WO2006036423A2

WO2006036423A2 - Shoulder strap

Info

Publication number: WO2006036423A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/030607
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Duke Armstrong
Original assignee: Timothy Duke Armstrong
Priority date: 2004-09-27
Filing date: 2005-08-25
Publication date: 2006-04-06
Also published as: US20060065683A1; WO2006036423A3

Abstract

A shoulder strap for supporting musical instruments, cases, luggage, bags and similar items has a longitudinally elongated main body(10; 50; 82A; 89A; 99A; 105A) extending between connectors (11, 12; 51, 52; 52; H'124) connectable to the item and in a vertical condition includes longitudinally spaced roller assemblies (X; R, T; 80; 88; 95; 100) having transverse shafts (16; 56; 59; 80A; 88A; 98A; 10OA; 105A) which are in turn are mounted by elongated flexible strap edge portions (14, 19; 54; 60; 81; 89; 102) in spaced relationship and their rollers being rotatable relative to the edge portions. The edge portions are of a flexibility that a roller (21; 63; 80B; 88B; 97; 100B) on one shaft may be moved to abut against a roller on an adjacent shaft whereby the rollers may impose the load carried by the strap to the shoulder of the user.

Description

SHOULDER STRAP RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Serial No. 10/950,756, file September 27, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1 ) Field of the invention

This invention relates to shoulder straps that may be used when playing musical instruments such as guitars and for carrying many items, for example, luggage, lap tops, brief cases and similar cases and various types of bags, including golf bags.

(2) Description of the prior art

Prior art shoulder straps include those made of woven fabric, nylon, leather and other such flexible materials, some of which include shoulder pads. In using such prior art straps to aid in supporting a musical instrument, for example guitars, the weight thereof is primarily supported by the back and a shoulder which tends to and/or does reduce blood flow and result in the development of back problems. This is especially prevalent when playing heavy guitars over a long period of time. Further, at times while playing an instrument such as a guitar, one hand in moving along the fret board tends to or does move the adjacent portion of the guitar which tends to or does move the strap relative to the shoulder and such movement is resisted by the frictional engagement of the strap with the clothing at the area of the shoulder from which the instrument is supported. This, over time, increases the discomfort experienced by the performer while playing the instrument.

Additionally, when using shoulder straps such as referred to above for carrying items such as various types of bags, for example golf bags, backpacks and overnight bags, various types of cases, for example brief cases, lap top computers, luggage and other items, as the user moves and the item can move relative the body of the user, the relative movement tends to or does move the strap relative the shoulder with the frictional resistance to such movement being discomforting to the user.

In order to provide shoulder straps that are more comfortable in use in supporting and/or carrying items, this invention has been made.

SUMMARY OF THE I NVENTION

The shoulder strap includes a pair of longitudinally elongated flexible cords or strips that are retained in transversely spaced relationship by rigid shafts or axles with the axles being retained in longitudinal spaced relationship during use of the strap by spacers having the cords extending therethrough or extending into eyelets or bearings in strap edges elongated strips. On each shaft there is provided at least one roller, the diameter of the rollers being less than half the longitudinal length of the spacers, or the maximum longitudinal spacing of longitudinally adjacent rollers when the strap extends vertically. The rollers may have inner diameters significantly larger with the shaft, or form a close fit with the shaft or are integrally formed therewith. To the opposite ends of the cords or strips there is provided connector mechanism that is suitable for being connected to or is connected to the item to be carried or supported by the shoulder strap.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide new and novel means that is extendable over the shoulder of the user for supporting and/or carrying an item such as a musical instruments or other items such as case and bags. In furtherance of the above object, it is another object of this invention to provide a new and novel shoulder strap that is readily movable relative to the shoulder while supporting an item with at least a substantial part of the weight of the item being imposed on the shoulder. BRI EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a view showing the strap of the first embodiment of this invention extending over the shoulder of the performer to support a musical instrument such as a guitar; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 other than its shows the strap of the first embodiment being used for carrying a case;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the shoulder strap of the first embodiment of this invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of the strap of Figure 3 that is generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of one end portion of the strap of Figure 3; Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of the end portion of the strap shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is an enlarged side view, part in cross section, of a fragmentary portion of the strap of Figure 4

Figure 8 is a plan view of the second embodiment of the strap; Figure 9 is a side view of the strap of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a transverse cross sectional view of the shaft and rollers of the second embodiment;

Figure 11 is an enlarged longitudinal view, part in cross section, of a fragmentary portion of the strap of Figure 9 Figure 12 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view through the strap of the third embodiment;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side view of the third embodiment that is generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 13-13 of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a fragmentary transverse view, part in cross section, showing the mounting transverse end portions of a roller assembly of the strap of the fourth embodiment, a transverse intermediate portion of a roller assembly being broken away;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary longitudinal view showing adjacent parts of the main body and the connector with parts of the side edge portions broken away of the fourth embodiment; Figure 16 is a fragmentary transverse view, part in cross section, of the fifth embodiment showing the mounting on one end portion of a roller assembly.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary longitudinal view showing adjacent parts of the main body and the connector with parts of the side edge portions broken away of the fifth^embodiment:

