Joint ring designed as a double D-ring for a saddle girth, and saddle girths equipped with this.

Abstract

A double-bridge D-ring joint ring (9, 9.1) for a girth (1) for mounting a saddle on the back of a riding animal, the girth (1) being divided into three sections in the tensioning direction and comprising a central section (2) and two straps (3, 4) attachable or connected thereto for connecting the girth to a saddle, wherein the straps (3, 4) are connected to the central section (2) by means of a rigid joint ring (9, 9.1) attached to the central section (2), wherein the joint rings (9, 9.1) are arranged at a distance from each other in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the girth (1), wherein the connection of the joint rings (9, 9.1) is designed to be attached to the central piece (2) so that these, each forming a joint, are adjustable relative to the central piece (2) in the direction of the width of the central piece (2), wherein the double web connecting the legs of its arc section (12) is provided by an inner web (11) and an outer base web (10, 10.1) by means of the double-web D-ring design of the joint ring (9), and wherein the base web (10, 10.1) has one or more connecting webs (17, 17.1) for connecting each of a strap (3, 4) by means of a strap loop (22), characterized in that each connecting web (17, 17.1) encompassed by a strap loop (22) is provided by two web pins (19, 19.1) separated from each other by an insertion opening (20, 20.1) for inserting a strap loop (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hinged D-ring designed as a double-strap D-ring for a girth for mounting a saddle on the back of a riding animal, the girth being divided into three sections in the tensioning direction and comprising a central section and two straps attachable or connected thereto, serving to connect the girth to a saddle, wherein the straps are connected to the central section by means of an intermediate, rigid hinged ring attached to the central section, wherein the hinged rings are arranged at a distance from each other in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the girth, wherein the connection of the hinged rings to the central section is designed so that they are adjustable relative to the central section, each forming a joint, in the direction of the width of the central section.wherein, by means of the double-web D-ring design of the joint ring, the double web connecting the legs of its arc section is provided by an inner web and an outer base web, and wherein the base web has one or more connecting webs for attaching a strap by means of a strap loop. The invention further relates to a saddle girth equipped with such joint rings.

[0002] Girths are placed around the belly of a riding animal, such as a horse, and their long ends are attached to one side of a saddle, typically a saddle flap. Because such a girth goes around the animal's belly, it is also called a girth strap. Girths are often padded to minimize pressure points. To accommodate the curvature of a riding animal's belly, two girth straps are sometimes used. For horses, girths with a crescent shape have been developed to increase comfort. These girths are wider in the middle than at the buckles used to attach them to the saddle.To distribute the tension over a larger area of ​​the animal's body, the wider part of the girth is lined with leather (or other materials) or consists of a single piece of leather. Due to its crescent shape, where the tension is applied through the ends of the crescent, the force is primarily concentrated on the shorter side. Consequently, such a girth does not fit the animal optimally. Elastomeric elements are often incorporated into girths to compensate for variations in the horse's abdominal curvature.

[0003] A disadvantage of girths with elastomeric elements is that, due to the lack of a tensioning point, the saddle fastening is often too tight. This results in the elastomeric elements, such as elastomer rings or annular pads, being over-tensioned, preventing the desired degree of compensatory movement. Excessive tension on the girth also negatively impacts the horse's comfort. Furthermore, elastomeric elements tend to lose elasticity and stretch over time due to the nature of the material.

[0004] To remedy this, WO 2022 / 073874 A1 proposes a three-part design for the girth. This girth comprises a central section and two attached straps, which can also be designed as double straps. Each strap is connected to the central section by means of a rigid hinge ring, which is attached to the central section by at least one connecting strap. The hinge rings are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the girth. The connection of the connecting straps and / or the straps to the respective hinge ring is designed such that they are pivotable relative to the central section in the plane of the central section. The hinge rings of this previously known girth can be designed as double-strap D-rings. The two strap rings of this previously known hinge ring connect the end sections of the legs of the arched section.A loop opening is provided between the inner web and the base web that provides the connecting web(s), allowing a webbing loop to be guided around a connecting web provided by the base web. Thus, each end web, together with its associated section of the inner web and its lateral boundaries, forms an eyelet. If multiple webbing is used, the base web provides several connecting webs, each separated from the others by a transverse web connecting the inner web to the base web.

