EP4161866A1

EP4161866A1 - Self-adjusting internal structure for equestrian saddle and riding saddle incorporating said structure

Info

Publication number: EP4161866A1
Application number: EP21730913.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bruno ROLO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-06-04
Filing date: 2021-06-04
Publication date: 2023-04-12
Also published as: WO2021245252A1; FR3111132A1; AR122551A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-adjusting internal structure for an equestrian saddle comprising a longitudinal structural system (figure 1, reference sign 1) on the one hand, allowing the equine subject to have mobility of its thoracic vertebrae during bending movements (cf. figure 5) connected to a transverse structural system (figure 1, reference sign 2) on the other hand, allowing it to adjust to any equine morphology and to fir snugly to its back through gravity (cf. figure 4). The invention also aims to protect an equestrian saddle comprising this structure as a self-adjusting mobile saddle tree, as mentioned above in the definition.

Description

Title of the invention: Self-adaptive internal structure for equestrian saddle and riding saddle incorporating said structure

[2] The present invention relates to an internal structure for an equestrian saddle and a riding saddle incorporating said structure.

[3]

Technical area

[4] The invention relates to and applies to the technical field of the manufacture of saddles for equines for the practice of any competition or leisure equestrian discipline and any activity related to the use of equines.

[5]

State of the art

[6] The saddles for equines are mainly equipped with a rigid tree, sometimes adjustable with a complete disassembly to adapt it perfectly to the back of the equine subject, these devices allow to improve the contact with the back of the horse in static. However, in dynamics, certain so-called bending movements of the horse, especially in curves, remain limited or even prevented by the rigid shape of this structure. The role of this so-called tree structure is very important, because it is this which connects man to horse, it must in no case collide with the prominent backbone in equines. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see serious injuries causing irreversible damage from the use of a saddle of the wrong size or shape for the horse. Indeed, the ignorance of the subject and the effects that it can cause causes discomfort and therefore a bad connection between the rider and the equine which undergoes these pains. It is very common to see muscle tension set in the areas of contact between the saddle and the horse's back, which when detected by their owner, then require the intervention of specialists in osteopathy, shiatsu and others. equine masseurs. The nervous system of the horse is then affected and muscularly blocks parts of its back and its joints in order to support and repel the pain.

[7]

Definition

[8] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “tree” is understood to mean the self-adapting saddle structure, the structural, internal mobile part, consisting of two sub-assemblies. A longitudinal assembly called suspended and the other transverse to guarantee a contact evenly distributed over the back muscles of the horse. It is on this same structure internal to the saddle, a sort of spinal column that all the other necessary and constitutive elements of a riding saddle are attached.

[9]

