EP3927650A1

EP3927650A1 - Saddle tree for a riding saddle comprising articulated support modules

Info

Publication number: EP3927650A1
Application number: EP20710233.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bérengère MOUSTIER; Matthias Compan
Original assignee: L'arconnerie
Current assignee: L'arconnerie
Priority date: 2019-02-18
Filing date: 2020-02-17
Publication date: 2021-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-17
Also published as: EP3927650B1; FR3092832A1; FR3092832B1; WO2020169911A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a saddle tree (10) for a riding saddle comprising a body which extends between a cantle (11) and a pommel (12), said pommel (12) having a median portion on either side of which two legs (120) extend, said saddle tree (10) being characterised in that it further comprises an articulated support module (20) rigidly connected to each of said legs (120), each articulated support module (20) comprising a shoe (21) configured to interface with the horse's back, said shoe (21) being connected to a foot (120) by a joint mechanism (22) in a swivel-type mechanical linkage, in the extension of said foot (120), and being configured to promote the distribution of the forces exerted against the back of a horse to which said riding saddle is intended to be fitted.

Description

Title of the invention: Tree for riding saddle comprising articulated support modules

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of equestrian equipment, and relates more particularly to a tree for a riding saddle and a riding saddle incorporating such a tree.

Prior art

[0002] A riding saddle conventionally comprises a tree constituting the frame, or in other words, the skeleton of said saddle.

[0003] It defines the shape, the dynamic behavior and the mechanical resistance of the saddle.

A tree traditionally made of wood and metal generally comprises a pommel intended to cover the withers of a horse, and a cantle to which the pommel is connected by two lateral bands arranged so that a recess is formed in the center of the 'pommel.

[0005] Stirrup holders are fixed at the junction between the pommel and each side strip.

[0006] The pommel, the side bands and the cantle can be made by assembling several layers of wood and the pommel can be reinforced with a metal blade called a "metal arch" by those skilled in the art.

[0007] It is also known practice to make the tree in polymer material or in fibers of composite materials. These pommels are then made so that they do not have a central recess.

[0008] Due to its structural function, the tree is relatively rigid and must be flexible enough to ensure the best possible distribution of the weight of the saddle and of the rider on the horse's back.

[0009] There is a need to benefit from a tree that can adapt to the morphology of a horse, in particular to the shape of its shoulders and of its pommel, so as to be able to install the same saddle (with the same tree) on different horses or on the same horse whose morphology has changed. Indeed, the morphology of a horse is likely to change over time, for example during a gain or loss of muscle mass.

[0010] If it is not adapted to the morphology of the horse, the tree can cause, in particular when moving the horse, the cyclical appearance of areas of pressure concentration on the horse's withers and / or on the legs. shoulders of the horse that can generate short or long term muscle and / or bone injuries (not always visible to the naked eye), or even superficial wounds. It should be noted that the withers, generating an outgrowth compared to the rest of a horse's back, is one of the most sensitive areas of a horse's back.

In addition, the pommels of the state of the art not being able to evolve over time to adapt to a change in the morphology of the horse, they can be found unsuitable and therefore cause discomfort for said horse, or even injuries.

[0012] It should be noted that improper positioning of the saddle on the horse can promote and accelerate the injuries described above.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a tree capable of adapting to the morphology of the horse, continuously, during its movement, so as to eliminate any concentration of stress on the back of the horse. horse, in particular on its withers and on its shoulders, which could cause possible injuries.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to a tree for a riding saddle comprising a body which extends between a cantle and a pommel, said pommel comprising a middle part on either side of which extend two paws.

The tree further comprises an articulated support module integral with each of the legs, each articulated support module comprising a shoe configured to interface with the back of the horse, in particular with its shoulders. Said pad is connected to a tab by an articulation mechanism according to a mechanical connection of the ball joint type, in the extension of said leg, and is configured to promote the distribution of the forces exerted against the back of the horse, in particular against its shoulders, on which said riding saddle is intended to be installed.

