Saddle rigging limiting stirrup strap movement, and methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a rigging for a saddle, a saddle containing this rigging and a method of making the rigging wherein the rigging has a slot in the rigging material, the slot being large enough for at least a part of a stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop to pass through the slot, the rigging slot having a width for limiting the movement forward and/or rearward of a stirrup that is supported by the stirrup strap loop, the slot in the rigging located spaced downward on the saddle from a slot in a saddle tree of the saddle that supports the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop.

Claims

1. A saddle for an equine, the saddle comprising a saddle tree with a front to back center line, a saddle tree slot in each side of the saddle tree spaced from the front to back centerline, a stirrup strap loop or stirrup leather supported by each saddle tree slot in each side of the saddle tree. the saddle also comprising a rigging material attached to each respective side of the saddle tree spaced from said centerline, each rigging material having a slot in the rigging material, each slot in the rigging material being large enough for at least a part of the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop passing through the slot in the rigging material, each of these slots in the rigging material having a width for limiting the movement forward and/or rearward of a stirrup that is supported by each of the stirrup strap loops or stirrup leathers as each stirrup strap loop or stirrup leather moves parallel to the side of the equine bearing the saddle, each of the slots located in the rigging material on the saddle and offset from the slot in the respective side of the saddle tree of the saddle that supports the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop.

2. The saddle of claim 1 wherein the rigging material is spaced from the centerline on each side of the saddle and fastened to the saddle tree below the slot in the saddle tree, the slot in each rigging material being for at least one part of the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop to pass through the slot in the rigging material.

3. The saddle of claim 2 wherein the slot in the rigging material is about three to about six inches in length.

4. The saddle of claim 2 wherein the slot in the rigging material is about three to about four inches in length.

5. The saddle of claim 2 wherein the slot in the rigging material is so located such that when the rigging material is attached to the saddle tree a front of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 5 to about 8 inches from a front of the saddle tree slot and a back of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 4 to about 6 inches from a back of the saddle tree slot.

6. The saddle of claim 1 wherein the slot in the rigging material is about three to about six inches in length.

7. The saddle of claim 6 wherein the slot in the rigging material is so located such that when the rigging material is attached to the saddle tree a front of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 5 to about 8 inches from a front of the saddle tree slot and a back of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 4 to about 6 inches from a back of the saddle tree slot.

8. The saddle of claim 1 wherein the slot in the rigging material is about three to about four inches in length.

9. The saddle of claim 1 wherein the slot in the rigging material is so located such that when the rigging material is attached to the saddle tree a front of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 5 to about 8 inches from a front of the saddle tree slot and a back of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 4 to about 6 inches from a back of the saddle tree slot.

10. A saddle having at least one rigging, the rigging comprising a slot in a rigging material, at least one stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop, the slot in the rigging material being large enough for at least a part of the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop passing through the slot in the rigging material and having a width for limiting movement forward and/or rearward of a stirrup that is supported by the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop, the slot located in the rigging material spaced downward on the saddle and offset from a saddle tree slot in a saddle tree on a same side of the saddle tree as the rigging material.

11. The saddle of claim 10 wherein the rigging material extends on each side of the saddle from front of the saddle to beyond slot in the saddle tree, the slot in the rigging material allowing at least one part of the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop to pass through, the rigging material slot being spaced downward from the slot in the saddle tree, the saddle tree supporting the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop, the slot in the rigging material limiting the rearward and/or forward movement of the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop parallel to the side of a horse bearing the saddle.

12. The saddle of claim 11 wherein the slot in the rigging material is about three to about six inches in length.

13. The saddle of claim 12 wherein the slot in the rigging material is so located such that when the rigging material is attached to the saddle tree a front of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 5 to about 8 inches from a front of the saddle tree slot and a back of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 4 to about 6 inches from a back of the saddle tree slot.

14. The saddle of claim 11 wherein the slot in the rigging material is about three to about four inches in length.

15. The saddle of claim 10 wherein the slot in the rigging material is about three to about six inches in length.

16. The saddle of claim 15 wherein the slot in the rigging material is so located such that when the rigging material is attached to the saddle tree a front of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 5 to about 8 inches from a front of the saddle tree slot and a back of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 4 to about 6 inches from a back of the saddle tree slot.

