GB2423230A

GB2423230A - Adjustable saddle tree

Info

Publication number: GB2423230A
Application number: GB0503414A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Hitchen
Original assignee: Jabez Cliff & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Jabez Cliff & Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-02-18
Filing date: 2005-02-18
Publication date: 2006-08-23
Also published as: GB0503414D0

Abstract

A saddle tree (10) having a longitudinal axis (A), and including a front portion (12), a rear portion (14), two generally longitudinally extending side bars (16, 16') which connect the front portion (12) and the rear portion (14), and two bearing parts (18, 18') which extend from opposite sides of the front portion (12) generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the saddle tree (10), wherein the bearing parts (18, 18') are pivotally connected to the front portion (12) of the saddle tree (10) such that pivoting of each bearing part (18. 18') relative to the front portion (12) is permitted. An adjustment mechanism (30, 32) secures the bearing parts at a desired orientation relative to the front portion.

Description

Title: Adjustable Saddle Tree

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable tree for a saddle.

It is known for saddlers to produce saddles in a range of sizes to fit a variety of sizes and/or breeds of horse or pony. It will be appreciated that the exact size and shape of a horse or pony will not remain constant throughout the animal's life, and will change with age, health, season, living conditions and feeding regime. Thus, a saddle purchased to fit a specific animal will not necessarily always provide a good fit.

To address this problem, it is known to provide means for adjusting the fit of a saddle.

The tree of a saddle is a frame on which the leatherwork of the saddle is mounted The tree is the "backbone" of the saddle and provides the saddle with sufficient structural stability to support a rider. Although the shape the saddle can be modified to an extent by changing the amount and location of padding in the saddle, substantial remodelling of the saddle in this way is : ** relatively time consuming and labour intensive, yet provides only a limited *I degree of adjustment. Providing means to adjust the fit of a saddle by modifying the configuration of the saddle tree is generally regarded as providing a more satisfactory degree of adjustment.

ISS

Various designs of adjustable saddle tree are known. For example, US5884459 shows an adjustable tree for a Western style saddle which includes two hinged bearing plates adapted to be located either side of a horse's spine, each of which extends along the full length of the tree from the head to the cantle and pivots about an axis generally parallel to the horse's spine. Such an adjustable tree could not readily be incorporated in an English saddle.

An adjustable tree for an English saddle is described in EP0328376 and GB2239158. The first of these documents discloses a saddle tree with a hinged head. A split extends through the head of the tree and is generally central of the tree such that when the tree is mounted in a saddle placed on a horse's back, the split extends generally along the spine of the horse. The two halves of the head are connected by means of a hinge construction, and the two halves pivoted relative to one another to vary the width of the gullet. This proposal is not ideal, however, as the degree of adjustment that can be achieved is limited by the degree of flexibility of the rest of the tree, and the hinge construction significantly increases the bulk of the head.

GB'158 discloses a tree of standard construction which is fitted with two adjustment components. The adjustment components each comprises two elongate plates connected at their ends by means of a hinge. One plate of each adjustment component is fastened to the underside of the saddle tree, and each adjustment component is provided with a treaded adjustment means, which may be used to pivot the plates relative to one another to adjust the fit of the saddle. It should be appreciated, however, that fastening such components to the saddle tree increases the bulk of the tree significantly.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a saddle tree having a longitudinal axis, and including a front portion, a rear portion, two generally 0SI * longitudinally extending side bars which connect the front portion and the rear * ,* portion, and two bearing parts which extend from opposite sides of the front portion generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the saddle tree, I..

* wherein the bearing parts are pivotally connected to the front portion of the 25 saddle tree such that pivoting of each bearing part relative to the front portion is permitted.

By virtue of the invention, adjustment of the saddle tree, or more specifically the width of the gullet, may be achieved by pivoting the bearing parts relative to the front portion, or head, of the tree. Since the bearing parts extend from the front portion of the tree, and are not connected to any other portion of the tree, the degree of adjustment which may be achieved is not limited by the inherent flexibility of the front and rear portion and side bars of the tree.

Moreover, by providing for pivoting between parts of the tree itself, rather than between components fastened to the tree, the degree of bulk added to the tree may be reduced.

Preferably each bearing part is provided with an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism being operable to pivot each bearing part relative to the front portion of the tree, and to secure each bearing part in a desired orientation relative to the front portion of the tree.

In this case, preferably the adjustment mechanism is adapted to permit each bearing part to be secured relative to the front portion of the tree in a range of discrete orientations. It will be appreciated that it is desirable for a saddle to be symmetrical about its longitudinal axis, and if the adjustment mechanism could be operated to secure the bearing part at any relative orientation, it could be difficult for a user to adjust the saddle tree whilst maintaining this symmetry. By virtue of this feature of the invention, a user will more readily be able to ensure that a saddle incorporating the tree is adjusted to the desired fit and is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis. * *.