[0005] A strap attached to such a joint ring encompasses a connecting bar. The two strap sections forming the strap loop are permanently connected for intended use, typically by sewing. For this reason, a strap attached to such a joint ring cannot be replaced. However, the ability to replace a strap attached to such a joint ring would be desirable so that the central piece supporting the joint rings could be used with different saddles, and consequently, straps or strap cords could be attached to and detached from such a joint ring.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a joint ring of the type mentioned above in such a way that the strap(s) provided for attaching a saddle to it are replaceable despite the provision of a strap loop that cannot be opened without destruction.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a hinge ring designed as a double-strap D-ring of the type mentioned above, in which each connecting strap encompassed by a belt loop is provided by two strap pins separated from each other by an insertion opening for inserting a belt loop.

[0008] In this hinged ring, one or more connecting webs, as required in a multi-web belt system, are provided by two web pins each. The web pins are separated by an insertion opening. This opening has a sufficient clear width to allow a belt to be attached to the hinged ring to be guided through it with the transverse side of a belt section of the loop section and inserted into the loop opening enclosed by the inner web and the connecting web. This is achieved by utilizing the flexible material properties of such a belt. Once the loop section is inserted into the loop opening of the hinged ring, the belt section within the loop opening is aligned so that it engages both web pins. Removing such a belt from the hinged ring is accomplished in the reverse manner.

[0009] A tensile force is transmitted from a belt connected to the joint ring to the ring itself, or vice versa, via both connecting pins, which together form a connecting web. The width of the belt loop connected to the joint ring is adapted to the width of the connecting web, such that the belt width essentially corresponds to the width of a connecting web, with the belt width typically being smaller than that of the connecting web by the required clearance. The belt width to be connected to such a connecting web is in any case dimensioned so that, regardless of the position of the belt loop on the connecting web with respect to its width, it encompasses both connecting pins.

[0010] This hinged ring cleverly utilizes the fact that the connecting web is linked to the inner web by crossbars, allowing tensile forces to be transferred via these crossbars into the inner web or the curved section. Depending on the hinged ring's design, these crossbars can be end sections of the curved section of the D-ring or a crossbar connecting the base web to the inner web. When a tensile force is applied, the inner web, which typically runs parallel to the base web, effectively acts as a tie rod, preventing the crossbars defining a connecting web from spreading apart, for example, the ends of the curved section. The distance between the base web, with its at least one connecting web, and the inner web is correspondingly small. This distance is, for example, three to four times the thickness of the belt material.Despite providing an insertion opening between the connecting pins of a connecting web, high tensile forces can therefore be introduced into such a joint ring without damage, especially without the risk that the belt loop connected to a connecting web will be pulled out of the belt loop opening through the insertion opening, regardless of whether this tensile load is applied or not.

[0011] In a first embodiment, the connecting pins are of equal length, so that the insertion opening is arranged centrally with respect to the connecting web formed by the connecting pins. In a second embodiment, the connecting pins are of different lengths, the offset relative to a central arrangement of the insertion opening being such that a load loop properly connected to the connecting web engages both connecting pins regardless of its position within the loop opening. The connecting pins themselves are typically aligned with respect to their longitudinal axis.Since the webbing material of a webbing loop to be attached to such a connecting bar is designed to ensure that the force transmission into the connecting bar is at least substantially uniform across the width of the webbing, the clear width of the insertion opening, defined by the end faces of the bar pins, does not need to be limited to the minimum required for inserting a webbing loop. Rather, the insertion opening can be designed with a width that allows for the effortless insertion of a section of a webbing loop. However, the clear width of such an insertion opening should not exceed 40% of the usable width of a webbing to be attached to the connecting bar of the joint ring. Even if the clear width of the insertion opening is no more than 20 to 30%, it is still possible to easily insert the webbing loop through the insertion opening and into the loop opening of the joint ring.Typical insertion opening widths correspond to two to four times the material thickness of a belt to be connected to the connecting web.

