Saddle with interface having passively morphing elements and method of use

Abstract

Saddle with passively morphing interface panels and method of use, wherein passively morphing interface panels morphs in surface profile to be reshaped upon contact with a supporting surface of a horse's dynamic back and of horses of varying sizes and shapes, so that a direct load path is created from the riders concentrated downward weight on a chassis through a pair of symmetrically opposed line of contact edges, aligned with tilted sagittal plane sections through the horse's back surface, and making contact with the midline area of opposed pair of elements made of rigid materials that are caused to tip out of plane until moment forces are balanced, which occurs when the element's entire length makes contact with the supporting horse's back causing the elements interface's surface profile to be reshaped, without directed input, to momentarily match the varying supporting surface profiles of a horse's dynamic back.

Claims

1. A saddle comprising: a seat and one or more interfaces, wherein said interfaces are positioned underneath said seat to distribute the weight of the rider sitting in said seat more evenly along the entire length of said seat to provide a supporting surface; said interfaces are constructed with one or more elements with a line of contact positioned down a linear area of said elements; said interfaces provides said passively morphing supporting surface that has the ability to reshape and twist to match said supporting surface; said elements are assembled from one or more rigid materials that are held in planar relation to one another when static, but when contact from said seat is made with said elements, each element can be caused to tip out of plane about a line of contact, independent of its neighbor, until moment forces are balanced when the length of the element lays against said supporting surface and comes to momentary rest; said elements are constructed from one or more elongated rigid materials; said elements are constructed from one or more elongated rigid materials that are positioned between one or more foam spacers, end caps, and side walls, and wherein a top foam sheet and a bottom foam sheet are sandwiched between said elongated support members, said foam spacers, said end caps, and said side walls; wherein said interface can reshape and twist; and wherein said elements in said interface provide said rigid material for protecting said supporting surface.

2. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein said seat may be selected from the group comprising chassis, equine saddle, saddle tree, treeless saddle, Australian Saddle, English saddle, and western saddle.

3. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein the Elements may be of one or more rigid materials selected from the group comprising composite, glass, ceramic, metals, reinforced plastic, wood, and metal alloy.

4. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein the Elements may be of one or more materials of a various shapes, orientations, and numbers selected from the group comprising rods, tubes, fingers, and plates.

5. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein the Elements may be held in planar relation to each other by a variety of methods selected from the group comprising encasement, pinning along midline area, nesting in flexible materials, injection molding an assemblage, attached to an axle, and even partially cut from a whole sheet.

6. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein said seat is connected to said line by a hinge on said interface on each side of the horse.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures summarized as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the chassis 1 with a pair of interfaces 4 each having one or more elements 5 having a passively morphing surface profile, wherein said chassis 1 is hinged 3 to both of said interfaces 4 on each side of the support surface 40 (horse) and a line of contact 2 placed down a line of each interface.

(3) FIG. 2 is a prospective view of an alternative embodiment of the interface 4 having one or more elements having a passively morphing surface and a line of contact 2 placed down a line of each interface 4.

(4) FIG. 3 is a prospective view of the chassis 1 with a pair of interfaces 4 each having one or more elements 5 having a passively morphing surface, wherein said chassis 1 is connected 3 to the midline of the interface 4 on each side of the horse.

(5) FIG. 4 is the preferred embodiment of the interface 4 showing an exploded view of elements 5 made of rigid material 6 such as carbon fiber tubes, wherein foam spacers 7 are positioned between each element 5, end caps 9, and side walls 10.

(6) FIG. 5 is the preferred embodiment of the interface 4 showing a partial exploded view of elements 5 made of rigid material 6, wherein the rigid materials 6 are angled to allow for passive morphing that reshapes and twists to match the support surface 40 and wherein the rigid materials 6 are placed between the end caps 9 and side walls 8 with the foam inserts 7 shown above that are positioned between each of the elements 5.

(7) FIG. 6 is a prospective view of the preferred embodiment showing the interface comprised of one or more elements, foam spacers, end caps, and side walls.

