Saddle and a saddle tree

Abstract

 A saddle comprises a saddle tree 2 with a pommel 3 and a cantle 4 which are mutually connected by a connecting part 5. The pommel 3 comprises at least a part of a saddle head 6 and a pair of saddle tree points 7 hanging downward on either side thereof. The saddle tree points 7 are pivotable in a width direction relative to the at least part of the saddle head 6. The saddle is thus adjustable for the purpose of a wider-ranging application on load-carrying animals without the sitting comfort of the saddle changing for a rider.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle for a load-carrying animal, intended and adapted to be received on a back of the load-carrying animal, comprising a saddle tree with a pommel and a cantle which are mutually separated in a longitudinal direction by a connecting part, wherein the pommel comprises at least a part of a saddle head and a pair of saddle tree points which hang downward on either side thereof and between which a saddle channel is situated. The invention also relates to a saddle tree for use in the saddle according to the present invention.

[0002] Riding saddles are used on load-carrying animals, such as for instance horses and donkeys, in order to improve a riding experience during riding of the load-carrying animal for both the rider and the load-carrying animal itself. The riding saddle serves here on the one hand to enhance the sitting comfort of the rider during riding and on the other to reduce or prevent possible physical injuries to the load-carrying animal resulting from riding. An important component in many known riding saddles is the saddle tree. The saddle tree is the structural core of the saddle which provides the saddle with its shape and strength and to which other saddle components, such as the saddle panels, are fixed.

[0003] A conventional saddle tree comprises a pommel and a cantle which are separated from each other by a connecting part. When applied in a saddle the connecting part of the saddle tree usually receives thereon a seat element, such as a seat panel, on which a rider can support comfortably during riding, and thereunder a support panel for supporting on the back of the load-carrying animal therewith. The cantle extends upward and functions as back support for the rider during riding. The pommel comprises a pair of saddle tree points which hang downward along a part of the withers of the load-carrying animal. Situated between the saddle tree points is a saddle channel in which a part of the back of the load-carrying animal is received during use. The saddle channel must be sufficiently large to receive a back part of the riding animal therein without squeezing, and must also leave space between the saddle tree and the spine of the load-carrying animal during use so that the spine can move freely and is not directly loaded by the weight of the rider. The forces released during riding are dispersed along the flanks of the load-carrying animal toward the back muscles via the saddle tree points so that these forces are distributed over a large area, so providing a large measure of relief for particularly the spine of the load-carrying animal.

[0004] Owing however to current breeding and riding techniques load-carrying animals, and particularly horses, are becoming larger in size. Particularly the mass of the muscles of the back and withers is found to be increasing in bred load-carrying animals, whereby these animals develop a wider back. As a result a channel width of the saddle channel in conventional saddle trees is found to be too narrow to receive the back of the load-carrying animal therein. Lower panels of the saddle, such as the support panels, can be displaced or made smaller in order to provide more space. Both known measures have the drawback however that this results in a reduced wear comfort for the load-carrying animal.

[0005] The present invention thus has for its object, among others, to provide a riding saddle which obviates the stated drawback.

[0006] In order to achieve the intended object a riding saddle of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the present invention that a downward hanging wall extends on either side of the saddle tree from the saddle tree points along a part of a length of the connecting part. The downward hanging wall forms a wing on the saddle tree, which during use of the saddle supports on a part of the flanks of the load-carrying animal in order to increase a load-bearing capacity of the saddle tree and thus increase wear comfort for the load-carrying animal. Lower panels, such as the support panels, applied under the saddle tree can thereby be displaced without loss of wear comfort of the riding saddle. The downward hanging wall here also provides a mounting body for reliable mounting of the lower panels. For a good control of a load-carrying animal during riding it is important for a rider to be able to have at least substantially direct contact with the load-carrying animal. Particularly the legs of a rider must be in direct contact with the flanks of the load-carrying animal to enable precise instructions to be given to the load-carrying animal via the legs. For this reason the downward hanging wall extends only along a front part of the connecting part on a pommel side and leaves a rear part of the connecting part on a cantle side free so that using his/her legs a rider can make substantially direct contact here with the load-carrying animal, i.e. without interposing of a downward hanging wall of the saddle tree.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of the riding saddle according to the present invention has the feature that connecting means are provided to mutually connect the downward hanging wall and the saddle tree. The downward hanging wall can thus be connected for instance mechanically to the saddle tree. In a further preferred embodiment the riding saddle according to the present invention is characterized in that the downward hanging wall comprises a cavity for receiving at least a part of a saddle tree point therein.

