GB2243376A

GB2243376A - Protection bag for laundering girth buckles

Info

Publication number: GB2243376A
Application number: GB9008985A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tracy Jane Sheldon-Robins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-04-21
Filing date: 1990-04-21
Publication date: 1991-10-30
Also published as: GB9008985D0

Abstract

A device for protecting the buckles of a girth during washing in a washing machine comprises a bag (12) of elastic washable material at least 2 millimetres thick in which the girth is encased during washing. The open end of the bag is surrounded by a strip of tape 15 the ends (16), (17) of which are provided with fastening means such as velcro (RTM) tape. The size of the bag is selected to just accommodate one or two girth buckles. <IMAGE>

Description

PROTECTION DEVICE FOR GIRTH BUCKLES This invention relates to a protection device for girth buckles.

A girth is a strap with buckles at each end that attach to a horse sadle to keep it on the horse. In recent years girths have been developed which are washable so that they can be cleaned in a domestic washing machine. The girth easily becomes dirty with mud and sweat from the horse and requires frequent washing.

The buckles at the end of the girth and even more the washing machines can be damaged during the course of the wash cycle by the buckles hitting the sides of the washing machine drum. This causes small indentations which could mean the early replacement of the drum. The same applies to drying machines.

An object of this invention is to protect the buckles of the girth whilst in the washing or drying machine in order to avoid damage to the buckles and/or machines.

Accordingly the present invention provides a protection device for use with the girth, comprising a bag of washable material of a size to receive and accomodate a girth buckle when attached at one end of a girth, the material being sufficiently thick to act as padding around the buckle, and fastening means for closing the bag around the buckle sufficiently to retain the device over the buckle during washing. Such a device is easily attached to and detached from the buckle at the end of a girth and protects the buckles and washing or drying machine and also eliminates the sound of buckles crashing against the drum of the machine.

Preferably the bag is made of rubber or other elastic material of a thickness of at least 2 millimetres preferably 3 to 5 millimetres. Alternatively the material may be a robust material such as canvas with a padding inside such that the total material thickness is at least 2 millimetres and preferably 3 to 5 millimetres.

Preferably the fastening means is tapes having interfitting loops of the kind sold under the registered trade mark "Velcro".

Preferably the device is of a size only slightly larger than a girth buckle having three closed sides and one open end. For example the size is preferably 140 millimetres by 75 millimetres plus or minus 10%. The bag may be arranged to take both the buckles at the ends of a girth with the girth bent over double or a separate bag may be placed around the buckle at each end.

The invention extends to a method of protecting girth buckles during washing using such protection device or devices.

One embodiment of girth buckle protection device, in accordance with the invention, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Figures 1 and 2 are plan and side elevation views respectively of a buckle protector.

A strip of material 12 is folded half way along its length to provide a closed end 13 of a bag and the side seams are stitched as indicated at 14. The open end is surrounded by a strip of tape 15 the ends 16, 17 of which are provided with fastening means for fastening them together. In this case the fastening means comprises tape of the kind having interfitting loops sold under the registered trade mark "Velcro". The material 12 is formed with a slit 18 adjacent the opening so that the open end of the bag can be opened out passed over a girth buckle and then the Velcro fastening fixed to tighten the open mouth around the girth end and to attach the bag firmly around the buckle during washing. The bag is preferably made of a rubber material such as Neoprene 4 mm thick but could be made of other tough material with a padding. The size of the bag shown is 145 x 75 x 8 mm designed to just accomodate one or two buckles.

Other fastening means such as pop studs, buttons, hook and eye or drawstrings could be used.

Claims

1. A protection device for use with a girth comprising a bag of washable material of a size to receive and accommodate a girth buckle when attached at one end of a girth, the material being sufficiently thick to act as padding around the buckle, and fastening means for closing the bag around the girth end adjacent the buckle sufficiently to retain the device over the buckle during washing.

2. A device according to Claim 1 made of elastic material.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the material has a thickness of at least 2 millimetres.

4. A device according to Claim 3 in which the material has a thickness in the range 3 to 5 millimetres.

5. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the fastening means comprises tapes having interfitting loops.

6. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 5 having a size of 140 millimetres by 75 millimetres + or - 10%.

7. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 6 including a slit in the side of the bag adjacent the open end.

8. A device for protecting a girth buckle during washing substantially as described herein with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of protecting a girth buckle during-washing which includes encasing the buckle in a protective device according to any of the Claims 1 to 8.