John A Estes

US Patent:

6722544, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jul 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/620410

Inventors:

R. Scott Stephens - Lexington KY
Joseph B. Wismann - Lexington KY
Roger L. Weller - Lexington KY
John M. Estes - Winchester KY
Thomas J. Galli - Lexington KY

Assignee:

L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P. - New York NY

International Classification:

A45F 304

US Classification:

224659, 224235, 2 88, 2251, 2252, 2265, 24194, 24196, 24313, 245891, 245901, 245951, 24616, 24669, 24695, 24702, 383 64

Abstract:

A substantially noiseless fastening system for a carrying pack includes a flap attached to the shell of the carrying pack along one edge of the flap, a fastener button attached to the flap near a second edge of the flap, and a button receiver attached to the shell. The button receiver has a tapered interference fit slot terminating in a notch for receiving the fastener button, the slot narrowing towards the edge of the flap attached to the shell. The fastening system also includes a pouch attached to the shell, a locking channel attached to the pouch, and a locking groove attached to the shell. The pouch has an edge that forms an opening between the pouch and the shell, and the locking channel engages the locking groove in an interference fit to close the opening. In addition, the fastening system includes a first strap having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the shell, a second strap having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the shell, a first fastener attached to the first strap, a second fastener attached to the second strap, and a noise retarding material coating at least part of the surface of the tangs. The first fastener fastens the first strap to the second strap by receiving the second fastener.