CA2354494A1 - Saddles - Google Patents
Saddles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2354494A1 CA2354494A1 CA002354494A CA2354494A CA2354494A1 CA 2354494 A1 CA2354494 A1 CA 2354494A1 CA 002354494 A CA002354494 A CA 002354494A CA 2354494 A CA2354494 A CA 2354494A CA 2354494 A1 CA2354494 A1 CA 2354494A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bag
- air
- bags
- saddle
- panel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B68—SADDLERY; UPHOLSTERY
- B68C—SADDLES; STIRRUPS
- B68C1/00—Saddling equipment for riding- or pack-animals
- B68C1/02—Saddles
- B68C1/08—Saddles with pneumatic pads
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
- Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)
- Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A saddle for equestrian use has panels having sealed air bags filled with air at atmospheric pressure to permit an even pressure to be applied over the back of a horse.
The air bags are applied to the underside of the panels and a lining layer is applied to the panels externally of the air bags.
The air bags are applied to the underside of the panels and a lining layer is applied to the panels externally of the air bags.
Description
EACKGROUND Ol~ THE INVENTION
5 1. 1~ field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to saddles for equestrian use.
5 1. 1~ field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to saddles for equestrian use.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
A conventional saddle has at its underside panels of a compressible structure intended to spread the Weight of the rider over the back of the horse.
Conventionally, the panels consist of an envelope into which a packing of wool or comparable synthetic material is inserted by hand. In principle, the packing foz~ned by the wool or other filling is intended to conform to the shape of the horse's back and thereby to spread the load while minimising pressure points on the 'horse's back. When a saddle is used only on one horse, the panels of the saddle will, over a period of time, compress and set to take an the shape of the particular horse's back. I-Iowever the extent of possible cozzxpressian which occurs in the packing is relatively limited and unless the saddle tree is shaped to the exact conformity of the horse, pressure points a~ten arise where too mucli of the weight of the rider is transferred to the horse's back in specific areas. This results in the skin not receiving sufficient blood flow which reduces the ability of the skin to sweat and if this situation continues for a long period of time it can result in hair loss, sore back, and possible muscle dannage to the horse. These problems are cornpounded when, az~d as oFten happens, the saddle is used on more than ozte l~oxse and whereby the compression needed to properly bed the saddle down onto the horse will not arise.
SUMMAI~'Y OP THE INVENT10N
According to the present invention, there is provided a saddle for equestrian use, the saddle having panels, each panel carrying a plurality of sealed air bags at an underside thereof, and a lining layer externally of the air bags in relation to the horse, a separate said air bag being at least at a forward part and a rearward part of the panel and each bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse.
FLU~iher according to the present invention, there is provided a saddle for equestrian use, said saddle comprising a tree with elongate tree bars extending along opposite sides of the tree and opposed panels each mounted to a respective one of the tree bars such that loading from the tree is applied to the panels via the tree bars, each panel carrying a plurality of sealed air bags at an underside thereof, and a lining layer externally o~ the air bags in relation to the horse, a separate said air bag being at least at the forward part and a rearward part of the panel and each air bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse consequent on the loading applied to the panel by the associated tree bar.
Still Further according to the present invention, there is provided a saddle for equestrian use, the saddle having panels, each panel containing a plurality of sealed air bags and, eh-ternally of the air bags in relation to the horse, a packing, a separate said air bag being at least in a forward part and a rearward part of the panEl and each bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse, wherein each air bag is substantially flat and substantially filled within its interior with a resiliently compressible open cell foam, the bag comprising opposed layers of sheet material sealed together at adjacent edges such that air at atmospheric pressure is enclosed within the bag, and adjacent side walls of adjacent bags are in abutting engagement to substantially prevent discontinuity of pressure application to the back of the horse in the transition between adjacent bags.
