Shoulder strap
A shoulder strap construction includes a dog bone shaped center pad slidably mounted on an elongate strap. The pad is constructed with a convex curvature that fits over the shoulder of a user.
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In a principal aspect the present invention relates to the fabric shoulder strap used to carry bags or luggage.
The use of a shoulder strap to carry a bag, valise, briefcase, or the like is a common feature for many luggage items. Often a shoulder strap is configured in a manner which renders it uncomfortable and causes it to dig into the body of the user thereby resulting in chafing or other irritation. To enhance comfort associated with a shoulder strap, the strap may include a pad mounted on the strap. Cushion material may be included in the pad, or the pad may incorporate a gel such as offered by Shoreline Cases and Accessories.
Another feature desired in a shoulder strap is the capability of comfortable placement over either shoulder without major adjustment of the strap and without reversal of the luggage or bag attached to this strap. Thus there has developed a need to provide a shoulder strap which has improved comfort and utility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly, the present invention comprises a shoulder strap which includes a shaped reversible pad that may be comfortably fitted over a shoulder. The shoulder strap includes a slidable center pad section which has a “dog bone” shape. The ends of the strap may be attached to the opposite sides of a bag, luggage item, or the like. The slidable pad is fabricated to maintain a convex curved shape that will fit comfortably over the shoulder of a user. Thus, the combination of the “dog bone” shape and convex configuration of the slidable pad provides a highly useful, yet adjustable shoulder strap.
Thus it is an object of the invention to provide an improved shoulder strap construction.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved should strap construction with a slidable pad having a generally “dog bone” shape and which is also curved to fit over either shoulder of a user.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shoulder strap which is padded, is sized to be comfortable and which avoids chafing or digging into the back or shoulder of the user.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be set forth in a detailed description as follows.
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
Referring to the Figures, and in particular
The web, belt or strap 20 is combined with a slidable pad construction 26. That is, as depicted for example, in
Importantly, the general configuration of the pad 26 can be described as having a “dog bone” configuration wherein the pad 26 includes a first wide end 32 and an opposite wide end 34 joined by a narrowed mid section 36. Thus, the lateral or side to side dimension of the mid section 36 is lesser than that of the opposite end sections 32 and 34. As shown in the drawings, the transition between the sections is an arcuate or curved transition and the plan configuration is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis between ends 32, 34. That is, the one end section 32 forms a generally semi-circular pattern and then smoothly flows into the mid section 36. A longitudinal, middle axis 60 defines a line of general symmetry. This is illustrated for example, in
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pad 26 is formed so that it will be convexly curved as depicted, for example, in
The construction of the pad 26 enables the configuration described, namely the curved configuration depicted in
In order to achieve the desired curvature of the shoulder pad 26, the shape of the layers 40, 42, 44 and 46 is typically adjusted as described hereinafter. Thus, the bottom layer 40 will typically have a longitudinal dimension along longitudinal axis 60 which is lesser than the longitudinal axis dimension along the axis 62 of the layer 44. The lateral, or side to side dimension, along the transverse axis 64 of the layer 40 is typically substantially equal to the lateral or side to side dimension along the axis 66 of the intermediate layer 44. Padding 42, which is fitted between the layers, may however be adjusted and need not be the size of the foot print or layer 40. Typically, the padding 42 is enclosed between the bottom layer 40 and intermediate layer 44 and thus, has a smaller or lesser profile than these layers.
In any event, the top layer 46 will typically overlie substantially the intermediate layer 44. However, it will be noted that the top layer is missing opposite end sections 32 and 34. Thus, the lateral or side to side dimension of the top layer 46 is substantially equal to that of the lateral or side to side dimension of the bottom layer 40 and intermediate layer 44. However, the longitudinal dimension of the top layer 46 is foreshortened relative to both of the other layers 40 and 44. By so adjusting the dimensional characteristics of the layers and binding the layers in the manner depicted in the Figures, the intermediate layer 44 will be stitched or sewn to the bottom layer 40 along a seam equivalent from the outer edge of each layer 40, 44 and thereby cause a convex curve to form. This, for example, is illustrated in
The relative relationship of the dimensional characteristics of the various layers forming the shoulder pad 26 therefore accommodates the creation of a curved shoulder pad, as illustrated in
The amount of curvature may be adjusted by adjusting the relative sizes of the various layers. The amount of padding and how it is stitched into the pad may also be adjusted. As depicted in the Figures, additional stitching may be provided from side to side or laterally to retain the padding. Such additional stitching for example, being exemplified by the stitch lines 70 and 72. Thus, the invention is subject to variations and alterations within the spirit and scope thereof. The invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A shoulder strap for a case or luggage comprising, in combination:
- an elongate strap having a first end and a second opposite end;
- a fastener at each end for attachment of the strap to a case or luggage; and
- a slidable shoulder pad mounted on the strap between the ends of the strap, said pad including an elongate dimension and a transverse dimension, said elongate dimension aligned with the strap, said transverse dimension being transverse to the strap, said transverse dimension being varied between the ends of the elongate dimension, and being greater adjacent the ends than at the midpoint to define opposed concave curved side edges of the pad, said pad having a plan view profile with enlarged end sections relative to a narrow midsection so as to fit over the shoulder of a user with the narrow section on the top of the shoulder and the enlarged sections on the front and back sides of a shoulder;
- said pad further including differentially sized layers of material including a layer for proximity to a shoulder having a lesser longitudinal dimension than a layer a lesser proximity to a shoulder, said layers joined along their periphery to form an arcuate shape for fitting over a shoulder.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 7, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 10, 2008
Applicant: Travel Caddy, Inc. d/b/a Travelon (Elk Grove Village, IL)
Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw (Evanston, IL), Andrezj Redzisz (Wheeling, IL)
Application Number: 11/482,384
International Classification: A45F 3/12 (20060101); A41F 15/02 (20060101);