GB2494286A

GB2494286A - Mirror for use on bridle

Info

Publication number: GB2494286A
Application number: GB1215395.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Vincent Waine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-01
Filing date: 2012-08-30
Publication date: 2013-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2032-08-30
Also published as: GB201115102D0; GB2494286B; GB201215395D0

Abstract

A rear view arrangement 18 for use on a horse when being ridden. The arrangement includes a mirror 20 selectively mountable on a horse's bridle 12 at a location such that a rider of the horse can view an area behind the horse. The mirror is mountable to the bridle such that its alignment can be adjusted to view a required area. The mirror is mounted on to a mounting frame in the form of a ring 24 via a hinge 22 or pivotal rod (122, fig 7) arrangement.

Description

Rear View Arrangement This invention concerns a rear view arrangement, and particularly but not exclusively such an arrangement for use on a horse when being ridden.

Horse riders often need 10 look behind them for instance to see what traffic may be coming or the existence or positioning of other riders. This is particularly the case when travelling on roads or during horse racing where the horses may all be travelling at significant speed, and it is imperative for a rider to know the position of other horses to avoid a collision or otherwise.

Currently riders have t look round or through their legs. This can be quite dangerous and especially for jockeys of race horses which could be travelling at speeds of around 40 mph.

According to the present invention there is provided a rear view arrangement, the arrangement including a mirror selectively mountable on a horse's bridle at a location such that a rider of the horse can view an area behind the horse, with the mirror being mountable such that its alignment can be adjusted to view a required area.

The mirror may be mounted on the remainder of the arrangement so as to be selectively moveable between a use position and an out of use position.

The arrangement may include a body, and may be configured such that in the out of use condition the mirror locates within the body, but extends therefrom in an in use position. In an alternative configuration the mirror may be foldable against a horse's body when in the out of use condition.

The arrangement may include a mounting member, with the mirror mounted to the mounting member, the mounting member being locatable in the body.

The body may have a circular cross section.

The mounting member may be rotatable relative to the body.

The mounting member may be in the form of a ring of material engageable against the inner side walls of the body so as to be rotatable relative to the body.

The mounting member may be in the form of a ring of material engageable against the inner and outer side walls of the body so as to be rotatable relative to the body.

The ring and hence the mirror may be held in a required position in the body by the engagement of a serrated pad on an inside surface of the ring is with a serrated surface on the outer side wall of the body.

The arrangement may be configured such that compression of the ring disengages the serrated pad from the serrated surface on the outer side wall of the body allowing the ring and hence mirror to be rotated to a required position.

A lip may be provided on the body to retain the ring therein, The lip may be sufficiently shaflow such that if a sufficient force is applied to the mirror this can cause the ring to deform, such that the ring of material can move out of the body.

A break may be provided in the ring of material to permit compression of the ring to facilitate location in the body or removal therefrom.

The mirror may be pivotally mounted to the ring, and may be mounted to the ring via a hinge.

The mirror may be convex.

The mirror may be made of glass, or may be made of a synthetic reflective material.

The arrangement may include mounting formations permitting mounting on a horse's bridle.

The mounting formations may include a projection engageable with a bridle and particularly beneath a strap in the bridle, and especially in the mounting of a brow band on a head stall.

The mounting formations may include a second projection around which a band can be extended to hold the arrangement on the bridle.

A rear face of the body may include a recess to receive a part of the brow band.

The mounting formations may include a hook member engageable with a part of the bridle. The hook member may be made of a deformable material and may be configured such that a part thereof can be located beneath a part of the bridle, with a further part of the hook member engageable on top of the bridle, such that the arrangement can be held on the bridle by a friction fit.

