CN110606177A - Shoulder strap, carrying device and buoyancy compensator or stabilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a shoulder strap, a carrying apparatus and a buoyancy compensator or stabilizer. The object of the invention is an improvement of a shoulder strap for an instrument for carrying loads in particular on the back of a user, the shoulder strap having a side widening (118,118') towards the sternum area of the user and an arched shape, the size and shape being made such that in a worn condition the side widening is intended to rest on a thorax area below an imaginary cervical-thoracic line and above the thorax, while a section extending downwards beyond said side widening overlaps a side area of the thorax, which is located in an area adjacent to a concave side (119) that runs around the thorax itself. In particular, the invention relates to a buoyancy compensator (100) for diving comprising a device equipped with a shoulder strap.

Description

Shoulder strap, carrying device and buoyancy compensator or stabilizer

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of instruments for carrying back loads, i.e. of the type provided with at least one lacing element (so-called shoulder strap) intended to be hooked or passed around the user's shoulders and, thanks to this, to distribute the weight of the load over at least one part of the torso and to be held against the user's torso.

In particular, the present invention relates to carrying devices for sports activities such as backpacks and the like, and, after further specialization in progress, to carrying devices for equipment for underwater use such as backpack supports, in particular breathing gas bottles.

The invention finds its preferred and advantageous application in the field of Buoyancy compensators or stabilizers, which are also generally known by the acronym g.a.v. or BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) or by the english term jack (jacket).

Background

Usually, carrying devices of the backpack type or the like are provided with one or two so-called shoulder straps, which are constituted by strip-shaped or elongated elements (such as straps or the like), so that the two ends of the shoulder straps are each connected to one of two different points of the load support and so as to pass over and around the shoulders of the corresponding user.

In the shape of a carrying appliance of the backpack type or the like, the two connection points to the load support are arranged vertically spaced apart from each other, with reference to the upright position of the user wearing the appliance, and starting from the attachment point of the load support arranged in the upper position, they pass over the shoulder, are on the front side of the torso and are connected by the other end to the attachment point of the load support arranged in the lower position, usually in a position at a lower level with respect to the armpits and in the area of the buttocks or between the armpits and the buttocks.

These constructions are also known in diving applications, such as in Buoyancy compensators or stabilizers, which are also commonly known by the acronym g.a.v. or BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) or by the english term jack (jacket).

In these jackets, the shoulder straps may also be integrated with a wearable garment similar to a "vest" filled or carrying one or more inflatable and deflatable bags at least along a portion of its extension. In this case, the shoulder strap extends from the back of the garment, is an integral piece of the garment or is sewn directly to the garment, continues over the shoulders and chest, and is connected to the abdomen of the garment or as an integral piece or directly to the corresponding abdomen of the garment by means of an accessory for removable and adjustable attachment in terms of the length of the shoulder strap. The load support and attachment member is often integrated or attached to the back of the garment itself.

Currently, the shoulder straps used in the above mentioned applications are made straight or curved and are approximately sickle-shaped and, starting from the top end to the bottom end, have a curvature facing laterally outwards with respect to the median sagittal plane of the body of the user wearing the shoulder straps, i.e. the carrying apparatus is equipped with the shoulder straps. In the upper part, the shoulder strap is attached against the front side of the torso and to the supraclavicular and infraclavicular regions and the chest region, representing an interfering element especially for female users, as it unloads the weight supported by the apparatus in the form of pressure against the user's chest. Not only can this compression be annoying if there is a careless construction and heavy loading, it can also cause pain and also have a detrimental effect on the breast organs.

The shoulder straps used in the buoyancy compensator described in US5607258 fall within the examples of the state of the art mentioned above. In another context, but with the same functional problems, the shoulder strap is described in document US2003121942, in which the shape adopted solves some of the problems of interaction with the user's anatomy, but maintains a shape that can cause discomfort to the subclavian and thoracic regions.

Disclosure of Invention

Thus, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a shoulder strap whose shape is modified so as to avoid undesirable and/or harmful stresses on the body of the user.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a carrying instrument comprising at least one, preferably a pair of shoulder straps, configured to overcome the drawbacks provided in current carrying instruments, in particular for back loads.

Still according to one form, the present invention aims to provide a back carrying appliance for underwater equipment and in particular for one or more bottles of breathable gas, which provides greater comfort and reduces the physiological potentially harmful stresses to the body of the user.

Another aspect of the invention provides a jacket of the buoyancy-controlled or stabilizer type, combined with a support for a back load constituted by at least one bottle of breathable gas, which improves the comfort and anatomical shape of the part intended to unload the weight of the shoulder straps in particular, supported on the body of the user.