detailed description

[10] The present invention aims to protect an internal structure known as a tree for an equestrian saddle and an equestrian saddle comprising said structure as a tree. Said tree (Rep. 1 and 2) implemented in plastic, composites, resins or metal shaped by any manufacturing process (machining, molding, rapid prototyping in particular) in the form of a structural complex with mobile links ( Rep. A and B) composed on the one hand of a longitudinal structural system (Rep. 1) the number of parts of which may vary according to the size of the horse / rider subjects, articulated by membrane, ball joint and / or elastic ( Rep. A) so as not to hinder the natural movements of the equine subject's spine and on the other hand of a transverse structural system (Rep. 2), symmetrical, connected to the longitudinal system (Rep. 1) by connection pivot and / or ball joint (Item B). The transverse structure (Item 2) connected by means of sewn gussets or scratches allowing dismantling, to two half-padding (Item 3) which will ensure contact with the latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles (Item M-Fig. 4) located on either side of the dorsal spine, particularly prominent at the level of the withers (Rep. G-Fig. 4). The extensible padding (Item 3) are made of flexible multi-layer materials, foam types of different densities, sheathed allowing comfortable and natural contact with the back of the equine by simple gravity (Item Fg-Fig.4). After tightening the ventral strap connected to the back straps (Item 5) themselves fixed to the seat structure (Item 10), the self-adaptive structure (Item 1 and 2), the padding (Item 3) are compress and adjust naturally to the morphology of all equine subjects, thanks to a specific shape allowing to create a gutter and a void zone (Rep. V- Fig. 4) between the backbone of the horse and the saddle in order to prevent any contact with the spinous processes of each thoracic vertebra of the equine (Rep. P-Fig. 4) and consequently to avoid any risk of injury. This double structural system (Rep. 1 and 2) with mobile connections (Rep. A and B) allows free movement of the rib muscles, dorsal trapezius and latissimus dorsi (Rep. M-Fig. 4), without contact between the spinous processes. (Rep. P-Fig. 4) and evenly distributes the rider's weight to avoid the muscular tensions generally accumulated in a punctual way under a saddle unsuitable for the equine subject. The seat (Rep.lO-Fig.2), with a suspended effect composed of a foamed and sheathed structural shell for the comfort of the rider, is fixed at the level of the pommel (Rep.l2-Fig.2) and the cantle (Rep. .11 -Fig. 2) by elastic connection on the structure (Rep. 1) remaining mobile allowing the movement of the spine (Cf. Fig5). The cushioned fixation of the seat (Rep.lO-Fig. 2) confers comfort to the rider while allowing the link with the back of the horse for the control of his attitude, the whole then allows a better comfort to the horse freer of his movements and also increases that of the rider. Anchor points are provided on the seat structure for fixing training loops, hunting collars, stirrup knives (Item 7-Fig.2), and other fittings. Mechanically assembled using screws for the rigid parts, and gussets, seams, scratchs for the so-called soft and flexible removable parts, the entire saddle is made up of removable and modular sub-assemblies which may be specific in function disciplines, including headquarters. This dismantling makes it possible to configure the saddle according to the discipline practiced, by removing the seat (Item 10- Fig. 2) from the auto-adaptive structure (Item 2).

[H]

Intentions of the invention

[12] The first aim of the invention is to consider a riding saddle ethologically, more from the point of view of the horse and its mobility rather than that of a man.

[13] Another object of the present invention is to avoid serious injuries by the use of a saddle unsuitable for the morphology of horses, this due in part to a lack of knowledge of the sciences of saddle-fitting.

[14] Another object of the present invention is to allow the novice rider not to injure his horse by using a bad saddle unsuitable for the back of his equine.

[15] Another object of the present invention is to allow a saddle equipped with said structure to match the curvature of the withers line (Rep. G-Fig.4) and back of any equine, thanks to the ball joints. and or elastic (Rep. A-Fig.l) which connect each part making up the so-called longitudinal structure (Rep.l-Fig.l). The mobile structure, then segmented, adapts in real time to the back curvature of the equine. The shape of each of these segments (Rep.l) makes it possible to preserve a vacuum gutter (Rep. V-Fig. 4) avoiding any contact between the spinous process (Rep. P-Fig. 4) and the rigid parts of the saddle.

[16] Another object of the present invention is to allow a saddle equipped with said structure whose segmented and articulated longitudinal structure (Rep.l) to perfectly follow the dynamics of the horse which according to the movements of the horse, in particular during the curvature (Cf. Fig. 5).

[17] Another object of the present invention is to allow a saddle equipped with said structure to fit transversely (Cf. Fig.5). each back morphology thanks to the pivot links (Item B) between the longitudinal structures (Item 1) and the transverse structures (Item 2), These transverse articulated structures are themselves fixed to the padding (Item 3-Fig. 2) ) for soft contact with the muscles of the horse (Rep. M-Fig.4) rest perfectly in the shape of the back.

[18] Another object of the present invention is to avoid the appearance of pain and nervous tension at the points of contact of the saddle with the back of the equine subject by balancing and distributing the masses on the padding (Rep.3- Fig. 2).

[19] Another object of the present invention is to improve the sensations of the rider by approaching those felt as close as possible to the horse such as bareback riding.

[20] Another object of the present invention is to free the movements of the horse when the rider asks him to bend (Cf. Fig.5) in a curve during the practice of dressage or the turn over on the hips requested from the riders. polo horses to change direction quickly on the spot and set off again at a gallop.

[21] Another goal sought in the present invention is the self-adaptation of the shape of the tree c and 2) to the morphology of each horse by gravity and without tools, a saddle that can live dynamically with the horse.

[22] Another object of the present invention is the propagation and improvement of sensations allowing the rider to better feel the positioning of his center of gravity and thus to better control his attitude thus allowing better communication with his horse.