(8) FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing top foam sheet 10 and bottom foam sheet 11 that is sandwiched between the panel showing the elongated carbon fiber support tubes, foam spacers, end caps, and side walls.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the top and bottom foam sheet that are sandwiched between the panel showing the elongated carbon fiber support tubes, foam spacers, end caps, and side walls, wherein the interface is stamped out.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the interface stamped out of the mold.

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an additional optional top foam sheet 10 and bottom foam sheet 11 that are sandwiched between the interfaces after the interface has been stamped out.

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the two interfaces having one or more elements showing the midline of the bars.

(13) FIG. 12 is a prospective view of the saddle seat with two interfaces having one or more segmented bars positioned underneath said seat.

(14) Other features and advantages of the invention will be become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, various features of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(15) The following detailed description and accompanying drawings are provided for purposes of illustrating and describing presently preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in anyway. It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, arrangements of parts or operational conditions which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and the scope of the invention.

(16) An equine saddle shown with an interface [4] that passively morphs in surface profile to be reshaped upon contact with a supporting surface of a horse's dynamic back and of horses of varying sizes and shapes, so that a direct load path is created from the riders concentrated downward weight on a chassis [1] through a pair of symmetrically opposed line of contact [2] edges, aligned with tilted sagittal plane sections through the horse's back surface, and making contact with an area of opposed pair of interfaces [4] having one or more elements [5] made of rigid materials that are caused to tip out of plane until moment forces are balanced, which occurs when the element's [5] entire length makes contact with the supporting horse's back causing the interface's [4] surface profile to be reshaped, without directed input, to momentarily match the varying supporting surface profiles of a horse's dynamic back.

(17) Referring to FIGS. 1-12 showing the invention a SADDLE WITH INTERFACE HAVING PASSIVELY MORPHING ELEMENTS AND METHOD OF USE.

(18) The invention overcomes the problem of uneven load distribution on a variable surface by providing a direct load path from a concentrated downward force to a rigid segmented interface that passively morphs in surface profile to become reshaped to match the supporting surface shape.

(19) The invention is composed of two main component parts including a Chassis [1] and interface [4]. In the primary application the chassis [1] and a pair of opposed interfaces [4] having one or more elements [5] replace a conventional equine saddle tree as shown in FIG. 1.

(20) The chassis [1] is rigid and may provide a seat for the rider and a structure to attach optional cantle and optional pommel, and in the primary application has a pair of symmetrically opposed line of contact [2] edge features that are generally perpendicular to transverse sections of the horse. The line of contact [2] of the chassis [1] acts as a fulcrum and rests upon the midline area of the elements [5] which are supported by the horse's back.

(21) The elements [5] are assembled from a multiplicity of rigid materials that are held in planar relation to one another when static, but when contact is made with a supporting surface, each elements [5] can be caused to tip out of plane about the line of contact [2], independent of its neighbor, until moment forces are balanced when the length of the elements [5] lays against the supporting surface and comes to momentary rest. The elements [5] have congruent long edges and lay in a plane when at rest and can be a variety of shapes, or combinations of shapes including rods, tubes, fingers or plates of various shapes and orientations and numbers, and can be fabricated from many rigid materials including composites, metal, wood or plastic of sufficient rigidity. The elements [3] can be held in planar relation to each other by a variety of methods including encasement, pinning along midline area, nesting in flexible materials, injection molding an assemblage, attached to an axle as shown in the present embodiment in FIG. 2, or even partially cut from a whole sheet.

