Abstract:
The present invention comprises a shaped piece of hard or pliable material which is attached to the outside of a garment at the back of the shoulder by a plurality of suitable means. The present invention is positioned such that when carrying a load, and utilizing a shoulder strap to do so, a person can place the strap on the shoulder between the neck and the apparatus, adjacent to the apparatus, in order to secure the strap and load from slipping off the shoulder. The apparatus can have an aesthetic quality while offering the function of passively fixing a shoulder-strap from sliding laterally away from the wearer&#39;s neck.

Description:
[0001]     This Application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/472,381, filed May 21, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     An article made of a suitable material, either flexible or rigid, attached to the back shoulder or back yolk of a garment, rising off the shoulder, to alleviate the sliding off of a shoulder strap and load is provided. The invention is a garment accessory which serves as a stop, which is a raised element off the garment shoulder profile. The invention is joined to the garment on the shoulder, to specifically rise off the shoulder while remaining secure to the garment.  
         [0004]     2. Art Relating to the Invention  
         [0005]     Shoulder straps allowing a person to carry a multitude of items and are in wide use. The person employing a shoulder strap may be carrying a computer, a travel bag, a gym bag, a backpack, outdoor gear, a purse, survey equipment, a rifle, a bow, a briefcase, even a machine gun or weapon. While this method of transporting generally allows the person a less physically wearing, less awkward means to transport items, the strap is subject to slipping off the carrier&#39;s shoulder. The slippage can be attributed to issues such as the physical condition of the wearer, the shape and slope of the wearers shoulder, the weight of the item carried, the smoothness or roughness of the fabric of the garment, the smoothness or roughness of the fabric of the strap, the briskness of the person&#39;s stride, and the body position or posture of the wearer, etc.  
         [0006]     To meet the challenges when carrying a load on the shoulder, people attempt to shrug and contort in order to reposition the sliding strap. Additional issues for the carrier are matters such as theft of the carried item, since there is little deterrent on the shoulder of a garment if a thief were tempted.  
         [0007]     A clothing feature that is positioned approximately in the area related to the present invention is the epaulet. Epaulets are constructed of a material flap and button. They are built into the garment and are generally made of the same material as the garment. The attachment of the epaulet is generally integrated on a seam between the shoulder and arm of the garment. Towards the neck, the epaulet is buttoned to the garment creating a loop including the garment itself. This configuration has not lent itself to a convenient means to address the slipping off of a strap and the associated load.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention is comprised of a built up section on the shoulder or back shoulder constructed of a material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, fabric, leather, metal, wood, or a combination thereof, fastened to a garment by any suitable means so that a shoulder strap is prevented from sliding off the shoulder. The assembly can be sewn into place, adhered, embedded in the fabric by means such as Velcro®, or even snapped, buttoned or zipped, when the garment is suitably constructed to receive the apparatus.  
         [0009]     The present invention has three important aspects. The three important aspects are that the apparatus is 1) formed of a material of suitable thickness and shape (with a plurality of possible forms) for blocking the shoulder-strap from sliding off the shoulder; 2) attached to the garment in a suitable position; and 3) durable. The invention comprises a shaped piece of hard or pliable material which is attached just behind the top of the shoulder by a plurality of suitable means such that a person carrying a load, and utilizing a shoulder strap to do so, can position the strap on the neck side of the shoulder of the garment, adjacent to the invention, in order to assist the carrier in preventing the load and shoulder straddling strap from slipping off the shoulder.  
         [0010]     Meeting the purposes of the present invention, a vast number of geometric and aesthetic shapes, constructed of any suitable material, can be configured and attached to the garment. The apparatus can be shaped in such familiar forms as various rectangles, squares, ovals, circles, triangles, shapes with rounded corners, angled shapes or shapes combining angles and radiuses, etc. Still other shapes can be used, such as bumble bees, hearts, lightning bolts, arrows, clover leafs, flowers, action figures, encased images or photos of famous people or family or friends, logos, pieces of fruit, crescents, a representation of a sports item, a memento or any other suitable shape.  
         [0011]     Any suitable shape can be attached to the clothing in conjunction with a number of base configurations made of suitable material. The base outline may be that of the form itself or it may extend beyond the base perimeter of the shape. When the base extends beyond the base perimeter of the shape, it may be used as a platform to protect the wearers&#39; shoulder and/or the garment itself. The platform may be rigid or solid, and can be a different material than that of the stop. If the platform underlies the garment while attached to the stop, it can serve as backing to the attached shape. Indeed both a platform, underlying the garment, attached through the garment to a platform atop the garment, forming a base to the apparatus, and the shaped apparatus itself is a possible configuration of the present invention.  
