Patent Publication Number: US-6698633-B2

Title: Shoulder pad

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/773,989 filed on Feb. 1, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of luggage and equipment for carrying luggage and more particularly, to an improved shoulder pad. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The prior art related to luggage and hand-carried equipment which includes various types of shoulder straps and shoulder pads which attempt to decrease the discomfort associated with carrying luggage or equipment by using a shoulder pad to distribute the load exerted by the weight of the equipment. Typically, conventional shoulder pads consist of a generally flat rectangular pad which is made of various types of rubber and a means for attaching the pad to a shoulder strap. 
     Conventional shoulder pads typically do not accomplish the goals of reducing the discomfort which results from the use of a shoulder strap. Conventional shoulder pads flex easily and do not adequately spread the load exerted on the shoulder of a user by the shoulder strap and thus do not adequately reduce the load per unit of area of contact between the shoulder pad and the user&#39;s shoulder. As a result, the conventional shoulder pad digs into the user&#39;s shoulder and severely limits both the load which can be carried and the length of time that the load can be carried before the degree of user discomfort becomes unacceptable. 
     In addition, a shoulder strap, when used with a conventional shoulder pad, tends to slide off the shoulder of a user. As a result, a user is forced to interrupt walking or other activity and continually readjust the position of the shoulder strap. This need for continuing periodic adjustment creates a degree of discomfort which further limits the utility of conventional shoulder pads. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoulder pad which effectively prevents the shoulder strap from digging into the shoulder of a user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoulder pad which can be used with relatively heavy loads for projected periods of time. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoulder pad which prevents the shoulder strap from slipping off the shoulder of a user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a high degree of comfort during use. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoulder pad which can be quickly and easily installed on a shoulder strap. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shoulder pad which comprises a relatively small number of component parts which can be manufactured economically in volume resulting in a relatively low unit cost. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly hereinafter. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a shoulder pad includes a relatively rigid body member and a relatively soft pad member. The pad member is mounted on a curved lower surface of the body member. The upper surface of the body member includes a slot which accepts a luggage strap and which is angled forwardly toward the lower surface. The curved lower surface accommodates the curvature of the user&#39;s shoulder while the pad member conforms to the individual user&#39;s shoulder anatomy. The upper and lower surfaces of the body member are formed in an angular relationship so that during use, the slot is always directed toward the user&#39;s shoulder so that the load exerted by the shoulder strap keeps the shoulder pad in place on the user&#39;s shoulder. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the body member is formed of a relatively flexible plastic material and includes a central portion which has an upper surface disposed at an angle relative to a lower surface. A pair of clip members facilitate attachment of the body member to a shoulder strap. During use, the shoulder strap extends over the upper surface of the central portion and under the clips with the angular central portion forcing the shoulder strap into the closed portion of the clips. The flexible body member bends to conform to the user&#39;s shoulder. 
     A relatively soft pad member is mounted on the lower surface of the body member. The pad member increases the comfort of the body member on the user&#39;s shoulder. A central portion of the pad member projects into an aperture which is formed in the central portion of the body member thereby aiding in locking the pad member and the body member together. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with an accompanying drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a shoulder pad made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front side elevation view of the shoulder pad of FIG. 1 taken along the line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1 drawn to an enlarged scale; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view taken along the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3 with a luggage strap shown in broken lines; 
     FIG. 5 is an end side elevation view taken along the line  5 — 5  of FIG. 1 with a luggage strap and the shoulder of a user shown in broken lines; and 
     FIG. 6 is an overall top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shoulder pad of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is an overall top perspective view of the shoulder pad of FIG. 6 taken from an opposite direction relative to the view of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the shoulder pad of FIG. 6 taken along the line  8 — 8  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the shoulder pad of FIG. 6 taken along the line  9 — 9  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the shoulder pad of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevation view taken along the line  11 — 11  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 12 is an end elevation view taken along the line  12 — 12  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevation view taken along the line  13 — 13  of FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the shoulder pad of FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate like or corresponding parts throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 a pad  10  for use with a shoulder strap  80  in carrying various types of luggage or other materials. The shoulder pad  10  includes a body member  12  and a pad member  14 . 
     When viewed from the top as shown in FIG. 1, the shoulder pad  10  appears as a generally rectangular member with rounded corners  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 . The shoulder pad  10  is defined in part by a first longitudinal surface  24  (which is also defined as the inner surface), second longitudinal surface  26  (which is also defined as the outer surface), a first transverse surface  28  and a second transverse surface  30 . 