The tree has a lowermost side and an uppermost side, when in use in a saddle mounted on an animal, the lowermost side being located adjacent the animal, and preferably the adjustment mechanisms are operable from the * uppermost side of the tree. This means that the tree may be adjusted while a saddle incorporating the tree is mounted on an animal.

:: 25 The adjustment mechanism may include a threaded element mounted in a corresponding threaded aperture such that rotation of the threaded element in the threaded aperture causes pivoting of the bearing part relative to the front portion of the saddle tree.

Alternatively, the adjustment mechanism may include two pivotally connected adjustment elements, one of which is secured to the front portion of the tree and the other of which includes a plurality of adjustment apertures, and a retaining pin, the bearing part being provided with a corresponding locating aperture, the retaining pin being adapted to be inserted through one of the adjustment apertures into the locating aperture in order to secure the bearing part in a preferred orientation relative to the front portion of the tree. In this case, the retaining pin and the adjustment and locating apertures may be threaded.

The bearing parts may each be connected to the front portion of the tree by means of a hinge which joins two anchor parts, one anchor part being secured to the bearing part and the other to the front portion of the tree. In this case, the anchor parts are preferably secured to the lowermost side of the saddle.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a saddle including a tree according to the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably, the bearing part of the tree is provided with an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism being operable to pivot each bearing part relative to the front portion of the tree, and to secure each bearing part in : *. a desired orientation relative to the front portion of the tree, at least a portion *.** of the adjustment mechanism extending from the tree through an outer covering of the saddle, such that the adjustment mechanism is operable from the exterior of the saddle. Thus, the fit of the saddle may readily be adjusted without the need to remove the tree from the saddle, or to remove, peel back or otherwise tamper with the outer covering of the saddle.

: 25 The adjustment mechanism may include two pivotally connected adjustment elements, one of which is secured to the front portion of the tree and the other of which includes a plurality of adjustment apertures, and a retaining pin, an outer covering of the saddle being provided with a plurality of apertures which are generally aligned with the adjustment apertures such that the retaining pin may be inserted through one of the apertures in the outer cover of the saddle and through one of the adjustment apertures into a locating aperture provided in the bearing part in order to secure the bearing part in a preferred orientation relative to the front portion of the tree. In this case, preferably the apertures in the outer cover of the saddle are located underneath the saddle skirt.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a method of adjusting a saddle including a tree having a longitudinal axis, and including a front portion, a rear portion, two generally longitudinally extending side bars which connect the front portion and the rear portion, and two bearing parts which extend from opposite sides of the front portion generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tree, the method including the steps of pivoting the bearing parts relative to the front portion of the tree into desired orientation relative to the tree.

The invention will now be described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings of which, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustration of part of a saddle tree according to the invention, * .* *:.. FIGURE 2 is an illustration of a lowermost side of the saddle tree of Figure 1, * SS * S S...

: 20 FIGURE 3 is an illustration of an uppermost side of the saddle tree of Figure *. : FIGURE 4 is an illustration of part of a saddle tree according to an alternative, preferred, embodiment of the invention, *5S555 S * FIGURE 5 is an illustration of the cross section of the part of the saddle tree shown in Figure 4, a) in a "medium fit" position, b) in a "wide fit" position, and c) in an "extra wide fit" position, and FIGURE 6 is an illustration of a saddle incorporating the tree illustrated in Figure 4.

Referring now to the figures there is shown a saddle tree 10 having a longitudinal axis A, and including a front portion 12, generally referred to as the head, a rear portion 14, generally referred to as the cantle, two generally longitudinally extending side bars 16, 16' which connect the head 12 and the cantle 14, and two bearing parts 18, 18', generally known as the points, which extend from opposite sides of the head 12 generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the saddle tree 10. When the saddle tree 10 is incorporated in a saddle 20, as illustrated in Figure 3, which is placed on the back of an animal, preferably a quadruped such as a horse, the head 12 is adjacent the head of the horse, the side bars 16, 16' extend towards the rear of the horse, and the points 18, 18' are located adjacent or close to the horse's withers. The tree 10 has a lowermost side lOa and an uppermost side lOb, and when in use in a saddle mounted on an animal, the lowermost side lOa is located adjacent the animal, and the longitudinal axis A of the saddle tree 10 is generally aligned with the horse's spine.

