CN101355889B - Pressure reducer for the shoulder and its application - Google Patents

Abstract

A stress-reducer (1) is provided for reducing stress of a load of a user carrying an item or object on the user. The stress-reducer (1) is shaped as a yoke and is worn on the shoulder of a user, supporting a carried item or object. The yoke bridges or spans the user's shoulder, essentially the upper part of the trapezius muscle and/or the clavicle. The yoke is in contact with either the front and/or rear side of the upper part of the user's shoulder. The stress-reducer can be used with a strap arrangement. Also provided are a carried article equipped with a stress-reducer, a brassiere equipped with a stress-reducer and a garment having a stress-reducer connected thereto, and an arm carrier comprising a stress-reducer, a cradle connected to an arm, and a cord connected between the stress-reducer and the cradle.

Description

Pressure reducer for the shoulder and its application

field of invention

The present invention relates to a device for reducing the pressure of the load of an item or object carried on the user's body. The invention further relates to a carried item equipped with the device of the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to a garment equipped with the above-mentioned device and an arm carrier for carrying the weight of the user's arm, as well as the use of the device according to the invention.

Background of the invention

Shoulder straps are attached to many items to make carrying them easier. Examples of such items include musical instruments, backpacks, golf bags, child carriers, laptop bags, briefcases, handbags, and the like. The shoulder straps are also mounted on the bra and in this case carry the weight of the woman's breasts. Traditional shoulder straps transfer stress to the user's shoulder and neck areas, such as the trapezius muscles. Prolonged exposure to heavier weights through the shoulder girdle often results in pain and fatigue, which can eventually lead to headaches, injuries and neck problems.

One way to reduce this problem is to equip the shoulder straps with soft material cushioning padding. Such a pad distributes the weight of the belt over a larger area, thus reducing the pressure, but the downward force on the upper part of the shoulder area is not reduced.

A typical example of a shoulder pad for a guitar strap is disclosed in US-A-6,481,022 to D'Addorio et al. This pad is designed to better distribute the weight of a carried item, such as a guitar, over a larger area. However, the weight is still supported by the upper part of the shoulders. Other devices, such as shoulder harnesses, are designed to transfer some of the load to a belt or belt around the chest or waist, but this can result in restricted breathing and/or skin irritation in the hip and lumbar region.

Today, carry golf bags are typically equipped with two shoulder straps and the bag is carried as a backpack. The use of two shoulder straps equalizes the weight on the body and also distributes downwardly directed forces to the two straps. The straps are equipped with cushioning material to reduce contact pressure, but the weight is borne by the trapezius muscles and upper clavicle.

Laptop bags are currently typically equipped with a shoulder strap and the bag is carried on one shoulder with the strap running diagonally across the body, or straight on one side of the body. The straps are generally equipped with cushioning material to reduce the contact pressure, but here the weight is also carried by the trapezius muscles and the upper clavicle.

Contents of the invention

In order to at least partly alleviate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stress-reducer for use when carrying items, for example by shoulder straps , to reduce stress on the user's shoulder area, for example the upper part of the shoulder, such as the trapezius muscle and/or the clavicle.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a device for reducing the pressure of a load on the body of a user and worn on the shoulders of the body to support said load, comprising a yoke for bridging or Spans the shoulder area of the body and serves to transfer the load to either side of the shoulder area so that stress on the shoulder area is avoided in use.

In one embodiment, the device may comprise a base portion for bridging or spanning the shoulder region; and two end portions for abutting the body below the shoulder region to support the shoulder region. stated weight. The yoke may be in contact with the body below the shoulder region in an anterior region, such as the pectoralis, and in a posterior region, such as the lower part of the trapezius or latissimus dorsi.

In an embodiment, at least one end portion of the yoke in contact with the body may be more flexible than a base portion of the yoke.

In an embodiment, the device may further include a strap member. The stiffness of the yoke may be achieved by bonding a strap member connected thereto. The yoke may be connected to the belt member at both end portions, whereby the yoke forms part of the belt member. The end portion may include a strap member integral with the end portion.

In an embodiment, the yoke may comprise a pad of soft material at at least one end portion.

In an embodiment, the device may include a hook or loop for retaining the strap member on the yoke. The hook-and-loop fasteners may be designed to interact with corresponding fasteners on the strap members.