With reference to the first aspect, the object of the present invention is a shoulder strap constituted by a strip-shaped element comprising a portion designed to overlap at least one part of the shoulder area and one part of the front side of the torso, said element having an arched profile with: a concave side curved in a single direction of curvature and having at least one center of curvature and at least one radius of curvature; and an opposite convex side having a widening in an intermediate region between two opposite ends of the element relatively transverse to the longitudinal extent of the element, the transverse widening being connected to each of the two ends of the element by a length of concave side curved in a direction of curvature opposite to the direction of curvature of the concave side of the strip-shaped element, and the curved concave side having at least one centre of curvature and at least one radius of curvature.

According to another feature, the medial side widening has a curved side with a direction of curvature corresponding to the direction of curvature of the opposite concave side and with at least one radius of curvature or more shorter than the radius of curvature of the opposite concave side.

According to one feature, two opposite ends of the strip-shaped element are provided with removable attachment extremities directly attached to said ends and/or to strip-shaped extensions of said ends.

Another feature provides for: at least one removable attachment element is also provided at and/or on the side widening, which is attached directly to the side widening and/or at one end of the strip-shaped extension.

An advantageous embodiment provides for the strip-shaped elements to be produced in the form of flat filling mats.

With reference to one embodiment, both the dimensions of the side widening and the shape of the concave section connecting the side widening to the end of the strip-shaped element and the position of the side widening with reference to the end of the strip-shaped element are all chosen such that: the side widening is designed to rest on a chest region located below a cervicothorax imaginary line and above a chest, while a section between the widening and one end overlaps both the part located above the cervicothorax imaginary line and at least a part of the shoulder, and another section of the bar-shaped element between the side widening and the opposite end of the bar-shaped element overlaps a side region of the chest, the chest is located in a region adjacent to the concave side connecting the side widening to the corresponding end, and the widening is provided at an element side facing a sternum region or a median sagittal plane of the user's body.

According to another form, the invention relates to a combination of at least one shoulder strap and one support structure for supporting at least one load, said combination constituting a carrying instrument, said ends of said strip-shaped element being attached at points of said support structure spaced apart from each other.

According to one feature, the attachment of at least one end of the strip-shaped element is made in a removable manner.

According to another feature, attachment means for attaching the strip-shaped element may be provided and allow adjusting the distance of at least one of the ends of the strip-shaped element from the point of attachment of the load-supporting structure.

Still according to one embodiment, the carrying device comprises a combination of a support structure with two shoulder straps, each consisting of a strip-shaped element, and wherein the strip-shaped elements are made according to one or more of the above-mentioned features, which may be provided as alternatives to each other or in any combination with each other, the two strip-shaped elements being made symmetrically about a median sagittal plane of a body of a user wearing the carrying device.

A variant of this carrying device provides a back support element, i.e. designed to rest against the back of the user wearing the carrying device, and to which the ends of the shoulder straps are connected, respectively with an upper end at an upper point of the support structure and another lower end at a lower point of the support structure, preferably combining the shoulder straps with the back support element on one side of the support or on one side of the centre line of the support.

The first embodiment variant provides for: the connection of each strip-shaped element is made directly through a corresponding lower point of the load-supporting structure or by means of an extension optionally having an adjustable length.

Another variant provides for: the lower ends of the two strip-shaped elements forming the two shoulder straps are each connected to a corresponding abdominal section of one end of a belly strap or waist belt arranged on the corresponding side, the two ends of the belly strap or waist belt being provided with attachment means which are removable and adjustable in terms of the length of the belly strap or waist belt itself.

According to one embodiment, the abdominal or waist belt is a continuous element that also extends along the entire extent of the load support structure.

In another aspect, an embodiment variant provides for: the abdominal or waist belt element is made up of two segments each branching laterally from a side edge of the load support structure.

With reference to one embodiment, the carrying means are intended to carry at least one bottle of breathable gas, in particular for underwater activities, the load-supporting structure being a backrest element comprising at least one fixing means for removably fixing at least one bottle of breathable gas to the backrest element.

Another embodiment provides a load support structure supporting at least one bottle of breathable gas, in particular in combination with a floating element, which is fixed to the structure and which comprises, along at least part of its extent, one or more sealed chambers that are alternatively inflatable and deflatable, and control means for controlling the inflation and deflation.

One embodiment provides for: the floating element is constituted by a jacket element made in the form of a bodice or vest.

The jacket element is attached to the load support structure and/or the shoulder straps and/or the waist or belly straps.

According to one embodiment, the attachment may be fixed.