(22) In the primary application, the chassis's [1] line of contact [2] touches along the midline area of a pair of opposing interfaces [4] having one or more elements [5]. The chassis [1] and interface [4] can be held together by various connecting means [3] including gravity, Velcro® (Hook-and-loop fasteners), hinges of various types, straps or cables, pins, axle, magnets, and rubber strip hinge [3] in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

(23) In the primary application, the concentrated downward force from the rider's weight is distributed to the horse's back via a direct load path through the rigid chassis [1] along the line of contact [2] to the midline of each of a pair of opposing interfaces [4] having one or more elements [5], and thence apportioned to each of a multiplicity of rigid materials to the supporting horse back surface [10]. The elements [5] can independently tip out of their static planar relations when contact is made with the horse's back. Each element [5] will tip out of plane until moment forces are equalized about it's line of contact [2] with the Chassis [1], which occurs when the element's [5] entire length makes contact with the supporting horse's back and moment forces are balanced momentarily about a fulcrum. The force balancing occurs without directed input. Each individual element [5], independent of it's neighbor, is caused to be tipped out of plane by local contact with the horse's back causing the interface [4] surface to be reshaped passively to match the varying supporting surface [10] profiles of a horse's dynamic back and of horses of varying sizes and shapes.

(24) The Line of Contact [2] between the interfaces [4] and chassis [1] is determined by edge profile and method of attachment. In the primary example, the chassis [1] has a symmetrically opposed pair of line of contact [2] edge profiles which are generally perpendicular to transverse sections of a horse and maybe conveniently determined by a section line thru a tilted sagittal plane cutting the horse's back surface profile. The profile of the line of contact [2] can be altered as desired by direct input by machining, sanding, casting, edge tilting, rotation, shimming, clips, inserts and other means.

(25) Thus, in the primary application, the rider's weight is evenly distributed via a direct load path to each individual element [5] making contact with the horse's back and sharing the load.

(26) A saddle comprising: a seat and one or more interfaces, wherein said interfaces are positioned underneath said seat to distribute the weight of the rider sitting in said seat more evenly along the entire length of said seat; said interfaces are constructed with one or more elements with a line of contact positioned down along said elements; said interfaces provides a passively morphing surface that has the ability to reshape and twist to match a supporting surface; said elements are assembled from one or more rigid support materials that are held in planar relation to one another when static, but when contact from said seat is made with said elements, each element can be caused to tip out of plane about said line of contact, independent of its neighbor, until moment forces are balanced when the length of the element lays against the supporting surface and comes to momentary rest; wherein said interface can tip and twist; and wherein said elements in said interface provide said rigid support materials for protecting said supporting surface.

(27) Wherein said seat may be selected from the group comprising chassis, equine saddle, saddle tree, treeless saddle, Australian saddle, English saddle, and western saddle.

(28) Wherein the elements may be of one or more materials selected from the group comprising carbon fiber, reinforced plastic, Kevlar® (manufactured plastic), steel, aluminum, ceramic, glass, plastic, steel, metal alloy and wood.

(29) Wherein the elements may be of one or more materials of a various shapes selected from the group comprising rods, tubes, fingers, plates, and bars.

(30) Wherein the elements may be arranged in one or more orientations selected from the group comprising vertical and diagonal, but not horizontal.

(31) Wherein the elements may be arranged in overlapping orientations selected from the group comprising vertical, diagonal, and horizontal.

(32) Wherein the elements may be held in planar relation to each other by a variety of methods selected from the group comprising encasement, pinning along midline area, nesting in flexible materials, injection molding an assemblage, ball & socket, attached to an axle, snap & fit, and even partially cut from a whole sheet.

(33) Wherein said bars are constructed from one or more elements having elongated support members that are positioned between one or more foam spacers, end caps, and side walls.

(34) Further comprising a top foam sheet and a bottom foam sheet that are sandwiched between one or more elements having said elongated support members that are positioned between one or more foam spacers, end caps, and side walls.

(35) Wherein said seat is connected to said line of contact of the segmented bars on each side of the horse.

(36) A saddle comprising: a seat and one or more interfaces, wherein said interfaces are positioned underneath said seat to distribute the weight of the rider sitting in said seat more evenly along the entire length of said seat to provide a supporting surface; said interfaces are constructed with one or more elements with a line of contact positioned down a linear area of said elements; said interfaces provides said passively morphing supporting surface that has the ability to reshape and twist to match said supporting surface; said elements are assembled from one or more rigid materials that are held in planar relation to one another when static, but when contact from said seat is made with said elements, each element can be caused to tip out of plane about a line of contact, independent of its neighbor, until moment forces are balanced when the length of the element lays against said supporting surface and comes to momentary rest; said elements are constructed from one or more elongated rigid materials; said elements are constructed from one or more elongated rigid materials that are positioned between one or more foam spacers, end caps, and side walls, and wherein a top foam sheet and a bottom foam sheet are sandwiched between said elongated support members, said foam spacers, said end caps, and said side walls; wherein said interface can rotate and twist; and wherein said elements in said interface provide said rigid material for protecting said supporting surface.