[0008] A further preferred embodiment of the riding saddle according to the present invention has the feature that the downward hanging wall is formed integrally with a saddle tree point. Yet another further preferred embodiment of the riding saddle according to the present invention has the feature that the downward hanging wall is integral with the whole saddle tree.

[0009] A particular embodiment of the riding saddle according to present invention has the feature that the downward hanging wall can be pivoted manually relative to the at least part of the saddle head in a width direction between a first position and a further position, and can be fixed in a position.

[0010] In a known riding saddle the pommel can be adjusted by heating the material so that it becomes to some extent flexible, and subsequently bending the material in order to adjust a width of the saddle channel as required. Although this known riding saddle can be widely applied owing to the adjustability and can for instance be used on different load-carrying animals of varying build and size, it does however also have a drawback. During bending of the saddle-bow of the known riding saddle there is a bending moment at the top of the saddle head. This also changes a shape of an upper part of the saddle head. Such a change is visible and perceptible in a seat part of the riding saddle in which the saddle tree is applied. This results for a rider in a changed riding experience, and particularly in a reduced sitting comfort, of the riding saddle.

[0011] The present invention thus has the further object of providing a riding saddle which is easily adjustable in size without a sitting comfort of the riding saddle being affected therein. For this purpose a riding saddle of the type stated in the preamble is characterized according to the invention in that the saddle tree points can be pivoted manually relative to the at least part of the saddle head in a width direction between a first position and at least one further position, and that the saddle tree points can be fixed in a position. Because the saddle tree points are manually pivotable in a width direction, the size of a space provided by the saddle channel can be adjusted in simple manner to the dimensions of a back part of a load-carrying animal on which the riding saddle is used. The riding saddle need not therefore be replaced when there is a change in the build of the load-carrying animal for which the saddle was in the first instance acquired, such as for instance an increase or decrease of muscle mass on the back, particularly at the position of the withers. The riding saddle can moreover be used on different riding animals of varying build. The riding saddle is thus exceptionally versatile and saves the cost of additional riding saddles. Because the saddle tree points are adjustable here in a width direction relative to the at least part of the saddle head, the at least part of the saddle head remains unaffected when the saddle tree is adjusted. An original design of the upper side of the saddle, particularly the sitting part, which is particularly important for the sitting comfort, here remains largely the same. The riding characteristics of the saddle will thus also remain the same after a modification thereof for the rider.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the riding saddle according to the present invention has the feature that the saddle tree points are each mounted along a pivot axis on the at least part of the saddle head. The pivot axis can thus for instance comprise a hinge along which each saddle tree point can be manually adjusted in a width direction in simple manner.

[0013] In a particular embodiment the riding saddle according to the present invention is characterized in that the pommel is formed at least substantially integrally and is provided between the at least part of the saddle head and each saddle tree point with a weakening line along which the saddle tree point can be pivoted. Compared to a pommel of separate parts such an integrally formed pommel is significantly more durable in respect of absorbing the forces released during riding of a load-carrying animal. The weakening line can be realized in the pommel between the at least part of the saddle head and each saddle tree point in many ways, and in a further preferred embodiment of the riding saddle according to the present invention comprises a groove, crease line or other type of material-saving, because such weakening lines can be arranged later in the material of the pommel in very simple manner.