According to an embodiment variant, the attachment may be removable, at least for some areas of the jacket element.

One embodiment provides a buoyancy compensator or stabilizer comprised of:

-a waterproof envelope or bag provided with a connection system for connection to the body;

-an inflation system for inflating the bag and which can be actuated by control and supplied by compressed gas, typically through a bottle;

-an exhaust system for exhausting the bag inflation gas, further comprising one or more control operated outlet valves and optionally one or more automatic gas release valves;

-a frame for fixing one or more bottles of air or other mixture of breathable gases.

Briefly, by adjusting the amount of gas contained in the bag, the diver's body can be positioned and stabilized in water at different depths; however, its operation and any accessories are generally known to those skilled in the art, and therefore these modalities should not be further expanded.

A system for attaching a sealed bag to the body of a diver generally comprises: a backrest, typically rigid or semi-rigid and/or flexible; and a harness, which in turn has a shoulder strap element with a removable fastening element, such as a buckle or the like, which is made according to one or more of the above-described embodiments, a waist belt or a belly belt (or tightening belt).

The bottle is in turn connected to the backrest by one or more ties or the like.

According to another feature, a sternum strap can be provided in the sternum area of the user, which connects the shoulder straps to each other in a removable manner and prevents the shoulder straps from stretching progressively, said sternum strap being equipped with attachment means to be attached to the side extensions of the two shoulder straps.

According to one embodiment, the sternum band may be removably attached to the side extension of at least one shoulder strap, while it is permanently attached to the side extension of another shoulder strap.

Depending on possible additional features, the sternum band is provided with a length adjustment member.

According to one embodiment variant, the same jacket element carries the load-supporting structure, which is integrated in one piece to the back of the jacket element or is attached to the back of the jacket element, while the shoulder straps are constituted by extensions integrated into the jacket element in that they are constituted by extensions of the upper end of the back of the jacket element which extend over the shoulders to overlap the chest front side of the torso and which are connected to the abdominal region of the corresponding side of the jacket element, at least the upper end of the shoulder straps being connected to the back of the jacket element as one piece thereof or permanently sewn to the back of the jacket element, and the end on the abdominal side being connected directly as one piece or by sewing to the abdomen of the jacket element on the side corresponding to the side concerned, or at least by a buckle that adjusts the length of the shoulder straps and/or by a removable attachment fitting.

As will also be apparent from the following description of some exemplary embodiments, the particular configuration of the shoulder straps and their use in carrying instruments and particularly buoyancy compensators or stabilizers for use underwater allows the pressure of the shoulder straps on the torso to be transferred to anatomically less sensitive and more resistant areas, effectively bypassing areas with soft tissues and/or glands and/or organs that are sensitive to touch or compression.

The described embodiments have the effect not only of transferring the pressure exerted on the body by the shoulder straps to the areas provided with bone and/or muscle tissue more suitable for supporting the load, but thanks to the side widening they widen the contact surface and therefore the pressure per surface unit is reduced, i.e. the compressive force is distributed over a larger surface of the body, at substantially the same stress caused by the weight of the load.

The shape and dimensions of the side widening can therefore also be defined analytically and/or by means of measurements in order to set the pressure exerted on the contact area of the widening within pre-established values.

This operation can also be performed on a theoretical mathematical level by using a static model of the force transmission, or it can be obtained by simple experimentation.

It is also possible to combine the two methods by using theoretical models to determine the order of magnitude of the first approximation and by perfecting the settings through experimental empirical measurements.

Further developments of the invention are the object of the dependent claims.

Drawings

The invention will be described below with reference to non-limiting examples, which are provided in the drawings for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting. The drawings depict different aspects and embodiments of the present invention and, where appropriate, reference numerals illustrating structures, components, materials and/or similar elements are referred to by similar reference numerals in different figures.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a user wearing a backpack or buoyancy compensator (g.a.v.) type back carrying apparatus, wherein the left shoulder strap of the reference observer is of a type according to known art, while the right shoulder strap is made according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a view similar to the view of fig. 1, wherein the carrying device comprises two shoulder straps according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a top plan view, with reference to the viewer, of a right shoulder strap made according to the known art and a right shoulder strap made according to an embodiment of the invention, respectively, the latter being shown on the right side of the right shoulder strap made according to the known art.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view on the inside of an embodiment of a buoyancy compensator (g.a.v.) made according to an embodiment of the present invention and comprising a support structure for supporting at least one bottle of breathable gas on the back of a user.

Fig. 5 shows details according to fig. 4 in relation to the area where the upper end of the shoulder strap is attached to the backrest of the jacket.