The arrangement may include a positioning formation engageable with the horse's body such that the arrangement is positioned so that the mirror is at a required angle to enable a user to view the area behind the horse.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Fig. 1 is a side view of a first arrangement according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional end view of the arrangement of Fig. 1; and

S

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an arrangement according to Fig. 1 mounted on a horse's head.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a second arrangement according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional end view of the arrangement of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is sectional side view of an arrangement according to Fig. 4 is mounted on a horse's head; and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an arrangement according to Fig. 4 mounted on a horse's head.

Fig. 3 shows the head of a horse 10 with a bridle 12 mounted on the horse 10. The bridle 12 includes a brow band 14 extending around the front of the horse 10 beneath the ears, with the brow band extending in a loop from a head stall 16.

A first rear view arrangement 18 is fined on the bridle 12. The arrangement 18 comprises a convex mirror 20 which may be made of glass, or for safety considerations may be made of a synthetic reflective material.

The mirror 20 is mounted by a hinge 22 to a mounting member in the form of a ring 24 of material, with a break in the ring being provided by a gap 26. The ring 24 locates within a shallow cylindrical body 28 so as to be a sliding friction fit against the inner side walls of the body 28. One end 30 of the body is closed, and the other end 32 is open, and has a relatively narrow lip 34.

Extending from one side of the of the closed end 30 of the body is a finger 36 which can locate beneath a part of the brow band 14 where it loops around the head stall 16. on the opposite side of the closed end 30 a deformable hook 38 is provided. The hook 38 comprises an elongate strip providing a top portion 40, with the strip turning through 1500 to define a longer lower portion 42. A gap is defined between the top and lower portions 40, 42 which can slidingly receive a part of the head stall 16 in a friction fit, as shown in Fig. 1.

In use, the arrangement 18 can be fitted as described above with the finger 36 locating in a loop of the brow band 14, and the hook 38 engaging with the head stall 16 spaced above the brow band 14. If the mirror 20 is not required, then the mirror 20 can be folded into the body 28. When it is required to use the arrangement 18 the mirror 20 can be pivoted out of the body 28 to a required inclination, and the position of the mirror 20 can also be adjusted by rotating the mirror 20 and hence ring 24 relative to the body 28.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be described, and corresponding reference numbers will be used for similar components in both embodiments.

Fig. 7 shows the head of a horse 10 with a bridle 12 mounted on the horse 10. The bridle 12 includes a brow band 14 extending around the front of the horse 10 beneath the ears, with the brow band extending in a loop from a head stall 16.

A second rear view arrangement 118 is fitted on the bridle 12 at a position which covers a part of the brow band 14. This position is further forwards on the bridle 12 than the position the first rear view arrangement 18 is fitted on the bridle 12, and therefore further away from the horse's ear.

The arrangement 118 comprises a convex mirror 20, a mounting member in the form of a ring 124 of material, and a cylindrical body 128. The convex mirror 20 may be made of glass, or for safety considerations may be made of a synthetic reflective material.

The mirror 20 is pivotafly mounted to the ring 124, by a rod 122 extending behind the mirror 20. The rod 122 extends across the ring 124 as a chord, spaced from the centre of the ring 124. The rod 122 snap fits into a pair of lugs 123 on the ring 124. Rubber knobs 129 are provided on each end of the rod 122, and the knobs 129 have a wide flexible flange 131 which engages against the outside of the ring 124 to retain the mirror 20 in any required closed or open position.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the ring 124 has an inwardly turned outer flange 125. A pair of diametrically opposite fingers 126 extend downwardly and inwardly from the rim 125, and the fingers 126 have an outwardly pointing projection 127 at their lower ends.

An upwardly extending rim 46 is provided on the cyhndrical body 128.

The rim 46 has an outward and inward step to define an inwardly facing recess 56, and the rim 46 tapers outwardly from the recess 58. The projections 127 on the lingers 126 can locate in the recess 58 to secure the ring 124 to the body 128.

A rear face of the cylindrical body 128 includes a recess 64, such that a part of the brow band 14 can be located in the recess 64, helping to keep the rear view arrangement lie close to a correct position on the brid)e 12.

