SADDLE GAUGE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle gauge, in particular to a saddle gauge for gauging the specification required for the construction of a saddle that will fit and balance on a specific horse in terms of headplate, tree curvature, front and rear panel lift, panel length and panel contact area. The present invention is particularly useful to aid with specifying modular saddles in which a saddle is constructed from a set of prefabricated elements of different dimensions, shapes and curvatures. One such system is our WOW modular saddle in which a saddle is constructed from a catalogue of components, including a seat having a range of saddle tree shapes, panels and flaps.

[0002] US 6 334 262 describes a gauge for modelling a horse's back for the purposes of enabling a saddler to make a bespoke saddle which will fit the horse.

[0003] WO 2010/103108 described a gauge for measuring animals backs and saddles. The gauge has an articulated spine formed of articulatedly-linked parallelograms marked with indicia to indicate angles and arcs of an animal's back. Using the gauge, numerical values obtained can be given to a saddler to allow them to adjust a pre-fabricated complete saddle to the same curvature or the gauge can be used to measure a range of pre-fabricated complete saddles, by placing the gauge against the underside of the saddle, until the saddle of best fit has been found. However, the device of WO 2010/103108 is complex and requires a degree of expertise in its use.

[0004] In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a saddle gauge as defined in claim 1. The dependent claims set out features of certain embodiments and examples of the saddle gauge of the present invention.

[0005] Preferably, each of the headplate spacer element, centre spacer element and rear spacer element is demountably attachable to the spine element.

[0006] Preferably, the elongate spine element has a longitudinal curvature corresponding to a longitudinal curvature of a saddle tree.

[0007] Preferably, each of the headplate, centre and rear spacer elements comprises a central portion and has a pair of arms extending radially therefrom.

[0008] Preferably, the respective arms of each spacer element define an angle of about 100° therebetween.

[0009] Preferably, the arms of the headplate spacer element include an adjustment mechanism such that a length of each arm is adjustable for length with respect to a central portion of the element.

[0010] Preferably, an angle between the arms of the headplate spacer element is adjustable. More preferably, the angle is adjustable between about 70° and about 150°.

[0011] Preferably, the pair of gusset plates of the headplate spacer element are positionable in a plurality of positions with respect to the respective arms of the headplate spacer element.

[0012] Preferably, the pair of gusset plates of the rear spacer element are positionable in a plurality of positions with respect to the arms of the rear spacer element.

[0013] Preferably, the gusset plates of the centre spacer element are mounted for rotation to the centre spacer element.

[0014] Preferably, the gusset plates of the rear spacer element are mounted for rotation to the rear spacer element.

[0015] Preferably, each gusset plate is attached to its respective arm by means of a pair of magnets, one magnet being associated with each of the plates and the arms.

[0016] According to the invention, the saddle gauge further comprises a balance indicating device to indicate when the gauge, in use on a horse's back, is balanced. Suitably, the balance indicating device is a plumb-line device or pendulum.

[0017] Preferably, the saddle comprises a plurality of headplate spacer elements, each headplate spacer element corresponding with a different manufactured saddle tree arch.

[0018] Preferably, the saddle gauge comprises a plurality of elongate spine elements, wherein each spine element has a different curvature, each curvature corresponding to a longitudinal curvature of each of a set of saddle trees.

[0019] Preferably, the saddle gauge further comprises a saddle panel template comprising a pair of mirror-image panel sides joined in a spaced-apart arrangement by front and rear straps, wherein each panel side includes scapula markings to indicate the position of the scapula of a horse onto which the panel is placed, in use, and wherein each panel side further includes panel length markings at an operatively rear portion thereof to indicate a saddle panel length at a position corresponding to the last rib of the horse.

[0020] Preferably, the saddle panel template marking comprises written marking and/or apertures formed in the template.

[0021] Preferably, the template further comprises markings to the saddle panel template to indicate the gullet width of the saddle panel and/or the position of the panel on an open or closed-headed saddle.

[0022] Preferably, each panel side of the template further includes a point strap marking point to indicate a mounting point for a point strap of the saddle; and V-strap marking points to indicate mounting points for a V-strap of the saddle.

[0023] Preferably, each marking point of the template is provided with one part of a hook and loop fastener.

[0024] Preferably, the template further comprises a pair of straps, each of which straps includes a hook or loop fastener for attachment to a respective mounting point.

[0025] Preferably, the template is made of a flexible fabric.

