GB2482269A

GB2482269A - A powered horse riding training aid with a pivoting neck directly linked to the base

Info

Publication number: GB2482269A
Application number: GB1119186.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Ronald Greenwood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-10
Filing date: 2007-07-10
Publication date: 2012-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-10
Also published as: GB201119186D0; GB2482269B

Abstract

A horse riding simulator comprising a base, a dummy horse displaceably mounted on the base and powered means 46 for displacing the dummy horse wherein the dummy horse has a seating portion 18 and a neck portion 20 pivotally attached to the seating portion 18 and wherein a linkage 72, 74 and 76 extends between the neck portion 20 and the base portion. The linkage 72, 74 and 76 may have a number of elements, be pivotally connected to the base and have a rigid connection the neck. The linkage 72, 74 and 76 may use the powered means 46 to generate movement in the neck 20 as well as the dummy horse as a whole. The dummy horse may also be able to pivot about a horizontal, longitudinal axis. The device may also have a projector and sensors which respond to the actions of a user. Springs may also be provided to help with balance and the power may be provided by an electric motor.

Description

DESCRIPTiON

HORSE RIDING TRAINING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to horse riding training apparatus and in particular, but not exdusively, to jockey training apparatus.

It is necessary for jockeys to ride several times a day in order to maintain their fitness and to practise and improve riding technique. This is normally achieved by riding in several races on the same day, or during the training programme for horses in which the horses are ridden every day.

However, it is not always possible for a jockey to have sufficient rides to maintain his fitness and to practise his technique, and ndeed in adverse weather conditions it may not be possible to ride at all without the risk of serious injury to the horse and/or the jockey. Moreover, it may not be possible to obtain a sufficient number of rides if the jockey wishes to concentrate on a particular aspect of his technique and it is difficult for a jockey to receive coaching on his technique while actually riding a horse, There is also a significant problem with jockeys who are recovering from injury. Not only might it be dangerous for a recovering jockey to ride a horse when not fully fit, but it might also be necessary for a jockey to exercise the injured area more thoroughly to build up strength again. If the jockey were to ride a horse to achieve this, it is likely to be necessary to exercise on a number of horses to ensure that one particular horse is not exercised excessively simply for the benefit of the jockey.

Moreover, exercise by jockeys is essentiafly Umfted to dayhght hours, which in the winter can significantly restrict the training which a jockey can undertake.

GB 225$5$7A discloses a horse riding training apparatus which has become widely used. It is an object of the present invention to provide the horse riding training apparatus which is even more realistic.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a horse riding training aid comprising a base portion, a dummy horse displaceaby mounted on the base portion, and powered means for displacing the dummy horse with respect to the base portion, the dummy horse comprising a seating portion and a neck portion which is pivotafly mounted with respect to the seating portion, the training aid further comprising a Dnkage extending between the neck portion and the base portion.

This produces an extremely reahstic movement of the dummy horse and enhances the experience for the rider.

Preferably, the linkage comprises a Unk member which is rigidy connected to the neck portion and pivotafly connected to the base portion.

Preferably, the link member is pivotally connected to a further link member which is in turn pivotally connected to the base portion.

In one embodiment, the dummy horse is pivotable with respect to the base portion about an axis by shifting of the rider9s weight, the linkage also being pivotally mounted with respect to the base about the same pivotal axis.

The pivotable axis is preferaby horizonta and also preferaby extends in a ongitudina direction.

Preferably, the powered means for dispacing the dummy horse comprises an Sectric motor, By way of exampe only, a specific embodiment of the present invention wiU now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of an embodiment of horse riding training apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figs. 2a, b and c are side, rear and top views respectively of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Figs. 3a, b and c are side, rear and top views respectively, parfly cut away, of the part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

Referring firsfly to Fig. 1, a horse riding training apparatus comprises a simulated horse 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "dummy horse") located on a base 12. A arge projection screen 14 is located in front of the dummy horse, onto which images are projected from a projector 16 ocated at the front of the base 12.

The dummy horse comprises a body portion 18, a neck portion 20 and a head portion 22 at one end of the neck portion. The body portion 18 and neck portion 20 are mounted on an upper frame UF comprising upper, midcfle and tower bngitudinaHyextending frame members 24a, 24b, 24c interconnected by upright front and rear frame members 26a, 26b on each side and lateraDyextending upper and lower frame members 28a, 28b.

The upper frame is movaby mounted on a base frame BF comprising two bngitudinafly extencHng paraU& lower frame members 32 from which two paraHel forward frame members 34 and two parallel rear frame members 36 extend perpendicularly. A reinforcing member 40 extends between the forward and rear upwardly extending base frame member, parael to the lower frame member. The projector 16 is located at the front end of the base frame BF and the portion of the base frame rearwardly of the projector is enclosed by a skirt portion 44.

As best shown in Fig. 2a, a motor 46 is mounted at the rear of the base frame portion. The output of the motor 46 is connected to a crank arm 48 whose opposite end is pivotay mounted to a pivot point 50 located at the rearmost portion of the upper frame UF. The lower portion of the upper frame UF is pivotafly mounted at pivot 52 to a further crank arm 54 which extends generally vertically from a pivot point 56 connected to the base frame at a position adjacent to the upper end of the front upright base frame member 34. The rotation of the electric motor 46 thereby causes the upper frame UF and the body portion 18 mounted on it to move in a manner which simulates very realistically the motion of a horse.

