WO2005082773A1 - Saddle structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a variable, modularly constructed saddle for horses. Said saddle consists of a saddle seat, a saddle beam, a saddle cushion and two saddle leaves. The saddle seat (4), the saddle beam (1), the saddle cushion (2) and the two saddle leaves (3, 3') are connected together in a detachable manner and the individual parts are synchronised in relation to each other such that each part can be replaced by another part of the same type. As a result, the saddle beam (1) can be adapted in an exact manner to the width of the back of the horse, the saddle seat (4) can be adapted in an exact manner to the rider and both of saddle leaves (3, 3'), in addition the saddle cushion (2), can be adapted to a determined riding discipline.

Description

 BAUSATTEL

The present invention relates to a variable, modular saddle for horses, consisting of a saddle seat, a saddle tree, a saddle pad and two saddle sheets, the saddle seat, the saddle tree, the saddle pad and the two saddle sheets being releasably connected to one another. A high-quality saddle is characterized by the fact that it is optimally adapted to both the rider and the horse, whereby the weight of the rider is evenly distributed over the saddle surface on the horse's back and the rider also has the option of using weight and cross aids to be able to influence the horse.

If the chamber height is sufficient, the contact area must be large enough to guarantee unrestricted freedom of movement for the horse and must also give the rider the prerequisite to be able to sit correctly over the center of gravity of the horse. Finally, it must be taken into account that custom-made saddles involve high costs, especially if the saddle of a rider - which is adapted to the rider - is used on several horses with different physiques.

In order to use the optimal saddle here, the rider must have the right saddle for each horse. This problem is exacerbated by the growth of a horse. Since the preparation should start at the earliest possible point in the horse's growth, and growth damage caused by incorrectly fitting saddles should be excluded, at least two saddles are also required for each horse during the growth phase.

To solve this problem, adjustable saddles have been proposed, in which heels provided with adjustable heels, for example the heels in each case in their front areas via adjustable front fastenings for adjusting the distance between the saddle tree and heels with locating ends of the saddle tree, essentially fixed and on a rear Fastening point are connected to the saddle tree via a hinge, so that the elastic points in the fastening points can be tilted and thus twisted about their longitudinal axis. However, this solution has not become established in practice, since it is complex to manufacture and to use and gives the rider an inadequate feeling of security. An essential point for the present invention is that special saddles are required for each application. So there are off-road saddles as well as jumping saddles and dressage saddles, but also multi-purpose or versatility saddles, the latter, however, forming a compromise between the first-mentioned saddle shapes. In order to perform well, the rider will use a different, specially designed saddle for each riding discipline.

In practice, it is therefore necessary to purchase at least one saddle for each horse and riding discipline. A known solution to this problem is described in DE 84 17 407, which describes a saddle composed of two interchangeable parts, while maintaining the gullet which is to be dimensioned accordingly on the horse's withers while maintaining the part which is the most complex to manufacture, namely the saddle seat the saddle blades can also be replaced together with the front pillow section that is subject to the most individual needs.

In this solution, the saddle seat itself is worked as usual via a saddle tree, which is permanently integrated into the saddle seat. It only has two symmetrical parts of the saddle cushion in its rear section, whereas in conventional saddles the saddle cushion extends to the front of the front. The usually integrated gullet iron is here exposed and is held interchangeably at the top. In this way, the gullet can be adapted to the respective horse.

The saddle blades hang together in the area of the fore-squirrel via a bridge section made of lined leather, which at the same time forms a lower cover for the gullet in its central section. The tops together with the ends of the top iron are inserted into corresponding pockets of the saddle blades, which also have continuations of the cushion parts on their upper and front edges.

These two parts are connected to each other by means of eyelets and hooks. In addition, the bridge section can be buttoned on the saddle seat in front of the gullet. Another connection is made via the saddle straps, which are sewn onto the saddle seat and are guided from above through corresponding slots at the upper end of the saddle blades.

In order to enable an adaptation to the horse's physique, there are slot openings in the bottom part of the cushion parts, through which the padding can be changed.

The disadvantage of this known solution is that the saddle seat is still very expensive to manufacture, since it is normally sewn together and the leather is then stretched over the saddle tree using pliers. The saddle tree itself is not interchangeable, which would be necessary when changing horses with different back widths.

