Field of the Invention

[001 ] The present invention relates to shoulder protector.

Background to the Invention

[002] It is common in many fields for loads to be transported by supporting the load on the shoulder. Carrying such loads can result in pain, or possibly injury, due to the forces placed on the shoulder. In the case of relatively long loads, such as lengths of timber or metal, loads which are not particularly heavy can flex and therefore bounce while being carried. Such movement can place additional stresses on the shoulder over and above the stationary weight of the load.

[003] The present invention relates to a protector device to be placed on the shoulder when carrying a load. The shoulder protector is aimed at providing suitable protection in a form which sits easily and comfortably on the shoulder.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a shoulder protector comprising:

a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface to be placed on a shoulder in use and the upper surface to receive a load; and a plurality of compressible protrusions on the lower surface of the body; wherein the body is formed of a resilient compressible material such that the upper and lower surfaces of the body conform to the shape of the shoulder in use and the protrusions on the lower surface compress under load to distribute the force of the load.

[005] Preferably the compressible protrusions comprise a plurality of ribs. [006] Preferably the body includes first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends and the ribs are planar and extend perpendicular to the plane of the body from adjacent the first side of the body to adjacent the second side of the body.

[007] Preferably the upper surface of the body includes surface features provided to restrict slippage of a load placed on the upper surface of the body.

[008] In a preferred embodiment, the surface features comprise a plurality of ridges extending parallel to a line extending between the first and second ends.

[009] Preferably the ridges extend between a first location located between a central transverse line and the first end of the body and a second location located between the central transverse line and the second end of the body.

[010] In a preferred embodiment, the spacing between the ribs is similar in dimension to the thickness of the ribs.

[01 1 ] Preferably the ribs are integrally formed with the body.

[012] In one embodiment, the ribs are sinusoidal in shape extending from adjacent the first side to the adjacent the second side of the body.

[013] In a preferred embodiment, the first side comprises a convex curve extending from the first end to the second end of the body and the second side of the body includes a concave portion adjacent the centre thereof and convex portions located between the concave portion and each of the first and second ends.

[014] Preferably the first and second ends are arcuate such that the body is kidney shaped.

[015] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the body decreases from adjacent a centre thereof towards the first and second ends.

[016] Preferably the ribs increase in height from locations adjacent each of the first and second ends to a location adjacent a central transverse line, the central transverse line extending between midpoints of the first and second sides of the body.

[017] In one embodiment, the upper surface of the body is provided with one or more grip devices to be engaged by a finger in use.

[018] In one embodiment, the grip devices comprises circular areas of ridges adjacent the first and second ends of the body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[019] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[020] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a shoulder protector in accordance with the present invention;

[021 ] Figure 2a is a front view of the shoulder protector of Figure 1 ;

[022] Figure 2b is a bottom view of the shoulder protector of Figure 1 ;

[023] Figure 3a is a top view of the shoulder protector of Figure 1 ;

[024] Figure 3b is a cross sectional view of the shoulder protector of Figure

3a through the line A-A;

[025] Figure 4a is an upper perspective view of the shoulder protector of Figure 1 in position on the shoulder; and

[026] Figure 4b is an upper perspective of the shoulder protector of Figure 1 in position on the shoulder supporting a load.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[027] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a shoulder protector 10 comprising a body 12 having an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 15. The body 12 is generally planar and relatively thin. The body 12 is formed of a flexible and resilient material, such as a silicon, rubber or plastic. [028] The body 12 includes a first side 16 being generally arcuate in shape. The first side 16 comprises a convex curve extending from a first end 18 to a second end 19 of the body 12. A second opposite side 17 of the body 12 is relatively linear in comparison to the first side 16. The second side 17 includes a concave portion 20 adjacent the centre thereof. The second side 17 includes also convex portions 21 located between the concave portion 20 and each of the first and second ends 18 and 19. The first and second ends of the body 12 are also arcuate in shape. The body 12 is therefore generally kidney- shaped.

[029] The upper surface 14 of the body 12 includes surface features provided to restrict slippage of a load placed on the upper surface thereof. In the embodiment shown, the surface features comprise a plurality of ridges 22 extending parallel to a line running generally between the first and second ends 18 and 19. The ridges 22 extending between a first location, located between a central transverse line 23 and the first end 18 of the body 12, and a second location, located between the central transverse line 23 and the second end 19 of the body 12. The central transverse line 23 extends between the first and second sides 16 and 17 of the body 12 midway between the first and second ends 18 and 19.

[030] The lower surface 15 of the body 12 is provided with a plurality of compressible protrusions 24. The compressible protrusions 24 in the embodiment shown comprise a plurality of ribs 25. The ribs 25 are planar and extend perpendicular to the plane of the body 12. The ribs 25 extend from the first side 16 of the body 12 to the second side 17 of the body 12. The ribs 25 are generally thin and the spacing between the ribs 25 is similar or the same in dimension to the thickness of the ribs 25.

[031 ] The ribs 25 are integrally formed with the body 12. The ribs 25 are therefore also of a flexible resilient material such that the ribs 25 may be compressed and then return to the original configuration on release of the applied force. The ribs 25 are wave shaped extending from the first side 16 to the second side 17. As can be seen in Figure 2b, the ribs 25 are generally sinusoidal in shape. [032] The ribs 25 increase in height from locations adjacent each of the first and second ends 18 and 19 to a location adjacent the central transverse line 23. The heights of the ribs 25 increases from the ends 18 and 19 of the body 12 to a maximum height adjacent the central transverse line 23 such that the thickness of the body 12 increases from locations adjacent the first and second ends 18 and 19 to a location adjacent the central transverse line 23.

[033] The upper surface 14 of the body 12 is provided with one or more grip devices 26. In the embodiment shown there is provided first and second grip devices 26 each located between an end of the ridges 22 and the adjacent ends 18 or 19. Each of the grip devices comprises a circular area of ridges 28. The ridges 28 extends parallel to the central transverse line 23. The grip devices 26 may be engaged by a finger in order to grip and hold the shoulder protector 10. Alternatively, the grip devices 26 may be provided for connection to a clip (not shown) where the clip is connectable to a belt so that the shoulder protector 10 may be secured to the person using the shoulder protector 10.

[034] In use, the shoulder protector 10 is placed on the shoulder as shown in Figure 4. The shoulder protector 10 is placed such that the second side 17 is adjacent the neck and the first side 16 is adjacent the outermost point of the shoulder. The first end 18 is therefore located forwardly of the shoulder and the second end 19 rearwardly of the shoulder. Due to its shape, flexible nature and its construction of a suitable gripping material, such as silicon, the shoulder protector 10 will flex around and grip to the shoulder. The ribs 25 also aid in gripping the surface of the shoulder.

[035] A load 29 may then be placed on the upper surface 14 of the shoulder protector 10 as shown in Figure 4b. The load 29 will rest on the ridges 22 which will restrict slippage of the load 29 relative to the shoulder protector 10. The ribs 25 will be compressed by the force of the load 29 which will provide padding to the shoulder and distribute the load 29 across the shoulder. The load 29 may therefore be carried on the shoulder in a manner which restricts movement of the load 29 and provides suitable protection for the shoulder. [036] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.