[0016] Thanks to these characteristics, the tree rests on the horse's shoulders in an articulated manner, by skates and dynamically adapts to the morphology of said horse.

More particularly, the articulation mechanism is configured so that the skates follow and match the movements of the muscles and bones of the horse on which they are supported, during the movements of said horse, so that the latter does not suffer no concentration of stresses likely to be generated by the tree.

[0018] Thus, any risk of injury to the horse is avoided.

[0019] It should be noted that when it is mentioned that the pads are arranged in the extension of the legs, it is understood that the pads are arranged in the extension of a direction in which the legs extend.

The legs of the tree according to the invention have a proportionately shorter length than that of the pommel tabs of the state of the art, so that overall, the legs of the tree according to the invention in combination with the articulated support modules extend along a length substantially identical to the length of pommel legs of the state of the art. To this end, a leg cutting operation can be carried out following the manufacture of the tree, so as to reduce their length. The legs can be shortened simply in this manner, so that the present invention can be adapted on any type of tree, and not only on trees made specifically for the present invention.

[0021] In particular embodiments, the invention further meets the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically operative combinations.

In particular embodiments of the invention, each articulation mechanism, as well as the pad to which it is connected, is supported by a rigid fixing support mechanically linked to a leg, at a distance from the body of the tree.

[0023] The fixing brackets are said to be "rigid" in the sense that they make it possible to hold the saddle on the back of the horse while resisting the mechanical forces generated by the weight of the saddle and of the rider. However, these fixing supports have an elastic deformation capacity so as to accompany the movements of the muscles and bones of the horse during its movement.

These mounting brackets are preferably made of a metallic material. In addition, they can take the form of turntables.

By the terms "mechanically linked" is meant that the fixing is performed without a degree of freedom.

Each mounting bracket extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to that in which the tree extends.

[0027] The fixing brackets advantageously make it possible in particular to support the skates at a distance from the pommel legs, so that said tree can rest on the shoulders of the horse and thus space the pommel of the tree from the withers of the horse. Releasing the horse's withers thus eliminates any risk of contact between the horse's withers and the pommel of the tree when moving the horse, and therefore eliminates any risk of injury to the horse's withers.

Another advantage of this characteristic lies in the fact of distributing the load generated by the weight of the saddle and that of the rider evenly on the shoulders of the horse.

[0029] In particular embodiments of the invention, each tab has a groove in which the fixing support is housed, said groove and said fixing support having a thickness substantially identical to each other.

[0030] Thus, each fixing support can advantageously be integrated into a tab so that their visible surfaces are flush with one another. The tree therefore does not have any extra thickness likely to constitute an obstacle and the integration of said tree in a saddle is thereby facilitated. In particular embodiments of the invention, a stirrup holder is fixed on the one hand, to each fixing support at the level of the lug to which said fixing support is linked, and on the other hand to a lateral flank of the tree connecting the pommel to the cantle.

[0032] In this way, the rigidity and reliability of the fixing of the mounting brackets and of the stirrup holders are ensured. In addition, the brackets and the stirrup holders can advantageously share the same brackets, thereby simplifying the design of the tree and reducing production costs.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the articulated support modules comprise means for adjusting the position of the pads relative to the tree configured so as to allow the movement of each pad in a substantially parallel direction to the direction in which the leg to which it is connected extends.

Thus, the same tree and therefore by extension, the same saddle equipped with the tree according to the invention, is able to adapt, over time, to the evolution of the horse's morphology, in particular to development of the shoulders and thus the height of the horse's withers, which may vary over the course of its life, when muscle mass is taken or lost in the horse's shoulders.

[0035] Consequently, this characteristic makes it possible to avoid any injury or any discomfort to the horse due to a saddle that is not adapted to its morphology.

[0036] In particular embodiments of the invention, the adjustment means comprise housings distributed along the fixing support, intended to receive the articulation mechanism.

Thanks to this feature, the adjustment of the position of the pads can be carried out quickly and easily.