BRIIJp' DESCRIPTION OF TIDE I7RA,W1NGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a saddle in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention disclosed in our co-pending Canadian patent application 2340287 arid showing the saddle panels containing an air bag arrangement and adjustable packing externally of the air bags;
Fig. 2 is a cross-section through an individual aiz~ bag;
Fig. 3 is a section showing schematically the configuration of the air bag, an associated liner, and packing within the panel;
Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view showing an air bag unit consisting of front, and rear air bags;
Fig. 5 is an underneath plan view of an air bag unit consisting of front, intermediate, and rear air bags;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a saddle in accordance with the preferred cmbodimerit of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a view from underneath of the one of the panels of the saddle of Figure 6 but with an undez~iteath lining removed to show air bags at the underside of the panel; and Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-section through one of the panels of the saddle of Figure 6 in the zone of cozin.ection between adjacent air bags associated with that panel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is in respect of a Western saddle which will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. This saddle embodies certain of the inventive principles disclosed in our co-pending application 2340287 to be described with initial reference to Figures 1 to S to facilitate a better understanding of the invention. However the preferred embodiment of the invention does also include novel aspects applicable also to the saddle of application 2340287.
The saddle shown in Figures 1 to 5 is, save for the filling within the panels, substantially of known construction using leather, synthetic materials or a combination of leather and synthetic materials and these conventional aspects will not be further described as they will be well understood by persons skilled in the art. Each of the panels 2 defines an envelope which receives an arrangement of air bags 4 and, above the air bags 4 either along the entire length of the panel 2 or at selected positions, packing 6 preferably iz~ the form of a wool stuffing. The air bags 4 arc arranged sequentially in a fore-aft direction within the panel 2. There may be just two such air bags forming front and rear air bags collectively extending the length of the panel 2 or there may be three or possibly more such air bags consisting of a front, a rear, and one or more intermediate air bags collectively extending the length of the panel 2. The respective air bags 4 are sealed az~d as a result air will not flow between the bags. rt is to be noted that if only a single air bag were to be used extending the length of the panel substantial air movement would occur from the front to the back of the panel when the air bag is under pressure during use and this could result in the foz~mation of pressure points. Although with the arrangement now described air movement will occur within each individual bag when under load, the extent of air movement is inherently restricted by the length of the bag.
1 S With reference to Figure 2, each air bag 4 is formed by upper and lower sheets 8, 10 0~' impervious material such as f''hC sealed together around the periphery 12 with each bag having a filling 14 consisting of a layer of an open cell resiliently compressible foarzz.
The air bags 4 are not inflated with air at above atmospheric pressure but, rather, contain air at atmospheric pressure which is sealed within the bag during manufacture, with the open cell foam filling 14 occupying substantially the entirety of the interior of the bag.
The resulting air bag is substantially flat and of substantially Even thickness throughout.
The two or more air bags 4 are f tted into the panel 2 and then the wool or other appropriate packing 6 is placed above the air bags where required.
Advantageously, the two or more bags 4 are formed into an air bag unit by attaching a layer 16 of flexible lining material to the upper surface of the air bags 4, for example by glueing. The lining 16 will prevent the air bags 4 from being punctured while the wool or other packing 6 is being inserted and also serves to consolidate the two or more bags 4 into a single unit to facilitate assembly. The lining 16 may consist of a felt or a suitable plastics material such as P'VC.
Figure 4 shows an air bag unit consisting of front and rear air bags 4a, 4b and Figure 5 shows an air bag unit consisting of front, intermediate, and rear air bags 4a, 4c, 4b. The packing 6 will rtornnally be added in the part of the panel 2 which guides the knee of the rider, and at the rear of the panel 2 where extra depth is required. Very little packing is likely to be required in the middle part of the panel 2 although it can be added if required.
The effect of the air bag arrangement is that, in use, air will move within each separate bag and an even pressure will be applied over the entire surface of each air bag at the front or back of the saddle thereby eliminating individual pressure points on the back of the horse, in contrast to conventional saddles where significant pressure variation on the horse's back cant arise within a relatively small area. The application of tlxe even pressure over the surface of the bag is expected to substantially remove possibility for muscle damage and it is expected that this will result in a txtuch freer and more comfortable movement of the horse in use.