The saddle tree 10 may be made from a beech wood laminate or from a plastics material, as is conventional in the art. A metallic strengthening plate :: 20 19 is fastened to the uppermost surface lOa of the head 12 of the tree 10 by SS.

means of a plurality of rivets.

The overall shape of the saddle tree 10 is no different to the shape of a conventional saddle tree for an English saddle, but the tree 10 differs from conventional trees in that the points 18, 18' are pivotally connected to the head 12 of the saddle tree 10 such that pivoting of each point 18, 18' relative S....

* to the head 12 is permitted. The points 18, 18' are each connected to the head 12 of the tree 10 by means of a hinge 24, 24' which joins two anchor plates 26, 26', 28, 28', one anchor plate 26, 26' being secured to the point 18, 18' and the other 28, 28' to the head 12. In this embodiment of the invention, the anchor plates 26, 26', 28, 28' are secured to the lowermost side iDa of the saddle 20, and the anchor plates 28, 28' which are secured to the head 12 are both integral with a single strengthening plate 29 which almost entirely covers the lowermost surface of the head 12. Two additional strengthening plates 27, 27', which extend towards and partially along the side bars 16, 16' are also integral with the anchor plates 28, 28'.

Each point 18, 18' is provided with an adjustment mechanism 22, 22', the adjustment mechanism 22 being operable to pivot each point 18, 18' relative to the head 12, and to secure each point 18, 18' in a desired orientation relative to the head 12. In these examples, each adjustment mechanism 22, 22' is mounted on the uppermost surface lOb of the tree 10 over the corresponding hinge 24, 24' and anchor plates 26, 26', 28, 28'.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1 to 3, each adjustment mechanism 22, 22' includes a bolt 30, having a head 30a and a shaft 30b, which extends between a first retainer 32 which is fastened to the head 12 of the tree 10 by means of two rivets 36, and a second retainer 34 which is fastened to the point 18, 18' also by means of two rivets 38. A threaded portion of the bolt shaft 30b is received in a correspondingly threaded cylindrical aperture provided in the first retainer 32 and an unthreaded portion of the bolt shaft 30b adjacent the bolt head 30a is received S..... in an unthreaded aperture provided in the second retainer 34. Each retainer 32, 34 is pivotally connected to its two rivets 36, 38 respectively such that * limited rotation of the retainer 32, 34 about an axis generally perpendicular to S..

the longitudinal axis of the aperture is permitted. *. S * . S

It should be appreciated that, whilst in this example the retainer 32 with the S.....

threaded aperture is mounted on the head 12 of the tree 10 and the retainer 34 with the unthreaded aperture is mounted on the point 18, 18', the retainers 32, 34 may be exchanged so that the retainer 32 with the threaded aperture is mounted on the point 18, 18'.

A generally cylindrical sleeve 40 is mounted around the bolt shaft 30b so that the second retainer 34 is captive between the bolt head 30a and the sleeve 40, and virtually no translational movement of the bolt 30 relative to the second retainer 34 is permitted. Thus, by means of the engagement of the threaded portion of the bolt shaft 30b with the threaded aperture in the first retainer 32, rotation of the bolt 30 causes translational movement of the bolt relative to the first retainer 32, and the point 18, 18' to pivot about its hinge 24, 24'. Thus, it can be seen that by rotating the bolt 30, the separation of the points 18, 18', which determines the width of the gullet of a saddle 20 in which the tree 10 is mounted, may be varied to fit.

In this example, it is desired that adjustment of the saddle tree 10 be undertaken only by a professional, such as a qualified saddle fitter, and therefore the bolt head 30a has an unusual star-shape which is adapted to engage with a unique or unusual form of spanner or similar device which is supplied to a saddle retailer or fitter specifically for this purpose. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the bolt head 30a may be provided with a fitting suitable for receiving a conventional alien key, or be configured to engage with a conventional spanner or screwdriver.

It should be appreciated that it is desirable for a saddle 20 to be symmetrical about a vertical plane which extends along the longitudinal axis A of the S. saddle tree 10, and as the adjustment mechanisms 22, 22' described above * ** can be operated to secure the points 18, 18' at any orientation within a range * S S relative to the head 12, it could be difficult for a user to adjust the saddle tree *5.

whilst maintaining this symmetry. S. S * SS

25 A preferred embodiment of adjustment mechanism 122, 122' which addresses **SSS this problem is illustrated in Figure 4. In this case, the adjustment mechanism 122, 122' is adapted to permit each point 18, 18' to be secured relative to the head 12 of the tree 10 in a range of discrete orientations. By virtue of this feature of the invention, a user will more readily be able to ensure that a saddle 20 incorporating the tree 10 is adjusted to the desired fit whilst being generally symmetrical.

