GB2479997A

GB2479997A - Cover for use with a saddle

Info

Publication number: GB2479997A
Application number: GB201106939A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anne Bondi
Original assignee: TOTAL SADDLE SOLUTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: TOTAL SADDLE SOLUTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-04-27
Filing date: 2011-04-26
Publication date: 2011-11-02
Also published as: GB201106939D0

Abstract

A cover 10 for use with a saddle comprises a central portion 12, and opposite stabilising side portions 14, 16 extending from the central portion. The central portion is resiliently deformable to accommodate the contours of the dorsal area of an animal upon which the saddle is mounted. In one embodiment the cover may be used as a saddle pad, saddle cloth or numnah. In an alternative embodiment the cover may be configures to receive a sensor arrangement. In this embodiment the central portion may be formed of upper and lower cover parts which provide an envelope for the sensor.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB1 106939.0 RTM Date:25 August 2011 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

VELCRO

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Cover for Use with a Saddle This invention relates to covers for use with saddles. Embodiments of the invention relate to covers for animals, such as horses. More particularly, but not exclusively this invention relates to sensor covers for use with saddles. Embodiments of the invention relate to sensor covers for measuring pressures applied by riders on the backs of horses through the saddles.

It is known in the saddle-making industry to test saddles by the use of sensor mats arranged under the saddle. The sensor mat comprises a plurality of pressure sensors, and the pressure applied by the rider through the saddle is measured by each sensor. In this way, the suitability of a particular design of saddle to the horse and rider can be determined.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a cover for use with a saddle, the cover comprising a central portion, and opposite stabilising side portions extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion is resilient to accommodate the contours of the dorsal area of an animal upon which the saddle is mounted. The animal upon which the saddle is mounted may be a horse.

In a first embodiment, the cover may comprise a housing for a sensor arrangement, and the central portion may be configured to receive the sensor arrangement. In this embodiment, the central portion may be configured to hold the sensor arrangement so that during movement of the horse, the readings of the sensor arrangement are not distorted. In this embodiment, this is effected by holding the sensor arrangement in a manner that enables it to move with the movement of the horse.

The central portion may comprise upper and lower cover parts, which may comprise respective first and second sheets. Each cover part may be formed of a resilient material. The upper and lower cover parts may be arranged to receive the sensor therebetween.

In a second embodiment, the central portion may comprise a single cover part, which may comprise a single layer. This embodiment may be suitable for use as a saddle cloth or numnah. If desired, in the second embodiment, the central portion may comprise upper and lower cover parts.

In the first embodiment, where the central portion comprises upper and lower cover parts, the upper and lower cover parts may be attached to one another to provide an envelope to envelop the sensor. The central portion may be formed in one piece, with the upper and lower parts constituting upper and lower sections of the one piece central portion. Alternatively, the first and second cover parts may be formed separately to be attached to each other.

The first and second cover parts may constitute respective first and second layers.

The first and second cover parts may be movable relative to each other to allow the sensor arrangement to move with the movement of the horse, whereby the sensor readings are not distorted.

The central portion may have a fastening arrangement to secure the sensor arrangement therein. The fastening arrangement may extend along at least one edge of the central portion.

The fastening arrangement may extend along opposite edges of the central portion.

In one embodiment, the fastening arrangement may extend along the front and rear edges of the central portion.

The fastening arrangement may comprise a hook and loop fastener, such as sold under the trade mark Velcro.

The sensor arrangement may be part of a sensor system, which may comprise a plurality of further components. The cover may comprise a holding arrangement to hold the further components.

The holding arrangement may be provided on the side portions. The holding arrangement may comprise a first holding means for holding a first further component of the sensor arrangement.

The first holding means may comprise a flap, which may be releasably secured to the side portion by a releasable fastener. The releasable fastener may comprise a hook and loop fastener, which may be arranged around the edge of the flap. The first holding means may be provided on the first side portion.

The first holding means may be provided adjacent the central portion. The first holding means may comprise a releasable fastener to stabilise a further component in the first holding means. The releasable fastener may fasten the further component in the first holding means.

