Support element for a carry strap
A strap has an extension element and a support element. The extension element joins with an article, such as a bag, backpack, or purse. The support element is secured to the extension element and has a plurality of sipes that enhance the flexibility of the strap. In another configuration, the support element has a central area formed from a foam that is more compressible than a foam forming end areas. In yet another configuration, the support element has a wedge-shaped cross-section.
1. A strap, comprising:
an extension element having a pair of end portions and defining a longitudinal axis extending between the end portions; and
a support element secured to the extension element, the support element having a first surface and an opposite second surface, wherein the first surface is configured to contact a wearer of the strap, the support element having a plurality of sipes that extend into the first surface and toward the second surface, wherein the sipes comprise elongate indentations in the first surface and define one or more flexion lines in the support element, the sipes including a first sipe extending in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the extension element, and the sipes including a second sipe intersecting the first sipe and extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the extension element and wherein at least a portion of the first sipe and at least a portion of the second sipe extend through at least one-half of a distance between the first surface and the second surface,
wherein the first surface has a pair of end areas and a central area disposed between the pair of end areas, the central area being at least partially formed from a first polymer foam material, and the end areas being at least partially formed from a second polymer foam material, the first polymer foam material having greater compressibility than the second polymer foam material and wherein a material composition of the central area is different from a material composition of the pair of end areas, and wherein the support element is entirely formed from polymer foam material.
2. The strap recited in claim 1 , wherein the support element defines a channel extending between the pair of end areas of the support element, and the extension element extends through the channel.
3. The strap recited in claim 1 , wherein the support element has a first edge and a second edge that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the extension element, the support element having a first thickness along the first edge, and the support element having a second thickness along the second edge, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.
4. The strap recited in claim 1 wherein the first surface slopes relative to the second surface to define a wedge-shaped cross-section in the support element, the cross-section being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the extension element.