Shoulder strap assembly having limited stretchability

A shoulder strap assembly combines both stretchable and non-stretchable strap members in such a way that the complete assembly has a carefully restricted ability to stretch in the longitudinal direction. A bottom one of the strap members is totally resilient and provides excellent cushioning but lacks the necessary stiffness and mechanical strength to support a load. An upper strap member has a composite structure, being of non-stretchable and strong material in its two end portions but stretchable in its middle section. These two strap members are combined in a parallel relationship and fastened together at the two ends of the stretchable middle section, as well as at other points along their length. The significance of the invention is that while it provides comfort for the wearer and a solid support of whatever load the wearer is carrying, a limited longitudinal stretchability of the strap assembly greatly minimizes the bouncing action.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
There are almost an unlimited number of situations where a person finds it 
convenient or necessary to utilize a shoulder strap for carrying a load. 
In modern context, one example is a golfer who carries a golf bag for 
large distances while walking around a golf course. 
For convenience of the wearer, such a strap assembly is often made 
adjustable. Furthermore, whatever the load may be, it is desirable to 
construct the strap assembly in such a way as to provide a cushioning 
action upon the shoulder of the wearer. 
PRIOR ART 
Applicable prior art discovered by Applicant from a novelty search 
includes: 
______________________________________ 
U.S. Pat. No. 
Inventor Intl. Class. 
______________________________________ 
4,550,869 Johnson A61F 5/40 
4,361,258 Clark F41C 33/00 
4,401,246 Dickenson & Clark 
G41D 11/00 
4,096,863 Kaplan et al A61M 25/02 
4,569,465 O'Farrell A45F 3/00 
4,716,892 Brunswick A61F 5/04, 5/02 
4,782,556 Kim A45C 13/26 
4,768,689 Davis A45F 3/14 
2,830,747 Creste Cl. 224-I (old U.S.) 
______________________________________ 
A number of the references show adjustable straps. Johnson and Davis show 
flexible straps. Johnson's strap assembly includes cushioning material 
which is elastically deformable under load. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A particular problem which has been encountered is that the up-and-down 
motion which a person experiences when walking can translate into 
uncomfortable changes in the load pressure of the strap assembly upon the 
person's shoulder. Also, when cushioning material is used that is 
resilient and hence stretchable, the up-and-down walking motion causes the 
load to bounce up and down in an undesirable fashion. 
Furthermore, the weight of the load being carried has an influence on the 
bouncing effect. Particularly if a heavy load is being carried, a strap 
assembly which has a sufficient amount of resilience to provide a desired 
cushioning effect may at the same time permit excessive bouncing, which is 
very uncomfortable and inconvenient for the person involved. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the invention a shoulder strap assembly combines both 
stretchable and non-stretchable strap members in such a way that the 
complete assembly has a carefully restricted ability to stretch in the 
longitudinal direction. The significance of the invention is that it 
provides comfort for the wearer and a solid support of whatever load the 
wearer is carrying, and that a limited longitudinal stretchability of the 
strap assembly greatly minimizes the bouncing action. 
More particularly, in the presently preferred form of the invention an 
elongated resilient under strap member provides a shoulder pad having an 
under surface adapted to cushionably rest upon the shoulder of a wearer. 
An auxiliary strap assembly is disposed above and in parallel relation to 
the shoulder pad. The auxiliary strap assembly includes first and second 
separate end sections made of a relatively non-stretchable material, and 
also a separate center section made of a material which is longitudinally 
stretchable. First and second transverse stitch means secure the 
corresponding ends of the stretchable center section, as well as the inner 
ends of the first and second end sections of the auxiliary strap assembly, 
to the shoulder pad. The ends of the auxiliary strap assembly are secured 
to respective ends of the shoulder pad. As a result, the complete strap 
assembly is divided into at least a middle portion and two end portions, 
so that the weight of a load carried from the ends of the strap assembly 
may cause it to stretch by a substantial amount in its middle portion, 
between the first and second stitch means, but not within its end 
portions. 
An additional feature of the preferred form of the invention is a cover 
strap member which not only provides an improved appearance of the 
assembly, but also aids in its mechanical functioning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
A complete strap assembly A includes an elongated, relatively wide and 
relatively thick shoulder pad or bottom strap member 15 which is made of 
an elastomeric material such as neoprene. This shoulder pad fits directly 
upon the person's shoulder and provides cushioning action. The bottom 
strap member or shoulder pad 15 is preferably widened in its middle 
portion relative to its ends, as shown. 
FIG. 3 shows the strap assembly of the invention in its stretched 
condition, while FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-6 show the strap assembly when it not 
stretched. In FIG. 2 the strap member 15 at the bottom of the assembly is 
shown with an exaggerated amount of sag, but only for purpose of clarity 
in illustration. 
The complete shoulder strap assemblY also comprises an auxiliary strap 
assembly disposed above and in parallel relation to the shoulder pad 15. 
