Abstract:
A backpack with improved shoulder straps includes a set of fold-over panels formed respectively on the shoulder straps, wherein each of the fold-over panels extends from an inner side of the shoulder strap on which it is formed, folds over the shoulder strap, and attaches to an outer side of the shoulder strap on which it is formed. The improved shoulder straps mitigate chafing around the neck of a user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/297,610, filed Feb. 19, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to backpacks, which can be used for travelling, or in a wide range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Backpacks allow users to carry items by distributing the load across the users&#39; shoulders and back. Typically, a backpack is held on a user&#39;s shoulders by shoulder straps, through which the user inserts her arms. Carrying cargo in a backpack can be a comfortable alternative to hand-carrying. 
         [0004]    Conventional backpack shoulder straps suffer from several flaws. While conventional shoulder straps are often padded to reduce some strain and discomfort on a user&#39;s shoulders, simply padding shoulder straps has a limited effect on a user&#39;s comfort. Ordinary padded shoulder straps do little more than alleviate pressure directed into a user&#39;s shoulders. Conventional shoulder straps are typically flat and the inner sides of the straps lie in the curved region between a user&#39;s neck and shoulders. When weight is applied to these inner sides, chafing and muscle strain frequently occurs due to the presence of seams on the inner sides or other uncomfortable constructions. 
         [0005]    Further, conventional shoulder straps lie awkwardly over a user&#39;s shoulders and upper back. While backpacks themselves may be soft and easily manipulated into different shapes, objects frequently carried in backpacks, such as books and laptop computers, are flat and hard. When these objects are carried in backpacks, the backpacks take on the flat shape of the object inside. Conventional shoulder straps are most often fastened to the top of a backpack by being sewn into the top seam. With such a configuration, the flat side of the body of the backpack may lie against the natural curvature of a user&#39;s back, resulting in pressure points and discomfort. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a backpack with shoulder straps that reduce strain and chafing on the user&#39;s neck, shoulders, and back. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    One aspect of the present invention relates to backpacks with improved shoulder straps for increased user comfort. One example of such an apparatus may include a body, a first shoulder strap attached to the body, and a second shoulder strap attached to the body. The example apparatus may also include a first fold-over panel formed on the first shoulder strap, where the first fold-over panel extends from an inner side of the first shoulder strap, folds over the first shoulder strap, and attaches to an outer side of the first shoulder strap. The example apparatus may further include a second fold-over panel formed on the second shoulder strap, where the second fold-over panel extends from an inner side of the second shoulder strap, folds over the second shoulder strap, and attaches to an outer side of the second shoulder strap. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the first fold-over panel and the second fold-over panel may fold over the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap respectively in a direction opposite of the body. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the first fold-over panel and the second fold-over panel may be integrated with the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap respectively. The fold-over panels may further be constructed with a perforated foam. 
         [0010]    Still another embodiment may include a sternum strap that is attached to the first shoulder strap underneath the first fold-over panel and is attached to the second shoulder strap underneath the second fold-over panel. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a shoulder strap configuration for improving load distribution across a user&#39;s neck, shoulders, and back. An example of such an apparatus may include a body and a first shoulder strap including a first back panel, where an inner side of the first back panel is attached to the body and the first shoulder strap folds where the attachment between the inner side of the first back panel and the body ends. The apparatus may further include a second shoulder strap including a second back panel, where an inner side of the second back panel is attached to the body and the second shoulder strap folds where the attachment between the inner side of the first back panel and the body ends. The apparatus may further include a first load-stabilizing strap that is attached to both the body and the first shoulder strap and a second load-stabilizing strap that is attached to both the body and the second shoulder strap. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, an outer side of the first back panel and an outer side of the second back panel may be attached to the body. In another embodiment, at least a portion of an outer side of the first back panel and at least a portion of an outer side of the second back panel may be unattached to the body. 
         [0013]    In still another embodiment, the first back panel and the second back panel may extend to a lower seam of the body. Still another embodiment may further include a lumbar panel attached to the body below the back panels. 