Figure 18 is a fragmentary transverse view, part in cross section, showing the mounting of one transverse end portions of a roller assembly of the sixth embodiment; Figure 19 is a fragmentary longitudinal view showing adjacent parts of the main body and the connector with parts of the side edge portions broken away of the sixth embodiment;

Figure 20 is a plan view of the seventh embodiment of the strap; Figure 21 is a fragmentary view, somewhat schematically, showing a strap described herein connected to a golf bag with an intermediate portion broken away;

Figure 22 is a fragmentary plan view of the connector of the eighth embodiment with an intermediate portion of the connector being broken away;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view of the end piece of the strap of Figure 22 that is generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 23-23 of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view that is generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 24- 24 of Figure 22;

Figure 25 is a view showing the strap of the eighth embodiment of the strap, which is similar to the strap of the seventh embodiment, extended over the shoulder of the performer to support a golf bag ; Figure 26 is a view showing of a strap that is the same or similar to the strap of the first embodiment, extended over the shoulder of the performer to support a golf bag; and Figure 27 is a view showing a pair of straps of one of the embodiments other than that of Figure 20 that is extended over the shoulder of the performer to support a back pack;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring in particular to Figures 3, 4 and 7, the shoulder strap of the first embodiment X includes a longitudinally elongated main body, generally designated 10, and end connectors, generally designated 11 and 12, that are respectively connected to the longitudinally opposite ends of the main body. The main body includes longitudinally elongated, flexible cords 14 that are extended through apertures 15 in opposite ends of the transverse shafts (axles) 16 of roller assemblies R and the end shafts (axles) 17, 18. The apertures extend diametrically through the shafts. The ends of the cords are knotted or suitable clips or other devices (not shown) are mounted on the cord ends to prevent the cords being pulled through the shaft apertures. The cords may be made of, for example a fabric material, for example cotton, or plastic.

On each of the cords to extend between longitudinal adjacent shafts 16 and have the cords extended therethrough are resilient tubular spacers 19 that between each adjacent pair of shafts are of substantially the same lengths. Resilient tubular spacers 20 are provided on each of the cords between shaft 18 and the longitudinally adjacent shaft 16 and shaft 17 and the longitudinally adjacent shaft 16. Spacers 20 may be of greater lengths than spacers 19. The spacers and cords form transversely opposite, longitudinally elongated edge portions E of the strap that extend longitudinally between the connectors. Advantageously, the spacers are made of a flexible plastic material.

Advantageously, the apertures 15 may be of diameters at least half again as large as that of the cords but are smaller than the outer diameter of the spacers to prevent the spacers extending into the apertures. The inner diameters of the spacers are substantially larger than the cords, for example at least 33 percent greater to permit easy longitudinal movement of the cords relative to the spacer. The spacers are of sufficient flexibility that they can easily bend, but of a rigidity so as not to collapse (will maintain their tubular shape) when on a horizontal supporting surface 44. Further, the spacers are of a rigidity to, when the strap freely vertically depends from one of its connectors, maintain longitudinally adjacent shafts vertically spaced by dimensions that are at least nearly that of the length of the spacers in a linear condition.

On each of the shafts, other than the end shafts 17, 18, the roller assemblies include at least one roller (bead) 21 , advantageously at least three, with the diameter of the circular cylindrical roller apertures 22 through which the shafts extend advantageously being of diameters at least 25 percent larger than the diameters of the shafts that extend therethrough. As a result of the apertures 22 being of larger diameters than that of the shafts, the roller may tilt relative to the shaft such that the central axes of the rollers may extend at the same or different skewed angles, relative to the central axes of the shafts on which the rollers are mounted, or parallel to and spaced from the central axes of the shafts. In addition to the rollers being circularly curved about the central axis of the respective roller aperture central axis, the rollers are also arcuately or circularly curved about an axis that is perpendicular to its aperture central axis and passes therethrough with the arc of curvature or radius of curvature being substantially greater than the transverse dimension of the roller. Thus, each of the rollers has axially opposite, generally parallel annular surfaces 21A of outer diameters substantially less than the maximum outer diameter of the roller and are perpendicular to the central axis of the aperture of the respective roller. Thus, the rollers are of a generally spheroidal shape having apertures extending therethrough.

The maximum transverse dimension of all of the rollers on a shaft, when in abutting relationship to one another, is less than the minimum spacing of the apertures 15 that are at the transverse opposite end portions of the shaft. Thus, the rollers have some freedom of transverse movement on the shaft relative to one another and to the shaft.