[0026] The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a first perspective view of an embodiment of a saddle gauge in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 on a horse;

Figure 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a second perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the headplate template of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a side view showing a set of saddle gauge spines for an embodiment of a saddle gauge set in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 is a plan view showing a set of headplate templates with two different front panel lift representations attached for an embodiment of a saddle gauge set in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a panel template for use with embodiments of a saddle gauge or saddle gauge set in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 is a view of the panel template of Figure 9 on a horse; and

Figure 11 is a view of the panel template of Figure 9 and the saddle gauge of Figure 1 on a horse.

[0027] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, an embodiment of a saddle gauge 10 in accordance with the present invention has a gauge spine 11 having a curvature corresponding to the longitudinal curvature of the tree of a saddle and, accordingly, corresponding generally to the curvature of the horse's spine. The gauge includes a headplate spacer 12, a centre spacer 13 and a rear spacer 14, each mountable to the gauge spine and orientated orthogonally thereto such that the spacers lie across the back 15 of the horse, in use, of the gauge.

[0028] The gauge spine 11 is preferably substantially rigid or inflexible across its width, in other words, in its vertical direction (as orientated when the gauge is in position in use on the back of the animal) along the length of gauge spine 11. A degree of flexing in the lateral direction (lengthwise) can be accommodated but it is preferable that the components of the gauge are not capable of anything more than minimal flexation when the gauge is in use. The gauge is preferably formed of lightweight materials. Suitably, the principal components of the saddle gauge are formed from a sheet plastics material. Polypropylene having a thickness of about 2mm-3mm has been found to be satisfactory.

[0029] In the embodiment shown, these four components are mountable to each other by means of interfitting, oppositely-directed, slots, as is well known in many fields (particularly in the field of cardboard packaging), as shown, comprising an upwardly-opening (as viewed in an on-horse orientation) slot in one component and a corresponding downwardly-opening slot in the other interfitting component. An interlock is conveniently provided to retain the components in the correct mutual configuration. In the embodiment shown, this is in the form of a deformable portion of one component being formed with a projection, which engages and is retained by a correspondingly-shaped aperture, recess or other retaining element in the other component.

[0030] This arrangement is seen most clearly in Figures 7 and 8, which show a gauge spine 11 and headplate spacer 12 respectively. It can be seen that an upwardly-opening slot 20 in spine 11 interfits with a corresponding downwardly-opening slot 21 in headplate spacer 12. Headplate spacer 12 includes a recess 22 aligned with slot 21 which, in use, receives a projection 23 projecting laterally from a deformable thumb clip 24. To assemble the gauge, the two components are pushed together along the slots 20,21 and the user deforms thumb clip 24 away from slot 20 to allow slots 20, 21 to fully engage, whereupon release of thumb clip 24 causes projection 23 to engage and be retained by recess 22. Disassembly follows the reverse steps.

[0031] A similar arrangement is provided for mounting the centre 13 and rear 14 spacers. In the embodiment shown, a centre slot with recess 25 is provided in spine 11 for retention of centre spacer 13 and a series of parallel slots 30',30",30‴,30ʺʺ and corresponding recesses 31 are provided in spine 11 to allow for longitudinal adjustment of the placement of rear spacer 14 with respect to the spine, as will be described in further detail below. In the preferred embodiments shown, four possible positions for the rear spacer 14 are provided, representing 40,6 cm (16 inch), 43,2 cm (17 inch), 45,7 cm (18 inch) and 48,3 cm (19 inch) saddles respectively. It will be appreciated that the gauge of the present invention can be formed to correspond with any size of saddle.

[0032] In preferred embodiments, headplate, centre and rear spacers 12,13,14 interfit spine 11 relatively loosely, rather than rigidly. This reflects that the flocking or air in the finished saddle can be adjusted to raise or lower the saddle. The degree of play within the components of the saddle gauge reflects the degree of flocking or air adjustment available within the finished saddle.

[0033] As shown most clearly in Figure 1, each of the headplate (see also Figure 8), centre and rear spacers is generally arcuate in form, having a central portion 40',40",40‴ engaging the spine 11 of the gauge 10 and a pair of arms extending downwardly (when placed on a horse's back 15) at an angle. In respect of the centre and rear spacers, the angle between each pair of arms 42',42" and 43',43" respectively is typically selected to be about 100°, but the precise angle is not essential. In respect of the headplate spacer, the angle between each arm 41',41" is similarly about 100° but is adjustable, in the preferred embodiments, as will be described below.