In one embodiment, a plate may be provided to interconnect the two yokes. The plate may include means for connecting the weight.

In an embodiment, the device may comprise an upwardly projecting side wall extending at least partially from one end portion to the other end portion to form a slot to retain the strap member therein.

In one embodiment, the device may comprise two limbs interconnected by fasteners to form the yoke. The fastener may include an elongated hole in the first limb and a hole in the other limb, and a connecting member disposed in the hole for attaching the The limbs are held together.

In one embodiment, the device may comprise two limbs hinged at substantially the middle portion thereof, near the apex of the yoke.

In one embodiment, the two limbs may be connected at their intermediately disposed ends, near the apex of the yoke, by a pivot which allows the limbs to rotate perpendicular to the The axis of rotation of the surface of the end disposed in the middle is substantially vertical when a yoke is used. The two limbs may be hinged at substantially the middle portion thereof, near the apex of the yoke, so that the limbs can pivot outwards and inwards, and one of the limbs One includes protrusions that limit the relative outward rotation of the limbs.

In an embodiment, the yoke is adapted to maintain, in use, the base portion of the yoke at a predetermined distance above the upper portion of the shoulder.

In an embodiment, at least one of the end portions may be wider than the base portion. Also, the base portion may be wider than at least one of the end portions.

In another aspect, there is provided a carry item such as a guitar, bass instrument, accordion, drum, backpack, golf bag, handbag, duffel bag, briefcase, laptop bag, weapon, forestry machine, garden machine, user Portable machinery (user-carried machinery), the carried items include the above-mentioned devices.

In a further aspect there is provided a bra comprising the device described above.

In a still further aspect there is provided a garment comprising at least one of the devices described above, the device being attached to the garment so as to bridge the upper part of the user's shoulders when the garment is in use.

In one embodiment, the device may be fixedly attached to or integral with a garment. The device can be detachably arranged in a garment pocket.

In yet another aspect, there is provided an arm brace comprising the device described above, and further comprising a cage for connection to the arm, the cage having a strap or cord connected between the cage and the device for Allow the weight of the arm to transfer to the device.

In one embodiment, the cord may be a sling, worn by a person with an arm injury. The cage may be a plaster cast for the arm, the cast including fastening means such as hooks or loops.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a harness for hunters, soldiers, police officers, photographers, forest or garden workers, which harness includes the device described above. The harness may comprise at least two devices.

Description of drawings

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pressure reducer,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a user carrying a guitar with a pressure reducer,

Figures 3a and 3b are front views of a user with different embodiments of the pressure reducer,

Figures 4a and 4b are side and rear views, respectively, of an assembly of two pressure reducers and a rear plate, where the pressure reducers are adjustable,

Figures 5a and 5b are side views of an alternative collapsible embodiment of the pressure reducer,

Figure 6 is another alternative of a collapsible embodiment of the pressure reducer,

Figure 7 is a side view of a user wearing a pressure reducer equipped with a loop for the strap,

Figure 8 shows a boy with a sling attached to a stress reducer,

Figures 9a and 9b show two different shapes of the end portion of the pressure reducer,

Figure 10 shows an arm bracket comprising two pressure reducers, and

Figure 11 shows a garment equipped with two pressure reducers.

Detailed description of an embodiment

In order to enable those skilled in the art to carry out the present invention and to disclose the best mode, various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail below. However, the above-described embodiments do not limit the invention, and other combinations of different features are possible within the scope of the invention.

The pressure reducer 1 is intended to reduce the pressure that may occur when heavy items or objects are carried by the user's body, or when their load is transferred to the user's body, for example by shoulder straps or belts. The pressure reducer may constitute the shoulder strap or form part of the strap. The term "belt member" therefore serves as a general description of the belt 2 or the pressure reducer 1 being or part of a belt.

Different examples of pressure reducers will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. References are made to the positions shown in the drawings or relative to possible user positions, eg up, down, right, left, but this is for exemplary purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

以及树脂的层压件。轭状物也可由上述材料的组合物制造。An embodiment of the pressure reducer 1 may be formed with an inverted U-shaped yoke, see FIG. 1 . The yoke may be manufactured from a single material, eg plastic, wood, metal. Yokes can include fiberglass, carbon fiber or

and resin laminates. The yoke may also be fabricated from combinations of the above materials.

The pressure reducer 1 can be used in combination with a strap 2 for carrying an item such as a guitar, as shown in FIG. 2 .

