Cummerbund attachment adapter mechanism

Abstract

In one embodiment, an adjustment apparatus of a tactical cummerbund includes straps configured to span between panels of a tactical vest across sides of a wearer and an attachment mechanism adapter attached to the straps and comprising at least one engagement strap configured to be looped through a corresponding slot in a panel attachment component and releasably captured within a locking flap of the attachment mechanism adapter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus comprising:
 cummerbund straps configured to span between a first panel of a tactical vest to a second panel of the tactical vest across sides of a wearer; and   an attachment mechanism adapter attached to the cummerbund straps and including an engagement strap configured to be looped through a corresponding slot in a panel attachment mechanism and releasably captured within a locking flap of the attachment mechanism adapter.   
     
     
         2 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking flap includes a top flap and a bottom flap and wherein the engagement strap is releasably captured within the locking flap when sandwiched between the top flap and the bottom flap. 
     
     
         3 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein an internal face of a top flap of the locking flap includes a first fastener region and an internal face of a bottom flap of the locking flap includes a second fastener region and wherein the first fastener region and the second fastener region are complementary. 
     
     
         4 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 3 , wherein a first face of the engagement strap includes a third fastener region and a second face of the engagement strap, opposite the first face, includes a fourth fastener region and wherein the third fastener region is complementary to the first fastener region on the internal face of the top flap and the fourth fastener region is complementary to the second fastener region on the internal face of the bottom flap. 
     
     
         5 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cummerbund straps comprises a first portion and a second portion having an expansion joint between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 5 , wherein the expansion joint is located within an expansion joint sheath comprising an external face including a mounting surface. 
     
     
         7 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 5 , wherein the expansion joint comprises an elastic component configured to elastically lengthen under a load and return to its original length when the load is removed, and the expansion joint comprises a limiting component of a longer length than a length of the elastic component when the elastic component is not under a load. 
     
     
         8 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 3 , wherein the first fastener region and the second fastener region comprise complementary hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein the third fastener region and the fourth fastener region comprise complementary hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The tactical cummerbund adjustment apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the corresponding slot is of a shape and dimension to allow retention of the engagement strap when the engagement strap is passed through the corresponding slot and the cummerbund straps are under a load. 
     
     
         11 . A method of mounting a reconfigurable closure component to a tactical cummerbund, the method comprising:
 looping, through an adapter mating opening of the reconfigurable closure component, an engagement strap of a locking component of an attachment mechanism;   folding the engagement strap such that an internal face of the engagement strap is releasably attached to an internal face of a bottom flap of the locking component while the engagement strap remains looped through the adapter mating opening; and   folding, over the engagement strap, a top flap of the locking component such that the top flap is releasably attached to an external face of the engagement strap and an exposed portion of the internal face of the bottom flap of the locking component.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the reconfigurable closure component comprises a closure mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the closure mechanism includes at least one of: a hook and loop fastener, a Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) attachment, a buckle, a hook, a snap, or a quick release mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising dismounting the reconfigurable closure component by:
 unfolding the top flap of the locking component, thereby releasing the top flap from the external face of the engagement strap and the exposed portion of the internal face of the bottom flap of the locking component;   detaching the internal face of the engagement strap from the internal face of the bottom flap of the locking component, thereby releasing the internal face of the engagement strap from the internal face of the bottom flap of the locking component; and   unlooping the engagement strap through the adapter mating opening such that the attachment mechanism and the reconfigurable closure component are disconnected.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the engagement strap is an extension of the bottom flap of the locking component. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the attachment mechanism is integrated into a skeletonized, semi-rigid, or stiffened cummerbund. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 looping, through a second adapter mating opening of the reconfigurable closure component, a second engagement strap of the locking component of the attachment mechanism; and   folding the second engagement strap such that an internal face of the second engagement strap is releasably attached to the internal face of the bottom flap of the locking component while the second engagement strap remains looped through the second adapter mating opening.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adapter mating opening and the second adapter mating opening are slits dimensioned to allow passage or retention of the engagement strap and the second engagement strap, respectively. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tactical cummerbund is configured to span between a first panel of a tactical vest to a second panel of the tactical vest across sides of a wearer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the internal face of the engagement strap is releasably attached to the internal face of the bottom flap via a hook-and-loop fastener.