         [0012]     A method to give the wearer an unhindered release, in instances where a soldier or a photographer will rapidly pull equipment from their shoulder, is also invented. A geared hinge release between the base and the stop is used to allow the top plate to move. The apparatus can be constructed such that the stop of the apparatus, snaps up from, or to the side, on the platform of the stop. The user would then reset the stop back in its holing position.  
         [0013]     A method has also been invented so that the apparatus may be partly detached, when not in use, incorporating a zipper, Velcro®, interlocking hardware or any two component attachment system.  
         [0014]     Clothing such as a jacket or coat may be constructed integrating, and possibly concealing, all or part of the present invention until such time that the apparatus is in use. The garment can incorporate folds or pleats, where all or part of the apparatus is sitting underneath and is revealed for use.  
         [0015]     While there is a wide array of possible configurations of the present invention, the preferred embodiment of the new device places it about midway on the shoulder between the neck and the arm on the top back of the shoulder, and, should there be a yolk in the garment, at the back edge of the yolk, on a garment such as a jacket or coat, on the left or right side or both.  
         [0016]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a shaped piece of hard or pliable material, with a thickness suitable to hold back a typical shoulder strap. The invention is attached atop the shoulder area by a plurality of suitable means, so that a person carrying a load, and utilizing a shoulder strap to do so, can position the strap on the shoulder of the garment adjacent to the apparatus to stabilize the strap on the shoulder. This invention is to be used in direct conjunction with the known and understood needs of those persons carrying, transporting, and lugging a load with a shoulder strap. The invention is to resist a strap from slipping off while maintaining said strap over the shoulder.  
         [0017]     The above aspects of the invention can be accomplished by the following constitutions.  
         [heading-0018]     1. A method to block shoulder strap from sliding off the shoulder comprising:  
         [0019]     (a) a structure with a vertical dimension relative to the surface of the shoulder area of a garment, and  
         [0020]     (b) a base comprising a surface which sits on the garment which is attached to the garment, and  
         [0021]     (c) a means to attach said structure to the shoulder of a garment.  
         [heading-0022]     2. The method of item 1 wherein the structure passively holds the strap in place.  
         [heading-0023]     3. The method of item 1 wherein there are adjoining components made of suitable material to make said structure.  
         [heading-0024]     4. The structure of item 3 wherein adjoining components are held together by a suitable material.  
         [heading-0025]     5. The structure of item 4 wherein the components can be adjoined temporarily.  
         [heading-0026]     6. The method of item 1 where the structure is made of a suitable natural material.  
         [heading-0027]     7. The method of item 1 where the structure is made of a suitable man-made material.  
         [heading-0028]     8. The method of item 1 where the structure is made of a combination of both natural and man made materials.  
         [heading-0029]     9. The structure of item 1 wherein said structure can be adjoined from components by the end user.  
         [heading-0030]     10. The structure of item 1 wherein adjoining component attachments are made with hardware.  
         [heading-0031]     11. The method of item 1 wherein a backing is employed to assist in strengthening the garment.  
         [heading-0032]     12. The method of item 1 wherein added material is employed to stiffen the material of said structure.  
         [heading-0033]     13. The method of item 1 wherein a platform is employed, in relation to said structure, on the surface of the garment to protect the user&#39;s shoulder.  
         [heading-0034]     14. The method of item 1 wherein a platform is employed, in relation to said structure, on the surface of the garment to protect the garment.  
         [heading-0035]     15. The method of item 1 wherein a platform is employed, in relation to said structure, underneath the surface of the garment to protect the user&#39;s shoulder.  
         [heading-0036]     16. The method of item 1 wherein a label, name or image is printed or affixed on said structure.  
         [heading-0037]     17. The method of item 1 wherein the invention is incorporated into the construction of the garment.  
         [heading-0038]     18. The method of preventing a shoulder strap and load from sliding off the shoulder, wherein there is a cantilevered top edge such that said strap catches underneath the overhang of the said edge, comprising:  
         [0039]     (a) a structure with a vertical dimension relative to the surface of the shoulder area of a garment, and  
         [0040]     (b) a base comprising a surface which sits on the garment which is attached to the garment, and  
         [0041]     (c) a means to be attached to the shoulder of the garment.  
