GB2624480A

GB2624480A - Saddle

Info

Publication number: GB2624480A
Application number: GB2304501.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Newcombe Nikki; Rollinson David
Original assignee: Bliss Of London Ltd
Current assignee: Bliss Of London Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-28
Filing date: 2023-03-28
Publication date: 2024-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2043-03-28
Also published as: GB202304501D0; GB2624480B

Abstract

A saddle 100 comprising a seat 101, saddle tree 110, a panel 120 and a removable attachment means 130 for coupling the tree 110 and the panel 120. The attachment means comprises a retaining member 140 and a receiving counterpart 150. The receiving counterpart 150 is configured to receive the retaining member 140 such that the panel 120 and the tree 110 are secured together. One of the retaining members or receiving counterpart is integrated into the tree and the other of the retaining member or receiving counterpart is integrated into the panel.

Description

SADDLE

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a saddle, more particularly to a saddle comprising a means for removably coupling the panel and the tree of the saddle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Horse riding is an extremely popular pastime: according to the British Horse Society, over 1.8 million people ride regularly (i.e. without a break of a month or longer between rides). There are many variations of equestrian activity, such as polo, cross country jumping and flat racing, and horse riding straddles both competitive sports and pleasure riding. However, costs can be prohibitive for entry into the pastime: necessities for many such as a saddle can be expensive.

A saddle generally comprises a seat for a rider. The seat comprises padding and an coating, typically leather. The seat is attached to a saddle tree, referred to as tree within the present disclosure. The tree is a component of a saddle configured to provide a frame structure to the saddle. The tree provides the stability and main shape to the saddle. The tree distributes a rider's weight across the area of the saddle and ensures the proper fit to the mount (typically a horse). A saddle tree is generally made of wood or a plastic or combination of plastics.

A saddle also comprises, among other features, flaps to provide protection and support for the leg of the rider. The flap is typically leather and extends from the side of the saddle. A saddle also comprises a panel. The panel is a padded material that sits on the underside of the saddle and is directly in contact with the back of the mount. The panel is generally leather-covered and padded provides cushioning for the mount and assists in the distribution of the weight across the back of the mount.

When a rider or a mount is changed or changes shape, it may be necessary to replace one or more of the panel or the tree, dependent on the reason for the change. The panel of a saddle is shaped to fit the specific horse, and there are different options dependent on the size and shape of the horse. A new panel may be needed if a rider changes horse, for example. A new panel may also be needed if the shape of the horse's back changes sufficiently, which can occur over the span of a horse's life. The correct fit for both the panel and the tree is important to ensure that neither the rider nor the horse experiences discomfort as a result of the riding.

Traditionally the tree and panel are stitched or glued together (or both). This can provide an arduous task of detaching the two components if a user wishes to keep the component that still provides a suitable fit, and may cause damage to one or more components of the saddle. A user may then need to employ a specialist to attach the replaced component to the kept component (i.e. the new panel to the maintained tree or vice versa). Alternatively, a user may need to buy a full replacement saddle. This is notably more expensive than just changing, e.g., the panel. A panel constitutes -15% of the cost of a saddle, given the size of the element. That being said, both of these options are expensive and can be a barrier to the pastime for those without excess funds.

The cost of manufacturing saddles is also raised by the skilled craftmanship required to attach the tree, panel, and other components together in a saddle.

The present invention aims to at least ameliorate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a saddle. The saddle comprises a saddle tree, a panel, and an attachment means configured to removably couple the tree and the panel. The attachment means comprises a retaining member and a receiving counterpart configured to receive the retaining member such that the panel and tree are secured together, wherein one of the retaining member or receiving counterpart is integrated into the tree, and the other of the retaining member or receiving counterpart is integrated into the panel.

Advantageously, the attachment means providing a removable coupling mechanism between the tree and the panel allows a user to switch out one or both of the components with relative ease. Unlike the earlier systems that required skilled craftmanship, or risked damage to the saddle, a user can replacement the tree or panel themselves with little difficulty.

Further advantageously, the integrated nature of the attachment further improves the ease of use of the saddle: a user does not require any additional tools or components to attach the panel and tree beyond the panel and tree themselves.

The retaining member may comprise a protrusion; and the receiving counterpart may comprise an aperture shaped to receive the protrusion. Advantageously, the aperture and protrusion combination provide a simple attachment mechanism for the tree and panel. A combination of a protrusion and aperture is clear, repeatable and easy to follow both for an end user and at the manufacturing stage.

