KIT-OF-PARTS CONFIGURED TO ADJUST A FIT OF A SADDLE, SADDLE OF THE ENGLISH SADDLE TYPE, COMPRISING SUCH A KIT-OF-PARTS AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A FIT OF A SADDLE

Abstract

Kit-of-parts configured to adjust a fit of a saddle, in particular a width of an English saddle, comprising at least one base and at least one shim having a predetermined thickness, wherein the shim is configured to be releasably connected to the base to allow selective replacement thereof, wherein the base is configured to be affixed to, or integrated with, one of left and right tree points of a rigid saddle tree; and the releasable connection comprises a guide configured to provide a reproducible and predetermined locking engagement of the shim relative to the base to thereby guarantee that said shim and said other shim are arrangeable on the same position and orientation relative to the respective one of the left or right tree points.

The present disclosure moreover relates to a saddle comprising such a kit-of-parts and corresponding method for adjusting the fit of a saddle.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A kit-of-parts configured to adjust a fit of a saddle, comprising: at least one base configured to be affixed to, or integrated with, an underside of the saddle; at least one shim having a predetermined thickness; and a releasable connection between the at least one base and the at least one shim for replacement of said shim for another shim having another predetermined thickness, wherein: the kit-of-parts is configured to adjust a width of an English type saddle, wherein said width is defined by a distance between left and right tree points that are arranged on opposite sides of a rigid saddle tree and that are configured to abut against ribs of a horse during use; the at least one base is configured to be affixed to, or integrated with, one of the left and right tree points of the rigid saddle tree; and the releasable connection comprises a guide configured to provide a reproducible and predetermined locking engagement of the shim relative to the base to thereby guarantee that said shim and said other shim having another predetermined thickness are arrangeable on the same position and orientation relative to the respective one of the left or right tree points of the rigid saddle tree.

21. The kit-of-parts according to claim 20, wherein the base and the at least one shim comprise interlocking shapes to establish the releasable connection there between.

22. The kit-of-parts according to claim 20, wherein: the guide is defined by a tab and an associated recess configured to receive said tab therein; and at least one of the at least one base and the at least one shim comprises the tab, and at least one other of the at least one base and the at least one shim comprises the associated recess.

23. The kit-of-parts according to claim 22, wherein the at least one shim comprises the tab and the base comprises the associated recess that is configured to receive said tab therein.

24. The kit-of-parts according to claim 20, further comprising a plurality of shims with varying predetermined thicknesses.

25. The kit-of-parts according to claim 24, wherein the respective varying predetermined thicknesses of each one of the plurality of shims range from approximately 5 mm to approximately 35 mm.

26. The kit-of-parts according to claim 24, wherein the respective varying predetermined thicknesses of each one of the plurality of shims increase with intermediate steps of approximately 5 mm.

27. The kit-of-parts according to claim 20, wherein the at least one shim is wedge shaped.

28. The kit-of-parts according to claim 27, wherein the predetermined thickness of the at least one shim decreases towards one end thereof, which is located closest to a spine of an animal when said animal is wearing the saddle of which the size is adjusted by means of said kit-of-parts.

29. The kit-of-parts according to claim 20, wherein the base comprises at least one through hole for affixing the base to the left or right saddle tree point.

30. A saddle of the “English” saddle type, comprising: a static part defined by a rigid saddle tree having left and right tree points that are arranged on opposite sides of said saddle tree, wherein a distance between said left and right tree points define a width of said saddle; and a flexible part defined by a left moldable panel and a right moldable panel, each configured to contact a horse on a left and a right side of a spine of said horse, respectively, wherein said left moldable panel and said right moldable panel are fixed to the saddle tree; wherein said saddle has affixed thereto, or integrated therewith, at at least one of the left and right tree points of the saddle tree thereof, the base of the kit-of-parts of claim 20.

