Abstract: The invention relates to an improved shoulder strap for use in combination with any type of bag that is designed for carrying over a shoulder of a user. The shoulder strap includes: first and second half-straps each having a first end and a second end, the second end having a connector adapted for coupling to a bag; a pad; and at least one elastic member held on one side of the pad and being extendable independently of the pad, the at least one elastic member coupling the first end of the first half strap to the pad and the first end of the second half strap to the pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a convertible bag for carrying a laptop that can be converted from a tote configuration to a skin or sleeve configuration and back again. The convertible bag includes a body that is shaped and configured to receive a laptop computer; a pair of handles connected to the body, each handle defining an aperture that is sized to receive a hand or a portion thereof; and at least three fasteners, one fastener attached to each handle and one fastener attached to the body, whereby two or more of the at least three fasteners are positioned to engage one another when the pair of handles are in a first position that exposes the apertures and when the pair of handles are in a second position folded against the body.