GB2257009A

GB2257009A - Saddle bar.

Info

Publication number: GB2257009A
Application number: GB9207446A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry John Fleming
Original assignee: FLEMING THOMAS DARLING
Current assignee: FLEMING THOMAS DARLING
Priority date: 1991-04-08
Filing date: 1992-04-06
Publication date: 1993-01-06
Also published as: GB9107319D0; GB9207446D0

Abstract

A saddle bar (10) comprises a hook projection (12), which, in use, is attached to a saddle tree and engages a loop 34 in a stirrup strap to support a stirrup on the saddle. The hook (12) comprises a fixed stem (16) and an end portion (18), both of which comprise upper surfaces (20) along which a loop may slide. The end portion (18) is pivotally attached at (22) to the stem (16) to be able to fall from a raised position to a dropped position. The end portion (18) includes a projection (24) which, in use, extends under the loop 34 on the stem (16), thereby engaging the loop to prevent the end portion (18) falling to the dropped position. However, when the loop is caused to slide along the hook (12) to cause weight supported by the stem (16) to be transferred to the end portion (18), the end portion (18) pivots at (22) and falls to the dropped position, thereby releasing the loop from the hook (12). <IMAGE>

Description

Saddle Component The present invention relates to saddle components and in particular, saddle bars for use for instance in equestrian saddles.

It is conventional to attach stirrups to an equestrian saddle by means of saddle bars attached to either side of the saddle tree. These include hook projections which extend rearwardly of the saddle, and over which a loop in a stirrup strap can be placed, to hang the stirrup and stirrup strap from the saddle bar.

In normal use, the stirrup simply hangs in this manner so that weight from the stirrup is transferred to the saddle via the saddle bar.

However, if the rider falls from the horse, it is intended that the stirrup strap can slide rearwardly on the projection to disengage from the saddle bar and hence from the saddle. This reduces the risk of a fallen rider being dragged by a horse by virtue of a foot being caught in a stirrup.

However, it has been found that conventional designs of saddle bar do not wholly overcome this difficulty and it is an objective of the present invention to seek to obviate or mitigate this problem.

According to the invention, there is provided a saddle bar comprising a hook projection which, in use, engages a loop in. a stirrup strap to support a stirrup on a saddle, the hook projection comprising a fixed stem and an end portion, the stem and the end portion having upper surfaces along which the loop may slide to disengage the hook projection, the end portion being pivotally attached to the stem to be able to fall from a raised position to a dropped position, and wherein the end portion includes a projection which, in use, extends into a loop received on the stem, thereby engaging the loop to prevent the end portion falling to the dropped position until the loop has moved sufficiently far along the hook projection to cause weight supported by the stem to be transferred to the end portion.

The said upper surfaces are preferably generally horizontal, in use, when the end portion is raised. The upper surface of the end portion may rise at the extreme end of the end portion, when the end portion is raised.

The upper surfaces of the end portion may slope downwardly away from the stem when the end portion is in the dropped position, thereby assisting a loop in disengaging the hook projection.

Preferably the end portion projection is so formed as to prevent the end portion falling to the dropped position until the loop has moved past the pivot axis of the pivotal connection between the end portion and the fixed stem.

The end portion may be connected to the stem by a clevis connection. The stem may provide two arms of the clevis connection, between which the end portion is received and to which the end portion is pivotally connected. The loop-engaging projection of the end portion may be received between the said two arms.

Alternatively, the end portion may provide two arms of the clevis connection, the stem being received between the two arms and being pivotally connected thereto.

Preferably at least one of the said arms extends beyond the axis of the pivotal connection to provide a loop-engaging projection.

The end portion is preferably so weighted as to fall to the dropped position in the absence of a stirrup strap.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a saddle bar according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view of an alternative embodiment of a saddle bar; Figs. 3, 3a and 3b are an exploded view and sectional views of the embodiment of Fig. 1; Figs. 4, 4a and 4b are corresponding views of the second embodiment; and Figs. 5 and 6 indicate the manner of use of the saddle bar of Fig. 1.

Turning to Figs. 1 and 2, the saddle bars 10 each comprise a hook projection shown generally at 12 which, in use, would engage a loop in a stirrup strap (not shown) to support a stirrup on a saddle. That is, the loop would be placed over the hook 12, to hang the stirrup strap from the hook 12. The saddle bar would be permanently attached to a saddle tree by means of rivets in a rivet region 14, so that the weight from the stirrups is thereby transferred to the saddle tree.

The hook 12 comprises a fixed stem 16 and an end portion 18. The stem 16 and the end portion 18 have upper surfaces 20 along which a loop may slide to disengage the hook 12. The end portion 18 is pivotally attached at 22 to the stem 16 to be able to fall from a raised position (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) to a dropped position (shown in Fig. 6).

