U.S. patent application number 13/093803 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-22 for shoulder pad.
Invention is credited to Stanley Hiroshi Wada.
Application Number | 20110309118 13/093803 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45327762 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110309118 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wada; Stanley Hiroshi |
December 22, 2011 |
SHOULDER PAD
Abstract
An elongate pad made out of a compressible material for
providing a cushioning effect to a strap or handle is disclosed.
The elongate pad has a plurality of tubular cavities. Each cavity
is positioned in the interior of the pad and extends from one end
of the pad to the other end. The pad is typically used with an
optional cover that substantially encloses the pad and provides a
space for a strap to pass through. In one embodiment, the pad has a
cross section in the shape of a section of an ellipse, and its
longitudinal axis may be curved to better conform to the torso of a
user.
Inventors: |
Wada; Stanley Hiroshi;
(Venice, CA) |
Family ID: |
45327762 |
Appl. No.: |
13/093803 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61343090 |
Apr 24, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/264 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/264 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/12 20060101
A45F003/12 |
Claims
1. A cushioning pad device comprising: an elongate pad of a
compressible material, wherein the elongate pad has a longitudinal
axis, a first end and a second end, a top and a bottom, the
elongate pad having a plurality of cavities, wherein each cavity is
positioned interior to the elongate pad, extends from the first end
of the elongate pad to the second end of the elongate pad, and runs
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate pad.
2. The cushioning pad device of claim 1 wherein the compressible
material is selected from the group consisting of: foam, rubber,
polystyrene, polyethylene, neoprene, or other suitable
material.
3. The cushioning pad device of claim 1 wherein a transverse cross
section of the elongate pad has a shape substantially that of a
segment of an ellipse.
4. The cushioning pad device of claim 3 wherein the transverse
cross section of the elongate pad has a shape substantially that of
a segment selected from the group consisting of: rectangle, circle,
or any geometric shape.
5. The cushioning pad device of claim 1 further comprising a
rectangular tubular cavity positioned interior to the elongate pad,
extending from the first end of the elongate pad to the second end
of the elongate pad, and having a longitudinal axis that runs
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate pad.
6. The cushioning pad device of claim 5 wherein the rectangular
tubular cavity is positioned and sized to accommodate a stiffening
material.
7. The cushioning pad device of claim 5 wherein the rectangular
tubular cavity is positioned and sized to serve as a pass through
opening for a strap to be threaded.
8. The cushioning pad device of claim 1 wherein each of the
plurality of cavities has a cross section shape selected from the
group consisting of: circular, triangular, square, rectangular, or
any geometric shape.
9. The cushioning pad device of claim 1 further comprising a cover,
the cover having a cover first end and a cover second end, the
cover substantially enclosing the top and bottom of the elongate
pad, the cover having openings at the cover first end and the cover
second end sized and positioned to allow a flat strap to pass
through, the cover being further configured and sized to fit snugly
around the elongate pad and such that a flat strap fits snugly
between the elongate pad and the cover.
10. The cushioning pad device of claim 1 having a curved shape
along the longitudinal axis of the elongate pad.
11. The cushioning pad device of claim 1 wherein the elongate pad
is configured to accommodate a torso of a user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application may include subject matter related
to one or more of the following commonly-owned United States patent
applications, each of which was filed on even date herewith, claims
the benefit of, and is hereby incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/343,090, filed
Apr. 24, 2010.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to shoulder pads.
More particularly the invention relates to shoulder pad cushioning
material.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The use of straps for carrying bags, back packs, golf bags,
vehicle seat belt and the like are pervasive in a multitude of
commercial products. Many of these products include shoulder pads
that are attached to the strap in a manner such that a cushioning
material installed in the shoulder pad is positioned between the
strap and the user's body at points where the pressure caused by
the strap on the user is most prominent. The cushioning material
often is a pad of soft resilient material that is held in place by
a covering that slidingly fits on the strap. Other designs have the
shoulder pad molded out of a material that both provide a
cushioning effect and have openings that allow it to be attached to
the strap.
