Saddle

Abstract

The improved saddle structure of the invention comprises first and second opposed side panels, a plurality of resilient transverse arched rib members connecting the first and second opposed side panels, and a spine member extending longitudinally between the first and second side panels. The spine member is connected to each rib member at a central crown portion of the rib member. The spine member can comprise one or more elongate members or a plurality of connecting members joining the rib members at their crown portions, and the spine member is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of an animal on which the saddle structure is fitted. A saddle seat is secured to the spine member and/or rib members. The saddle structure of the invention provides a saddle structure for use on the back of an animal whereby localised load pressure points are reduced while allowing flexure of the animal's spine, and whereby load is distributed more evenly along the length of the saddle structure.

Claims

1. A saddle structure comprising: first and second opposed side panels, a plurality of resilient transverse rib members connecting the first and second opposed side panels, each rib member having a central crown portion, and a spine member extending longitudinally between and spaced apart from the first and second side panels, wherein the spine member is connected to each pair of adjacent crown portions of the rib members, and wherein the spine member is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of the animal in three modes between each pair of adjacent crown portions, the three modes being a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member, wherein the spine member comprises one or more elongate rod members, and wherein the spine member further comprises a plurality of inter-segmental members connected to the one or more rod members, each inter-segmental member being arranged to contact two adjacent rib members.

2. A saddle structure according to claim 1, comprising at least three resilient transverse rib members connecting the first and second opposed side panels, each rib member having a central crown portion, wherein the spine member is connected to the crown portions of the rib members.

3. A saddle structure according to claim 1, wherein the first and second opposed side panels are spaced apart from each other to provide a space therebetween, and the spine member is located centrally above the space between the first and second opposed side panels.

4. A saddle structure according to claim 1, wherein the rib members are arched and are sufficiently rigid to prevent the rib members from contacting the back of an animal when the saddle structure is loaded in use.

5. A saddle structure according to claim 1, further comprising a saddle seat secured above the rib members.

6. A saddle structure according to claim 1, wherein the spine member engages structurally with each of the plurality of rib members.

7. A saddle structure according to claim 1, wherein each inter-segmental member is a disc.

8. A saddle structure according to claim 1, wherein the spine member comprises a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member connecting two adjacent rib members.

9. A saddle structure according to claim 8, wherein each connecting member includes a universal joint allowing relative movement in three modes, being a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member.

10. A saddle structure according to claim 1, wherein the crown portions of adjacent rib members are in contact with each other.

11. A saddle structure according to claim 1, wherein the rib members and spine member are integrally formed.

12. A saddle structure according to claim 1, wherein the saddle structure includes at least one loading member with an associated load distribution line connected to the rib members and corresponding line guides configured to permit loadings applied to the loading member to be distributed between the plurality of rib members.

13. A saddle structure according to claim 12, wherein the saddle structure further comprises stirrups, each stirrup having an associated loading member, wherein the associated loading member is a stirrup hanger, each stirrup hanger having an associated load distribution line connected to the rib members and corresponding line guides.

14. A saddle structure according to claim 1, further comprising girth straps attached to the side panels of the saddle structure by means of webbing configured to distribute loadings from the girth over the side panels.

15. A saddle structure according to claim 14, wherein the webbing is connected to selected rib members of the plurality of rib members.

16. A saddle structure comprising: a plurality of resilient transverse rib members, each rib member having a central crown portion, and a central spine member having a length and extending longitudinally with the rib members grouped in pairs with each pair connected on opposite lateral sides of the central spine member and the pairs being spaced longitudinally apart from one another along the length of the central spine member, wherein the central spine member is connected to each pair of adjacent crown portions of the rib members, and wherein the central spine member is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of the animal in three modes between each pair of adjacent crown portions, the three modes being a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the central spine member, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the central spine member and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the central spine member, wherein the central spine member comprises one or more elongate rod members, and wherein the central spine member further comprises a plurality of inter-segmental members connected to the one or more rod members, each inter-segmental member being arranged to contact two adjacent rib members.

