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EP-3757061-B1 - SADDLE

EP3757061B1EP 3757061 B1EP3757061 B1EP 3757061B1EP-3757061-B1

Inventors

  • Whale, Bradley

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20200624

Claims (19)

  1. A saddle, the saddle comprising: • a two part saddle tree (1) having • an upper part (3) and a lower part (2), the parts fitting complementarily together and being provided with means for securing them together and characterized in that the securing means comprises: • a projection (21) at the front of the upper part into an aperture (12) in the lower part, and • a latch connection (43) towards a rear portion of the two parts or further forward on the lower part along its midline.
  2. A saddle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the latch connection (43) is at the rear-most position of the two parts.
  3. A saddle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a tree hook (18) extends from the upper part (3), having an upwardly extending hook (21) from its end.
  4. A saddle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hook (21) passes through a loop bracket (12) connected to the lower part.
  5. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a wedge (38) is provided under the lower part (2) or upper part (3) for bespoke adjustment of the saddle tree (1).
  6. A saddle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wedge (38) has at least two protrusions (39, 40) on its surface for location in respectively shaped apertures in the lower part (41) and preferably the wedge has at least one aperture in its body.
  7. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is a removable cantle (36) provided at the rear of the upper part (3).
  8. A saddle according to claim 7, wherein the cantle (36) is frangibly attached to the rear of the upper part (3).
  9. A saddle as claimed in claim 7 or 8 as appendant to claim 6, wherein there is a locking mechanism (43) at the rear of the cantle that holds the upper part (3), the lower part (2), the cantle (36) and the wedge (38) together in use.
  10. A saddle as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the cantle (36) has at least two protruding lips (37) on its lower edge that fit into reciprocally shaped apertures (38) on the upper part (3).
  11. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein more than one securing means to ensure secure interconnection of the parts during use.
  12. A saddle as claimed in claim 11, including alternative means by which the upper (3) and lower (2) parts are connected, such as magnets or hook and loop fastenings.
  13. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower part (2) has at least two protrusions to fit into reciprocally shaped apertures on the upper part (3), or wherein the upper part (3) has at least two protrusions to fit into reciprocally shaped apertures on the lower part (2).
  14. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower part (2) extends forward into two oppositely reaching, flexible wings (4, 5) and preferably the lower part (2) is at least partially curved about the longitudinal axis.
  15. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there are at least two recessed apertures (29-32) in the lower part and upper part and preferably there is at least one shim (33) within the respective apertures of the upper and lower parts.
  16. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an area of deliberate weakness is provided in the cantle (36) and/or upper part (3) to allow fracture upon sudden impact.
  17. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the saddle tree (1) is built up by upholstery and padding to better fit the rider and horse.
  18. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a gullet bar (60) is provided on the lower part (2) for support during use, the bar being shaped to the curvature of the horse.
  19. A saddle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper (3) and lower (2) parts are moulded of thermoplastics material, preferably by injection moulding or possibly by vacuum or press moulding.

Description

The present invention relates to a saddle in particular, though not exclusively for, riding horses. A saddle is built around a saddle tree which is a rigid structure receiving upholstery and/or padding. The upholstery and padding are formed on respective opposite sides to provide both a comfortable seat for a rider and a support off the horse's back, which is comfortable for the horse. Typically, a saddle is an integral device that can be made to fit both the horse and rider, for improved comfort during use. However, the shape of both the horse and rider can be subject to change during their time together, which impacts the fit of the saddle to the horse and the comfort of the rider. Alternatively, a rider may outgrow or wish to change their horse. In this instance, the saddle made for the previous horse will not fit the new horse, or a saddle made for the new horse will not be comfortable for a different rider. Documents EP 1911719 A, DE 202012101416 U, GB 2549937 and DE 202010010216 U, disclose saddles, wherein the saddle tree comprises an upper and a lower part. I have sought to provide a two-part saddle, one part that suits the rider and the other that suits the horse. It is desirable that it is also at least partly adjustable to accommodate any variations in the rider or horse's physiology. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved saddle, according to the subject-matter of independent claim 1. The upper part can be shaped to fit an individual rider and the lower part can be shaped to fit the individual horse. The upper and lower parts are separately padded /upholstered as if they were a conventional saddle tree, except they remain separable. Thus, the seat covering on the upper part will be turned under the upper part and secured there. The upper and lower parts are both upholstered for comfort of both the animal and rider. The upholstery could be of any resilient material such as synthetic fibres; however, the upholstery is preferably of leather. The projection(s) could be from the upper part downwards into the lower part but are preferably upwards from the lower part into the apertures of the upper part. The projection(s) can be solid, but in the preferred embodiment they are open centred. Conveniently, they are provided one in front of the other along the middle of the saddle. The securing means are according to the invention both a projection at the front of the upper part into an aperture in the lower part, and a latch connection towards the rear portion of the two parts. Conceivably, the latch is further forward on the lower part along its midline, though it is preferred that the latch connection is at the rear-most position of the two parts. It is possible that the upper and lower parts are connected by alternative means, such as magnets or hook and loop fastening. Typically, there will be more than one securing means to ensure secure interconnection of the parts during use. The parts can have other apertures, which can be filled with padding or left void for lightening of the saddle. To further assure coherence of the saddle, the upper part can be provided with a channel for receiving webbing or strap from which stirrups are hung. The stirrups could possibly be attached to the lower part. Webbing for a girth could also pass over the upper part, or girth end fittings are attached to the lower part. In the preferred embodiment, the end fittings are attached to straps passing over the lower part. The girth normally has multiple positions along the upper part, typically between two and six alternative positions. However, in the preferred embodiment there are four different positions. The parts can be coterminous at the front of the tree. However, in the preferred embodiment, the lower part extends forward of the upper part, with wings down either side of the horse's withers, without pressing down on the top of the withers. The root of the wings is supported by a gullet bar that is typically of steel to support the portion of the lower part that is a raised shape as it extends into wings. It is conceivable that this is of polymeric materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is possible that the gullet bar be between the front ends of the wings, but it is preferred that it is held at the root of the wings. The gullet bar is preferably of on single piece, though it is possible that it is multiple pieces each supporting a particular area of the root of the wings. Side flaps are typically fitted to a portion of the lower part extending beyond the rim of the upper part. Usually, there are upholstered side flaps on the upper part, extending downwards over the webbing and stirrups. It is possible that the upper and lower side flaps do not extend downwards to the same extent, it is preferred that they are co-extending. The leather upholstery/padding provides for the possibility of "building-up" the upper part, for example, under the flaps for improved positioning of the ride