GB2090512A - Saddle numnahs - Google Patents

Abstract

A saddle numnah for placing on a horse's back beneath the saddle comprises an aircushion 1 inserted in a pocket 2A in a main body portion 2 of the numnah. The aircushion has a mouth inflatable valve 1A, and is bonded around its edge 1B and along bond lines 1C which divide it into a plurality of air compartments intercommunicating via gaps in the bond lines. In an alternative form, the aircushion has a plurality of bond spots distributed generally uniformly over its surface, each spot being in the form of an annular bond around a hole through the aircushion. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Saddle numnahs This invention relates to saddle numnahs for horses and ponies and concerns means for providing improved protection for the backs of horses and ponies from damage or injury.

When riding with a saddle in general, and in particular when participating in such events as horse racing, show jumping, dressage, eventing and the like, it is common practice to protect the animal's back by means of a protective layer of material which fits between the underside of the saddle and the animal's back. This protective layer is to help absorb the weight of the rider and to prevent soreness caused by the chafing effects through friction of the saddle on the animal's back, which in inherent by virtue of the animal's gait. Such protective covers are commonly known as numnahs, and may be made from a variety of materials such as felt, cotton, sheepskin, lambswool, foams, acrylic fleece materials and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of preventing, alleviating or curing sore backs and other back-associated ailments of horses and ponies.

Accordingly the invention provides a numnah comprising a main body portion constructed with a pocket located centrally along its main axis, and an inflatable aircushion fitting in the pocket.

The aircushion is shaped to fit the undersides of saddles, known as saddle panels. It is constructed of an upper and a lower layer of flexible sheet material, these two layers being bonded together along their outer edges and by a series of straight or curved bond lines or a pattern of bond spots. The bond lines provide a plurality of interconnecting air compartments; the bond spots are distributed generally uniformly over the surface of the aircushion. The bond lines or bond spots ensure that the air in the aircushion is kept generally uniformly distributed throughout the aircushion, preventing it from deflating in one region and bulging in another as the rider's weight shifts.

The bonding of the two sheets of the aircushion may be done in a variety of ways, such as with adhesives or by heat welding or high frequency welding. The material used must be of sufficient strength and elasticity to follow the contours of the animal's back and capable of withstanding the effects of compression. It may conveniently be rubber or rubber-plastic compound material.

The size of the aircushion os chosen to cover the whole of the area to be protected, that is, the whole of the underside of a saddle. The size may be between 50 cm long by 30 cm wide and 65 cm long by 40 cm wide.

The aircushion so constructed is then inserted into the main body of a numnah provided with a pocket opening at its front edge and so designed that once the aircushion is inserted into the pocket it cannot fall out. The outward appearance of the resulting numnah will be the same as that of a conventional numnah. The two pieces of material sewn together to form the main body of the numnah should be fabrics of sufficient strength to contain the aircushion securely. Ideally natural fibre fabrics such as lambswool or cotton should be used.

The aircushion contains sufficient air to separate its upper and lower sheets with a thin layer of air. This means that the bottom sheet remains in contact with the animal's back whilst the upper sheet, being suspended on the cushion of air, will independently follow the motions of the saddle and rider. This minimizes frinction between the two layers and therefore prevents back ailments.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of aircushion; Figure 2 is a cross-section of the aircushion of Fig. 1 on a larger scale; Figure 3 is a plan view of the main body of a numnah; Figure 4 shows a complete numnah situated on a horse's back; and Figures 5 to 7 are further forms of aircushion.

Fig. 1 shows an aircushion 1 comprising two flexible sheets of material provided with a mouth inflatable valve 1A and bonded together along their outside edges 1B. The two sheets are additionally bonded by a plurality of bonding lines 1C providing a pattern of compartments in which air is trapped. These bond lines 1 C are intersected by a plurality of gaps 1 D in order that air may circulate freely within the whole aircushion. The aircushion 1 can then be secured by inserting it into a pocket provided in the main body 2 (Fig. 3) of a numnah.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the aircushion 1 on a larger scale. lA shows the valve, 1 B the bond around the edge, 1 C the bond lines providing compartments within the aircushion, and 1 E an air compartment.

Fig. 3 shows the main body 2 of the numnah, which is provided with a pocket 2A having an aperture at the front edge through which the aircushion is inserted into the pocket. The pocket is constructed by sewing together two layers of fabric 2B and 2C along a sewing line 2D. It will be noted that the aircushion 1 (Fig. 1) is slightly tapered towards its front end. The pocket in the main body 2 of the numnah is correspondingly tapered, and this helps to keep the aircushion 1 firmly in place when it is inserted into the pocket of the main body 2.

Fig. 4 shows the complete numnah, comprising the aircushion 1 inserted into the main body 2, in position on a horse's back.

Figs. 5 and 6 show aircushions with different patterns of bond lines.

Fig. 7 shows an aircushion having a pattern of bond spots 1 F distributed in a generally uniform pattern over its surface. Each bond spot is preferably formed as an annular bonding ring, of width about 5 mm, surrounding a hole of diameter about 10 mm. The resulting pattern of holes helps to allow sweat to escape from the horse's back below the numnah.

The aircushion 1 in the main body of the numnah provides an improved protective cushioning effect.

Claims (7)

1. A numnah comprising a main body portion constructed with a pocket located centrally along its main axis, and an inflatable aircushion fitting in the pocket.

2. A numnah according to claim 1 wherein the aircushion is provided with a pattern of bond lines over its area, forming a plurality of communicating air pockets.

3. A numnah according to claim 1 wherein the aircushion is provided with a pattern of generally uniformly spaced bond spots over its area.

4. A numnah according to claim 3 wherein the bond spots are annular bonds around holes.

5. A numnah according to any previous claim wherein the aircushion is tapered and the pocket is correspondingly tapered.

6. A numnah according to any previous claim wherein the aircushion includes a valve operable by mouth to inflate it.

7. A numnah substantially as herein described and illustrated.