Advantageously, each of the connectors 1 1 , 12 includes a generally rectangular ring 27 having one end portion of an end piece 28 mounted thereto, the end pieces having button holes 32 through which conventional buttons (peg) 29, 33 respectively on a guitar 30 are extended. An adjustment strip 31 is extended through the ring and around the respective one of the end shafts 17, 18 with one end of the strip secured to a leg of a conventional adjustment buckle 34 and the opposite end portion 31A of the strip adjustably extended through the buckle to be retained in a selected adjusted position whereby the maximum spacing of an end shaft 17, 18 and the respective ring is retained in selected maximum longitudinal adjusted positions.

The spacers are sufficient rigidity that when the strap is held by one end piece to have the remainder of the strap freely vertically depend therefrom, the shaft of each row of rollers is retained in spaced relationship to the vertically adjacent row of rollers which are therebeneath by a dimension at least nearly the longitudinal length of the spacers, for example the rollers of row C are retained vertically spaced from row B and the rollers of row B are retained vertically spaced from row A. However, the spacers are of a flexibility that even with the minimum longitudinal spacing of, for example the rollers in row A from those in row B, when on a horizontal surface without bending the spacers extending therebetween, these spacers and the cords are of a flexibility to permit the leftmost roller of row A as viewed in Figure 3 to abut against the rightmost roller of row B when the strap is of dimensions similar to those set forth below. Further, with the central axis of the shaft of row B being in a horizontal plane, the spacers and the cords are of a flexibility that the shaft of row C may be bent to extend at a skewed angle, for example about 20 to 40 degrees relative to the central axis of shaft of row B, including extending in planes other than the horizontal plane of the shaft of row B. As a result, parts of the strap may twist relative to other parts of the strap and the linear spacing of the adjacent rows of rollers may vary a limited amount relative to other rows. Also, the spacers and cords may be of a flexibility that, for example three adjacent rows of rollers with row B being the intermediate row, the rollers of row A may be moved to abut against rollers in row C with or without the shafts of rows A, B, C being parallel relative one another. In use with the guitar buttons extended through the respective button hole of the end pieces and the strap extended over the shoulder of the user (performer), the rollers that impose a load on the shoulder and adjacent areas of the body are free to rotate with substantially less friction resisting the movement of the strap relative to the shoulder during the playing of a musical instrument, for example a guitar, than with conventional shoulders straps that applicant is aware of. Further, the rollers on one shaft are able to tilt at slightly different angles than other rollers on the same shaft and the shaft for one row of rollers are able to tilt at different skewed angles relative to shafts of other rows of rollers. The substantial decrease in resistance to movement of the strap relative to the shoulder area results in a substantial decrease in the discomfort of the performer, particular when the musical instrument is relatively heavy.

The strap X can advantageously be used for carrying items other than musical instruments. For example, as indicated in Figure 2, conventional snap fasteners 40 may be mounted to the end pieces, for example by having parts of the fasteners extend through the button holes and the hooked portions of the fasteners extended through the bails 41 at opposite ends of the item 42 which may be a brief case, or a piece of luggage, or any one of a number of other items. In place of snap fasteners, the end pieces of the strap may secured to the item to be carried, for example being adhered or otherwise suitably joined to opposed end portions of the item. As with the strap being used for supporting musical instruments, there is substantially less resistance to the movement of the strap, or tendency to move, relative to shoulder resulting from the movement of the item relative to the party carrying item while moving from one place to another than with known conventional straps.

