GB2292062A - Adjustable saddle - Google Patents

Abstract

A saddle comprises a tree 10 and two load bearing members 14 pivotally attached so as to lay one on either side of the animal's spine in use and capable of moving in such a way as to compensate for changes in shape of the animal's back which may occur when it is ridden and to assist the equal distribution of weight under the bearing members 14. The frame 10 connects to the bearing members 14 by ball and socket joints or a pivot pin arrangement 15. The bearing members are perforated (16) to provide ventilation. <IMAGE>

Description

SADDLE This invention relates to a saddle for a horse, pony or the like.

In a conventional saddle, the bars which form the weight bearing surface which lay against the horse's back are rigid and form an integral part of the frame or tree upon which the seat of the saddle is constructed. The bars and the remainder of the frame are usually of wood laminate/steel construction. Since the bars are rigid and form an integral part of the saddle, the saddle is not adjustable to conform to the shape of any horse upon which it is placed, and does not compensate for any changes in the shape of the horse's back which occur when the horse is being ridden.

It is an object of the invention to provide a saddle in which the above described problems are reduced.

According to the present invention there is provided a saddle comprising a frame and a first load bearing member pivotally mounted thereto.

The saddle preferably further comprises a second load bearing member, the first and second members being arranged to extend one on each side of the horse, in use.

The or each load bearing member may be connected to the frame by means of a ball and socket joint or alternatively by means of a pivot pin arrangement. Preferably, a shock absorber is provided in the frame, load bearing member(s) or in the connection of the frame to the load bearing member(s).

It will be recognised that on positioning such a saddle on a horse, the first and second load bearing members can pivot with respect to the frame so as to conform, generally, with the shape of the horse's back.

Further, by using a pair of load bearing members which conform to the shape of the horse's back, the area of contact between the load bearing members and the horse's back can be increased compared to that available in the conventional saddle, reducing the pressure applied to the horse's back.

The or each load bearing member is preferably perforated in order to provide ventilation to reduce sweating and permit the escape of moisture.

Preferably, the surface of the or each load bearing member which is arranged to contact the horse, in use, is provided with a padding layer, preferably in the form of a hair and latex mixture, or of neoprene or the like.

The frame is preferably arranged to carry a seat conveniently provided with a cushioning material.

The saddle preferably further comprises a pair of saddle flaps removably attachable thereto. By providing several sets of interchangeable saddle flaps, the saddle configuration can be altered to suit a variety of different equestrian activities.

The invention will further be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a saddle according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the girth strap of the saddle of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view through the saddle of Figure 1.

The saddle illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a frame 10, or tree, including a cushioned area forming a seat 12. The frame 10 may be constructed of layered glass fibre, a molded plastics material, wood or a combination of these. In order to allow the escape of moisture from between the frame 10 and the rider, ventilation perforations are provided in the frame, such perforations being of particular significance where synthetic materials are used. The frame 10 includes a recess within which rubberised foam or neoprene is provided in order to provide the cushioning for the seat 12. The frame 10 is provided with a leather or synthetic covering which is perforated adjacent to the seat 12 in order to permit the escape of moisture and to provide ventilation.The frame 10 shown in Figure 1 is of generally conventional shape, but a saddle without such a covering and including a simple pad seat is envisaged.

A pair of load bearing members 14 are pivotally attached to the frame 10 by means of ball and socket joints 15 which permit each load bearing member 14 to pivot with respect to the frame 10 by approxinzately 60 .

The load bearing members 14 are curved to as to conform, generally, to the shape of the appropriate part of the horse's back. In order to ensure that the pressure applied to the horse's back is applied over a large area, the load bearing members 14 are desirably slightly flexible so as to conform with the shape of the horse's back. However, the load bearing members should be of sufficient stiffness to distribute the load evenly. If relatively weak load bearing members were used, the majority of the load would be applied at or close to the ball and socket joints 15. Each load bearing member 14 is provided with a plurality of perforations 16 permitting the escape of moisture from between the load bearing member 14 and the horse, and improving ventilation to reduce sweating.

