GB2398477A

GB2398477A - Shoulder strap support

Info

Publication number: GB2398477A
Application number: GB0303877A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Angela Jean Cook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-20
Filing date: 2003-02-20
Publication date: 2004-08-25
Also published as: GB0303877D0

Abstract

A shoulder strap support 1 is disclosed for supporting a shoulder strap 12 of an item being carried by a user 11 wearing the shoulder strap support 1. The shoulder strap support comprises one or more shoulder straps 2 and attachment means 3 to attach the shoulder strap 12 of the item being carried by the user 11. The shoulder strap support 1 may further comprise a belt 7. The belt 7 and shoulder strap 2 or straps may be provided with length adjustment means 9, 10 which may comprise sliding buckles. The belt 7 and shoulder strap 2 or straps may be constructed from a synthetic woven material. The shoulder strap support 1 may further comprise the strap or straps of a back pack. The attachment means 3 may comprise a base 31 and a sleeve portion 32 which together form a first sleeve for fitting around one of the shoulder straps 2 of the shoulder strap support 1. The attachment means may further comprise arm portions 34, 35 which together form a second sleeve for fitting around the shoulder strap 12 of an item being carried by a user 11.

Description

Shoulder Strap Support.

This invention relates to a support for use as a releasable extension to a shoulder strap.

Many portable items are provided with a shoulder strap. Hand bags and the like may have a shoulder strap so they can be carried discreetly, while larger items of luggage or portable equipment can have a broad strap so they can be carried more easily.

However, all kinds of shoulder carried items can suffer from slippage, due to their weight, or the movement of the user. The strap can slide down the curvature of the shoulder causing discomfort, or even fall off. As a result shoulder carried items need to be constantly re-adjusted on the shoulder, which can be irritating and

uncomfortable.

One solution to the problem is to wear the shoulder strap over the head, and on the opposite shoulder. However, if the item is heavy this can be uncomfortable.

Further, if an attempt is made to steal an item, in particular a hand bag, which is worn in this way, the user can become entangled in a struggle to extricate themselves from the strap. Therefore, it is now common for law enforcement agencies to advise people, in particular women with handbags, not to wear them over the head.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above described problems.

Therefore, according to the present invention support means adapted to be worn by a user and including one or more shoulder straps, comprises attachment means adapted to attach the shoulder strap of an item with which the support means are to be used to a portion of the support means adjacent a shoulder of the user.

Preferably the attachment means are adapted to releasably attach the shoulder strap of an item with which the support means are to be used to a portion of the support means adjacent a shoulder of the user.

In one construction the support means may comprise a harness formed from a belt with a shoulder strap extending from a point at the front to a point at the back.

In an alternative construction the support means may comprise the shoulder straps of a back pack, or other similar bag. With this arrangement the attachment means can be provided on one or other of the shoulder straps of the back pack.

The attachment means may be anything which can releasable engage a shoulder strap of an item to be carried. However, in a preferred construction the attachment means comprises a first sleeve disposed around a shoulder strap as described above, which is provided with two laterally extending arm portions, with the two opposing surfaces of a hook and loop fastener disposed thereon, which can be folded over one another to form a second sleeve.

The first sleeve can also comprise two opposing portions which can be attached together, such that the first sleeve may also open. In a preferred embodiment the attachment means is formed from a base, a first sleeve portion which extends from the base at one end, and can be releasable attached to the base by poppers at its other end, so as to form a first sleeve, and two arm portions laterally extending from the base, with the two opposing surfaces of a hook and loop fastener disposed thereon, which can be folded over one another to form a second sleeve around the first sleeve.

With any of these arrangements the sleeve can be moved into any position on the shoulder strap, and the shoulder strap of a bag can be releasably enclosed in the second sleeve.

Both the belt portion and the shoulder strap portion of the harness may be provided with suitable adjustment means so the harness can be fitted to any user. In one construction the adjustment means may comprise sliding buckle means.

The belt portion can also be provided with a releasable fastener.

The harness can be constructed from any suitable material, but in a preferred construction it is constructed from a hardened synthetic woven material.

The invention also includes an item provided with a shoulder strap, which is attached to support means as described above.

The invention further includes attachment means for use with support means including one or more shoulder straps, in which the attachment means are adapted to reieasably attach the shoulder strap of an item with which the support means are to be used to a portion of the support means adjacent a shoulder of the user.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but two embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of harness means according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the harness as shown in Figure 1, in use; Figure 3 is a front view of an attachment means according to the present invention; and, Figure 4 is a front view of the attachment means as shown in Figure 2, in use.

As shown in Figure 1 support means in the form of harness 1 is provided with a shoulder strap 2 adapted to extend over the shoulder of a user, and attachment means in the form of sleeve 3, which is disposed on the shoulder strap 2, and is adapted to releasably attach to the shoulder strap of an item with which it is to be used, by means of laterally extending arms 4 and 5 and hook and loop fastener 6 (only one side;of which is visible in Figure 1) The harness 1 also comprises belt portion 7, which is provided with releasable clip fastener 8 and adjustment buckle 9. Shoulder strap 2 is provided with adjustment buckle 10.

In use the user 11 dons the harness 1 by placing one arm through the shoulder strap 2, and fastening clip fastener 8 to secure the belt around their waist.

The harness 1 is then adjusted for fit by means of buckles 9 and 10. The sleeve 3 is moved into position on the user's shoulder 13. The harness 1 is constructed from a flexible synthetic woven material, and can be fitted with the shoulder strap 2 on either shoulder.

