Abstract
A riding saddle comprising a saddle tree, a seat surface arranged thereon and, on each side of the saddle, a stirrup holder which is attached to the saddle and which is in particular in the form of a hook. The saddle is characterized by one or a common damping device on each side of the saddle between the saddle tree and each stirrup holder and/or between the saddle tree and a saddle flap carrying a stirrup knee roll and/or between a saddle flap and a knee roll attached thereto, which damping device has a link guide.
Claims
1. A riding saddle comprising: a saddle tree and a seat surface arranged thereon, the seat surface extending between a front pommel and a cantle, with a large saddle flap each side of the saddle, on each side of the saddle having a damping device, to which a stirrup holder, the large saddle flap and/or a knee roll is attached, wherein the damping device comprises at least one link guide with a spring element which is set up to load the stirrup holder, the large saddle flap and/or the knee roll, which is attached to the damping device in the direction towards the cantle.
2. The riding saddle according to claim 1, wherein the link guide comprises a link the form of an elongated hole, groove or rail, which is fixed to the saddle tree and at least one sliding piece is in engagement with the link and is slidably guided along the link.
3. The riding saddle according to claim 2, wherein the elongated hole or the groove is formed in the saddle tree or in a plate as a link carrier attached to the saddle tree.
4. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein the link guide has a link formed as an elongated hole, groove or rail, which link is fixed to a stirrup holder formed in the form of a hook, and at least one sliding piece fixed to the saddle tree is guided slidably on the link.
5. The riding saddle according to claim 1, wherein the link guide comprises two links, each with at least one or each with exactly one sliding piece slidably guided thereon.
6. The riding saddle according to claim 5, wherein the two links are arranged parallel to each other with offset and/or are arranged with their longitudinal extension along a common axis to form a guide for parallel displacement.
7. The riding saddle according to claim 1, wherein the link is arc-shaped and at least one end of the link is arranged further away from the seat surface than its apex.
8. The riding saddle according to claim 1, wherein the link guide comprises exactly one link in the form of an elongated hole, groove or rail in a metal plate, and two spaced-apart sliding pieces are slidably engaged with the link.
9. The riding saddle according to claim 1, wherein each large saddle flap is connected to the saddle tree by a damping device.
10. The riding saddle according to any claim 1, comprising a knee roll is attached to each large saddle flap by a damping device.
11. The riding saddle according to claim 1, wherein the stirrup holder is formed as a hook, of which a first leg is configured to receive a stirrup leather and the second leg connected to the first leg is connected to the saddle tree by the damping device.
12. A method for manufacturing a riding saddle according to claim 1, comprising fixing the damping device to the saddle tree and setting at least one link guide to load the stirrup holder in the direction towards the cantle.
Description
[0026] The invention is now described in more detail with reference to the figures, which schematically illustrate exemplary embodiments of the damping device in
[0027] FIG. 1 with a tension spring as a spring element,
[0028] FIG. 2 with a compression spring as spring element,
[0029] FIG. 3 with a gas pressure spring,
[0030] FIG. 4 with two rectilinear links, each with a sliding piece,
[0031] FIG. 5 with a rectilinear link with two sliding pieces in it,
[0032] FIG. 6 with a rectilinear link with two sliding pieces in it,
[0033] FIG. 7 with a rectilinear link with two sliding pieces in it,
[0034] FIG. 8 with a rectilinear link with two sliding pieces in it,
[0035] FIG. 9 with a link designed as a rail,
[0036] FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 during the movement sequence,
[0037] FIG. 13 on a saddle tree for a stirrup holder,
[0038] FIG. 14 on a saddle tree for a stirrup holder and additional damping devices for a large saddle flap,
[0039] FIG. 15 on the saddle tree for a stirrup holder and in addition also on the large saddle flap for a knee roll.
[0040] In the figures, identical reference numerals denote elements with the same function. In general, each of the schematically illustrated links 3, 4 can independently of one another be an elongated hole, a groove or a rail, and each sliding piece 5, 6 can be slidably engaged therewith. In general, the figures show the damping device on the right-hand side of a saddle, so that the closed end 16 of a stirrup holder 10, which generally points in the direction of the pommel, is shown on the respective right-hand side of a FIG. 1n FIGS. 1 to 14, embodiments of the damping device are shown by way of example between a stirrup holder and a saddle tree, which is shown at least in sections.
