GB2443615A

GB2443615A - Mounting aid for equestrian riders

Info

Publication number: GB2443615A
Application number: GB0622292A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geraldine Susan Stephenson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-09
Filing date: 2006-11-09
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-09
Also published as: GB2443615B; GB0622292D0

Abstract

Mounting apparatus 10 for assisting a rider to mount an equestrian animal is disclosed. The mounting apparatus comprises an interconnected platform 14 and mounting assembly. The mounting assembly can be fixed, for use, to a vehicle 12. While in use, the platform can be moved between a stowed position, in which a vehicle to which it is fixed can be operated normally and a deployed position in which the platform projects from it sufficiently to allow a person to stand upon it to mount a horse. The mounting apparatus may optionally include means far retaining it in one or both of its stowed and its deployed positions. Most advantageously, it can be configured to return to the stowed position automatically after the platform has been loaded by the weight of a person and subsequently unloaded. The return means may comprise a remotely lockable gas compression strut. The platform may be attached to a motor powered road vehicle or a trailer, possibly to the tailgate of a vehicle.

Description

Mounting aid for equestrian riders

S

This invention relates to a mounting aid for riders of equestrian animals; most typically of horses.

Many riders cannot mount their horse while standing on the ground. The height of a large horse is simply too great for an adult, and children may find even a small horse or pony too large. Therefore, riders typically use ad-hoc means to gain height, such as standing on any object that is to hand, or finding some fixed structure, such as a step or a gate, on which to climb. Often the assistance of another person is required.

This is not satisfactory. There may not be a suitable fixed structure in the vicinity. If a movable object is used, the rider, once on the horse, cannot reach it to return it to its proper place. There is also a risk that an object of insufficient strength or stability will be used, with the consequent risk of an accident An aim of this invention is to provide apparatus that enables a rider to safely and conveniently mount an equestrian animal without help from another person.

From a first aspect, this invention provides mounting apparatus for assisting a rider to mount a equestrian animal comprising an interconnected platform and mounting assembly, in which the mounting assembly can be fixed, for use, to a vehicle; and the platform can be moved between a stowed position, in which a vehicle to which it is fixed can be operated normally and a deployed position in which the platform projects from it sufficiently to allow a person to stand upon it to mount a horse.

Mounting apparatus embodying the invention is therefore always available to a rider whenever the vehicle to which it is fixed is being used.

In a typical embodiment, the platform and mounting assembly are interconnected by a hinge assembly, whereby movement between the deployed position and the stowed position is achieved by pivotal movement in a generally upward direction.

Most usually, a catch will be provided to retain the platform in the stowed position. This serves to prevent accidental movement of the platform from the stowed position to the deployed position while a vehicle to which the apparatus is fixed is in use. Most advantageously, the catch operates automatically when the platform is moved to its stowed position to prevent its use being forgotten. Alternatively or additionally, return means may be provided to return the platform to the stowed position when the platform is unloaded. This is particularly advantageous because the platform will be stowed automatically after a rider has mounted their horse. Most preferably, the action of the return means is to cause the platform to return to the stowed position slowly to avoid causing damage to the vehicle, alarming the animal or injury to the horse or rider.

Embodiments may further include a catch to retain the platform in the deployed position.

Advantageously, the catch releases automatically on application of a load to the platform when the platform is in the deployed position, so that the rider does not have to stow the platform manually.

Alternatively or additionally, an embodiment of the invention may include biassing means to urge the platform to one or other of its deployed and stowed positions. The biasing means may work with an "over-centre" action, and can remove the need to provide catches to prevent movement of the platform.

The biassing means and/or return means may include one or more gas compression struts.

These struts may be lockable (optionally, remotely lockable) to maintain the platform in a desired position.

Embodiments of the invention may include powered drive means to move the platform between its stowed and its deployed positions. The powered drive means may be operable by remote control.

The platform typically has a width in the range 400 mm to 900 mm and a depth greater than 450 mm. This is to allow a large person sufficient space to stand on and to turn round on the platform without falling.

