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A fastening system for attaching an article to a support. A web fastener may be attached to an article at one end and have a free distal end, distanced from the article. A distal portion of the web fastener is stiffened and a proximal portion is more flexible than the stiffened portion. The article

A fastening system for attaching an article to a support. A web fastener may be attached to an article at one end and have a free distal end, distanced from the article. A distal portion of the web fastener is stiffened and a proximal portion is more flexible than the stiffened portion. The article and support each have juxtaposable webbing strips forming webbing channels. The web fastener is insertable through and between the juxtaposed support webbing channels and article webbing channels to thereby secure the mated article and support against relative movement. In additional embodiments connectors are provided at the proximal and distal ends of the web fastener to secure the relative positions thereof, and multiple support webbing channels, article webbing channels and web fasteners are provided.

대표청구항 ▼

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive right or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. An article adapted to be mounted to a support comprising a support webbing channel, said article comprising: (a) an article webbing strip attached to an article mounting surface on said a

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive right or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. An article adapted to be mounted to a support comprising a support webbing channel, said article comprising: (a) an article webbing strip attached to an article mounting surface on said article and defining an article webbing channel with said article mounting surface, said article mounting surface being matable with the support mounting surface to juxtapose said article webbing channel with the support webbing channel when said article is mounted to the support; (b) a web fastener comprising: (i) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end not attached to said article, so that when said article is mounted to said support said web fastener extends from said fixed end through and between said juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to a fold in said web fastener, said web fastener then returning back through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to said distal end; (ii) a flexible portion; and (iii) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than the flexible portion; (iv) wherein after said article has been mounted on the support, said flexible portion of said web fastener extends between said fixed end of said web fastener and said fold and said stiffened portion of said web fastener extends between said fold and said distal end. 2. The article of claim 1 wherein said stiffened portion of web fastener is spaced apart from said fixed end by means of said flexible portion. 3. The article of claim 1 wherein, when said article is mounted to said support, both the flexible portion and the stiffened portion of the web fastener extend through and between said juxtaposed channels. 4. The article of claim 1 wherein, in a state of attachment between the article and the support, the stiffened portion of the web fastener has a length sufficient to extend completely along an entire depth of the support webbing channel and to extend completely along an entire depth of the article webbing channel. 5. The article of claim 1 wherein said stiffened portion is capable of bending during a dismounting of the article from the support. 6. The article of claim 1 wherein: said stiffened portion of said web fastener and said flexible portion of said web fastener are each long enough to extend through and between the juxtaposed said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel after said article has been mounted to said support. 7. The article of claim 1 wherein in a position of engagement between the article and the support, the web fastener is folded back upon itself so that a two-layered extent of the web fastener extends through and between the juxtaposed said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel. 8. The article of claim 7 wherein said two-layered extent of the web fastener is comprised by said flexible portion and said stiffened portion. 9. The article of claim 7 wherein, in said position of engagement between the article and the support, a quick release of the article from the support can be performed by means of a pulling force being applied to said distal end of said web fastener along a length of said web fastener. 10. An article adapted to be mounted to a support comprising a support webbing channel, said article comprising: (a) an article webbing strip attached to an article mounting surface on said article and defining an article webbing channel with said article mounting surface, said article mounting surface being matable with the support mounting surface to juxtapose said article webbing channel with the support webbing channel when said article is mounted to the support; (b) a web fastener comprising: (i) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end not attached to said article, so that when said article is mounted to said support said web fastener extends from said fixed end through and between said juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to a fold in said web fastener, said web fastener then returning back through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to said distal end; (ii) a flexible portion; (iii) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than the flexible portion; (iv) a distal connecting element borne by said distal end of said web fastener and a proximal connecting element borne by said proximal end of said web fastener, said distal connecting element being connectable to, and disengageable from, a proximal connecting element. 11. The article of claim 10 wherein said article further comprises: (a) more than one said article webbing channel; or (b) more than one said web fastener; or (c) more than one said article webbing channel and more than one said web fastener. 12. The article of claim 10 wherein said support is an article of clothing and said article is a pocket, a holster, a gun support or a holder. 13. The article of claim 10 wherein said support is individual load bearing equipment and said article is a pocket, a holster, a gun support or a holder. 