GB2327852A

GB2327852A - Elastomeric bit attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2327852A
Application number: GB9817216A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helen Claire Johnson
Original assignee: QUEST INNOVATIONS Ltd E
Current assignee: QUEST INNOVATIONS Ltd E
Priority date: 1997-08-09
Filing date: 1998-08-10
Publication date: 1999-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-10
Also published as: GB2327852B; GB9817216D0

Abstract

A composite insert for interposing between rein ends and a respective bit ring comprises an elastomeric element 2 and a non-extensible element 3 whereby up to the limit of elongation afforded by the non-extensible element, head movement is accommodated by elongation of the elastomeric element. The length of element 3 is adjustable.

Description

EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT This invention relates to an item of equestrian equipment.

Conventionally, to each opposite end of a horse bit is articulated a metallic ring, to which ring is attached a leading end of a rein, the other, trailing end of each rein being adapted to be held in the hands of the rider.

Irrespective of how loosely or how still, in non-demanding riding conditions, the rider grips the reins, natural movement of the horses head, particularly when the head moves downwards, produces a jabbing effect of the bit on the horse's mouth.

A basic object of the present invention, is to provide an item of equestrian equipment which minimises, if not eliminates, the tendency for jabbing.

According to the present invention, there is provided an item of equestrian equipment, adapted to be interposed between the conventional metallic ring at each end of a bit and a leading end of a rein, comprising a composite insert consisting of an elastomeric element and an element of finite length whereby, up to the limit of elongation afforded to the elastomeric element, head movement is accommodated by elongation of the elastomeric element, irrespective of release or non-release of the reins by the rider.

Preferably, the elastomeric element is a length of elastic material and the finite element is a length of leather or synthetic plastics material, preferably of a woven construction, e.g. of nylon (Trade Mark). Preferably, the effective length of the elastomeric element is, within limits, adjustable in overall length, e.g. by providing a buckle arrangement. In detail, the elastomeric element may be permanently secured, e.g. by stitching, to one end of the finite length element, whilst the other end of the elastomeric element may be looped through 1800 around the other end of the finite element, and may terminate in a "U"-shaped fastener or buckle which may be clipped into a selected one of (e.g. three) altemative pockets spaced along the finite element. At an intended leading end, the item in accordance with the invention is simply looped through the bit ring and then fastened, and at the other end, is provided with a buckle, or loop etc., for attachment to a leading end of a rein.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an item of equestrian equipment in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a view in the direction of the arrow "A" of Figure 1 with an attachment means disconnected; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the inside face of the end section of the length of elastomeric material.

In the drawings an item 1 of equestrian equipment is formed by a composite insert having a first length 2 of elastomeric material and a second longer length 3 inextensible material, the first length being permanently secured to the second length at a point distanced from one end to leave an end section of inextensible material to form an attachment means 4. The length of elastomceric material is attached to the inextensible material by sewing, and a reinforcing plate 5 is provided, overlaying the end of the length of the elastomeric material at the point of its attachment to the length of inextensible material. Located on the reinforcing plate 5 is a hook member 6, and towards the outer end of the attachment means 4 is a keyhole slot 7.

Thus the attachment means 4 can be passed through and around a respective bit ring 8, through a captive loop 9 attached below the reinforcing plate 5 and the keyhole slot 7 engaged with the hook members 6.

To the opposite end, the length 3 of inextensible material is secured directly to the captive D-ring 10 at the free end of reins 11. The length 2 of elastomeric material is passed through the D-ring to bring its free end 12 adjacent the outer face of the length 3 of inextensible material. As shown by Figure 3, the free end 12 has on its inner face a hook fastener 13 that can be brought into engagement with one of a number of keyhole slots 14 to that end of the length 3.

As a consequence of the length 3 being longer than the length 2 and irrespective of which keyhole slot 14 is engaged by the hook fastener 13, the length 3 is bowed in comparison with the length 2.

Thus with two such composite inserts provided attached to a respective bit ring and to a respective end of conventional reins, a rider can sit on a horse and hold the reins in nondemanding riding conditions, and as and when there is inevitable movement of the horse's head, the elastomeric material of the length 2 allows it to stretch within the limits imposed by the length 3 of inextensible material, whereby to avoid to a substantial degree any tendency for the jabbing of the bit on the horse's mouth. Albeit a secondary consideration, a further effect of the composite insert of the invention is that there is also avoided the jolting of the rider as a consequence of the same ability of the composite to stretch.

In any demanding riding condition the rider has to do no more than pull on the reins to stretch the length 2 until the length 3 goes taut, in which condition the reins function in a perfectly conventional manner.

The elastomeric material of the length 2 may be selected from a number of known types.

Thus is may be of rubber or of an elasticated fabric. Equally it could be a stretchable plastics material. The length 3 of inextensible material can be of leather or an appropriate synthetic plastics material, or even a woven fabric material.

Claims

1. An item of equestrian equipment, adapted to be interposed between the conventional metallic ring at each side of a bit and a leading end of a rein, comprising a composite insert consisting of an elastomeric element and an element of finite length whereby, up to the limit of elongation afforded to the elastomeric element, head movement is accommodated by elongation of the elastomeric element, irrespective of release or non release of the reins by the rider.

2. An item as in Claim 1 wherein the elastomeric element is a length of elastic material and the finite element is a length of leather, synthetic plastics material or a woven fabric.

3. An item as in Claim 1 or in Claim 2 wherein the elastomeric element is adjustable in overall length.

4. An item as in Claim 3 wherein the elastomeric element is permanently secured by one end to one end of the finite length element, and the other end is looped through 1800 around the other end of the finite element and detachably attached to the finite element.

5. An item as in Claim 4 wherein the end of the elastomeric element is provided with a "U" shaped fastener or buckle for selective attachment to one of a number of pockets spaced along the finite element.

6. An item as in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the end of the finite element to which is secured the elastomeric element has an end section adapted to be looped through a bit ring and detachably attached to the composite.

7. An item as in Claim 6 wherein at the point of securement of the elastomeric element to the finite element a reinforcing plate is provided to overlay the elastomeric element, which reinforcing plate is provided with a fastener member to be engaged by the end of the finite element looped through the bit ring.

8. An item of equestrian equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.