SADDLE STIRRUP ADJUSTABLE STRAP D-RING

Abstract

A modified saddle D-ring having a loop of a varying radius for supporting a stirrup strap on a saddle. The stirrup supporting strap is looped around a lower span portion of the D-ring which has an upper span portion anchored to the saddle. The lower span has an upper surface that abuts against the saddle supporting strap and such upper surface includes first and second contiguous portions disposed at a preselected angle to one another with the length being greater than the width of the stirrup supporting strap. The D-ring includes an elongated curved loop extending forward at a varying radius depicting a parabolic curve. The elongated D-ring allows limited pivotal forward movement of the stirrup with respect to the saddle. One or more T shaped projections may extend upward from one a selected position at the bottom of the D-ring for adjusting and holding the D-ring in position.

Claims

1. A D-ring for a saddle having a stirrup strap attaching to said D-ring supported by a stirrup strap rigging, said D-ring comprising: an elongated D-ring shaped loop of a varying radius for supporting a stirrup strap from a saddle, said elongated D-ring including a length greater than the width of the stirrup supporting strap and having a curved bottom portion and having a top straight portion and having a generally rectangular rear end portion curving downward at a right angle with respect to the top straight portion at a selected distance forming a straight rear leg portion before curving forward inwardly and in-under the top straight portion of the loop forming a rear curved portion with the mid-point of the bottom portion of the curved loop extending forward at a varying radius depicting a parabolic curve portion extending from about the midpoint of the bottom of the loop gradually curving toward the front end of the elongated loop whereby the loop curves forming an inwardly curved generally right angle portion with the top horizontal straight portion of the loop; wherein a pair of stirrups each suspended by a stirrup strap from said elongated D-ring that has an upper span portion anchored to the saddle and a lower span portion that has an upper surface that bears against the saddle strap associated therewith the improvement comprising an elongate upper saddle strap surface having a length that is a selected amount greater than the width of the stirrup strap whereby the stirrup is allowed to swing through a predetermined arc; and a D-ring strap positioning member having a projection extending upward from a selected position on said curved bottom portion of said D-ring, said projection comprising a leg 91 limiting forward or rearward movement of the stirrup strap on said D-ring.

2. The D-ring as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper elongate surface comprises first and second contiguous portions distinct from one another.

3. The D-ring as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second distinct portions are disposed at a preselected angle to one another.

4. The D-ring as defined in claim 3 wherein the length of each of said first and second portions are correlated to the width of the stirrup strap associated therewith.

10. In a saddle having a pair of stirrups each suspended by a stirrup strap from a D-ring that has an upper span portion anchored to the saddle and a lower span portion that has an upper surface that bears against the saddle strap associated therewith the improvement comprising an elongate upper saddle strap surface having a length that is a selected amount greater than the width of the stirrup strap whereby the stirrup is allowed to swing through a predetermined arc.

11. The D-ring as defined in claim 10 wherein said upper elongate surface comprises first and second contiguous portions distinct from one another.

12. The D-ring as defined in claim 11 wherein said first and second distinct portions are disposed at a preselected angle to one another.

13. The D-ring as defined in claim 12 wherein the length of each of said first and second portions are correlated to the width of the stirrup strap associated therewith.

14. The D-ring of claim 1, wherein said D-ring lower span has a stirrup strap upper engaging surface that comprising first and second contiguous elongate portions with an aggregate length a predetermined amount greater than the width of the stirrup strap associated therewith.

15. The D-ring of claim 1, wherein said leg including a retaining means defining a keeper.

16. The D-ring of claim 15, wherein said keeper is selected from the group consisting of a knob, a flange, and a cross member extending normal to said leg for restrict forward or rearward movement and holding the strap in the selected position and preventing the strap from riding over the D-ring strap positioning member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a saddle provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention wherein the elongated D-ring supports a stirrup showing the elongated D-ring and stirrup strap lying over a cinch strap with a conventional D-ring;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a horse rider with an outstretched leg that requires the stirrup strap to pivot on the elongated D-ring allowing the stirrup to move forwardly of a position for a normal upright riding stance;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the saddle of FIG. 1 without the rider showing the stirrup strap pivoting on the elongated D-ring allowing the stirrup to move forwardly of a position for a normal upright riding stance;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the elongated D-ring, stirrup and stirrup support strap of the saddle shown in FIG. 4;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a conventional D-ring; and