The holding arrangement may comprise a second holding means provided on the second side portion.

The second holding means may comprise a flap to hold a second further component.

The second holding means may be provided on the second side portion. The second holding means may be provided adjacent the central portion.

A releasable fastener may be provided to releasably fasten the second flap to the second side portion. The second holding means may comprise a releasable fastener to stabilise the second further component in the second holding means.

The releasable fastener may fasten the further component in the second holding means.

In each of the above cases, the releasable fastener may comprise a hook and loop fastener, such as sold under the trade mark Velcro.

The holding arrangement may comprise channels or sheaths through which further components, such as cables, can extend. The channels or sheaths may be formed of strips of material extending across the side portion, and across the rear of the central portion.

Respective guide members may be provided on each of the side portions to receive straps on the saddle therethrough.

The cover may also comprise securing elements at the front of the central portion, the securing elements being provided to secure the cover to the saddle, and may comprise loop members to receive therethrough securing straps on the saddle.

The side portions may be formed of a flexible material. It is desirable that the side portions are substantially non-resilient. The side portions may be arranged so that they extend, in use, down the sides of the dorsal area of the horse.

The cover may be used with a saddle having a knee flap, against which the rider's knee can engage. The side portions may be configured to extend to a region below the knee flap of the saddle.

In the second embodiment, the side portions may be devoid of the holding arrangement. The cover may comprise a saddle cloth or a numnah.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cover for use with a saddle; Figure 2 shows are rear region of the cover; Figure 3 shows a close up of a first holding means; Figure 4 shows a close up of a fastening arrangement for fastening the sensor arrangement at the rear region of the central region; Figure 5 shows a close up of a second holding means; Figure 6 shows a close up of a third holding means; Figure 7 shows a front region of the cover; and Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of a cover for use with a saddle.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a cover for use with a saddle, for example a saddle for a horse, which is intended to be disposed between the saddle and the horse. In Figures 1 to 7, the cover is generally designated 10.

The purpose of the cover 10 is to house a pressure sensor arrangement which is used to determine pressure points applied by the rider through the saddle to the dorsal area of the horse.

The cover 10 comprises a central portion 12 and first and second opposite stabilising side portions 14, 16. The side portions 14, 16 are provided to stabilise the central portion on the dorsal area of the horse, under the saddle.

The central portion 12 comprises upper and lower cover parts in the form of first and second cover sheets 18, 20 which are sewn to one another at their opposite side edges 12A, 12B to provide first and second opposite seams 22, 24. The first and second side portions 14, 16 are attached to the central portion 12 at the side edges 12A, 12B, for example by suitable stitching.

The first and second cover sheets 18, 20 are each formed of a suitable resiliently deformable flexible material, which is capable of resilient deformation to accommodate the contours of the back of the horse and also to accommodate movement of the horse when ridden. A suitable such material is a four way stretch nylon.

The first and second side portions 14, 16 are formed of a non-resilient flexible material, which may be a poly-cotton quilting comprising polyester felt.

The central portion 12 has front and rear edge regions 26, 28. The first and second cover portions 18, 20 are releasably fastened to each other at the front and rear edge regions 26, 28 of the central portion, as described in more detail below.

The pressure sensor arrangement (not shown) is in the form of a sensor mat having a plurality of pressure sensing elements thereon. The sensor mat (not shown) is received between the first and second cover sheets 18, 20.

A first fastener 30 is provided at the front edge region 26 to fasten the front edge of the upper sheet 18 to the front edge of the lower sheet 20. The first fastener 30 may be a hook and loop fastener, such as sold under the trade mark Velcro.

The loop part 30A of the hook and loop fastener is mounted on the inner face of the upper sheet 18. The hook part 30B is mounted on the inner face of the lower sheet 20.

A second fastener 32 is provided to fasten a front edge of the sensor mat in the central portion 12. The second fastener 32 comprises a strip 32A of the hook part a hook and loop fastener, such as sold under the trade mark Velcro. The loop part is mounted at the front end region of the sensor mat.

