Shoulder protector pads

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting a person's shoulders from loads being carried on such shoulders. The apparatus comprises at least one support member formed of a predetermined material for resting on a person's shoulders, such at least one support member having a raised neck portion on a first end thereof for engagement with and for providing protection for a user's neck. At least one neck strap is used for securing the raised neck portion around such user's neck. A pair of arm straps are disposed on a second end of the at least one support member for engagement with an upper portion of a user's underarm closely adjacent a shoulder. A hook and loop attachment is used for securing such pair of arm straps around such user's underarm.

1 . An apparatus for protecting at least one of a person's shoulders from loads being carried on such at least one shoulder, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) at least one support member formed of a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape for resting on a person's shoulder, said at least one support member having a raised neck portion on a first end thereof for engagement with and for providing protection for a user's neck;   (b) at least one neck strap engageable with said at least one support member for securing said raised neck portion around such user's neck;   (c) arm straps disposed on a second end of said support member and extending downwardly for engagement with an upper portion of a user's underarm closely adjacent a shoulder; and   (d) a securing means disposed on an end of said arm straps for securing said arm straps around such user's underarm.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said securing means is a hook and loop attachment. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second end of said at least one support member further includes a raised portion for assisting in keeping such load being carried on such person's shoulder centered on said at least one support member between said raised neck portion on said first end of said support member and said raised portion on said second end of said support member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support member is a pair of support members, one support member for each of a person's shoulders. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined material includes a hard plastic upper surface. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said predetermined material further includes a soft padded underside for protection of such person's shoulder. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said soft padded underside is selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one neck strap is secured by a hook and loop attachment means. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an outer portion of said raised neck portion on said first end of said at least one support member includes slots disposed on said outer surface thereof for retaining said at least one neck strap. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined shape of said at least one support member includes an arch shape corresponding to a shape of a person's shoulder for comfortably resting said at least one support member on such person's shoulder. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said arm straps are made of the same materials as said support member. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said arm straps are adjustable.