Cushioning shoulder strap

Abstract

A cushioning shoulder strap having at least one bladder located thereon that is inflatable or pre-filled with at least one gas, liquid, or gel and structures for coupling the strap to an item to be supported or carried. Preferably, the bladder and strap of the invention are integrally formed as a single piece of material, such as vinyl or rubber. Optionally, the cushioned shoulder strap of the invention may feature a valve on the bladder or a cover attached to the shoulder strap into which a bladder may be removably placed.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A cushioning shoulder strap, comprising: 
 a flexible bladder having a first end and a second end; and    means for coupling said first end and said second end of said bladder to an object.    
     
     
         2 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible bladder and means for coupling are integrally formed from a single piece of material.  
     
     
         3 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible bladder further includes a valve.  
     
     
         4 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible bladder is inflatable with air.  
     
     
         5 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible bladder is inflatable with a liquid.  
     
     
         6 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible bladder is inflatable with a gel.  
     
     
         7 . A cushioning guitar strap, comprising: 
 a strap of flexible material having a first end and a second end;    a flexible bladder connected to the strap and located between said first end and said second end of said strap; and    means for coupling said first end and said second end of said strap to a guitar.    
     
     
         8 . The guitar strap of  claim 7 , wherein said flexible bladder is integrally formed in said strap.  
     
     
         9 . The guitar strap of  claim 7 , wherein said flexible bladder further includes a valve.  
     
     
         10 . The guitar strap of  claim 7 , wherein said flexible bladder is inflatable with air.  
     
     
         11 . The guitar strap of  claim 7 , wherein said flexible bladder is inflatable with a liquid.  
     
     
         12 . The guitar strap of  claim 7 , wherein said flexible bladder is inflatable with a gel.  
     
     
         13 . The guitar strap of  claim 7 , wherein said flexible bladder is detachable from said strap.  
     
     
         14 . The guitar strap of  claim 7 , further including a bladder cover attached to said strap, wherein said flexible bladder is removably placed within said bladder cover.  
     
     
         15 . The guitar strap of  claim 7 , further including a means for adjusting a length of the strap.  
     
     
         16 . A cushioned shoulder strap, comprising: 
 a strap of flexible material having a first end and a second end;    an inflated bladder connected to the strap and located between said first end and said second end of said strap; and    means for coupling said first end and said second end of said strap to an item.    
     
     
         17 . The shoulder strap of  claim 16 , wherein said inflated bladder is integrally formed in said strap.  
     
     
         18 . The shoulder strap of  claim 16 , wherein said inflated bladder further includes a valve.  
     
     
         19 . The shoulder strap of  claim 16 , wherein said inflated bladder contains air.  
     
     
         20 . The shoulder strap of  claim 16 , wherein said inflated bladder contains a liquid.  
     
     
         21 . The shoulder strap of  claim 16 , wherein said inflated bladder contains a gel.  
     
     
         22 . The shoulder strap of  claim 16 , wherein said inflated bladder is detachable from said strap.  
     
     
         23 . The shoulder strap of  claim 16 , further including a bladder cover attached to said strap, wherein said inflated bladder is removably placed within said bladder cover.  
     
     
         24 . The shoulder strap of  claim 16 , further including a means for adjusting a length of the strap.