GB2310359A - Half - chap - Google Patents

Abstract

A half - chap (1) used when horse riding comprises a panel (2) of pliable protective material for enveloping the lower region of a rider's leg and one or more narrow regions (10, 11) of an elastically extensible material. Means such as a sliding clasp fastener (5) are provided for releasably engaging opposed edge regions (6, 7) of the half - chap in its leg enveloping disposition, the fastener (5) being mounted on the elastic regions (10, 11). The slide of the fastener (12) may be located at the upper end of the fastener (5) so that the initial joining of the fastener (5) takes place at the top of the user's calf. The knee portion (8) comprises a reinforcing strip (9), and has a divide (see figure 2) that allows the portion (8) to conform to the profile of the user's leg. Hoop (4) is elasticated to accommodate the user's foot.

Description

"IMPROVEMENTS IN HALF-CHAPS" Field of the Invention This invention relates to half-chaps. Half-chaps are used to protect the calf region of the leg when horse-riding, in substitution for a riding boot.

Background of the Invention A half-chap consists of a leather panel which can be wrapped around the calf portion of the rider's leg and secured in position to enclose the leg from the region of the knee down to the ankle, in the same manner as the upper portion of a riding boot. The lower end of the half-chap encloses the ankle region and laps over the rider's footwear.

While half-chaps are well-known in equestrian activities and are frequently used as a substitute for riding boots, known half-chaps suffer from considerable disadvantages, in that they can become displaced during use, resulting in discomfort and inconvenience for the rider. Many half-chaps have the disadvantage that they are difficult to put on.

It is known to provide an elasticated portion on the half-chap that allows a degree of flexibility which allows for easier fitting.

Such elasticated portions interrupt and detract from the appearance of the leather material usually used to form the half-chap.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a half-chap comprising a panel of pliable protective material for enveloping the calf of a rider's leg, at least one region of an elastically extensible material, and means for releasably engaging together opposed edge regions of the half-chap in the leg-enveloping disposition thereof, characterised in that said at least one region of elastically extensible material comprises a narrow strip located at one of said opposed edge regions of the half-chap which are releasably engageable together. Preferably the narrow strip is 0.1 to 10cm in width, more preferably 0.5 to 7cm, and most preferably 1 to 3cm in width. In a favoured construction, a region of elastically extensible material in the form of a narrow strip is located at each of said opposed edge regions of the half-chap which are releasably engageable together.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said means for releasably engaging together said opposed edge regions comprises a sliding clasp fastener, and a said region of elastically extensible material is interposed at each of said opposed edge regions between an element of the fastener and said panel of pliable protective material. This arrangement ensures a continuous unbroken surface of the panel of pliable protective material. The elastically extensible material provides a means of holding the half-chap in place, and also allows for easy closure of the zip fastening means.

Suitably said means for releasably engaging together opposed edge regions of the half-chap extends substantially linearly along the rear of the half-chap in the closed condition of the half-chap, thus providing the impression of a seam along the rear of the half-chap and increasing the resemblance of the arrangement to that of a riding boot.

In a preferred arrangement the slide of the fastener is located at the upper end of the respective fastener element in the open condition of the half-chap, thus making the half-chap easier to fit. Suitably the half-chap of the invention is fitted with a shaped portion which protects the knee of the rider, while helping to hold the half-chap in the correct position on the rider's leg.

In an alternative arrangement, the slide of the fastener is located at the lower end of the respective fastener element in the open condition of the half-chap. In either arrangement, the half-chap may comprise protecting means for covering the slide of the fastener in the closed condition of the half-chap, said protecting means comprising at least one strap portion in a favoured arrangement.

The invention also extends to a half chap substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a left leg half-chap according to the invention in its unrolled or opened out condition, Figure 2 shows a rear view of the half-chap of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the half-chap of Figures 1 and 2 in its closed condition and fitted to an item of footwear, along with an additional retaining feature, Figure 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of half-chap according to the invention in unrolled or opened out condition, in a right leg construction, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the half-chap of Figure 4.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the half-chap 1 consists of a pliable but substantially non-extensible panel 2 of very generally overall rectangular outline, which has profiled opposite side edges and upper and lower edges provided with various further features. The non-extensible panel 2 has a cut-out portion 3 and a band or loop 4 on its lower edge. The half-chap 1 further comprises a sliding clasp fastener (zip) fastening means 5. The cooperating parts of the zip fastening means 5 are located on the two opposite side edge portions 6,7 of the half-chap 1.

The half-chap 1 also has a shaped portion 8 with a reinforcing strip 9 at its upper edge.