In this embodiment of the invention, each adjustment mechanism 122 includes two pivotally connected adjustment plates 42, 44, connected by means of a hinge 43, the first of which 42 is fastened to the head 12 of the tree 10 by means of bolts or rivets, and the second of which 44 includes a plurality of adjustment apertures 46, and a retaining pin 48. The first adjustment plate 42 abuts the strengthening plate 19, and it should be appreciated that the first adjustment plates 42 of the adjustment mechanisms 122, 122' for both points 18, 18' may be integral with the strengthening plate 19.

The points 18, 18' are each provided with a corresponding locating aperture and, in order to secure the point 18, 18' in a preferred orientation relative to the head 12 of the tree 10, the point 18, 18' is pivoted with respect to the head 12 until a selected one of the adjustment apertures 46 comes into alignment with the locating aperture 50. The retaining pin 48 then is inserted through the aligned adjustment aperture 46 into the locating aperture 50. The retaining pin 48 thus prevents further pivoting of the point 18, 18' with respect to the head 12 of the tree 10. In order to alter the fit of a saddle incorporating the :::e 20 tree 10, each retaining pin 48 may be removed, the position of the points 18, S..

18' altered, and the retaining pin 48 inserted into a different adjustment aperture 46.

In this embodiment of the invention, the second adjustment plate 44 is . : provided with three adjustment apertures 46a, 46b, 46c. If the adjustment * 25 aperture 46a furthest from the pivotal connection between the two adjustment *..S.S * plates 42, 44 is brought into alignment with the locating aperture 50, the points 18, 18' extend from the head 12 substantially parallel to the portion of the head 12 to which they are connected. In this case, it can be said that the angle between the head 12 and the point 18, 18' is around 180 , and the saddle tree 10 in a medium fitting. This is illustrated in Figure 5a. If the adjustment aperture 46c which is closest to the pivotal connection between the two adjustment plates 42, 44 is brought into alignment with the locating aperture 50, the angle between the point 18, 18' and the head 12 decreases to around and the saddle tree 10 can be said to be in an extra wide fitting.

This is illustrated in Figure 5c. If the middle adjustment aperture 46b is brought into alignment with the locating aperture 50, the angle between the point 18, 18' and the head 12 adopts an intermediate value and the saddle tree 10 can be said to be in a wide filling. This is illustrated in Figure 5b.

When the saddle tree 10 is in the medium filling, the angle between the points 18, 18' is of the order of 85-95 , when the saddle tree 10 is in the wide filling this angle is around 95-105 , and when the saddle tree 10 is in the extra wide fitting, this angle is around 105-115 .

In this embodiment of the invention, the retaining pin 48 and the adjustment 46 and locating apertures 50 are threaded, so that the retaining pin 48 must be rotated so as to screw it into the adjustment 46 and locating apertures 50.

Whilst the retaining pin 48 may be provided with a head 48a which is suitable for engaging with an allen key, a conventional spanner or screwdriver, preferably the head 48a of the retaining pin 48 is star shaped, and therefore adapted to engage with a unique or unusual form of spanner or similar device * *** which is supplied to a saddle retailer or filler so that only the retailer or filler * ** may modify the fit of the saddle 20. * * S S.. S

The tree 10 is adapted to be mounted in a saddle 20 in a conventional manner, but preferably at least a portion of the adjustment mechanism 22, 22', 122, 122' extends from the tree 10 through an outer covering of the saddle 20, S. S. S S * such that the adjustment mechanism 22, 22', 122, 122' is operable from the exterior of the saddle. Thus, the fit of the saddle 20 may readily be adjusted without the need to remove the tree 10 from within the saddle 20, or to remove, peel back or otherwise tamper with the outer covering of the saddle 20.

Figure 6 shows a saddle 20 incorporating the saddle tree 10 shown in Figures 4 and 5, and it can be seen that the portion of the outer covering of the saddle 20 under the skirt 52 of the saddle 20 includes three apertures 54a, 54b, 54c which are aligned with the three adjustment apertures 46a, 46b, 46c respectively. Thus, to adjust the fit of the saddle 20, the skirt 52 of the saddle is lifted, and the retaining pin 48 is inserted through an aperture in the outer covering of the saddle 20, through the chosen adjustment aperture 46, and into the locating aperture 50 in the point 18, 18'. In order to assist a user, the three apertures in the outer covering of the saddle 20 may be labelled, "medium", "wide" and "extra wide" according to the fit each provides.