17. The saddle of claim 10 wherein the slot in the rigging material is about three to about four inches in length.

18. The saddle of claim 17 wherein the slot in the rigging material is so located such that when the rigging material is attached to the saddle tree a front of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 5 to about 8 inches from a front of the saddle tree slot and a back of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 4 to about 6 inches from a back of the saddle tree slot.

19. The saddle of claim 10 wherein the slot in the rigging material is so located such that when the rigging material is attached to the saddle tree a front of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 5 to about 8 inches from a front of the saddle tree slot and a back of the slot in the rigging material is spaced downward about 4 to about 6 inches from a back of the saddle tree slot.

20. A method of making a saddle that includes a saddle tree, at least one stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop, and a rigging material comprising identifying a location for placement of a slot in the rigging material; sizing the slot in the rigging material large enough to allow at least a part of the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop to pass through this slot; and placing the slot in the rigging material and spacing the slot in the rigging material downward a distance and offset from a slot in the saddle tree of the saddle on the same side of the saddle tree as the rigging material for supporting the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop in a way that controls forward and rearward movement of a stirrup supported by the stirrup leather or stirrup strap loop parallel to a side of an equine that will bear the saddle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical prior art western saddle.

(2) FIG. 1A is a side view of a known western saddle with the visible parts of the saddle labeled.

(3) FIG. 1B is a side view of a prior art western saddle under construction showing a slot in the saddle tree bar of a typical prior art rigging.

(4) FIG. 1C is a partial side view showing a stirrup strap loop after passing through the slot in the saddle tree bar and supported by the saddle tree bar.

(5) FIG. 1D is a partial side view of a prior art saddle with the fender, stirrup strap loop and stirrup in the vertical, neutral position.

(6) FIG. 1E is a partial side view of a portion of the saddle of FIG. 1D, but showing the fender, and thus the stirrup strap loop and stirrup, in the backward limit of movement.

(7) FIG. 1F is a partial side view of a portion of the saddle of FIG. 1D showing the stirrup strap loop in the backward limit of movement.

(8) FIG. 1G is a partial side view of a portion of the saddle of FIG. 1D, showing the stirrup strap loop in the forward limit of movement.

(9) FIG. 2 is a partial side view of one western saddle of the invention.

(10) FIG. 2A is a side view of one western saddle of the invention being constructed showing a novel rigging for limiting the movement of a stirrup leather loop.

(11) FIG. 2B is a partial side view of a portion of the western saddle of the invention showing one side of the stirrup leather loop passing out of a slot in the rigging of the invention.

(12) FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a portion of a preferred western saddle of the invention showing the maximum forward movement of the fender (stirrup strap loop and stirrup not shown or not clearly shown).

(13) FIG. 4 is a partial side view showing a portion of the saddle of FIG. 3 showing the one part of the stirrup strap loop coming out of the rigging slot of the invention with said part in a maximum forward position.

(14) FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing a portion of the saddle of FIG. 3 showing the one part of the stirrup strap loop coming out of the rigging slot of the invention with said part in a maximum rearward position of this saddle.

(15) FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the saddle of FIG. 3 showing the most, maximum rearward position of the fender of the preferred saddle of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

(16) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical western saddle. FIG. 1A is a side view of a known western saddle with the visible parts of the saddle labeled. FIG. 1B is a side view of a known western saddle being constructed showing a slot 3 in a bar of a saddle tree 1 and a typical prior art rigging 5 attached to the saddle tree 1 adjacent a pommel 14. The rigging 5 holds a Dee ring 12 on its front, lower corner.

(17) FIG. 1C is a partial side view of the prior art saddle of FIG. 1 showing a back part of a stirrup strap loop 8 that, having passed through the slot 3 (not seen in this view) in the bar of the saddle tree 1. See a bottom edge 6 of the saddle tree 1, with the front part of the stirrup leather loop 2 passing over a skirt 10 and under a seat jockey 4 of the saddle.

(18) FIG. 1D, a partial side view of a prior art saddle similar to that shown in FIG. 1 and shows the fender 14 in the vertical position. FIG. 1E shows this same prior art saddle with the fender 14 in the maximum rearward position wherein the bottom of the fender 18 has moved back from vertical 9-9½ inches and the top of the fender 18 has moved backward about 3 inches.