17. A saddle structure comprising: first and second opposed side panels, a plurality of resilient transverse rib members connecting the first and second opposed side panels, each rib member having a central crown portion, and a spine member extending longitudinally between and spaced apart from the first and second side panels, wherein the spine member is connected to each pair of adjacent crown portions of the rib members, wherein the spine member is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of the animal in three modes between each pair of adjacent crown portions, the three modes being a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member, wherein the spine member comprises a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member connecting two adjacent rib members, and wherein each connecting member includes a universal joint allowing relative movement in three modes, being a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member.

18. A saddle structure comprising: a plurality of resilient transverse rib members, each rib member having a central crown portion, and a spine member extending longitudinally to connect the rib members, wherein the spine member is connected to each pair of adjacent crown portions of the rib members, and wherein the spine member is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of the animal in three modes between each pair of adjacent crown portions, the three modes being a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member, wherein the spine member comprises one or more elongate rod members, and wherein the spine member further comprises a plurality of inter-segmental members connected to the one or more rod members, each inter-segmental member being arranged to contact two adjacent rib members.

19. A saddle structure comprising: a plurality of resilient transverse rib members, each rib member having a central crown portion, and a spine member extending longitudinally to connect the rib members, wherein the spine member is connected to each pair of adjacent crown portions of the rib members, wherein the spine member is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of the animal in three modes between each pair of adjacent crown portions, the three modes being a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member, wherein the spine member comprises a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member connecting two adjacent rib members, wherein each connecting member includes a universal joint allowing relative movement in three modes, being a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from above and from the front to one side of a saddle structure according to one embodiment of the invention, with the saddle seat omitted;

(3) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a side elevation view and a plan view respectively of the saddle structure of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of the saddle structure of FIG. 1 with the saddle seat and a schematic representation of the load distribution line;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from above and from the front to one side of the saddle structure of FIG. 4;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of the saddle structure of FIG. 1 with a schematic representation of the load distribution line;

(7) FIG. 7 shows a partial view of the structural elements of the load distribution line shown schematically in FIG. 6;

(8) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view from above and from the front to one side of a saddle structure according to another embodiment of the invention, with the saddle seat omitted;

(9) FIG. 9 shows a side elevation view of the saddle structure of FIG. 1 with a W-style girthing support system of webbing attached to the rib members, which is suitable for use in any of the embodiments of the invention;

(10) FIG. 10 shows an elevation from the rear of the saddle structure of FIG. 4; and

(11) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view from above of a saddle structure according to another embodiment of the invention, with the saddle seat and side panels omitted.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(12) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown a saddle structure 10 for use on a load carrying animal. The saddle structure 10 includes first and second opposed side panels 12, 14, which are connected to each other by five resilient transverse rib members 16. Each rib member 16 is bonded at each of its lower ends 18 to one of the side panels 12, 14. The bonding can be by adhesive, riveting, welding or any other suitable means. The rib members 16 are arched, and each rib member 16 has a crown portion 20 intermediate the ends 18.

(13) In the illustrated example each rib member comprises an upper flange portion 22 and a lower flange 24. The upper flange portion is bonded at its ends to the lower flange portion, to provide a suitably stiff and resilient arched rib member 16. In FIG. 1 the upper flange portion 22 are shown as transparent, so that the spine member 30 is visible. The spine member 30 extends longitudinally between the first and second side panels 12, 14, and in the embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises a spine rod 32 and a plurality of inter-segmental discs 34. The spine rod 32 extends through apertures provided in mounting blocks 36 attached at the crown portion 20 of each rib member 16. In this way the spine member 30 is connected to the crown portions 20 of the rib members 16

(14) In the example of FIG. 1 the spine member 30 connects all five rib members 16. However there may be provided more or fewer rib members 16, and the spine member 30 may connect only a number of the rib members 16. For example, the saddle structure 10 may comprise one or more independent transverse rib members 16 which connect the first and second opposed side panels 12, 14, but which are not connected to the spine member 30. One or more independent transverse rib members may be provided either at the front end 26 of the saddle structure 10, or at the rear end 28 of the saddle structure 10, or at both ends 26, 28.

