Energy-absorbing shoulder strap system

Abstract

An improved energy-absorbing shoulder strap system includes a strap portion and a shoulder pad portion. The strap portion has a length with two ends adapted for attachment to a load. The shoulder pad portion includes a lower member having an inner surface oriented toward and against a shoulder of a user and an outer surface oriented away from the user. The shoulder pad portion further includes an upper member having an inner surface facing toward and spaced away from the outer surface of the lower member. The upper member further includes a structure to retain the strap portion in a region along its length. One or more compressible elements disposed between the inner surface of the upper member and the outer surface of the lower member. Such compressible elements may include a plurality of metal or plastic springs or an array of compressible foam or rubber-like elements. A peripheral apron may be used to disguise or protect the one or more compressible elements.

1 . An energy-absorbing shoulder strap system, comprising:
 a strap portion having a length with two ends adapted for attachment to a load;   a shoulder pad portion including a lower member having an inner surface oriented toward and against a shoulder of a user and an outer surface oriented away from the user;   the shoulder pad portion further including an upper member having an inner surface facing toward and spaced away from the outer surface of the lower member;   the upper member further including a structure to retain the strap portion in a region along its length; and   one or more compressible elements disposed between the inner surface of the upper member and the outer surface of the lower member.   
     
     
         2 . The energy-absorbing shoulder strap system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure to retain the strap portion in a region along its length includes stitching, gluing or other to processes permanently bond the strap portion to the upper member. 
     
     
         3 . The energy-absorbing shoulder strap system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure to retain the strap portion in a region along its length includes a sleeve in the upper member through which the strap portion slides. 
     
     
         4 . The energy-absorbing shoulder strap system of  claim 1 , the one or more compressible elements includes a plurality of metal or plastic springs. 
     
     
         5 . The energy-absorbing shoulder strap system of  claim 1 , the one or more compressible elements includes an array of compressible foam or rubber-like elements. 
     
     
         6 . The energy-absorbing shoulder strap system of  claim 1 , further including a peripheral apron between the upper and lower members to disguise or protect the one or more compressible elements.