Figure 6 shows details relating to the flap attaching the lower end of the shoulder strap to the waist belt member connected to the lower end of the backrest according to the embodiment shown in figure 4.

Figure 7 shows a detail of a removable attachment means for attaching the inflatable bodice bag to an upper attachment means for attaching the shoulder straps to the backrest in the embodiment of figure 4.

Figure 8 shows an upper end of a shoulder strap, a connecting member for connecting the shoulder strap to a corresponding upper end of a backrest and a removable hooking means for hooking an inflatable bag according to the embodiment shown in figure 4.

Fig. 9 shows a side view of an embodiment variant of the buoyancy compensator on its respective side, in which the lower end of the shoulder strap is connected directly to a point in the lower region of the backrest by an extension.

Fig. 10 shows a view of the attachment of the upper end of the shoulder strap to the backrest in a variant of the embodiment according to fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows an enlarged view of a detail of a removable attachment means for attaching an inflatable bag to an attachment means for attaching the top end of the shoulder strap to the backrest.

Fig. 12 schematically shows a cross-section of a human body and the definition of the region of the thoracic section of the torso.

Detailed Description

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, two exemplary embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail.

However, it must be understood that: it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments shown, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternatives, and equivalent arrangements falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The use of "e.g.," such as, "etc," "or" means non-limiting and non-exclusive alternatives, unless stated differently.

The use of "including" means "including but not limited to," unless specified otherwise.

In the absence of different indications, indications such as "vertical" and "horizontal", "upper" and "lower", "above …" and "below …", "right" and "left" should be read with reference to the operating conditions and with reference to normal terms used in the usual parlance, where "vertical" means a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the gravity vector "g" and horizontal means a direction perpendicular to the direction of the gravity vector "g".

Although the exemplary embodiments relate to a buoyancy compensator or stabilizer for use under water, the invention should not be considered limited to this application, but extends to other types of load transportation, such as backpacks and the like.

Furthermore, with reference to the specifically illustrated application, it is possible to provide embodiment variants of the combination of the shoulder straps with any existing and various forms of construction of these jackets, with different solutions regarding the construction of the supporting frame of the bottle, the attachment of the bottle to the wearable element to which at least an inflatable and deflatable waterproof bag is coupled (possibly with other elements having the function of housing, holding or attaching various types of tools).

The invention is described with reference to a specific and general type of construction of a jacket, but must be understood as extending, with suitable obvious variants, to all the different forms of construction of the jacket to which it applies.

The term jacket will be considered to correspond to the term vest unless otherwise specified or if the term jacket does not differ from the context in which it is used.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, there are shown differences between a shoulder harness according to the state of the art and a shoulder harness according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a shoulder strap according to the state of the art (shown on the left side in fig. 3 and 1 with reference to the observer, but on the other hand, provided on the right shoulder with reference to the observer wearing the shoulder strap).

The shoulder strap 100 according to the known art has a filled arched area in the form of a strip-shaped element or an elongated pad, and is made with two longitudinal sides (101 on the concave side and 102 on the convex side) having substantially the same profile and being substantially parallel to each other. The curvature is toward the right of the user wearing the shoulder straps to rotate under the armpits.

At the lower end 103 a female connector 104 is provided, which female connector 104 is for a corresponding male connector of the type hooked by snap-fit. The male element is not shown as it is a known element and is common in the art and comprises in any case two fork-like extensions provided with outer teeth which, once inserted in the female element, engage behind two lateral ribs with reference to the direction of removal. The fork-like element is inserted by pressing the two axial appendages forming the fork against each other, while engagement with the corresponding rib occurs thanks to the fork elastically stretching once the teeth on the appendages have reached the corresponding side engagement windows.

The opposite end 105 of the shoulder strap 100 also has removable attachment members for attachment to a load support structure (not shown in the figures) which are provided at one end (not visible) of a strip-shaped extension 106, which strip-shaped extension 106 is attached to said end 105.

The attachment member may be of a removable type, female or male, and when it is provided to be removable, it may be of the same type as the female part 104 or corresponding male part of the connector provided on the end 103 of the shoulder strap.

According to another feature, the strip-shaped extension 106 can be provided with a length adjustment device to adjust the overall length of the shoulder straps fitted to the load support structure under operating conditions.

Embodiment variants may alternatively or in combination provide a length adjustment device for adjusting the length (i.e. the distance of the end of the shoulder strap 100 from the attachment point) not only for the upper end 105 but also for the lower end 104.

The shoulder strap 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown at the right of the shoulder strap 100 according to the known art.

