Shock-absorbing carrying strap

Abstract

A carrying strap and method of making wherein the strap is adapted to support a load and includes a flexible webbing material and a spring element that dissipates and attenuates the shocks and vibrations caused by bouncing of the load as it is carried. One embodiment of the carrying strap includes (1) an elongate length of flexible webbing material and (2) a spring element including a resilient material positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the flexible webbing material such that each of the resilient material and the section of flexible webbing material has a corrugated profile. In response to the load causing a shock force on the carrying strap, the spring element expands and contracts to absorb, attenuate, and / or dissipate the shock force caused by bouncing of the load as it is carried.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The field of the present invention relates to carrying straps and, in particular, to shock-absorbing devices for carrying straps, carrying straps including such devices, and methods of making such devices and carrying straps. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Carrying straps have long been used to carry a variety of loads, such as, for example, backpacks, golf bags, briefcases, mail pouches, rifles, luggage bags, and purses. These carrying straps are typically used over one or both of the user's shoulders or around the user's neck. Exemplary materials from which carrying straps are formed include nylon webbing, leather, neoprene, and a variety of inelastic materials. Recently, increased attention has been directed to the importance of designing carrying straps that are ergonomically comfortable for the user when carrying heavy loads over long distances or rough terrain. [0003] One source of user discomfort arises when the up-and-down motion that a user experi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One source of user discomfort arises when the up-and-down motion that a user experiences when walking translates into uncomfortable changes in the load pressure of the carrying strap(s) upon the user's shoulder(s) or neck, which causes the load to slightly bounce up and down.

The shock or stress resulting from carrying a load for extended periods of time while moving, e.g., during long walks, is absorbed by the user's body, often causing pain, discomfort, and can lead to physical damage to the user's body.

Such discomfort and fatigue result from the carrying strap's inability to “give” as the user's shoulder or neck bobs up and down.

However, the high degree of elasticity of neoprene accentuates the bounce effect and provides little control over the amount of bounce imparted to the user.

This results in significant shoulder and / or neck stress and discomfort.

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