[0034] At the operatively lower end of each arm 41',41",42',42",43',43" is mounted a respective gusset plate 44',44",45',45",46'46". Each gusset plate is held to the lower end of each arm by means of one or two pairs of small disc magnets 50. Centre gusset plates 45'45" are mountable at a single mounting point defined by magnets 50 since balancing of the saddle gauge derives from the centre spacer 13 and so adjustability of the centre gusset plate with respect to the spine is not strictly necessary. The arms 43',43" of rear spacer 14 are, in the preferred embodiments, provided with a plurality of mounting magnets 50 so that the position of each gusset plate can be adjusted such that the saddle gauge is balanced on the horse's back, corresponding to a 3,81 cm (1,5 inch), 5,1 cm (2 inch) or 6,4 cm (2,5 inch) gusset height. Each arm 41'41" of headplate spacer 12 is provided with two mounting positions (but embodiments of the present invention are not limited to two positions), each of which comprises two pairs of magnets. For the purposes of illustration, in the view shown in Figure 8, the left hand (as viewed) gusset plate is mounted to the operatively upper pair of magnets whereas the right hand gusset plate is mounted to the operatively lower pair. In use, both plates will be mounted to the same respective pair of magnets.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the use of a single magnetic coupling between each centre and rear gusset plate 45,46 and its respective arm 42,43 allows each plate to be freely rotatable with respect to its arm such that the lower edge 51 of each gusset plate can find its own rotational position when placed on the back of the horse and thus allows the angle between respective lower edges 51 of gusset plates on each of the centre and rear spacers 13,14 to vary according to the shape of the horse. It is for this reason that the precise angle between the arms of each of the centre and rear spacers is not essential to the present invention. Equally, it will be appreciated that the use of a pair of magnets for each headplate gusset plate 44',44" fixes the rotational position of the headplate gusset plates with respect to the headplate spacer and thus also fixes the angle between the lower edges 51 of the two headplate gusset plates. As indicated above, in the preferred embodiments, headplate spacer 12 is constructed in such a manner that the arms are made adjustable for angle.

[0036] Each gusset plate 44,45,46 is generally trapezoidal in shape. However, this is not essential. The requirement for each gusset plate is simply that it can present a generally straight lower edge or surface 51 to contact the back of the horse when the saddle gauge is in position.

[0037] Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the construction of the headplate spacer 12. Arms 41',41" of the headplate spacer are angularly adjustable by means of being formed with arcuate legs 60 which run in an arcuate track formed between inner and outer curved guides 61,62. Legs 60 and inner and outer guides 61,62 are sandwiched between upper and lower plates 63,64. The sandwiched components are typically held together through a plurality of throughapertures 65 by means of rivets (not shown) or other securing means.

[0038] Adjustment of the angular separation of the arms 41 of the headplate spacer is achieved in an indexed manner by provision to each leg 60 of a captive ball-bearing 70 held in a bearing aperture 71, which ball-bearing 70 engages one of an arcuately-arranged series of pairs of apertures 72 formed in each of the upper and lower plates 63,64. Movement of arms 41 along their respective tracks is directed by the arcuate space between guides 61,62 and guided by means of a pin 73 which passes through an arcuate channel 74 formed in each leg 60 and is retained by a corresponding pin-receiving body 75.

[0039] In the preferred embodiments, the saddle gauge is also provided with a plumb-line device 80 or pendulum to indicate when the saddle gauge and therefore the actual saddle specification it represents is correctly balanced on the horse's back. In the embodiment shown, the plumb-line device 80 comprises a frame 81 attachable to the spine 11 of the saddle gauge 10 adjacent the centre spacer 13, conveniently magnetically, preferably by means of a pair of magnets 82 to ensure correct alignment. The frame may, in other embodiments, be cut from the same sheet of plastics material as spine 11 to form a unitary component. Attached to frame 81 is line 83 having a weight 84 attached a lower end thereof. Weight 84 includes a pointer 85 and frame 81 further includes an indicator tab 86 arranged such that when pointer 85 and tab 86 are directly opposed, the saddle gauge is indicated to be balanced on the spine of the horse.

[0040] Alternative arrangements for assessing balance of the gauge will be apparent to the skilled person. For example, although not preferred, an element of the gauge can be designed such that it lies exactly vertically or exactly horizontally when balanced and can be measured with a spirit level. For example, the front edge of spine 11 can conveniently be formed such that it is vertical when the gauge is balanced.

[0041] In preferred embodiments, the saddle gauge of the present invention is provided with a set of spines 11 each having a different curvature, representing the differing curvatures of the saddle trees that are manufactured to fit the various curvatures found in the spines of different horse's backs. In the set shown in Figure 7, the lower spine 11C corresponds to a horse having a relatively flat spinal curvature; the upper spine 11A corresponds to a horse having a relatively curved spinal curvature; and the middle spine 11B corresponds to a horse having a spinal curvature between these two limits.

