EQUIPMENT RETENTION SYSTEM

• US 20140109345A1
• Filed: 12/30/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toby J. Melville
• Original Assignee: Toby J. Melville
• Inventors: Melville, Toby J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,222,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0591 Defense articles, e.g. small arms, handguns, pistols, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/006 Clips, hooks or the like, for carrying the weight of smallarms holsters F41C33/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/041 for connecting a holster to a belt, webbing or other object
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/13 Article holder attachable to apparel or body

Abstract

A retention system for equipment includes a base plate assembly and an adapter assembly securable to the equipment. The adapter assembly interface includes a locking recess The base plate assembly includes a base plate and an adapter assembly guide adjacent the base plate tier receiving the interface therein thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly. The base plate assembly further includes a locking mechanism movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The locking mechanism in the engaged position engages the locking recess of the interface, thereby locking the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly. The locking mechanism in the disengaged position disengages from the locking recess of the interface, thereby unlocking the adapter assembly from the base plate assembly.

Claims

1. A retention system for equipment, comprising:

an adapter assembly securable to equipment, the adapter assembly comprising an interface having a locking recess;

a base plate assembly, comprising;

a base plate,

an adapter assembly guide adjacent the base plate wherein the adapter assembly guide receives the interface therein thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly, and

a locking mechanism movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the locking mechanism engages the locking recess of the interface, thereby locking the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly, further wherein, in the disengaged position, the locking mechanism disengages from the locking recess of the interface, thereby unlocking the adapter assembly from the base plate assembly.

2. The retention system for equipment according to claim 1, wherein the adapter assembly further comprises:

a clamp comprising a first clamp member adjustably securable to a second clamp member such that the first clamp member and the second clamp member are adapted to engage a device rail of equipment; and

an interface bracket coupled with the interface, wherein the interface bracket is engageable with one of the first clamp member and the second clamp member, thereby making the adapter assembly ambidextrous.

3. The retention system for equipment according to claim 2, wherein the first clamp member includes a rail facilitating the attachment of devices thereto.

4. The retention system for equipment according to claim 2, wherein the first clamp member, comprises:

a main body having at least one lug slot on an upper surface thereof, and

a jaw engageable with a device rail of equipment.

5. The retention system for equipment according to claim 2, wherein the second clamp member, comprises:

a main body adjustably securable with the main body of the first clamp member; and

a jaw engageable with a device rail of equipment.

6. The retention system for equipment according to claim 1, wherein the base plate includes a plunger channel, a locking assembly channel communicating with the plunger channel, and an aperture communicating with the locking assembly channel.

7. The retention system for equipment according to claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a locking assembly disposed in the locking assembly channel and biased to extend through the aperture such that the locking assembly engages the locking recess of the interface; and

a plunger communicating with the locking assembly, the plunger disposed in the plunger channel and extending therefrom, wherein movement of the plunger moves the locking assembly from the aperture such that the locking assembly disengages from the locking recess of the interface.

8. The retention system for equipment according to claim 7, wherein insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly into the adapter assembly guide depresses the locking assembly until the locking recess of the interface aligns with the aperture of the base plate.

9. The retention system for equipment according to claim 7, wherein the plunger includes a ward engagement key and the plunger channel includes a ward, further wherein the ward limits the movement of the plunger relative to the locking assembly.

10. The retention system for equipment according to claim 7, wherein the locking assembly comprises:

a hinge pin;

a latch pivotable about the hinge pin; and

a biasing member that biases the latch to extend through the aperture such that the latch engages the locking recess of the interface, wherein movement of the plunger relative to the latch overcomes the biasing force of the biasing member and moves the latch from the aperture such that the latch disengages from the locking recess of the interface.

11. The retention system for equipment according to claim 7, wherein the base plate assembly further comprises a back plate securable with the base plate to maintain the plunger within the plunger channel and the locking assembly within the locking assembly channel.

12. The retention system for equipment according to claim 1, wherein the base plate includes threaded rivets therein that facilitate securing of the base plate assembly with devices adapted for attachment to an object or a wearer of the retention system.

13. The retention system for equipment according to claim 1, wherein the interface of the adapter assembly includes a first end and a second end, wherein the interface tapers from the first end to the second end such that the first end is wider than the second end.

14. The retention system for equipment according to claim 13, wherein the adapter assembly guide includes a first guide rail having a first portion and a second portion opposed to a second guide rail having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second guide rails are spaced apart at their first portions wider than the interface of the adapter assembly to facilitate insertion of the interface between the first and second guide rails, further wherein the first and second guide rails taper along their second portions and are spaced apart at their second portions substantially the same as the width of the interface of the adapter assembly such that the first and second guide rails engage the interface thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly.