[0041] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a top view of the outer side of a saddle tree 1, shown in sections, with links 3, 4 attached to the saddle tree 1 adjacent to its tree tip 2, which are links arranged parallel to each other so that the respective sliding piece 5, 6 guided therein leads to a parallel displacement of the stirrup holder 10 when moving along the links 3, 4. In this illustration, the stirrup holder 10 is generally attached to the saddle tree 1 below and parallel to the seat surface. The links 3, 4 in an arrangement on the saddle are formed arc-shaped in which arrangement one or both ends of the link are mounted at a greater spacing from the seat surface than the apex of the arc-shaped links when the saddle is positioned on a horse's back. The stirrup holder 10 is designed here as a one-piece hook, the first leg 12 of which, which serves to receive a stirrup leather, is arranged below and optionally approximately parallel to the second leg 13.
[0042] In each embodiment, the spring element 11 counteracts the movement of the stirrup holder 10 with its closed end 16 leading, respectively counteracts the movement of the stirrup holder 10 in the direction away from the cantle and in the direction towards the front pommel.
[0043] In FIG. 1, the sliding pieces 5, 6 are fixed to the stirrup holder 10, so that when the stirrup holder 10 is arranged on the outside of the saddle tree, the links 3, 4 are partially covered by the stirrup holder 10 (shown here as dashed lines). The spring element 11 is designed as a tension spring, which is attached between the saddle tree 1 and the stirrup holder 10 and loads the stirrup holder 10 in the direction towards the cantle. The spring element is fixed at a stop 14 on the stirrup holder 10 and with its opposite end at a stop 7 on the saddle tree 1. The spring element 11 can be designed as a spiral spring or a rubber tension spring, for example. The stirrup holder 10 is designed as a hook which has an open end 15 only in the direction of the cantle, opposite to this has a closed end 16 and has a first leg 12 for receiving a stirrup leather. The sliding pieces 5, 6 are mounted in a second leg 13 of the stirrup holder 10.
[0044] In general, the sliding pieces 5, 6 can alternatively be fixed to the saddle tree 1 and the links 3, 4 can be attached to the stirrup holder 10.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the spring element 11 is formed by a compression spring, which is tensioned between a stop 7 on the saddle tree 1 and a stop 14 on the stirrup holder 10 and loads the stirrup holder 10 in the direction towards the cantle. The spring element 11 therefore counteracts the movement of the stirrup holder 10 with its closed end 16 leading, respectively in the direction of the pommel.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the spring element 10 is designed as a gas pressure spring, which is optionally pivotably attached to a stop 14 of the stirrup holder 10 and, also optionally pivotably, attached to a stop 7 on the saddle tree 1.
[0047] FIGS. 4 to 10 show embodiments in which the links run rectilinear and can preferably be arranged approximately parallel to the plane of the seat surface and/or horizontally when the saddle is placed on the horse.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows the damping device with two rectilinear links 3, 4 arranged parallel and along a common axis, into each of which a sliding piece 5, 6 engages in a sliding manner. In this illustration, the sliding pieces 5, 6 are attached to the second leg of the stirrup holder 10 and the links 3, 4 are attached to the saddle tree. As is generally preferred, the first leg 12 protrudes beyond the saddle tree 1. Also in the case of rectilinear links 3, 4, in particular if these are arranged horizontally or ascending in the direction towards the pommel and/or in the direction towards the closed end 16 of the stirrup holder when the saddle is placed on a horse's back, the damping device has no spring effect under load, e.g. by a stirrup leather, which acts vertically, but only has a spring-loaded damping effect and/or spring effect when loaded in the direction towards the pommel and/or in the direction towards the closed end 16 of the stirrup holder, in particular during the landing phase of a jump.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the damping device with exactly one link 3, which is exemplarily rectilinear, with two sliding pieces 5, 6 which are slidably engaged with the link 3. The link 3 is formed on or in the saddle tree 1, the sliding pieces 5, 6 are attached to the second leg of the stirrup holder 10.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a damping device with a tension spring as a spring element and with exactly one rectilinear link 3, which is arranged horizontally and parallel to the seat surface when the saddle is placed on the horse and in which two spaced-apart sliding pieces 5, 6 are slidably guided. The stirrup holder 10 is connected to the damping device on its second leg 13 by the sliding pieces 5, 6, which engage in the link 3. The first leg 12, on which a stirrup leather can be hooked, is arranged on the other side of the sliding pieces 5, 6, so that the first and second legs 12, 13 have an elongate shape instead of a hook. In the elongate shape, the first leg 12 of the stirrup holder 10.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows a damping device corresponding to that of FIG. 6, but with a stirrup holder 10 in an elongate form, in which the first leg 12 is offset in parallel and arranged further away from the plane of the seat surface than the second leg 13, which is connected to the damping device.