31. The saddle according to claim 30, wherein said saddle has affixed thereto, or integrated therewith, two of said bases, wherein a first base of the two bases is arranged on the left tree point and a second base of the two bases is arranged on the right tree point of the saddle tree.

32. The saddle according to claim 31, wherein the first base that is arranged on the left tree point and the second base that is arranged on the right tree point are arranged exactly opposite each other relative to a central longitudinal plane of the saddle.

33. A method for adjusting a fit of an English saddle, the method comprising: determining a size difference between a transversal width of an animal and a width of the saddle; removing a shim that is releasably connected to a base that is affixed to, or integrated with, a left or a right saddle tree point of a saddle tree of the saddle; based on the determined size difference, selecting at least one other shim having another predetermined thickness than the shim that has been removed from the base, wherein the one or more than one other shim at least substantially compensates for the size difference between the transversal width of the animal and the width of the saddle; and releasably connecting the selected other shim to the base by a guide that is configured to provide a reproducible and predetermined locking engagement of the other shim relative to the base to thereby guarantee that said shim and said other shim having another predetermined thickness are arrangeable on the same position and orientation relative to the respective one of the left or right tree points of the saddle tree.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the width of the English saddle is defined by a distance between left and right tree points that are arranged on opposite sides of a rigid saddle tree and that are configured to abut against ribs of a horse during use.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein the step of selecting the at least one shim comprises selecting said shim out of a group of shims, each of which comprises varying predetermined thicknesses.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the step of releasably connecting the at least one selected shim to the base comprises connecting the base and the at least one shim by interlocking their interlocking shapes.

37. The method according to claim 33, wherein: the guide is defined by a tab and an associated recess that is configured to receive said tab therein; and at least one of the at least one base and the at least one shim comprises the tab, and at least one other of the at least one base and the at least one shim comprises the associated recess; wherein the step of releasably connecting the at least one selected shim to the base comprises arranging the tab into the associated recess.

38. The method according to claim 33, comprising at least one of: applying a kit-of-parts configured to adjust a fit of a saddle, the kit-of-parts comprising: at least one base configured to be affixed to, or integrated with, an underside of the saddle; at least one shim having a predetermined thickness; and a releasable connection between the at least one base and the at least one shim for replacement of said shim for another shim having another predetermined thickness, wherein: the kit-of-parts is configured to adjust a width of an English type saddle, wherein said width is defined by a distance between left and right tree points that are arranged on opposite sides of a rigid saddle tree and that are configured to abut against ribs of a horse during use; the at least one base is configured to be affixed to, or integrated with, one of the left and right tree points of the rigid saddle tree; and the releasable connection comprises a guide configured to provide a reproducible and predetermined locking engagement of the shim relative to the base to thereby guarantee that said shim and said other shim having another predetermined thickness are arrangeable on the same position and orientation relative to the respective one of the left or right tree points of the rigid saddle tree; and applying a saddle of the “English” saddle type, comprising: a static part defined by a rigid saddle tree having left and right tree points that are arranged on opposite sides of said saddle tree, wherein a distance between said left and right tree points define a width of said saddle; and a flexible part defined by a left moldable panel and a right moldable panel, each configured to contact a horse on a left and a right side of a spine of said horse, respectively, wherein said left moldable panel and said right moldable panel are fixed to the saddle tree; wherein said saddle has affixed thereto, or integrated therewith, at at least one of the left and right tree points of the saddle tree thereof, the base of the kit-of-parts.

Description

[0050] In the following description preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 depicts an animal having placed thereon a saddle in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG. 2 depicts a cross section of the saddle depicted in FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the saddle of FIG. 2 comprising a kit-of-parts in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates a base and a shim comprised by the kit-of-parts of the first preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 3;

[0055] FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively depict the base and the shim of FIG. 4 in connected and disconnected states;

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the base and the shim in the connected state depicted in FIG. 5B; and

[0057] FIGS. 7-9 show kit-of-parts according to a second, a third, and a fourth preferred embodiment, respectively, showing alternatives for a guide of the releasable connection between the at least one base and the at least one shim.