15. The retention system for equipment according to claim 14, wherein the first and second guide rails each define a groove that engages the interface of the adapter assembly to maintain the adapter assembly seated between the first and second guide rails.

16. The retention system for equipment according to claim 14, wherein the adapter assembly guide includes a stop that arrests the insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly therein.

17. A retention system for equipment, comprising:

an adapter assembly securable to equipment, the adapter assembly including an interface having a first end and a second end, wherein the interface tapers from the first end to the second end such that the first end is wider than the second end;

a base plate assembly, comprising;

a base plate, and

an adapter assembly guide adjacent the base plate for receiving therein the interface of the adapter assembly the adapter assembly guide including a first guide rail having a first portion and a second portion opposed to a second guide rail having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second guide rails are spaced apart at their first portions wider than the interface of the adapter assembly to facilitate insertion of the interface between the first and second guide rails, further wherein the first and second guide rails taper along their second portions and are spaced apart at their second portions substantially the same as the width of the interface of the adapter assembly such that the first and second guide rails engage the interface thereby coupling the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly.

18. The retention system for equipment according to claim 17, wherein the first and second guide rails each define a groove that engages the interface of the adapter assembly to maintain the adapter assembly seated between the first and second guide rails.

19. The retention system for equipment according to claim 17, wherein the adapter assembly guide includes a stop that arrests the insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly therein.

20. The retention system for equipment according to claim 17, wherein the adapter assembly further comprises:

a clamp comprising a first clamp member adjustably securable to a second clamp member such that the first clamp member and the second clamp member are adapted to engage a device rail of equipment; and

an interface bracket coupled with the interface, wherein the interface bracket is engageable with one of the first clamp member and the second clamp member, thereby making the adapter assembly ambidextrous.

21. The retention system for equipment according to claim 20, wherein the first clamp member includes a rail facilitating the attachment of devices thereto.

22. The retention system for equipment according to claim 20, wherein the first clamp member, comprises:

a main body having at least one lug slot on an upper surface thereof, and

a jaw engageable with a device rail of equipment.

23. The retention system for equipment according to claim 20, wherein the second clamp member, comprises:

a main body adjustably securable with the main body of the first clamp member; and

a jaw engageable with a device rail of equipment.

24. The retention system for equipment according to claim 17, wherein:

the adapter assembly comprises an interface having a locking recess; and

a base plate assembly, further comprises a locking mechanism movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the locking mechanism engages the locking recess of the interface, thereby locking the adapter assembly with the base plate assembly, further wherein, in the disengaged position, the locking mechanism disengages from the locking recess of the interface, thereby unlocking the adapter assembly from the base plate assembly.

25. The retention system for equipment according to claim 24, wherein the base plate includes a plunger channel, a locking assembly channel communicating with the plunger channel, and an aperture communicating with the locking assembly channel.

26. The retention system for equipment according to claim 25, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a locking assembly disposed in the locking assembly channel and biased to extend through the aperture such that the locking assembly engages the locking recess of the interface; and

a plunger communicating with the locking assembly, the plunger disposed in the plunger channel and extending therefrom, wherein movement of the plunger moves the locking assembly from the aperture such that the locking assembly disengages from the locking recess of the interface.

27. The retention system for equipment according to claim 26, wherein insertion of the interface of the adapter assembly into the adapter assembly guide depresses the locking assembly until the locking recess of the interface aligns with the aperture of the base plate.

28. The retention system for equipment according to claim 26, wherein the plunger includes a ward engagement key and the plunger channel includes a ward, further wherein the ward limits the movement of the plunger relative to the locking assembly.

29. The retention system for equipment according to claim 26, wherein the locking assembly comprises:

a hinge pin;

a latch pivotable about the hinge pin; and

a biasing member that biases the latch to extend through the aperture such that the latch engages the locking recess of the interface, wherein movement of the plunger relative to the latch overcomes the biasing force of the biasing member and moves the latch from the aperture such that the latch disengages from the locking recess of the interface.

30. The retention system for equipment according to claim 26, wherein the base plate assembly further comprises a back plate securable with the base plate to maintain the plunger within the plunger channel and the locking assembly within the locking assembly channel.

31. The retention system for equipment according to claim 17, wherein the base plate includes threaded rivets therein that facilitate securing of the base plate assembly with devices adapted for attachment to an object or a wearer of the retention system.