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US-20260123740-A1 - COUPLING SYSTEM

US20260123740A1US 20260123740 A1US20260123740 A1US 20260123740A1US-20260123740-A1

Abstract

A coupling system includes a bridge and a sleeve. The bridge has a first end and a second end, and in some embodiments includes a contoured edge at the second end and/or a row of openings disposed between the first end and the second end. The sleeve defines an internal pocket configured to receive the first end of the bridge through a sleeve opening. A closure mechanism on the sleeve is configured to selectively retain the bridge within the internal pocket. In some embodiments, the closure mechanism fastens behind the contoured edge at the second end of the bridge to resist withdrawal of the bridge from the sleeve. In other embodiments, the closure mechanism includes mating portions configured to fasten together within a selected opening of the bridge to inhibit relative sliding movement between the sleeve and the bridge. The coupling system may be integrated into or coupled to a belt system, a cummerbund, a chest rig, or other load-bearing system.

Inventors

  • Hithem Shaw

Assignees

  • Hithem Shaw

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20260105

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A coupling system comprising: a bridge having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a sleeve defining an internal pocket configured to receive the first end of the bridge, the sleeve including a closure mechanism and a sleeve opening that provides access to the internal pocket, wherein the closure mechanism is configured to selectively secure the first end of the bridge within the internal pocket of the sleeve when the first end of the bridge is disposed therein.
  2. 2 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the bridge defines an end edge.
  3. 3 . The coupling system of claim 2 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a male portion and a female portion configured to releasably fasten together behind the end edge while the bridge is disposed within the internal pocket of the sleeve.
  4. 4 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the bridge defines a concave rear edge.
  5. 5 . The coupling system of claim 4 , wherein, when fastened together, at least a portion of the closure mechanism rests against the concave rear edge of the bridge.
  6. 6 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a stiffening element positioned within the internal pocket, the stiffening element being configured to provide vertical rigidity.
  7. 7 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a buckle portion.
  8. 8 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a directional snap fastener.
  9. 9 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the bridge includes at least one closed-loop connector.
  10. 10 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is integrated into a placard of a load-bearing system.
  11. 11 . A coupling system comprising: a bridge having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and at least one opening disposed between the first end and the second end; and a sleeve defining an internal pocket configured to slidably receive the first end of the bridge, the sleeve including a closure mechanism and a sleeve opening that provides access to the internal pocket, wherein the closure mechanism is configured to selectively secure the sleeve in position relative to the bridge by fastening within the at least one opening of the bridge.
  12. 12 . The coupling system of claim 11 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a male portion and a female portion configured to releasably engage within a selected one of the at least one opening.
  13. 13 . The coupling system of claim 12 , wherein, when fastened within the selected opening, the male portion and the female portion cooperate with the bridge to prevent relative sliding movement of the sleeve with respect to the bridge.
  14. 14 . The coupling system of claim 11 , wherein the bridge includes a vertically curved segment.
  15. 15 . The coupling system of claim 11 , wherein the sleeve includes a stiffening element positioned within the internal pocket, the stiffening element being configured to provide vertical rigidity and permit horizontal flexibility of the sleeve.
  16. 16 . The coupling system of claim 15 , wherein the sleeve includes a buckle portion.
  17. 17 . The coupling system of claim 11 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a directional snap fastener.
  18. 18 . The coupling system of claim 11 , wherein the second end of the bridge includes at least one closed-loop connector.
  19. 19 . The coupling system of claim 11 , wherein the sleeve is integrated into a side panel of a load-bearing system.
  20. 20 . The coupling system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings arranged in a row along the bridge between the first end and the second end.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/238,435, filed on Jun. 14, 2025, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/660,062, filed on Jun. 14, 2024. The entire disclosure of each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to load-bearing systems and accessories, and more particularly to a coupling system for use with plate carriers, tactical vests, chest rigs, and belt systems. BACKGROUND In various load-bearing systems, such as duty belts, plate carriers with cummerbunds, and chest rigs, components are often coupled together using buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or other quick-release hardware. These systems are often expected to permit rapid donning and doffing and to accommodate a range of wearer sizes. In practice, coupling interfaces may also serve as adjustment points that allow the user to change fit or swap components, such as placards, straps, or side panels, without replacing the entire load-bearing assembly. SUMMARY It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description. A coupling system is disclosed. The coupling system can be used to selectively join together two components of a load-bearing system. An example coupling system includes a bridge and a sleeve. The bridge has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The sleeve defines an internal pocket configured to receive the first end of the bridge. The sleeve includes a closure mechanism and a sleeve opening that provides access to the internal pocket. The closure mechanism is configured to selectively secure the first end of the bridge within the internal pocket of the sleeve when the first end of the bridge is disposed therein. Another example coupling system includes a bridge and a sleeve. The bridge has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and at least one opening disposed between the first end and the second end. The sleeve defines an internal pocket configured to slidably receive the first end of the bridge. The sleeve includes a closure mechanism and a sleeve opening that provides access to the internal pocket. The closure mechanism is configured to selectively secure the sleeve in position relative to the bridge by fastening within the at least one opening of the bridge. Any aspect of any implementation may be combined with any one or more aspects of any other implementation(s). Any one or more of the features disclosed herein. Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein. Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more other features as substantially disclosed herein. Any one of the aspects, features, or implementations may be combined with any one or more other aspects, features, or implementations. Use of any one or more of the aspects or features disclosed herein. It should be appreciated that any feature described herein can be claimed in combination with any other feature(s) described herein, regardless of whether the features originate from the same described implementation. The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. Numerous additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the implementation descriptions provided below. Additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent from the following description and figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an adjustable belt according to the principles of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates an example bridge of the adjustable belt shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates an example sleeve of the adjustable belt shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 illustrates a rear elevational view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 4, with a portion of the bridge shown positioned within the internal pocket. FIG. 6 illustrates another example sleeve for use with the adjustable belt shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 illustrates a plate carrier equipped with an adjustable cummerbund according to the principles of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates a side panel of the adjustable cummerbund shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 illustrates the bridge of the side panel shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 illustrates the s