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional saddle tree including a pommel, cantle, and wooden bars extending therebetween;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the underside of the flexible tree saddle shown in FIGS. 1-3 showing the attachment points of the straps to the pummel in the front and cantle in the rear with no bars or other rigid structures connecting same;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of a flexible tree type saddle such as is shown in FIG. 1, showing an upper layer of leather and bottom layer of wool;

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a triple position rigging utilizing a D-ring with a pair of spaced apart D-ring strap positioning members positionable for a forward position, a center barrel racing position, and a rear endurance position;

[0029] FIG. 10 shows a triple position rigging utilizing a D-ring with a pair of spaced apart D-ring strap positioning members positionable for a forward position, a center barrel racing position, and a rear endurance position;

[0030] FIG. 11 shows a D-ring and straps together with a D-ring positioning member providing for forward and rear positions;

[0031] FIG. 12 shows a pair of D-ring positioning member providing for forward and rear positions; and

[0032] FIG. 13 shows a stirrup strap extending from the D-ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] Illustrated in FIG. 1, is a rider 10 sitting on a saddle 20 mounted on the back of a horse 30. The saddle 20 as shown in the drawings is a western style saddle and more particularly known by Applicants' tradename as a TREELESS saddle in that the saddle tree comprises a two piece independent bar less system as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,187,924 and 5,018,340 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Conventional English and western saddles utilize a tree have a pair of longitudinal members such as a pair of bars 68 connect the pommel 70 which may support a saddle horn 76, and the cantle 71. The pommel 70 and the cantle 71 are made of solid material such as wood, fibreglass, or combinations thereof. The flexible tree or TREELESS saddle shown in FIGS. 1-3 only uses the cantle and pommel parts of the tree flexibly connected together. The independent pommel/cantle two-piece system or TREELESS saddle lets the horse flex and move freely while letting the rider keep complete contact with the horse. The top surface of the saddle including the seat 77 is finished in leather 72. The centre layer of the saddle comprises two layers 91, 92 of closed cell neoprene into which is bonded to the stirrup and cinch rigging webbing distal ends 93 which are positioned beneath and affixed to the pommel or cantle by screws, nails, adhesives and combination thereof. On the bottom of the saddle a poly-wool fleece cover 94 is stitched below the neoprene 91, 92. The rider sits softly and in closer contrast to the horse, which places the centre of gravity lower compared to a conventional western saddle where the one-piece tree remains rigid and does not flex with the horse whereby the bars 68 can dig into the horses's shoulder on the hard turns and the rider sits one to two inches off the horse's back raising the centre of gravity. Removal and replacement of the rigid bars 68 with a flexible support assembly provides for independent movement of the pommel 70 apart from the cantle 71 resulting in a softer seat, flexible action and no framework to poke or pressure the horse. The flexible saddle tree utilizes a secure western girthing system like the traditional western saddles typically using stirrup and cinch rigging with a front or front and rear D-rings and a crupper for utility on the trails.

[0034] One preferred embodiment of the flexible saddle tree shown in FIGS. 1-3, and 7-8 is made using five layers of material. The first top outer layer is select leather 72 as shown best in FIG. 8. The saddle skirt 74 made up of two layers of closed cell neoprene around which the rest of the saddle is built. Attached to the inner layer of the saddle skirt 74 at selected positions is an inside layer of closed-cell neoprene rubber 91. A strong nylon webbing stirrup 14 and cinch webbing 26 rigging forms webbing layer 93 for securing stirrup strap 14 and girth or cinch riggings 26 is permanently bonded to the neoprene layer 91 and the bottom surface of the cantle and pommel. The webbing layer 93 covered by another layer of neoprene rubber 92 so that it is disposed between an inner layer of closed-cell neoprene rubber 91 and a second outer layer of closed-cell neoprene rubber 92 which either covers the underside of the saddle or selected portions of the underside of the saddle 22 as patches of material. This durable rubber is used, for instance, to cover industrial pipes and in the construction of scuba diver suits. The bottom layer next to the horse is a natural or poly wool fleece 94. After construction of the saddle body, the leather is attached to the top surface of the saddle skirt 74 and to the fleece layer on the bottom of the saddle by stitching, adhesives, rivets, and combinations thereof. The saddle of the present invention places no more pressure on the horses spine as there would be riding bareback.