[0004] Various improvements to these basic designs have been
proposed. One approach has the cushioning pad constructed with
hollow ribs made of rubber or a pliable plastic that runs the
length of the pad. Another approach uses ribs, but has the ribs
extending transverse to the pad's longitudinal axis. Still another
approach uses circular and/or hollow cylinders running through the
length of a foam rubber pad. When a load is placed on these pads,
the ribs or cylinders compress, thereby providing a cushioning
effect.
[0005] Some of these devices are relatively expensive to
manufacture and are appropriate only for premium products. Others
have only a limited cushioning effect. There is a need for an
inexpensive cushioning device that may be produced inexpensively
and provides a superior cushioning effect.
SUMMARY
[0006] The shoulder pad invention presented herein describes the
design and construction of padding used in backpacks, luggage, or
similar products that are carried over the shoulder or by hand to
provide user comfort. The padding is used in conjunction with a
strap, handle or is sewn into and substantially captured by
surrounding materials.
[0007] The innovation described is a foam or rubber pad
manufactured by extrusion or other manufacturing processes that
creates a shape that has tubular cavities formed within the
interior of the foam or rubber shape that extend from one end of
the pad to the other end. In other embodiments, the cavities may be
in the form of other geometric shapes or thin slots. These cavities
reduce weight, increase perceived softness of the material, as well
as increase the bendability of the shape. These cavities also allow
the product to return back to the original shape after being
compressed.
[0008] The foam or rubber pad typically has a cover, but may be
captured by and sewn into surrounding materials. The pad may also
be sewn directly onto a strap or handle.
[0009] The features and advantages described herein are not
all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and
advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in
view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it
should be noted that the language used in the specification has
been principally selected for readability and instructional
purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate longitudinal and transverse
sectional views of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 1D illustrates a top view of the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate longitudinal and transverse
sectional views of the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2D illustrates a top view of the second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment
of the present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate longitudinal and transverse
sectional views of the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 3D illustrates a top view of the third embodiment of
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the padded
shoulder pad with a covering.
[0020] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a detail of FIG.
4A.
[0021] FIG. 5A illustrates a sectional view of the padded shoulder
pad of embodiment one with a covering; the section taken transverse
to the longitudinal axis of embodiment one as illustrated in FIG.
4A.
[0022] FIG. 5B illustrates a sectional view of the padded shoulder
pad of embodiment one with a covering; the section taken along the
longitudinal axis of the first embodiment at an end as illustrated
in FIG. 4A.
[0023] FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the padded
shoulder pad with a covering applied to a backpack.
[0024] FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of a detail of FIG.
6A.
[0025] FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of the padded
shoulder pad with a covering applied to a carrying bag handle.
[0026] FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of a detail of FIG.
7A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In the following description, the terms top, bottom, left
and right refer to the figure where each reference applies. The
same numeral is used to denote the same part in different views. If
more than one similar object occurs in a figure, only one may be
indicated on the figure by a numeral.
[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment
100 of the present invention. FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrated sectional
views of first embodiment 100 taken in longitudinal and transverse
directions respectively as indicated in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D
illustrates a top view of first embodiment 100 with longitudinal
axis L1.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1D, first embodiment 100 is
comprised of an elongate extruded pad 102 having a transverse cross
section (illustrated in FIG. 1C) of extruded pad 102 substantially
the shape of a segment of an ellipse. First embodiment has a left
end 105L and a right end 105R. Elongate extruded pad 102 is made of
a compressible material. In one embodiment, the compressible
material is foam. In other embodiments, the compressible material
may be made of rubber, polystyrene, polyethylene, neoprene, and any
other suitable compressible material.