It will be understood that although a number of different plastics materials will have substantial impermeability to passage of air and will form suitable rrtaterials for the air bags, absolute irrtperzrteability might not always be achieved with the result that minor amounts of air might displace through the bag wall when the bag is under heavy loading during prolonged use resulting in minor deflation which does not, however, adversely affect the performance of the bag, but under normal usage this should not occur. However should minor deflation occur under the circumstances discussed above, when the saddle is removed from the horse and the air bag is no longer under load, it has been determined that the expansion of the open cell foam filling within the bag from its previously compressed state does, over a period of time (such as several weeks), cause air to be drawn back into the interior of the bag to establish pressure equilibrium across the wall of the bag.
However it is envisaged that if air loss through the bag wall durins use does present a problem, laminates can be used which will totally eliminate air loss although these laminates can be relatively expeztsive and will therefore lead to increased costs.
Figures 6 to $ show an embodiment of a Western saddle incorporating the invention. The saddle comprises a tree 20 of conventional construction which provides a front swell 22 and horn 24 aztd a rear cantle 26. Elongate bars 28 which form part of the _ tree and which are known as tree bars extend along both sides of the tree 20 and rest on the back of the horse via saddle panels 30. Each tree bar 28 is attached to tk~e top of the associated panel 30, for example by fitting the front and rear end portions of the bar into front and rear pocket 32a, 32b on the upper surface of the panel 30. Each panel 30 typically consists of a layer of a firm or hard leather or a suitable synthetic material having on its underside a lining 34 (see Figure 8) of sheepskin or a synthetic fleece and which lies against the horse.
In accordance with the invention, two or more air bags 4 as previously described are incorporated between the lining 34 and the underside of the panel 30. As shown, there are front and rear air bags 4a, 4b, although, in alternative arrangements there may be front, intermediate, and rear air bags as described with reference to Figure 5. As previously described, the two or more air bags associated with each panel 30 may be formed into a single unit. The zone of the underside of the panel 30 to which the air bags 4 are mounted substantially corresponds to the zone of the upper surface of the panel 30 engaged by the tree bar 28.
The two or more air bags, or the air bag unit, may be fixed in position by being glued to the underside of the panel 30. Alternatively, or in addition, the lining 34 may be stitched to the panel 30 slightly outside of the periphery of the air bags or air bag unit to form a pocket within which the air bags or air bag unit is enclosed; such stitching may be via an intermediate layer of sheet material such as plastic, light leather, or felt, between the lining 34 and the outer surface of the air bags.
In a conventional Western saddle, the loading applied by the tree bars to the panels is distributed over the back of the horse by the use of vary thick saddlecloths laid over the horse's back before application of the saddle. The use of the air bags in accordance with the invention obviates the need to use saddlecloths of this type.
Although the adjacent air bags associated with each panel may be configured as described with reference to Figures 2, 4, and 5, it has been determined that it is particularly advantageous for the upper and lower sheets 8, 10 forming each bag to be sealed in a sealing zone lying substantially in the plane of one of the two sheets rather than lying intermediate the planes of the two sheets as shown in Figure 2. Accordingly, and as shown in Figure 8) the seals of the adjacent air bags 4a, 4b associated. with each panel are arranged so that the seal 12a of one air bag (as shown, the bag 4a) is arranged in the plane of the upper sheet 8 of that bag and the seal I2b of the adjacent air bag (as shown, the bag 4b) is in the plane of the lower sheet 10 of that bag. With this configuration, the side edges Sa, Sb of the main bodies of the two adjacent air bags can be mounted izt close proximity with the seal 12a of the first air bag forming an upper flap which extends over and is adhered to the upper surface of the second air bag and the seal 12b of the second air bag extends beneath and is adhered to the lower surface of the first air bag. With this configuration, the adjacent side edges Sa, Sb of the bodies of the two air bags will tightly abut izt the manner shown in figure 8 to provide a very even and "seamless"
loading transition between the two air bags. In a minor modification to further improve the abutting joint between the adjacent side edges of adjacent bags, the foam layer adjacent the joint is formed with a chamfer or skive, with the two chamfers being oppositely directed so that one faces upwardly and the other downwardly to ensure tight abutrnenx of the adjacent sides of the two bags along an inclined plane thus forming, effectively, a skive joint between the two bags, with the skive joint being enclosed from above and below by upper and lower flaps formed from the abutting layers of the two sheets forming each bag in the zone of the seal between the two s>~eets. The seal itself may be at the extreme outer edge of those flaps. The modified structure just described further improves the "seamless" feel of the transition between adjacent bags.