A third fastener 34 is provided at the rear edge region 28 to fasten the rear edge of the upper sheet 18 to the rear edge of the lower sheet 20. The third fastener 34 may be a hook and loop fastener, such as sold under the trade mark Velcro. The loop part 34A of the hook and loop fastener is mounted on the inner face of the upper sheet 18. The hook part 34B is mounted on the inner face of the lower sheet 20.

Rear sensor mat fastening members 36A, 36B are also provided on opposite sides of the central portion 12, at the rear edge region 28 thereof. The fastening members36A, 36B are one part of a hook and ioop fastener which, in the embodiment shown is the hook part.

The cover 10 also includes holding arrangement for holding further components of the sensor arrangement. These components can be, for example, cabling, electronic transmission devices and electronic receiving devices. The electronic receiving devices can be, for example, hand held display devices, such as PDA's.

The holding arrangement comprises a first holding means 38 provided on the first side portion 14, and comprises a flap 44, which is held in position by suitable strips of a hook and loop fastener 46. The flap 44 can be lifted to allow the further component, e.g. a plug or handle, of the sensor system to be installed therein.

A further strip 40 of a hook and loop fastener can be provided on the first side portion 14 under the flap 44 to hold the further component thereon. The further component is provided with a corresponding strip of the hook and loop fastener to enable it to be fastened to the strip 40.

Similarly, a second holding means 48 is provided on the second side portion 16 and comprises a flap 50 secured to the second side portion 16 by strips 52 of hook and loop fastener. hook and loop fastener is provided on the second further component and on the second side portion 16 under the flap 50 to hold the second further component on the second side portion 16.

A first sheath 54 is provided on the first side portion 14 extending from the front region of the central portion 12 to the first holding means 38. The first sheath 54 houses cabling extending from the sensor mat received in the central portion 12.

A second sheath 56 extends between the first and second side portions 14, 16.

Cabling can extend through the second sheet 56 to connect the first further component in the first holding means 38 to the second further component in the second holding means 48.

Mounting loops 58, 60 are provided adjacent distal edge regions 62, 64 of the first and second side portions 14, 16 respectively. Securing straps of the saddle can extend through the first and second side loops 58, 60.

Front loops 66, 68 are provided at the front edge region 26 to secure the cover 10 to the front region of the saddle.

There is thus described a sensor cover for a pressure sensor arrangement that can hold a pressure sensor mat and allow accurate, reproducible measurement of the pressure applied to the back of a horse through the saddle while it is being ridden.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, the sheaths to hold the cabling may not be necessary if the sensor arrangement comprises wireless components.

Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of cover for a horse. In Figure 8, the cover is generally designated 110.

The cover 110 comprises many of the features of the cover 10. Those features have been designated with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 7. They have the same properties and function in the same way as the corresponding features of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7.

The cover 110 differs from the cover 10 in that the cover 110 does not possess the first holding means 38, the second holding means 48, the first sheath 54 or the second sheath 56. This is because the cover 110 is not intended to be used to house a sensor system. Instead the cover 110 is intended to be used simply as a saddle cloth or numnah.

In addition, the central portion 12 is replaced by a central portion 112, which comprises a single sheet 118 formed of the same material as the cover sheet 18, i.e. a suitable flexible resilient material, such as a four way stretch nylon.

Alternatively, the central portion 112 may be formed of two sheets attached to each other along all four of the edges 22, 24, 26, 28. In this embodiment, because the cover 110 is intended to be used as a saddle cloth or numnah, the central portion 12 does not possess releasable fastening means along the front and rear edges 26, 28.

The central portion 112 is resiliently deforniable to conform to the shape of the dorsal area of the horse. The central portion 112 continuously changes shape to maintain conformity with the dorsal area of the horse as the horse moves.

