STRAP AND STRAP ACCESSORY HAVING CUSHIONING GRANULES
A strap for securement to a load carrier extends from the carrier and is adapted for contact with a wearer. The strap comprises cushioning material to enhance comfort of the wearer, the cushioning material including granules. A strap accessory having granules is also disclosed.
1 . A combination of a load carrier and a strap extending from the carrier for securing the carrier on a wearer, the strap comprising cushioning material to enhance comfort of the wearer, and the cushioning material including granules.
2 . The combination of claim 1 further comprising a second shoulder strap, each strap extending from both upper and lower portions of the load carrier.
3 . The combination of claim 2 wherein the load carrier and shoulder straps define a backpack and the shoulder straps form a shoulder harness adapted to extend over shoulders of the wearer.
4 . The combination of claim 1 wherein the strap is only one strap.
5 . The combination of claim 1 further comprising a foam material disposed over the granules so that the granules are disposed closer to the wearer than the foam material.
6 . The combination of claim 1 wherein the granules are disposed only in portions of the shoulder strap.
7 . The combination of claim 1 wherein the granules are resilient.
8 . The combination of claim 7 wherein the granules are thermoplastic rubber, styrene beads or buckwheat husks.
9 . The combination of claim 1 wherein the strap includes outer fabric containing the granules, the granules being secured in place in the strap by sewn elements, sonic welding or thermal bonding.
10 . A strap for securement to a load carrier, the strap adapted to extend from the carrier and shaped for contact with a wearer, the strap comprising cushioning material to enhance comfort of the wearer, the cushioning material including granules.
11 . The strap of claim 10 further comprising a foam material disposed over the granules so that the granules are disposed closer to the wearer than the foam material.
12 . The strap of claim 10 wherein the granules are resilient.
13 . The strap of claim 12 wherein the granules are thermoplastic rubber, styrene beads or buckwheat husks.
14 . The strap of claim 13 wherein the granules are secured in place in the strap by sewn elements, sonic welding or thermal bonding.
15 . The strap of claim 10 in combination with a load carrier, the strap and load carrier together forming one of a waistpack, a backpack, a purse, a briefcase and a tote bag.
16 . A strap accessory for attachment to a strap of a load carrier, the accessory comprising a fastener for fastening the accessory to the strap, and cushioning material including granules.
17 . The strap accessory of claim 16 including a transparent outer layer so that the granules are visible.
18 . The strap accessory of claim 16 in combination with a strap.