[0042] In further preferred embodiments, the saddle gauge is provided (Figure 8) with a set of headplate spacers 12', 12", 12‴, each of which has a different radius produced by the arcuate channel created by the inner and outer curved guides 61,62. These variants in the headplate spacers represent the manufactured differences found between the front arches of saddle trees.

[0043] Suitably, the set comprises three headplate spacers 12',12",12'". As shown in Figure 8, suitably, the three headplate spacers differ in having their central portions 40 being of a different radius of curvature. Conveniently, as shown in Figure 8, the set comprises radii of curvature of about 68mm, about 49mm and about 30mm.

[0044] The use of the saddle gauge to determine the correct saddle construction will now be described in further detail. Firstly, the correct radius and angle of headplate spacer 12 is chosen having regard to the width of the horse in the area of its shoulders and is placed two inches (5.1cm) behind the strongest shoulder, being that shoulder in which the scapula is furthest back. The arms 41 of the headplate spacer 12 are then adjusted by indexing the ball bearing 70 along indexing apertures 72 until the headplate spacer sits on the back of the horse without any significant play or movement when the spacer is moved laterally.

[0045] It should be borne in mind that the shape of a horse's spine can vary whilst the horse is moving. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to encourage the horse to lift its spine at this stage of the fitting procedure as the horse can be wider at this point whilst working. A tummy-lift by tickling the horse underneath can be helpful to avoid fitting a headplate which is too narrow.

[0046] The four principal components of the gauge are now assembled as described above, selecting the spine 11 which has the correct curvature for the horse. The headplate spacer 12, centre spacer 13 and rear spacer 14 are mounted to the selected spine, to which the plumb-line device 80 has been mounted. Rear spacer 14 is positioned in the correct slot 30 having regard to the size of the saddle required - 40,6 cm (16 inch), 43,2 cm (17 inch), 45,7 cm (18 inch) or 48,3 cm (19 inch). The size of the saddle seat is determined by the size of the rider in a conventional manner. Riders know which size suits them

[0047] The centre spacer gusset plates 45 are mounted to the arms 42 of centre spacer 13. The rear spacer gusset plates 46 are mounted to the arms 43 of the rear spacer 14 and the headplate gusset plates 44 are mounted to the arms 41 of the headplate spacer and the gusset plates of both spacers adjusted between their respective mounting magnets 50 until the plumb-line device shows that the saddle gauge is balanced, and thereby determining the required panel lift in the finished saddle.

[0048] The gusset plates of the centre and rear spacers will rotate about their magnets to sit on the horse's back. The objective is to ensure that all six gusset plates are sitting on the horse, with no bridging or rocking in the middle. This is illustrated in Figure 2

[0049] It will be appreciated that the individual components of the saddle gauge can be marked with identifying marks to correspond with the various components of the saddle-maker's designs. For example, a set of headplate spacers in which the width of the headplate spacer differs to correspond with different widths of horse, can be marked to correspond with the range of headplates used by the saddle maker. The positioning of the arms of the headplate spacer with respect to its centre portion can be marked suitably numerically, such as -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 and so on and the positioning of the respective gusset plates of the headplate spacer 12 and rear spacer 14 can be marked numerically, such as by specifying the measurement being indicated, or according to a code of the saddle maker.

[0050] By this method, the saddle gauge can be used to determine the correct curvature of the saddle tree, headplate angle and panel lift at the front and back of the saddle, but the panel length for the saddle and the distance between the panels remains to be determined.

[0051] In certain embodiments, the saddle gauge of the present invention additionally includes a saddle panel template 90. An embodiment is shown in Figure 9. The template 90 comprises a pair of mirror-image panel sides 91,92 joined in a spaced-apart arrangement by front and rear straps 93,94. Front strap 93 is securable to the spine 11 of the saddle gauge described above adjacent the headplate spacer, conveniently by means of a hook 47 formed in spine 11.

[0052] Each panel side is marked 100 to indicate the correct positioning of the headplate spacer 11 with respect to the template 90. The correct positioning of the centre spacer 13 is also indicated by a line 101. Each panel side 91 is further marked, both in writing and by means of a pair of spaced elongate apertures 95,96 which generally follow the curvature of the scapula on each side of the horse, to mark the position of the scapula and indicate whether a standard panel is required or whether a forwardly extended panel is indicated.

[0053] At the operatively rear portion of the template are provided arcuate markings and apertures 102, 103, 104 corresponding to the required length of the panel and marked as 16", 17" and 18"respectively. The rear edge 105 of the panel side corresponds with a panel length of 19".

[0054] The template is placed on the horse's back with the marking for a normal or standard panel located behind the scapula. The template is made of a flexible, relatively thin fabric, such that the relevant anatomical parts of the horse can be felt easily through the fabric. The apertures 95,96,102,103,104 also assist in feeling the relevant parts of the horse's skeleton.

