Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADJUSTABLE WESTERN SADDLE
FIELD
[0001] The present application relates generally to saddles and, more
specifically, to
an adjustable western saddle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The art of saddle design is an old and traditional art that has not
changed
significantly with the advent of modern technology. However, there appear to
be areas
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of saddle design that may be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying
drawings which show example implementations; and in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates, in an upper perspective view, a right side of a
saddle tree
as a part of a saddle in accordance with an aspect of the present application;
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates, in a plan view, a bottom side of the tree of
FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates, in an upper perspective view, a left side of the
tree of FIG.
1, showing a seat foam preparation in accordance with an aspect of the present
application;
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a seat cover, separate from the tree of FIG. 1,
in
accordance with an aspect of the present application;
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates, in an upper perspective view, the left side of
the tree of
FIG. 1, with the seat cover of FIG. 4 added in accordance with an aspect of
the present
application;
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates a skirt, separate from the tree of FIG. 1, in
accordance with
an aspect of the present application;
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[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates, in an upper perspective view, the left side of
the tree of
FIG. 1, with the skirt of FIG. 6 added, thereby completing a saddle in
accordance with
an aspect of the present application;
[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates, in a plan view, a bottom side of the saddle of
FIG. 7;
[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates, in a plan view, the bottom side of the saddle of
FIG. 7; and
[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates four ground seats suitable for installation
between the seat
foam preparation of FIG. 3 and the seat cover of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] A saddle according to elements of the present application includes a
tree
having a rider-facing side and a horse-facing side, a seat cover adapted for
detachable
installation on the rider-facing side of the tree and an insert adapted for
installation
between the tree and the seat cover. Conveniently, the insert may adapt the
fit of the
saddle for riders of distinct size and shape and accommodate for physical
differences
between male and female riders. Furthermore, a connection panel secured to the
horse-
facing side of the tree may allow for releasably secured padding elements that
customize the horse-facing side of the tree to fit a particular .horse.
Adjustable stirrup
bars provide even further flexibility of customization.
[0015] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided
a saddle.
The saddle includes a tree having a rider-facing side and a horse-facing side,
a seat
cover adapted for detachable installation on the rider-facing side of the tree
and an
insert adapted for installation between the tree and the seat cover.
[0016] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become
apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of
specific
implementations of the disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying
figures.
[0017] The base on which the rest of the saddle is built is called a tree.
The tree is
usually formed from wood or a similar synthetic material. The tree is
eventually covered
in leather or leather-like synthetic material. For a fuller discussion of tree
design
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considerations, see US Patent No. 5,517,808, issued May 21, 1996 to Jochen
Schleese
and hereby incorporated herein by reference. The tree may be associated with
qualities
such as arc, width and angle.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates, in an upper perspective view, a right side of a
saddle tree
101.
[0019] The saddle tree 101 may be constructed of a lightweight, non-
breakable
plastic polymer formed by combining polyurethane and polypropylene. Through
experimentation, a material for the saddle tree 101 may be arrived at so that
the saddle
tree 101 has an amount of give that allows a rider to discern the movement of
the horse.
[0020] The saddle tree 101 has a swell 102 and a cantle 106. Below the
swell 102 is
a front-end bar 103. Below the cantle 106 is a rear-end bar 107. A right side
cable 114R
is illustrated extending from the front-end bar 103 to the rear-end bar 107.
Similarly, a
left side cable 114L is illustrated extending from the front-end bar 103 to
the rear-end
bar 107. Installed within an aperture in the right side of the saddle tree 101
is a right
side adjustable stirrup bar 116R. Installed within an aperture in the left
side of the
saddle tree 101 is a left side adjustable stirrup bar 116L. A horn 118 extends
from the
top of the swell 102.
[0021] The right side cable 114R and the left side cable 114L may, for
example, be
formed of 1/4 inch vinyl-coated stainless steel aircraft cable.