[0058] FIG. 1 illustrates an animal 1, having placed thereon a saddle 2 in accordance with the present disclosure. Saddle 2 is placed in accordance with the general requirements to ensure, on the one hand, a stable sitting for a (not shown) rider and, on the other hand, an adequate distribution of pressure over a backside surface of the animal 1 to allow an unhindered contraction and release of muscles while simultaneously preventing any one of the aforementioned predicaments regarding the health of the animal 1 The saddle 2 may moreover comprise any one of the conventional parts typically found on saddles known in the art. A sitting surface 3 and billet straps 4 are mentioned here merely as examples.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the animal 1 having placed thereon the saddle 2 as seen through the line indicated by the two arrows in FIG. 1 to illustrate a general concept of the present disclosure. In FIG. 2, the saddle 2 as such is oversized relative to the physical dimensions of the animal 1, which would normally result in a poor fit of the saddle 2 and, as a consequence thereof, the numerous above described health predicaments. However, in FIG. 2 an adequate fit of the saddle 2 on the back of the animal 1 is nevertheless achieved by two assemblies 15 arranged at an underside of the saddle 2 that contacts the back surface of the animal 1 Each one of the assemblies 15 respectively comprises a base 8 and a shim 5 that will be elucidated further below.

[0060] FIG. 3 depicts a close-up view of the saddle 2 as depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As may be discerned from FIG. 3, the saddle 2 moreover comprises a saddle tree 6 in addition to a sitting surface 3, billet straps 4 and a flap 13. The saddle tree 6 serves as a frame upon which further parts constituting the saddle 2 are built and thus to a large extend dictates the overall size and shape of the saddle 2 and by extension its fitting on the animal 1 The saddle tree 6 preferably comprises a rigid structure and may moreover comprise a wood material, a metal material or a synthetic material, or any combination of the aforementioned materials; and in certain embodiments of the present inventive concept may be a saddle tree of the type that is known in the art.

[0061] The saddle tree 6 of the English saddle 2 comprises a saddle tree point 7 constituted by a protrusion extending from the saddle tree 6. While only one saddle tree point 7 is depicted in FIG. 3, two corresponding saddle tree points 7 may be provided at opposite sides of the saddle 2 relative to a central plane 14 of the saddle 2, said two saddle tree points 7 thereby partly enclosing an outer perimeter of the animal 1 in a manner that is similar to that of saddles known in the art. A length of the saddle tree point 7 may vary depending on requirements with respect to a fitting of the saddle 2 on the animal 1 or a riding position of a rider.

[0062] In accordance with the present disclosure, the saddle tree point 7 may comprise the assembly 15 that is likewise depicted in FIG. 2. In certain embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, at least part of the assembly 15 may be affixed to an underside of the saddle 2 that contacts the back of the animal 1 when placed on the animal 1 In these embodiments, the assembly 15 is preferably affixed to a portion of the underside of the saddle 2 situated at or near a location of the saddle tree point 7.

[0063] Exemplary means by which at least part of the assembly 15 may be affixed in the aforementioned manner will be elucidated below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0064] FIG. 4 depicts a close-up of a base 8 arranged at, or integrated with, the saddle tree point 7 of the saddle tree 6. In the depicted embodiment the base 8 comprises an approximately planar, flattened body.

[0065] The shim 5 is substantially wedge shaped and comprises an abutment surface 12 which, in a state in which the shim 5 is releasably connected to the base 8, abuts a side of the animal 1 Both the shim 5 and the base 8 may comprises a plastic material or any alternative material that is suitable in terms of durability and rigidity.