Advantageously, the longitudinal length of the strap is about the same as that of conventional shoulder straps. Further, at least the central longitudinal part of the main body includes at least three rows of rollers and advantageously at least eight rows of rollers whereby there are rows of rollers that impose the load (weight of item supported) on either side of the top part of the shoulder and at least three or four inches below the uppermost part of the shoulder that is subject to having the item load imposed thereon. ' It is to be understood that the rows of rollers (roller assemblies) may include more than three rollers; or fewer rollers, particular adjacent to the end pieces, together with the shafts being of smaller transverse dimensions adjacent the end pieces . Although, not preferred, one or both of the connectors may not include an adjustment strip and buckle. Advantageously, each of the rollers and the spacers are of the same inner and outer dimension, the shaft apertures are of the same diameters, the minimum transverse spacing of the apertures of the shafts is greater than the maximum combined transverse dimensions of the rollers on the shaft, the spacers 16 are of the same lengths and the rollers on each shaft are of the same size and shape. It is to be understood that in the event the rollers in one row are of smaller maximum outer diameters than the rollers in an adjacent row, the longitudinal dimension of the spacers between the one row and the adjacent rows accordingly may be smaller. If spacers of different lengths are used, the spacers between adjacent shafts through which the cords extend should be the same. Further, the longitudinal dimensions of the spacers may be such that with the strap extending linearly on a horizontal surface with the cords extending substantially parallel, there may be a small spacing of the ends of the spacers from the adjacent shafts as indicate in Figure 7. In the event the rollers on one shaft are of different diameters than those on adjacent shafts, than the linear length of the spacers could be greater than the dimension of the combined radii of a roller on each of the two adjacent shafts. Also, the cords and spacers may be of a flexibility that they do not extend linearly when the strap is on a horizontal surface, but rather slightly bent arcuately between longitudinally spaced shafts. As an example of the invention, but not otherwise as a limitation thereon, the rollers of strap X may of maximum outer diameters of about 2.54 cms. (1 inch), of maximum transverse dimensions of about 1 .71 cms.(1 1/16^th of an inch), the minimum transverse dimension between the apertures of a shaft may be about 5.71 cms. (2 and one quarter inches), the minimum spacing of adjacent shafts 16 when in abutting relationship to the spacers with the spacers extending linearly and parallel to one another may be about 4.45 cms. (1 and three quarter inches) while the minimum spacing of the rollers of adjacent rows of rollers may be about 1.91 cms. (three quarters of an inch) and the minimum transverse spacing of the apertures of the shafts 16 may be about 5.71 cms. (2 and one quarter inches).

Referring in particular to Figures 8-1 1 , the shoulder strap of the second embodiment, includes a longitudinally elongated main body, generally designated 50, and end connectors, generally designated 51 and 52, that are respectively connected to the longitudinally opposite ends of the main body. The main body includes longitudinally elongated, flexible cords 54 that are extended through apertures 55 in opposite ends of the transverse shafts (axles) 56 of roller assemblies R, T, the end shafts (axles) 57, 58 and a shaft 59 that is adjacent to shaft 57. The cords function the same as the cords of the first embodiment. On each of the cords to extend between longitudinal adjacent shafts 56-59 and have the cords extended therethrough are resilient tubular spacers 60 that between each adjacent pair of shafts are advantageously of substantially the same lengths and function the same as spacers of the first embodiment other than the inner diameters of spacers 60 may not be much greater than the diameter of the cords extending therethrough.

On each of the shafts, other than the end shafts 57, 58, the roller assemblies include at least one circular cylindrical roller 63, advantageously at least three, with the diameter of the circular cylindrical roller apertures 53 through which the shafts extend advantageously being of diameters slightly larger than on the enlarged diametric portions 61 of the shafts on which they are rotatably mounted. The maximum transverse dimension of all of the rollers on a shaft may be such as each roller may abut against the adjacent roller, but is less than the minimum spacing of the apertures 55 that are at the transverse opposite end portions of the shaft. Thus, the rollers have some freedom of transverse movement on the respective shaft relative to one another and to the shaft. The transverse movement of a roller 63 on its shaft is less than half of the transverse dimension of each of the roller and the enlarged diameter part of the shaft.

Flexible connectors 51 , 52 are respectively mounted to longitudinally opposite end portions of the strap main body 50. The connector 51 includes an end piece 71 having a buttonhole (aperture) 72 through which a conventional button (peg) 29 on a guitar 30 may be extended or a snap fastener, for example, 40 may be connected. An elongated, flexible connector member 73 at one portion mounts the end piece 71 and at the opposite end is mounted to the shaft 57. Advantageously, the shafts 57, 59 may be of shorter transverse dimension than the shafts 56 while the roller assembly T may have fewer rollers on shaft 59 than the number of rollers on the shafts 56. The connector 52 includes a conventional plunger snap fastener 75 having a manually operated plunger member 75A for connecting the fastener to the item to which it is to be connected. One end portion of a flexible, elongated connector member 77, for example leather, or fabric, or plastic, is mounted to shaft 58 while the opposite end is connected to an adjustment strip 79 which is connected to the snap fastener and extended through a convention buckle 78 to permit adjusting the maximum longitudinal spacing of the snap fastener from the connector member 77. It is to be understood that the end piece 71 may be replaced with a fastener such as fastener 75 or fastener 75 may be replaced with an end piece 71 .

Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the third embodiment of the strap, generally designated 82, may be the same as either the first or second embodiment other than for the differences noted hereinafter. In place of using cords, the main body 82A of the third embodiment includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced roller assemblies, generally designated 80, and longitudinally elongated side strips (strap edge portion parts) 81 that are made of flexible material, for example fabric, or leather, or plastic, that are of a flexible to permit movement of the roller assemblies 80 relative to one another substantially the same as that described relative to the roller assemblies of the first embodiment other than for its rollers 8OB being integrally joined to the shaft 8OA to be in fixed transverse relationship relative to one another and fixed to the shaft. Each roller assembly is rotatable to the strips 81 and includes an axle or shaft 8OA that at its opposite ends is rotatably extended through an eyelet 83 that may be made of metal. The eyelets are mounted by the side strips in longitudinal spaced relationship such that the shafts are longitudinally spaced similar to the spacing of the shafts 16 and rollers 21. The end portions of the shafts extend transversely outwardly of the side strips and through washers 84 to have a cap 85 mounted on each end portion to rotate therewith and to retain the roller assembly to extend transversely between the side strips. A washer 84 is mounted on each shaft end portion between the cap and the adjacent side strip. Thus, the rollers assemblies are mounted for rotation relative to the strips 81. The strips 81 are of flexibility that one roller assembly may be moved to abut against another with their shafts being skewed or parallel to one another. Each of the roller assemblies 80 includes a plurality of transversely spaced, generally spherical or spheroidal rollers 8OB that are formed with the shaft 8OA as a single unitary unit to rotate therewith to provide a row of rollers while the rollers are not movable relative to the shaft. It is to be understood that rollers of a spheroidal shape similar to that of rollers 8OB may be rotatable relative to a shaft (not shown) with or without spacers (not shown) thereon, depending on the number of rollers, and mounted to strips 81 in a manner shown in Figure 12. If spacers are utilized to retain the rollers in transverse spaced relationship, desirably they would be of substantially smaller diameters than the rollers. Further, the outer peripheral outer dimension of each roller in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of a roller assembly is of a minimum diameter significantly greater than the width dimension of the strips.

The longitudinally opposite end portions of the strips mount eyelets 83 for mounting transverse shafts 86A, there being, for example, washers 84 and caps 85. The shafts 86A mount connectors, for example connectors 12, for being connected to an item to be supportingly carried on a shoulder such as described herein Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the fourth embodiment, generally designate 89, may be the same as the third embodiment other than the main body 89A has the one end portion of the shaft 88A of the roller assembly 88 that extends through an eyelet 83 and a washer 84 has an enlarged head 88C that is larger than the inner diameter of the washer 84 and the opposite end portion of the shaft 88A has a snap ring 91 snap into a groove (not shown) that may be the same as shown for the annular groove 98D of the shaft 98A such as shown in Figure 16 and a washer between the snap ring and the eyelet 83. The shaft 88A has rollers 88B integrally joined thereto which may be of an oval or cylindrical shape rather than being spheroidal. The rollers 88A may be joined to the shaft in fixed transverse positions or rotatable relative thereto with spacers (not shown) between transversely adjacent rollers, or there being a sufficient number of rollers between the strips 81 to limit the transverse movement of the rollers on the shaft. The opposite end of the shaft 88A have a washer 84 and a cap 83 mounted thereon with the washer being between the eyelet and the snap ring 91. The longitudinally opposite end portions of the strips mount eyelets 83 for mounting transverse shafts 86A. The shafts 86A mount connectors, for example connectors 12, for being connected to an item to be supportingly carried on a shoulder such as described herein.

Referring to Figures 16 and 17, the fifth embodiment, generally designated 99, includes a main body 99A having side strips (parts of the strap edge portions) and a plurality of longitudinally spaced roller assemblies, generally designated 95, that each may similar to the fourth embodiment in that the one end portion of the shafts 98A of roller assemblies 95 extends through eyelets 83 and washers 84 with a snap ring (not shown) such as snap ring 91 snap into a groove 98D of the shaft 98A while the opposite end has an enlarged head 98C. The transverse opposite end portions of the shafts 98A are rotatably mounted by strips 81 . The rollers 97 may be as shown of a circular cylindrical shape and may be fixed with reference to the shaft or rotatable relative thereto. If the rollers are rotatable relative to the shaft the total transverse dimension of the rollers may be a little less than the spacing of strips 81 which mount the eyelets 83.

The longitudinally opposite end portions of the strips mount eyelets 83 for mounting transverse shafts 86A. There may be provided caps and washers (not shown) or the shafts may have enlarged heads and snap rings mounted thereon (not shown) such as previously described for retaining the shafts in mounted relationship to the strips. The shafts 86A mount connectors, for example connectors 12, for being connected to an item to be supportingly carried on a shoulder such as described herein.

