Heating pad for a saddle

Abstract

Heating pad (2) for a saddle (1) for riding horses, with a seat having a heating element, wherein the heating pad (2) is detachably connectable to the saddle (1) and the heating pad (2) further comprises two leg parts (10) arranged on opposite sides of the heating pad (2), which are designed to at least partially surround the leg of a rider sitting on the saddle (1) and which are each equipped with a heating element comprising heating wires.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating pad for a saddle, in particular for a saddle used for riding horses. In principle, the invention is also applicable to other saddles, for example, bicycle saddles.

[0002] Particularly in winter, when snow and mud prevent riding at faster gaits, it can quickly become uncomfortably cold for the rider. On the other hand, horses still need to be exercised and ridden in winter. US 2011 / 0 072 768 A1 discloses a heating pad for a saddle. DE 248 904 A discloses a fabric leg protector for riders. DE 20 2014 100 184 U1 discloses a horse saddle with a heating element integrated into a recess in the seat padding. DE 20 2010 002 351 U1 discloses a riding saddle in which the seat of the saddle is partially or completely permeated with heat-generating elements. US 1 397 128 A discloses leg protectors for riders. WO 2008 / 154 704 A1 also discloses leg protectors for riders.

[0003] Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of mitigating or even completely eliminating the problems of the prior art. Specifically, the present invention is based on the object of creating a way to warm a rider while riding in winter.

[0004] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] Accordingly, a heating pad is provided for a saddle for riding horses, with a seat having a heating element, wherein the heating pad is detachably connectable to the saddle.

[0006] In other words, a heating pad is provided that can be attached to an existing saddle as needed and removed after use. This allows for easy retrofitting of any existing saddle, such as an English or Western saddle.

[0007] The heating pad preferably extends over the seat of the saddle, thus warming the rider's buttocks while riding. Alternatively, or additionally, the heating pad can also extend over the saddle flaps and / or the knee rolls.

[0008] The heating pad is preferably only a few millimeters thick (e.g., between 4 and 7 mm), thus creating minimal bulk. Alternatively, the heating pad can be partially or fully lined with fleece or another textile or material, such as neoprene, foam, or lambskin.

[0009] In practice, it has proven advantageous if the seat is made of a textile material and the heating element, which preferably comprises heating wires, is partially or completely surrounded by the textile material. This increases comfort and protects the heating element from damage, for example, from rubbing while riding.

[0010] The heating element can work electrically, for example via heating wires, or chemically by means of an exothermic reaction, as is known from hand warmers, for example.

[0011] Preferably, the heating pad is designed to at least partially encompass the saddle and thus be held at least partially to the saddle by a positive fit. For example, the heating pad can have a loop or receptacle that at least partially encompasses the cantle of the saddle. Alternatively or additionally, the heating pad can have one or more preferably elastic retaining elements, which can be placed, for example, around the cantle or, in the case of a Western saddle, around the saddle horn and / or the cantle, thus holding the heating pad to the saddle.

[0012] It has been found in practice that a rider's legs and thighs, in particular, become cold when riding in winter. To solve this problem, a heating pad according to the invention is further equipped with two leg parts arranged on opposite sides of the heating pad, which are designed to at least partially surround the leg of a rider sitting on the saddle and which are each equipped with a heating element comprising heating wires.

[0013] The leg parts can be fixed or detachable, in particular by sewing, zipper or snap fasteners, and can be connected to the heating pad.

[0014] Preferably, the leg parts are each designed as flat elements which can be detachably arranged to form a hollow cylinder, in particular by two opposite edges of a leg part being detachably connected to one another, preferably by means of a zipper or press studs.

[0015] For example, the leg panels initially lie flat against the saddle flaps. After mounting, the rider can then bring the two opposite edges of the leg panels together so that each leg panel encloses one of the rider's legs. On the side of the rider's leg facing away from the saddle, the edges of the leg panels can then be closed, for example, with snap fasteners, so that the rider's leg is encased in the leg panel and protected from the cold.

[0016] The leg parts can, for example, comprise or consist of a wind- and / or water-repellent material, such as a polyester fabric or a softshell material, on one side preferably facing away from the rider's leg, and a soft and / or insulating material, such as a fleece or fleece material, on another side facing the rider's leg. Furthermore, the leg parts can be provided in different sizes and lengths and thus adapted to the needs of an individual rider.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating pad further comprises an energy source, in particular in the form of a rechargeable battery or a solar cell, in particular a textile solar cell, which is preferably releasably attachable to the saddle, in particular to its rear region, e.g., the cantle. The energy source can be accommodated, for example, in a pocket and connected to the heating pad and / or the leg sections by means of a cable. Alternatively or additionally, the heating pad can comprise one or more solar cells.

[0018] A common power source can be provided for the heating pad and the leg parts, or the heating pad and the leg parts can each have their own power source.

[0019] In principle, it would also be conceivable to use the movement during riding to generate electricity and to operate the heating pad and / or the leg parts, for example as part of an energy harvesting process.