(15) The rib members 16 are sufficiently flexible to allow relative flexural movement of the first and second opposed side panels 12, 14, but are sufficiently rigid to prevent the rib members from contacting the back of an animal when the saddle structure 10 is loaded in use. Although in the illustrated example the rib members 16 are shown having a sandwich structure, with upper and lower flanges 22, 24 in order to reduce weight, the rib members 16 may be solid and one-piece, as long as they exhibit the required resilience and stiffness. The arched rib members 16 maintain a space between the opposed side panels 12, 14 and the back of an animal to which the saddle structure is mounted, so that the spine of the animal is free to move and flex. The spine member 30 of the saddle structure can move with the spine of the animal, while ensuring that the load carried by the saddle structure 10 is adequately transferred to the animal through the side panels 12, 14.

(16) FIGS. 4, 5 and 10 show a load support structure in the form of a saddle seat 40 fixed to the saddle structure 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3. The saddle seat 40 includes a load support surface, which in this embodiment is the upper surface 42 of the saddle seat 40 on which a rider sits. The load support structure 40 may be attached to the rib members and/or spine member in any appropriate manner, including those attachment means known in the art. By way of example only, the saddle seat 40 may be attached by lacing, straps, releasable clips or other fasteners (not shown) to one or more of the rib members, or to separate attachment means provided on the rib members 16. Alternatively the rib members 16 may be provided with projecting portions (not shown) which engage with recesses (not shown) on the saddle seat 40.

(17) Alternatively the underside of the saddle seat 40 may be provided with projecting portions (not shown) which engage with recesses (not shown) on the rib members 16 or spine member 30. Alternatively the spine rod 32 may be threaded through apertures provided in projecting portions on the underside of the saddle seat 40 to securely attach the saddle seat 40 to the spine member 30.

(18) The arched rib members 16 may be of carbon fibre reinforced plastic, Kevlar, steel, aluminium, metal alloy, glass reinforced plastic, plastic, wood, any other suitable material or a combination of these.

(19) It is important that the spine member 30 has sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of the animal. Since the spine of the animal can flex in three degrees of freedom, by bending about a horizontal axis, by bending about a vertical axis and by twisting about its own longitudinal axis, it is preferable that the spine member 30 can also flex about one or more, most preferably three, of the following: twisting about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member 30, bending about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member 30 and bending about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member. The components of the spine member 30 should thus be chosen to permit this flexibility. In the illustrated example the spine member 30 includes a single elongate member in the form of a spine rod 32, which may be tubular or solid. However the spine member 30 may be formed segmentally, or it may be formed as one-piece with the rib members 16, for example by moulding. The elongate member may be of carbon fibre reinforced plastic, Kevlar, steel, aluminium, metal alloy, glass reinforced plastic, plastic, any other suitable material or a combination of these.

(20) In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 the spine member 30 includes a plurality of inter-segmental discs 34. Each disc 34 is arranged to contact two adjacent arched rib members 16. The discs 34 help control the flexural stiffness of the spine member 30. The discs 34 are substantially coplanar with the adjacent arched rib members 16. The discs 34 allow at least some relative rotation of each disc 34 and its adjacent arched rib members 16 about one or more, preferably three, of the following: a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member 30, a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member 30 and a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member 30. As can be seen in FIG. 1, in one embodiment the spine rod 32 passes through a longitudinal aperture in each disc 34, so that the spine rod 32 has alternate rib members 16 and discs 34 threaded thereon.