         [heading-0042]     19. The structure of item 18 wherein said structure is comprised of a single solid material.  
         [heading-0043]     20. The method of item 18 wherein there are adjoining components to make said structure.  
         [heading-0044]     21. The structure of item 20 wherein adjoining components are held together by a suitable material.  
         [heading-0045]     22. The structure of item 20 wherein the components can be adjoined temporarily.  
         [heading-0046]     23. The method of item 18 where the structure is made of a suitable natural material.  
         [heading-0047]     24. The method of item 18 where the structure is made of a suitable man-made material such as fabric or textile.  
         [heading-0048]     25. The method of item 18 where the structure is made of a combination of both natural and man made material.  
         [heading-0049]     26. The structure of item 18 wherein said structure can be adjoined from components by the end user.  
         [heading-0050]     27. The structure of item 18 wherein each adjoining component attachment is made with hardware.  
         [heading-0051]     28. The method of item 18 wherein a backing is employed to assist in strengthening the garment.  
         [heading-0052]     29. The method of item 18 wherein added material is employed to stiffen the material of said structure.  
         [heading-0053]     30. The method of item 18 wherein a platform is employed, in relation to said structure, on the surface of the garment to protect the user&#39;s shoulder.  
         [heading-0054]     31. The method of item 18 wherein a platform is employed, in relation to said structure, on the surface of the garment to protect the garment.  
         [heading-0055]     32. The method of item 18 wherein a platform is employed, in relation to said structure, underneath the surface of the garment to protect the user&#39;s shoulder.  
         [heading-0056]     33. The method of item 18 wherein a label, name or image is printed or affixed on said structure.  
         [heading-0057]     34. The method of item 18 wherein the overhang of said structure is of suitable length to completely cover the width of a typical strap and employs a geared hinge such that the overhang will open and close laterally.  
         [heading-0058]     35. The method of item 18 wherein the overhang of said structure is of suitable length to completely cover the width of a typical strap and employs a geared hinge such that the overhang will open and close vertically.  
         [heading-0059]     36. An article for preventing a shoulder strap from sliding off a shoulder comprising:  
         [0060]     (a) an upper element adapted to be attached to a surface of a garment,  
         [0061]     wherein said upper element comprises a vertical dimension substantially perpendicular to said surface of said garment.  
         [heading-0062]     37. The article of item 36 further comprising a base piece attached to a lower surface of said upper element and adapted to be attached to said surface of said garment.  
         [heading-0063]     38. The article of item 36 further comprising a backing adapted to be attached to an opposite surface of said garment.  
         [heading-0064]     39. The article of item 37 further comprising a backing adapted to be attached to an opposite surface of said garment.  
         [heading-0065]     40. The article of item 37 wherein said base piece further comprises a plate attached to said lower surface of said upper element.  
         [heading-0066]     41. The article of item 36 wherein said article is attached to said garment by a sewing means, an adhesive means, a velcro means, a screw fastening means or a riveting means.  
         [heading-0067]     42. The article of item 36 wherein said article is part of the construction of said garment.  
         [heading-0068]     43. The article of item 36 wherein said upper element further comprises a geared hinge to allow said upper element to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to said surface of said garment.  
         [heading-0069]     44. The article of item 37 further comprising an outer latch having a first end attached to said base piece and a second end removably attached to said upper element in order to secure said shoulder strap to said article.  
         [heading-0070]     45. The article of item 36 wherein said upper element further comprises a geared hinge to allow said upper element to be rotatable about an axis parallel to said surface of said garment.  
         [heading-0071]     46. The article of item 36 wherein said upper element has a cantilevered edge that catches said shoulder strap.  
         [heading-0072]     47. The article of item 37 wherein a portion of said upper element is raised from said base piece to create a gap between said portion of said upper element and said base piece wherein said gap catches said shoulder strap. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0073]     These and other aspects of the present invention may be more fully understood with reference to the drawings wherein:  
         [0074]      FIGS. 1A-1D  show a preferred embodiment of the invention from overhead the shoulder area of a garment.  
         [0075]      FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment of the invention from the side of a user.  
         [0076]      FIGS. 3A-3C  show a preferred embodiment of the invention from the back of a user.  