(37) A method for using a saddle comprising the steps: providing a seat and one or more interfaces; placing one or more interfaces underneath said seat to distribute the weight of the rider sitting on said seat more evenly along the entire length of said seat; wherein said interfaces are constructed with one or more elements with a line of contact positioned down along said elements for when said seat comes into contact with said elements on each side; wherein said interfaces provides a passively morphing surface that has the ability to reshape and twist to match and protect a supporting surface; wherein said elements are assembled from one or more rigid materials that are held in planar relation to one another when static, but when contact from said seat is made with said elements, each element can be caused to tip out of plane about the midline of Contact, independent of its neighbor, until moment forces are balanced when the length of the element lays against said supporting surface and comes to momentary rest; and wherein said elements in said interface provide said rigid material for protecting said supporting surface.

(38) Wherein the elements may be held in planar relation to each other by a variety of methods selected from the group comprising encasement, pinning along midline area, nesting in flexible materials, injection molding an assemblage, attached to an axle, balls & sockets, snap & fit, and even partially cut from a whole sheet.

(39) Wherein said bars are constructed from one or more elements having elongated support members that are positioned between one or more foam spacers, end caps, and side walls.

(40) Further comprising a top foam sheet and a bottom foam sheet that are sandwiched between one or more elements having said elongated support members that are positioned between one or more foam spacers, end caps, and side walls.

(41) An alternative Embodiment of the Invention, wherein:

(42) 1. A SADDLE SUPPORT SURFACE COMPRISING: one or more interfaces, wherein said interfaces are positioned underneath said seat to distribute the weight of the rider sitting in said seat more evenly along the entire length of said seat; said interfaces are constructed with one or more segmented bars with a line of contact positioned down the midline of the bars; said interfaces provides a passively morphing surface that has the ability to reshape and twist to match the supporting surface; said segmented bars are assembled from a two or more rigid elements that are held in planar relation to one another when static, but when contact from said seat is made with said elements, each element can be caused to tip out of plane about the midline of contact, independent of its neighbor, until moment forces are balanced when the length of the element lays against the supporting surface and comes to momentary rest; wherein said interface can rotate and twist; and wherein said elements in said interface provide a rigid support bar for said supporting surface.

(43) 2. A saddle support surface, wherein the elements may be of one or more materials selected from the group comprising carbon fiber, reinforced plastic, Kevlar® (manufactured plastic), steel, aluminum, ceramic, glass, plastic, steel, metal alloy and wood.

(44) 3. A saddle support surface, wherein the elements may be of one or more materials of a various shapes selected from the group comprising rods, tubes, fingers, plates, and bars.

(45) 4. A saddle support surface, wherein the elements may be arranged in one or more orientations selected from the group comprising vertical and diagonal, but not horizontal.

(46) 5. A saddle support surface, wherein the elements may be arranged in overlapping orientations selected from the group comprising vertical, diagonal, and horizontal.

(47) 6. A saddle support surface, wherein the elements may be held in planar relation to each other by a variety of methods selected from the group comprising encasement, pinning along midline area, nesting in flexible materials, injection molding an assemblage, ball & socket, attached to an axle, snap & fit, and even partially cut from a whole sheet.

(48) 7. A saddle support surface, wherein said bars are constructed from one or more elements having elongated support members that are positioned between one or more foam spacers, end caps, and side walls.

(49) 8. A saddle support surface, further comprising a top foam sheet and a bottom foam sheet that are sandwiched between one or more elements having said elongated support members that are positioned between one or more foam spacers, end caps, and side walls.

(50) While the description above refers to a particular embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.