From a second aspect, this invention provides a vehicle that includes a mounting apparatus embodying the first aspect of the invention. The vehicle may be a trailer, or a powered road vehicle.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures Ia, lb and ic are front, side and plan general arrangement drawings of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view that includes an enlarged view of a hinge assembly of the embodiment of Figure 1 in both a stowed and a deployed position; Figure 3 is a side view of an alternative hinge assembly having return means; Figure 4 is a side view that includes an enlarged view of a hinge assembly of a second embodiment of the invention, having biassing means, in both a stowed and a deployed position; Figures 5a and 5b are plan and side views of a catch assembly for use in embodiments of the invention; Figure 6 is a side view of an alternative catch assembly for use in embodiments of the invention; Figures 7a and 7b are front and side views of an alternative raising assembly for use in an embodiment of the invention (in both a stowed and a deployed position in Figure 7b); and Figures 8a, 8b and 8c; 9a, 9b and 9c; and lOa and lOb are side and top views of alternative catches for retaining the platform in the stowed position.

With reference first to Figures la, lb and ic, an embodiment of the invention is constituted by a mounting platform assembly 10 that is mounted on a tailgate 12 of a horse transport vehicle.

In the following description, it should be assumed that the tailgate 12 is at the rear of the vehicle, and that terms such as "to the front of' and "to the rear of' should be understood accordingly. It should also be assumed that the vehicle is on level ground when interpreting terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical". The mounting platform assembly 10 comprises a platform and a hinge assembly. In use, the hinge assembly connects the platform to structural members 16, 18 of the tailgate 12.

The platform comprises a rectangular frame of steel tube 20 upon which a tread plate 14 is carried. The platform is formed with a construction that is sufficiently strong to allow it to support the weigu of a person when carried on the hinge assembly. Different embodiments have different optional widths of platform. For example, embodiments may be offered in widths of 430 mm, 630 mm or 840 mm, approximately. The preferred depth at least approximately 460 mm. This depth is required to allow a large person to stand and turn round on the platform safely. Embodiments may be of greater depth than this. Typically, when deployed, the the platform will be approximately 420 mm above ground level.

The hinge assembly comprises two upright members 24, the platform being carried between the upright members 24. In wider embodiments, there may be three or more upright members 24 disposed along the length of the platform. In this embodiment, an upper end portion of each upright member 24 passes to the front of an upper horizontal structural member 16 of the tailgate 12 to engage a front surface of the structural member 16. A lower end portion of each upright member 24 has a rebate formation that engages with the top and rear surfaces of a lower horizontal structural member 18 of the tailgate 12. The upright members 24 are therefore supported vertically and are restrained against rotation in a direction that would move their upper ends rearwards. For additional security of mounting each upright member 24 is also secured to the respective upper structural member 16 by a clamp 26 that engages with the rear surface of the upper structural member 16.

The platform is connected to the upright members 24 by respective hinge arms 28. Each hinge arm 28 is fixed with to a respective opposite side member of the frame 20 of the platform.

Each hinge arm 28 is secured to a respective upright member 24 such that it can pivot with respect to it about an axis that is generally horizontal when the trailer is in use. Thus, the platform can be pivoted with respect to the upright members 24 and, therefore, with respect to a vehicle upon which it is mounted.

To deploy the platform, it is pivoted in a downward direction until it is approximately horizontal. Downward movement is limited by the frame 20 of the platform makes contact with the upright members 24. A person can then climb onto the platform and thereby gain the height needed to allow them to mount a horse easily. Once the rider has mounted a horse, the platform can be stowed by pivoting to an approximately vertical position in which it is close to the vehicle upon which it is mounted.

Several refinements to this basic embodiment will typically be provided in practice.

Once the platform has been stowed, it is important that it remains so. Otherwise, it could present a substantial hazard. Therefore, this embodiment is provided with a retaining catch 30 formed from an elongate metal plate. The catch 30 is carried on an upright member 24 such that it can pivot about a horizontal axis. The plate has a long axis that, when the catch 30 is operational, is generally horizontal. A recess 32 is formed into the lower edge of the catch 30.

A stepped formation 34 of the catch interacts with a pin 36 on the upright member 24 to limit downward pivotal movement of the catch 30. A spigot 38 is carried on the frame 20 of the platform. When the platform is stowed, the spigot 38 can enter the recess 32 of the catch 30 to prevent the platform returning to the deployed position. The catch 30 is formed with a rounded end surface, so that it can be deflected by the spigot 38 so that the catch 30 operates to retain the platform without user intervention. To deploy the platform, a user lifts the catch 30 to withdraw the spigot 38 from the recess 32, thereby allowing the platform to pivot downwardly.