A shoulder bag (not shown), which is provided with a shoulder strap 12, is then placed on the upper facing surface of sleeve 3, which is disposed over the user's preferred shoulder 13.

The arms 4 and 5 are then wrapped around the shoulder strap 12, and fastened by means of hook and loop fastener (not visible in Figure 2), to form a second sleeve 3a on the upper facing surface of the sleeve 3.

When the user moves the shoulder strap 12 is prevented from slipping down their shoulder 13, by the restraint of the harness 1 held in position around the user's body.

To remove the shoulder strap 12 the user releases the arms 4 and 5 and the strap 12 can be lifted free.

In the event that the user is mugged, and the bag forcibly removed from their shoulder 13, the hook and loop fastener 6 can be torn open, and the bag released.

With the arms 4 and 5 wrapped over the top of the sleeve 3 in the manner shown, they can be readily torn apart if the strap 12 is forced in the direction of Arrow A. While this may require an aggressive action, this is far less dangerous than if the strap 12 was placed over the user's head and on the opposite shoulder 14.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a harness is provided with two shoulder straps, adapted to extend over each of the user's shoulders. Each shoulder strap is provided with a sleeve 3 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. With this embodiment the user can readily place the strap of a shoulder bag on each shoulder without having to remove the harness and remit it. This can be particularly advantageous when heavier items are carried. Further, two shoulder mounted items can be carried at once.

In a further alternative embodiment (not shown) the shoulder strap, or straps, are attached to the belt portion by means of sliding sleeves, so the shoulder strap or straps can be further positioned for comfort and versatility.

In Figure 3 attachment device 30 comprises a base 31, a first sleeve portion 32, which extends from the base 31 at one end, and can be releasably attached to the base 31 by poppers 33 at its other end, so as to form a first sleeve, and two arm portions 34, 35 laterally extending from the base 31, with the two opposing surfaces of a hook and loop fastener 36,37 disposed thereon, which can be folded over one another to form a second sleeve around the first sleeve.

In use the attachment device can be used with a harness of the type as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or more conveniently with a back pack 38. The back pack 38 is of the known type and comprises a pack 39, two shoulder straps 40, 41, and a belt 42.

The attachment device 30 has been attached to shoulder strap 40, by the following means. The base 31 of the device 30 is placed under the strap 40 at a position adjacent the shoulder of the user 43, and the first sleeve portion 32 is wrapped around the strap 40, and secured in place by poppers 33, so as to form a first sleeve. The shoulder strap 44 of a bag (not shown) is then placed on the first sleeve and the arm portions 34 and 35 are wrapped around it and secured in place by means of hook and loop fastener portions 36 and 37, so as to form a second sleeve.

The device 30 functions in the same way as attachment means 3 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Thus devices are provided which can prevent shoulder mounted items from slipping down and perhaps falling from the user, but which also allows the item to be forcibly taken without endangering the user. In addition, the devices can be used with a harness, or a back pack, or any other item which can be worn by a user and is provided with a shoulder strap.

Claims

Claims 1. Support means including one or more shoulder straps, comprises

attachment means adapted to attach the shoulder strap of an item with which the support means are to be used to a portion of the support means adjacent a shoulder of the user.
2. Support means according to Claim 1 in which the attachment means are adapted to releasable attach the shoulder strap of an item with which the support means are to be used to a portion of the support means adjacent a shoulder of the user.
3. Support means according to Claim 2 in which the support means comprises a harness formed from a belt with a shoulder strap extending from a point at the front of the belt to a point at the back of the belt.
4. Support means according to Claim 4 in which two shoulder straps extend from the belt.
5. Support means according to Claim 3 or 4 in which the attachment means comprises a movable first sleeve disposed around the shoulder strap portion, which is provided a shoulder strap attachment means.
6. Support means according to Claim 5 in which the shoulder strap attachment means comprises two arm portions extending laterally from the first sleeve, with the two opposing surfaces of a hook and loop fastener disposed thereon, and which can be folded over one another to form a second sleeve on the upper facing surface of the first sleeve.
7. Support means according to Claim 6 in which the first sleeve comprises two opposing portions which can be releasably attached together.
8. Support means according to Claim 7 in which the first sleeve is formed from a base, and an extension member which extends from the base at one end, and is reieasably attachable to the base portion at the other end.
9. Support means according to any of Claims 3 to 8 in which the belt portion and the shoulder strap portion of the harness are provided with length adjustment means.
10. Support means according to Claim 9 in which the length adjustment means comprise sliding buckles.
11. Support means according to Claim 10 in which the belt portion is provided with a releasable fastener.
12. Support means according to any of the preceding Claims in which the support means is constructed from a synthetic woven material.
13. Support means according to Claim 2 in which the support means comprises the shoulder strap, or straps of a back pack, or other similar bag.
14. Support means substantially as described herein and as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
15. An item provided with a shoulder strap, which is attached to support means according to any of the preceding Claims.
16. Attachment means for use with support means according to any of the preceding Claims.
17. Attachment means according to Claim 16 comprising a base, a first sleeve portion which extends from the base at one end, and is releasable attachable to the base at its other end, so as to form a first sleeve, and two arm portions laterally extending from the base, with the two opposing surfaces of a hook and loop fastener disposed thereon, which can be folded over one another to form a second sleeve around the first sleeve.
18. Attachment means substantially as described herein and as shown in Figures 3 and 4.