A layer of padding 18 is provided on the surface of each load bearing member 14 which is arranged to contact the horse, the padding 18 comprising a mixture of hair and latex. Alternatively, the padding layer 18 may comprise a neoprene or other foam layer covered with a synthetic or sheep's wool layer, or with a sheepskin layer.

The frame 10 is provided with a pair of cast bronze alloy stirrup bars 20 adjustable along a bronze alloy mounting bar 22 which is rigidly secured to the frame 10 by means of grub screws. The position of each stirrup bar 20 on its respective mounting bar 22 is fixed by means of a grub screw or other retainer. If desired, the bronze alloy stirrup and mounting bars 20, 22 may be replaced by other metal or synthetic material bars.

In use, each stirrup bar 20 carries a strap 24, for example a leather strap, the lower end of which carries a stirrup 26. The length of the strap is adjustable by means of a buckle or the like.

The saddle further comprises a pair of saddle flaps 28 which are removably diidchable to the frame 10 and arranged to extend between each load bearing member 14 and the respective stirrup strap 24, in use.

The flaps 28 are removable in order to permit flaps 28 of other designs to be attached to the saddle. It will be recognised that the saddle is then suitable for use in a variety of equestrian disciplines simply by attaching an appropriate set of flaps 28 to the saddle, rather than requiring a number of different saddles. The flaps 28 may be secured to the frame 10 or bars 14 using laces, snap-fasteners, nut and bolt arrangements, or any other suitable form of connector.

In order to secure the saddle in position on the horse, the saddle further comprises a girth strap 30 which is arranged to be connected to a pair of girth tabs 32 provided on each side of the frame 10. The girth tabs 32 each comprise a leather strap or the like which are secured to the frame.

Buckles 34 or similar adjustable connectors are mounted on the girth tabs 32, two such tabs 32 being provided on each side of the saddle.

The frame 10 includes a plurality of fixing points to which the tabs 32 may be connected permitting each tab 32 to be attached to one of several points of the frame 10. It will be recognised that the positioning of the tabs 32 can therefore be selected to suit the particular horse or type of saddle configuration in use.

The girth strap 30 comprises a first length of material 36 of relatively large width which is designed to carry moisture away from the horse. A pair of elongate elasticised straps 38 are provided on the first length of material 36, each end of each of the elasticised straps 38 being provided with a connector 40 arranged to be connected to a respective girth tab 32 of the saddle.

As huwt0 iti Figure 3, ihe ,girth idbS 32 extend between the load bearing members 14 and the saddle flaps 28. It will be recognised that when the saddle is correctly positioned on the horse, the girth tabs 32 and strap 30 hold the load bearing members 14 against the horse, thus securing the saddle in position. If the horse's shape changes whilst riding, for example as a result of the horse stretching to jump over an obstacle or due to the horse's breathing, the angle of the load bearing members 14 with respect to the frame 10 will change so as to conform to the shape of the horse. Further, if the saddle is to be used on a second horse, the relative positions of the load bearing members 14 will change to suit the second horse as the saddle is positioned on the horse's back.

It will be understood that the system of securing the girth tabs to the frame can be applied to conventional saddle constructions.

Claims (7)

1 A saddle comprising a frame or tree and two load bearing members, the bars, pivotally attached thereto and being arranged to extend one on each side of the horse, in use, and placed so as to compensate for any changes in the shape of the horse's back which occur when the horse is being ridden and to assist in the equal distribution of weight under the bearing members

2 A saddle as claimed in claim 1 wherein each load bearing member or bar may be connected to the frame by means of a ball and socket joint or alternatively by means of a pivot pin arrangement or other device which will permit each load bearing member to pivot with respect to the frame by approximately 60 degrees.

3 A saddle as claimed in claim 1 wherein a shock absorber to protect the animals back may be provided in the connection of the frame to the load bearing member.

4 A saddle as claimed in claim 1 wherein a shock absorber to protect the animals back may be provided in the load bearing members.

5 A saddle as claimed in claim I wherein a shock absorber to protect the animals back may be provided in the frame.

6 A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each load bearing member may be perforated in order to provide ventilation to reduce sweating under the said saddle and to permit the escape of moisture.

7 A saddle substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 40 of the accompanying drawing.