14. A fastening system for mounting an article to a support, the fastening system comprising: (a) an article webbing strip attached to an article mounting surface on said article, defining an article webbing channel between said article webbing strip and said article mounting surface; (b) a support webbing strip attached to a support mounting surface on said support, defining a support webbing channel between said support webbing strip and said support mounting surface, said support mounting surface being matable to said article mounting surface to juxtapose said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel when said article is mounted to said support; and (c) a web fastener comprising: (i) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end not attached to said article, whereby: (A) during an engagement position between said article and said support said web fastener extends from said fixed end through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to a fold in said web fastener, said web fastener then returning back through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to said distal end; (B) during a release of said article from said support, from said engagement position, a pulling of said distal end causes: (1) said web fastener to roll back along itself to withdraw said web fastener from said juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel; and (2) said fold moves in a direction along said web fastener toward said fixed end and said web fastener continues to roll back along itself until said web fastener is withdrawn from said juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel; (ii) a flexible portion extending lengthwise between said fixed end and said distal end; and (iii) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than said flexible portion and extending lengthwise successive with said flexible portion between said fixed end and said distal end. 15. A fastening system for mounting an article to a support, the fastening system comprising: (a) an article webbing strip attached to an article mounting surface on said article, defining an article webbing channel between said article webbing strip and said article mounting surface; (b) a support webbing strip attached to a support mounting surface on said support, defining a support webbing channel between said support webbing strip and said support mounting surface, said support mounting surface being matable to said article mounting surface to juxtapose said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel when said article is mounted to said support; and, (c) a web fastener comprising: (i) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end not attached to said article, so that when said article is mounted to said support said web fastener extends from said fixed end through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to a fold in said web fastener, said web fastener then returning back through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to said distal end; (ii) a flexible portion; and (iii) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than said flexible portion; (iv) wherein after said article has been mounted to said support, said flexible portion of said web fastener extends between said fixed end of said web fastener and said fold and said stiffened portion of said web fastener extends between said fold and said distal end. 16. A military kit comprising the fastening system of claim 15. 17. The fastening system of claim 15 wherein: (a) said article comprises two said article webbing channels, said two said article webbing channels being generally mutually parallel; (b) said support comprises two said support webbing channels, said two support webbing channels being generally mutually parallel; and (c) in a position of engagement between said article and said support, said stiffened portion of said web fastener is adapted to extend through and between ones of said two support webbing channels and ones of said two article webbing channels; (d) in a position of engagement between said article and said support, said flexible portion of said web fastener is adapted to extend through said two support webbing channels and to extend through said two article webbing channels. 18. The fastening system of claim 15 wherein said stiffened portion of web fastener is spaced apart from said fixed end by means of said flexible portion. 19. The fastening system of claim 15 wherein, when said article is mounted to said support, both the flexible portion and the stiffened portion of the web fastener extend through and between said juxtaposed channels. 20. The fastening system of claim 15 wherein, in a state of attachment between the article and the support, the stiffened portion of the web fastener has a length sufficient to extend completely along an entire depth of the support webbing channel and to extend completely along an entire depth of the article webbing channel. 21. The fastening system of claim 15 wherein said stiffened portion is capable of bending during a dismounting of the article from the support. 22. The fastening system of claim 15 wherein: (a) said article comprises a plurality of said article webbing strips; (b) said support comprises a plurality of said support webbing strips; (c) in a static position of engagement between the article and the support, the plurality of support webbing strips are interdigitated with the plurality of article webbing strips, thereby defining a plurality of interdigitated support and article webbing channels; (d) said stiffened portion of said web fastener has a length sufficient to extend through said plurality of interdigitated support and article webbing channels in said static position of engagement between the article and the support. 23. The fastening system of claim 15 wherein in a position of engagement between the article and the support, the web fastener is folded back upon itself so that a two-layered extent of the web fastener extends through and between the juxtaposed said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel. 24. The fastening system of claim 23 wherein said two-layered extent of the web fastener is comprised by said flexible portion and said stiffened portion. 25. The fastening system of claim 23 wherein, in said position of engagement between the article and the support, a quick release of the article from the support can be performed by means of a pulling force being applied to said distal end of said web fastener along a length of said web fastener. 