The zip fastening means 5 is attached to narrow elasticated strips 10 and 11 at side edge portions 6 and 7 respectively. The zip fastening means is stitched to each elasticated strip 10, 11 on the edge portions 6,7. It will be noted that the zipper or zip fastener 12 is arranged so that in the open condition of the fastener, the slider of the fastener is located at the top of the edge portion 7, against stop or end member 13. The word 'top' as used herein refers to the upper part of the half-chap when the half-chap is orientated correctly for wearing.

The elasticated strips 10,11 are attached to the inextensible portion or panel 2 along seams 14 and 15. The inextensible portion 2 is pliable, so that when the half-chap 1 is placed in position about the rider's leg, the assembled unit takes up a shape substantially conforming to the profile of the rider's leg in the lower leg or calf region. The shape defined by the inextensible portion 2 along seams 14 and 15 is also taken up by the elasticated strips 10,11 and the edge portions 6,7.

The shaped portion 8 is designed so as to provide protection for the outer part of the wearer's knee. The outer part of the knee refers to the side of the knee which faces outwardly. The half-chap shown in Figures 1 and 2 is designed so as to fit the left leg of the wearer.

The shaped portion 8 not only provides extra protection for the knee, but it also allows the half-chap to be aligned more easily when being fitted and helps to retain the half-chap in position while being worn.

As shown in Figure 2, the shaped portion 8 has a divide 16 which allows the shape portion 8 to conform most closely to the profile of the user's leg. The reinforcing strip 9 holds the shaped portion 8 in the desired configuration. Divide 16 is exaggerated in size as shown in Figure 2. When shaped portion 8 is cut to the desired shape, then the divide 16 may be sewn in a closed position so that only a seam holding the edges of divide 16 together is seen.

The half-chap 1 also has an inner panel 17 which is attached to the rear of the inextensible portion 2. The inextensible portion 2 thus forms an outer panel. The inner panel 17 is also substantially inextensible and forms an extra protective layer for the user's leg.

In use, the user places his or her foot through the cut-out portion 3. The band or hoop 4 is elasticated and stretches to accommodate the user's foot. In particular, the band or hoop 4 grips tightly around the sole of the user's footwear. The elasticated nature of band 4 causes the curved portion 18 of the cut-out portion 3 to be held against the bridge or instep of the user's foot or the top of his or her footwear.

The half-chap 1 is then wrapped or folded around the user's leg so that the shaped portion 8 fits to the outside of the user's knee. The two portions 6,7 of the zip fastening means 5 meet at the rear of the user's leg. The shape of the half-chap 1 ensures a secure yet comfortable fit on the user's leg. The zip fastening means 5 is then closed in the usual manner using the slider of the fastener. The zip fastener slider 12 is thus moved from the top of the half-chap along the zip fastening means 5 away from end member or stop 13, to close the fastener and bring the half-chap into a disposition of use.

The provision of the narrow elasticated strips 10,11 ensures that the fit of the half-chap is quite secure but not so tight as to be uncomfortable. Furthermore it will be appreciated that the elasticated strips 10,11 allow a certain amount of flexibility in the half-chap which allows the zip fastening means 5 to be more easily closed. The arrangement of the zip fastening means is so that the initial joining of the two portions of the zip takes place at the top of the user's calf. This removes the necessity to reach down further for access to the heel area in order to close the zip fastening means 5.

When the half-chap 1 is in place on the user's leg and the zip fastening means 5 has been closed, then the half-chap extends down over the user's footwear to give the appearance of the upper part of a riding boot.

The half-chap protects the leg with shaped portion 8 extending about the exterior of the knee to give greater protection.

It will be appreciated from the enclosed drawings that the provision of the elasticated strips 10,11 between the zip fastening means 5 and the inextensible portion 2 ensures that the inextensible portion 2 is formed of one continuous piece of material. The surface or the appearance of the inextensible portion 2 is not broken in any way by the provision of an elasticated strip. Thus, using the same materials it is possible to provide a more attractive appearance than has been previously achievable.

It is normal on riding boots to have a seam to the rear of the boot, which runs upwardly along the length of the leg of the boot.

This seam starts at the user's heel and runs upwards along the back of the calf towards the back of the knee.

In the half-chap described above, the zip fastening means 5 and the inextensible portion 2 are arranged so that when the half-chap is closed around the user's leg, then the zip fastening means runs on a line from the top of the rear of the calf downwardly towards the heel area. The appearance of this arrangement is thus very similar to that of the seam of a riding boot as described above. The half-chap accordingly retains an appearance which is very similar to that of a riding boot.