[0052] FIG. 8 shows a damping device consisting of exactly one link 3, with which two spaced sliding pieces 5, 6 engage in a longitudinally slidable manner, on a stirrup holder 10 formed as a hook, the first leg 12 of which is arranged closer to the seat surface than the second leg 13, so that the first leg 12 is above the second leg 13 when the saddle is positioned on the horse. The spring element 11 is a tension spring arranged between the first and second legs 12, 13.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows exactly one link 3, which is formed as a rail and attached to the saddle tree 1. The stirrup holder 10, designed as a hook, is in sliding engagement with the link 3, e.g. by means of clamps or rollers that engage on opposite longitudinal edges of the rail.
[0054] FIG. 10 shows the position of the damping device in the horizontal position of the saddle on a horse's back, in which the spring element 11 is not loaded, using the example of a stirrup holder 10 in the form of a hook, which is attached to the saddle tree 1 by means of a damping device. The damping device here consists of two parallel arc-shaped links 3, 4, with each of which exactly one sliding piece 5, 6 is slidably engaged. The end of each arc-shaped link 3, 4, which is closer to the cantle, is further away from the seat surface than its apex. With the tilting movement of the saddle tree 1, which is shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 12, in which, for example, the tree tip 2, resp. the pommel is moved further downwards than, for example, the cantle is moved, the stirrup holder 10 moves along the link guide against the action of the spring element 11 to an end position in which, for example, the spring element 11 is loaded to the maximum between its stop 7 on the saddle tree 1 and the stop 14 on the stirrup holder 10. During this tilting motion, which occurs in particular when a horse lands at the end of a jump, the damping device dampens the load, respectively distributes the load over the duration of the movement along the link guide against the action of the spring element 11. The terminal position of the link guide at maximum load on the spring element 11 is shown in FIG. 12. When the inclination of the saddle is returned, e.g. to an approximately horizontal position of the seat surface, the spring element 11 can guide the link guide into the unloaded position in which the spring element is unloaded.
[0055] In general, the damping device according to the invention has the advantage of allowing a displacement, resp. suspension relative to the saddle tree 1 only in an inclined position of the saddle tree 1, so that in a horizontal arrangement of the seat surface there is no displacement or suspension of, for example, a stirrup holder.
[0056] FIG. 13 shows a saddle with a saddle tree 1 to which a damping device is attached, as it is generally shown in FIG. 1. The large saddle flap 20, which is here firmly connected to the saddle tree 1, covers the dashed area of the saddle tree 1. The stirrup leather 21, which carries the stirrup 22, with its opposite end lies on the first leg 12 of the stirrup holder 10, which is attached to the saddle tree 1 by means of the damping device consisting of links 3, 4 and sliding pieces 5, 6 which engage and are slidably guided therein. The links 3, 4 are arranged approximately parallel to a seat surface 23 resting on the saddle tree 1. The stirrup leather 21 can run concealed by the large saddle flap 20 or can be guided on the large saddle flap 20 and, as shown, through an opening in the large saddle flap 20 to the stirrup holder 10. The saddle tree 1 generally extends from the pommel 24 along the seat surface 23 to the cantle 25.
[0057] FIG. 14 shows a saddle in which the stirrup holder 10 is attached to the saddle tree by means of a damping device, generally as described with reference to FIG. 14, and independently thereof the large saddle flap 20 is connected to the saddle tree 1 by means of an additional damping device. The damping device, which connects the large saddle flap 20 to the saddle tree 1, has a spring element 11a, which loads the large saddle flap 20 in the direction of the cantle 25, and a link guide, which has two spaced, approximately parallel links 3a, 4a with displaceable sliding pieces 5a, 6a engaging therein. The damping device, which connects the large saddle flap 20 to the saddle tree 1, provides a resilient damping effect when a load in the direction away from the saddle tree is exerted on the knee roll 26 attached to the large saddle flap 20, in particular when a horse lands at the end of a jump.
[0058] FIG. 15 shows a saddle in which the stirrup holder is attached to the saddle tree by means of the damping device consisting of two parallel links 3, 4 and sliding pieces 5, 6 slidable within them. The large saddle flap 20 is fixedly connected to the saddle tree and the knee roll 26 is connected to the large saddle flap 20 by means of a damping device according to the invention. This damping device is illustrated by the example of two links 3b, 4b, in each of which a sliding piece 5b, 6b engages. A spring element 11b, which connects the large saddle flap 20 to the knee roll, loads the knee roll 26 in the direction towards the cantle 25 and counteracts a movement of the knee roll 26 away from the saddle tree 1.
TABLE-US-00001 Reference signs: 1 saddle tree 2 tree tip 3, 3a, 3b link 4, 4a, 4b link 5, 5a, 5b sliding piece 6, 6a, 6b sliding piece 7 stop 10 stirrup holder 11, 11a, 11b spring element 12 first leg 13 second leg 14 stop 16 closed end 20 large saddle 21 stirrup leather 22 stirrup 23 seat surface 24 pommel 25 cantle 26 knee roll