(21) The discs 34 in the illustrated embodiment are substantially elliptical in plan, although they can be of any suitable shape, for example circular or even quadrilateral. However it is advantageous if the discs 34 have circumferential bearing surfaces of a substantially circular part-cylindrical form with which they are in contact with a recess of corresponding substantially circular part-cylindrical form, so that the two surfaces can rotate one against the other to permit relative rotation of the disc 34 and its adjacent arched rib member 16 about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member 30. Alternatively the discs 34 may have a small contact area with the adjacent arched rib member 16, such that the contact area acts substantially as a point contact and permits relative rotation.

(22) The discs 34 may be of carbon fibre reinforced plastic, Kevlar, steel, aluminium, metal alloy, glass reinforced plastic, plastic, any other suitable material or any combination of these.

(23) It is to be understood that the discs 34, spine member 30 and rib members 16 may all be formed as one piece, for example by moulding. Alternatively the discs 34 may be omitted, and the rib members 16 may contact each other at the crown portions, for example by having a wider crown portion 20 than the remainder of the rib member 16. In such an arrangement the spine member 30 and rib members 16 may be formed and connected separately, or they may be formed as one piece, for example by moulding.

(24) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of a dynamically rigged stirrup hanger system 50 which can be used with the saddle structure 10 of the present invention.

(25) The saddle structure may include at least one loading member with an associated load distribution line and corresponding line guides configured to permit loadings applied to the loading member to be distributed between the plurality of rib members. This reduces localised pressure points upon the back of the animal, while permitting the animal's back to flex.

(26) First and second high tensile load distribution lines 52, 54, which may be wire cable or fine nylon rope, are each secured at their ends to the lower ends of the rib members 16. Any suitable means of attachment can be used, for example by tying to fixing points 56, such as the eyelets 56 illustrated in FIG. 8. If required further line guides (not shown), for example eyelets, may be provided on the rib members 16 below the fixing points 56. The lines 52, 54 loop around free-running pulleys of the stirrup hanger system 50.

(27) Two diverter pulleys 58 for the first line 52 are provided within a stirrup hanger or stirrup hanger bar 60, including sheaves or the like roller devices. A tandem pulley block 62 of known design is provided with lower and upper pulleys 64, 66 for the first and second lines 52, 54 respectively, including sheaves or the like roller devices. The pulleys and lines are shown schematically in FIG. 6, while FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the stirrup hanger bar 60 and tandem pulley block 62.

(28) The stirrup hanger bar 60 includes attachment means (in the illustrated example a slot 68) to which stirrup straps 70 can be attached. Any load applied to the stirrup straps is thus divided between the four fixing points 56, no matter what the state of flexure of the saddle structure. This reduces localised pressure points upon the back of the animal, while permitting the animal's back to flex.

(29) Although this embodiment has been described with reference to stirrup hangers, the invention is equally applicable to use with other loading members, when used with an associated load distribution line and corresponding line guides configured to permit loadings applied to the loading member to be distributed between the plurality of rib members.

(30) A greater or lesser number of pulleys and line guides may be used in other embodiments of the stirrup hanger system 50. Many variants of the dynamic load distribution system are possible within the scope of the invention. Reference is made to WO2010/079354, which discloses other arrangements of lines and pulleys which may be used with the saddle structure 10 of the present invention.

(31) The use of lines to attach the stirrup hanger in this way allows the stirrup hanger to be moved forwards or backwards on the saddle structure to suit the size of the rider, while still distributing the load from the stirrups along the length of the saddle structure.

(32) FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a saddle structure 110 according to the invention. The side panels 112, 114 have a different shape. The spine member 30 has been omitted for clarity. However in all other respects the saddle structure 110 functions in the same way as that of FIG. 1.

(33) Referring now to FIG. 9, a girthing system for use with the saddle structure 10, 110 described above comprises webbing 80, 82, 84 attached to the rib members 16 so as to depend therefrom and form a generally W-shaped configuration to which the ends of the girth straps 86 can be fastened through buckles 88, and the load transferred at least in part through the webbing 80, 82, 84 and intermediate buckles 90, 92 to the rib members 16 on each side of the saddle structure 10. If required the third webbing member 84 and the second buckle 92 can be omitted, and the first webbing member 80 attached directly to the fourth rib member 16D, so that there is no tension transferred from the girth straps 86 to the fifth rib member 16E.