In particular embodiments of the invention, each pad extends longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, and is arranged so that said proximal end is closer to the pommel than the distal end. The cross section of each pad is increasing from the proximal end to a maximum cross section, then decreasing to the distal end. This characteristic makes it possible on the one hand to facilitate the insertion of each pad within a case formed in a padding panel, and thus more generally to facilitate the integration of the tree within a saddle. . On the other hand, this characteristic makes it possible to optimally distribute the forces applied to the shoulders of the horse by the tree and more particularly, to improve the mobility of the skate when the horse is moving.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the articulation mechanisms comprise a rod fixed to one of the fixing supports, said rod having at one of its ends a sphere cooperating with a supported concave housing by each pad.

Preferably, the concave housing is formed on the shoe so that they only form a single one-piece piece.

[0042] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a riding saddle incorporating a tree as described above.

[0043] In particular embodiments of the invention, the skates of the tree are inserted into cases with which the padding panels of said saddle are provided.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the figures which represent:

[0045] [Fig. 1] a perspective view of a tree according to the present invention and a detail view of a skate;

[0046] [Fig. 2] A front view of a shoe and articulation mechanism.

[0047] In these figures, identical numerals from one figure to another designate identical or similar elements. Also, for clarity, the drawings are not to scale unless otherwise stated.

Description of embodiments The tree 10 for a riding saddle according to the present invention comprises a body extending, in a manner known per se, between a cantle 11 intended to rest on a posterior part of the back of a horse and a pommel 12 intended to be arranged in relation to an anterior part of the back of a horse, in particular in relation to the withers and the shoulders of a horse. When we speak of a horse in the remainder of the text, we mean a horse on which the riding saddle comprising said tree 10 is intended to be installed.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the pommel 12 is connected to the cantle 11 by two side bands, in a manner known per se, so as to form a central recess. In this example, the pommel 12, the cantle 11 and the side bands are made of wood.

In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the tree 10 according to the present invention may include only a single strip of material connecting the pommel 12 to the cantle 11 so that no central recess is form. These examples correspond to pommels made of composite materials, such as carbon fibers and aramid fibers (in particular poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide fibers such as commonly sold under the name Kevlar®), or of a polymer material. .

In all of the exemplary embodiments, the tree 10 has two lateral flanks 13 connecting the pommel 12 to the cantle 11. These lateral flanks 13 are symmetrical to one another along a plane of symmetry of the tree 10 corresponding to a sagittal plane of the horse on which the saddle is intended to be installed.

The pommel 12 has a median part on either side of which extend two legs 120, said legs 120 being symmetrical to each other along the plane of symmetry of the tree 10.

Typically, the tabs 120 can extend from the lateral flanks 13 of the tree 10, over a length substantially equal to their width. For example, the legs 120 can extend a few centimeters, for example, less than five centimeters. The tree 10 has an intrados surface 121 intended to be oriented towards the horse's side and an extrados surface 122, opposite the intrados surface 121, intended to be oriented towards the rider's side.

[0055] The tree 10 can include a metal arch fixed against the lower surface of the tree, in particular against the pommel 12, so as to stiffen said pommel. This metal arch extends from one leg 120 to the other and has the same curvature as the pommel. The tree 10 preferably comprises such a metal arch when it is made of wood or a polymer material.

The tree 10 also comprises two articulated support modules 20, respectively arranged on either side of the body of the tree 10 and fixed to the pommel 12. More particularly, each articulated support module 20 is fixed. to one of the legs 120 and is configured to promote the distribution of the forces exerted against the back of the horse.

Each articulated support module 20 comprises a pad 21 having a support surface, preferably flat, by which it is configured to form the interface with the back of the horse, that is to say that it is configured so that the support surface rests against the back of the horse, in particular against its shoulders, and more precisely against the dorsi trapezius and / or latissimus dorsi muscles of the horse.