[0014] A further preferred embodiment of the riding saddle according to the present invention has the feature that a strengthening body fixes the saddle tree points in a position. As strengthening body it is for instance possible to apply an at least practically non-deformable metal or plastic body, such as for instance a steel head iron, which is able and adapted to absorb the forces possibly released on particularly the saddle tree points during riding of the load-carrying animal. The strengthening body can be fixed here in the saddle channel against an inner side of the saddle tree points and the at least part of the saddle head or, conversely, against an opposite outer side of the saddle tree points and the at least part of the saddle head. The strengthening body prevents unwanted pivoting of the saddle tree points to a different position, which could have serious consequences for both the load-carrying animal and the rider.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a riding saddle for a load-carrying animal, intended and adapted to be received on the back of the load-carrying animal, comprising a saddle tree with a pommel and a cantle which are mutually separated in a longitudinal direction by a connecting part, wherein the pommel comprises at least a part of a saddle head and a pair of saddle tree points which hang downward on either side thereof and between which a saddle channel is situated, which riding saddle is characterized in that on either side of the saddle tree a downward hanging wall extends from the saddle tree points along a part of a length of the connecting part and is intended and adapted to receive at least one panel thereon.

[0016] The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Figures 1-2

show respectively a perspective view and a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of a saddle tree for applying in a riding saddle according to the invention.

Figures 3-4

show respectively a perspective view and a front view of a second exemplary embodiment of a saddle tree for applying in a riding saddle according to the invention.

Figure 5

shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a saddle tree for applying in a riding saddle according to the invention.

Figures 6-9

show respectively a perspective view of a part of a saddle head, a downward hanging wall, a strengthening body and a pommel.

[0017] The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to a greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

[0018] As shown in figure 1 in a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a riding saddle according to the invention, the riding saddle comprises a saddle tree 2 with a pommel 3 and a cantle 4, which are separated from each other by a connecting part 5. Saddle tree 2 can be formed integrally or from separate components 3, 4, 5. Saddle tree 2 or separate components 3, 4, 5 thereof can be manufactured from any suitable material which is sufficiently flexible and strong, but are preferably made of wood, plastic or metal or combinations thereof. Cantle 4 extends upward to some extent relative to connecting part 5 in order to function as back support for a rider. Connecting part 5 forms the waist of the saddle, on which a sitting element such as for instance a seat panel is arranged to allow comfortable seating of a rider thereon during riding. Arranged under connecting part 5 are support panels which increase the saddle comfort for the load-carrying animal on which the saddle is used. Connecting part 5 can be formed by a fully closed plate between the pommel and cantle, but comprises in this exemplary embodiment two supports 11 which leave an opening between them. Owing to the opening this exemplary embodiment is a lightweight saddle tree. Connecting part 5 can optionally be strengthened by applying a number of strengthening bodies, for instance in the form of metal strips 12. Pommel 3 comprises a part of a saddle head 6 and a pair of downward hanging saddle tree points 7. Saddle tree points 7 extend downward along a part of the withers of the load-carrying animal in order to distribute the forces released during riding over the flanks of the load-carrying animal so that the relatively injury-susceptible spine, particularly the wither vertebrae, of the load-carrying animal are providing with a large measure of relief. Situated between saddle tree points 7 is a saddle channel 8 in which a part of the back of the load-carrying animal is received during use. Saddle channel 8 must be sufficiently large to receive a back part of the load-carrying animal therein without squeezing and must leave sufficient space between the saddle tree and the spine of the load-carrying animal during use so that the spine can move freely. At the same time it is important for riding comfort that the saddle tree does not lie too loosely on the back of the load-carrying animal. A width of the saddle channel and a height of the saddle channel are both important here. Saddle tree points 7 can be manually adjusted in a width direction along a pivot axis 9 to enable adjustment of the width of the saddle channel. Because only the width of saddle tree points 7 is adjusted here, the part of saddle head 6 remains unaffected. A height of the part of the saddle head relative to the connecting part remains practically the same. The riding characteristics, and particularly the riding comfort, hereby also remain the same for the rider.

