"Riding saddle"

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding saddle, specifically of the type without saddlebow, and a fastening structure used in said saddle.

[0002] In horse-riding it is common practice to use different saddles for different disciplines, with specific characteristics for the activity performed. [0003] For example in horse-jumping it is usual to use saddles with a smaller saddle flap and short coupling belts for the girth. Then again, in endurance and dressage activities tack with more padding is appropriate with more extensive saddle flaps and long coupling belts for the girth. [0004] It follows that in the case in which both these types of discipline are performed, the purchase of two separate types of tack is required, with considerable expense . [0005] In addition, the coupling belts of the girth are generally subject to wear so they require regular replacing, generally once a year. It can be understood how much this operation is difficult to perform especially when the coupling belts are stitched inside the tack, necessarily by hand, due to its high thickness. [0006] The present invention sets out therefore to

overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art and especially the difficulties set out herein before. [0007] Such purpose is achieved with a riding saddle according to claim 1 and a fastening structure according to claim 24.

[0008] Further advantages may be achieved by means of the supplementary characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0009] The saddle to which the present invention relates to will now be described in detail, with reference to the attached drawings, which show: [0010] figure 1 a rear view of the saddle which the present invention relates to, according to a possible form of embodiment ; [0011] figure 2 a frontal view of the saddle which the present invention relates to, according to a possible form of embodiment;

[0012] figure 3 a view from above of the base element according to a possible embodiment variation, from the side that is in contact with the equine when in use;

[0013] figure 4 an anchoring band joined to the base element and to the seating structure, where the coupling belts according to one possible form of embodiment can be seen; [0014] figure 5 a base element joined to the seating

structure in which the coupling belts, of the short type, are concealed from view;

[0015] figure 6 an overhead view of a fastening structure according to a first possible form of embodiment ;

[0016] figure 7 an overhead view of a fastening structure according to a second possible form of embodiment; [0017] figure 8 a lateral view of a fastening structure according to a first possible form of embodiment ;

[0018] figure 9 a lateral view of a fastening structure according to a second possible form of embodiment ; [0019] figure 10 a series of perspective views of the components/accessories of the saddle which the invention relates to, according to possible forms of embodiment. [0020] With reference to the aforesaid figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a riding saddle, to be used on an equine, preferably of the type without saddlebow.

[0021] The saddle 1 comprises a base element 2, having at least one surface which can be laid on the equine ' s back, a seating structure 4 for the rider, to be placed on top of the base element 2 and at least one right

coupling belt 5 and one left coupling belt 5' , attached to the base element .

[0022] The right 5 and left 5' coupling belts extend, when the saddle is mounted on the equine, along the flanks of the same to engage with the girth.

[0023] The saddle 1 also comprises an anchorage band 10, which may be placed over the base element 2, to which the right 5 and left 5' coupling belts are attached. [0024] In this manner the coupling belts 5, 5' are attached to each other and are positioned symmetrically on the flanks of the horse, such position enabling a uniform distribution of the load on the leathers and, as we shall soon see, a symmetrical distribution of the wear on the coupling belts. [0025] According to one possible embodiment, the base element 2 comprises at least at the back, that is to say at the extremity of the base element 2 facing the equine 's tail, a leather padding, facilitating the correct positioning of the seating structure 4 on it. In one possible form of embodiment such padding is only visible from the back of the saddle.

[0026] In addition, preferably, the base element 2 is previously pre-formed to the horse's back to achieve greater comfort. [0027] According to one possible form of embodiment,

the coupling belts 5, 5' are of the long type, commonly used in the disciplines of dressage and endurance, so as not to touch the rider ' s calves .

[0028] According to a further form of embodiment, the coupling belts 5, 5' are of the short type, commonly used in horse-jumping, so as to remain in contact with the rider ' s ankle .

[0029] According to a possible variation, the coupling belts 5, 5' are stitched to the anchorage band 10. [0030] According to one preferred form of embodiment, the base element 2 is able to adhere to the equine ¹ S chest.

[0031] In other words, the base element 2 is anatomical and sufficiently flexible to "copy" the shape of the horse's chest, which is obviously different for each animal .

[0032] According to a further variation, the seating structure 4 is able to completely cover the base element

2 at least laterally, where by "laterally" it is meant along the equine ' s flanks .

[0033] Preferably, the seating structure 4 comprises a seating 12 and/or a skirt 13 and/or a saddle flap 14 and/or knee roll 15.

[0034] The length or extension of the seating structure 4 is another feature dependent on the type of

discipline performed.

[0035] In jumping disciplines a lightly-padded saddle with smaller saddle flap is preferred. On the contrary, in disciplines involving long periods on horseback (such as endurance) , saddles with larger saddle flaps are generally used for greater comfort.

[0036] It should be noted however that the size of the saddle flaps 14 is always such as to conceal the base element 2 from view, at least laterally. [0037] According to one possible embodiment, the anchorage band 10 is suitable for removably fastening between said base element 2 and said seating structure 4.

[0038] Preferably, the seating structure 4 too may be attached in a removable manner to the anchorage band 10 and to the base element 2.

[0039] The absence of stitching, but rather the use of releasable anchorage means between these three components enables replacement, for example of the coupling belts, but also easy adjustment of the tack. [0040] According to one possible form of embodiment, the anchorage band 10 comprises releasable anchorage means 6 to the base element 2 and to the seating structure 4.

[0041] Preferably, the releasable anchorage means 6 comprise an adhesion region 6 composed of male or female

velcro and in which the surfaces of the base element 2 and of the seating structure 4 facing the anchorage band 10 comprise velcro complementary to that used on the adhesion region 6. [0042] The term male velcro is taken to mean the element of velcro comprising tiny hooks able to engage the female elements, which are those which largely prove softer to the touch or, as said in the trade, have a softer hand. [0043] According to a further form of embodiment, releasable anchorage means 6 comprise zips and/or buttons and/or ties.