The end portion includes a projection 24 which, in use, extends into a loop received on the stem, thereby engaging the loop to prevent the end portion falling to the dropped position until the loop has moved sufficiently far along the hook 12 to cause weight supported by the stem 16 to be transferred to the end portion 18.

In more detail, the bars of Figs. 1 and 2 include plate members providing the rivet region 14 and from which the stem 16 extends rearwardly (in use). The end portions 18 continue the rearward extension of the stem 16.

The hook 12 of the first embodiment is shown in more detail in Figs. 3, 3a and 3b. The end portion 18 is pivotally attached on the stem 16 by means of a clevis connection. That is, the rearmost part of the stem 16 is provided by two arms 26 which embrace the forwardmost part of the end portion 18. It can be seen from Fig. 3 that the end portion 18 extends forward of the pivot 22, that is, there is a forward extension of the end portion 18 in the region 28.

In the second embodiment, shown in more detail in Figs. 4, 4a and 4b, the clevis connection components are reversed. The rearmost part of the stem 16 is received between arms 30 of the end portion 18. Again, the end portion 18 has a forward extension 32 in the form of an upper wall, which extends forward of the pivot 22, above the stem 16.

It will be apparent that other forms of pivotal connection between the stem 16 and the end portion 18 could be used.

The method of use of the saddle bar 10 can be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. These show the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Initially, and during normal use, the stirrup strap loop will hang from the upper surface 20 of the stem 16.

Only the uppermost part 34 of the loop is shown in Fig.

5, in cross-section. It can be seen from Fig. 5 that even with the loop 34 in its forwardmost position, the forward extension 24 of the end portion 18 is inside the loop 34. This prevents the end portion 18 dropping to the dropped position shown in Fig. 6, to which the end portion 18 is otherwise naturally inclined by its weight.

If the rider falls from the horse, and is being dragged, the loop 34 will begin to move back along the upper surfaces 20. Eventually, the weight supported by the stem 16 will be transferred to the end portion 18, as the loop 34 passes the pivot 22. The end portion 18 is then free to drop to the position shown in Fig. 6 and indeed, is encouraged to do so by the force being supported, in addition to the weight of the end portion 18. As the end portion 18 drops, its upper surface becomes inclined and therefore facilitates the loop 34 moving off the rear end of the hook 12, thereby releasing the rider from the saddle and preventing further dragging.

The end portion 18 may be turned up as shown in the drawings at 36. This further assists in guiding the loop 34 off the hook 12.

The mode of operation of the second embodiment in the event of a rider falling, would be precisely the same as has been described in relation to the first embodiment, the only differences being in relation to the arrangement for holding the end portion 18 in the raised position.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A saddle bar comprising a hook projection which, in use, engages a loop in a stirrup strap to support a stirrup on a saddle, the hook projection comprising a fixed stem and an end portion, the stem and the end portion having upper surfaces along which the loop may slide to disengage the hook projection, the end portion being pivotally attached to the stem, to be able to fall from a raised position to a dropped position, and wherein the end portion includes a projection which, in use, extends into a loop received on the stem, thereby engaging the loop to prevent the end portion falling to the dropped position until the loop has moved sufficiently far along the hook projection to cause weight supported by the stem to be transferred to the end portion.

2. A saddle bar according to claim 1, wherein the end portion projection is so formed as to prevent the end portion falling to the dropped position until the loop has moved past the pivot axis of the pivotal connection between the end portion and the fixed stem.

3. A saddle bar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said upper surfaces are generally horizontal, in use, when the end portion is raised.

4. A saddle bar according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the upper surface of the end portion rises at the extreme end of the end portion, when the end portion is raised.

5. A saddle bar according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper surface of the end portion slopes downwardly away from the stem when the end portion is in the dropped position, thereby assisting a loop in disengaging the hook projection.

6. A saddle bar according to any preceding claim, wherein the end portion is connected to the stem by a clevis connection.

7. A saddle bar according to claim 6, wherein the stem provides two arms of the clevis connection, between which the end portion is received and to which the end portion is pivotally connected.

8. A saddle bar according to claim 7, wherein the loop-engaging projection of the end portion is received between the said two arms.

9. A saddle bar according to claim 6, wherein the end portion provides two arms of the clevis connection, the stem being received between the two arms and being pivotally connected thereto.

10. A saddle bar according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the said arms extends beyond the axis of the pivotal connection to provide a loop-engaging projection.

11. A saddle bar according to any preceding claim, wherein the end portion is so weighted as to fall to the dropped position in the absence of a stirrup strap.

12. A saddle bar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1, 3, 3a, 3b, 5 and 6.

13. A saddle bar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 2, 4, 4a and 4b.

14. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.