[0055] The panel length is selected by determining the position of the last rib. The easiest way of doing this it to look at the coat growth of the horse. Forwards of the position of the last rib, the direction of growth of the horse's coat is backwards, whereas the coat rearwards of the rib grows forwardly. Accordingly, the saddle fitter looks at the horse's coat to determine where the rearwardly and forwardly growing coats merge and notionally draws a line straight up to the template. Where the line coincides with the template indicates the correct panel length.

[0056] Additionally, the template includes a marking 112 on each panel to indicate a mounting point for the point strap of the saddle; and markings 113,114 to indicate mounting points for the V-strap. Advantageously, the markings are provided with one part of a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro (registered trade mark) for attachment to a corresponding fastener part on a pair of straps 115 (of which only one is shown for clarity). Strap 115 is typically around 600mm in length and about 25mm in width. The mounting points 112,113,114 and strap 115 simulates the girthing. The straps are placed to hang down pointing to the girth groove of the horse. This allows the user to determine the girthing required by the horse, in addition to the saddle construction.

[0057] Figure 10 shows the template in position on the back 15 of the horse. Figure 11 then shows the saddle gauge positioned on the template and in balance.

[0058] The further fitting of the saddle involves looking at the musculature of the horse and determining the width of the gullet and the shape of the panel. The inner edge 110 of template indicates, and is marked to indicate, a wide gullet and, inwardly of that edge is a line 111 marking the position for an extra-wide gullet, if the horse is muscular (ie, wide) at this point. The template is further marked to indicate whether the panel should create an open-headed saddle or a closed-headed saddle that conforms to the shape of the horse. The template does not indicate here the actual shape of the panel. It represents simply where the panel should be touching the horse, in other words, it represents the bearing surface of the panel.

[0059] In summary, by use of the saddle gauge with panel template of the present invention, the correct fit for a saddle can be determined easily and, particularly importantly, by a nonprofessional saddle-fitter, such as the owner or rider of the horse. The degree of lift is determined by those magnets to which the headplate and rear gusset plate are mounted. The headplate size is determined by which headplate spacer is selected and the angular position of the arms 41 with respect to the headplate spacer central portion 40. The width of the gullet and whether or not the panels create an open or closed head can be readily determined from the template. The only requirements which are not determined by the gauge and template of the present invention are the personal preferences of the rider - whether they have a preference for a deep seat, an extra-deep seat, whether the flaps are for dressage or jumping, and so on. The saddle can be reliably manufactured and supplied to the rider anywhere without the need for a saddler or other specialist saddle-fitter to visit to measure the horse.

[0060] It will be appreciated that the embodiments of the present invention can be adapted to correspond with any size of horse and to suit other animals upon which similarly-constructed saddles are used.

Claims

1. A saddle gauge comprising at least one elongate spine element (11) and a headplate spacer element (12), a centre spacer element (13) and a rear spacer element (14), each mountable orthogonally to the spine element; wherein the elongate spine element (11) is substantially inflexible in a vertical direction; characterized in that the saddle gauge further comprises a balance indicating device (80) to indicate when the gauge, in use on a horse's back, is balanced; and in that each of the headplate, centre and rear spacer elements is further provided with a pair of gusset plates (44,45,46) mountable to the respective spacer elements (12,13,14).

2. A saddle gauge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the balance (80) indicating device is a plumb-line device or pendulum (83,84).

3. A saddle gauge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each of the headplate spacer element (12), centre spacer element (13) and rear spacer element (14) is demountably attachable to the spine element.

4. A saddle gauge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate spine element (11) has a longitudinal curvature corresponding to a longitudinal curvature of a saddle tree.

5. A saddle gauge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the headplate, centre and rear spacer elements (12,13,14) comprises a central portion and has a pair of arms (41,42,43) extending radially therefrom; optionally wherein the respective arms (41,42,43) of each spacer element define an angle of about 100° therebetween; further optionally wherein the arms (41',41") of the headplate spacer element (12) include an adjustment mechanism (70,71,72) such that a length of each arm (41', 41") is adjustable for length with respect to a central portion (40') of the element.

6. A saddle gauge as claimed in claim 5 wherein an angle between the arms of the headplate spacer element is adjustable; optionally wherein the angle is adjustable between about 70° and about 150°.