[0019] In figure 2 a front view of the pommel clearly shows that saddle tree points 7 can be adjusted in a width direction along pivot axis 9 independently of the at least part of saddle head 6. No change occurs here in saddle head 6. A width of saddle channel 8 between saddle tree points 7, designated with arrow Y, can thus be manually adjusted in simple manner, while a width of saddle channel 8 above the saddle tree points in saddle head 6, designated with arrow X, remains constant.

[0020] A second embodiment of a riding saddle according to the invention is almost the same as the first embodiment and is shown in figure 3. In this exemplary embodiment however, saddle tree 2 comprises on either side a downward hanging wall 13 extending from a saddle tree point 7 along a part of a length of connecting part 5. Downward hanging wall 13 forms a wing on the saddle tree, which rests on the flanks of a load-carrying animal during use of the saddle in order to increase a load-bearing capacity of the saddle tree. In order to be able to exert a good control on the load-carrying animal the downward hanging wall 13 leaves free a rear part of connecting part 5 on a cantle side so that a rider can here make substantially direct contact with the load-carrying animal with his/her legs, i.e. without interposing of a downward hanging wall of the saddle tree. The downward hanging wall 13 can be pivoted manually together with saddle tree point 7 in a width direction relative to the saddle tree for the same reasons as described above.

[0021] Figure 4 shows clearly that in this exemplary embodiment the downward hanging wall 13 comprises a cavity in which a saddle tree point 7 is received. By dimensioning the cavity tightly, i.e. substantially without clearance, relative to saddle tree point 7 the downward hanging wall can hereby be fixed in simple manner to an existing saddle tree with saddle tree points. Optionally for saddle trees without saddle tree points, or additionally for an extra-reliable coupling, connecting means can also be provided which mutually connect the downward hanging wall 13 and the saddle tree. An alternative is that the downward hanging wall is formed integrally with the saddle tree point and is coupled to the saddle tree via pivot axis 9. It is also possible to manufacture the downward hanging wall 13 integrally with the pommel or with the complete saddle-bow.

[0022] In figure 5 a third embodiment of a riding saddle according to the invention shows a saddle tree 2 which is placed on the back of the load-carrying animal with a pommel 3 close to the withers. Pommel 3 comprises at least a part of a saddle head 6, wherein an upper part 14 (see figure 6) of the at least part of saddle head 6 is coupled releasably to a basic part 15 of the at least part of saddle head 6. Pommel 3 further comprises saddle tree points 7 which on either side of saddle tree 2 are integral with a respective downward hanging wall 13 of at least substantially triangular form (see figure 7) attached releasably to an underside of basic part 15. Basic part 15 of the at least part of saddle head 6 is formed integrally with a connecting part 5 on which a seat panel can be arranged and under which a support panel can be mounted for the purpose of manufacturing a riding saddle. Connecting part 5 is formed integrally with a cantle 4 which serves as a back support for a rider.