[0030] Included in extruded pad 102 are tubular cavities 106 and
108 running parallel to longitudinal axis L1 extending from left
end 105L to right end 105R. Also included in first embodiment 100
is an optional rectangular shaped cavity 104 with the longitudinal
axis of rectangular shaped tubular cavity 104 parallel to
longitudinal axis L1 of extruded pad 102. In other embodiments, the
cavities may be in the form of other geometric shapes or thin
slots. Cavities 106 and 108 provide "negative space". These
cavities reduce weight, increase perceived softness of the
material, as well as increase the bendability of the shape for
comfort. These cavities also allow the form to return back to the
original shape after being compressed. The optional rectangular
shaped cavity 104 is included to allow a stiffening material such
as cardboard or a semi-rigid metal or plastic pad to be added to
extruded pad 102. Another use of rectangular shaped cavity 104 is
as a pass-though opening for a strap to be threaded through the
hole in the pad. Only three cylindrical cavities are indicated in
embodiment 100, however the actual number may vary, depending on
the application.
[0031] FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate a second embodiment 200 of
the current invention. In this embodiment, multiple cavities 206
have a circular cross section. However, cavities 208 are also
included with an approximately triangular cross section.
[0032] FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate a third embodiment 300. A
difference between embodiment 300 and the previous embodiments is
that the longitudinal axis L3 is curved; this is best seen by the
top view of FIG. 3D. FIG. 3D illustrates a particular shape of
curved longitudinal axis L3; however, other curved shapes are
considered within the scope of the inventive concept presented
herein.
[0033] Three alternate embodiments 100, 200 and 300 have been
presented above. Variations of these embodiments, such as different
shapes, sizes, and counts for the cavities are considered within
the scope of the inventive concept presented herein. For example,
the cross sectional shape as illustrated in FIGS. 1C, 2C and 3C may
deviate from the shape of an ellipse segment; the tubular cavities
may not extend the full length of the pad, and the end of the pads
may be tapered.
[0034] FIG. 4A illustrate embodiment 100 with a cover 400 installed
on a flat shoulder strap S. A sectional view of FIG. 4A transverse
to longitudinal axis L1 is illustrated in FIG. 5A, and a sectional
view of FIG. 4A along longitudinal axis L1 at an end 105R of
embodiment 100 is illustrated in FIG. 5B. FIG. 4B illustrates a
partial cutout view of FIG. 4A.
[0035] FIG. 5A illustrates a sectional view of first embodiment 100
with an attached covering 400, the view taken transverse to the
longitudinal axis L1. Referring to FIG. 5A, covering 400 is
comprised of a bottom component 402, a top component 404 and two
side binding components 406L and 406R. Side binding components 406L
and 406R attach bottom component 402 to top component 404, leaving
a space 412 that allows a flat strap (not shown in FIG. 5A) to pass
through. Covering 400 serves several purposes; it provides a
pleasant appearance; it provides structural stability to embodiment
100, and it permits embodiment 100 to be attached to a strap. Also
shown in FIG. 5A is a semi-rigid material 408 such as cardboard
installed in rectangular shaped tubular space 104.
[0036] FIG. 5B illustrates a sectional view of first embodiment 100
with an attached covering 400, the view taken along longitudinal
axis L1 at end 403R of cover 400. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, bottom
component 402 of covering 400 tapers towards top component 404 of
covering 400, but leaves an opening 405R so that strap S may pass
through it.
[0037] FIG. 6A illustrates embodiment 300 attached to a backpack
BP. In FIG. 6A, cover 400 is installed with essentially the same
construction as in FIG. 5A. However, in FIG. 6A, embodiment 300 and
cover 400 are curved to comfortably accommodate a user's torso.
FIG. 6B illustrates a cutout detail of FIG. 6A.
[0038] FIG. 7A illustrates embodiment 100 with cover 400 attached
to a carrying bag CB. FIG. 7B illustrates a cutout detail of FIG.
7A.
[0039] The disclosure presented herein gives multiple embodiments
of the present invention. These embodiments are to be considered as
only illustrative of the invention and not a limitation of the
scope of the present invention. Various permutations, combinations,
variations, and extensions of these embodiments are considered to
fall within the scope of this invention.
* * * * *