Patent Application
20190082813
The present invention relates generally to an adjustable shoulder supported carrying strap assembly. More so, the present invention relates to an adjustable carrying strap and shoulder pad for use in combination with a laptop bag that enables the load to be carried over the shoulder with the weight distributed evenly, and defined by a central aperture that leaves uncovered the shoulder terminus, and adjustable straps for comfortably carrying the load over a shoulder of a user.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
It is known in the art that the most flexible joint in the entire human body, the shoulder joint is formed by the union of the humerus, the scapula (or shoulder blade), and the clavicle as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. The muscles and joints of the shoulder allow it to move through a remarkable range of motion, making it one of the most mobile joints in the human body. The shoulder can abduct, adduct, rotate, be raised in front of and behind the torso and move through a full 360° in the sagittal plane. This tremendous range of motion also makes the shoulder extremely unstable, far more prone to dislocation and injury than other joints.
Laptop bags are often bulky and heavy, as they contain laptops, wires, and other electrical components and files. Typically, a shoulder strap that wraps around the shoulder from one end and attaches to the laptop bag from an opposite end is used to enable hands free carrying of laptop bags. However, a shoulder strap can cut into the wearer's shoulder, causing discomfort. Also, the material of the typical strap does not grip very well to typical textile material of a top or coat of the user on which the strap engages. This can lead to the strap continually slipping off the shoulder, which causes annoyance to the user.
Other proposals have involved devices for carrying bags and loads on the shoulders. The problem with these carrying devices is that they do not distribute weight of the load easily on the shoulder. Also, the strap tends to slide off the shoulder, and can cut into the shoulder. Even though the above cited carrying devices meets some of the needs of the market, an adjustable carrying strap and shoulder pad for use in combination with a laptop bag that enables the load to be carried over the shoulder with the weight distributed evenly, and defined by a central aperture that leaves uncovered the shoulder terminus, and adjustable straps for comfortably carrying the load over a shoulder of a user, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to an adjustable shoulder supported carrying strap assembly. The adjustable shoulder supported carrying strap assembly, hereafter “assembly” provides an adjustable carrying strap and shoulder pad for use in combination with any type of load, such as a laptop bag, that enables the load to be carried over the shoulder. Specifically, the assembly comprises a shoulder pad defined by a central aperture used in combination with adjustable straps for comfortably carrying the load over a shoulder of a user.
The assembly comprises a shoulder pad that is configured to snugly engage the point of the shoulder. The shoulder pad is defined by a central aperture that snugly encircles the point of the shoulder. The shoulder pad further comprises an engagement surface which, in use, engages against the shoulder of the user. The shoulder pad further comprises an outer surface which, in use, faces away from the shoulder of the user.
The assembly further comprises at least one adjustable strap defined by a load end and a shoulder end. The load end may have a length adjusting mechanism that allows the length of the strap to be reconfigured, as needed. The shoulder end fixedly mounts to the edge of the shoulder pad. The shoulder pad has a larger surface area than the adjustable strap so as to spread the weight of the load over a larger area on the shoulder of the user.
The shoulder pad further comprises a pad member integrated therein to provide additional comfort to the shoulder. The engagement surface may further include a grip on the engagement surface to concentrically secure the shoulder pad on the shoulder. The central aperture that forms in the shoulder pad encircles the point of the shoulder to help restrict sliding by the shoulder pad from the shoulder. The central aperture also works to reduce stress on the point of the shoulder, whereby the greatest stress from the weight of the load occurs in the more muscular lower regions of the shoulder that the shoulder pad covers.
One objective of the present invention is to spread out the weight of the laptop bag or other load on the shoulder, while carrying.
Another objective is to enable hands-free carrying of a load.
Yet another objective is to adjust the length of the straps to accommodate different sized users and different weights of loads.
Yet another objective is to provide a grip member that inhibits slippage of the shoulder pad from the shoulder.
Yet another objective is to provide a pad member that enhances comfort to the shoulder.
Yet another objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture adjustable shoulder supported carrying strap assembly.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
An adjustable shoulder supported carrying strap assembly 100 is referenced in
Those skilled in the art will recognize that laptop bags can be heavy, and a simply shoulder strap can cut into the wearer's shoulder, causing discomfort. Also, the material of the typical strap does not grip very well to typical textile material of a top or coat of the user on which the strap engages. This can lead to the strap continually slipping off the shoulder, which causes annoyance to the user.
As referenced in
As
Looking now at
Thus, it is these shoulder lower regions 206 that carry the pressure and stress from the load, rather than the terminus. By covering the lower regions 206 of the shoulder and leaving free the terminus 204 of the shoulder in such a manner, the shoulder pad 102 is also effective in allowing greater freedom of movement for the arm, allowing the shoulder 202 to move through a full 360° in the sagittal plane. Another advantage provided through use of the central aperture 104 is that air is allowed to flow more freely over the shoulder 202.
As
The shoulder pad 102 is further defined by a peripheral edge 110. At least one fastening hole 112a, 112b forms in the peripheral edge 110. The fastening hole 112a, 112b allows a fastening mechanism 126a, 126b to attach at least one adjustable strap 118 thereto, as discussed below. In some embodiments, a pad member 114 integrates into the shoulder pad 102. The pad member 114 may include padding material, such as foam, to further improve comfort to the shoulder 202.
Turning now to
The shoulder end 122 of the adjustable strap 118 fixedly attaches to the peripheral edge 110 of the shoulder pad 102. A fastening mechanism 126a, 126b may also be used to releasably attach the adjustable strap 118 to the shoulder pad 102. The fastening mechanism 126a, 126b joins the shoulder end 122 of the adjustable strap 118 to the at least one fastening hole 112a, 112b. In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism 126a, 126b comprising a swivel clip. Though any fastening mechanism known in the art may be used to detachably attach the adjustable strap 118 to the shoulder pad 102.
Turning now to the perspective view of
The overriding objective of the present invention is to reduce stress on the shoulder 202, and specifically on the terminus 204 of the shoulder. These elements are aimed at increasing comfort to the shoulder of the wearer while carrying the load 200. Thus, as
In one exemplary, non-limiting embodiment shown in
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