The seamless transition structure between adjacent air bags as just described can also be incorporated to advantage in the embodiment of the saddle described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.
The embodiment has been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.
A conventional saddle has at its underside panels of a compressible structure intended to spread the Weight of the rider over the back of the horse.
Conventionally, the panels consist of an envelope into which a packing of wool or comparable synthetic material is inserted by hand. In principle, the packing foz~ned by the wool or other filling is intended to conform to the shape of the horse's back and thereby to spread the load while minimising pressure points on the 'horse's back. When a saddle is used only on one horse, the panels of the saddle will, over a period of time, compress and set to take an the shape of the particular horse's back. I-Iowever the extent of possible cozzxpressian which occurs in the packing is relatively limited and unless the saddle tree is shaped to the exact conformity of the horse, pressure points a~ten arise where too mucli of the weight of the rider is transferred to the horse's back in specific areas. This results in the skin not receiving sufficient blood flow which reduces the ability of the skin to sweat and if this situation continues for a long period of time it can result in hair loss, sore back, and possible muscle dannage to the horse. These problems are cornpounded when, az~d as oFten happens, the saddle is used on more than ozte l~oxse and whereby the compression needed to properly bed the saddle down onto the horse will not arise.
SUMMAI~'Y OP THE INVENT10N
According to the present invention, there is provided a saddle for equestrian use, the saddle having panels, each panel carrying a plurality of sealed air bags at an underside thereof, and a lining layer externally of the air bags in relation to the horse, a separate said air bag being at least at a forward part and a rearward part of the panel and each bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse.
FLU~iher according to the present invention, there is provided a saddle for equestrian use, said saddle comprising a tree with elongate tree bars extending along opposite sides of the tree and opposed panels each mounted to a respective one of the tree bars such that loading from the tree is applied to the panels via the tree bars, each panel carrying a plurality of sealed air bags at an underside thereof, and a lining layer externally o~ the air bags in relation to the horse, a separate said air bag being at least at the forward part and a rearward part of the panel and each air bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse consequent on the loading applied to the panel by the associated tree bar.
Still Further according to the present invention, there is provided a saddle for equestrian use, the saddle having panels, each panel containing a plurality of sealed air bags and, eh-ternally of the air bags in relation to the horse, a packing, a separate said air bag being at least in a forward part and a rearward part of the panEl and each bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse, wherein each air bag is substantially flat and substantially filled within its interior with a resiliently compressible open cell foam, the bag comprising opposed layers of sheet material sealed together at adjacent edges such that air at atmospheric pressure is enclosed within the bag, and adjacent side walls of adjacent bags are in abutting engagement to substantially prevent discontinuity of pressure application to the back of the horse in the transition between adjacent bags.