Another disadvantage is that a separate part with corresponding saddle blades is required for each riding discipline. The execution of split saddle pads is also disadvantageous for the horse. The main disadvantage, however, which is ultimately to blame for the fact that this type of saddle has not established itself on the market, is that the connection of the two parts via eyelets and hooks is very delicate and represents a high security risk due to the latent risk of breakage. The other connection points with push buttons and saddle straps do not change that much either.

However, since the idea of the assembled saddle in principle solves the problem of purchasing a plurality of saddles, the object of the present invention is to create a saddle composed of coordinated modules which, however, reliably avoids the shortcomings shown, in particular the safety risk of the known solution , In addition, the saddle according to the invention should also contribute to a significant reduction in costs through simpler manufacture.

This object is achieved in that the individual parts are matched to one another in such a way that each part can be replaced by another part of the same genus, and in that at one end of the saddle tree its shell-shaped part is bulged inwards at the edge to accommodate the outer part The edge of the saddle seat surface of the saddle seat and the saddle seat surface at the opposite end is fastened by means of a fixing bracket to the edge of the saddle tree, the fixing bracket being held on the saddle tree by additional fastening.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. 1 shows a side view of the fully assembled saddle; Fig. 2 s preferably made of carbon fiber composite material, optionally two-part saddle tree with lintel spring and screw insert and the mounting holes; Fig. 3 shows the saddle cushion with an integrated mounting rail, which is also preferably made of carbon fast composite material. This rail can be made whole, divided or in two parts; 4 shows the saddle tree with a large saddle blade mounted thereon; 5 shows the same saddle tree from FIG. 4 with straps and saddle cushions additionally attached to it; 6 shows the saddle seat with small saddlebags, as it is inserted into the saddle tree and clamped therein; 7 the fixing bracket provided for the clamping fastening of the saddle seat to the saddle tree, one of the screw holes being covered by a logo button.

The saddle according to the invention is composed of individual modules which, depending on the application and the horse used, is composed of the coordinated individual parts. The saddle itself, as can be seen in FIG. 1, consists of six individual parts, the saddle tree 1, the saddle cushion 2, the two saddle sheets 3, the saddle seat 4 and a fixing bracket 5.

The saddle tree 1 shown separately in FIG. 2 is composed in one piece or from two detachably connected parts 6 and 7, the shell-shaped part 6 ending in two elongated parts 8, 8 ', which run along the horse's back. There is an open surface 9 between the elongated parts 8 and 8 '. The free end regions of the elongated parts 8, 8' are fixed in their position by a bow-shaped part 7. A fall spring 10 is additionally attached to this bow-shaped part 7.

In the two-part embodiment, the distance between the free ends of the elongated parts 8 and 8 'can be varied continuously within relatively narrow limits via the bow-shaped part 7, in order to enable the best possible adaptation to the width of the horse's back. However, this area is usually not sufficient to be able to accompany the growth of the horse from the time of the first preparation to the fully developed stage. Depending on the horse, two or three different saddle trees will therefore be required during this period if an optimal width is to be guaranteed at all times.

The saddle tree 1 is hemmed at one end by a bowl-shaped elevation 11, which is bulged inwards at its edge 12 to accommodate the outer edge of the saddle seat 4, not shown here. The outer edge of the saddle seat 4 is pushed under this bulge 12 and with its opposite end clamped by means of the edge 13 of the bow-shaped part 7. The fixing bracket 5 shown in FIG. 7 is used for the final fastening of the saddle seat, which is screwed onto the bow-shaped part 7 via the bores 14 or otherwise secured in a suitable detachable manner. The saddle cushion 2 is arranged below the saddle tree 1 and is shown separately in FIG. 3. Integrated therein is a fastening rail 15, which is shown here in broken lines. For reasons of weight, the fastening rail is also preferably made of carbon fiber composite material and can be made in one piece, as well as divided or in two parts.

4 shows the saddle tree 1 with saddle blades 3, 3 'attached to it. The saddle blades 3, 3 'are screwed to the side of the saddle tree 1 or otherwise secured in a suitable detachable manner. Depending on the riding discipline, the saddle blades 3, 3 'are equipped with or without knee pads. If a rider wants to use his saddle in different riding disciplines, he does not need his own saddle for each discipline, but only changes the corresponding saddle sheets 3, 3 'and possibly the saddle pad 2.