[0035] The two part flexible tree eliminates the usage of heavy wooden bars extending between the forks and the cantle of the saddle trees of conventional saddles through the use of a lightweight underlayment, thereby providing flexibility and balance for the rider. The arrangement includes nylon straps, stitched onto the underlayment and secured to the forks and cantle, which serve as stirrup and girth straps. The sports saddle of the invention is light in weight, affords better contact with the body of the horse, representing manufacturing/assembly advantages and, importantly, permits the floating of the saddle trees.

[0036] The flexible saddle tree construction designs allow the flexible saddle tree to be lightweight, as little as 11 to 20 pounds. The pommel and cantle are formed from solid materials. They can be called tree parts, but these parts are not produced as a result of cutting a saddle tree in half. Instead, either wood or plastic is used and fashioned precisely to provide a flat area, approximately 4 inches in diameter, where the pommel or cantle is attached to the skirt. Thus, there are no pressure points created. The solid pommel and cantle provide a secure seat, yet the seat materials provide a cushy, durable area that conforms to and comforts the horse's back. The stirrups can be ordered either for western or endurance riding, so that the center of gravity is either forward or more underneath the rider for posting. No more sore seat bones as the rider sits between the pommel and cantle on two layers of closed cell neoprene. The top of the saddle is covered in selected leather and the underside in traditional fleece.

[0037] The rigging is set securely between the neoprene layers to distribute the riders balance and weight for the riding style. This combination provides the fit and feel of bareback riding but with the actual function of a saddle. The rigging is bonded into the skirt in the form of a fan, spread out between pommel and cantle so that pressure from stirrups and girth are distributed across the skirt into a large area across the whole saddle. This design eliminates pressure points and relieves the horse from pain and discomfort. Riders have reported that they can actually sense when their horse is getting ready to crow-hop or spook.

[0038] As illustrated best in FIGS. 1 and 3, the TREELESS saddle is placed on a pad or blanket 21. A pair of stirrups 23 with one being located on each of opposite sides of the horse extends from the saddle with the stirrup on one side only seen in full in the side views illustrated and it is to be understood the other one of the pair on the other side is a mirror image of the one shown.

[0039] Extending from the stirrup webbing or strap 14 is a D-ring 40 moveably suspending stirrup strap 24 which supports the stirrup 23 suspended from a D-ring 40 by a stirrup strap 24 that conventionally is adjustably variable in length by adjustable holding means 25 which may comprise a belt and buckle arrangement, knotted strip of leather or cord, or sewn loop.

[0040] The D-ring 40 is the same whether it be one side or the other of the saddle and since the present invention is directed solely to modifications to the D-ring 40 a detailed illustration of the two stirrups and suspension thereof from the saddle by a respective one of a pair of the D-rings is deemed unnecessary.

[0041] Conventionally the D-ring 40 is anchored to the saddle by a strap 14 that has the opposite ends thereof attached to the saddle at respective positions spaced apart from one another. The saddle 22 include a flexible flap or fender 27 attached thereto which is shown flipped up in FIGS. 1 and 3 exposing the cinch strap D-ring 43 supporting the cinch strap 26 and stirrup strap D-ring 40 supporting a stirrup strap 24. The flap 27 normally depends downwardly to overlie and cover the D-rings and straps 14, 26 associated therewith except for the lower portion of the stirrup strap 24 that extends downwardly to the stirrup 23.