[0066] Particularly in embodiments wherein the base 8 is affixed to the saddle 2, the base 8 may comprise one or more through holes 9 for affixing the base 8. Each one of the through holes 9 may be dimensioned accordingly to receive there through a connector, such as a staple connection, for affixing the base 8. The plurality of the through holes 9 may be dispersed over the approximately planar, flattened body of the base 8 to ensure an adequate affixation. Moreover, each one of the through holes 9 may be dimensioned and configured to receive there through alternative connections means, with screws, bolt-and-nut assemblies, staple connections and stitching being provided here merely as examples.

[0067] Embodiments of the base 8 that are not integrated with any section of the saddle tree 6, but are instead affixed thereto, comprise the advantage that the may be applied to existent saddles.

[0068] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B respectively depict the shim 5 and the base 8 in a disconnected and a connected state, respectively. In the depicted embodiment, the base 8 and the shim 5 respectively comprise interlocking shapes to establish the releasable connection there between. To this end, the shim 5 comprises at least one protrusion in the form of the tab 11 extending therefrom to be placed in and received by an upper associated recess 10 comprised by the base 8. More than one tab 11 and corresponding recess 10 may be provided on respectively the base 8 and the shim 5. Moreover, an outer perimeter of either one of the shim 5 and the base 8 may be configured to engage and lock around the other respective one of the shim 5 and the base 8.

[0069] The skilled person will appreciate that the releasable mutual connection of the shim 5 and the base 8 may likewise be achieved through alternative means, such through a screw action based or magnetic connector (not shown), wherein second, third and fourth preferred embodiments are shown in FIGS. 7-9, respectively. The interlocking shape-based connections of the embodiments depicted in the first preferred embodiment (FIGS. 4-6) and in a second preferred embodiment

[0070] (FIG. 7), which is very closely related to the first preferred embodiment, are nevertheless preferred due to these providing a sufficiently strong connection during usage that is simultaneously easily released without requiring any specialised tools. The first preferred embodiment and the second preferred embodiment only differ in the arrangement of the tab 11 and the recess 10. In the first preferred embodiment, the tab 11 is arranged on the shim 5 and the corresponding recess 10 is arranged on the base 8. For the second preferred embodiment this is exactly opposite: the tab 11 is arranged on the base 8 and the recess 10 is arranged on the shim 5. The third and fourth preferred embodiments are discussed further below in relation to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0071] FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shim 5 and the base 8 in a connected state, when viewed along the dashed lined indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5B. From said figure, it can be discerned that the shim 5 comprises two protrusions or tabs 11, arranged near opposite ends of the shim 5. The tabs 11 moreover extend into and are received by corresponding recesses 11 of the base 8.

[0072] The shim 5 moreover comprises a predetermined thickness D that is dimensioned to substantially compensate for a difference between a transversal width of the animal 1 and a size of the saddle 2 that is oversized relative to the animal 1. As such, a gap space existent at one or either side of the animal 1, defined by said lateral side of the animal 1 and the saddle tree point 7 of the saddle 2, may be substantially filled by the predetermined thickness D of the shim 5. Consequently, the saddle 2—which is over-dimensioned relative to the animal 1—nevertheless fits the animal 1 in a way that meets the aforementioned prerequisites with respect to saddle fitting, thereby preventing any one or more of the aforementioned health predicaments associated with a poor fitting of the saddle 2 and simultaneously providing maximum riding comfort to a rider of the animal 1.

[0073] In FIG. 6, predetermined thickness D of the shim 5 decreases in an upward direction thereof, resulting in the abutment surface 12 to be angled when in a connected state with the base 8. The resulted angled orientation of the abutment surface 12 ensures that the shim 5 closely follows a contour of the animal 1 in the manner best illustrated in FIG. 1, thereby ensuring an optimal transfer pressure to the back of the animal 1 by approximately the entirety of the abutment surface 12.