         [0077]      FIG. 4  shows a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0078]      FIGS. 5A-5C  show a closer frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the invention on the garment.  
         [0079]      FIGS. 6A-6F  illustrate an attachment of a preferred embodiment to the garment.  
         [0080]      FIG. 7  shows possible shapes of preferred embodiments the invention.  
         [0081]      FIGS. 8A-8D  show close up views of preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0082]      FIGS. 9A-9D  show various configurations of preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0083]      FIG. 10  shows views of preferred embodiments of the present invention built-in to a garment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0084]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1D , there are shown views of a clothed person wearing a garment  1  and a possible shape of the invention  2  from overhead. Another version of the invention  3 , positioned on the shoulder of the garment, employs a backing  4  represented by the dotted outline serving as protection of the wearers shoulder. Other means to protect the shoulder may be constructed by attaching a base piece  5 , with a larger perimeter than the holding portion of the apparatus  6 . The present invention can be attached on the left shoulder  7  by any number of means or on the right shoulder  8  or both.  
         [0085]      FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention from the side of the user. The holding portion of the apparatus  9  is sewn onto the base  10 . The strap  11  holding the load  12  is sitting on the base and restrained from slipping behind the holding portion of the apparatus.  
         [0086]      FIG. 3A  shows a variation of the present invention from the back. A triangle-shaped version  13  is sewn  14  directly onto the garment with no backing inside the garment or outside the garment. The apparatus&#39; vertical dimension  15  restrains the strap  16  and the associated load  17  from slipping off the shoulder  18 .  
         [0087]      FIG. 3B  shows another version of the present invention  19  is made of a material such as leather attached on a woman&#39;s coat  20 , in the back shoulder area  21 , by a suitable means such as a durable adhesive or thread. The apparatus  19  supports strap  22  and load  23  by allowing strap  22  to partially tuck underneath the vertical dimension  24  the apparatus  19 .  
         [0088]      FIG. 3C  shows yet another version of the present invention is shown from behind the back yolk area  25  of a men&#39;s jacket  26 , holding back a shoulder strap and load  27 . This version incorporates a base  28  that serves as protection to the wearers shoulder  29 , as well as offering aesthetic qualities.  
         [0089]      FIG. 4  shows a frontal view  30  of possible variation of the present invention, holding back a strap  31  and mounted on a man&#39;s coat  32 .  
         [0090]      FIG. 5A  shows close-up views of the present invention with various details highlighted. A version of the present invention  33 , with base  34  sewn  35  onto jacket  36  having an upper element  37  which serves to create an overhang  38  relative to the lower component which together restrain a strap  39  from sliding off the shoulder  40 .  
         [0091]      FIG. 5B  shows another version of the present invention comprising a single element  41  with a relatively vertical cove  42  is sewn onto the jacket, the stitching is represented by the dotted line  43 .  
         [0092]      FIG. 5C  shows a version of the apparatus oval in shape  44 , which relies on its edge  45  to passively restrain a possible load, is attached to the shoulder area of a garment with a backing represented by the dotted line  46 . The backing can serve as both a reinforcement to the garment fabric  47  and a protection to the shoulder.  
         [0093]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-6F , there is shown a variety of profiles of configurations and means to attach the present invention to the garment. Each configuration&#39;s structure is interchangeable in construction and in the means of attachment. Indeed there are a myriad of possible configuration, attachment and construction combinations. The material for the apparatus is preferably pliable but can be rigid. It may be fabric which may or may not match the overall garment, or it can be made of leather, rubber, plastic, a suitable textile, metal or wood, etc.  
         [0094]     A basic design profile of the invention  48  is shown in  FIG. 6A  attached to the fabric  49  with a durable and suitable adhesive  50 .  FIG. 6B  shows velcro®  51  employed to attach the invention  52  to the fabric wherein the apparatus can be detached.  FIG. 6C  shows the apparatus comprised of a base  53  that sits on the fabric  54  and can protect the shoulder  55 . This version has an upper component  56  that creates the stop  57  for a strap. The upper component can be attached such that a gap  58  is created between the upper and lower part to further secure the strap and load. Rivets  59  and a backing material  60  can be employed to attach the apparatus to the garment fabric.  