[23]

Brief description of the figures

[24] The present invention will be better understood on reading detailed examples of the embodiment with reference to the appended figures, provided by way of non-limiting example, among which:

[25] [Fig 1] represents the articulated internal structure of the saddle, called mobile tree composed of two subsystems, one allowing a longitudinal adaptation Rep.l and the other having a transverse role Rep.2 and symmetrical to the mechanical connections A and B allowing the self-adaptability of the structure on each equine morphology and to match the curvature of the horse's back.

[26] [Fig 2] shows an exploded view of an example of a saddle equipped with said tree. 1 -Longitudinal system structure. 2- Transversal system structure. 3 -Sure mattress. 4-False quarter. 5-Counter girths. 6-Quarter. 7-Stirrup knife. 8-Seat filling. 9-Comfort foams. 10- Seat structure. 11-Cantle. 12- Pommel.

[27] [Fig 3] represents a side view of an equine with the naked self-adaptive structure

Rep.l and 2 and its padding in contact with the horse. This view allows you to visualize the positioning of the sections of Figure 4 and to appreciate the evolution of the horse's back line.

[28] [Fig 4] represents the three sections Sec. I, Sec. II and Sec. III, signified and located in Figure 3 detailed above. This allows you to appreciate the shapes of a prominent tourniquet Rep Q of the progressive back line as well as to highlight the propensity of the mobile structure Rep. 1 and 2 to adapt and rest on the back muscles Rep. M of the equine while preserving a distance between the spinous process Rep. P and the structure of the saddle Rep. V.

[29] [Fig 5] shows the skeleton of a horse in top view equipped with the naked self-adaptive structure, set of Rep. 1 and Rep. 2 in two cases. In one case, the horse's back is straight and in the second, the horse is said to be curved. This figure makes it possible to appreciate the movements of the thoracic vertebrae and to highlight the capacity of the structure to move around the movements of the horse.

[30]

Claims

[Claim 1] Tree for an equestrian saddle comprising a mobile vertebral structure characterized in that said tree further comprises a so-called longitudinal structural vertebral system and a transverse structural system, and means of mechanical connections between the various adjacent structures, capable of ensuring contact between a saddle and the back of an equine and to accompany the movements in static as well as in dynamics.

[Claim 2] Tree for an equestrian saddle according to the preceding claim in which said tree comprises a system of longitudinal structures (1) the number of segments of which varies according to the length of the back of G equine, distance between the thoracic vertebra n ° 8 to the subject's thoracic vertebrae n ° 18, and a system of two transverse structures (2) per longitudinal structure (1).

[Claim 3] Tree for an equestrian saddle according to the preceding claim in which each longitudinal structure (1) comprises one or two connecting means (A) and two connecting means (B).

[Claim 4] Tree for an equestrian saddle according to the preceding claim in which each longitudinal structure (1) is designed so that their geometry preserves a void gutter (V) preventing any contact between said tree and the thorny process of the equine animal. (P).

[Claim 5] Tree for an equestrian saddle according to any one of claims 2 and 3 in which the longitudinal structures (1) are adjacently connected to each other by one or two mechanical links of the ball and / or elastic type (A) allowing a longitudinal conformation of said tree with the equine in a static (fig3) and dynamic manner

(fig5).

[Claim 6] Tree for an equestrian saddle according to claim 2 and 4, in which the transverse structures (2) are connected to their longitudinal structural couple (1) said to be suspended, by two symmetrically opposed mechanical links of the ball, pivot, and / or type. elastic (B) allowing a transverse conformation of said tree with the back of the equine (fig. 4) via the half padding (3).

[Claim 7] Tree for an equestrian saddle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the whole of the tree can be completely dismantled by the connections (A) and (B), themselves fixed, by fitting to the structural body ( 1 and 2).

[Claim 8] Tree for an equestrian saddle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which all of the structures (1) and (2) are made of plastic, composite, wood, resin, metal or a combination of these materials. and shaped by any known manufacturing process such as machining, molding, injection, rapid prototyping (stereolithography), powder sintering or wire depositing in particular or any other process not known to come.

[Claim 9] Equipped riding saddle, with a tree according to any one of the preceding claims.