The protrusion may be configured to slide in the aperture from a released position to a secured position. Advantageously, a sliding securing mechanism for the protrusion and aperture means that an end user does not have to apply a substantial force in the locking direction (i.e. along the length of the protrusion). A close fit can be provided without additional force being required (e.g. to force two components closer together).

An insert-then-slide mechanism is also straightforward to perform and allows a user to ensure that the tree and panel are aligned as desired before securing the two components together with the attachment means.

Alternatively, the protrusion and aperture may form a push-fit connection. Further alternatively, the protrusion may comprise a hook configured to secure to the aperture.

The aperture may be tapered such that the released position for the protrusion is at or near a first end of the receiving counterpart and the released position is at or near a second end of the receiving counterpart. Advantageously, the tapering along the length of the aperture provides both a visual and tactile cue to a user as to which position is released and which is secured.

The receiving counterpart may comprise an abutment surface at least partially extending around the internal perimeter of the aperture; and the protrusion may comprise lips configured to abut the abutment surface of the receiving counterpart. Advantageously, the abutment surface and lips interacting can provide a close fit between the tree and the panel, and resist movement of the protrusion perpendicular to the sliding motion used to secure the retaining member and receiving counterpart together.

The abutment surface may extend around the internal perimeter of the aperture at least at or near the second end, such that the abutment between the lips of the protrusion and abutment surface secures the attachment means together in the secured position. Advantageously, the abutment surface being provided at the second end provides a further visual and tactile cue to the end user on how to use the attachment means.

The aperture of the receiving counterpart may tapered such that the aperture is wider than a head of the protrusion at or near the first end of the receiving counterpart and narrower than the head of the protrusion at or near the second end of the receiving counterpart. This advantageously guides a user to move the protrusion from the released to secured position, providing an intuitive securing mechanism.

The retaining member may be integrated into the panel; and the receiving counterpart may be integrated into the tree. This noted configuration reduces the likelihood of a protrusion causing any discomfort to the mount -the protrusion will extend away from the back of the mount towards the saddle tree, and so the application of the rider's weight will not press the protrusion into the back of the mount.

The receiving counterpart may be fitted into a recess of the body of the tree during manufacture of the tree. The retaining member may be machine sewn into the body of the panel, then covered during manufacture of the panel.

The retaining member may be integrated into the panel such that an upper surface of the panel is continuous (i.e. the covering of the panel is unitary).

One or both of the retaining member and/or the receiving counterpart may be formed from a plastic material. Plastic is advantageously straightforward to machine, durable enough for the purpose required, and lightweight.

The attachment means may be disposed towards the rear end of the saddle.

A plurality of attachments means as described above may be provided to provide a more secure fit between the tree and the panel, or between separate panels and the tree.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for providing a saddle according to any embodiment of the first aspect. The kit comprises: the saddle tree; the panel; and the attachment means as described in any embodiment of the first aspect.

The skilled person will appreciate that preferred features of any one embodiment and/or aspect of the invention may be applied to all other embodiments and/or aspects of the invention.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the rear end of a saddle according to an example embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the panel and tree of the saddle of Figure 1 attached 30 from a side and elevated view; Figure 4 illustrates the panel and tree of Figures 2 and 3, detached; and Figure 5 illustrates a panel according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that the Figures are diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of these Figures have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size, for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference signs are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar feature in modified and different embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, there is provided a saddle 100. The saddle 100 comprises a seat 101, on which a rider sits. The saddle 100 further comprises flaps 102, configured to support and protect the legs of a rider. The flaps 102 extend from the side of the saddle and down the sides of a mount (e.g. a horse). The saddle 100 further comprises a panel 120, configured to distribute the weight of the rider across the back of the mount, which is generally a horse. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 101 and the panel 130 comprise padded leather for comfort.

As shown in Figure 2, the saddle 100 also comprises a saddle tree 110. The saddle tree 110 provides a frame structure for the saddle 100, acting as a chassis to provide the shape and strength for the saddle 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the tree 110 is formed of a polymer material. An attachment means 130 can be seen in Figure 2, configured to removably couple the tree 110 and panel 120.

A more detailed view is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows the tree 110 and panel 120 coupled together with the attachment means 130. Figure 4 shows the two components separated (i.e. the attachment means 130 is decoupled). The attachment means 130 is integrated into the tree 110 and panel 120, and comprises a retaining member 140 and receiving counterpart 150.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining member 140 forms part of the panel 120, and comprises a protrusion 142 extending from the upper surface of the body 125 of the panel 130. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the protrusion 142 is secured to the body 125 of the panel 120 with a screw. It is envisaged that other securing means may be used. For example, the protrusion 142 may be machine sewn into the body 125 of the panel 120, and then covered (see Figure 5).

