This invention relates in general to sport and utility bags and, in particular, to shoulder straps for carrying sport and utility bags such as golf bags.
Participants in the sport of golf often use golf bags to carry golf clubs, golf balls, tees and other equipment on the golf course. So-called cart bags are large, heavy bags designed to carry a full set of golf clubs plus accessories and even refreshments. As the name implies, cart bags are intended to ride on a golf cart rather than being carried from hole to hole. So-called carry bags, on the other hand, are relatively lightweight to facilitate the golfer carrying the bag and its contents for the entire round of golf. In spite of this, a fully loaded carry bag can still weigh twenty to thirty pounds or more. Consequently, a golf bag with an ergonomically designed strap would be of benefit.
Throughout the description and the claims, the terms “upper” and “lower” are used with reference to the vertically upward and vertically downward directions of shoulder strap 10 in use as shown in
As shown in
First end portion 28 has a longitudinal axis 56 that diverges from longitudinal axis 34 of first arm 32 at an obtuse angle. Similarly, second end portion 30 has a longitudinal axis 58 that diverges from longitudinal axis 38 of second arm 40 at an obtuse angle. First end portion 28 and first arm 32 form a panel having a generally inverted “V” profile. Similarly, second end portion 30 and second arm 40 form a panel having a generally inverted V-shaped profile. These inverted V-shaped profiles complement the generally upright V-shaped profile of central portion 26. This ergonomic shape shifts the line of action F1 of the bag straps 18, 20 closer to the center line C of a person's body for greater comfort. With a conventional shoulder pad, the straps 18, would have a line of action F2.
Outer edges 60 and 62 of first and second end portions 28, 30 blend smoothly into the generally concave outer edge of first and second arms 32, 40. The inner edge 64 of first end portion 28 converges with the inner edge 42 of first arm 32 to form an apex 66 separating inner edge 64 of first end portion 28 from the substantially continuous concave inner edge formed by inner edges 42 and 44. Similarly, the inner edge 68 of second end portion 30 converges with inner edge 44 of second arm 40 at an apex 70, which separates inner edge 68 from the continuous concave inner edge formed by inner edges 42 and 44. Since flexible backing member 24 is intended to support the weight of the bag 22, it is therefore preferably made of a high-strength fabric, such as ballistic nylon, aramid or similar high-strength fabrics and is preferably of multi-layer construction enabling flexible backing member 24 to be stitched to bag straps 18 and 20 while concealing the terminus of bag straps 18 and 20.
With particular reference to
Preferably elongate bearing pads 72, 74 and 76 are formed of a medium density polyurethane elastomer, but may be formed of any suitably resistant elastomeric material. The tapered and curved arrangement of bearing members 72, 74 and 76 allows the shoulder strap pad 12 to take up the user's shoulder slope and prevent the shoulder strap 10 from sliding off the user's shoulder, while the shoulder cutout 54 prevents the shoulder pad 12 from pressing against the top of the user's shoulder. Slots 82 and 84 formed in flexible backing member 24 allow elongate bearing pads 72, 74 and 76 to flex independently, thus allowing shoulder strap pad 12 to conform to the movements of a person.
Chest and back pads 86 and 88 are attached to the bottom surface 80 of flexible backing member 24 and space flexible backing member 24 away from the person's chest and back. The chest and back pads 86, 88 reduce chafing of the shoulder pad 12 against the person, help secure the shoulder pad 12 by fixing the two points to keep the strap 10 from sliding horizontally off the person's shoulder and allow an air space between the strap 10 and the person's body for cooler comfort. Preferably chest pad 86 and back pad 88 are formed of a low durometer closed-cell polyurethane or similar material used for soft padding, and are generally rectangular in shape with a large central recess 90 for added comfort.
With reference to
Although certain illustrative embodiments and methods have been disclosed herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations in modifications of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the illustration embodiment includes three elongate bearing pad members, more or less than three bearing pad members are considered within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention should be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the rules and principles of applicable law.