The neck portion 20 is pivotally mounted at pivot 58 to a forwardly extending frame member $0 extending between the upper and middle longitudinallyextending frame portions 24a, 24b of the upper frame. This allows the neck to pivot up and down, around a horizontal axis. The head portion 22 of the dummy horse is also pivotally connected to the neck portion in two ways. Firsfly, the head is pivotally mounted at pivot 62 whose pivotal axis extends generaDy horizontaDy and aVows the head to pivot in an up and down motion. A link arm 64 also extends between the upper frame portion UF, at a point immediat&y below the pivot point of the neck and at a point on the head adjacent to the head pivot. By virtue of this linkage, the head is caused to pivot in the opposite direction to the neck, which simulates the motion of a horse more accurately.

As indicated in Fig. 3c, the head can also be pivoted left and right (as indicated by arrow 66) around a generally verticallyextending axis by virtue of the reins 68 connected to the head portion 22.

As indicated in Fig. 2a, the neck portion is also direcfly connected to the base frame by means of a linkage L. The linkage L comprises an upper rigid link member 70 one end of whch is fixedly connected at a bearing member 72 to one end of an intermediate link member 74, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to a crank arm 7$ whose opposite end is pivotafly mounted to the base frame BE Therefore, as the motor 4$ rotates, the provision of the connecting linkage L moves the neck portion 20 in a very realistic manner. Movement of the neck portion 20 in turn results in pivoting of the head portion 22 via the linkage $4, as has been explained previously.

As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3b, the dummy horse 10 can rock from side4oside about a horizontally and longitudinaVy extending pivotal axis X. This is achieved by interposing springs 78 between the upper frame UF and base frame BF. The springs are normally s&ected to be weak, so that a rider has to make an effort to keep balance, The degree a of effort required to keep balance can be adjusted by means of one or more adjustable hydrauUc dampers 80 extending between the upper frame UF and the base frame BE Limit switches 82 are also provided to provide a signal to indicate when the dummy horse has pivoted excessively to one side or the other.

The bearing member 72 is aligned with the longitudinaDyextending axis X about which the dummy horse 10 can rock from side4oside. This allows the linkage L to accommodate side$oside movement of the upper frame UF and dummy horse 10 with respect to the base frame BF during movement of the dummy horse from side4oside as explained previously.

It will also be observed that the horse is provided with many different sensors and switches as follows.

Firstly, an on/off switch A is provided at the front shoulder portion of the dummy horse.

Secondly, four separate pressure sensors 31 to 34 are provided on the neck portion 20, extending along the length of the neck portion. These are used to control the speed of the horse, as will be explained.

A bit sensor C is also provided in the reins of the horse (only one sensor C is visible in the drawings) to provide steering control to left and right.

As explained previously, the limit switches 82 act as sensors for detecting excessive eaning of the body portion to the left and the right.

Rear and front whipping sensor porUons E, F are aso provided on both sides of the dummy horse and a sensor H is also provided beneath the saddle.

In add iflon, the motor 46 is provided with a rotation sensor.

The outputs of all of the sensors are fed to a computer illustrated schematically at C bcated on the base frame. The computer C is adapted to generate images which are projected onto the screen via the projector 16, the images being modified in accordance with the signals received from the various sensors.

For example, the speed of the horse may be increased by progressiv&y touching sensors 81, 82, 83 and 84 and may be decreased by puling on the reins which actuates the bit sensor C. In each case, the speed of the motor 4$ and therefore the speed of movement of the dummy horse 10 will be adjusted accordingy, and the computer C will aiso adjust the image projected on to the screen accordingly.

Similary, if one of the limit switches 82 is actuated at an inappropriate time, for example when the projected image suggests that the horse should be ridden in a straight line, the computer C will slow the rotational speed of the motor 46 and adjust the projected image accordingly. Similarly, if the sensor H beneath the sadthe is actuated, which should not occur during the course of a race as it indicates the jockey is sitting, the speed of the motor will be reduced and the projected image adjusted accordingly.

The rear and front whipping sensors E, F, are aso adapted to generate signals which, if generated at the appropriate intervak wifi cause an increase in the motor speed 46 and modify the projected image accordingy. lf the computer C determines that the whipping sensors are actuated excessiv&y (eg. more than one whipping action per three strides), the computer C may slow the motor 46 and adjust the projected image.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. q

Claims

CLAMS1. A horse riding training aid comprising a base portion, a dummy horse dispaceaby mounted on the base portion, and powered means for dispacing the dummy horse with respect to the base portion, the dummy horse comprising a seating portion and a neck portion which is pivotafly mounted with respect to the seating portion, the training aid further comprising a linkage extending between the neck portion and the base portion.
2. A horse riding training aid as caimed in c'aim 1, wherein the linkage comprises a link member which is rigidy connected to the neck portion and pivotally connected to the base portion.
3, A horse riding training aid as caimed in caim 2, wheren the link member is pivotaliy connected to a further link member which is in turn pivotafly connected to the base portion.
4. A horse riding training aid as caimed in daim 2 or daim 3, wherein the dummy horse is pivotabe with respect to the base portion about an axis by shifting of the rider's weight, the linkage aiso being pivotafly mounted with respect to the base about the same pivota! axis.
5. A horse riding training aid as daimed in daim 4, wherein the pivota axis is substantiafly horizontaL
6. A horse riding training aid as daimed in daim 5, wherein the pivotal axis extends in a ongitudina direction.
7. A horse riding training aid as camed n any of the preceding daims, wherein the powered means for dispacing the dummy horse comprises an &ectric motor.