The upper end 115 and the lower end 113 have attachment members substantially identical to the shoulder straps 100 according to the known art, and these attachment members are denoted by reference numerals 114 and 116, respectively.

In this case, adjustment means for adjusting the distance of the ends 115 and/or 113 from the corresponding attachment points of the load support structure may also be provided.

In an intermediate position between said two upper ends 115 and lower ends 113 of the shoulder strap 110, on the side corresponding to the convex side of the shoulder strap according to the known art, the shoulder strap 110 according to the invention has a side widening 118, which side widening 118 is connected to the ends 113 and 115, wherein the two concave sides 119 have a direction of curvature opposite to the direction of curvature of the concave sides 111.

It is clear that the curvature of the concave side 11 has at least one center of curvature and at least one radius of curvature and the same applies to the curvature of the side widening 118, which has at least one center of curvature and at least one radius of curvature, the radius of curvature of the side widening 118 being smaller than the radius of curvature of the concave side 111, while the side and the side of the side widening 118 have a uniform direction of curvature.

The concave segments 119 may also have at least one center of curvature and at least one radius of curvature, these concave segments 119 connecting the side widening 118 at the ends 113 and 115.

According to another feature of the illustrated embodiment, the side widening 118 carries a female connector of the snap-fit hooking type in a removable manner and designated by the reference numeral 120, in which a corresponding male connector 121, which connects the sternum bands 122 of the two shoulder straps 110,110' of the back carrying instrument as shown in fig. 2, can be engaged by interlocking.

In addition, the sternum strap 122 can have a length adjustment means to adjust its own length, thereby adjusting the distance of the male connector 121 from the area of the side widening 118 'attaching said sternum strap 122 to the corresponding shoulder strap 110'.

According to another possible feature, on the side widening 118 of one or both shoulder straps 110,110', at least one ring, indicated by the reference numeral 123, can be attached, for example of the D type or of another type.

Another possible feature provides for: the side widening 118 is arranged approximately in the region corresponding to the maximum recess of the concave edge 111. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, not only can the side widening 118 of the shoulder strap be located at a precise point of the thorax, but also the section of the shoulder strap itself extending from the side widening 118 towards the lower end can be rotated about the thorax region with the corresponding thorax.

This situation is apparent from fig. 1 and 2.

In particular, fig. 1 shows that the shoulder strap 100 according to the known art is located over the area of the chest and nipple, so that the force generated by the mass of the load (e.g. a bottle of breathable gas) is unloaded in the form of compression of the shoulder strap against the chest and nipple and thus against the soft tissue including the glands and extremely sensitive tactile organs. In the long term, this can cause not only discomfort, but also pain, and can also carry a risk of physiological damage.

On the other hand, the shoulder straps 110 'in fig. 1 and 110' in fig. 2, made according to the embodiment described above and shown in more detail in fig. 3, have unloading areas to unload the forces acting on the shoulders and on the parts providing the pectoral muscles (i.e. in the area below the nape-chest imaginary line and above the chest).

As will be clear from the description of the exemplary embodiments below, the lower extension of the two shoulder straps leading from the side widening 118 to the lower end 113 bypasses the area of the corresponding chest and is then connected to the structure in a different manner and in a different pattern.

As is even more evident, in the embodiment of the shoulder strap according to the invention, thanks to the side widening 118, the surface contacting the thorax and therefore the surface of distribution of the force generated by the load is greater than the surface of the shoulder strap contacting the thorax and therefore the surface of distribution of the force generated by the load according to the state of the art (see fig. 1). As a result, the applied pressure per unit area is lower, so that not only are these pressures relieved to regions that are anatomically more suitable for bearing stresses, but their strength is further reduced.

Fig. 4 shows a preferred application of the shoulder straps according to the invention, according to which they are arranged in a buoyancy compensator 400 (so-called g.a.v.), which buoyancy compensator 400 has a bag 401, alternatively inflatable and deflatable by control, and additionally has a support structure for at least one bottle of breathable gas (not shown in the figures).

Fig. 4 shows a view on the inside of the jacket 400 fully opened and unfolded.

In this embodiment, the shoulder straps 110,110' are attached to the corresponding upper points of the backrest 402 by their upper ends 115 thanks to the extensions 116. The latter may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid or relatively flexible material, such as plastic, and may be provided with padding, indicated by reference numeral 403, on the side in contact with the back of the user.

The backrest 402 shown has a special shape which widens laterally in the lower part, which is intended to adhere against the kidney area of the back.

On the other hand, the lower ends 113 of the shoulder straps 110,110 'are attached to the corresponding end sections 405,405' of the abdominal or waist belt element in order to be able to adjust their distance.