[0020] The heating pad preferably has control electronics that allow the intensity of the heating element(s) to be adjusted continuously or in steps. The heating pad can be turned on and off using an actuating unit, for example, a button. Furthermore, the control unit can be designed to control the heating pad and / or the leg sections separately, allowing the intensity of the heating power to be adjusted locally (for example, to level 1 for the seat of the heating pad and to level 3 for one or both leg sections).

[0021] Preferably, the heating pad and the leg parts are washable, especially machine washable.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a saddle with a heating pad according to the invention. The heating pad can be mounted on the saddle either detachably, which offers the possibility of retrofitting existing saddles, or integrated into the saddle or permanently installed thereon.

[0023] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a system comprising a heating pad according to the invention and a saddle for riding horses. The heating pad can, for example, be provided separately from the saddle in its own packaging and attached to the saddle as needed.

[0024] Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of a heating pad according to the invention with a saddle for riding horses.

[0025] Further advantages, features and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures, in which identical or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals. Fig. 1 a heating pad according to the invention and a saddle with the heating pad; Fig. 2 a saddle with a heating pad according to the invention, which extends over the knee rolls and saddle flaps; Fig. 3 shows a saddle with a heating pad according to the invention with leg parts in the open state; Fig. 4 a saddle with a heating pad according to the invention with leg parts in the closed state; and Fig. 5 a heating pad according to the invention on a western saddle.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows an English saddle 1 with a heating pad 2, which extends over the seat of the saddle 1 and at least partially encompasses the cantle 4. The heating pad 2 is held to the saddle 1 by means of an elastic band 3, which is guided under the saddle at the front cantle 5 and is reconnected to the heating pad 2 at the cantle 4. For this purpose, the elastic band 3 and the rear part of the heating pad, which provides a receptacle for the cantle 4, have fixing elements, in this case corresponding snap fasteners 7. An energy source 6 comprising a rechargeable battery is detachably arranged on the cantle 4.

[0027] Bottom left in Fig. 1 shows a view of the heating pad 2 without the saddle 1.

[0028] In the embodiment in Fig. 2 the heating pad 2 also extends over the saddle flaps 8 and the knee rolls 9.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows a saddle 1 with a heating pad 2 according to the invention with leg parts 10 in the open state. The leg parts 10 are connected to the heating pad 2 at a connection point 11, either permanently or detachably, e.g., via zippers or snap fasteners.

[0030] An exit point 12 for the stirrup leathers and stirrups is provided so that the stirrup leathers and stirrup leathers can be seen when viewed in Fig. 3 come to rest on the surface of the leg parts 10. Thus, the leg parts 10 can be rolled or closed around a leg placed on the stirrup.

[0031] On opposite edges 13, each leg part 10 preferably has fixing elements, e.g. corresponding snap fasteners, by means of which the leg part 10 can be closed around the leg of a rider.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 shows a saddle 1 with a heating pad 2 according to the invention, with leg parts 10 in the closed state, i.e., in a state in which they can enclose the leg of a rider. The two opposing edges 13 have been brought together and are releasably held together by means of the fixing elements 14, whereby the leg part 10 forms a hollow cylinder that can enclose the leg of a rider. Fig. 5 a heating pad 2 according to the invention on a saddle 1, which in this embodiment is a western saddle.

Claims

[1] Heating pad (2) for a saddle (1) for riding horses, with a seat having a heating element, wherein the heating pad (2) is detachably connectable to the saddle (1) and the heating pad (2) further comprises two leg parts (10) arranged on opposite sides of the heating pad (2), which are designed to at least partially surround the leg of a rider sitting on the saddle (1) and which are each equipped with a heating element comprising heating wires. [2] Heating pad (2) according to claim 1, wherein the seat surface comprises a textile material and the heating element, which comprises heating wires, is partially or completely surrounded by the textile material. [3] Heating pad (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating pad (2) is designed to at least partially encompass the saddle (1) and thereby be held at least partially by positive engagement on the saddle (1). [4] Heating pad (2) according to claim 1, wherein the leg parts (10) can be connected to the heating pad (2) firmly or detachably, in particular by sewing, zipper or snap fasteners. [5] Heating pad (2) according to one of claims 1 or 4, wherein the leg parts (10) are each designed as flat elements which can be detachably arranged to form a hollow cylinder, in particular in that two opposite edges of a leg part (10) can be detachably connected to one another, preferably by means of a zipper or snap fasteners. [6] Heating pad (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an energy source, in particular in the form of an accumulator or a solar cell, in particular a textile solar cell, is also present, which is preferably detachably fixable to the saddle (1). [7] Saddle (1) for riding horses, with a heating pad (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6. [8] System comprising a heating pad (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, and a saddle (1) for riding horses. [9] Use of a heating pad (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, with a saddle (1) for riding horses. [10] Leg parts (10) for use with a heating pad (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or a saddle (1), which are designed to at least partially surround the leg of a rider sitting on the saddle and which are each equipped with a heating element comprising heating wires.

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