SADDLE TREE FOR A RIDING SADDLE, AND RIDING SADDLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a saddle tree for a riding saddle and to a riding saddle having such a saddle tree. The saddle tree according to the invention comprises a saddle tree structure extending in the longitudinal direction from a pommel to a cantle, the upper side of the saddle tree structure forming a seat for a rider and the seat defining a contact area for the rider's sit bones. In the area between the contact area for the sit bones and the cantle, the saddle tree structure has a pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal direction, about which the cantle, starting from a zero position with respect to the pommel specified by a stop, can pivot towards the upper side. The riding saddle according to the invention is based on saddle tree of this kind.

Claims

1. A saddle tree for a riding saddle, having a saddle-tree structure which extends in the longitudinal direction from a pommel to a cantle and the upper side of which forms a seat for a rider, wherein the seat defines a contact region for the sit bones, wherein, in a region between the cantle and a contact region for the sit bones, the saddle-tree structure has a pivot axis which is oriented transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction and about which, starting from a zero position predetermined by a stop, the cantle can be pivoted in the direction of the upper side in relation to the pommel.

2. The saddle tree of claim 1, comprising a restoring element which, when the cantle is deflected about the pivot axis out of a rest position, forces the cantle back into the rest position.

3. The saddle tree of claim 2, wherein the rest position is different from the zero position.

4. The saddle tree of claim 2, wherein the restoring element comprises at least one rod-like or sheet-like bending spring, which extends beyond the pivot axis.

5. The saddle tree of claim 1, wherein the stop is fixed on the saddle-tree structure on one side of the pivot axis and extends beyond the pivot axis to form a stop surface.

6. The saddle tree of claim 5, wherein the stop extends over the entire width of the saddle-tree structure in the region of the pivot axis.

7. The saddle tree of claim 1, wherein the saddle-tree structure is made of wood or plastic.

8. A riding saddle comprising a saddle tree, wherein the saddle tree is designed in accordance with claim 1.

9. The riding saddle of claim 8, comprising a saddle pad on the underside of the saddle tree, wherein the saddle pad which extends beyond the pivot axis.

10. The riding saddle of claim 8, wherein a saddle flap is provided at the contact region for the sit bones, on either side of the longitudinal direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will now be described further by way of example on the basis of an advantageous embodiment and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1: shows a schematic illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a saddle tree according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2: shows a plan view of the saddle tree from FIG. 1;

[0029] FIGS. 3a and b: show sectional views of the saddle tree from FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along the longitudinal direction from FIG. 2, in the zero position and rest position of the cantle; and

[0030] FIGS. 4a and b: show a riding saddle which is built on the saddle tree according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the riding saddle having the cantle in the zero position and rest position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a saddle tree 1 according to the invention. The saddle tree 1 comprises a saddle-tree structure 2, which is manufactured from plastic and extends along a longitudinal direction 4 from a pommel 3 to a cantle 5. The saddle-tree structure 2 forms a seat 6 for the rider, this seat also being replicated in a saddle which is built on the saddle-tree structure 2 illustrated. The shaping of the seat 6 gives rise to contact regions 7, which are arranged directly on both sides of the saddle-tree structure 2 and at which, when a rider is seated correctly, the rider's legs rest against the saddle-tree structure 2 and/or the saddle which is built thereon.

[0032] The saddle-tree structure 2 is interrupted between the contact region 7 and the cantle 5—and therefore in the region of the seat 6—in order to form a pivot axis 8, which runs perpendicularly in relation to the longitudinal direction 4 of the saddle-tree structure 2. Three sheet-like bending springs 9 extend over the region of the pivot axis 8 and are connected to the saddle-tree structure 2 on both sides, said bending springs, in the form of restoring elements, making it possible for the cantle 5 to pivot in relation to the front part of the saddle-tree structure 2 without any further articulations or the like being required along the pivot axis 8 for this purpose.

[0033] It is also the case that a stop 10 is provided over the entire width of the saddle-tree structure 2, in the region of the pivot axis 8, and the precise configuration and functioning of this stop will be explained hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b.

[0034] FIGS. 3a and 3b each illustrate the saddle tree 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a sectional illustration taken along the longitudinal direction 4 of the saddle-tree structure 2 (cf. FIG. 2), FIG. 3a showing the saddle-tree structure 2 and/or the cantle 5 in the zero position, whereas FIG. 3b illustrates the saddle-tree structure 2 in the rest position. Each of the figures are supplemented by a detail-specific illustration of the region around the pivot axis 8.

[0035] The stop 10 is fixed on the saddle-tree structure 2, along the pivot axis 8, on the side of the cantle 5 and projects all the way over the region of the pivot axis 8, and therefore, by way of the stop region 11 indicated by the reference sign 11, the stop 10 abuts against the saddle-tree structure 2, on the opposite side of the pivot axis 8, such that pivoting of the cantle 5 in the direction which is indicated by the arrow 90 in FIG. 3a is prevented. The position which is shown in FIG. 3a is therefore clearly defined by the stop 10 and is referred to as the zero position.

[0036] The zero position is reached whenever a rider is sitting in the seat 6 formed by the saddle-tree structure 2, with his weight thereon.

[0037] The absence of any weight acting on the seat 6 results in the rest position, which is shown in FIG. 3b and in which the cantle 5 has been pivoted upward in relation to the zero position from FIG. 3a. The rest position is assumed automatically, since the bending springs 9 are correspondingly pre-formed as restoring elements and are arranged on the saddle-tree structure 2 that the rest position of the cantle 5 which is shown corresponds to the rest position of the bending springs 9. Starting from the rest position, the cantle 5 can be pivoted into the zero position according to FIG. 3a counter to the restoring forces generated by the bending springs 9. However, it is also possible, in principle, for the cantle 5 to be pivoted further upward.

[0038] FIGS. 4a and 4b show, in a manner analogous to FIGS. 3a and 3b, a riding saddle 20 which is built on the saddle tree 1 described. The saddle tree 1 here is arranged in the interior of the leather riding saddle 20 and, on its underside, has saddle pads 21 for resting on a horse's back. The saddle pads 21 here extend over the entire length of the riding saddle 20 and therefore also over the region of the pivot axis 8 of the saddle tree 1.

[0039] A respective saddle flap 22 is provided on both sides of the saddle 20 in the contact region 7 for the legs of a rider which is sitting in the seat of the saddle 20.

[0040] The riding saddle 20 is designed such that the saddle tree 1 can assume the positions—zero position (FIG. 4a) and rest position (FIG. 4b)—explained in conjunction with FIGS. 3a and 3b. In particular, the saddle 20 is therefore of such flexible configuration in the region of the pivot axis 8 of the saddle tree 1 that the pivoting capability which is envisaged according to the invention is still ensured.