[0012] The cross-sectional geometry of the inner web and the base web, as well as their respective cross-sectional areas, can be identical. Typically, the cross-sectional geometry of the web pins is circular or oval to facilitate pivoting of an attached strap loop around the longitudinal axis of the connecting web. The cross-sectional geometry of the inner web can, if desired, have a different geometry. In particular, the cross-sectional geometry of the inner web can be adapted to the curved section of the hinge ring.

[0013] The longitudinal axis of the insertion opening of the connecting web can run perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the connecting web or the longitudinal axes of the web pins. In another embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the insertion opening is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the connecting web with respect to such a perpendicular orientation, i.e., inclined by a few degrees relative to a right-angle arrangement, for example, by 15 to 35 degrees. Depending on the clear width of such an insertion opening, i.e., the distance between the end faces of the web pins, this measure prevents one web pin from bending out too far, even under particularly high tensile loads, thus providing additional safety against the belt loop being unintentionally pulled out of the loop opening.Furthermore, with such a design of the connecting web, the insertion opening can be offset from a central arrangement with respect to the two web pins, with the inclination of the insertion opening directed towards the longer web pin. In this case, the section of the loop opening into which the inclination of the insertion opening points is larger, which simplifies threading a webbing loop in and out. An off-center arrangement of the insertion opening, as described above with regard to an inclined insertion opening, can also be implemented for one whose longitudinal axis runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting web.

[0014] A suitable brass alloy or steel, especially stainless steel, that can withstand the required forces is suitable for manufacturing such a joint ring.

[0015] Even though the hinge ring described above is referred to as a double-bridge D-ring, in addition to its double bridge comprising the base bridge and the inner bridge, it may also have one or more further bridges, which are then typically arranged adjacent to the inner bridge in the direction of the arc section.

[0016] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1: A top view of a three-part saddle girth with a central piece and two straps connected to it by means of a rigid joint ring, Fig. 2: the saddle girth of the Fig. 1 with the straps articulated relative to the middle section, Fig. 3: a top view of one of the joint rings of the saddle girth of the preceding figures with a girth section attached to it, Fig. 4: a sectional view along the section line A - B of the Fig. 3. and Fig. 5: A top view of a double-web D-ring according to a further embodiment.

[0017] A girth 1 comprises a center piece 2 and two straps 3 and 4. Straps 3 and 4 are of identical construction. Any further explanations of the girth below apply equally to strap 4.

[0018] The central section 2 is a flexible layer of material, sufficiently flexible to easily conform to the animal's body when the girth 1 is fitted. In the illustrated embodiment, the central section 2 is made of a tensile-resistant material, for example Biothane®, leather, or another tensile-resistant material.

[0019] The strap 3 is a double strap with two individual straps 5, 6. Each of the individual straps 5, 6 has a buckle 7, 8 at its end for attaching the girth 1 to the girth straps of a saddle (not shown in the figures). The strap 3, with its individual straps 5, 6, is connected to the central piece 2 via a hinge ring 9. The hinge ring 9 is a double-bar D-ring. Such a hinge ring 9 for connecting the strap 3 to the central piece 2 has a curved section in at least one direction, and thus either towards the central piece 2 or towards the strap 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved section – its arc segment – ​​is arranged pointing towards the central piece 2.