     The body member  12  is further defined by an upper surface  32  and a lower surface  34 . When viewed from the front, as is best shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface  32  and the lower surface  34  are each curved. The upper surface  32  includes a curved portion  36  which extends from the top portion  38  of the first traverse surface  28  to the top portion  40  of the second transverse surface  30 . The lower surface  34  includes a curved portion  42  which extends from the bottom portion  44  of the first transverse surface  28  to the bottom portion  46  of the second transverse surface  30 . 
     The body member  12  includes an integrally formed upper portion  48  which partially overlies the curved portion  36  as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper portion  48  is spaced away from the curved portion  36  and, as a result, defines a slot  50  therebetween as is best shown in FIG.  3 . 
     A key feature of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG.  3 . As is best known in FIG. 3, the height of the first longitudinal surface  24  is relatively large compared to the height of the second longitudinal surface  26 . The shoulder pad  10  is thus relatively thicker at the outer surface  24  and relatively thinner at the inner surface  26 . When the shoulder pad  10  is positioned as shown in FIG. 3, the slot  50  slopes downward and toward the left while the lower surface  34  slopes downward and toward the right. The advantages of the above construction as related to the operation of the present invention will be described presently. 
     As is shown in FIG. 3, the body member  12  is integrally formed into a hollow molded plastic member with a relatively thin continuous wall  52 . The thin plastic wall combined with the various spacings and curvatures which have been described above results in a unit which is both light in weight and which is extremely stiff structurally. 
     A short flexible strap  54  has a first end  56  attached to a portion  58  of the upper portion  48  via an adhesive layer  60  and a second end which is removably attached to the body member  12  via a hook and loop fastener  64 . 
     A relatively soft flexible pad member  14  is attached to the lower surface  34  of the body member  12  as is shown in FIGS. 2-5 via an adhesive layer  68 . The edges  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  of the pad member  66  are tapered such that the portion  78  of the pad member  66  closest to the lower surface  34  is relatively thin. This configuration facilitates the formation of a strongly bonded joint between the pad member  14  and the body member  12 . The tapered edges  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  prevent snagging or tearing of the pad member  66  during use. The pad is preferably constructed of a gel layer which combines the ability to conform to the surface of the body member  12  and to conform to the shoulder of a user. 
     As is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 during use, a shoulder strap  80  of an item to be carried is slipped into the slot  50  and the end of the flexible strap  54  is attached to the body member  12 . The shoulder pad  10  is placed on the user&#39;s shoulder  82  with the second longitudinal surface  26  of the shoulder pad positioned closest to the user&#39;s neck  84 . The difference in height between first longitudinal surface  24  and the second longitudinal surface  26  compensates for the normal downward slope of the user&#39;s shoulder  82  as shown by the broken line  86  in FIG.  5 . The slot  50  thus is maintained in a configuration wherein it slopes downward and toward the left. As a result of the weight of the luggage or other material being carried, shoulder strap  80  is forced under the influence of gravity to always slide downwardly and inwardly relative to the slot  50 . The direction of the force exerted by the shoulder strap  80  is shown by the arrow  86  and the direction of the component of the force exerted by the shoulder strap  80  along the slot  50  is shown by the arrow  88 . This force  88  is then directed inwardly relative to the user&#39;s body which urges the shoulder pad  10  to remain in place on the user&#39;s shoulder  82  and not slide off as in a conventional shoulder pad. 
     The rigid construction of the body member  12  enables the body member  12  to effectively spread the load of the shoulder strap  80 . This reduces the load per unit area and enables the user to carry significant loads over long distances without discomfort. 
     The pad member  14  conforms to the user&#39;s body and accommodates the structure of the user&#39;s shoulder and promotes the comfort of the user. 
     The present invention thus provides a unique shoulder pad as a result of the combination of a relatively stiff and rigid specially-shaped body member  12  with a relatively soft and compliant pad member  14  and the formation of a slot for receiving a luggage strap. The angular relationship between the slot and the lower surface of the body member  12  ensures that the shoulder pad will not slide off the shoulder of a user. 
     FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment  200  of the shoulder pad  10  of FIG.  1 . The alternative embodiment  200  includes a body member  202  and a pad member  204 . The body member  202  is generally rectangular when viewed from the top as in FIG. 8 or from the bottom as in FIG.  9 . The body member  202  is defined by a generally straight first side edge  206 , a generally convexly curved second side edge  208  and a pair of generally inwardly tapered end edges  210 ,  212 . 