7. A saddle gauge as claimed in any one of claims 5 and 6 wherein:

i) the pair of gusset plates (44',44") of the headplate spacer element (12) are positionable in a plurality of positions with respect to the respective arms (41',41") of the headplate spacer element (12); and/or

ii) the pair of gusset plates (46',46") of the rear spacer element (14) are positionable in a plurality of positions with respect to the arms (43',43") of the rear spacer element (14); and/or

iii) wherein the gusset plates (45',45") of the centre spacer element (13) are mounted for rotation to the centre spacer element (13); and/or

iv) wherein the gusset plates (46',46") of the rear spacer element (14) are mounted for rotation to the rear spacer element (14).

8. A saddle gauge as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein each gusset plate (44,45,46) is attached to its respective arm by means of a pair of magnets, one magnet being associated with each of the plates and the arms.

9. A saddle gauge as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of headplate spacer elements (12',12",12‴), each headplate spacer element corresponding with a different manufactured saddle tree arch.

10. A saddle gauge as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of elongate spine elements (11A,11B,11C), wherein each spine element has a different curvature, each curvature corresponding to a longitudinal curvature of each of a set of saddle trees.

11. A saddle gauge as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a saddle panel template (90) comprising a pair of mirror-image panel sides (91,92) joined in a spaced-apart arrangement by front and rear straps (93,94), wherein each panel side includes scapula markings (95,96) to indicate the position of the scapula of a horse onto which the panel is placed, in use, and wherein each panel side (91,92) further includes panel length markings at an operatively rear portion thereof to indicate a saddle panel length (102,103,104) at a position corresponding to the last rib of the horse; optionally wherein the saddle panel template marking comprises written marking and/or apertures formed in the template; further optionally further comprising markings (110,111) to the saddle panel template to indicate the gullet width of the saddle panel and/or the position of the panel on an open or closed-headed saddle.

12. A saddle gauge as claimed in claim 11 wherein each panel side of the template further includes a point strap marking point (112) to indicate a mounting point for a point strap of the saddle; and V-strap marking points (113,114) to indicate mounting points for a V-strap of the saddle; optionally wherein each marking point of the template is provided with one part of a hook and loop fastener; further optionally wherein the template further comprises a pair of straps, each of which straps includes a hook or loop fastener for attachment to a respective mounting point.

13. A saddle gauge as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the template is made of a flexible fabric.

Ansprüche

1. Sattelmessinstrument, umfassend mindestens ein längliches Rückenelement (11) und ein Kopfplattenabstandhalterelement (12), ein mittleres Abstandhalterelement (13) und ein hinteres Abstandhalterelement (14), die jeweils senkrecht zum Rückenelement montierbar sind; wobei das längliche Rückenelement (11) in eine vertikale Richtung im Wesentlichen unflexibel ist; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sattelmessinstrument ferner eine Gleichgewichtsanzeigevorrichtung (80) umfasst, um anzuzeigen, wenn das Messinstrument, bei der Verwendung auf dem Rücken eines Pferdes, ausgeglichen ist; und dass das Kopfplattenabstandhalterelement, das mittlere Abstandhalterelement und das hintere Abstandhalterelement ferner jeweils mit einem Paar Knotenbleche (44, 45, 46) versehen ist, die an den jeweiligen Abstandhalterelementen (12, 13, 14) montierbar sind.

2. Sattelmessinstrument nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Gleichgewichtsanzeigevorrichtung (80) eine Lotschnurvorrichtung oder ein Pendel (83, 84) ist.

3. Sattelmessinstrument nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wobei das Kopfplattenabstandhalterelement (12), das mittlere Abstandhalterelement (13) und das hintere Abstandhalterelement (14) jeweils am Rückenelement demontierbar anbringbar ist.

4. Sattelmessinstrument nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das längliche Rückenelement (11) eine Längskrümmung entsprechend einer Längskrümmung des Sattelbaums aufweist.

5. Sattelmessinstrument nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Kopfplattenabstandhalterelement, das mittlere Abstandhalterelement und das hintere Abstandhalterelement (12, 13, 14) jeweils einen mittleren Abschnitt umfassen und ein Paar sich davon radial erstreckende Arme (41, 42, 43) aufweisen; optional wobei die jeweiligen Arme (41, 42, 43) jedes Abstandhalterelements einen Winkel von etwa 100° dazwischen definieren; weiter optional wobei die Arme (41', 41") des Kopfplattenabstandhalterelements (12) einen Einstellmechanismus (70, 71, 72) umfassen, sodass die Länge jedes Arms (41', 41") in Bezug zu einem mittleren Abschnitt (40') des Elements einstellbar ist.

6. Sattelmessinstrument nach Anspruch 5, wobei der Winkel zwischen den Armen des Kopfplattenabstandhalterelements einstellbar ist; optional wobei der Winkel zwischen etwa 70° und etwa 150° einstellbar ist.

7. Sattelmessinstrument nach einem der Ansprüche 5 und 6, wobei:

i) das Paar Knotenbleche (44', 44") des Kopfplattenabstandhalterelements (12) in Bezug zu den jeweiligen Armen (41', 41") des Kopfplattenabstandhalterelements (12) in mehreren Positionen positionierbar ist und/oder

ii) das Paar Knotenbleche (46', 46'') des hinteren Abstandhalterelements (14) in Bezug zu den Armen (43', 43'') des hinteren Abstandhalterelements (14) in mehreren Positionen positionierbar ist und/oder

iii) wobei die Knotenbleche (45', 45") des mittleren Abstandhalterelements (13) zur Drehung um das mittige Abstandhalterelement (13) montiert sind und/oder

iv) wobei die Knotenbleche (46', 46'') des hinteren Abstandhalterelements (14) zur Drehung um das hintere Abstandhalterelement (14) montiert sind.

8. Sattelmessinstrument nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, wobei jedes Knotenblech (44, 45, 46) mittels eines Magnetpaars an seinem jeweiligen Arm befestigt ist, wobei je ein Magnet jeder der Platten und jedem der Arme zugeordnet ist.

9. Sattelmessinstrument nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, mehrere Kopfplattenabstandhalterelemente (12', 12'', 12‴) umfassend, wobei jedes Kopfplattenabstandhalterelement zu einem anderen gefertigten Sattelbaumbogen gehört.

10. Sattelmessinstrument nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, mehrere längliche Rückenelemente (11A, 11B, 11C) umfassend, wobei jedes Rückenelement eine andere Krümmung aufweist, wobei jede Krümmung einer Längskrümmung jedes einzelnen Elements eines Satzes Sattelbäume entspricht.

11. Sattelmessinstrument nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend eine Sattelpaneelschablone (90), umfassend ein Paar gespiegelte Paneelseiten (91, 92), die durch vordere und hintere Gurte (93, 94) in einer beabstandeten Anordnung verbunden sind, wobei jede Paneelseite Schulterblattmarkierungen (95, 96) umfasst, um die Position des Schulterblatts eines Pferdes, auf dem das Paneel bei der Verwendung platziert wird, anzuzeigen, und wobei jede Paneelseite (91, 92) ferner Paneellängenmarkierungen an einem hinteren Abschnitt davon umfasst, um eine Sattelpaneellänge (102, 103, 104) an einer Position anzuzeigen, die der letzten Rippe des Pferdes entspricht; optional wobei die Sattelpaneelschablonenmarkierung eine schriftliche Markierung und/oder in der Schablone ausgebildete Öffnungen umfasst; weiter optional ferner umfassend Markierungen (110, 111) an der Sattelpaneelschablone, um die Gulletweite des Sattelpaneels und/oder die Position des Paneels an einem Sattel mit geöffnetem oder geschlossen Kopf anzuzeigen.

12. Sattelmessinstrument nach Anspruch 11, wobei jede Paneelseite der Schablone ferner einen Schwerpunkgurtmarkierungspunkt (112) umfasst, um einen Montagepunkt für einen Schwerpunkgurt des Sattels anzuzeigen; und V-Gurt-Markierungspunkte (113, 114), um die Montagepunkte für einen V-Gurt des Sattels anzuzeigen; optional wobei jeder Markierungspunkt der Schablone mit einem Teil eines Klettverschlusses versehen ist; weiter optional wobei die Schablone ferner ein Paar Gurte umfasst, wobei jeder der Gurte einen Klettverschluss zum Anbringen an einem jeweiligen Montagepunkt umfasst.

13. Sattelmessinstrument nach Anspruch 11 oder Anspruch 12, wobei die Schablone aus einem flexiblen Stoff gefertigt ist.

Revendications

1. Gabarit de selle comprenant au moins un élément colonne vertébrale allongé (11) et un élément d'écartement de plaque avant (12), un élément d'écartement central (13) et un élément d'écartement arrière (14), chacun pouvant être monté orthogonalement à l'élément colonne vertébrale ; l'élément colonne vertébrale allongé (11) étant sensiblement inflexible dans une direction verticale ; caractérisé en ce que le gabarit de selle comprend en outre un dispositif d'indication d'équilibre (80) pour indiquer que le gabarit, utilisé sur le dos d'un cheval, est équilibré ; et en ce que chacun des éléments d'écartement de plaque avant, central et arrière est en outre pourvu d'une paire de plaques-goussets (44, 45, 46) pouvant être montés sur les éléments d'écartement (12, 13, 14) respectifs.

2. Gabarit de selle selon la revendication 1, le dispositif d'indication d'équilibre (80) étant un dispositif à plomb ou un pendule (83, 84).

3. Gabarit de selle selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, chacun de l'élément d'écartement de plaque avant (12), de l'élément d'écartement central (13) et de l'élément d'écartement arrière (14) pouvant être fixé de manière amovible à l'élément colonne vertébrale.

4. Gabarit de selle selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, l'élément colonne vertébrale allongé (11) présentant une courbure longitudinale correspondant à la courbure longitudinale de l'arçon de selle.

5. Gabarit de selle selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, chacun des éléments d'écartement de plaque avant, central et arrière (12, 13, 14) comprenant une partie centrale et une paire de bras (41, 42, 43) s'étendant radialement à partir de celle-ci ; éventuellement, les bras (41, 42, 43) respectifs de chaque élément d'écartement définissant un angle d'environ 100° entre eux ; en outre, éventuellement les bras (41', 41'') de l'élément d'écartement de plaque avant (12) comprenant un mécanisme de réglage (70, 71, 72) de sorte que la longueur de chaque bras (41', 41'') soit réglable par rapport à la partie centrale (40') de l'élément.

6. Gabarit de selle selon la revendication 5, l'angle entre les bras de l'élément d'écartement de plaque avant étant réglable ; éventuellement, l'angle étant réglable entre environ 70° et environ 150°.

7. Gabarit de selle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 6,

i) la paire de plaques-goussets (44', 44'') de l'élément d'écartement de plaque avant (12) pouvant être positionnés dans une pluralité de positions par rapport aux bras (41', 41'') respectifs de l'élément d'écartement de plaque avant (12) ; et/ou

ii) la paire de plaques-goussets (46', 46'') de l'élément d'écartement arrière (14) pouvant être positionnés dans plusieurs positions par rapport aux bras (43', 43'') de l'élément d'écartement arrière (14) ; et/ou

iii) les plaques-goussets (45', 45'') de l'élément d'écartement central (13) étant montés pour tourner sur l'élément d'écartement central (13) ; et/ou

iv) les plaques-goussets (46', 46'') de l'élément d'écartement arrière (14) étant montés pour tourner sur l'élément d'écartement arrière (14).

8. Gabarit de selle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, chaque plaque-gousset (44, 45, 46) étant fixée à son bras respectif au moyen d'une paire d'aimants, un aimant étant associé à chacune des plaques et à chacun des bras.

9. Gabarit de selle selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une pluralité d'éléments d'écartement de plaque avant (12', 12'', 12'''), chaque élément d'écartement de plaque avant correspondant à un arc d'arçon de selle de fabrication différente.

10. Gabarit de selle selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une pluralité d'éléments de colonne vertébrale allongés (11A, 11B, 11C), chaque élément ayant une courbure différente, chaque courbure correspondant à une courbure longitudinale de chacun d'un ensemble d'arçons de selle.

11. Gabarit de selle selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre un modèle de panneau de selle (90) comprenant une paire de côtés de panneau à image miroir (91, 92) joints dans un arrangement espacé par des sangles avant et arrière (93, 94), chaque côté de panneau comprend des marquages d'omoplate (95, 96) pour indiquer la position de l'omoplate d'un cheval sur lequel le panneau est placé, lors d l'utilisation, et chaque côté de panneau (91, 92) comprenant en outre des marquages de longueur de panneau au niveau d'une partie arrière opérationnelle de celuici pour indiquer une longueur de panneau de selle (102, 103, 104) au niveau d'une position correspondant à la dernière côte du cheval ; éventuellement, le marquage de modèle de panneau de selle comprenant un marquage écrit et/ou des ouvertures formées dans le modèle ; en outre, éventuellement, comprenant des marquages (110, 111) sur le modèle de panneau de selle pour indiquer la largeur de creux du panneau de selle et/ou la position du panneau sur une selle à tête ouverte ou fermée.

12. Gabarit de selle selon la revendication 11, chaque côté de panneau du modèle comprenant en outre un point de marquage de sangle à point (112) pour indiquer un point de montage pour une sangle à point de la selle ; et des points de marquage de sangle en V (113, 114) pour indiquer des points de montage pour une sangle en V de la selle ; éventuellement, chaque point de marquage du modèle étant pourvu d'une partie d'une fixation auto-agrippante ; en outre, éventuellement, le modèle comprenant en outre une paire de sangles, chacune de ces sangles comprenant une fixation auto-agrippante pour la fixation à un point de montage respectif.

13. Gabarit de selle selon la revendication 11 ou la revendication 12, le modèle étant en un tissu souple.

Drawing