[0022] The right side cable 114R and left side cable 114,L are not part of
a loop but,
rather, have discrete ends. That is, the right side cable 114R has a front end
and a rear
end, as does the left side cable 114L. The front end of the right side cable
114R may be
anchored within the front-end bar 103 and the rear end of the right side cable
114R may
be anchored within the rear-end bar 107. Similarly, The front end of the left
side cable
114L may be anchored within the front-end bar 103 and the rear end of the left
side
cable 114L may be anchored within the rear-end bar 107.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates, in a plan view, a bottom side of the saddle tree
101 of FIG.
1. The bottom plan view allows for illustration of the left side adjustable
stirrup bar 116L
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installed within an aperture in the left side of the saddle tree 101 (the
stirrup bars may
be referenced collectively or individually as 116).
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates, in an upper perspective view, a left side of the
saddle tree
101 of FIG. 1, showing a ground seat 302. Additionally illustrated in FIG. 3
is a cantle
edge 304. The cantle edge 304 may be fastened to the saddle tree 101 in any of
many
ways. For example, the cantle edge 304 may be fastened to the saddle tree 101
with
staples, rivets or glue, just to name a few. The saddle tree 101 is
illustrated, in FIG. 3,
as including a plurality of embedded nuts 306 built in to the saddle tree 101.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a seat cover 402, separate from the saddle tree
101. The
seat cover 402 detachably attaches to the saddle tree 101. For example, the
seat cover
402 may include button holes (not shown) positioned to coincide with the
locations of
the embedded nuts 306 on the saddle tree 101. Alternatively or additionally,
for another
example, the seat cover 402 may include flexible loops (not shown) positioned
on the
perimeter of the seat cover 402 in locations that coincide with the locations
of the
embedded nuts 306 on the saddle tree 101.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates, in an upper perspective view, the left side of
the saddle tree
101 of FIG. 1, with the seat cover 402 of FIG. 4 installed. Additionally, FIG.
5 illustrates
a swell cover 504 having been installed over the swell 102 of the saddle tree
of FIG. 1.
The swell cover 504 has an aperture sized to allow the horn 118 to pass
through.
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a skirt 602, separate from the saddle tree 101.
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates, in an upper perspective view, the left side of
the saddle tree
101 of FIG. 1, with the skirt 602 of FIG. 6 added, thereby completing a saddle
700.
[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates, in a plan view, a bottom (horse-facing) side of
the saddle
700 of FIG. 7, as opposed to a rider-facing side. The bottom plan view allows
for
illustration of a right connection panel 802R and a left connection panel 802L
(collectively or individually 802). The connection panels 802 may be formed of
a
material that allows a releasable connection of padding elements. The material
may
include sections of Velcro TM from Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester, NH. The
connection
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panels 802 may be fastened to the saddle tree 101 with staples, rivets or
glue, just to
name a few. The underside of the saddle 700, especially between the bars and
under
the swell 102, may be considered to define a gullet channel 804.
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates, in a plan view, the bottom side of the saddle
700 of FIG. 7,
with a left panel padding element 902L and a right panel padding element 902R
(individually and collectively referenced as 902) secured to the left
connection panel
802L and the right connection panel 802R, respectively. The panel padding
elements
902 may be formed of such materials as, for example, fleece, wool or felt.
Additionally,
the panel padding elements 902 may include removable and replaceable air-
filled or
foam-filled padding. On the side of the panel padding element 902 that
attaches the
panel padding element 902 to the connection panel 802, there may be a
closeable slit
(not shown) that allows for the insertion, or removal, of padding.
Consequently, each of
the panel padding elements 902 may have a customized thickness. In the case
wherein
the connection panels 802 include sections of "hook" Velcro TM elements, the
panel
padding elements 902 may include correspondingly located sections of "loop"
Velcro TM
elements. Alternatively, in the case wherein the connection panels 802 include
sections
of "loop" Velcro TM elements, the panel padding elements 902 may include
correspondingly located sections of "hook" Velcro TM elements.