Once a rider has mounted their horse, the platform is no longer Within their reach. This makes it difficult for the rider to stow the platform. Therefore, in a further refinement, arrangements are made to allow the platform to return automatically to the stowed position.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a gas compression strut 40 is connected to the frame 20 of the platform and one of the upright members 24. The strut 40 is disposed such that it is compressed as the platform is moved between the stowed and the deployed position. Thus, the effect of the strut is to urge the platform towards the stowed position where it is retained by the catch 30. Careful selection of the spring force and internal damping of the strut 40 allows the platform to rise slowly, for example over a period of I to 2 seconds, to avoid potentially hazardous rapid movement. It is also possible to use struts that incorporate a lock that fIxes the length of the strut. This can serve to supplement or supplant a mechanical catch to fix the position of the platform.

This arrangement requires the rider to move the platform to the deployed position, and then prevent it from returning to the stowed position, for example by standing on it. A further enhancement allows the platform to be retained in the deployed position until after a person has stood on it and subsequently stepped off it, as would be the case when mounting a horse.

To achieve this, a second catch 42 is provided, pivotally mounted on one of the upright members 24. The catch is pivotable about a horizontal axis. It has a recess 44 that opens upwardly to receive a spigot 46 that is mounted on the frame 20 of the platform. To engage the catch 42, the platform is moved to its deployed position, and the catch 42 is pivoted such that the spigot 46 is received within the recess 44. The platform is then released, and the strut 40 urges it a small distance towards the stowed position. The recess 44 is shaped such that the catch is retained in that position, holding the platform at the deployed position. When weight is applied to the platform, it moves a small past the deployed position. This removes the force from the catch 42, allowing it to drop away from the spigot 46 under its own weight. When weight is removed from the platform, it can then rise to the stowed position under the action of the struts 40.

The embodiment of Figure 4 allows the platform to be retained in both the stowed and the deployed position without the need for catches.

In this embodiment, a gas compression strut 50 extends between the frame 20 of the platform and a bracket 52 secured to one of the upright members 24. The strut 50 is configured such that is is under greatest compression between the deployed and the stowed positions. This provides an "over-centre" effect, whereby the platform is urged to one or other of the deployed and the stowed positions. The strut 50 is also configured such that, when the platform is in the stowed position, the strut is still in compression, so that the position of the platform is positively maintained against a compressible buffer.

Figures 5a and 5b show an alternative catch for use with the embodiment of Figure 3. The purpose of the catch is to retain the platform in the deployed position, against the action of the strut 40, either temporarily until the platform is used or permanently (that is, until released by an operator).

The catch comprises a steel hook 56 that is mounted on a resilient supporting strip 58 secured to the frame 20 of the platform. A cam 60, mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, bears against the strip 58. An operating lever 62 allows a user to rotate the cam.

With the platform in the deployed position, the hook 56 enters into a slot 64 in one of the vertical members 24. Rotating the lever downwards about 45 degrees when the platform is in the fully deployed position allows the platform to raise slightly upon release of the platform, and thus loading the hook 56 to retain the platform in the deployed position. If weight is then applied to the platform, the applied load depresses the platform fully allowing the hook 56 to spring out, whereupon the platform is raised by the strut 40 to its stowed position. If the lever is rotated between 90 and 270 degrees the catch becomes permanently engaged and will not release after weight is applied to and removed from the platform.

The hook 56 has a wedge-shaped section. If the operating lever 62 is actuated before the platform is in the fully deployed position, the wedge-shaped section allows it to deflect the strip 58 and enter into engagement within the slot 64.

The strip 58 comprises a separate upper leaf that serves to provide a returning-moment to the cam 60 and the lever 62, and also locate it laterally in the platform beam tube. The spring is fixed in the tube with two screws 66 which engage a plate held captive in the spring for ease of assembly; the screws 66 are located in slotted holes in the tube wall to provide a degree of longitudinal adjustment.

An alternative catch is shown in Figure 6. This catch comprises a plunger 70 that slides Within a bore through one of the upright members 24 such that it can slide horizontally. The plunger includes an operating button 72 externally of the upright member. Within the upright member, a coil spring 74 surrounds the plunger 70. The catch is engaged manually by pressing the button 72 inwards towards the platform when the platform is first fully deployed, to enter into a bore in the frame 20 of the platform so preventing it from moving towards the stowed position. The platform is then allowed to raise slightly which results in the plunger 70 being retained by friction. If a load is then applied to the platform, the load depresses the platform fully allowing the plunger 70 to be urged out by the spring 74, allowing the platform to raise under the action of the strut to its stowed position. The plunger has a screw-threaded portion 76 that can be engaged with a co-operating thread 78 in the bore. If the screws are interconnected, the plunger 70 cannot be urged out, so causing the catch to be permanently engaged, allowing the platform to be loaded and unloaded without it springing up.

