a longitudinally extending first rail, a longitudinally extending second rail parallel to and spaced from the first rail, and at least one spanning plate connecting the first rail and second rail, the spanning plate for engaging a mounting strip of the first item to thereby attach the track base to the first item;   a mounting device comprising a longitudinally extending first rail, a longitudinally extending second rail parallel to and spaced from the first rail, at least one spanning plate connecting the first rail and second rail, and a longitudinally extending slot; and   a fastening blade removably insertable into the slot of the mounting device to thereby engage at least one mounting strip of the second item and attach the mounting device to the second item;   wherein the first rail and second rail of the mounting device are configured to engage the first rail and second rail of the track base to removably attach the mounting device to the track base.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the track base comprises a channel that receives the mounting device when the first rail and second rail of the mounting device engage the first rail and second rail of the track base. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first rail of the track base comprises a first overhang;   the second rail of the track base comprises a second overhang opposing and directed toward the first overhang;   the channel is defined between the first overhang and second overhang; and   at least a portion of the first rail of the mounting device is received under the first overhang, and at least a portion of the second rail of the mounting device is received under the second overhang, when the mounting device is removably attached to the track base.   
     
     
         4 . The attachment system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first rail of the track base comprises a first interior groove at a laterally outward edge of the channel below the first interior groove;   the second rail of the track base comprises a second interior groove at a laterally outward edge of the channel below the second interior groove;   each of the first rail and second rail of the mounting device comprises a respective longitudinally extending ridge received by a respective one of first interior groove and second interior groove when the mounting device is removably attached to the track base.   
     
     
         5 . The attachment system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the channel is defined as trapezoidal between an acute interior angle of the first overhang and an acute interior angle of the second overhang;   the portion of the first rail of the mounting device received under the first overhang when the mounting device is removably attached to the track base comprises a ramped outer edge of the first rail having an outside angle matching the interior angle of the first overhang; and   the portion of the second rail of the mounting device received under the second overhang when the mounting device is removably attached to the track base comprises a ramped outer edge of the second rail having an outside angle matching the interior angle of the second overhang.   
     
     
         6 . The attachment system of  claim 3 , wherein the scabbard mounting device is symmetric with respect to the first rail and second rail thereof such that the scabbard mounting device is thereby bi-directional. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment system of  claim 2 , wherein the channel is defined along a first side of the track base, the first side facing away from the first item when the track base is attached to the first item; and wherein the track base further comprises:
 a second side opposite the first side thereof; and   at least one gap along the second side, the gap dimensioned to receive a mounting strip of the first item to permit the spanning plate into intimate contact with the first item.   
     
     
         8 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the track base comprises:
 a second spanning plate connecting the first rail and second rail; and   a spacing between the at least one spanning plate and second spanning plate, the spacing dimensioned to receive a mounting strip of the first item when the track base is attached to the first item.   
     
     
         9 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the track base comprises a clip that releasably engages the mounting device when the mounting device is removably attached to the track base. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment system of  claim 9 , wherein the track base comprises:
 a first end through which the mounting device is inserted into the track base when the mounting device is to be removably attached to the track base;   a second end opposite the first end; and   at least one clip mount member on which the clip is mounted at the second end of the mounting device,   wherein upon full insertion of the scabbard mounting device into the track base, the clip engages the scabbard mounting device by closure to a locking position thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening blade comprises a first end for insertion into the slot of the mounting device, and a second end opposite the first end and having at least one shoulder that registers full insertion by contact with the mounting device. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening blade comprises at least one locking element that engages an opening in the spanning plate to automatically releasably lock the fastening blade in engagement with the scabbard mounting device when the fastening blade is inserted into the slot. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment system of  claim 12 , wherein the locking element comprises a boss automatically received by the opening when the fastening blade is inserted into the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the mounting device comprises a first overhang and an opposing second overhang between which the longitudinally extending slot is defined;   the fastening blade comprises two parallel longitudinally extending opposite outer edges; and   each outer edge of the fastening blade is received under a respective one of the first overhang and second overhang of the mounting device when the fastening blade is inserted into the slot.   
     
     
         15 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting device further comprises:
 a first side that faces the track base when the mounting device is attached to the track base; and   a second side that is opposite the first side and in which the slot is defined such that the second side faces the fastening blade when the fastening blade is inserted into the slot.