In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment of the end 113 of the shoulder strap 110,110 'is provided at a point intermediate between the free end of the corresponding lap belt section 405,405' and the edge of the backrest from which the lap belt portion extends.

Preferably, the attachment points are disposed adjacent to the side edges of the backrest 402 or in the vicinity of the side edges of the backrest 402 so as to be located in the wing regions or in the back region immediately adjacent to the wing regions.

The two end sections 405,405' are equipped with means for being removable and attached to each other (i.e. one to the other), which are made like buckles and also allow the distance between the two ends to be adjusted in order to adjust the tightening condition of the waist belt.

Several embodiments of the ends 405,405' and waist or central band may be provided.

Embodiments provide a continuous waistband that also extends behind the backrest without interruption.

Alternatively, the two segments 405 and 405' may be separate from each other and attached individually to the side ends of the backrest 402, the backrest 402 being a structural continuity element connecting the abdominal or waist band.

The bag portion contains a floating chamber and a member allowing the latter to be inflated and deflated at the request of the user is connected to the former, which is denoted by reference numeral 401 and has the form of a bodice or vest.

In the illustrated embodiment, the portion 401 is preferably removably attached to a load support structure that includes a backrest 402, shoulder straps 110,110', and a waist or belly strap having two end sections 405, 405'. Advantageously, the portion 401 may be replaced in the event of damage or loss of sealing of the chamber.

Figure 5 shows details of an embodiment of an adjustment device for attaching the upper extension 116 of the shoulder strap 110 to the corresponding upper point of the backrest 402 and for adjusting the length of the extension 116, i.e. the distance of the upper end 115 of the shoulder strap 110 from the attachment point of the backrest 402. Also depicted in the figure is a tensioning strap 407, which tensioning strap 407 is used to tension the bottles at the rear side of the jacket 400.

Fig. 6 shows a detail of an embodiment of a jacket similar to the jacket according to fig. 4, which detail relates to one end section 405 of a belly band or waist band, and wherein it is seen on the front side of the jacket.

The lower end 113 of the shoulder strap 110 is connected by a female connector 114 to a male connector 409, the male connector 409 being attached to one end of a strap-like extension 410, the strap-like extension 410 being connected to the waist strap segment 405. The male connector 409 is attached to the strap 410 so that the position of the male connector 409 along the strap can be varied thanks to a buckle of known type and widely used, for example, in backpacks and the like, which allows said connector 409 to be coupled to one end of the strap, sliding along the strap and fixed in the desired position, while allowing the tensioning of the strap by applying a tension on the free end of the strap itself. The straps are fixedly connected to the end sections of the waist belt 405.

This example shows an embodiment in which the two end sections 405,405' of the waist belt are not only connected to each other by means of a length-adjustable strap, indicated by reference numeral 411, but also attached in a removable manner to the back of the backrest 402 thanks to the use of attachment means of the loop/hook type, such as velcro or the like.

Fig. 7 shows an openable hook-and-loop 412 provided at the upper end of the inflatable and deflatable bodice 401 at each area where the straps of the upper end 115 of the shoulder straps pass, which hook-and-loop is intended to be hooked to said strap section 116 in order to also attach the upper part of said bag 401 to the backrest, as shown in fig. 8.

The hook 412 defines a loop for engaging said strip-shaped extension 116 in order to attach the upper end of the corresponding shoulder strap 110, and the hook 412 has a closing branch which delimits said loop outwards and can be locked and unlocked by means of an elastic snap-fit hooking at one end with a transverse rib of the two ribs which delimit said loop laterally.

Figure 9 shows a side view of a buoyancy compensator according to another embodiment variant of the invention.

In this embodiment as shown in this figure, the lower end 113 of the shoulder strap is not connected to the corresponding end section 405,405' of the waist belt, as shown in the example of the previous figures. Unlike these embodiments, the strap 410 that attaches the lower end 113 of each shoulder strap 110 extends from a point 500 on the corresponding underside area of the backrest 401. In particular, in the shown figures, this point is arranged at a distance from the side end of the lower extension of the backrest to which the end section 405 of the abdominal or waist belt is connected. Also in this case, on the strap 410 there is a male connector 409, the male connector 409 being engaged in the figure in a female connector 114 which in turn is attached to the lower end 113 of the corresponding shoulder strap 110, and also in this example the position of the male connector 409 along the strap 410 is adjustable in order to tighten the shoulder strap correctly to the body and thus the load support structure to the body itself.