Claims

Claims 1. A cover for use with a saddle, the cover comprising a central portion, and opposite stabilising side portions extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion is resiliently deformable to accommodate the contours of the dorsal area of an animal upon which the saddle is mounted.
2. A cover according to Claim 1, wherein the central portion is configured to receive a sensor arrangement, the central portion being configured to hold the sensor arrangement so that during movement of the horse, the sensor arrangement is held in a manner that enables the sensor arrangement to move with the movement of the horse.
3. A cover according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the central portion comprises upper and lower cover parts for covering the dorsal region of the animal, each cover part being formed of a resiliently deformable flexible material.
4. A cover according to Claim 3 when dependent upon Claim 2, wherein the upper and lower cover parts are arranged to receive the sensor arrangement therebetween.
5. A cover according to Claim 4, wherein the upper and lower cover parts are movable relative to each other to allow the sensor arrangement to move with the movement of the animal, whereby the readings of the sensor arrangement are substantially undistorted.
6. A cover according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the upper and lower cover parts are attached to one another to provide an envelope to envelop the sensor.
7. A cover according to any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the central portion has a fastening arrangement to fasten the sensor arrangement therein, the fastening arrangement extending along at least one edge of the central portion.
8. A cover according to Claim 7, wherein the fastening arrangement extends along opposite edges of the central portion.
9. A cover according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the fastening arrangement comprises a hook and loop fastener.
10. A cover according to any of Claims 2 or 4 to 9, wherein the sensor arrangement is part of a sensor system, which comprises a plurality of further components, and the cover comprises a holding arrangement to hold the further components.
11. A cover according to Claim 10, wherein the holding arrangement comprises a first holding means on a first of the side portions, for holding a first further component of the sensor arrangement.
12. A cover according to Claim 11, wherein the first holding means comprises a first flap and a first releasable fastener to releasably fasten the first flap to the first side portion.
13. A cover according to Claim 12, wherein the first releasable fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener, arranged around the edge of the first flap.
14. A cover according to Claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the first holding means is provided adjacent the central portion on the first side portion, and includes a releasable fastener to fasten the first further component in the first holding means, and to stabilise the first further component therein.
15. A cover according to any of Claims 11 to 14, wherein the holding arrangement comprises a second holding means on a second of the side portions, for holding a second further component of the sensor arrangement.
16. A cover according to Claim 15, wherein the second holding means comprises a second flap and a second releasable fastener to releasably fasten the second flap to the second side portion
17. A cover according to Claim 16, wherein the second releasable fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener, arranged around the edge of the second flap. ii18. A cover according to Claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the second holding means is provided adjacent the central portion on the second side portion, and includes a releasable fastener to fasten the second further component in the second holding means, and to stabilise the second further component therein.19. A cover according to any of Claims 10 to 18, wherein the holding arrangement comprises channels or sheaths through which components of the sensor arrangement, such as cables, can extend, the channels or sheaths being formed of strips of material extending across the side portion, and across the rear of the central portion.20. A cover according to any of Claims 3 to 19, wherein the upper and lower cover parts constitute respective first and second layers.21. A cover according to any of Claims 3 to 20, wherein the upper and lower cover parts comprise respective first and second sheets.22. A cover according to any of Claims 3 to 21, wherein the central portion is formed in one piece, with the upper and lower parts constituting upper and lower sections of the one piece central portion.23. A cover according to any of Claims 3 to 22, wherein the first and second cover parts are formed separately and thereafter attached to each other.24. A cover according to Claim 1, wherein the central portion comprises a single cover part, in the form of a single layer of a resiliently deformable flexible material.25. A cover according to any preceding Claim comprising guide members on each of the side portions to receive straps on the saddle therethrough.26. A cover according to any preceding Claim, wherein the central portion has a front region intended to be mounted at an anterior region of the dorsal area of the animal, and the central portion includes securing elements at said front region, the securing elements being provided to secure the cover to the saddle.27. A cover according to Claim 26, wherein the securing elements comprise loop members to receive therethrough securing straps on the saddle.28. A cover according to any preceding Claim, wherein the side portions are formed of a substantially non-resilient flexible material, and the side portions are arranged so that they extend, in use, down the sides of the dorsal area of the animal.29. A cover according to any preceding Claim, wherein the side portions are configured to extend to a region below a knee flap of the saddle.30. A cover for use with a saddle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.