Referring to Figure 18 and 19 the sixth embodiment, generally designated 105, may be the same as the fourth embodiment other than the one end portions of the shafts 100A of the roller assemblies 100 of the main body 105A extending through an eyelets 83 and washer 84, they are rotatably extends through bearings 101 that are mount by side strips 102 that may be the same as strip 81 and have enlarged heads 100C at their one end portions that are larger than the inner diameters of the bearing 101. The opposite ends of the shafts 100A (not shown) are extend through bearings (not shown) and have washers and caps mounted thereon such as shown in Figure 12 or may have snap rings mounted thereto such as shown in Figure 14. Each of the shaft 100A mounts a plurality of transversely spaced rollers 100B in a manner the same as the mounting of the rollers 88B. Each of the roller assemblies 88, 90, 100 may include a plurality of transversely spaced roller 88B, 9OB, 100B respectively to provide a row of rollers such as referred to in the description of the third embodiment. The longitudinally opposite end portions of the strips 102 mount eyelets 83 for mounting transverse shafts 86A. Caps and washers (not shown) or the shafts may have enlarged heads and snap rings mounted thereon (not shown) such as previously described for retaining the shafts in mounted relationship to the strips. The shafts 86A mount connectors, for example connectors 12, for being connected to an item to be supportingly carried on a shoulder such as described herein.

Referring to Figure 20, the seventh embodiment, generally designated 1 15, includes a pair of strap portions F that each are the same as the strap 50 of the second embodiment other than for the connector H is different from the connector 51 . The connector H includes an end piece 107 having an aperture 108 extending therethrough for having a snap fastener 109, for example the same as the fastener 40 of the second embodiment or another suitable one for being attached to the item to be carried. One end of a flexible connector member 1 10 is extended through an end piece slot 107A and attached to one transverse portion of the end piece 107 and the opposite end to the shaft 57 of the main body 50 of one of the strap portions F while the one end of a second flexible connector member 1 10 is extended through a second slot 107A and is attached to the opposite transverse portion of the end piece. The opposite end of each of the straps F is connected by a flexible connector member 77, for example made of leather, or fabric, is attached to the shaft 58 of the respective strap while the opposite end of the connector member 77 through an adjustment strip 79 and buckle 78 mounts a fastener 75. In use the fastener 50 may be connected to, for example a top ring (not shown) of a backpack while the main bodies of the straps extend over opposite shoulders of the user and one fastener 75 is connected to a ring (not shown) on one lower side of a backpack and the other fastener 75 connected to a ring (not shown) on the opposite lower side of a backpack. Even though the main body of each of the strap portions F may be the same as that of Figure 8, it is to be understood they may be the same as that of Figure 2, or include other roller assemblies described herein may be used in place of those of said Figures 2 and 8, or the cords may be replaced by longitudinally elongated strips for mounting the respective roller assemblies such as described herein. Referring to Figures 22-24, the eight embodiment, generally designated 120, comprises a strap which includes a connector 121 having an end piece P, which may be substitute for the end piece 28 of the first embodiment or wherein the first embodiment is modified to utilize the roller assemblies of any other embodiment described herein in place of the roller assemblies R. The end piece includes an insert 123 and an end member 121 having one end portion that is directly or indirectly secured to the main body 10 of the first embodiment, or of one of the other embodiments of the straps described herein, for example, by a ring 27, a buckle 34 and an adjustment strip 31 such as shown and described relative to the first embodiment. The end member 121 is provided with an opening 122 which may be of any one of a number of geometric shapes, the opening shown being triangular. Advantageously, the end member is made of two layers 121A, 121 B joined to one another in overlapping relationship. With the opening shown, the two layers have opening portions formed therein that include edges of layer 121A defining a tongue 121 C while the opposite edges defining the opening are in part in the form of grooves 121 D. Mounted to the end member 121 to fill the opening is an insert 123 having tongues 123A to extend into the grooves 121 D and a groove 123B into which the tongue 121 C extends. If the end member 121 and insert are of plastic, there may be a snap fit to mount the insert to the plastic or an appropriate conventional adhesive may be used and if the end member is made of leather, the insert may be inserted prior to the two layers are adhered to one another. On the other hand if the end member is made of layers of leather or fabric to provide the tongue and grooves, a suitable adhesive may be used. If the end piece is to be used for attaching the strap to a musical instrument with buttons or pegs such as 29, 33, the insert is advantageously provided with a keyhole aperture 125 with the aperture having a partially circular portion 125A with its minimum diameter part being of a diameter slightly greater than the head 29D of, for example peg 29, and a slotted part 125B opening to the circular portion and extending longitudinally from the circular portion in a direction away from the strap main body 10. The maximum transverse dimension of the slot is less than the maximum diametric dimension of each of the head and of the circular portion, but is greater than the diameter of the peg stem 29B except at the opening of the slotted portion to the circular portion which may be of a transverse dimension to form a close fit with the peg stem when the peg stem is moved therethrough. Thus, preferably the minimum transverse dimension of the circular portion and is greater than transverse dimension of the slotted portion, including at its opening to the circular portion.