Figures 10 and 11 show the attachment of the strip extension 116 of the upper end 115 of the shoulder strap 110 to the upper point of the backrest 402 as in figures 7 and 8.

In the example shown, this is achieved by passing the free end of the strap-like extension 116 through a loop in a tightening buckle 501 attached to the backrest 402 and by locking the free end of the strap-like extension 116 into said tightening buckle. This is done in a manner known to those skilled in the art and in the state of the art, so as to allow adjustment of the position on the strip-shaped extension and thus the distance of the upper end 115 of the shoulder strap 110 with respect to said buckle, i.e. with respect to the upper attachment point to the backrest 402.

This configuration is similarly provided in the embodiment of fig. 8 with reference to the embodiment of fig. 4.

In both embodiments, the ends of the shoulder straps can also be attached in another way by using solutions of the state of the art, which are within the scope of the options that the skilled person can choose.

Fig. 11 shows an openable anchoring hook for anchoring the upper end of one of the sides of the inflatable bag 401 to the upper extension 116 of the upper end of the shoulder strap 110, as in fig. 7 and 8.

According to an embodiment variant of the embodiment relating to fig. 4 to 11, the shoulder straps according to the invention can be combined and integrated in a Buoyancy compensator or stabilizer, which is also generally known by the acronym g.a.v. or BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) or by the english term jack, wherein a clothing element made in a "vest" -like shape is the part of the load support structure to which it is attached or shaped in order to create a support load, in this case at least one breathable gas bottle. In this example, therefore, the floating element, shaped as a wearable element or vest, is not hooked to the load support structure, but rather the floating element itself assumes the function of both the floating element and a harness that couples the load support structure to the user's body.

In contrast to the previous embodiments, the vest-shaped wearable element comprises one or more inflatable and deflatable floating bags distributed over at least one or more regions, and in the back region the vest-shaped wearable element is shaped so as to create a load-supporting structure, or otherwise attach a load-supporting structure to said back portion of the vest-shaped garment.

In this variant, the shoulder straps are extensions of the back portion of the vest-shaped garment, which extend towards the front or chest of the torso and over the shoulders on the respective sides of the back portion of the vest-shaped wearable element.

The shoulder straps may be integral extensions of the back portion of the garment or may be permanently sewn to the back portion or may be removably attached thereto.

Similarly, the end of each shoulder strap on the front side of the torso may be connected as a single piece to the abdomen of a vest-shaped garment arranged on the same side as the associated shoulder strap, or it may be permanently or removably connected by stitching or the like.

In all cases, each shoulder strap may include a system of maximum lengths and adjustable buckles that are used to manage the richness of the lengths and allow adjustment of the shoulder straps themselves.

With respect to the shape of the shoulder straps and other additional features described with reference to the previous examples shown in the figures, it is clear that even in this embodiment, all or part of these features can be provided in any combination or sub-combination, as applicable.

Claims (19)

1. A shoulder strap composed of a strip-shaped element, the shoulder strap comprising a portion designed to overlap with at least a part of the shoulder area and a part of the front side of the torso,

characterized by having an arcuate profile having: a concave side (111), said concave side (111) being curved in a single direction of curvature and having at least one center of curvature and at least one radius of curvature; and an opposite convex side having, in an intermediate region between two opposite ends of the element, a side widening (118,118') relatively transverse to the longitudinal extent of the element, the transverse widening being connected to each of the two ends (113,115) of the element by a section of concave side (119) curved in a curvature direction opposite to the curvature direction of the concave side of the strip-shaped element, and the curved concave side having at least one center of curvature and at least one radius of curvature, and characterized in that the dimensions of the side widening (118,118'), both the shape of the concave section (119) connecting the side widening (118,118') to the end (113,115) of the strip-shaped element, and the position of the side widening (118,118') with reference to the end (113,115) of the strip-shaped element are all selected such that: the lateral widening (118,118') is designed to rest on a chest region located below a cervicothorax imaginary line and above a chest, while a section between the widening and one end (115) overlaps both the part located above the cervicothorax imaginary line and at least a part of the shoulder, and another section of the strip-shaped element between the lateral widening (118,118') and the opposite end (113) of the strip-shaped element overlaps a lateral region of the chest, the chest being located in a region adjacent to the concave side (119) connecting the lateral widening (118,118') to the corresponding end, and the widening being provided at the element side facing the sternum region or the median sagittal plane of the user's body.

2. Shoulder harness according to claim 1, characterized in that the side widening (118,118') has a curved side with a direction of curvature corresponding to the opposite direction of curvature of the concave side and with at least one radius of curvature or more shorter than the opposite radius of curvature of the concave side.