The pressure reducer has a front end or section 10 and a rear end or section 20 connected by a load-bearing base section 30 . As shown in Figure 2, a pressure reducer is used wherein the yoke is placed on top of the shoulders and the end sections 10 and 20 are supported by the body section below the shoulder area. The reducer is placed such that the base portion 30 is not in contact with the upper part of the shoulder, but the reducer is fully supported by the contact between the end portions 10 and 20 and the body.

The base portion 30 should be sufficiently rigid that it does not bend down into contact with the upper portion of the shoulder when it is subjected to or supports a moderately heavy carry item. The front end part 10 and the rear end part 20 may be provided with padding 11, 21 or similar soft material, such as plastic foam or rubber. The end portions 10, 20 can also be made more elastic than the load-bearing base 30, so that the end portions 10, 20 themselves distribute the contact pressure on the user's body over a greater area or angular range.

The pressure reducer 1 may be formed with a hook or loop 40 to insert an item to be carried, such as a strap 2 of a guitar, backpack, golf bag, handbag, duffel bag, briefcase or the like, see eg Figures 3a and 3b. These hooks or loops 40 may also secure the strap 2 to the reducer so that the reducer and/or the strap do not slip off during use.

Figures 4a and 4b disclose a second embodiment of the pressure reducer 1 in which two elongated limbs 12, 22 are connected to form an inverted U-shape. At least one of the limbs 12, 22 is provided with an elongated hole or slit 51, while the other of the limbs 12, 22 is provided with a hole or slit 52, which may also be elongated , as shown, and the two limbs 12, 22 are clamped together by a plurality of screws and nuts 53 or similar, see Fig. 4a. This makes it possible to adjust the size of the reducer 1 so that it can fit shoulders of different sizes. The screw 53 is loosened and the two limbs 12, 22 of the reducer can be pulled apart or pushed together, depending on the required size of the reducer 1 . The screw 53 is then tightened and the pressure reducer 1 is ready for use. A nut may also be coupled to one of the limbs 12,22. Instead of screws and nuts, other members that perform substantially the same function may be used, such as snap buttons, cam locking surfaces, nuts and bolts, locking wedges, and the like.

This makes the reducer adjustable so that one size can be used for many different users. The pressure reducer generally only needs to be adjusted the first time, and then has the correct size for the particular user. This adjustability can also be used to accommodate thick clothing if the pressure reducer is worn over clothing.

One embodiment of the pressure reducer 1 may be articulated through the use of a pivot 50, such as a pivot 50 provided at the apex or end 45 of the pressure reducer 1, see Figures 5a and 5b. Thus, one of the limbs 12, 22 may be formed with a protrusion 55 which limits further pivoting in a particular, operative position. This makes the pressure reducer 1 collapsible, which is advantageous for certain applications.

The pressure reducer 1 may alternatively be formed with a pivot 50 and may have clamping means (not shown) arranged to clamp the strap 2 under the pressure reducer 1 . For this embodiment to be effective, the belt 2 should be sufficiently rigid in the longitudinal direction. When the pressure reducer 1 is rotated outward, the length of the inner circumference will increase. Thus, the length of the belt 2 inside the pressure reducer 1 determines the end position. This also enables folding of the pressure reducer 1 while still maintaining bridging or spanning capability in the operative position. By loosening the clamps around the strap 2, the length of the strap along the periphery of the reducer can be selected and this will allow the reducer 1 to be adjusted to different sized users. This is only possible if the pivot is located some distance above the belt contact area, so the outward bending results in a longer inner circumference of the pressure reducer.

Figures 6a and 6b disclose yet another collapsible embodiment of the pressure reducer. This embodiment is provided with a hinge or pivot 56 allowing relative rotation of the two limbs 12, 22 about a substantially vertical axis A-A. The centrally disposed end 13 of one of the two limbs 12 then substantially fits on top of the centrally disposed end 23 of the other limb 22 . The limbs 12, 22 can be rotated relative to each other so that one limb 12 sits on top of the other limb 22, which makes the pressure reducer 1 very compact. It does not matter which of the limbs 12, 22 bypasses the other. This embodiment may be equipped with clamping means (not shown) for securing the pressure reducer in specific positions, such as the operating position (Fig. 6a) and the collapsed position (Fig. 6b).