         [0095]     The wearer of the present invention may utilize the apparatus with a myriad of garments, which may or may not have a collar  61  as shown in  FIG. 6D . The holding portion of the apparatus can have a vertical edge  62  as shown previously or may have a coved face  63 , which might sit attached, with fasteners such as screws  64  represented with a dotted line, to a wider profile base  65  on the exterior  66  of the garment. A backing  67  may be provided to add strength to the fabric.  
         [0096]     Another possible method to attach any configuration, including the most basic design of the present invention, is to sew, shown by perpendicular lines  68 , said apparatus  69  through the apparatus  70  to the garment fabric  71  as shown in  FIG. 6E . A more elaborate version of the apparatus  72  is shown in  FIG. 6F  having a coved upper edge  73  is shown sewed  74 , represented by dotted lines, through the garment fabric to backing  75  inside the garment.  
         [0097]     There are an endless number of possible shapes, images, and combinations thereof that are suitable as possible components to comprise the design and construction of the present invention.  FIG. 7  shows a few of the many possible shapes that can be the restraining portion of the present invention, the base portion or both. Shapes such as a gemstone  76 , religious, professional or service symbols  77 , familiar signs and symbols such as a stop sign or simply an octagon  78 , cultural shapes such as a dollar sign  79 , a corporate identity  80 , an ornate shape such as a rectangle  81  which might bare the name of a clothing label, or an ornate shape such as a hexagonal  82  are some possible shapes which can be utilized in the construction of the present invention. Other shapes, such as an oval  83  carrying the name or likeness of a popular entertainment act  84 , shapes depicting a lifestyle or a familiar architectural structure  85 , a familiar shape representing emotion containing the image of a friend, family member or famous person  86 , all comprising interchangeable components with other shapes and messages can be used to construct the present invention. A wearer may prefer a simple shape such a diamond or rectangle  87 , a shape representing action, a professional team, an occurrence in nature  88 , or a crescent  89 , which might have affixed the image of an artist or leader, or a fabled image such as the man-in-the-moon may be utilized. Other shapes which are angular  90  or rounded might depict a natural shape, a cultural holiday  91 , the logo of a sports organization  92 , the name of a university or a collegiate sports program  93  can be integrated into the construction of the present invention. Whatever the shape or configuration there is an edge  94  on the neck side of the apparatus to catch and restrain the strap  95  holding a load.  
         [0098]      FIG. 8A  shows versions of the present invention where style and construction are emphasized. The present invention may be constructed of a simple sheet of leather, simulated leather, textile, or a fabric  96  and can be stitched  97  directly on to the garment.  FIG. 8B  demonstrates that the apparatus can be comprised of multiple components such as a base  98  and a holding element  99  which could be adhered or sewn  100  together. The present invention can be rectangular in shape with the edge  101  on the neck side of the garment raised sufficiently enough off the garment surface  102  to catch the edge of the strap  103  as shown in  FIG. 8C . The apparatus can be sewn through the garment onto backing  104 , represented by the dotted line, underneath the garment fabric.  
         [0099]     A version of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 8D  has been constructed with a plastic base plate  105 , a second level plate  106  to give elevation to the apparatus, where an upper plate  107  is attached to overhang  108  the second level plate. Screws  109  are used to fasten the upper plate to the second level plate, while thread  110  is used to attach the second level plate to the base plate and sew  110 A the base plate to the garment.  
         [0100]      FIG. 9A  shows a utilization of the present invention where an unhindered release of the strap and load are required, several variations of the apparatus can be constructed. The upper plate  111  turns laterally on a geared hinge  112  to an open position  113  and then reset.  
         [0101]     Similarly,  FIG. 9B  shows an interlocking version is invented  114 , with an outer latch  115  and turned base plate  116  which creates a cove  117  to hold the strap  118 . This design, with a simple hinge  119 , can be opened  120  and closed  121  for added security.  
         [0102]     Alternatively, the upper plate  122  may open upward  123  on a geared hinge  124  to the open position  125  then can be reset after a quick release as shown in  FIGS. 9C-9D .  
         [0103]     While the present invention is generally shown as an accessory or add-on, there can also be a design in the garment itself that incorporates the utility of the present invention.  
         [0104]      FIGS. 10A-10B  show views of the back area of a garment  126  where the invention  127  is part of the construction of the garment. Another design shows a garment with pleats  128  that conceal the apparatus  129  until such time as it is used.  
         [0105]     It will be understood that this description intends to cover all modifications that do not depart from the sprit and scope of the invention and that the invention is only to be limited by the claims as attached hereto.