     The upper surface  214  of the body member  202  includes a pair of integrally formed clips  216 ,  218  which form a key feature of the present invention. As is best shown in FIGS. 6,  7  and  12 , the clips  216 ,  218  each includes a first portion  220  which projects in a generally upward direction from the upper surface  214  of the body member  202 . A second portion  222  projects in a generally downward direction toward the upper surface  214  of the body member  202 . The ends  224  of the clips  216 ,  218  are disposed close to the upper surface  214  of the body member  202 . 
     The body member  202  is made of a relatively flexible plastic material which enables the clips  216 ,  218  to flex to admit and retain a shoulder strap  226  under the clips  216 ,  218 . The shoulder strap  226  is indicated for purposes of reference by the broken lines  228  indicated in FIG.  8 . 
     The portions  230 ,  232  of the body member  202  adjacent to the clips  216 ,  218  define openings  234 ,  236 . The openings  234 ,  236  which are thus defined by the portions  230 ,  232  of the body member  202  enable a shoulder strap  226  which has been inserted under the clips  216 ,  218  to flex into the openings  234 ,  236  and thus remain securely attached to the body member  202 . In addition, the openings  234 ,  236  result in a reduction in the weight of the shoulder pad  200  and an increased degree of flexibility in the directions shown by the arrows  238 ,  240  in FIG.  7 . During use, this flexibility allows the body member  202  to conform to the curvature of a user&#39;s shoulder and thus provides increased user comfort. When the shoulder pad  200  is not in use, the body member  202  returns to its generally flat configuration resulting in convenient storage. 
     The central portion  242  of the body member  202  includes an upwardly projecting portion  244  which forms another key feature of the present invention. As is best shown in FIGS. 6,  7  and  12 , the upwardly projecting portion  244  has a relatively thicker portion  246  disposed relatively closer to the ends  224  of the clips  216 ,  218  and a relatively thinner portion  248  disposed closer to the portions  220  of the clips  216 ,  218 . The upper surface  250  of the projecting portion  244  thus slopes in a downward direction toward the edge  206  of the body member  202 . 
     As a result of the sloping surface  250  of the projecting portion  244 , a shoulder strap  226  which has been placed under the clips  216 ,  218  and over the projecting portion  244  is held in an extremely secure manner. The shoulder strap when  226 , loaded by an item being carried, will tend to slide in downward direction on the projecting portion  244  in the direction shown by the arrow  252  in FIG.  12 . As the shoulder strap  226  moves in the direction shown by the arrow  252 , the shoulder strap  226  is urged against the portions  220  on the clips  216 ,  218  and is thus retained securely on the body member  202 . In addition, the slope of the projecting portion  244  of the body member  202  compensates for the natural slope of a user&#39;s shoulder as previously described in connection with FIG.  5  and prevents the shoulder strap  226  from slipping off the user&#39;s shoulder. 
     The resilient pad member  204  is mounted on the lower surface  254  of the body member  202  by an adhesive layer  256 . The pad member  204 , which is made of a foam material or a soft rubber, conforms to the user&#39;s body and contributes toward the comfort of the user. The pad member  204  has an upwardly projecting portion  258  which projects upwardly into a slot  260  formed in the projecting portion  244  of the body member  202 . The upper surface  262  of the projecting portion  258  projects slightly above the surface  250  of the projecting portion  244  as is shown in FIG.  13 . The surface  262  of the pad member  204  has a relatively high coefficient of friction which helps hold the strap  226  in place when the shoulder pad  200  is in use. 
     As is shown in FIGS. 6,  7  and  8 , the projecting portion  258  is tapered and closely fits a complementary shaped opening  264  in the projecting portion  244 . 
     The portion  264  of the pad  204  adjacent to edge  206  is relatively thicker than the portion  266  adjacent to the edge  208 . This configuration aids in locking the resilient pad  204  and the body member  202  together. The corners  268 ,  270 ,  272 ,  274  of the body member  202  and the resilient pad  204  are curved thereby contributing toward the comfort of the user. 
     As shown in FIG. 10, the lower portions  276 ,  278  of the clips  216 ,  218  include step portions  280 ,  282 . The step portions  280 ,  282  aid in retaining the shoulder strap  226  on the shoulder pad  200 . 
     The foregoing specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth in the specification herein are for illustrative purposes only. Various deviations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, without departing from a main theme therefor.