Another embodiment may be provided with means (not shown) for fastening strap members at either end of the device. In this case the pressure reducer 1 will form part of the belt 2 . Fastening means may be formed in the strap, such as holes, hook and loop fasteners, snap connectors or the like, or in the pressure reducer 1, such as for holes in the strap. Buttons, slots for entry with hook and loop fasteners, or clamping devices of a general nature.

The pressure reducer 1 can also be formed with a groove on the upper side, in which the belt 2 can be placed. The pressure reducer 1 can then even be installed under clothing and not be seen by would-be spectators. The slots may be formed by providing substantially vertical walls on opposite longitudinal sides of the pressure reducer 1 . The walls extend upwardly with slots formed therebetween.

In all embodiments, a separate fixation device may be provided for holding the pressure reducer in place on the body, such as a strap 25 around the chest.

The pressure reducer 1 may also be incorporated into the strap 2 so that the end portions 10, 20 of the reducer 1 are elongated and flexible enough to be used as a strap. The stress reducer 1 should also be provided with contact surfaces that transfer the weight of the carried item to the body on the opposite side of the shoulder.

Figures 4a and 4b show that two pressure reducers 1 can be connected to a substantially rigid plate 60 and form a load-bearing structure. The plates can be adapted to attach various items or bags and function without any straps 2 . The structure can simply rest on top of the shoulders, while the weight of the item attached to the plate 60 will be transferred to the front and rear areas of the user's body. The plate 60 may be provided in the front area or the rear area of the pressure reducer. Plate 60 may include hook 61, loop, hook and loop fasteners, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b, for attaching items to be carried.

The pressure reducer 1 can also be mounted in or used with a bra shoulder strap. This will greatly reduce the discomfort of the shoulder straps cutting into the upper part of the shoulder area. Thus, the pressure reducer 1 can be made smaller, but must still bridge or span the upper part of the shoulder. The contact end portions 10, 20 may be formed at the ends of the strap 2, or joined to the upper part of the brassiere cup. In this case, the pressure reducer 1 can also be equipped with hinges, if required.

)可用于将带2固定到减压器1。The pressure reducer 1 can be connected to or to the strap 2 by using a hook or loop 40 or by placing the strap 2 in a groove. As mentioned, hook-and-loop fasteners (such as

) can be used to secure strap 2 to reducer 1.

The assembly of the two pressure reducers 1 and the back plate 60 can be used to carry different kinds of items. The bag or item is then secured to the rear panel 60 and the assembly can be used with or without the strap 2 . The assembly may also be formed with a connection element between the front ends 10, 12 of the pressure reducer, see FIG. 10 .

In one embodiment, the pressure reducer 1 is equipped with hooks on the front end part and/or the rear end part 10 , 20 . For a person who has an arm injury or his/her arm falls off, this hook can be used to attach a sling for carrying the arm. In this way, the conventional sling around the wearer's neck can be eliminated, thereby causing less stress on the wearer. The sling is fastened in a hook 14 on the pressure reducer, see FIG. 8 , and is attached to the arm by eg an arm strap, a cast hook, a guard 72 under the arm, or simply wrapped around the arm, see eg FIG. 10 .

One embodiment of a pressure reducer may be used by a person working on an assembly line. These workers are often subjected to monotonous work conditions that require them to raise their arms for extended periods of time. By wearing two reducers, one on each shoulder, the weight of the wearer's arms can be carried by the reducers by connecting the cord 2, 71 to, for example, a brace 72, arm strap or similar, as shown in FIG. Show. The rope is then connected to the hook 14 on the pressure reducer. This is similar to the function of top-mounted or ceiling-mounted arm brackets, which can be found on some factory assembly lines today. However, the arm brace 70 of this embodiment is more flexible and allows the wearer to move more freely from one task to another, or from one location to another. If only one arm needs to be relieved, only one pressure reducer can be used. If two pressure reducers 1 are used, they can be interconnected with the central belt 73 .

The shape of a pressure reducer depends to some extent on its intended use and may be suitable for its intended use. The load bearing base 30 should be rigid enough to bear the load of the carried item without collapsing and contacting the upper part of the shoulder and transferring the load to the contact end portions 10,20. The base 30 can be relatively wide to accommodate a strap for carrying items, or narrow if nothing is sitting on top of the pressure reducer. The end portions 10, 20 should be of sufficient size to support and distribute contact forces from carried items or objects. Each of the contact areas may be in the range of 15 cm ² to 150 cm ² , depending on the application. The larger contact area can distribute the heavier load from the pressure reducer.

