Anatomically adaptive and ergonomic load distribution strap

Abstract

A system includes a strap made using a layer of resilient and pliant material such as neoprene. A cutout extends along the strap and ends at connecting areas of the resilient and pliant material, and a load can be connected to the connecting areas. When a user employs the system, a weight of the load is primarily applied to the user at a load bearing area of the strap including the cutout. In some embodiments, the strap may further include a curved edge that helps the strap conform to anatomy (e.g., a shoulder) of a user, and a swivel that connects the strap to extension straps.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising a shoulder strap that includes:
 connecting areas; and   a load bearing area with a cutout extending along the shoulder strap in the load bearing area and ending at connecting areas.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder strap comprises a layer of a resilient and pliable material. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient and pliable material comprises neoprene. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the shoulder strap further comprises a layer of fabric attached to the layer of resilient and pliant material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a swivel connector attached to one of the connecting areas; and   an extension strap attached to the swivel connector in a manner creating a joint between the shoulder strap and the extension strap.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a load connected to the extension strap. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is selected from a group consisting of a camera strap, a backpack, a laptop strap, a bag strap, and an arm sling. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder strap has an outer edge that is curved so that the load bearing area of the shoulder strap is narrowest at a center of the load bearing area. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the load bearing area further comprises a second cutout, wherein the cutouts create a plurality of regions able to separately conform a user. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a strap including a layer of resilient and pliant material having a cutout that extends along the strap and ends at connecting areas of the resilient and pliant material; and   a load connected to the connecting areas, wherein when a user employs the system, a weight of the load is primarily applied to the user at a load bearing area of the strap including the cutout.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the layer of resilient and pliant material has an outer edge that is curved so that the load bearing area of the shoulder strap is narrowest at a center of the load bearing area. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient and pliable material comprises neoprene. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the strap further comprises a layer of fabric attached to a surface of the layer of resilient and pliant material. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a swivel attached to one of the connecting areas; and   an extension strap attached to the swivel in a manner creating a joint between the strap and the extension strap.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the load connects to the extension strap. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the load comprises a bag. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the strap further comprises a second cutout that extends along the strap and ends at the connecting areas of the resilient and pliant material.