BRIIJp' DESCRIPTION OF TIDE I7RA,W1NGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a saddle in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention disclosed in our co-pending Canadian patent application 2340287 arid showing the saddle panels containing an air bag arrangement and adjustable packing externally of the air bags;
Fig. 2 is a cross-section through an individual aiz~ bag;
Fig. 3 is a section showing schematically the configuration of the air bag, an associated liner, and packing within the panel;
Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view showing an air bag unit consisting of front, and rear air bags;
Fig. 5 is an underneath plan view of an air bag unit consisting of front, intermediate, and rear air bags;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a saddle in accordance with the preferred cmbodimerit of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a view from underneath of the one of the panels of the saddle of Figure 6 but with an undez~iteath lining removed to show air bags at the underside of the panel; and Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-section through one of the panels of the saddle of Figure 6 in the zone of cozin.ection between adjacent air bags associated with that panel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is in respect of a Western saddle which will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. This saddle embodies certain of the inventive principles disclosed in our co-pending application 2340287 to be described with initial reference to Figures 1 to S to facilitate a better understanding of the invention. However the preferred embodiment of the invention does also include novel aspects applicable also to the saddle of application 2340287.
The saddle shown in Figures 1 to 5 is, save for the filling within the panels, substantially of known construction using leather, synthetic materials or a combination of leather and synthetic materials and these conventional aspects will not be further described as they will be well understood by persons skilled in the art. Each of the panels 2 defines an envelope which receives an arrangement of air bags 4 and, above the air bags 4 either along the entire length of the panel 2 or at selected positions, packing 6 preferably iz~ the form of a wool stuffing. The air bags 4 arc arranged sequentially in a fore-aft direction within the panel 2. There may be just two such air bags forming front and rear air bags collectively extending the length of the panel 2 or there may be three or possibly more such air bags consisting of a front, a rear, and one or more intermediate air bags collectively extending the length of the panel 2. The respective air bags 4 are sealed az~d as a result air will not flow between the bags. rt is to be noted that if only a single air bag were to be used extending the length of the panel substantial air movement would occur from the front to the back of the panel when the air bag is under pressure during use and this could result in the foz~mation of pressure points. Although with the arrangement now described air movement will occur within each individual bag when under load, the extent of air movement is inherently restricted by the length of the bag.
1 S With reference to Figure 2, each air bag 4 is formed by upper and lower sheets 8, 10 0~' impervious material such as f''hC sealed together around the periphery 12 with each bag having a filling 14 consisting of a layer of an open cell resiliently compressible foarzz.
The air bags 4 are not inflated with air at above atmospheric pressure but, rather, contain air at atmospheric pressure which is sealed within the bag during manufacture, with the open cell foam filling 14 occupying substantially the entirety of the interior of the bag.
The resulting air bag is substantially flat and of substantially Even thickness throughout.
The two or more air bags 4 are f tted into the panel 2 and then the wool or other appropriate packing 6 is placed above the air bags where required.
Advantageously, the two or more bags 4 are formed into an air bag unit by attaching a layer 16 of flexible lining material to the upper surface of the air bags 4, for example by glueing. The lining 16 will prevent the air bags 4 from being punctured while the wool or other packing 6 is being inserted and also serves to consolidate the two or more bags 4 into a single unit to facilitate assembly. The lining 16 may consist of a felt or a suitable plastics material such as P'VC.
Figure 4 shows an air bag unit consisting of front and rear air bags 4a, 4b and Figure 5 shows an air bag unit consisting of front, intermediate, and rear air bags 4a, 4c, 4b. The packing 6 will rtornnally be added in the part of the panel 2 which guides the knee of the rider, and at the rear of the panel 2 where extra depth is required. Very little packing is likely to be required in the middle part of the panel 2 although it can be added if required.
The effect of the air bag arrangement is that, in use, air will move within each separate bag and an even pressure will be applied over the entire surface of each air bag at the front or back of the saddle thereby eliminating individual pressure points on the back of the horse, in contrast to conventional saddles where significant pressure variation on the horse's back cant arise within a relatively small area. The application of tlxe even pressure over the surface of the bag is expected to substantially remove possibility for muscle damage and it is expected that this will result in a txtuch freer and more comfortable movement of the horse in use.