In use, the end piece is position to be pushed toward the musical instrument to have the peg extend through the insert aperture portion 125A and the strap main body is pulled away from the peg to have the peg stem extend into the slotted part 125B. The keyhole aperture may be defined by chamfered perimetric edges and an intermediate portion in a thickness direction that is not chamfered. With the keyhole apertures, the chances that during use, the strap end pieces will be pulled away from the guitar are greatly reduced. It is to be understood that a conventional fastener, for example a snap fastener by attached to the end piece, by for example having a part (not shown) extending through the keyhole aperture. Referring to Figure 21 , one the straps described herein, for example X, may have connector 12 with its end piece 28 connected by a snap fastener, for example 40, to the upper end portion of a conventional golf bag 131 by the way of its bail 130 while its connector 1 1 with its end piece 28 connected by a snap fastener, for example 40, to the mid or lower end portion of a golf bag 131 by the way of its bail 132. With an embodiment of a strap such as the first embodiment connected to a golf bag as above indicated , the golf bag may be supported on the user's shoulder such as indicated in Figure 25. Using a strap such as that of Figure 20, the snap fastener 109 of strap 1 15 may be connected to the bail 130 of a golf bag with the main body portions 50 extended over the shoulders and the snap fasteners 75 connected to the lower bail 132 whereby with the strap portions F extend over opposite shoulders, the golf bag is supported by both shoulders. Even though in Figure 20 each of the roller assemblies is shown as having four rollers or five rollers, it is to be understood there may be only three rollers such as shown in Figure 25. As indicated in Figure 27, a backpack 140 may be supported by the shoulders of a user by having a first strap X with one of its end piece connected to an upper bail 141 and its longitudinally opposite end piece connected to a lower bail 142 on one side of the backpack to extend over one shoulder and a second strap likewise connected to the bails (not shown) on the opposite side of the backpack to extend over the other shoulder of the user.

Advantageously, the longitudinal length of the straps of the second through eighth embodiments is about the same as that of conventional shoulder straps, the longitudinal length of the straps being many times greater than their transverse widths as with the first embodiment. Further, at least the central longitudinal part of the main body includes at least three rows of rollers (roller assemblies) longitudinally adjacent one another and advantageously at least eight rows of rollers whereby there are rows of rollers (roller assemblies) that impose the load (weight of item supported) on either side of the top part of the shoulder and at least 7.62 to 10.16 cms. (three or four inches) below the uppermost part of the shoulder that is subject to having the item load imposed thereon. Advantageously, each of the roller assemblies that are adjacent the top part of the shoulder includes at least three rollers.

Each of the strips 81 , 102 is of a narrow width that is a dimension that is less than the maximum outer diameter of the rollers of the respective roller assemblies mounted thereby while greater than the outer diameters of the eyelets and bearings mounted thereby.

An advantage of the first embodiment is that due to the roller apertures being significantly greater than the diameter of the shaft extend therethrough, the rollers of one roller assembly are able to tilt relative to the shaft together with being able to move transversely relative to the shaft and thereby provide a greater degree of comfort during usage. Further, it is advantageous to have the rollers of other embodiments being able to move a limited amount on the shaft on which they are mounted.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A shoulder strap for holding items such as musical instruments, cases, bags and luggage and supporting them from the shoulder of a user, comprising a longitudinally elongated main body having a first end and an opposite second end, a first connector mounted to the first end of the main body for being connected to the item to be supported and a second connector mounted to the second end of the main body for being connected to the item to be supported, the main body including a plurality of transverse roller assemblies that each include a transverse shaft, at least one roller mounted to each of said roller assembly shafts and at least one of the roller assembly shafts having at least two rollers in transverse spaced relationship, and transversely spaced, longitudinally elongated strap first and second flexible edge portions for mounting the shafts and retaining them in longitudinally spaced relationship when the strap extends vertically to maintain the roller on one shaft vertically spaced from the roller on the adjacent shaft while permitting at least one roller assembly shaft being movable relative another roller assembly shaft between positions extending parallel to one another and positions in skewed relationship relative one another, the first and second edge portions having first ends connected to the first connector and opposite second ends connected to the second connector.

2. The shoulder strap of claim 1 wherein at least one of the roller assemblies has its roller mounted to its shaft by being integrally formed therewith and has additional rollers integrally joined to its shaft in transversely spaced relationship transversely intermediate the first and second strips.

3. The shoulder strap of claim 1 wherein at least one of the roller assemblies has its roller mounted for rotation relative to its shaft and has additional rollers mounted for rotation relative to its shaft in transversely spaced relationship intermediate the first and second strip.

4. The shoulder strap of claim 1 wherein at least one connector that has an end piece having an aperture for one of having a guitar peg extending therethrough and facilitating the mounting of a fastener.

