The present invention relates generally to the field of luggage and equipment for carrying luggage and more particularly, to an improved shoulder pad.
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""s shoulder. As a result, the conventional shoulder pad digs into the user""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.
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""s shoulder while the pad member conforms to the individual user""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""s shoulder so that the load exerted by the shoulder strap keeps the shoulder pad in place on the user""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""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""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.