3. Shoulder strap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the opposite ends (113,115) of the strip-shaped element (110) is provided with a removable attachment tip (114), which removable attachment tip (114) is directly attached to the end and/or to a strip-shaped extension (116) of the end.

4. The shoulder strap according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the side widening and/or on it there is also provided at least one removable attachment element (120,122), which at least one removable attachment element (120,122) is attached directly to the side widening (118,118') and/or at one end of a strip-shaped extension (121).

5. Carrying device comprising the combination of at least one shoulder strap, one support structure and at least one load, characterized in that said at least one shoulder strap is made according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, said ends of said strip-shaped elements being attached at points of said support structure that are spaced apart from each other.

6. The carrying instrument according to claim 5, wherein attachment of at least one end of the strip-shaped element is made in a removable or fixed manner.

7. A carrying instrument according to claim 5 or 6, wherein attachment means for attaching the strip-shaped element (110) are provided and allow adjusting the distance of at least one of the ends (113,115) of the strip-shaped element (110) from the attachment point of the load support structure.

8. Carrier device according to one or more of claims 5 to 8, characterized by a combination comprising a support structure with two shoulder straps (110), each shoulder strap (110) being constituted by a strip-shaped element, and wherein the strip-shaped elements are made symmetrically with respect to the median sagittal plane of the body of the user wearing the carrier device.

9. The carrying instrument according to claim 8, characterized in that the support structure comprises a back support element (402), i.e. designed to lean against the back of the user wearing the carrying instrument, and the ends of the shoulder straps (110,110') are connected to the back support element (402), respectively an upper end (116) at an upper point of the support structure (402) and a further lower end (113) at a lower point of the support structure, preferably combining the shoulder straps with the back support element (402) on one side of the support or one side of the centre line of the support.

10. The carrying instrument according to claim 9, wherein the connection of each strip-shaped element (110) is made directly through a corresponding lower point of the load support structure (402) or by means of an extension (410) optionally having an adjustable length.

11. The carrying instrument according to claim 9, wherein the lower ends (113) of the two strip-shaped elements (110) forming the two shoulder straps are connected to a belly segment (405,405') provided at one end of a belly strap or waist belt on the respective side, both ends of the segment (405,405') of the belly strap or waist belt being provided with attachment means which are removable and adjustable in terms of the length of the belly strap or waist belt itself.

12. The carrying instrument according to claim 11, wherein the abdominal or waist belt is a continuous element also extending over the entire extent of the load support structure, or is constituted by two segments (405,405') each branching laterally from a side edge of the load support structure (402).

13. The carrying instrument according to one or more of the preceding claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said load comprises at least one bottle of breathable gas, in particular for underwater activities, said load supporting structure being a backrest element (402), said backrest element (402) comprising at least one fixing instrument for removably fixing at least one bottle of breathable gas to said backrest element.

14. A carrying instrument according to claim 13, wherein floating elements (401) are provided in combination, and the floating elements (401) are attached to the load support structure (402), and the floating elements (401) comprise along at least a part of its extent one or more sealed chambers which are alternatively inflatable and deflatable, and control means for controlling inflation and deflation.

15. The carrying device according to claim 14, wherein the floating element (401) is constituted by a jacket element made in the form of a bodice or a vest.

16. The carrying instrument as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the jacket element is attached to the load support structure and/or the shoulder straps and/or the waist or abdominal straps in a stable or removable manner.

17. The carrying instrument according to any one of the preceding claims 14 to 16, wherein the floating element is constituted by a vest-shaped garment and at the same time a wearable harness, the load support structure being attached to the back of the wearable harness, while each of the two shoulder straps is made as an integral extension of the back of the garment or as an extension permanently attached to the back of the garment, at least to the upper side of the back of the garment.

18. The carrying instrument as claimed in claim 17, wherein the end of each shoulder strap on the front or chest side of the torso is made in one piece with the corresponding abdomen of the vest-shaped garment, or the end of each shoulder strap on the front or chest side of the torso is permanently attached to or removable from the abdomen, optionally providing an adjustment member for adjusting the length of the shoulder strap.

19. A buoyancy compensator or stabilizer comprised of:

a waterproof envelope or bag provided with a connection system for connection to a body;

an inflation system for inflating the bag and which can be actuated by control and supplied by compressed gas, typically through a bottle;

an exhaust system for exhausting the bag inflation gas, further comprising one or more control operated outlet valves and optionally one or more automatic gas release valves;

a frame for holding one or more bottles of air or other mixture of breathable gases,

characterized in that it comprises a carrying instrument according to one or more of claims 5 to 18.