With reference to Figure 3, the half-chap 1 is shown fitted to a boot 21, in its closed disposition of use or wear. Band 4 extends underneath the sole of the boot 21 helping to hold half-chap 1 in place.

Figure 3 also shows a variant or modification of the invention, in which a belt or strap 19 and buckle 20 are fitted to the heel area of the half-chap 1. The belt 19 is fitted with a retaining or protective portion 22. The retaining portion 22 extends across zip fastening means 5 and thus provides improved retention of the zip fastening means in a closed position when the belt 19 and buckle 20 are fastened in the usual way. The retaining portion 22 also provides protection for the heel area of the wearer.

The belt 19 and buckle 20 are easily opened when it is desired to remove the half-chap.

Other arrangements may be provided at the heel area to improve retention of the zip fastening means 5 in the closed position, for example a strap arrangement having a hoop and loop fastener (VelcrotTM) etc., may be used.

In a preferred arrangement, the narrow elasticated strips 10,11 are accommodated between the outer inextensible portion 2 and the inner protective panel 17. A single seam may be used to hold these three elements of the half-chap 1 together at any given place. The outer inextensible portion 2 is preferably made of a tanned leather material. The inner panel 17 may be made of any protective material, but a soft leather is preferred. The outer inextensible portion 2 and the inner panel 17 are substantially identical in shape. Preferably the elasticated strips 10,11 have a width of 1 to 3 centimeters, although a wider lateral dimensional range may also apply, for example from 0.5 to 7 centimeters, or 0.1 to 10 centimeters.

Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment of half-chap according to the invention, in which comparable reference numerals are used to those applying to Figures 1, 2 and 3, but in the range 51 to 71. The embodiment is generally similar to that of Figures 1, 2 and 3, but relates to a right leg version of the product, and also exhibits detailed differences in the shape of knee-protecting region 58, along the top edge. A further variation from the first embodiment resides in the manner of operation of the sliding clasp fastener, arrangement 55, in that the slider 62 in Figures 4 and 5 is located at the lower end of the closure strips of the fastener in the open condition of the half-chap, with the end stop 63 being located at the upper end of the edge portions 56 and 57.

The slit 66 corresponding to the divide 16 of the first embodiment is shown in the stitched together condition in Figures 4 and 5.

Furthermore, as compared with the retaining arrangement of Figure 3 comprising belt or strap 19, buckle 20 and protective portion 22, in the arrangement of Figures 4 and 5, the slider 62 of the closed sliding clasp fastener is protected or covered by a strap portion 69, held in place in the mounted condition of the half-chap by a press-fastener feature, this consisting of portion 70 on strap 69 and cooperating portion 71 at the upper end of the opposite edge region of the half-chap.

The manner of use of this embodiment of the invention is equivalent to that of the first embodiment, namely the combined panel 52, 67 of the product is placed in position around the lower portion of the leg, the wrapped together half-chap is secured along the sliding clasp fastener 55 by sliding the closure member 62 upwards, and the upwardly located slider 62 in the closed disposition of the product is covered over and secured by the strap 69, fastener portions 70 and 71 being snapped together to hold strap 60 in its covering or retaining disposition.

Claims (9)

1. A half-chap comprising a panel of pliable protective material for enveloping the calf of a rider's leg, at least one region of an elastically extensible material, and means for releasably engaging together opposed edge regions of the half-chap in the leg-enveloping disposition thereof, characterised in that said at least one region of elastically extensible material comprises a narrow strip located at one of said opposed edge regions of the half-chap which are releasably engageable together.

2. A half-chap according to Claim 1, wherein said means for releasably engaging together opposed edge regions of the half-chap extends substantially linearly along the rear of the half-chap in the closed condition of the half-chap.

3. A half-chap according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said means for releasably engaging together said opposed edge regions comprises a sliding clasp fastener, and a said region of elastically extensible material is interposed at each of said opposed edge regions between an element of the fastener and said panel of pliable protective material.

4. A half chap according to Claim 3, wherein the slide of the fastener is located at the upper end of the respective fastener element in the open condition of the half-chap.

5. A half-chap according to Claim 3, wherein the slide of the fastener is located at the lower end of the respective fastener element in the open condition of the half-chap.

6. A half-chap according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, comprising protecting means for covering the slide of the fastener in the closed condition of the half-chap.

7. A half-chap according to Claim 6, wherein said protecting means comprises at least one strap portion.

8. A half-chap according to Claim 1, comprising a region of elastically extensible material in the form of a narrow strip located at each of said opposed edge regions of the half-chap which are releasably engageable together.

9. A half chap substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.