It will be understood that although a number of different plastics materials will have substantial impermeability to passage of air and will form suitable rrtaterials for the air bags, absolute irrtperzrteability might not always be achieved with the result that minor amounts of air might displace through the bag wall when the bag is under heavy loading during prolonged use resulting in minor deflation which does not, however, adversely affect the performance of the bag, but under normal usage this should not occur. However should minor deflation occur under the circumstances discussed above, when the saddle is removed from the horse and the air bag is no longer under load, it has been determined that the expansion of the open cell foam filling within the bag from its previously compressed state does, over a period of time (such as several weeks), cause air to be drawn back into the interior of the bag to establish pressure equilibrium across the wall of the bag.
However it is envisaged that if air loss through the bag wall durins use does present a problem, laminates can be used which will totally eliminate air loss although these laminates can be relatively expeztsive and will therefore lead to increased costs.
Figures 6 to $ show an embodiment of a Western saddle incorporating the invention. The saddle comprises a tree 20 of conventional construction which provides a front swell 22 and horn 24 aztd a rear cantle 26. Elongate bars 28 which form part of the _ tree and which are known as tree bars extend along both sides of the tree 20 and rest on the back of the horse via saddle panels 30. Each tree bar 28 is attached to tk~e top of the associated panel 30, for example by fitting the front and rear end portions of the bar into front and rear pocket 32a, 32b on the upper surface of the panel 30. Each panel 30 typically consists of a layer of a firm or hard leather or a suitable synthetic material having on its underside a lining 34 (see Figure 8) of sheepskin or a synthetic fleece and which lies against the horse.
In accordance with the invention, two or more air bags 4 as previously described are incorporated between the lining 34 and the underside of the panel 30. As shown, there are front and rear air bags 4a, 4b, although, in alternative arrangements there may be front, intermediate, and rear air bags as described with reference to Figure 5. As previously described, the two or more air bags associated with each panel 30 may be formed into a single unit. The zone of the underside of the panel 30 to which the air bags 4 are mounted substantially corresponds to the zone of the upper surface of the panel 30 engaged by the tree bar 28.
The two or more air bags, or the air bag unit, may be fixed in position by being glued to the underside of the panel 30. Alternatively, or in addition, the lining 34 may be stitched to the panel 30 slightly outside of the periphery of the air bags or air bag unit to form a pocket within which the air bags or air bag unit is enclosed; such stitching may be via an intermediate layer of sheet material such as plastic, light leather, or felt, between the lining 34 and the outer surface of the air bags.
In a conventional Western saddle, the loading applied by the tree bars to the panels is distributed over the back of the horse by the use of vary thick saddlecloths laid over the horse's back before application of the saddle. The use of the air bags in accordance with the invention obviates the need to use saddlecloths of this type.
Although the adjacent air bags associated with each panel may be configured as described with reference to Figures 2, 4, and 5, it has been determined that it is particularly advantageous for the upper and lower sheets 8, 10 forming each bag to be sealed in a sealing zone lying substantially in the plane of one of the two sheets rather than lying intermediate the planes of the two sheets as shown in Figure 2. Accordingly, and as shown in Figure 8) the seals of the adjacent air bags 4a, 4b associated. with each panel are arranged so that the seal 12a of one air bag (as shown, the bag 4a) is arranged in the plane of the upper sheet 8 of that bag and the seal I2b of the adjacent air bag (as shown, the bag 4b) is in the plane of the lower sheet 10 of that bag. With this configuration, the side edges Sa, Sb of the main bodies of the two adjacent air bags can be mounted izt close proximity with the seal 12a of the first air bag forming an upper flap which extends over and is adhered to the upper surface of the second air bag and the seal 12b of the second air bag extends beneath and is adhered to the lower surface of the first air bag. With this configuration, the adjacent side edges Sa, Sb of the bodies of the two air bags will tightly abut izt the manner shown in figure 8 to provide a very even and "seamless"
loading transition between the two air bags. In a minor modification to further improve the abutting joint between the adjacent side edges of adjacent bags, the foam layer adjacent the joint is formed with a chamfer or skive, with the two chamfers being oppositely directed so that one faces upwardly and the other downwardly to ensure tight abutrnenx of the adjacent sides of the two bags along an inclined plane thus forming, effectively, a skive joint between the two bags, with the skive joint being enclosed from above and below by upper and lower flaps formed from the abutting layers of the two sheets forming each bag in the zone of the seal between the two s>~eets. The seal itself may be at the extreme outer edge of those flaps. The modified structure just described further improves the "seamless" feel of the transition between adjacent bags.