[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates four ground seats: a first male-specific ground
seat 1002;
a second male-specific ground seat 1004; a first female-specific ground seat
1006; and
a second female-specific ground seat 1008. In addition to two-dimensional
shape
differences, the ground seats 1002, 1004, 1006 and 1008 may be distinguished
from
each other by three-dimensional differences. That is, padding provided by each
ground
seat may be thicker in some places and thinner in other places.
[0032] In overview, the present application relates to a saddle, such as
the saddle
700 of FIG. 7, that may be configured and customized for a particular rider or
type of
rider. Conveniently, the configurability of the saddle 700 allows the saddle
700 to be
custom fit for either men or women. Furthermore, the configurability of the
saddle 700
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allows the saddle 700 to be custom fit for the horse on which the saddle 700
will be
used. The adjustable stirrup bars 116 provide even further flexibility of
customization.
[0033] In consideration of an initial condition wherein the saddle 700 has
been
previously configured for a male rider, say, with the first male-specific
ground seat 1002,
the following are example steps in a method of re-configuring the saddle 700
for a
female rider.
[0034] Step 1 - detach the seat cover 402, as discussed hereinbefore,
detaching the
seat cover 402 may involve disengaging Concho screws in the seat cover 402
from
embedded nuts 306 in the saddle tree 101;
[0035] Step 2 - remove the first male-specific ground seat 1002 from the
saddle tree
101;
[0036] Step 3 - install a female ground seat, such as the first female-
specific ground
seat 1006, on the saddle tree 101; and
[0037] Step 4 - reattach the seat cover 402.
[0038] Notably, for the further comfort of female riders, the saddle tree
101 may be
modified and designed to include a relatively narrow section that, in use, is
positioned
between the upper inner thighs of the rider in the saddle 700. This relatively
narrow
section may be seen to accommodate for the angle of the female hip.
Furthermore, this
relatively narrow section may be seen to allow for the inner thigh of the
female rider to
sit close to the horse.
[0039] Once the seat cover 402 has been reattached (step 4) over the first
female-
specific ground seat 1006, the result may be a relatively wide and relatively
soft female-
specific seat. The female-specific ground seat 1006 that defines the female-
specific
seat may be designed to accommodate a women's pelvic structure. That is, the
female-
specific seat in an aspect of the present application may be considered to
alleviate seat
bone pressure points. The female-specific seat, in an aspect of the present
application,
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may also be considered to relieve pressure and/or rubbing on the pubic
symphysis
and/or the genitalia of the rider.
[0040] Notably, the pubic symphysis is a midline cartilaginous joint
(secondary
cartilaginous) uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones.
The pubic
symphysis is located anterior to the urinary bladder and superior to the
external
genitalia. For females, the pubic symphysis is above the vulva. .For males,
the pubic
symphysis is above the penis.
[0041] Elements of the present application include the detachable seat
cover 402 in
combination with the sex-specific ground seats 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008. The
seat cover
402 in combination with the sex-specific ground seats 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008
may be
considered to allow fine adjustment of seat cushioning for a personalized fit.
The seat
cover 402 in combination with the sex-specific ground seats 1002, 1004, 1006,
1008
may, in aspects of the present application, be detachable from the saddle tree
101 to
allow the interchanging of the ground seat to determine male/female models.
[0042] In another aspect of the present application, the panel padding
elements 902
are adjustable. The adjustability of the panel padding elements 902 may be
considered
to accommodate the changing three-dimensional shape of the horse's back. That
is, the
panel padding elements 902 may be adjusted to accommodate .a change from one
horse to another or may be adjusted to accommodate the same horse as that
horse
ages and changes shape. The saddle tree 101 may be configured to have a
relatively
wide gullet channel 804 (see FIG. 8). An advantage of a wide gullet channel
804 in
combination with the connection panels 802 and the panel padding elements 902
may
be seen to allow for a saddle underside that is customized to a particular
horse. A
customized saddle underside may be considered to reduce pressure on the spine
and
on the withers of the horse. Conveniently, preventing such pressure may be
seen to
alleviate contact with associated ligaments and nerves.