[0044] According to yet a further form of embodiment, releasable anchorage means 6 comprise an adhesion region 6 which has a coefficient of static friction with the surface of the base element 2 facing the fastening structure 3 such as to prevent the relative shifting thereof . [0045] In the same way as illustrated for the base element 4, it is preferable that the anchorage band 10 is also suitable for adhering to the base element 2. [0046] In addition thanks to its anatomical and non- bulky features, when the band is placed between the base element and the seating structure the rider does not feel its presence through the seating structure 4 during use

of the saddle which the present invention relates to.

[0047] In one variation of the invention, the surfaces of the anchorage band 10 facing the surfaces of the base element 2 and the surfaces of the seating structure 4 have velcro of the same type.

[0048] The most immediate consequence of this characteristic is that the band proves double-face.

[0049] In addition, in a variation of the invention, the surface of the base element 2 facing the anchorage band 10 comprises areas of male and female velcro, inside and outside the area occupied by the anchorage band 10.

[0050] Positioning therefore a band 10 with male velcro on both its surfaces on a female zone of the base element 2, the resulting surface facing the seating structure 4 will be fully constituted of male velcro, with consequent constructive benefits for the seating structure 4.

[0051] As already mentioned therefore, according to one possible embodiment of the invention, the surface of the base element 2 facing the fastening structure 3 is entirely covered with velcro.

[0052] According to a preferred form of embodiment, the saddle 1 also comprises functional elements 7, 8 attached in a removable manner to the base element 2. [0053] The functional elements comprise for instance,

a withers pad 7 and/or a stirrup bar 8.

[0054] The withers pad, as known in the state-of-the- art, enables the saddle to be adjusted to the withers of a horse. There are in fact horses with wider and narrower withers .

[0055] In addition, in the present invention, the withers pad prevents the base element from shifting or twisting on account of strain causing, more importantly than the a slight reduction of comfort, a significant risk for the safety of the rider and the horse.

[0056] The stirrup-bar is therefore mounted in a removable manner to the base element 2. According to a possible form of embodiment, the seating structure 4 comprises a through slot 16, situated under the skirt 13, able to accommodate a stirrup leather.

[0057] In this manner the stirrup leather does not pass through the inside of the saddle flap as in the known state-of-the-art, but on its surface facing the opposite way to the horse's chest. [0058] According to one possible variation, the saddle flap ^• is suitably shaped so as not to hinder the positioning of the stirrup leather, but on the contrary ensures its correct positioning.

[0059] According to a further variation, the saddle 1 also comprises stopping elements 9 attached in a

removable manner to the base element 2.

[0060] For example, such stopping elements 9 comprise a blocking projection.

[0061] According to one possible form of embodiment, the surface of the blocking projection facing the base element comprise velcro.

[0062] The positioning of the blocking projection for example, behind the rider's calf, avoids for example that during deceleration of the horse the rider finds a bracing place for the leg, preventing him from tipping forward and falling.

[0063] According to a further form of embodiment, the anchorage band 10 is inserted in a fastening structure 3 and in said structure 3 presents an essentially triangular or trapezoidal geometry with the axis coinciding with the equine ' s spine .

[0064] The presence of a fastening structure 3, which produces a larger surface contact area than that of the band alone 10, increases the adhesion of the band with the base element, preventing it from accidentally slipping, shifting and/or turning, with consequent benefits to safety.

[0065] According to one possible form of embodiment, the base element 2 comprises a contact area 11 with the anchorage band 10 and/or the fastening structure 3. Such

contact area 11 is lowered in relation to the surface defining it so as to compensate for the thickness of the anchorage band 10 and/or fastening structure 3.

[0066] As already specified earlier, the absence of thickening below the seating is all to the advantage of the comfort of the horse and rider.

[0067] The present invention also relates to a fastening structure 3.

[0068] Such fastening structure 3 comprises at least one right coupling belt 5 and one left coupling belt 5', joined to the base element and extending, when the saddle is mounted on the equine, along the flanks of the latter to engage with the girth.

[0069] The fastening structure 3 also comprises an anchorage band 10, superimposable over the base element

2, to which the aforesaid right 5 and left 5' coupling belts are joined.

[0070] According to one possible form of embodiment, the band 10 is suitable for being attached in a removable manner between a base element 2 and a seating structure

4.

[0071] According to a further form of embodiment, the anchorage band 10 comprises, in addition, releasable anchorage means 6 to the base element 2 and to the seating structure 4.

[0072] According to yet a further form of embodiment, the band 10 presents an essentially triangular or trapezoidal geometry with the axis coinciding with the equine ' s spine . [0073] Innovatively, the saddle which the present invention relates to allows fast, easy replacement of the coupling belts for the girth, and specifically of at least one pair of them, such coupling belts being subject to continuous strain and to uniform wear. [0074] In addition, it will be possible to purchase solely a new band comprising the coupling belts, without having to do without the tack for long periods so as to have it unstitched and restitched by specialised craftsmen. [0075] Advantageously moreover, the saddle means that the same base element can be used with two or more seating structures, with consequent economic benefit, depending on the sport one decides to practice.

[0076] Advantageously, the aforesaid characteristic also signifies the saving of space for the transport of equipment .

[0077] Lastly, advantageously, the saddle which the present invention relates to combines essential characteristics such as comfort, savings and safety. [0078] A technician skilled in this area, may make

numerous modifications, adjustments and substitutions of elements with others functionally equivalent, to the forms of embodiment of the saddle and anchorage band described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements, all moreover contained within the sphere of protection defined by the following claims. Each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible form of embodiment may be realised independently of the other forms of embodiment described.