         [0014]    In still another embodiment, the first back panel and the second back panel may be integrated with the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap respectively. 
         [0015]    In still another embodiment, the first load-stabilizing strap may be attached to the first shoulder strap underneath the first fold-over panel and the second load-stabilizing strap may be attached to the second shoulder strap underneath the second fold-over panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings. The drawings are intended to disclose but a few possible examples of the present invention, and thus do not limit the present invention&#39;s scope. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an example first embodiment of a backpack with improved shoulder straps in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows an example configuration of an improved shoulder strap in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows an example second embodiment of a backpack with improved shoulder straps in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a top-down view of an example second embodiment of a backpack with improved shoulder straps in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows the back panels of an example second embodiment of a backpack with improved shoulder straps in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of an example second embodiment of a backpack with improved shoulder straps in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows an alternate side view of an example second embodiment of a backpack with improved shoulder straps in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows an example third embodiment of a backpack with improved shoulder straps in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows an alternate view of an example third embodiment of a backpack with improved shoulder straps in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The present invention generally relates to improved shoulder straps. While a preferred example of shoulder straps is described in detail below in conjunction with a backpack, the shoulder straps described herein may also be applied to a broad variety of apparatuses such as safety vests and safety harnesses. 
         [0027]    One example of improved shoulder straps on a backpack in accordance with the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Backpack  100  includes body  102 , shoulder straps  104 , fold-over panels,  106 , and a sternum strap  110 . The shoulder straps  104  are attached at one end to a top portion of body  102  and may be sewn into a top seam or attached by another suitable means. 
         [0028]    The shoulder straps  104  include fold-over panels  106  which extend from an inner side of each shoulder strap  104 . The inner side of each shoulder strap  104  is a side closest to the center of the body  102  and closest to a user&#39;s center when the user wears the backpack as intended. The fold-over panels  106  are folded over the shoulder straps  104  preferably away from the body  102 , but may be folded over toward the body  102  in an alternate embodiment. When folded over the shoulder straps  104 , the fold-over panels  106  are attached to an outer side  108  of each of the respective shoulder straps  104 . The outer side  108  of each shoulder strap  104  is a side farthest from the center of the body  102  and farthest from a user&#39;s center when the user wears the backpack as intended. The fold-over panels  106  may be sewn into a seam along the outer sides  108  of the shoulder straps  104  or may be attached by another suitable means. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  further illustrates the geometry of a shoulder strap in accordance with the present invention. The shoulder strap  104  includes a fold-over panel  106  which extends from one side. The fold-over panel  106  is preferably rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, but it is contemplated that the fold-over panel  106  may take on other shapes. Preferably, the fold-over panel  106  is roughly as wide as the shoulder strap  104  so that when it is folded over the shoulder strap  104 , it lies within the width profile of the shoulder strap  104 . During construction, the fold-over panel is folded over the shoulder strap and attached to the outer side  108  of the shoulder strap  104 . The fold-over panel  106  is formed on the shoulder strap  104  such that the combination of the shoulder strap  104  and fold-over panel  106  is an integrated and unitary element. Such a construction may be produced, for example, by a single die-cut of the base materials. This way, when shoulder-straps  104  with fold-over panels are worn with a backpack, the curvature of a user&#39;s neck and shoulders contacts the seamless transition between the shoulder straps  104  and the fold-over panels  106 . The shoulder straps  104  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are intended to promote comfort by substituting the gentle transition into the fold-over panels  106  for the abrasive constructions of traditional shoulder straps which orient seams or other uncomfortable constructions against a user&#39;s neck. 
         [0030]    Shoulder straps  104  and fold-over panels  106  may be constructed with many different materials. An example construction may include 8 mm corrugated EVA foam for internal padding. The EVA foam may include perforations  122  throughout to improve air flow through the shoulder straps  104  and minimize the density of the padding, thus making the shoulder straps  104  lighter. Perforations  122  may be of varying sizing and spacing depending on the support needs of any particular padded area. On the undersides of the shoulder straps  104  and on the fold-over panels  106 , the EVA foam may be covered by a 4-way stretch mesh. On the fronts of the shoulder straps  104 , the EVA foam may be covered by a spacer mesh. The shoulder straps  104  may further be enclosed at the sides by a grosgrain binding and/or a herringbone poly twill binding. 