The seamless transition structure between adjacent air bags as just described can also be incorporated to advantage in the embodiment of the saddle described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.
The embodiment has been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.
Claims (14)
1. A saddle for equestrian use, the saddle having panels, each panel carrying a plurality of sealed air bags at an underside thereof, and a lining layer externally of the air bags in relation to the horse, a separate said air bag being at least at a forward part and a rearward part of the panel and each bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse.
2. A saddle according to claim 1, wherein each air bag is substantially flat and is substantially filled within its interior with resiliently compressible open cell foam.
3. A saddle according to claim 2, wherein the bags associated with each panel are formed into a single unit for mounting to the panel.
4. A saddle according to claim 2, wherein each said bag comprises opposed layers of sheet material sealed together at adjacent edges such that air at atmospheric pressure is enclosed within the bag.
5. A saddle according to claim 4, wherein the bags are constructed of sheet material which is substantially impervious to a passage of air therethrough but which is, under exposure to prolonged loading during use of the saddle, susceptible to minor leakage of air through the bag resulting in deflation of the bag from its non-loaded configuration, the arrangement being such that upon removal of the loading, consequent expansion of the bag to its non-loaded configuration by re-expansion of the foam filling will cause atmospheric air to be drawn back into the interior of the bag over a substantial period of time.
6. A saddle according to claim 2, wherein each bag is filled with air at atmospheric pressure.
7. A saddle according to claim 3, wherein the air bags are arranged to provide a forward and rear air bag in end-to-end relation.
8. A saddle according to claim 1, wherein the lining is attached to the underside of the panel in a zone thereof outside of a zone occupied by the air bags.
9. A saddle according to claim 4, wherein adjacent side walls of adjacent bags are in abutting engagement to substantially prevent discontinuity of pressure application to the back of the horse in the transition between adjacent bags.
10. A saddle according to claim 9, wherein the sheet material forming each of the adjacent bags forms a seam extending from one of the upper or lower surfaces of said bag beyond said side wall thereof to engage the corresponding upper or lower surface of the adjacent bag beyond the said side wall thereof whereby said seam overlaps the abutting side walls.
11. A saddle for equestrian use, said saddle comprising a tree with elongate tree bars extending along opposite sides of the tree and opposed panels each mounted to a respective one of the tree bars such that loading from the tree is applied to the panels via the tree bars, each panel carrying a plurality of sealed air bags at an underside thereof, and a lining layer externally of the air bags in relation to the horse, a separate said air bag being at least at the forward part and a rearward part of the panel and each air bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse consequent on the loading applied to the panel by the associated tree bar.
12. A saddle according to claim 11, wherein the air bags are applied to a zone of the underside of the panel corresponding to a zone 4f the upper side of the panel to which loading is applied by the associated tree bar.
13. A saddle for equestrian use, the saddle having panels, each panel containing a plurality of sealed air bags and, externally of the air bags in relation to the horse, a packing, a separate said air bag being at least in a forward part and a rearward part of the panel and each bag in use serving to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse, wherein each air bag is substantially flat and substantially filled within its interior with a resiliently compressible open cell foam, the bag comprising opposed layers of sheet material sealed together at adjacent edges such that air at atmospheric pressure is enclosed within the bag, and adjacent side walls of adjacent bags are in abutting engagement to substantially prevent discontinuity of pressure application to the back of the horse in. the transition between adjacent bags.
