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.

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.