         [0031]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , backpack  100  may optionally include a sternum strap  110  for further securing the load on a user. Sternum strap  110  includes a buckle which may be adjusted for tightness in the horizontal direction and may also have an adjustable vertical position along the shoulder straps  104 . Sternum strap  110  may be attached to each of the shoulder straps  104  via carriage straps that run along the shoulder straps  104 . The carriage straps may be anchored to the shoulder straps  104  at a location underneath the fold-over panels  106  to conceal seams or other means of attachment. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Backpack  200  includes body  202 , shoulder straps  204 , folder-over panels  206 , a sternum strap  210 , back panels  214 , and load-stabilizing straps  220 . 
         [0033]    The shoulder straps  204  include fold-over panels  206  which extend from an inner side of each shoulder strap  204 . The inner side of each shoulder strap  204  is a side closest to the center of the body  202  and closest to a user&#39;s center when the user wears the backpack as intended. The fold-over panels  206  are folded over the shoulder straps  204  preferably away from the body  202 , but may be folded over toward the body in an alternate embodiment. When folded over the shoulder straps  204 , the fold-over panels  206  are attached to an outer side  208  of each of the shoulder straps  204 . The outer side  208  of each shoulder strap  204  is a side farthest from the center of the body  202  and farthest from a user&#39;s center when the user wears the backpack as intended. The fold-over panels  206  may be sewn into a seam along the outer sides  208  of the shoulder straps  204  or may be attached by another suitable means. 
         [0034]    Fold-over panels  206  are preferably rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, but it is contemplated that fold-over panels  206  may take on other shapes. Preferably, fold-over panels  206  are roughly as wide as the shoulder straps  204  so that when they are folded over the shoulder straps  204 , they lie within the width profile of the shoulder straps  204 . During construction, the fold-over panels are folded over the shoulder straps  204  and attached to the outer sides  208  of the shoulder straps  204 . Preferably, the fold-over panels  206  are formed on the shoulder straps  204  such that the combination of the shoulder straps  204  and fold-over panels  206  are integrated and unitary elements. Such a construction may be produced, for example, by a single die-cut of the base materials. This way, when shoulder straps  204  with fold-over panels  206  are worn with a backpack, the curvature of a user&#39;s neck and shoulders contacts the seamless transitions between the shoulder straps  204  and the fold-over panels  206 . 
         [0035]    Shoulder straps  204  further include back panels  212  which are attached to a back face of body  202 . The inner sides  214  of back panels  212  are attached to the body via sewing or another suitable means of attachment. The inner side  214  of each back panel  212  is a side closest to the center of the body  202  and closest to a user&#39;s center when the user wears the backpack as intended. Outer side attached portions  218  of back panels  216  may also be attached to an outer edge of body  202  via sewing or another suitable means of attachment. Outer side attached portions  218  are preferably only attached to a lower portion of body  202  and unattached portions  216  of back panels  212  are not attached to the body  202  at all. Thus, upper portions of back panels  212  are free to articulate to conform to the curvature of a user&#39;s back. Back panels  212  may extend downward to a lower edge of the back face of body  202 , effectively covering much of the back face of body  202  where it may contact a user&#39;s back. 
         [0036]    Where the attachment between inner sides  214  and the body  202  end near the top of the body  202 , shoulder straps  204  fold over and extend downward. Shoulder straps  204  and back panels  212  are constructed such that the combination of the shoulder straps  204  and respective back panels  212  are integrated and unitary elements. Such a construction may be produced, for example, by a single die-cut of the base materials. When back panels  212  are integrated with shoulder straps  204 , the interface between these elements and a user&#39;s shoulders and back is smoother than with traditional backpacks, thus reducing pressure points and promoting comfort. 