26. A fastening system for mounting an article to a support, the fastening system comprising: (a) an article webbing strip attached to an article mounting surface on said article, defining an article webbing channel between said article webbing strip and said article mounting surface; (b) a support webbing strip art ached to a support mounting surface on said support, defining a support webbing channel between said support webbing strip and said support mounting surface, said support mounting surface being matable to said article mounting surface to juxtapose said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel when said article is mounted to said support; and (c) a web fastener comprising: (i) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end not attached to said article, so that when said article is mounted to said support said web fastener extends from said fixed end through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to a fold in said web fastener, said web fastener then returning back through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to said distal end; (ii) a flexible portion; and (iii) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than said flexible portion; (iv) a distal connecting element borne by said distal end of said web fastener and a proximal connecting element borne by said proximal end of said web fastener, said distal connecting element being connectable to, and disengageable from, said proximal connecting element. 27. The fastening system of claim 26 wherein: said stiffened portion of said web fastener and said flexible portion of said web fastener are each long enough to extend through and between the juxtaposed said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel after said article has been mounted to said support. 28. The fastening system of claim 26 wherein: (a) said article comprises two said article webbing channels, said two said article webbing channels being generally mutually parallel; (b) said support comprises two said support webbing channels, said two support webbing channels being generally mutually parallel; and (c) said stiffened portion of said web fastener is adapted to extend through and between ones of said support webbing channels and ones of said article webbing channels to thereby restrain relative movement of said article and said support. 29. The fastening system of claim 28 further comprising two said web fasteners. 30. The fastening system of claim 29 wherein said support is an article of clothing and said article is a pocket, a holster, a gun support or a holder. 31. The fastening system of claim 29 wherein said support is individual load bearing equipment and said article is a pocket, a holster, a gun support or a holder. 32. A method for connecting an article to a support by inserting a web fastener through and between juxtaposed webbing channels, said method comprising providing a fastening system comprising: (a) an article webbing strip attached to an article mounting surface on said article, defining an article webbing channel between said article webbing strip and said article mounting surface; (b) a support webbing strip attached to a support mounting surface on said support, defining a support webbing channel between said support webbing strip and said support mounting surface, said support mounting surface being matable to said article mounting surface to juxtapose said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel when said article is mounted to said support; and, (c) a web fastener comprising: (i) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end, so that said web fastener extends from said fixed end to said distal end in an orientation that permits said web fastener to pass through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel when said article is mounted to said support; (ii) a flexible portion; and (iii) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than said flexible portion; (iv) wherein after said article has been mounted on said support, said flexible portion of said web fastener extends between said fixed end of said web fastener and said fold and said stiffened portion of said web fastener extends between said fold and said distal end. 33. The method of claim 13 wherein said stiffened portion of web fastener is spaced apart from said fixed end by means of said flexible portion. 34. The method of claim 32 wherein, when said article is mounted to said support, both the flexible portion and the stiffened portion of the web fastener extend through and between said juxtaposed channels. 35. The method of claim 32 wherein, in a state of attachment between the article and the support, the stiffened portion of the web fastener has a length sufficient to extend completely along an entire depth of the support webbing channel and to extend completely along an entire depth of the article webbing channel. 36. The method of claim 32 wherein said stiffened portion is capable of bending during a dismounting of the article from the support. 37. The method of claim 32 wherein: said stiffened portion of said web fastener and said flexible portion of said web fastener are each long enough to extend through and between the juxtaposed said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel after said article has been mounted to said support. 38. The method of claim 32 wherein in a position of engagement between the article and the support, the web fastener is folded back upon itself so that a two-layered extent of the web fastener extends through and between the juxtaposed said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel. 39. The method of claim 38 wherein said two-layered extent of the web fastener is comprised by said flexible portion and said stiffened portion. 40. The method of claim 38 wherein, in said position of engagement between the article and the support, a quick release of the article from the support comprises applying a pulling force to said distal end of said web fastener along a length of said web fastener. 41. A method for connecting an article to a support by inserting a web fastener through and between juxtaposed webbing channels, said method comprising providing a fastening system comprising: (a) an article webbing strip attached to an article mounting surface on said article, defining an article webbing channel between said article webbing strip and said article mounting surface; (b) a support webbing strip attached to a support mounting surface on said support, defining a support webbing channel between said support webbing strip and said support mounting surface, said support mounting surface being matable to said article mounting surface to juxtapose said support webbing channel and said article webbing channel when said article is mounted to said support; and (c) a web fastener comprising: (i) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end, so that said web fastener extends from said fixed end to said distal end in an orientation that permits said web fastener to pass through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel when said article is mounted to said support; (ii) a flexible portion; and (iii) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than said flexible portion; (iv) a distal connecting element borne by said distal end of said web fastener and a proximal connecting element borne by said proximal end of said web fastener, said distal connecting element being connectable to, and disengageable from, said proximal connecting element. 