The receiving counterpart 150 comprises an aperture 151, configured to receive the protrusion 142 of the retaining member 140. The aperture 151 is sized such that it is wider at or near the first end 152 of the receiving counterpart 150, and narrower at a second end 153 of the receiving counterpart 150. These ends 152, 153 correspond to a released and secured position for the protrusion 142 respectively: at the first end 152 the aperture 151 is wide enough to receive and remove the protrusion 142; and at the second end 153 the aperture 151 is narrower such that the protrusion 142 cannot be removed. As can be seen in Figure 4, the receiving counterpart 150 comprises an abutment surface 154. In the illustrated embodiment, this abutment surface 153 extends around the perimeter of the aperture 151 at the second end 153. This abutment surface 154 abuts against the edges (or lips) of the protrusion 142 to prevent it moving in a direction perpendicular to the abutment surface 154 (i.e. to secure the retaining member 140 and receiving counterpart 150 together).

In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving counterpart 150 is secured to the body 115 of the tree 110 with screws 155. It is envisaged that alternative means for integrating the receiving counterpart 150 with the tree 110 may be utilised. For example, the body 115 of the tree 110 may be machined such that the aperture 151 and abutment surface 154 are formed directly into the body 115 of the tree 110 such that the tree 110 and the receiving counterpart 150 form a single piece. Alternatively, the receiving counterpart 150 may be glued, or stitched into place in the body 115 of the tree 110. Further alternatively, the receiving counterpart 150 may be fit into a countersunk recess in the body 115 of the tree 110. It may be fixed into this recess with rivets.

Figure 5 shows a panel 5120 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similar to panel 120 of the previous Figures, panel 5120 comprises a retaining member 5140, which comprises a protrusion 5142 secured to the body 5125 of the panel 5120. Panel 5120 further comprises a covering 5127 configured to cover the body 5125 of the panel 5120 and the protrusion 5142, such that a continuous layer of the covering 5127 surrounds the panel 5120. In this context, continuous is taken to mean that the covering 5127 is unbroken and unitary, not that it is flat -the protrusion 5142 may be covered, but it still extends out from the body 5125 of the panel 5120 in order to be received by the receiving counterpart 150.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

For the sake of completeness it is also stated that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, the term "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, a single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several means recited in the claims and reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A saddle comprising: a saddle tree; a panel; and an attachment means configured to removably couple the tree and the panel, wherein the attachment means comprises: a retaining member; and a receiving counterpart configured to receive the retaining member such 10 that the panel and tree are secured together, wherein one of the retaining member or receiving counterpart is integrated into the tree, and the other of the retaining member or receiving counterpart is integrated into the panel.
2. The saddle of claim 1, wherein: the retaining member comprises a protrusion; and the receiving counterpart comprises an aperture shaped to receive the protrusion.
3. The saddle of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is configured to slide in the aperture from a released position to a secured position.
4. The saddle of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: the aperture is tapered such that the released position for the protrusion is at or near the first end of the receiving counterpart and the released position is at or near 25 the second end of the receiving counterpart.
5. The saddle of any of claims 2 to 4, wherein: the receiving counterpart comprises an abutment surface at least partially extending around the internal perimeter of the aperture; and the protrusion comprises lips configured to abut the abutment surface of the receiving counterpart.
6. The saddle of claim 5 as dependent on claim 4, wherein the abutment surface extends around the internal perimeter of the aperture at least at or near the second end, such that the abutment between the lips of the protrusion and abutment surface secures the attachment means together in the secured position.
7. The saddle of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the aperture of the receiving counterpart is tapered such that the aperture is wider than a head of the protrusion at or near the first end of the receiving counterpart and narrower than the head of the protrusion at or near the second end of the receiving counterpart.
The saddle of any preceding claim, wherein: the retaining member is integrated into the panel; and the receiving counterpart is integrated into the tree.
9. The saddle of any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the retaining member and/or the receiving counterpart is formed from a plastic material.
10. The saddle of any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of the attachment means configured to removably couple the tree and the panel, each 20 attachment means comprising a retaining member and receiving counterpart.
11. A kit of parts for providing a saddle according to any of claims 1 to 10, the kit comprising: the saddle tree; the panel; and the attachment means.