As shown in Figure 1, each pad 21 is connected to a lug 120 of the knob 12, in its extension, by an articulation mechanism 22 according to a mechanical connection of the ball joint type, that is to say a connection allowing three degrees of freedom in rotation.

The term "extension" means that the pads 21 lie in alignment with the legs 120.

[0060] Thus, the articulated support modules 20 allow the tree 10 to adapt continuously to the movements of the muscles and bones during the movements of the horse and do not cause stress concentrations liable to injure the horse.

Preferably, the articulation mechanism 22 is configured so that each pad 21 can advantageously occupy a position in which its bearing surface is substantially inscribed in the same geometric plane as the lower surface 121 of the tab 120 to which it is fixed.

Each pad 21 is intended to be inserted into a case arranged on a padding panel (not shown in the figures), known as such to those skilled in the art, described below.

[0063] Each pad 21 extends longitudinally between a proximal end 210 and a distal end 211, the proximal end 210 being closer to the pommel 12 than the distal end 211.

The cross section of each pad 21 is increasing from the proximal end 210 to a maximum cross section, then decreasing to the distal end 211, so in particular to facilitate the insertion of the pads 21 within cases and to present a shape optimally distributing the forces on the shoulders of the horse. More particularly, this shape makes it possible to improve the mobility of the skate 21 when moving the horse.

[0065] Advantageously, the maximum cross section is closer to the proximal end 210 than to the distal end 211, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0066] The pads 21 are preferably made of a rigid material. For example, the pads 21 are made of wood or a synthetic material, such as a polymer material.

Each articulation mechanism 22 and the pad 21 to which it is connected is supported by a rigid fixing support 23 mechanically linked to a tab 120, at a distance from the body of the tree 10. The fixing supports 23 are fixed on the side of the extrados surface 122 of the tree 10.

[0068] Preferably, as shown in Figure 1, the fixing supports are preferably in the form of a plate. In addition, the fixing brackets are preferably made of a metallic material.

The fixing supports 23 extend along a longitudinal axis and are fixed to the tree 10 so that their longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the direction in which extends each tab 120 of tree 10, so that each shoe 21 is located in the extension of each pommel leg 120 10, at a distance from said legs 120. In the example illustrated by Figure 1, each tab 120 has, on the extrados surface 122 of the tree 10, a groove in which is housed the fixing support 23. Preferably, said groove and said fixing support 23 have a substantially identical thickness to each other so that the fixing brackets 23 are flush with the extrados surface 122 of the tree 10, that is to say, that it does not generate a shoulder by relative to said extrados surface 122.

The fixing brackets 23 are fixed to the legs 120 by fixing members 230, for example known per se, such as rivets, distributed along their longitudinal axis.

As shown in Figure 1, the fasteners 230 are at least two in number, preferably three. They are substantially aligned with each other so that they respectively represent a proximal attachment point, an intermediate attachment point and a distal attachment point, the proximal attachment point being closer to the middle portion of the pommel 12 than the distal fixation point.

A stirrup holder (not shown in the figures) is preferably fixed on the one hand, to at least one fixing support 23 at the level of the tab 120 to which said fixing support 23 is linked, and on the other hand to a lateral flank 13 of the tree 10 connecting the pommel 12 to the cantle 11.

More particularly, advantageously, the stirrup holders share the fixing members 230 of the fixing support 23 on the tab 120, in particular those representing the intermediate and distal fixing points.

[0075] In addition, if the tree comprises a metal arch, said metal arch is fixed to the tree by one or more of the fasteners 230.

As shown in the detail view of Figure 1 in an exemplary embodiment, each articulation mechanism 22 may include a rod 220 linked to the fixing support 23, comprising a sphere 221 at one of its ends.

FIG. 2 shows that the rod also comprises a stop 223, for example in the form of a radial crown. The stop 223 is provided to come to bear against the fixing support 23 so as to maintain said fixing support 23 at a predefined distance from the sphere 23 in order to provide sufficient potential clearance space for the pad 21.