The end portions 10, 20 may have a shape as shown in Fig. 9a, wherein the contact area width is increased. This makes it possible to shorten the front end portion 10, making it suitable for a female wearer, since the end portion 10 transfers the load to the area above the top part of the female breast. The shape in Figure 9b is also possible when the pressure is moderate and a relatively small contact area can be used, or for male users where the pressure reducer can contact the chest area further down.

In one embodiment, one or two pressure reducers 1 may be provided in a garment 80, such as a vest for construction workers, as shown in FIG. 11 . This will protect workers when lifting heavy objects on their shoulders. In one embodiment, a wider load base 30 is provided so that items can be carried directly on the shoulder without contacting the underlying muscles. The pressure reducer may be sewn into the garment, or may be located in a closeable pocket in the shoulder portion of the garment. One or two pressure reducers may be provided in the garment, depending on the needs or desires of the user. A pressure reducer with a wider base 30 can also be used on the outside of the garment for carrying shoulder bags and the like.

The material of the pressure reducer 1 should be hard enough to bear the weight or load from carrying or supporting items or objects. Various kinds of plastic materials are possible, such as PA6, blends of polyamide and nylon, Grivory type aromatic polyamides and special materials with different fillers, such as from GE at One Plastics Ave., Pitts-field, MA 01201 Plastic LNP material. The aforementioned polyamide materials may be mixed with fillers such as glass fibers. Fiber contents of about 25-50% are possible, while PA 6 with a fiber content of about 30% is suitable. Grivory type polyamides can be blended with 50% glass fibers. The filler reinforces the plastic and increases its hardness. LNP materials can be manufactured with high strength properties and can be used in more demanding applications where heavy loads can be supported or where the size of the pressure reducer must be reduced.

Depending on the specific application, the pressure reducer 1 can have different designs. In some embodiments, the design may be equipped with one or more stiffening ribs, especially if the overall design or shape of the pressure reducer is relatively weak. Alternatively, the pressure reducer is manufactured to incorporate strengthening features in the overall design.

The shape of the load bearing base 30 may be slightly curved or angled as seen from the front end portion 10 to the rear end portion 20 . This angle can be seen more clearly when viewed from above, so the load bearing base has a curved or angled shape around the neck which, although at a distance, can be used to increase the distance between the base and the neck of the reducer. distance. This can provide added protection for the neck. This angle can be easily adjusted if the pressure reducer is manufactured as two separate pieces assembled into a unit, eg in the manner shown in Figures 6a and 6b.

In some embodiments, the end portion 10, 20 of the pressure reducer may be equipped with a body-contacting pad 11, 21 . These pads distribute pressure from the load and/or provide good friction between the pressure reducer and the wearer or his/her clothing. Suitable materials are silicon or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) which can be molded or cast into suitable shapes, or some form of foamed or expanded plastic, where the liner can be stamped from a flat sheet. Thermoforming of foamed plastics can also be used, and the shape can be chosen more freely. The padding may optionally be provided with textile fibers or the like on the wearer-facing surface. If the liner is molded or cast, the liner can be made solid for added wear resistance.

It is desirable to use the pressure reducer 1 with the shoulder strap 2 when carrying relatively heavy items. It can also be used to carry lighter items for longer periods of time. The strap 2 is placed on the user's shoulders together with the reducer 1, and the reducer should be placed such that it does not contact the shoulder area, but contacts an area of the body below the shoulder area, for example, the area adjacent to the anterior pectoral muscles and the area adjacent to the posterior latissimus dorsi. The weight of the carry item is now transferred to the pressure reducer and then to at least one of the body contact areas, and usually also through the spine and legs. Substantially no weight or load is borne by the upper shoulder region because the base 30 transfers the load to the end portions 10 , 20 . Therefore, the trapezius and/or the upper part of the clavicle are not affected. In some cases, loading on the upper trapezius of the shoulder should be avoided, and in some cases, loading on the clavicle should be avoided. Normally, when the reducer 1 is worn and used for its rated load, both of these areas of load should be avoided.