[0043] The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-
legged
mammal. In many species, the withers is the tallest point of the body and, in
horses and
dogs, the withers is the standard place to measure the animal's height.
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[0044] The detachable panel padding elements 902 facilitate fitting the
saddle 700
to a wide range of horses' backs, thereby giving the horse comfort and freedom
to
move. The panel padding elements 902 can be configured so that the fit of the
saddle
700 to a particular horse may be fine tuned as, over time, the particular
horse changes
in fitness and in age. Individual panel padding elements 902 can be arranged
to fit a
variety of horses and may be quickly attached to the saddle 700 as needed.
Conveniently, the saddle 700 constructed in accordance with aspects of the
present
application may be seen to be adjustable on-site to change the arc of the
saddle tree
101, the width of the saddle tree 101, the angle of the saddle tree 101 and
the
angulations (twists) of the panel padding elements 902.
[0045] In a further aspect of the present application, the stirrup bars 116
may be
made to be adjustable, thereby assisting proper positioning of the legs of
either a male
rider or a female rider. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the right side adjustable
stirrup bar 116R
is carried on a right side post 117R. The right side post 117R is installed in
the aperture
in the right side of the saddle tree 101 and is fastened at each end to the
saddle tree
101.
[0046] The right side adjustable stirrup bar 116R includes a hollow
cylindrical
portion that is sized to receive right side post 117R. The right side
adjustable stirrup bar
116R also includes an arm portion that initially extends axially from the
hollow cylindrical
portion and then extends in manner parallel to the hollow cylindrical portion.
[0047] To provide for discrete adjustments of the right side stirrup bar
116R, the
right side post 117R is provided with a channel with multiple tributaries. The
tributaries
may be observed as notches in FIG. 1. The channel that connects the
tributaries is
hidden from view in FIG. 1. The hollow cylindrical portion of the right side
stirrup bar
116R may include an aperture that is tapped with a thread to accept a set
screw. When
the set screw is properly installed in the aperture, the set screw extends
into the inside
of the hollow cylindrical portion of the right side stirrup bar 116R to engage
the channel
or one of the tributaries of the channel in the right side post 117R.
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[0048] At a first useful rest position, the right side stirrup bar 116R is
positioned
such that the set screw is engaged by a first one of the tributaries, such
that lateral
movement along the right side post 117R is prevented. To select a second
useful rest
position, a user manipulates the right side stirrup bar 116R in such a manner
as to
move the set screw along the tributary, circumferentially around the right
side post 117R
until the set screw is in the channel. The user may then manipulate the right
side stirrup
bar 116R in such a manner as to move the set screw along the channel,
longitudinally
along the right side post 117R. The user may then manipulate the right side
stirrup bar
116R in such a manner as to move the set screw along a second one of the
tributaries,
thereby selecting the second useful rest position.
[0049] When formed of appropriate materials, the saddle tree 101 may have
beneficial qualities, such as being lightweight, strong, moisture resistant
and having a
performance that is relatively immune to temperature changes..
[0050] The design of the saddle tree 101 may be based on three-dimensional
measurements of the horse. When the saddle tree 101 is appropriately designed,
the
saddle 700 built upon the tree 100 may be seen to reduce pressure on reflex
points. It
may be shown that pressure on reflex points of a given horse may cause
negative
behavior of the given horse.
[0051] The right cable portion 114R and the left cable portion 114L may be
considered to be part of a cable rigging system. It may be illustrated that
full, 7/8, 3/4,
5/8 or even center positioning are all achievable with the cable rigging
system. The
cable 114 may be considered to pull evenly from front to back and from side to
side for
a secure fit without over-tightening. The cable rigging system may be seen to
reduce, or
even eliminate, the need for a rear cinch.
[0052] The above-described implementations of the present application are
intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be
effected
to the particular implementations by those skilled in the art without
departing from the
scope of the application, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.
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