This auxiliary strap assembly includes a center section 20 made of a 
material that is longitudinally stretchable, and first and second end 
sections 22, 24, which are made of a relatively non-stretchable material. 
The separate short piece 20 of stretchable strap material covers a middle 
longitudinal portion of pad 15. The pair of truncated, non-stretchable 
strap members 22, 24, are disposed upon the upper surface of the under 
strap member 15 and cover respective end portions thereof. The outer ends 
of the non-stretchable strap members also extend beyond the respective 
ends of the under strap member 15. The inner ends of straps 22, 24, are in 
overlapping relation to the respective ends of center strap section 20. 
See FIG. 6. 
An elongated and longitudinally stretchable cover strap member 18 is 
disposed in parallel relation above, and covering, both the center strap 
member 20 and each of the non-stretchable strap members 22, 24. The cover 
strap is not indispensable to the operation of the device, but provides an 
improved appearance as well as assisting in the mechanical function. 
There are first and second transverse stitch strips 35, 36, which fasten 
respective ends of center stretch piece 20 to the overlapping ends of 
respective non-stretch pieces 22, 24, as well as to corresponding points 
on the shoulder pad 15 and the cover strap 18. Third and fourth transverse 
stitch strips 30, 31 are also provided at locations somewhat inwardly from 
the respective ends of strap member 15. These third and fourth stitch 
strips secure the under strap member 15, near its respective ends, to the 
respective non-stretchable strap members 22, 24, near their corresponding 
ends, and at the same time to the cover strap member 18. See FIG. 5. The 
stitch strips 30, 31, do not extend the full width of the elastomeric pad 
15, as may be clearly seen in FIG. 4. 
A separate load-attachment means is secured to each respective end of the 
cover strap member 18 and also to its associated non-stretchable strap 
member 22 or 24. As shown, a belt loop 10 on the left-hand end of assembly 
A receives a conventional snap-fastener 40, while a belt loop 11 on the 
right-hand end of assembly A receives a conventional snap-fastener 42. 
Although not specifically shown, it will be understood that the snap 
fasteners 40, 42, are utilized for attachment to a load, which is then 
carried by the person through use of the strap assembly. 
More specifically, the extending ends of the non-stretchable strap members 
22, 24, and of the cover strap member 18 are turned over the respective 
ends of the shoulder pad 15 in 180 degree bends, as shown in FIG. 5. The 
belt loops 10 and 11 are secured within respective ones of the turned-over 
strap members. It will also be seen as shown in FIG. 5 that beneath the 
strap member 15 the extremity of the cover strap 18 is turned over the end 
of the non-stretchable strap member 22 so as to enclose both its inner and 
outer surfaces. 
The turned-over end portions of the strap members 22, 24, are then sewed 
upon themselves by fifth and sixth stitch means 25, 26, respectively, 
which do not pass through the upwardly exposed portion of the cover strap 
18, as that would be esthetically undesirable. Thus as shown in FIGS. 4 
and 5 with regard to strap member 22, the stitch 25, which forms an 
enclosed rectangular pattern, passes through the outer portion of cover 
strap 18 on the bottom side of the strap member 15, then through the 
extremity of non-stretchable strap section 22, then through the 
turned-over end portion of cover strap 18, then through the resilient 
shoulder pad 15, and then again through strap section 22 on the top side 
of strap member 15. The upper surface of the stitch 25 on the upper 
portion of strap 22 is then covered by the upwardly facing portion of 
cover strap 18. 
In that connection it should be noted that the non-stretchable strap 
members 22, 24 are essentially cloth, such as polypropylene or nylon 
webbing, and their turned-over end portions, having the extremities of the 
neoprene pad 15 captured within them, are therefore able to provide 
adequate mechanical support for the snap fasteners, which the neoprene 
alone could not do. Furthermore, strap members 22, 24, prevent the elastic 
member 18 from being stretched out of shape by the pulling force of belt 
loops 10, 11. 
In operation, only the coincidence of the stretch straps 18 and 20 in a 
short center section of the strap assembly permits it to stretch 
longitudinally. FIG. 3 shows the strap assembly under longitudinal 
tension, with the center section being stretched by a substantial amount, 
but the end sections being stretched only slightly. It is this limited 
stretchability which in turn permits only a limited bouncing action of the 
load to occur. 
It will be understood that the length of the stretch straps 18 and 20 may 
be made either longer or shorter, as needed, in order to provide the exact 
mechanical action that is desired. Thus, the stitches 35, 36, may be moved 
either closer together or further apart, and center strap section 20 made 
accordingly shorter or longer. Further, it is possible to use only a 
single stretch strap 20, or for that matter, to use three or more stretch 
straps in parallel at that location when heavier loads are to be carried. 
The invention has been disclosed in considerable detail in its presently 
preferred form in order to comply fully with the requirements of the 
patent law. It will be understood, however, that the scope of the 
invention is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims.