Search

US-12617669-B1 - Adjustable saddle

US12617669B1US 12617669 B1US12617669 B1US 12617669B1US-12617669-B1

Abstract

An adjustable saddle is disclosed. The adjustable saddle includes a saddle cover. The saddle cover further includes one or more fasteners, a first side, and a second side. The saddle cover also includes one or more blocks. The one or more blocks are configured to be removably couplable to the saddle cover via the one or more fasteners, wherein the one or more blocks form a modular perimeter around a rider, wherein the modular perimeter is configured to stabilize the rider. The adjustable saddle further includes a saddle tree and a saddle pad.

Inventors

  • Diane Bemis
  • Lydia DeSchepper

Assignees

  • Diane Bemis

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20230609

Claims (13)

  1. 1 . An adjustable saddle, the adjustable saddle comprising: a saddle tree configured to form a shape of the adjustable saddle, wherein the saddle tree is formed of a hard outer shell, wherein the saddle tree is shaped to conform to a back of an animal; a saddle cover, the saddle cover including at least a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is configured to make contact with the back of the animal, wherein the second side is configured to make contact with a portion of a rider, wherein the second side includes a plurality of fasteners, wherein the plurality of fasteners are arranged as strips extending transversely across the second side of the saddle cover, the saddle cover further comprising: a pocket configured to receive the saddle tree, wherein the pocket includes at least a first layer and a second layer at least partially formed by one or more surfaces of the saddle cover, wherein the pocket includes an opening to receive the saddle tree; and one or more blocks configured to be removably couplable to the second side of the saddle cover via the plurality of fasteners, wherein the one or more blocks are configured to form a modular perimeter around the rider, wherein the one or more blocks are stackable, wherein a first block is configured to stack upon one or more additional blocks, wherein the modular perimeter is configured to stabilize one or more body parts of the rider; one or more adjustable stirrups coupled to one of the saddle cover or the saddle tree, wherein a length of the one or more adjustable stirrups is configured to be adjusted via an adjustment mechanism to accommodate riders of different heights, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a strap and buckle fastener to adjust the length of the one or more adjustable stirrups; and an adjustable handle to provide arm support for the rider, wherein the adjustable handle is coupled to the saddle tree via one or more handle straps, wherein the one or more handle straps are directly coupled to the saddle tree, wherein the one or more handle straps are configured to slidably receive the adjustable handle, wherein the one or more handle straps include one or more D-ring straps, wherein one or more openings within the saddle cover are configured to permit access to the one or more handle straps, wherein a position of the adjustable handle is adjustable relative to a front of the animal, wherein a width of the adjustable handle is adjustable relative to a width of the animal to accommodate various animal widths.
  2. 2 . The adjustable saddle of claim 1 , wherein the one or more blocks are removably coupled to the plurality of fasteners via a plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
  3. 3 . The adjustable saddle of claim 1 , wherein the saddle tree further comprises: one or more cinches coupled to one or more portions of the saddle tree, wherein one or more openings within the saddle cover are configured to permit access to the one or more cinches coupled to the saddle tree.
  4. 4 . The adjustable saddle of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable saddle further comprises: one or more buttons, wherein each button of the one or more buttons is configured to generate an audible signal when pressed by the rider.
  5. 5 . The adjustable saddle of claim 4 , wherein the one or more buttons are removably coupled to the saddle cover of the adjustable saddle via the plurality of fasteners.
  6. 6 . The adjustable saddle of claim 4 , wherein the one or more buttons are coupled to at least one of the one or more blocks, wherein the at least one of the one or more blocks is removably coupled to the saddle cover of the adjustable saddle via the plurality of fasteners.
  7. 7 . The adjustable saddle of claim 1 , wherein the hard outer shell is formed of a thermoplastic material.
  8. 8 . The adjustable saddle of claim 1 , wherein the hard outer shell is formed of a carbon fiber material.
  9. 9 . An adjustable saddle, the adjustable saddle comprising: a removable saddle tree configured to form a shape of the adjustable saddle, wherein the removable saddle tree is formed of a hard outer shell, wherein the removable saddle tree is shaped to conform to a back of an animal; a saddle pad; a saddle cover, the saddle cover including a plurality of fasteners, a first side, and a second side; one or more adjustable stirrups coupled to one of the saddle cover or the removable saddle tree, wherein a length of the one or more adjustable stirrups is configured to be adjusted via an adjustment mechanism to accommodate riders of different heights, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a strap and buckle fastener to adjust the length of the one or more adjustable stirrups; and an adjustable handle to provide arm support for a rider, wherein the adjustable handle is coupled to the removable saddle tree via one or more handle straps, wherein the one or more handle straps are directly coupled to the saddle tree, wherein the one or more handle straps are configured to slidably receive the adjustable handle, wherein one or more openings within the saddle cover are configured to permit access to