[0042] The elongated saddle stirrup D-ring 40 comprises, consists essentially of, and consists of a loop of a varying radius for supporting a stirrup strap 24 from a saddle 22. Each stirrup supporting strap 24 of the saddle 22 is looped around a lower span portion of an elongated D-ring 40. The elongated D-ring 40 has a length greater than the width of the stirrup supporting strap 24. The curved bottom portion 50 of the elongated D-ring 40 comprises an elongated wire or rod forming a generally D shaped loop oriented having a top straight portion 51 of the D forming a top portion of the loop and having a generally rectangular rear end portion 52. In the improved D-ring, the rear end portion 52 of the D-ring 40 curves downward at a right angle with respect to the top straight portion 51 a selected distance forming a straight rear leg portion 53 before curving forward inwardly and in-under the top straight portion of the loop forming a rear curved portion 54. From about the mid-point of the bottom portion of the curved loop, the curved loops extends forward at a varying radius depicting a parabolic curve portion 57 extending from about the midpoint 55 of the bottom of the loop gradually curving toward the front end 59 of the elongated loop whereby the loop curves forming a generally right angle portion 56 with the top horizontal straight portion 51 of the loop. The modified elongated D-ring 40 allows limited pivotal forward movement of the stirrup 23 with respect to the saddle 22.

[0043] The elongated saddle stirrup D-ring 40 incorporating the D-ring strap positioning member comprises, consists essentially of, and/or consists of a loop of a varying radius for supporting a stirrup strap 24 from a saddle 22. Each stirrup supporting strap 24 of the saddle 22 is looped around a lower span portion of an elongated D-ring 40. The elongated D-ring 40 has a length greater than the width of the stirrup supporting strap 24. The curved bottom portion 50 of the elongated D-ring 40 comprises an elongated wire or rod forming a generally D shaped loop oriented having a top straight portion 51 of the D forming a top portion of the loop and having a generally rectangular rear end portion 52. In the improved D-ring, the rear end portion 52 of the D-ring 40 curves downward at a right angle with respect to the top straight portion 51 a selected distance forming a straight rear leg portion 53 before curving forward inwardly and in-under the top straight portion of the loop forming a rear curved portion 54. From about the mid-point of the bottom portion of the curved loop, the curved loops extends forward at a varying radius depicting a parabolic curve portion 57 extending from about the midpoint 55 of the bottom of the loop gradually curving toward the front end 59 of the elongated loop whereby the loop curves forming a generally right angle portion 56 with the top horizontal straight portion 51 of the loop. The modified elongated D-ring 40 allows limited pivotal forward movement of the stirrup 23 with respect to the saddle 22.

[0044] The portion of the D-ring comprising the lower span 41 has an upper surface that engages the stirrup support strap 24. In accordance with the present invention the length of that upper surface is greater than the width of the stirrup supporting strap associated therewith. The curved portions allows the strap 24 to swing forwardly and rearwardly as the rider shifts their weight.

[0045] The D-ring strap positioning member 90 comprises a projection extending upward from selected portions of the D-ring defining a leg 91 so that the edge of the strap abuts the edge of the leg 91 limiting forward or rearward movement of the stirrup strap on the D-ring. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11-13, the leg 91 includes a retaining means defining a keeper 92 defining an enlargement such as a knob 93, a top flange or lip 94 or cross member 95 extending normal to the leg 91 to restrict forward or rearward movement and aid in removable holding the strap in the selected position resisting lateral movement of the strap and preventing the strap from riding over the D-ring strap positioning member. The cross member or lip may be curved downward to further hold the strap in position as shown in FIG. 13.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 the stirrup strap engaging upper surface comprises first and second contiguous elongate portions 45, 46 that are angularly related relative to one another.

[0047] In each embodiment the ratio of the aggregate length of stirrup strap engaging portions on the D-ring to the width of the stirrup support strap associated therewith is a preselected amount greater than one and up to double the strap width. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 the transition from one portion to the other provides some resistance to sliding of the support strap from one to the other of the contiguous portions 45, 46. The two different positions are representatively illustrated in FIG. 2 by the riders two different leg positions. Each of the portions 45 and 46 may for example be the same length as the width of the stirrup strap.

[0048] The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art based upon more recent disclosures and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.