[0074] There may be provided a plurality of shims 5 of varying predetermined thicknesses D. In preferred embodiments, these shims 5 may be provided as part of a set comprised by a kit-of-parts in accordance with the present disclosure, with the respective predetermined thicknesses D ranging from approximately 5 mm to approximately 35 mm. In such a set of shims 5, the predetermined thickness D may increase with incremental steps of approximately 5 mm, starting from predetermined thickness of approximately 5 mm and ending with a predetermined thickness of approximately 35 mm. These respective lower and upper boundaries of the range of predetermined shim thicknesses D have been found to be sufficient to enable adjustment of the size of the saddle 2 to a wide range of animals 1.

[0075] The above described set of shims 5, each of which respectively comprising a varying predetermined thicknesses D, may be comprised by a kit-of-parts in the sense of the appended claims.

[0076] FIGS. 8 and 9 show kit-of-parts according to a third and a fourth preferred embodiment, respectively, showing further alternatives for a guide of the releasable connection between the at least one base and the at least one shim.

[0077] In FIG. 8, the guide is defined by a quarter turn/twistlock, wherein the recess 10′ is arranged on the base 8, and reference number 11 refers to a mating protrusions 11′ of the shim 5 that is a technical equivalent for the tab 11 of the first and second preferred embodiments. The skilled person will acknowledge that the recess 10′ may also be arranged in the shim 5, in which case a mating protrusion 11′ will be arranged on the base 8.

[0078] The fourth embodiment of FIG. 9 proposes that the releasable connection may comprise a combination of a rim 16 and corresponding guide slot 17 arranged on the sides of the base 8 and the shime 5. This fourth embodiment also shows that a tab 11 according to the second preferred embodiment may be further optimized by providing a locking protrusion 18 at said tab 11, that is configured to interlock with a locking recess 19 on the shim 5. By pushing the locking protrusion 18 inward, the shim 5 may be released and slid of the base 8.

[0079] According to a method for adjusting a fit of saddle 2 in accordance with the present disclosure, one may determine a size difference between a transversal width of the animal 1 and a size of the saddle 2, and subsequently select, from among the plurality of the shims 5, a shim 5 having a predetermined thickness D based on the determined size difference. The selected shim 5 may then be subsequently releasably connected to the base 8 as described above, thereby at least substantially compensating for the size difference between the transversal width of the animal 1 and the size of the saddle 2.

[0080] Selection of the shim 5 made be based solely on the size difference between the transversal with of the animal 1 and the saddle 2. However, selection of the shim 5 may moreover be based on an anticipated future weight gain or loss of the animal 1, which respectively translate in a corresponding increase or decrease of its transversal width. As such, a shim 5 may be selected that substantially, but not necessarily entirely, compensates for the aforementioned size difference between the size of the saddle 2 and the transversal width of the animal 1.

[0081] The aforementioned method may further comprise affixing, or integrating therewith, the base 8 to an underside of the saddle 2, preferably at or near a saddle tree point 7 of the saddle tree 6 of the saddle 2, and more preferably by arranging a connector, such as a staple connection, through a through hole 9 comprised by the base 8.

[0082] The present disclosure provides a kit-of-parts configured to adjust a fit of a saddle, a saddle comprising such a kit-of-parts and a method for utilising such a kit-of-parts. The invention presently disclosed is intended as an improved substitute for known saddle adjustment techniques that is cost efficient and/or does not comprise the physical integrity of the saddle.

[0083] It is noted here that the scope of protection for the developments described in the present disclosure are by no means limited to any particular feature of the embodiments described above and illustrated in the appended drawing. The scope of protection is exclusively determined based on the limitations of the appended independent claims, but may, in some jurisdictions, even encompass obvious alternatives for features in the independent claims. Other variations for specifically described elements, components and functionalities, that may also be embodied within the scope of the appended claims of the present disclosure, have been at least hinted at in the above embodiment description or the skilled person may be considered to be able to contemplate these variations within the range of this skilled person's general knowledge. This exemplary reference to alternative embodiments substantiates that any limitation to any specific feature, that is not defined as a limitation in the independent claims, is unwarranted.