Cummerbund tensioning system
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a cummerbund tensioning system configured to join opposing ends of a cummerbund to the rear plate bag of a plate carrier and to adjust the fit of the cummerbund. An example cummerbund tensioning system includes a mounting panel, a tensioning device, a plurality of adapters, and a lace. The lace operably connects the tensioning device to both the mounting panel and the plurality of adapters. The plurality of adapters, in conjunction with the lace, are configured to join a first opposing end and a second opposing end of the cummerbund to the mounting panel. The tensioning device is configured to adjust the fit of the cummerbund by gathering the lace, which draws the opposing ends closer together and tightens the cummerbund around a wearer.
1 . A tensioning system for a cummerbund, the tensioning system comprising:
a mounting panel;
a tensioning device;
a plurality of adapters;
a first elastic cord;
a second elastic cord; and
a lace;
wherein:
the lace operably connects the tensioning device to both the mounting panel and the plurality of adapters;
the plurality of adapters, in conjunction with the lace, are configured to join a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the cummerbund to the mounting panel;
the first elastic cord secures at least two adapters of the plurality of adapters to the first end of the cummerbund, and the second elastic cord secures at least two adapters of the plurality of adapters to the second end opposite the first end of the cummerbund; and
the tensioning device is configured to adjust the fit of the cummerbund by gathering the lace, thereby drawing the first and second ends closer together and tightening the cummerbund around a wearer.
2 . The tensioning system of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning device is configured to release the lace, thereby loosening the cummerbund.
3 . The tensioning system of claim 1 , wherein each adapter includes an opening through which the lace is routed.
4 . The tensioning system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first elastic cord and the second elastic cord extends through an opening defined by each adapter and through an opening defined by a loop on a corresponding band of the cummerbund.
5 . The tensioning system of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning device comprises a reel-based mechanism.
6 . A tensioning system for a cummerbund, the tensioning system comprising:
a mounting panel;
a tensioning device;
a plurality of adapters;
a first elastic cord;
a second elastic cord; and
a lace;
wherein:
the tensioning device is attached to the mounting panel;
the mounting panel includes a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned to route the lace;
the lace is routed through the spaced-apart openings of the mounting panel and operably connects the tensioning device to the plurality of adapters;
the plurality of adapters, in conjunction with the lace, are configured to join a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the cummerbund to the mounting panel;
the first elastic cord secures at least two adapters of the plurality of adapters to the first end of the cummerbund, and the second elastic cord secures at least two adapters of the plurality of adapters to the second end opposite the first end of the cummerbund; and
the tensioning device is configured to adjust the fit of the cummerbund by gathering the lace, thereby drawing the first and second ends closer together and tightening the cummerbund around a wearer.
7 . The tensioning system of claim 6 , wherein the tensioning device is configured to release the lace, thereby loosening the cummerbund.
8 . The tensioning system of claim 6 , wherein the spaced-apart openings of the mounting panel are positioned so that gathering the lace draws the plurality of adapters closer together, thereby pulling the first and second ends of the cummerbund closer together.
9 . The tensioning system of claim 8 , wherein each adapter includes an opening through which the lace is routed.
10 . The tensioning system of claim 6 , wherein each of the first elastic cord and the second elastic cord extends through an opening defined by each adapter and through an opening defined by a loop on a corresponding band of the cummerbund.
11 . The tensioning system of claim 6 , wherein the spaced-apart openings of the mounting panel are formed by metal grommets.
12 . The tensioning system of claim 11 , wherein each metal grommet defines an opening that provides access to an interior compartment of the mounting panel.
13 . A tensioning system for a cummerbund, the tensioning system comprising:
a mounting panel;
a tensioning device;
a plurality of adapters;
a first elastic cord
a second elastic cord; and
a lace;
wherein:
the tensioning device is attached to the mounting panel;
the mounting panel is configured for attachment to a back panel section of a plate carrier and includes a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned to route the lace;
the lace is routed through the spaced-apart openings of the mounting panel and operably connects the tensioning device to the plurality of adapters;
the plurality of adapters, in conjunction with the lace, are configured to join a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the cummerbund to the mounting panel;
wherein the first elastic cord secures at least two adapters of the plurality of adapters to the first end of the cummerbund, and the second elastic cord secures at least two adapters of the plurality of adapters to the second end opposite the first end of the cummerbund; and
the tensioning device is configured to adjust the fit of the cummerbund by gathering the lace, thereby drawing the first and second ends closer together and tightening the cummerbund around a wearer.
14 . The tensioning system of claim 13 , wherein the tensioning device is configured to release the lace, thereby loosening the cummerbund.
15 . The tensioning system of claim 13 , wherein the spaced-apart openings of the mounting panel are positioned so that gathering the lace draws the plurality of adapters closer together, thereby pulling the first and second ends of the cummerbund closer together.
16 . The tensioning system of claim 15 , wherein each adapter includes an opening through which the lace is routed.
17 . The tensioning system of claim 13 , wherein each of the first elastic cord and the second elastic cord extends through an opening defined by each adapter and through an opening defined by a loop on a corresponding band of the cummerbund.
18 . The tensioning system of claim 13 , wherein the tensioning device is attached to a portion of the mounting panel configured to hang below a bottom edge of the back panel section of the plate carrier.