Advantageously, each sphere 221 cooperates with a concave housing 222 supported by each pad 21.

Preferably, the concave housings 222 are arranged on the longitudinal axis of each pad 21, closer to the proximal end 210 than to the distal end 211. For example, the concave housings 222 are arranged substantially at the level of the first third of a segment of the longitudinal axis of each pad 21 connecting the proximal end 210 to the distal end 211.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the concave housing 222 is formed in the pads 21, so that the base and the pad 21 are formed in a single piece.

Advantageously, the articulated support modules 20 comprise means for adjusting the position of the pads 21 relative to the tree 10 allowing the movement of each pad 21 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the shaft extends. tab 120 to which each pad 21 is connected.

More particularly, the adjustment means comprise housings 231 distributed along the longitudinal axis of each plate 23, intended to receive the articulation mechanism 22.

More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the rod 220 extends through one of the housings 231 and is fixed to the fixing support 23 by removable fixing elements, for example the rod 220 can be threaded and the articulation mechanism 22 can be fixed by bolting (not shown in the figures) to said fixing support 23.

In this way, to adapt the shape of the tree 10 to the morphology of the horse, a user of the saddle or a saddler can insert the rod 220 in one of the housings 231 corresponding to the desired position of the pads 21.

According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a riding saddle incorporating a tree 10 as described above. The saddle comprises two padding panels symmetrical to one another, extending longitudinally between two ends. The padding panels are fixed to the lower surface 121 of the tree 10.

[0087] Each padding panel has a case in which the distal end 211 of a pad 21 is engaged.

More generally, it should be noted that the embodiments and embodiments of the invention considered above have been described by way of non-limiting examples and that other variants are therefore possible. .

Claims

[0089] Claims

Claim 1. Tree (10) for riding saddle comprising:

- a body which extends between a cantle (11) and a pommel (12), said pommel (12) comprising a middle part on either side of which extend two legs (120),

- an articulated support module (20) integral with each of said legs (120), each articulated support module (20) comprising a pad (21) configured to form the interface with the back of the horse, said pad (21) ) being connected to a tab (120) by an articulation mechanism (22) in a mechanical connection of the ball type, in the extension of said tab (120),

said tree being characterized in that each articulation mechanism (22), as well as the shoe (21) to which it is connected, is supported by a rigid fixing support (23) mechanically linked to a lug (120), at a distance of the body of the tree (10).

Claim 2. Tree (10) according to claim 1, wherein each leg (120) has a groove in which the fixing support (23) is housed, said groove and said fixing support (23) having a substantially identical thickness. 'from each other.

Claim 3. Tree (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a stirrup holder is fixed on the one hand, to each fixing support (23) at the level of the tab (120) to which said support. fixing (23) is linked, and on the other hand to a lateral flank (13) of the tree (10) connecting the pommel (12) to the cantle (1 1).

Claim 4. Tree (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the articulated support modules (20) comprise means for adjusting the position of the shoes (21) relative to the tree (10) configured. so as to allow the displacement of each pad (21) in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the tab (120) to which it is connected extends. Claim s. Tree (10) according to claims 1 and 4, in which the adjustment means comprise housings (231) distributed along the fixing support (23), intended to receive the articulation mechanism (22).

Claim s. Tree (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each shoe (21) extends longitudinally between a proximal end (210) and a distal end (211), and is arranged so that said proximal end (210 ) or closer to the pommel (12) than the distal end (211), the cross section of each pad (21) increasing from the proximal end (210) to a maximum cross section, then decreasing to the distal end (211).

Claim 7. Tree (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the articulation mechanisms (22) comprise a rod (220) fixed to one of the fixing brackets (23), said rod (220 ) having at one of its ends a sphere (221) cooperating with a concave housing (222) supported by each pad (21).

Claim s. Riding saddle incorporating a tree (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

Claim 9. Riding saddle according to claim 8, wherein the runners (21) are inserted in cases with which the padding panels of said saddle are provided.