One end 130 of the body is closed, and the other end 132 is open, the open end 132 having the rim 46. A mounting projection 48 is located on a one side of the underside of the dosed end 130 of the body 128. A first finger 136 extends longitudinally from the mounting projection 48 in a direction towards a positioning formation 54 at an opposite side of the closed end 130, such that the first finger 136 extends substantially beneath the closed end 130 of the body. The first finger 136 can locate beneath a part of the brow band 14 where it loops around the head stall 16.

A second finger 50 extends from the mounting projection 48 in an opposite direction to the first finger 136. The second finger 50 curves downwardly, and extends beyond the outer edge of the ring 124. The second finger 50 can be secured to the head stall 16 by a band 52, such as a rubber band, which band extends around the head stall 16.

The positioning formation 54 extends downwardly from the closed end of the body 128. The lower end 56 of the positioning formation 54 can rest primarily on the head stall 16 such that the rear view arrangement 118 is positioned so that the mirror 20 is at a favourable angle to enable a user to view the area behind the horse.

In use, the arrangement 118 can be fitted as described above with the first finger 136 locating in a loop of the brow band 14, and the second finger 50 being secured to the head stall 16 by the band 52. If the mirror 20 is not required, then the mirror 20 can be folded into the body 128. When it is required to use the arrangement 118, the mirror 20 can be pivoted out of the body 128 to a required inclination, and the position of the mirror 20 can also be adjusted by rotating the ring 124 and hence mirror 20 relative to the body 128.

Referring to Fig. 4, the ring 124 and hence the mirror 20 is held in a required position in the body 128 by the engagement of a serrated pad 68 on an inside surface of the ring 124 with a serrated surface on the outer side wall 70 of the body 128. A second smooth pad 69 acts to centre the ring 124.

Compressing the ring 124 at positions A, A extends the ring 124 at positions 6, 6, which disengages the serrated pad 68 from the serrated surface on the outer side wall 70 of the body 128. The ring 124 can subsequently be turned without resistance until the ring 124 and hence mirror 20 is in the required position. Releasing the pressure at positions A, A allows the serrated pad 68 to re-engage with the serrated surface on the outer side wall 70 of the body 128, thereby securing the ring 124 and hence the mirror in the required position.

Adjusting the position of the mirror 20 as described above can be easily accomplished by a user wearing gloves, and without dirtying the mirror 20.

There are thus described rear view arrangements with a mirror which can readily be moved into or out of an in use condition and adjusted to a required inclination. The arrangements can be worn on an existing horse's bridle without any modification being required to the bridle. The arrangement 18, 118 can be made to be lightweight and thus comfortable on a horse's head.

The mirror can readily be moved to an in use condition by a rider wearing gloves, with a rider being able to see who or what is behind them without having to turn their head. Such a configuration could be provided on either or both sides of a horse. The optimum characteristic of convex mirrors are such that they cannot focus the rays of the sun, and therefore they do not present a fire risk which could be the case if concave mirrors were used. The wide angle image provided by convex mirrors provides a r&atively stable image despite the fact that both horse and rider will be moving.

If the mirror were to be impacted against, this can cause the ring 24, 124 to move past the lip 34, 134 and hence the mirror 20 to become detached from the body 28, 128 thereby significantly reducing the possibility of an injury occurring. In the first arrangement 18, the mirror 20 can readily be refitted on the body 28 by compressing the ring 24, thereby closing the gap 26, and passing the ring 24 past the lip 34. In the second arrangement 118 the mirror can readily be refined on the body 128 by pushing the ring 124 onto the body 128, until the two fingers 126 engage in the recess 58.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance the mirror may take a different form. An arrangement could be provided with a pair of mirrors, one locatable on each side of the horse's head. These cou)d be provided on an arch shape filling which could replace the brow band, or clip onto it. Whilst the above example is described fitting into a loop at a brow band, if a brow band is not provided on a bridle, the arrangement could be fitted in a different manner, and it required a different filling may be provided on the arrangement.