(34) Any tension in the girth straps is thus divided between the five (or four) fixing points 94, no matter what the state of flexure of the saddle structure. In the example of FIG. 9 the webbing is shown connected to the rib members 16 by ring connectors 94 at the fixing points, which permit relative rotation of the webbing and rib member. However any suitable connection means can be used, for example the slot connectors 96 illustrated in FIG. 1.

(35) In use, the pressure applied through the girth straps and load distribution line system in conjunction with padding (not shown) provided on the underside of the side panels 12, 14 selectively maintains the gullet at the desired clearance of the withers on a wide variety of horses. This clearance defined between the ceiling of the gullet and side walls of the padding and above the spine of the horse spaces the saddle seat from the horse, and avoids the direct weight of the rider being localised upon a few vertebrae which would otherwise cause severe discomfort to the horse and shorten its working life.

(36) FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a saddle structure 210 according to the invention. The saddle seat and the side panels, which are similar to those illustrated in the embodiments of FIG. 1 or FIG. 8, are omitted for clarity. The rib members 216 are arched, and each rib member 216 has a crown portion 220 intermediate the ends 218. The ends 218 are secured to the side panels (not shown).

(37) The spine member 230 in this embodiment comprises a number of four connecting members 232 which connect mounting blocks 236A, 236B provided at the crown portion 220 of each rib member 216. Each connecting member 232 includes a rod portion 280 fixed to a lug-shaped mounting block 236A on a first rib. The rod portion 280 has a universal joint socket 282 on its end. A universal joint ball 284 is provided on the end of a fixing bolt 286 fixed to a flange 288 on a mounting block 236B on a second rib. The universal joint ball 284 engages with the universal joint socket 282 to provide the required flexure in three modes, namely a twisting mode about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the spine member 230, a bending mode about a horizontal transverse axis perpendicular to the spine member 230 and a bending mode about a vertical axis perpendicular to the spine member 230.

(38) Although in this embodiment the spine member 230 comprises a number of separate connecting members 232 each connecting the ribs together, it functions in the same way as the continuous spine member described in previous embodiments. Hence the saddle structure 110 functions in the same way as that of FIG. 1.

(39) In equestrian use, the rider mounts and rides as with a conventional saddle structure, but the improved load distribution of the saddle structure of the present invention improves the comfort of the rider and the comfort and performance of the horse, due to improved mobility of the horse's spine, and reduced likelihood of injury and discomfort provided by the saddle structure of this invention.

(40) Various advantages are evident due to the invention including the following. The invention spreads the load imposed by the girth and/or stirrups bearing the weight of the rider. This invention addresses the problem of pressure points caused by ill-fitting saddles, allows for easier and less bespoke saddle fitting, improves freedom of movement in the horse or other animal to which the saddle is fitted, reduces the likelihood of behavioural problems arising due to discomfort, and increases the range of stirrup mountings where the rider is properly positioned over the stirrups.

(41) The avoidance of a rigid frame or tree, and the adoption of a spine member and rib members into the saddle structure, in a manner which echoes the animals own spine and rib structure, allows the saddle to move more sympathetically and harmoniously with the horse and rider movements, thereby greatly reducing inhibitions upon horse movement, mitigating fatigue, reducing injury and behavioural issues, while allowing improved responsiveness to rider control, ultimately increasing rider safety.

(42) The invention is not restricted to use on horses, and will work equally well in any other circumstances e.g. for use on mules, donkeys or other pack animals where a saddle or backpack is used and it is desirable to distribute the pressure of the mounting or of stirrups as appropriate. This would include girthing of pack saddles and mounting of packs themselves. Thus the preferred girthing and stirrup mountings can be independently used to benefit with a suitably adapted load distribution line and guide system of this invention.