5, this saddle cushion 2 is already mounted on the saddle tree 1. Also shown are short pieces of the straps 16, which open into abdominal belts, not shown. At this stage of the assembly, it is now possible for the first time to be able to precisely check the fit of the saddle attached to the horse using the straps. The free area 9 is particularly helpful here. Such a precise inspection was not possible with the saddles from the prior art.

A great advantage of the present invention is that the manufacture of the saddle seat 4 is significantly simplified compared to the prior art. For the saddle seat 4 shown separately in FIG. 6, only the seat leather 18 is stretched over the padded saddle seat 4 and the small saddlebags 17 are attached to the padded saddle seat 4.

The hitherto usual, very power-consuming and can only be managed with pliers help over the saddle tree. This advantage makes a decisive contribution to the fact that the entire manufacturing time of an average saddle can be reduced considerably. Since the manufacture of a saddle is essentially entirely manual work, this reduction in time also has a noticeable effect on the manufacturing price of the saddle.

The saddle according to the invention thus reduces both the running acquisition costs of the rider and the manufacturing effort and at the same time ensures a saddle that is optimally adapted to both the rider, the horse and the riding discipline.

If after some time of use it is necessary to re-upholster individual parts of the saddle, this can be done with considerably less work due to the easily dismantled structure of the saddle. Another advantage is that the saddle seat can be replaced in a very simple and very cost-effective manner when worn. Also multiple riders can with significantly different weights, such as children, teenagers and adults, prepare the same horse with the same saddle, only the saddle seat needs to be replaced and everyone rides with their saddle optimized for them.

Even if a damaged string is to be replaced, this can be done by simply unscrewing, changing the string and screwing the saddle back together by the rider himself. Costly repairs in special workshops are no longer necessary.

Due to the modular construction, the saddle according to the invention offers for the first time the possibility with little effort to create a saddle that is optimally made both for the horse in the respective growth stage and in the case of changing riders, which is also optimally equipped for every riding discipline, the exchange requiring renovation Components can now be done in the simplest way by everyone. So the idea of the assembled saddle is realized in the best possible way. In addition, the saddle according to the invention also contributes to a considerable reduction in costs through simpler manufacture and offers the same safety as conventional saddles.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. saddle, consisting of a saddle seat (4), a saddle tree (1), a saddle cushion (2) and two saddle blades (3, 3 '), the saddle seat (4), the saddle tree (1), the saddle cushion (2) and the two saddle blades (3, 3 ') are detachably connected to one another, characterized in that the individual parts are matched to one another so that each part can be replaced by another part of the same genus, and in that at one end of the saddle tree (1) its shell-shaped part (11) at the edge (12) is bulged inwards to receive the outer edge (19) of the saddle seat surface (18) of the saddle seat (4) and the saddle seat surface (18) at the opposite end (20) with a fixing bracket ( 5) is clampingly fastened to the edge (13) of the saddle tree (1), the fixing bracket (5) being held on the saddle tree (1) by additional fastening. 2. Saddle according to claim 1, characterized in that the saddle tree (1) exactly to the width of the horse's back, the saddle seat (4) exactly to the rider and the two saddle blades (3, 3 ') and the saddle cushion (2) to one certain riding disciplines are adapted. 3. Saddle according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the saddle tree (1) is made in one piece or is composed of two detachably connected parts (6, 7), the shell-shaped part (6) in two elongated parts (8, 8 ') which run along the horse's back and between the elongated parts there is an open surface (9), the free end regions of the elongated parts (8, 8') being separated from a bow-shaped part ( 7) be fixed in their position. 4. Saddle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a camber spring (10) is attached to the bow-shaped part (7). 5. Saddle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the saddle tree (1) is made of carbon fiber composite material. 6. Saddle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the saddle cushion (2) is made in one or two parts. 7. Saddle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that divided or continuous stiffening inserts (15) are incorporated in the saddle cushion (2). Saddle according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that straps (16) are releasably attached to the saddle tree (1).