5. The shoulder strap of claim 1 adapted for being supportingly connected to a guitar peg having a stem and a head, wherein at least of the connectors includes an end piece having an insert opening and an insert mounted in said insert opening and means for connecting the end piece to the main body for being extendable away from the main body, said insert having a keyhole aperture that includes a circular portion of a minimum diameter larger than the corresponding dimension of the guitar peg to have the peg extended therethrough, and a slotted portion of a maximum transverse dimension smaller than the corresponding dimension of the peg head and opening to the circular portion to form a close fit with the peg stem as the end piece is moved in a direction that the main body extends away from the end piece

6. The shoulder strap of claim 1 wherein each connector includes an end piece adapted to be connected to the item and means for connecting the end piece to the main boy for permitting adjusting the maximum longitudinal distance the end piece extends away from the main body.

7. The shoulder strap of claim 1 wherein the shafts have transversely opposite end portions that have apertures extend therethrough and the strap edge portions include flexible cords extending through the shaft apertures and have first ends connected to the first connector and second ends connected to the second connector.

8. The shoulder strap of claim 7 wherein the strap edge portions include spacers having the cords extending therethrough for retaining the roller assemblies in longitudinal spaced relationship when supporting one of the connectors with the roller assemblies being in depending relationship thereto.

9. The shoulder strap of claim 1 wherein the strap edge portions include a pair of longitudinally elongated, flexible strips having first ends connected to the first connector and second ends connected to the second connector, the width of the strips being less than the outer diameters of the rollers.

10. The shoulder strap of claim 9 wherein each roller assembly shaft includes a first transverse end portion and a second transverse edge portion, the strap edge portions respectively includes one of a bearing and an eyelet for each roller assembly shaft for rotatably mounting the shaft respective end portion with the roller assemblies being mounted to in longitudinal spaced relationship when the strips are dependingly supported from one of the connectors.

11. The shoulder strap of claim 10 wherein each roller assembly shaft first end portion has an enlarged head and the second end portion has an annular groove transversely opposite the strip that is remote from the enlarged end portion and a snap ring mounted in the groove.

12. A shoulder strap for holding items such as musical instruments, cases, bags, luggage and the like and supporting them from the shoulder of a user, comprising a longitudinally elongated main body having a first end and an opposite second end, a first connector mounted to the first end of the main body for being connected to the item to be supported and a second connector mounted to the second end of the main body for being connected to the item to be supported, the main body including a plurality of transverse rows of annular rollers including at least three rows of rollers for imposing a load on a shoulder of a user and means extending longitudinally between the connectors for mounting the rollers for rotation about transverse axes and permitting limited movement of one row relative to the other while maintaining the rows in longitudinal spaced relationship when supporting one of the connectors with the rows of rollers depending therefrom.

13. The shoulder strap of claim 12 wherein said means includes a transverse shaft for each row of rollers and longitudinally elongated flexible first and second cords having first ends connected to the first connector and second ends connected to the second connector and mounting the shafts for movement relative to one another.

14. The shoulder strap of claim 13 wherein said means includes longitudinally elongated tubular spacers for maintaining longitudinally adjacent shafts in longitudinal spaced relationship and having the cords extending therethrough, the cords and spacers being of a flexibility to permit moving a roller in one row into abutting relationship to a roller in a longitudinally adjacent row.

15. The shoulder strap of claim 13 wherein at least one of the connectors includes an end piece having a musical instrument button hole and adjustable strip means for connecting the end piece to the respective end of the main body.

16. The shoulder strap of claim 13 wherein each shaft has a first and a second end portion with an aperture therethrough for having the respective cord extended therethrough, the inner diameters of the rollers are at least 25 percent greater than the diameter of the shaft on which the rollers are mounted and the combined transverse dimensions of the rollers on a shaft is less than the minimum transverse spacing of the apertures of the shaft on which the rollers are mounted.

17. The shoulder strap of claim 16 wherein at least there are at least three roller assemblies that each has three rollers mounted on its shaft for limited transverse movement between the strap edge portions.

18. A shoulder strap for holding items such as musical instruments, cases, bags, luggage and the like and supporting them from the shoulder of a user, comprising a longitudinally elongated main body having a first end and an opposite second end, a first connector mounted to the first end of the main body for being connected to the item to be supported and a second connector mounted to the second end of the main body for being connected to the item to be supported, the main body including a plurality of transverse rows of annular rollers including at least three rows of rollers for imposing a load on a shoulder of a user and means extending longitudinally between the connectors for mounting the rollers for rotation about transverse axes and maintaining the rows in longitudinal spaced relationship when supporting one of the connectors with the rows of rollers depending therefrom, at least of the connectors includes an end piece having an insert opening and an insert mounted in said opening and means for connecting the end piece to the adjacent end of the main body for being extendable away from the main body, said insert having a keyhole aperture that includes a circular portion of a minimum transverse diameter and a slotted portion of a maximum transverse dimension smaller than the circular portion minimum diameter and opening longitudinally to the circular portion with the slotted portion extending longitudinally away from the circular portion in a direction away from the means connecting the end member to the main body.