Ergonomic straps and carrying assemblies employing same

An assembly, comprising:

• an elongated strap member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion coupled to and disposed between the first and second end portions, wherein the intermediate portion has a width that is largest at a mid-portion of its length and tapers as it extends to the end portions, the intermediate portion including a flexible material that is configured to be expanded and conform to a top surface and a lateral surface of a shoulder of the wearer when expanded and to condense into a condensed position wherein the intermediate portion has a width that is substantially smaller than the expanded width, said intermediate portion forming a relatively planar, unitary surface over the entire intermediate portion when expanded;
• and
• said elongated strap member including a discrete cinch member that encircles the entire width of the intermediate portion and is not secured to any portion of the elongated strap member, said cinch member being slideably moveable along the elongated strap member and moveable between a release position proximate at least one of the first or second end portions such that the cinch member does not restrict the intermediate portion and allows the mid-portion of the intermediate portion to be fully expanded, and a constrained position spaced apart from the first and second end portions such that the cinch member surrounds the mid-portion of the intermediate portion and constrains the mid-portion into the condensed position where its width is substantially smaller than when fully expanded.