(19) FIG. 1F is a portion of this same saddle of FIG. 1E showing the stirrup leather 8 in the maximum rearward position producing the amount of movement from vertical given just above. FIG. 1G is a partial side view of a portion of the same saddle of FIG. 1D, but with the stirrup leather 8 or stirrup strap loop in the maximum forward position allowing the top of the fender 18 to move forward about 3 inches from the vertical position and the bottom of the fender to move forward from vertical about 9½ inches. The maximum amount of rearward movement of the fender 18 and stirrup 15 would put the rider in a very unstable and dangerous position if the horse was moving fast, sliding down a steep grade and/or turning.

(20) FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a western saddle of the invention with the fender 18 in a vertical position. FIG. 2A is a side view of a western saddle of the invention being constructed showing a preferred embodiment of the invention including a novel rigging 7 fastened to the saddle tree 1 adjacent the pommel 14 and containing a downward sloping, back to front, slot 9, spaced downward from the slot 3 in the bar of the saddle tree 1. The purpose of this slot 9 is to limit the movement of the one of the stirrup straps loop 8, preferably a back strap of the stirrup leather loop 8 (see FIG. 2B) in a direction generally parallel to the side of a horse on which the saddle is mounted as will be seen later. FIG. 2B, a partial perspective view showing a portion of the western saddle of the invention of FIG. 2 and the novel rigging 7, but further constructed and showing one side of the stirrup leather loop 8 passing out of the slot 9 in the rigging 7 of the invention. The other side 2 of the stirrup loop 8 passes over the top of this side of the stirrup loop 8 coming out of the slot 9 in the rigging 7 of the invention, the other side 2 being in this example the backside of the fender 18.

(21) In this particularly preferred embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the back of the slot 9 (see FIG. 2A) is spaced about 4 inches from the back of the saddle tree bar slot 3 while the front of the slot 9 is spaced about 6 inches downward from the front of the bar slot 3. In other embodiments these distances between the rigging slot 9 and said bar slot 3 can be in the ranges of about 4 to about 6 inches at the back and about 5 or 6 inches to about 8 inches in the front. It is important that the rigging slot 9 be spaced from the saddle tree bar slot 3 to provide leverage on the stirrup strap loop to provide the desired limitation on the range of movement of the stirrups. While the most preferred slot orientation is that shown in FIG. 2A, it may sometimes be permissible that the rigging slot 9 is parallel to said bar slot 3 or even in some situations tilted in the opposite direction, the front end of said slot 9 being closer to said bar slot 3 than the back end of said slot 9.

(22) The length of the rigging slot 9 is most preferably about 4 inches long, but can be in the range of about 3 or about 4 inches to about 6 inches long. The greater the distance between the saddle tree bar slot 3 and the slot 9 in the rigging 7, the greater the leverage on the stirrup leather 8 to limit its movement forward or backward. While less preferred, the orientation of the slot 9 in the rigging 7 can be generally parallel to the saddle tree bar slot 3.

(23) FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the saddle like FIG. 2 showing a portion of another preferred western saddle of the invention with the fender 18, stirrup strap loop 8 and stirrup 15 pulled forward to its maximum limit. This forward movement of the fender 18 is about 9 inches at its bottom and about 3 inches at the top of the fender 18. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the saddle of FIG. 3 showing one part of the stirrup strap loop 8 coming out of the rigging slot 9 with the stirrup strap loop part 8 in the maximum forward position, because of the rigging slot 9, when the fender 18 is in the position shown in FIG. 3.

(24) FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but in this partial side view of a portion of the same saddle shown in FIG. 4, the part of the stirrup strap loop 8 is coming out of the rigging slot 9 in the maximum rearward position which in this embodiment is vertical, the slot 9 being about 4 inches long and in the orientation shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the fender 18 of the same saddle shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 showing one fender 18 of this saddle in the maximum rearward position, which is vertical.

(25) While the preferred mechanism for limiting the rearward and/or forward movement of the stirrup leather(s) is one or more slots in the rigging of the saddle as shown, other mechanisms serving the same purpose and even being adjustable are included in the invention, e.g. placing inserts in each end of a long slot to shorten the length of the slot for special purposes and other things that will shorten the length of a long rigging slot.

(26) Different embodiments employing the concept and teachings of the invention will be apparent and obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art and these embodiments are likewise intended to be within the scope of the claims. The inventor does not intend to abandon any disclosed inventions that are reasonably disclosed but do not appear to be literally claimed below, but rather intends those embodiments to be included in the broad claims either literally or as equivalents to the embodiments that are literally included.