         [0037]    It should be noted that because each shoulder strap  204  is integrated with a fold-over panel  206  and a back panel  212 , the three elements together may be produced, for example, by a single die-cut of the base materials. 
         [0038]    Shoulder straps  204 , fold-over panels  206 , and back panels  212  may be constructed with many different materials. An example construction may include 8 mm corrugated EVA foam for internal padding. The EVA foam may include perforations throughout to improve air flow and minimize the density of the padding, thus making the backpack  200  lighter. On the undersides of the shoulder straps  204 , the fold-over panels  206 , and the back panels  212 , the EVA foam may be covered by a 4-way stretch mesh. On the fronts of the shoulder straps  204 , the EVA foam may be covered by a spacer mesh. The shoulder straps  204  may further be enclosed at the sides by a grosgrain binding and/or a herringbone poly twill binding. 
         [0039]    Backpack  200  further includes load-stabilizing straps  220  which attach at one end to the top of the body  202  and respectively at another end to one of the shoulder straps  204 . The load-stabilizing straps  220  may be sewn into a top seam of the body  202  or may be attached by another suitable method. Load-stabilizing straps  220  may include ladder locks such that a user can adjust their length. By adjusting the length of load-stabilizing straps  220 , a user can effectively adjust the position of the load on her shoulders and back. Tightening load-stabilizing straps  220  raises the body  202  up on a user&#39;s shoulders and back, whereas loosening load-stabilizing strap  220  lowers the body  202  on the user&#39;s shoulders and back. Load-stabilizing straps  220  may be attached to shoulder straps  204  underneath fold-over panels  206  so as to hide sewing seams or the like. 
         [0040]    Backpack  200  may optionally include a sternum strap  210  for further securing the load on a user. Sternum strap  210  includes a buckle which may be adjusted for tightness in the horizontal direction and may also have an adjustable vertical position along the shoulder straps  204 . Sternum strap  210  may be attached to each of the shoulder straps  104  via carriage straps that run along the shoulder straps  204 . The carriage straps may be anchored to the shoulder straps  104  at a location underneath the fold-over panels  206  to conceal seams or other means of attachment. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top-down view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . Back panels  212  are attached to body  202  along their inner sides but top portions of back panels  212  are free to pull away from body  202  and articulate about inner sides  214 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates a direct view of back panels  212  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  with shoulder straps  204  lifted out of view. Back panels  212  include perforations  222  throughout to improve air flow and minimize the density of the padding, thus making the back panels  212  lighter. Perforations  222  may be of varying sizing and spacing depending on the support needs of any particular padded area. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  further illustrate side views of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  illustrates a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Backpack  300  includes body  302 , shoulder straps  304 , folder-over panels  306 , a sternum strap  310 , back panels  314 , load-stabilizing straps  320 , and lumbar panel  324 . 
         [0045]    The shoulder straps  304  include fold-over panels  306  which extend from an inner side of each shoulder strap  304 . The inner side of each shoulder strap  304  is a side closest to the center of the body  302  and closest to a user&#39;s center when the user wears the backpack as intended. The fold-over panels  306  are folded over the shoulder straps  304  preferably away from the body  302 , but may be folded over toward the body in an alternate embodiment. When folded over the shoulder straps  304 , the fold-over panels  306  are attached to an outer side  308  of each of the shoulder straps  304 . The outer side  308  of each shoulder strap  304  is a side farthest from the center of the body  302  and farthest from a user&#39;s center when the user wears the backpack as intended. The fold-over panels  306  may be sewn into a seam along the outer sides  308  of the shoulder straps  304  or may be attached by another suitable means. 
         [0046]    Fold-over panels  306  are preferably rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, but it is contemplated that fold-over panels  306  may take on other shapes. Preferably, fold-over panels  306  are roughly as wide as the shoulder straps  304  so that when they are folded over the shoulder straps  304 , they lie within the width profile of the shoulder straps  304 . During construction, the fold-over panels  306  are folded over the shoulder straps  304  and attached to the outer sides  308  of the shoulder straps  304 . The fold-over panels  306  are formed on the shoulder straps  304  such that the combination of the shoulder straps  304  and fold-over panels  306  are integrated and unitary elements. Such a construction may be produced, for example, by a single die-cut of the base materials. This way, when shoulder-straps  304  with fold-over panels  306  are worn with a backpack, the curvature of a user&#39;s neck and shoulders contacts the seamless transitions between the shoulder straps  304  and the fold-over panels  306 . 