[0020] The two individual straps 5, 6 are connected to the base web 10 of the double web of the hinge ring 9. To form the double web, the hinge ring 9 has the aforementioned base web 10 and an inner web 11 running parallel to it. Both webs 10, 11 connect the end sections of the arch section 12. The two webs 10, 11 are connected to each other centrally by a transverse web. This cross web separates the two individual straps 5, 6 in their respective positions on the base web 10 and thus keeps them at a distance from each other.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge ring 9 is attached to the central section 2 by means of two connecting straps 13, 14. These straps are sewn to the central section 2 along their longitudinal extent. The seam of connecting strap 13 is indicated by reference numeral 15. The connecting straps 13, 14 are arranged diverging from each other, starting from the curved section 12 of the hinge ring 9. This arrangement ensures that a tensile force introduced via the strap 3 into the hinge ring 9 and then into the connecting straps 13, 14 is distributed across the width of the central section 2, extending to the edge region, and thus introduced across its entire width. The width of the central section 2 is significantly greater than the width of the straps 3, 4. The width of the central section 2 also exceeds the extent of the hinge ring 9 in this direction.In the illustrated embodiment, the extension of the central piece 2 is approximately twice that of the joint ring 9. Decoupling the central piece 2 from the straps 3, 4 allows for a width design independent of the straps 3, 4. The central piece 2 can have a geometry adapted to the animal's body. Another advantage of such a diverging arrangement of the connecting straps 13, 14 is that each connecting strap 13, 14 is arranged at an obtuse angle (a right-angled arrangement is also possible) to the arc section 12 of the joint ring 9. The seams 15 are designed with respect to the loop 16 of the connecting straps 13, 14 that encompasses the arc section 12, such that the width of each loop 16 is sufficiently large to allow the joint ring 9 with its arc section 12 to easily move within it in the plane of the central piece 2, as indicated by the arrows in the figure. Fig. 1 indicates that it can be adjusted. This means that the belt 3 is articulated relative to the center piece 2.

[0022] In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1. The joint rings 9 are located on the outside of the middle piece 2 and therefore do not come into contact with the animal body.

[0023] The articulation of the belt 3 in relation to the center piece 2 is exemplified in Fig. Figure 2 shows that both straps 3 and 4 are adjusted in the same direction relative to the center piece 2. A key feature is that the tensile force is transmitted from the straps 3 and 4 via the joint rings 9 into the center piece 2 in the same way, regardless of the orientation of the straps 3 and 4 relative to the center piece 2. Thus, the contact of the center piece 2 with its underside against the animal's body remains constant across its surface, regardless of the joint position of the straps 3 and 4, even if the straps 3 and 4 are, as shown in Figure 2, adjusted in the same direction. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows, by way of example, the straps 3 and 4 being adjusted relative to the center piece 2. It is essential that no torsional moment is introduced into the straps 3 and 4 or into the center piece 2, thus ensuring that the center piece 2 maintains its full-surface contact with the animal's body even when the straps 3 and 4 are adjusted relative to the center piece 2. The adjustability is smooth due to the appropriately sized loops 16 of the connecting straps 13 and 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a polished steel ring is used as the D-ring. Its smooth surface has very low static friction with the Biothane® connecting straps 13 and 14, which further facilitates the smooth movement of the joint.

[0024] The hinge ring 9 of the illustrated embodiment is designed for a double belt connection and therefore has two connecting webs 17, 17.1 provided by its base web 10 (see Fig. 3) The connecting webs 17, 17.1 each extend from an end section of the arch section 12 to the transverse web 18, which connects the base web 10 with the inner web 11, as already mentioned above. The connecting web 17 is explained below. The same descriptions apply equally to the identically designed connecting web 17.1, to which the single chord 5 is connected. The connecting web 17 is provided by two web pins 19, 19.1 arranged with their longitudinal axes aligned with each other. The web pins 19, 19.1 are separated from each other by an insertion opening 20 located centrally with respect to the width of the connecting web 17. The opposing end faces of the web pins 19, 19.1 are rounded to avoid edges, especially sharp edges. The web pins 19, 19.1 have a circular cross-sectional geometry.