[0023] For reliable mutual coupling of the components of pommel 3 a strengthening body 16 in the form of a steel head iron (see figure 8) is placed in the saddle channel on an inner side of the saddle tree. The head iron of hardened steel does not deform even when a maximal load is exerted thereon during a ride on the load-carrying animal, and is thus very well able to fix saddle tree points 7 in a position. At the position where the downward hanging wall 13 is connected to basic part 15 the head iron comprises a bend line 17, for instance in the form of a crease line or other type of recess, to enable pivoting of a bottom part of head iron 16 together with saddle tree points 7 from a first position to at least one further position A size of the saddle channel between the downward hanging saddle tree points 7 and downward hanging wall 13 is thus adjustable. In order to prevent unwanted pivoting of saddle tree points 7 and the downward hanging wall 13 to a different position, it is important that head iron 16 can only be adjusted around the bend line with a minimal force greater than a maximal force as is exerted on saddle tree points 7 and downward hanging wall 13 during normal use of saddle tree 2 during a ride on the load-carrying animal. For an extremely reliable fixing of saddle tree points 7 and the downward hanging wall 13, use can also be made of a strengthening body 16, such as a head iron, without bend line. During adjustment of saddle tree points 7 and the downward hanging wall 13 in a width direction the strengthening body 16 will in that case have to be exchanged for another strengthening body 16 from a pair of strengthening bodies which vary in dimension and shape.

[0024] Because upper part 14 and the downward hanging wall 13 of saddle-bow 3 are connected releasably to basic part 15 of saddle tree 2, saddle tree 2 can be very flexible in use. Saddle tree points 7 and upper part 14 can both be exchanged in simple manner with other saddle tree points or upper part from a collection of different saddle tree points and upper parts varying in dimension and shape. Upper part 14 of figure 6 is for instance embodied with a cut-back head, wherein upper part 14 comprises a recess on an upper side in order to provide a load-carrying animal with relatively high withers more space to move. Upper part 14 can however also comprise a full saddle head as shown in figure 9, and be part of an integrally formed pommel comprising an upper part 14 and basic part 15 and a part of a downward hanging wall 13 (figure 9). The saddle tree can thus be precisely modified to the dimensions of the load-carrying animal on which the saddle tree is applied.

[0025] Although the invention has been further elucidated with reference to only several exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. Saddle for a load-carrying animal, intended and adapted to be received on a back of the load-carrying animal, comprising a saddle tree with a pommel and a cantle which are mutually separated in a longitudinal direction by a connecting part, wherein the pommel comprises at least a part of a saddle head and a pair of saddle tree points which hang downward on either side thereof and between which a saddle channel is situated, characterized in that a downward hanging wall extends on either side of the saddle tree from the saddle tree points along a part of a length of the connecting part.

2. Saddle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that connecting means are provided to mutually connect the downward hanging wall and the saddle tree.

3. Saddle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the downward hanging wall comprises a cavity for receiving at least a part of a saddle tree point therein.

4. Saddle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the downward hanging wall is formed integrally with a saddle tree point.

5. Saddle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the downward hanging wall is integral with the saddle tree.

6. Saddle as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the downward hanging wall can be pivoted manually relative to the at least part of the saddle head in a width direction between a first position and at least one further position, and can be fixed in a position.

7. Saddle for a load-carrying animal, intended and adapted to be received on a back of the load-carrying animal, comprising a saddle tree with a pommel and a cantle which are mutually separated in a longitudinal direction by a connecting part, wherein the pommel comprises at least a part of a saddle head and a pair of saddle tree points which hang downward on either side thereof and between which a saddle channel is situated, characterized in that the saddle tree points can be pivoted manually relative to the at least part of the saddle head in a width direction between a first position and at least one further position, and that the saddle tree points can be fixed in a position.

8. Saddle as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the saddle tree points are each mounted along a pivot axis on the at least part of the saddle head.

9. Saddle as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the pommel is formed at least substantially integrally and is provided between the at least part of the saddle head and each saddle tree point with a weakening line along which the saddle tree point can be pivoted.

10. Saddle as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the weakening line comprises a groove, crease line or other type of material-saving in the pommel.

11. Saddle as claimed in one or more of the claims 7-10, characterized in that a strengthening body fixes the saddle tree points in a position.

12. Saddle as claimed in one or more of the claims 7-11, characterized in that on either side of the saddle tree a downward hanging wall extends from the saddle tree points along a part of a length of the connecting part and is intended and adapted to receive at least one panel thereon.

13. Saddle tree as applied in a saddle as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims.

Drawing