14. A saddle according to claim 13, wherein the sheet material forming each of the adjacent bags forms a seam extending from one of the upper or lower surfaces of said bag beyond said side wall thereof to engage the corresponding upper or lower surface of the adjacent bag beyond the said side wall thereof whereby said seam overlaps the abutting side walls,
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002354494A CA2354494A1 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2001-08-01 | Saddles |
| AU29371/02A AU785334B2 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-04-02 | Saddles |
| DE60216017T DE60216017T2 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-07-12 | Pneumatic saddle |
| AT02254943T ATE345311T1 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-07-12 | PNEUMATIC SADDLE |
| EP02254943A EP1281662B1 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-07-12 | Pneumatic saddle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002354494A CA2354494A1 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2001-08-01 | Saddles |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2354494A1 true CA2354494A1 (en) | 2003-02-01 |
Family
ID=4169641
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002354494A Abandoned CA2354494A1 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2001-08-01 | Saddles |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1281662B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE345311T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU785334B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2354494A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE60216017T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1785390A1 (en) * | 2005-11-11 | 2007-05-16 | Spirig, Hans | Saddle with saddle tree head |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9519291D0 (en) * | 1995-09-21 | 1995-11-22 | Kempsell David | Improvements in or relating to saddles |
| DE19947304A1 (en) * | 1999-10-01 | 2001-04-05 | Niessen Gabi | Horse saddle with subseat padding and hollow ridge uses individually inflatable air chambers in tandem along saddle spine with chambers boundary behind seat center of gravity. |
| US6619019B2 (en) * | 2000-03-23 | 2003-09-16 | Hammersmith Nominees Pty Ltd | Saddles |
| AUPQ641600A0 (en) * | 2000-03-23 | 2000-04-15 | Hammersmith Nominees Pty. Ltd. | Saddles |
-
2001
- 2001-08-01 CA CA002354494A patent/CA2354494A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2002
- 2002-04-02 AU AU29371/02A patent/AU785334B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2002-07-12 DE DE60216017T patent/DE60216017T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-07-12 AT AT02254943T patent/ATE345311T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-07-12 EP EP02254943A patent/EP1281662B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2937102A (en) | 2003-02-06 |
| ATE345311T1 (en) | 2006-12-15 |
| DE60216017D1 (en) | 2006-12-28 |
| AU785334B2 (en) | 2007-01-18 |
| EP1281662B1 (en) | 2006-11-15 |
| DE60216017T2 (en) | 2007-06-28 |
| EP1281662A2 (en) | 2003-02-05 |
| EP1281662A3 (en) | 2004-01-21 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| AU755371B2 (en) | Saddle pad and method of making same | |
| US5782070A (en) | Method and apparatus for padding and cushioning an equine saddle | |
| US6050067A (en) | Method and apparatus for padding and cushioning an equine saddle | |
| KR100611822B1 (en) | Bladder with inverted edge seam and method of making the bladder | |
| US6619019B2 (en) | Saddles | |
| CN101453926A (en) | Mattress or mattress pad with gel section | |
| US20050278860A1 (en) | Multi-section mattress or mattress overlay and method of making same | |
| US7481035B2 (en) | Non-slip and ventilated horse saddle pad | |
| US6481189B2 (en) | Saddles | |
| CA2354494A1 (en) | Saddles | |
| US7155887B2 (en) | Saddle cloths | |
| CA2327072A1 (en) | Improvements in or relating to "western" style saddles | |
| EP1634851B1 (en) | Saddles | |
| IE63916B1 (en) | Self-inflating cushion | |
| AU2002300241B2 (en) | Saddle Cloths | |
| AU782614B2 (en) | Saddles | |
| JPS6010446Y2 (en) | air mat | |
| EP1021976A1 (en) | Mattress with air cushion | |
| JPH0418471Y2 (en) | ||
| AU2005204232B2 (en) | Saddles | |
| CA2292394A1 (en) | Three dimensional shoe vamp air cushion | |
| Kempsell et al. | Western” style saddles | |
| JPS6339095U (en) |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |