GB2239158A - Adjustable saddles - Google Patents

Abstract

A saddle component (10) comprises a first member (12), a second member (14) and adjustment means (16) acting between the said members (12, 14). The first member (12) is attached in use to the tree of a saddle, which places the second member (14) adjacent the withers of a horse. The adjustment means (16) can be used to change the relative positions of the two members (12, 14) thereby changing the fit of the saddle. At least one component is attached to either side of the tree to allow even adjustment.

Description

Improvements in or relating to Saddles The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to saddles, and especially but not exclusively to horse saddles.

During the course of the year the weight of a horse can vary significantly. Weight is gained during the colder months because of a lack of exercise, and is subsequently lost during the warmer months as the horse is regularly exercised. Consequently, saddles which fit well when purchased can become uncomfortable and possibly harmful to the horse at other times of the year.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this disadvantage.

According to the present invention there is provided a saddle component comprising a first member, a second member, and adjustment means acting between the said members; one member in use being attached to the tree of a saddle, and the other member being located to be adjacent the withers when the saddle is in use., and the adjustment means being operable to change the relative positions of the two members, thereby changing the fit of the saddle.

Preferably the component comprises hinge means connecting the said two members together.

Preferably, one of the members is smaller than the other member and the larger member has a recess into which the smaller member may move. Preferably each member is substantially planar. Each member may comprise a lip running around a part of the periphery of each member.

The peripheral lip on one member may define a recess into which the other member may move. Preferably the first member is smaller than the second member.

The first member may be adapted for attachment to the tree of a saddle, by the formation of a plurality of apertures therein. The first member may be attached, in use, by means of rivets.

Preferably, the component comprises a resilient member arranged to urge the two members together.

The adjustment means may comprise an elongate threaded part which may pass through a threaded aperture in one member, to abut against a face of the other member.

The aperture may be defined by a member which extends out of the plane of the said one member.

Preferably the adjustment means comprise releasable locking means operable to prevent further adjustment. The locking means may lock the position of: the elongate threaded part within the threaded aperture. The locking means may be a lock nut on the elongate threaded part.

Preferably the elongate threaded part comprises means for driving it through the threaded aperture. The driving means may comprise a key socket in one end of the elongate part.

Alternatively there may be provided a plurality of elongate threaded parts of different lengths, which set respective relative positions when driven fully into the aperture. The elongate threaded parts may be bolts.

In a further alternative, the adjustment means may comprise an elongate threaded member, a travelling member arranged to be driven by the threaded member, and a linkage between the travelling member and one or both of the first and second members and so arranged as to cause the relative positions of the first and second members to change in accordance with the position of the travelling member.

The linkage may comprise a first link member pivotally attached to the travelling member and to a linked member which bears on or is attached to one of the first or second members, and a second link member pivotally attached to the linked member and at a point remote from the travelling member and the linked member.

The remote point may be provided by a second travelling member arranged to be driven by the threaded member.

Preferably, the threaded member is fixed in relation to one of the first or second members and the linked member bears on or is attached to the other member, to cause the relative positions of the first or second members to change as the threaded member rotates.

Preferably the component is so attached to a tree as to allow the adjustment means to be operated while the saddle is located on the horse.

The invention also provides a saddle comprising a tree, a member hingedly connected to the tree to be located, in use, between the tree and the withers and the member extending from the hinge axis away from the head of the tree, the saddle further comprises adjustment means operable to adjust the position of the said member in relation to the tree.

Preferably the saddle comprises two hingedly connected members as aforesaid, located on respective points of the saddle.

The or each hingedly connected member is preferably a member of a saddle component according to any of the above definitions.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in the direction of arrow II of Fig. 1 with the hinge fully closed.

Fig. 3 is a view in the direction of arrow III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view from the front of a saddle tree showing two components attached thereto.

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view showing a modification to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4.

Fig. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the invention with an alternative adjustment arrangement.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 the drawings show a saddle component 10 comprising a first member 12 in the form of a rectangular plate, a second member 14 in the form of a second rectangular plate, and an adjustment means 16 acting between the plates 12,14. One of the plates 12,14 is, in use, attached to the tree 20 (Fig. 4) of a saddle.

The position of the other plate 14,12 relative to the fixed plate can be adjusted using the adjustment means 16, as will be described. A hinge 18 connects the said two members together.

The members 12,14 are formed from stamped sheet metal. Running around both sides and one end of each plate 12, 14 and extending from one face only are peripheral lips 22,24. The lipped ends of each plate 12,14 are rounded in the plane of the plate 12,14. The remaining, un-lipped, ends of each plate 12,14 are attached together to form the hinge 18.

The plate 12 is similar to but smaller than plate 14 and when the hinge is closed it is received within the recess formed in the plate 14 by the peripheral lip 24.

The adjustment means 16 comprises an elongate threaded part 26 in the form of a large grub screw which is located in a threaded aperture 28 formed by a cylindrical sleeve 30 attached to the plate 14. A hexagonal key socket 32 formed in the outwardly facing end 34 of the grub screw 26 can accommodate a hexagonal key (not shown) to facilitate the driving of the grub screw 26 through the aperture 28 so that the grub screw 26 abuts against plate 12. The abJtment area on plate 12 may be strengthened with ribs 36. Further rotation of the screw 26 pushes the plate 14 away from the plate 12 to open the hinge. A locking nut 38 on the grub screw 26 locks the grub screw 26 in position when the desired separation of the plates 12,14 has been achieved.

A coil spring 40 (Fig. 5), a flat spring or another resilient member may be incorporated in the hinge 18, acting to urge the two plates 12,14 together. Thus, the plates 12,14 can be pushed apart or allowed to close by rotating the grub screw 26 in the appropriate direction.

Each plate 12 has several apertures 42.

Corresponding apertures 44 formed in the tree 20, allow the plate 12 to be firmly secured to the tree 20 by means of rivets 46 passed through the apertures 42, 44. A further aperture 48 in the tree 20 permits access to the grub screw 26 from the outside of the tree 20. After attachment the plate 12 lies flat against the inside surface of the tree 20. The adjustment 16 means does not protrude above the outer surface of the tree 20.

One component of the type shown in Fig. 1 is attached to each point P of the tree 20 in the region which, in use, is placed over the withers. It is apparent from Fig. 4 that the hinges of the components are located at the top of the components; that is, the members 12,14 extend from the hinges away from the head 49 of the tree 20. Once the components have been attached to the head, the head is finished by covering it with leather in a conventional manner, with due regard to the need for access to the grub screw.

A further embodiment of this invention (Fig. 6) comprises an adjustment means adjustable from the lower edge of the saddle. Details of the plates, hinge and spring are the same as the embodiment described above.

Two stationary bushes 50,52 are attached substantially at either end of the lipped face of the plate 12 by retaining pins 53. Two travelling bushes 54,56 are provided between the bushes 50,52, each having threaded bores 58,60 aligned with clear-drilled bores 62,64 in the bushes 50,52. A threaded bar 66 passes through the apertures 58,60 62,64. The bar 66 is secured in place in the region of the bushes 50,52 by any convenient means to allow the bar 66 to freely rotate within the bushes 50,52, and threadedly engage the bushes 54,56. The thread along the bar 66 reverses substantially half way along the bar 66, one thread accommodating bush 54, the other accommodating bush 56.

To each of the two travelling bushes 54,56 is pivotally attached a respective link rod 68,70. The two ends of the link rods 68,70 remote from the bushes 54,56 are pivotally connected to a common pad 72. The link rods 68,70 therefore extend away from the plate 12 to hold the pad 72 away from the plate 12, except when the hinge 18 is fully closed.

The end of the bar 66 remote from the hinge 18 carries a knurled knob 74 by which the bar 66 may be rotated. When the bar 66 is rotated, the travelling bushes 54,56 move apart or together, according to the direction of rotation, because the engagement of the threads causes them to move up or down the threaded bar 66. This relative movement of the bushes 54,56 determines the relative orientations of the link rods 68,70 and consequently the distance of the pad 72 from the plate 12.

As the bushes 54,56 are moved closer together, the angle 76 formed between the link rods 68,70 decreases, the distance of the pad 72 from the plate 12 increases and the pad 72 tends to push the plate 14 away from the plate 12.

If the rotation of the bar 66 is reversed, the bushes 54,56 move apart and draw the pad 72 towards the plate 12, allowing the plate 14 to hinge towards the plate 12 (under the influence of a spring if present).

The component shown in Fig. 6 is attached to a tree in the same manner as has been described in relation to Fig. 4.

In use, the hexagonal key socket or the knurled knob may be adjusted while the saddle is on the horse.

Rotation of either part adjusts the angle formed between the two plates 12,14. The angle this produces at the hinge 18 corresponds to a range of adjustment angles at the head 49 of the tree 20 between about 720 to about 84o.

The adjustment is continued until the plate 14 (or leather covering it) abuts adequately against the withers of the horse, at which stage the component 10 may be locked in position if locking means such as a lock nut 38 are provided. This is preferably done simultaneously with adjustment of the component on the other point P of tree 20, to give even adjustment and a correctly fitting saddle. The adjustment changes the effective shape of the inner surface of the saddle, to ensure that a good fit on a horse is possible, regardless of the fitness of the horse.

It will be apparent from the above description that many variations and modifications may be made to the apparatus described without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The adjustment arrangement may use threaded members of different lengths according to the amount of adjustment required. The threaded members may be pairs of bolts, each pair having a different length to provide a different amount of adjustment when threaded fully into the tree. By using bolts of equal length on both sides of the saddle, even adjustment on both sides is assured. The bolt pairs preferably have lengths in the range 22 mm to 40 mm with 2 mm increments therebetween. A knurled knob may be used instead of the key socket on the grub screw. Multistart threads, spring washers and/or anti-vibration fittings may be used.The hinge may be of various designs and may have reduced width in relation to that shown, to minimise possible obstruction to other parts of a saddle. Ribs may be incorporated into the plates for strengthening wherever necessary. The dual travelling bush adjustment arrangement may be substituted for a single travelling bush arrangement. The single bush could operate as a wedge to control the plate spacing. The cylindrical sleeve 30 of Fig. 1 may be fitted to the plate to extend through the plate thus reducing the overall thickness of the component and enabling it to be fitted to trees constructed of thinner materials.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (30)

1. A saddle component comprising a first member, a second member and adjustment means acting between the said members, one member in use being attached to the tree of a saddle, and the other member being located to be adjacent the withers when the saddle is in use, and the adjustment means being operable to change the relative positions of the two members, thereby changing the fit of the saddle.

2. A saddle component according to claim 1, comprising hinge means connecting the said two members together.

3. A saddle component according to claim 1 or 2, in which one of the members is smaller than the other member, and the larger member has a recess into which the smaller member may move.

4. A saddle component according to any preceding claim, in which each member is substantially planar.

5. A saddle component according to any preceding claim, in which each member comprises a lip running around a part of the periphery of the member.

6. A saddle component according to claim 5, in which the peripheral lip on one member defines a recess into which the other member may move.

7. A saddle component according to any preceding claim, in which the first member is smaller than the second member.

8. A saddle component according to any preceding claim, in which the first member is adapted for attachment to the tree of a saddle by the formation of a plurality of apertures therein.

9. A saddle component according to claim 8, in which the first member is attached, in use, by means of rivets.

10. A saddle component according to any preceding claim, comprising a resilient member arranged to urge the two members together.

11. A saddle component according to any preceding claim, in which the adjustment means comprise releasable locking means operable to prevent further adjustment.

12. A saddle component according to any preceding claim, in which the adjustment means comprises an elongate threaded part which passes through a threaded aperture in one member, to abut against a face of the other member.

13. A saddle component according to claim 12, in which the aperture is defined by a member which extends out of the plane of the said one member.

14. A saddle component according to claim 11 and claim 12 or 13, in which locking means is operable to lock the position of the elongate threaded part within the threaded aperture.

15. A saddle component according to claim 14, in which the locking means is a lock nut on the elongate threaded part.

16. A saddle component according to any of claims 12 to 15, in which the elongate threaded part comprises means for driving it through the threaded aperture.

17. A saddle component according to claim 16, in which the driving means comprises a key socket in one end of the elongate part.

18. A saddle component according to any of claims 12 to 17, in which there is provided a plurality of selectable elongate threaded parts of different lengths, which set respective relative positions when driven fully into the aperture.

19. A saddle component according to any of claims 12 to 18, in which the elongate threaded parts are bolts.

20. A saddle component according to any of claims 1 to 11, in which the adjustment means comprises an elongate threaded member, a travelling member arranged to be driven by the threaded member, and a linkage between the travelling member and one or both of the first and second members and so arranged as to cause the relative positions of the first and second members to change in accordance with the position of the travelling member.

21. A saddle component according to claim 20, in which the linkage comprises a first link member pivotally attached to the travelling member and to a linked member which bears on, or is attached to, one of the first or second members, and a second link member pivotally attached to the linked member and at a point remote from the travelling member and the linked member.

22. A saddle component according to claim 21, in which the remote point is provided by a second travelling member arranged to be driven by the threaded member.

23. A saddle component according to claims 21 or 22, in which the threaded member is fixed in relation to one of the first or second members and the linked member bears on or is attached to the other member, to cause the relative positions of the first or second members to change as the threaded member rotates.

24. A saddle component according to any preceding claim, in which the component is so attached to a tree as to allow the adjustment means to be operated while the saddle is located on the horse.

25. A saddle comprising a tree, a member hingedly connected to the tree to be located, in use, between the tree and the withers and the member extending from the hinge axis away from the head of the tree, the saddle further comprising adjustment means operable to adjust the position of the said member in relation to the tree.

26. A saddle according to claim 25, in which the saddle comprises two hingedly connected members, as aforesaid, located on respective points of the saddle.

27. A saddle according to claim 26, in which the or each hingedly connected member is a member of a saddle component according to any of claims 1 to 24.

28. A saddle component as described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A saddle component as described above with reference to Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.

30. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.