The arrangement could be mountable on a different part of the bridle.

The mounting arrangement for the rear view arrangement could be varied. In some instances it may be possible to have an apparatus without a body to receive the mirror. In this instance the mirror could simply be pushed against the horse's body, when not required.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A rear view arrangement, the arrangement including a mirror selectively mountable on a horse's bridle at a location such that a rider of the horse can view an area behind the horse, with the mirror being mountable such that its alignment can be adjusted to view a required area.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the mirror is mounted on the remainder of the arrangement so as to be selectively moveable between a use position and an out of use position.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. An arrangement according to claim 2, in which the arrangement includes a body, and is configured such that in the out of use condition the mirror locates within the body, but extends therefrom in an in use position.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. An arrangement according to claim 3, in which the mirror is foldable against a horse's body when in the out of use condition.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. An arrangement according to claim 4, in which the arrangement includes a mounting member, with the mirror mounted to the mounting member, and the mounting member locatable in the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. An arrangement according1o claim 5, in which the body has a circular cross section.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. An arrangement according to claim 6, in which the mounting member is rotatable relative to the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. An arrangement according to claim 7, in which the mounting member is in the form of a ring of material engageable against the inner side walls of the body so as to be rotatable relative to the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. An arrangement according to any of claim 1 to 7, in which the mounting member is in the form of a ring of material engageable against the inner and outer side walls of the body so as to be rotatable relative to the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. An arrangement according to claim 9, in which the ring and hence the mirror is held in a required position in the body by the engagement of a serrated pad on an inside surface of the ring with a serrated surface on the outer side wall of the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. An arrangement according to claim 10, in which the arrangement is configured such that compression of the ring disengages the serrated pad from the serrated surface on the outer side wall of the body allowing the ring and hence mirror to be rotated to a required position.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. An arrangement according to any of claims 8 to 11, in which a lip is provided on the body to retain the ring therein.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. An arrangement according to claim 12, in which the lip is sufficiently shallow such that if a sufficient force is applied to the mirror this can cause the ring to deform, such that the ring of material can move out of the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. An arrangement according to claims 12 or 13 when dependent on claim 8, in which a break is provided in the ring of material to permit compression of the ring to facilitate location in the body or removal therefrom.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. An arrangement according to any of claims B to 14, in which the mirror is pivotally mounted to the ring.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. An arrangement according to claim 15, in which the mirror is mounted to the ring via a hinge.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the mirror is convex.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the mirror is made of glass.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. An arrangement according to any of claims ito 17, in which the mirror is made of a synthetic reflective material.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement includes mounting formations permitting mounting on a horse's bridle.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. An arrangement according to claim 20, in which the mounting formations include a projection engageable with a bridle.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. An arrangement according to claim 21 in which the mounting formations include a projection engageable beneath a strap in the bridle.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. An arrangement according to claim 22, in which the mounting formations include a projection engageable in the mounting of a brow band on a head stall.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. An arrangement according to any of claims 20 to 23, in which the mounting formations include a second projection around which a band can be extended to hold the arrangement on the bridle.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. An arrangement according to claim 23, in which a rear face of the body includes a recess to receive a part of the brow band.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. An arrangement according to any of claims 20 to 23, in which the mounting formations include a hook member engageable with a part of the bridle.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. An arrangement according to claim 26, in which the hook member is made of a deformable material.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. Art arrangement according to claims 26 or 27, in which the hook member is configured such that a part thereof can be located beneath a part of the bridle, with a further part of the hook member engageable on top of the bridle, such that the arrangement can be held on the bridle by a friction fit.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement includes a positioning formation engageable with the horse's body such that the arrangement is positioned so that the mirror is at a required angle to enable a user to view the area behind the horse.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A rear view arrangement, the arrangement being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.</claim-text>