         [0047]    Shoulder straps  304  further include back panels  312  which are attached to a back face of body  302 . The inner sides  314  of back panels  312  are attached to the body via sewing or another suitable means of attachment. The inner side  314  of each back panel  312  is a side closest to the center of the body  302  and closest to a user&#39;s center when the user wears the backpack as intended. Unattached portions  316  of back panels  312  are not attached to the body  302  at all. Thus, back panels  312  are free to articulate about inner sides  314  to conform to the curvature of a user&#39;s back. Lower on body  302  beneath back panels  312  is a lumbar panel  324  for providing support to a user&#39;s lower back. Lumbar panel  324  may be attached along a bottom seam of body  302  and extend upward as far as back panels  312 . 
         [0048]    Where the attachment between inner sides  314  and the body  302  end near the top of the body  302 , shoulder straps  304  fold over and extend downward. Shoulder straps  304  and back panels  312  are constructed such that the combination of the shoulder straps  304  and respective back panels  312  are integrated and unitary elements. Such a construction may be produced, for example, by a single die-cut of the base materials. When back panels  312  are integrated with shoulder straps  304 , the interface between these elements and a user&#39;s shoulders and back is smoother than with traditional backpacks, thus reducing pressure points and promoting comfort. 
         [0049]    It should be noted that because each shoulder strap  304  is integrated with a fold-over panel  306  and a back panel  312 , the three elements together may be produced, for example, by a single die-cut of the base materials. 
         [0050]    Shoulder straps  304 , fold-over panels  306 , back panels  312 , and lumbar panel  324  may be constructed with many different materials. An example construction may include 8 mm corrugated EVA foam for internal padding of the aforementioned elements. The EVA foam may include perforations  322  throughout to improve air flow and minimize the density of the padding, thus making the backpack  300  lighter. Perforations  322  may be of varying sizing and spacing depending on the support needs of any particular padded area. On the undersides of the shoulder straps  304 , the fold-over panels  306 , the back panels  312 , and the lumbar panel  324  the EVA foam may be covered by a 4-way stretch mesh. On the fronts of the shoulder straps  304 , the EVA foam may be covered by a spacer mesh. The shoulder straps  304  may further be enclosed at the sides by a grosgrain binding and/or a herringbone poly twill binding. 
         [0051]    Backpack  300  further includes load-stabilizing straps  320  which attach at one end to the top of the body  302  and respectively at another end to one of the shoulder straps  304 . The load-stabilizing straps  320  may be sewn into a top seam of the body  302  or may be attached by another suitable method. Load-stabilizing straps  320  may include ladder locks such that a user can adjust their length. By adjusting the length of load-stabilizing straps  320 , a user can effectively adjust the position of the load on her shoulders and back. Tightening load-stabilizing straps  320  raises the body  302  up on a user&#39;s shoulders and back, whereas loosening load-stabilizing strap  320  lowers the body  302  on the user&#39;s shoulders and back. Load-stabilizing straps  320  may be attached to shoulder straps  304  underneath fold-over panels  306  so as to hide sewing seams or the like. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  illustrates another view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 . Back panels  312  are attached to body  302  along their inner sides  314  but unattached portions  316  are free to pull away from body  302  and articulate about inner sides  314 . This allows the back panels  312  integrated with shoulder straps  304  to more closely conform to the contours of a user&#39;s back and shoulders, thus promoting comfort. 
         [0053]    While various embodiments have been described, other embodiments are plausible. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of various examples of a backpack with improved shoulder straps are not intended to be limiting, and any number of modifications, combinations, and alternatives of the examples may be employed. 
         [0054]    The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of the invention may be described above only in the context of certain examples or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurations while remaining within the scope of the invention.