The sensitive area in the upper part of the shoulder is the upper part of the trapezius muscle, where there are many nerves that run from the spine to the side of the body. If there is a load in this area, the nerve may be stressed, which can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area. Excessive stress, either brief or prolonged, can lead to injury and incapacity.

The pressure reducer 1 extends over the trapezius muscle and may also extend over the clavicle, forming a gap therebetween. This is shown as distance d in Figure 7, where the upper part of the shoulder is given by the dashed line. The distance d indicates no load on the upper shoulder, but the actual size of the distance is secondary. The load on the trapezius and/or upper clavicle is zero.

In the embodiments described above, the load bearing base 30 did not include padding or elastic material, as the base should not come into contact with the upper portion of the shoulder in use. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, only the end portion is provided with a gasket. The underside of the base 30 is thus empty and not intended for physical contact with the user. This reduces the overall cost of the pressure reducer since less gasket material is required. The end portions 10, 20 do not have to contain padding material, but padding can make the end portions softer and more conformable to the contours of the user's body. This helps shield high contact pressure points.

In an alternative embodiment, bridging or spanning means may be used, which are provided only for reducing the contact pressure on said upper shoulder region. A bridging device can be used in conjunction with a pad that contacts the upper trapezius muscle.

If the stress reducer is worn on a garment or a piece of clothing, the fabric of the garment under the stress reducer should be loose or pulled up against the load-bearing base 30 . Otherwise, the stress reducer could drag the fabric down on both sides of the wearer. This is caused by a slight sliding motion that may occur between the reducer and the body, caused by the outward bending of the reducer when loaded. The drag creates tension in the fabric, which can then transfer the load to the upper shoulders. This is not a big problem as it is easily remedied as mentioned above. This is even less of a problem if the fabric of the garment is flexible.

In use, weight can be transferred from the carry item to the upper part of the pressure reducer 1 via the straps. The load can also be transferred to the pressure reducer in other ways, for example via a hook 14 located somewhere in the pressure reducer 1 , see FIG. 8 . If the hook 14 is located close to or at the end portions 10 , 20 , the load will be distributed unequally to the two end portions 10 , 20 . This is no problem as long as the pressure reducer remains securely in its position bridging the upper part of the shoulder.

The stress reducer 1 can be used with many different items that are carried or used to support weight such as guitars, accordions, drums, backpacks, carry golf bags, handbags, child carriers, duffel bags, briefcases, laptops package, or similar. It can also be used in a harness or belt to carry a clearing saw, a turbo-trimmer or a vibrator for concrete work. It is often further used with harnesses for guns or harnesses to lift heavy objects. Other professionals, such as hunters, soldiers, police officers, photographers, forest or garden workers, etc., can also use such a harness adapted to be equipped with a pressure reducer 1 according to some of the above embodiments.

The pressure reducer 1 does not necessarily require a belt to work, and can also simply be connected to the item carried by the belt by any other connecting means, such as rods, chains, or similar structures.

A pressure reducer 1 having a substantially inverted U-shape, such as a yoke, comprising a load-bearing base 30, and having a front end portion 10 and a rear end portion 20 at either end thereof, said pressure reducer is adapted to be worn on the shoulder The load received by the carrying base 30 is transferred to the user's front and rear sides only through the end parts 10, 20 in use. The load bearing base should be stiff enough to bridge or span the top of the user's shoulders when used to its rated load.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific forms and implementations, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Different features may be combined in ways other than those explicitly shown in the drawings. The invention is only defined by the appended claims.

Claims (34)