the one or more handle straps, wherein a position of the adjustable handle is adjustable relative to a front of the animal, wherein a width of the adjustable handle is adjustable relative to a width of the animal to accommodate various animal widths, the saddle cover further comprising: a first pocket configured to receive the saddle pad wherein the first pocket includes a first opening to receive the saddle pad; and a second pocket superior to the first pocket and configured to receive the removable saddle tree, wherein the second pocket includes an additional opening to receive the removable saddle tree, wherein the first pocket completely overlaps the second pocket; and one or more blocks configured to be removably couplable to the saddle cover via the plurality of fasteners, wherein the one or more blocks are configured to form a modular perimeter around a rider, wherein the one or more blocks are stackable, wherein a first block is configured to stack upon one or more additional blocks, wherein the modular perimeter is configured to stabilize the rider; wherein the removable saddle tree is contained within the second pocket, and wherein the saddle pad is contained within the first pocket, wherein the saddle pad is configured to pad the back of the animal when the adjustable saddle is on the back of the animal, wherein the saddle pad is configured to pad an entire saddle tree area.
  10. 10 . The adjustable saddle of claim 9 , wherein the adjustable saddle further comprises: one or more buttons, wherein each button of the one or more buttons is configured to generate an audible signal when pressed by the rider.
  11. 11 . The adjustable saddle of claim 10 , wherein the one or more buttons are removably coupled to the saddle cover of the adjustable saddle via the plurality of fasteners.
  12. 12 . The adjustable saddle of claim 9 , wherein the hard outer shell is formed of a thermoplastic material.
  13. 13 . The adjustable saddle of claim 9 , wherein the hard outer shell is formed of a carbon fiber material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/350,710, filed Jun. 9, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in the entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention generally relates to saddles, and in particular, to an adaptive modular saddle for helping a person with disabilities ride a horse. BACKGROUND Hippotherapy encompasses a range of treatments that involve activities with horses and other equines to promote human physical and mental health, which may include riding a horse via a saddle. People with physical disabilities (e.g., amputation, balance problems, or the like) may not be able to effectively ride a horse via a conventional saddle. Therefore, there is a need to provide a saddle that can accommodate people with varying physical disabilities. SUMMARY An adjustable saddle is disclosed, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the adjustable saddle includes a saddle cover which includes one or more fasteners, a first side, and a second side. In embodiments, the saddle cover includes one or more blocks configured to be removably couplable to the saddle cover via the one or more fasteners, wherein the one or more blocks form a modular perimeter around a rider, wherein the modular perimeter is configured to stabilize the rider. In embodiments, the saddle cover includes a saddle tree. In embodiments, the saddle cover includes a saddle pad. A saddle cover is disclosed, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the saddle cover includes a first side. In embodiments, the saddle cover includes a second side. In embodiments, the saddle cover includes one or more fasteners disposed on the second side, wherein the one or more fasteners removably couple one or more blocks to the saddle cover, wherein the one or more blocks form a modular perimeter around a rider, wherein the modular perimeter is configured to stabilize the rider. An adjustable saddle is disclosed, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the adjustable saddle includes a saddle cover which includes one or more fasteners, a first side, a second side, and one or more pockets. In embodiments, the saddle cover includes one or more blocks configured to be removably couplable to the saddle cover via the one or more fasteners, wherein the one or more blocks form a modular perimeter around a rider, wherein the modular perimeter is configured to stabilize the rider. In embodiments, the adjustable saddle includes a saddle tree contained within the one or more pockets. In embodiments, the adjustable saddle includes a saddle pad contained within the one or more pockets. This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matter that is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. The Summary should not be considered to describe essential features nor be used to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description are examples and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. In the drawings: FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an adjustable saddle, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a top rear view of the adjustable saddle, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view of a saddle tree, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a top view of a plurality of blocks, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a side view of the adjustable saddle with a handle deployed on a horse, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5A is a side view of the adjustable saddle deployed on a horse with a plurality of blocks supporting a rider, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B is a side view of the adjustable saddle deployed on a horse with a plurality of blocks supporting a rider, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the adjustable saddle deployed on a horse with a plurality of blocks supporting a rider, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the pr