The embodiment of Figures 7a and 7b employs an alternative arrangement for lifting the platform. In this embodiment, a hinge pin 80 that interconnect a hinge arm 28 and an upright member 24 has an elongate portion about which a coil torsion spring 82 is disposed. One end portion of the spring 82 is located in a hole in the hinge pin 80, and the opposite end portion acts upon the spring arm 28. When the platform is moved to the deployed position, a torsional load is applied to the spring, which is directed to return the platform towards the stowed position.

It will be noted that the apparatus of this embodiment is secured to a vehicle by bolts 86 that attach to any suitably strong and convenient element of the vehicle. This fixing arrangement could be used as an alternative to the clamping arrangement in the previous embodiments. The upright members may be longer in this embodiment to ensure that the load applied by the platform to the vehicle is spread.

Many variations in locking mechanisms can be provided. As examples, Figure 8a shows an arrangement similar to that of Figure 2. Figure 8b shows an arrangement using a simple, manually-applied cotter pin, that can be retained by a screw, split-pin or bayonet locking arrangement, for example. Figure 8c shows the use of a spring steel bar secured to an upright member that includes an aperture within which is received a peg carried on the frame 20 of the platform.

The arrangement of Figure 9a is similar to that of Figure 3, but uses a simple tension spring in place of the gas compression strut. Figure 9b implements an over-centre system, like that of Figure 4, using a simple tension spring in place of the gas compression struts. Figure 9c shows the use of a hasp carried on an uprigiit member to engage with a pin on the frame of the platform, where it is retained by a split pin.

Figure lOa shows a remotely-operable catch in which a register pm locks the hinge assembly.

The register pin can be withdrawn using an operating cable. Alternatively, a cable could be used to disengage a spring-biassed lever, as shown in Figure lOb, or provide remote control of a powered drive system or a lockable gas strut.

In all of these embodiments, a resilient buffer may be provided wherever metal components engage one another, as indicated at 90 in Figure 8c.

The embodiments described are principally intended to help an adult person mount a horse.

However, they may also be used for mounting other animals. Other embodiments may, for example, be provided to help children mount ponies or donkeys.

Claims

Claims 1. Mounting apparatus for assisting a rider to mount an

equestrian animal comprising an interconnected platform and mounting assembly, in which the mounting assembly can be fixed, for use, to a vehicle; and the platform can be moved between a stowed position, in which a vehicle to which it is fixed can be operated normally and a deployed position in which the platform projects from it sufficiently to allow a person to stand upon it to mount an animal.
2. Mounting apparatus according to claim 1 in which the platform and mounting assembly are interconnected by a hinge assembly, whereby movement between the deployed position and the stowed position is achieved by pivotal movement in a generally upward direction.
3. Mounting apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 in which a catch is provided to retain the platform in the stowed position.
4. Mounting apparatus according to claim 3 in which the catch operates automatically when the platform is moved to its stowed position.
5. Mounting apparatus according to any preceding claim further including return means to return the platform to the stowed position when the platform is unloaded.
6. Mounting apparatus according to claim 5 in which the action of the return means is to cause the platform to return the stowed position slowly.
7. Mounting apparatus according to claimS or claim 6 in which the return means includes one or more gas compression struts.
8. Mounting apparatus according to claim 7 in which the gas compression struts are lockable.
9. Mounting apparatus according to claim 8 in which the gas compression struts are remotely lockable.
10. Mounting apparatus according to any preceding claim further including a catch to retain the platform in the deployed position.
11. Mounting apparatus according to claim 10 in which the catch releases automatically on application of a load to the platform when the platform is in the deployed position.
12. Mounting apparatus according to any preceding claim that includes biassing means to urge the platform to one or other of its deployed and stowed positions.
13. Mounting apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising drive means operable to move the platform between its stowed and its deployed positions.
14. Mounting apparatus according to claim 13 in which the drive means is remotely controllable.
15. Mounting apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the platform has a width in the range 400 mm to 900 mm.
16. Mounting apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the platform has a depth greater than 450 mm.
17. Mounting apparatus for assisting a rider to mount an equestrian animal substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A vehicle that includes a mounting apparatus according to any preceding claim.
19. A vehicle according to claim 18 that is a trailer.
20. A vehicle according to claim 18 that is a motor road vehicle.