1. A pressure reducing device (1) for reducing the pressure of a load on the user's body and for being worn on the shoulders of the body to support said load, wherein said pressure reducing device is formed as a yoke The yoke is used to bridge or span the shoulder area of the body and to transfer the load to either side of the shoulder area so that in use the pressure on the shoulder area is avoided, wherein the The yoke includes a base portion (30) for bridging or spanning the shoulder region; and two end portions (10, 20) for abutting the body below the shoulder region to The load is supported, characterized in that the yoke is adapted to maintain, in use, the base portion (30) of the yoke at a predetermined distance (d) above the shoulder. 2. The pressure reducing device of claim 1, wherein the yoke is in contact with the body in an area on the front side below the shoulder area and on an area on the rear side. 3. The pressure reducing device of claim 2, wherein said region on the anterior side below said shoulder region is the pectoral muscle and said region on the posterior side is the trapezius or latissimus dorsi lower part. 4. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one end portion (10, 20) of the yoke in contact with the body is smaller than the base portion (10, 20) of the yoke 30) More flexible. 5. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure reducing device comprises a strap member (2) connected to or provided on the yoke. 6. The pressure reducing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the stiffness of the yoke is achieved by bonding the strap member (2) connected to the yoke. 7. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the yoke is connected to the belt member (2) at both end portions (10, 20), wherein the yoke forms A part of the belt member (2). 8. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said end portion (10, 20) comprises a strap member (2) integral with said end portion (10, 20). the 9. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said yoke comprises a pad (11, 21) of soft material at at least one end portion (10, 20). 10. The pressure reducing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the pressure reducing device comprises a hook or loop (40) for attaching the strap member (2 ) remains on said yoke. 11. The pressure reducing device according to claim 5, characterized in that said pressure reducing device comprises a hook-and-loop fastener attached to said belt member (2) The corresponding fasteners interact. 12. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure reducing device comprises a plate (60) interconnecting the two yokes. 13. Pressure reducing device according to claim 12, characterized in that said plate (60) comprises means (61) for connecting said load. 14. The pressure reducing device according to claim 5, characterized in that said pressure reducing device comprises an upwardly projecting side wall at least partially extending from one end portion (10) to the other end portion ( 20), thereby forming a groove to hold the belt member (2) therein. 15. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said pressure reducing device comprises two limbs (12, 22) interconnected by fasteners for forming said yoke. 16. The pressure reducing device according to claim 15, characterized in that said fastener comprises an elongated hole (51) in the first limb (12, 22) and an elongated hole (51) in the other limb. Holes (52) in objects (22, 12), wherein connecting members (53) are disposed in said holes for securing said limbs together. 17. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said pressure reducing device comprises two limbs (12, 22), said two limbs (12, 22) at Its substantially central portion, near the apex (45) of said yoke, is connected by a hinge (50). 18. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said pressure reducing device comprises two limbs (12, 22), said two limbs (12, 22) At their intermediately disposed ends (13, 23), near the apex (45) of the yoke, they are connected by a pivot (56) which allows the limb (12 , 22) Rotation about an axis (A-A) perpendicular to the surface of said intermediately disposed end (13, 23), said axis (A-A) being substantially vertical when said yoke is used. 19. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said pressure reducing device comprises two limbs (12, 22), said two limbs (12, 22) connected by a hinge (50) at a substantially middle portion thereof, near the apex (45) of the yoke, such that the two limbs (12, 22) can pivot outwardly and inwardly, and One of the limbs (12, 22) includes a protrusion (55) that limits relative outward rotation of the limb (12, 22). 20. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said end portions (10, 20) is wider than said base portion (30). 21. The pressure reducing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said base portion (30) is wider than at least one of said end portions (10, 20). 22. A carry item comprising a pressure reducing device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21. 23. The carry item of claim 22, wherein the carry item is a guitar, bass instrument, accordion, drum, backpack, golf bag, handbag, duffel bag, briefcase, laptop bag, weapon, forestry machine, Gardening machinery or user-carried machinery. 24. A brassiere comprising a pressure reducing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21. 25. A garment comprising at least one pressure reducing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, said device being attached to said garment when said garment is in use, thereby bridging the user the upper part of the shoulder. 26. Garment according to claim 25, wherein said at least one pressure reducing means (1) is fixedly connected to said garment, or is integral with said garment. 27. The garment of claim 25, wherein said at least one pressure reducing device is removably disposed within a pocket of said garment. 28. Arm bracket comprising a pressure reducing device (1) as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a guard (72) for connection to the arm, said guard having a and the strap (2) or cord (71) between the device, where the weight of the arm is transferred to the device. 29. The arm brace of claim 28, wherein the cord is a sling to be worn by a person with an arm injury. 30. An arm brace as claimed in claim 28, wherein said brace (72) comprises a plaster cast for the arm, said cast including fastening means. 31. An arm bracket as claimed in claim 30, wherein the fastening means is a hook or loop. 32. A harness for a hunter, soldier, police officer, photographer, forest or garden worker, said harness comprising a stress reducing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21. 33. The harness as claimed in claim 32, comprising at least two pressure reducing means (1). 34. Use of the stress reducing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21 for supporting a load and avoiding stress on the shoulder area of the user's body. the

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