[0025] The connecting web 17, formed by the tenons 19, 19.1, is spaced from the inner web 11 by a loop opening 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance between the connecting web 17, as part of the base web 10, and the inner web 11 corresponds approximately to three to four times the material thickness of the webbing used to form a webbing loop. The individual webbing 5 of the webbing 3, with its webbing loop 22, is connected to the connecting web 17.1. The webbing loop 22 of the individual webbing 5 encompasses the connecting web 17.1 and its corresponding tenons, as shown in the sectional view of the Fig. Figure 4 shows that in the illustrated embodiment, the width of the belt loop 22 corresponds to the belt width. The belt width is, as shown in Figure 4, Fig. 3. The design is such that it essentially utilizes the width of the loop opening 21 and thus the width of the connecting web 17.1. Tensile force is transferred from the individual strap 5 to the hinge ring 9 and vice versa via the web pins 19, 19.1. Due to the strap's design, the tensile force is transferred across the width of the individual strap 5 to the connecting web 17.1 and its web pins 19, 19.1 in the same or essentially the same way. This also applies if the strap loop 22 is not positioned centrally with respect to the width of the loop opening 21. The inner web 11, running parallel to the base web 10, effectively prevents the curved section 12 from bending or the insertion opening 20 from widening, even under high tensile force application to the web pins 19, 19.1.

[0026] The belt sections forming the belt loop 22 are, as shown by the seams 23 in Fig. 3 indicated (dashed lines), sewn together.

[0027] The webbing loop 22 of the single webbing 5 is inserted to connect it to the joint ring 9 by pushing the transverse side of the webbing material from the loop area through the insertion opening 20 until the entire width of the webbing is inserted into the loop opening 21. The flexibility of the webbing material used to form the webbing loop 22, for example leather or imitation leather, is utilized. Textile webbing can also be connected to the joint ring 9. The webbing loop 22 is then aligned so that it forms its Fig. 3 assumes the position shown, thus encompassing both bridge pins.

[0028] Fig. Figure 5 shows a further hinge ring 9.1 designed as a double-web D-ring in a top view. This is basically constructed in the same way as the hinge ring 9 of the embodiment described above, so that the relevant statements apply equally to the hinge ring 9.1.

[0029] The joint ring 9.1 also has two connecting webs provided by its base web 10.1. These are of identical construction. The one in Fig. The left connecting web shown in Figure 5 is provided by the two web pins 19.2 and 19.3. The web pins 19.2 and 19.3 are of different lengths, with web pin 19.3 being the shorter one. This is the one that borders the transverse web 18.1. Thus, the insertion opening 20.1 is positioned off-center with respect to the width of the connecting web. Furthermore, the insertion opening 20.1 is inclined with respect to its longitudinal axis L towards the side of the web pin 19.2 facing the loop opening 21.1. The axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting web is in Fig. 5 is indicated by the reference symbol R. The angle α drawn between the longitudinal axis L and the axis R indicates the angle of inclination. In the illustrated embodiment, this is approximately 25 degrees.

[0030] The invention has been described using exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the applicable claims, numerous further possibilities for its implementation would arise for a person skilled in the art, without the need to explain these in detail within the scope of these explanations. Reference symbol list 1 saddle girth 2 Middle section 3 belt section 4 belt section 5 single belt 6 single belts 7 buckle 8 buckle 9, 9.1 Joint ring 10, 10.1 Base bridge 11 Inner web 12 arc section 13 Connecting belts 14 connecting belts 15 seam 16 loops 17, 17.1 Connecting bridge 18, 18.1 Crossbar 19, 19.1, 19.2, 19.3 Tenon joint 20, 20.1 Insertion opening 21, 21.1 Loop opening 22 Belt loop 23 Seam L Longitudinal axis R axis α Angle of inclination QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2022 / 073874 A1

[0004]

Images