It will be appreciated that there will be slight variation in the position of the tree relative to the outer covering from saddle to saddle. In order to ensure that the apertures 54a, 54b, 54c in the outer covering of the saddle 20 are exactly aligned with the adjustment apertures 46a, 46b, 46c, the apertures 54a, 54b, 54c may be provided in a flap 55 of the outer covering which is pivotally connected to the remainder of the outer covering by means of a pin 56. The flap 55 may thus be pivoted so that the apertures are aligned. * S. * . S S...

20 In order to minimise the weight and bulk of the saddle, preferably the anchor S...

plates 26, 26', 28, 28' and, where provided, the adjustment plates 42, 44, are made from 2mm thick stainless steel sheet. Stainless steel is preferred, as not only does it provide enhanced corrosion resistance, but it is relatively . : strong and stiff compared to mild steel, for example, and therefore the thickness of the plates 26, 26', 28, 28', 42, 44 may be minimised whilst *55SS* * S providing the required mechanical stability to the tree 10.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. * ,* * . S *51* I.' a * S.''

S I S.. *

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S S. S * IS * *5

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*,*as. I *

Claims

1. A saddle tree having a longitudinal axis, and including a front portion, a rear portion, two generally longitudinally extending side bars which connect the front portion and the rear portion, and two bearing parts which extend from opposite sides of the front portion generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the saddle tree, wherein the bearing parts are pivotally connected to the front portion of the saddle tree such that pivoting of each bearing part relative to the front portion is permitted.

2. A saddle tree according to claim I wherein each bearing part is provided with an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism being operable to pivot each bearing part relative to the front portion of the tree, and to secure each bearing part in a desired orientation relative to the front portion of the tree.

3. A saddle tree according to claim 2 wherein the adjustment mechanism is adapted to permit each bearing part to be secured relative to the front portion of the tree in a range of discrete orientations.

4. A saddle tree according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the tree has a :.". lowermost side and an uppermost side, when in use in a saddle mounted on an animal, the lowermost side being located adjacent the animal, and the :: 20 adjustment mechanisms are operable from the uppermost side of the tree.

5. A saddle tree according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a threaded element mounted in a * " corresponding threaded aperture such that rotation of the threaded element in the threaded aperture causes pivoting of the bearing part relative to the front portion of the saddle tree.

6. A saddle tree according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the adjustment mechanism includes two pivotally connected adjustment elements, one of which is secured to the front portion of the tree and the other of which includes a plurality of adjustment apertures, and a retaining pin, the bearing part being provided with a corresponding locating aperture, the retaining pin being adapted to be inserted through one of the adjustment apertures into the locating aperture in order to secure the bearing part in a preferred orientation relative to the front portion of the tree.

7. A saddle tree according to claim 6 wherein the retaining pin and at least one of the adjustment apertures or locating apertures is threaded.

8. A saddle tree according to any preceding claim wherein the bearing parts are connected to the front portion of the tree by means of a hinge which joins two anchor parts, one anchor part being secured to the bearing part and the other to the front portion of the tree.

9. A saddle tree according to claim 8 wherein the anchor parts are preferably secured to the lowermost side of the saddle.

10. A saddle including a tree according to any preceding claim.

11. A saddle according to claim 10 wherein each bearing part of the tree is provided with an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism being operable to pivot each bearing part relative to the front portion of the tree, and to secure each bearing part in a desired orientation relative to the front portion S., of the tree, at least a portion of the adjustment mechanism extending from the tree through an outer covering of the saddle, such that the adjustment mechanism is operable from the exterior of the saddle.

IS I

I * * . . . .

12. A saddle according to claim 11 wherein the adjustment mechanism includes two pivotally connected adjustment elements, one of which is secured to the front portion of the tree and the other of which includes a plurality of adjustment apertures, and a retaining pin, an outer covering of the saddle being provided with a plurality of apertures which are generally aligned with the adjustment apertures such that the retaining pin may be inserted through one of the apertures in the outer cover of the saddle and through one of the adjustment apertures into a locating aperture provided in the bearing part in order to secure the bearing part in a preferred orientation relative to the front portion of the tree. In this case, preferably the apertures in the outer cover of the saddle are located underneath the saddle skirt.

13. A method of adjusting a saddle including a tree having a longitudinal axis, and including a front portion, a rear portion, two generally longitudinally extending side bars which connect the front portion and the rear portion, and two bearing parts which extend from opposite sides of the front portion generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tree, the method including the steps of pivoting the bearing parts relative to the front portion of the tree into desired orientation relative to the tree.

14. A saddle tree substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. A saddle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of adjusting a saddle substantially as hereinbefore described : with reference to the accompanying drawings. he.

17. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein S. ..

and/or in the accompanying drawings. U*S S. 5 * . S * s.

S.....

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