42. The method of claim 41 wherein: (a) said article comprises two said article webbing strips; (b) said support comprises two said support webbing strips; and (c) said stiffened portion length is suitable to extend through and between a plurality of interdigitating said support webbing channels and said article webbing channels. 43. The method of claim 41 further comprising providing two said web fasteners. 44. The method of claim 43 wherein said support is an article of clothing and said article is a pocket, a holster, a gun support or a holder. 45. The method of claim 43 wherein said support is individual load bearing equipment and said article is a pocket, a holster, a gun support or a holder. 46. A fastening system for mounting an article to a support, the fastening system comprising: (a) two article webbing strips attached to an article mounting surface on said article, defining a plurality of article webbing channels between said article webbing strips and said article mounting surface; (b) two support webbing strips attached to a support mounting surface on said support, defining a plurality of support webbing channels between said support webbing strips and said support mounting surface, said support mounting surface being matable to said article mounting surface to juxtapose ones of said support webbing channels and ones of said article webbing channels when said article is mounted to said support; and, (c) two web fasteners, each said web fastener comprising: (i) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end, so that when said article is mounted to said support said web fastener extends from said fixed end through a juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to a fold in said web fastener, said web fastener then returning back through the juxtaposed said article webbing channel and said support webbing channel to said distal end; (ii) a flexible portion; and (iii) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than said flexible portion; (iv) a snap fastener, mating parts of said snap fastener being positioned to connect said distal end of said web fastener proximate to said fixed end. 47. The fastening system of claim 46 wherein said stiffened portion of each said web fastener is spaced apart from said fixed end by means of said flexible portion. 48. The fastening system of claim 46 wherein, when said article is mounted to said support, both the flexible portion and the stiffened portion of each said web fastener extend through and between said juxtaposed channels. 49. The fastening system of claim 46 wherein, in a state of attachment between the article and the support, the stiffened portion of each said web fastener has a length sufficient to extend completely along an entire depth of the support webbing channel and to extend completely along an entire depth of the article webbing channel. 50. The fastening system of claim 46 wherein said stiffened portion is capable of bending during a dismounting of the article from the support. 51. The fastening system of claim 46 wherein in a position of engagement between the article and the support, each of said web fasteners is folded back upon itself so that a two-layered extent of each of said web fasteners extends through and between the juxtaposed said support webbing channels and said article webbing channels. 52. The fastening system of claim 51 wherein said two-layered extent of each of the web fasteners is comprised by said flexible portion and said stiffened portion. 53. The fastening system of claim 51 wherein, in said position of engagement between the article and the support, a quick release of the article from the support can be performed by means of a pulling force being applied to said distal end of both of said web fasteners along respective lengths of said web fasteners. 54. An assembly of an article, support, and a fastening system for releasably fastening the article to the support, said assembly comprising: (a) an article; (b) a support; (c) a fastening system for releasably fastening the article to the support, the fastening system comprising: (i) a plurality of spaced-apart article webbing strips attached to an article mounting surface on said article, defining a plurality of article webbing channels between respective ones of said article webbing strips and said article mounting surface; (ii) a plurality of spaced-apart support webbing strips attached to a support mounting surface on said support, defining a plurality of support webbing channels between respective ones of said support webbing strips and said support mounting surface; (iii) in a position of engagement between said article and said support, said support webbing channels and said article webbing channels being interdigitated; (iv) at least one web fastener comprising: (A) a fixed end attached to said article and a distal end spaced from said fixed end; (B) a flexible portion adjacent to said fixed end; (C) a stiffened portion that is more rigid than said flexible portion; (v) in said position of engagement between said article and said support: (A) said web fastener extends from said fixed end and through said interdigitated support and article webbing channels, said web fastener is then folded back upon itself, thereby forming a bight, said web fastener extending from said bight through said interdigitated support and article webbing channels to said distal end; (B) said flexible portion of said web fastener extends between said fixed end and said bight; (C) said stiffened portion of said web fastener extends between said bight and said distal end. 55. The assembly of claim 54 wherein the fastening system is provided with a means for quickly releasing said article from said support, said means comprising a grippable structure formed by said distal end of said web fastener, whereby, a pulling force applied to said grippable structure in a direction away from said interdigitated support and article webbing channels causes said flexible portion of said web fastener to roll back along itself, while in the interdigitated support and article webbing channels, to withdraw said web fastener from said interdigitated support and article webbing channels, thereby releasing said article from said support.