A safety release strap, and a poll strap and head collar comprising the same

Abstract

A head collar or halter (Fig.1:1) suitable for a horse, which comprises a safety release strap (Fig.1:11) that is removably attached using a threaded fastener, e.g., a Chicago screw 13. The safety release comprises one or more hook and loop fasteners, which are configured so that the safety release strap releases upon application of a predetermined load of 40kg and 90kg to the safety release strap. The safety release strap consists of three portions, a first end 11a, an adjacent / middle 11b and a second end portion 11c, that overlap one another and connected using corresponding hook and loop fasteners 15 and 16. The first end portion is folded back to overlap the adjacent / middle portion to define a first loop 12 and fixed to one another using the fastener, and a second end portion is folded back over the adjacent / middle portion to define a second loop 14. The head collar comprises attachment means 7 and 10, in the form of rings, for receiving the first and second loops of the safety release strap. The halter also comprises a poll strap (Fig.1:2), which comprises the safety release strap.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a safety release strap. In particular to such a safety release strap that comprises a fastening means that releases upon application of a predetermined load. It further relates to a poll strap or a headcollar comprising the safety release strap. A head collar, otherwise referred to as a halter, is headgear that is used to control, lead or tie up horses. It comprises a set of straps configured to fit securely on a horse's head. Specifically, it fits behind the ears ("poll" being the name of the part of a horse's head immediately behind the ears) and around the nose. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope is attached to the head collar. Head collars represent one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment in equestrianism. In research conducted in the UK in 2019 amongst 5,615 equestrians 87% said that they used a head collar at least once per day. Head collars have not changed significantly in design for many years. The straps of head collars generally comprise leather, synthetic materials or rope. They are typically substantially unbreakable to ensure the control of the horse. However, the use of head collars can lead to injuries to horses or handlers. Over 30% of respondents reported experience of a horse being injured because of a head collar and 15% reported having been injured themselves. In respect of horses, a horse can get their head collar hooked on a fence, catch their hoof / leg when scratching, or otherwise snag their head collar on various alternative obstructions. If this happens, the horse may panic, which can lead to physical injury, or even death. It can also cause mental scarring and undesirable behaviour. In respect of handlers, a rope attached to a head collar can get caught around the user's body leading to the handler being dragged by a horse. In a recent, tragic, case, a handler was killed under these circumstances, when the lead rope caught around their neck and the horse bolted. To address the issues with safety, there have been available so called, safety or "field safe" head collars, which have comprised hook and loop fastener release mechanisms, breakable rings, or otherwise. An issue with these prior art devices is that there has been no information on the opening / release / breaking strains and it seems that no testing has been done. This has led to uncertainties and very limited use. Testing by the applicant demonstrated that the unrated prior art safety head collars released at strains between 9kg and 185kg. Testing of conventional head collars (i.e. non-safety head collars) revealed an average breaking strain of 600kg for synthetic head collars, an average breaking strain of 450kg for rope head collars and an average breaking strain of 220kg for leather head collars. The synthetic and rope head collars with such high breaking strains pose clear safety risks to both horse and handler. The leather head collars pose less of a risk to the horse but will likely cause at least bruising to a horse struggling to get free and will allow a handler to be dragged without breaking since 220kg is typically greater than the weight of the users. The safety head collars releasing at very low strains will not be practical in the day to day handling of horses, releasing too easily, and the safety head collars releasing at the upper end of the range (up to 185kg) will pose the same risks to handlers as the conventional head collars. The present invention arose in a bid to provide a head collar that is practical for the handling of horses whilst limiting the risk of injury to horses and / or handlers, and which overcomes a number of the shortcomings of prior safety head collars. Representative features are set out in the following clauses, which stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and / or drawings of the specification. According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a head collar for a horse, which comprises a safety release strap that is removably attached thereto and comprises one or more hook and loop fasteners, which are configured so that the safety release strap releases upon application of a predetermined load to the safety release strap. The safety release strap (and thereby the head collar) will release upon application of a predetermined load. The predetermined load is suitably set so that the head collar will be practical for day to day use, whilst effectively limiting the risk of injury to the horse and / or handler. The use of the hook and loop fastener in addition to allowing for an accurate and repeatable predetermined release load, will allow the safety release strap to be reset. The removable attachment of the safety release strap to the head collar, will allow the replacement of the safety release strap when required, without requiring any other part of the head collar to be replaced. As discussed further below, the safety release strap preferably extends between a pair of attachment means comprised by the head collar, which attachment means most preferably comprise rings. The safety release strap is preferably looped through each of the attachment means and removable from the attachment means by releasing the loops. Preferably, the safety release strap comprises a fastener for detachably attaching the safety release strap to the head collar. A first of the loops is preferably fixed using the fastener with a second of the loops fixed using the hook and loop fastener. By virtue of the fastener, the ease of attachment and replacement of the safety release strap to the head collar is increased. Moreover, the fastener allows for the safety release strap to remain attached to the head collar following its release, such that it will not be lost. Preferably, a first end portion of the safety release strap is folded back to overlap an adjacent portion of the safety release strap, and the fastener fixes the folded back first end portion to the adjacent portion to define a first loop. With such an arrangement, the appropriate release load for the hook and loop fastener(s) may be better ensured. Preferably, the first end portion and the adjacent portion are provided with corresponding openings for receiving the fastener. In such case, the fastener may be reused when the strap is replaced. However, subject to the fastener used, the fastener may be replaced with the strap. The fastener preferably comprises a threaded fastener, most preferably a Chicago screw. The fastener is detachable. The fastener does not comprise a hook and loop fastener. The head collar preferably comprises a first attachment means that is received by the first loop. The first attachment means preferably comprises a ring. The adjacent portion preferably comprises a middle portion of the safety release strap. A second end portion of the safety release strap may be folded back to overlap the middle portion. The folded back second end portion preferably defines a second loop. The head collar preferably comprises a second attachment means that is received by the second loop, wherein the second attachment means preferably comprises a ring. The second attachment means may otherwise, for example, comprise a buckle. The first end portion, the middle portion and the second end portion preferably overlap one another. Preferably, one of the first and second end portions is connected by a first hook and loop fastener to the middle portion and the first and second end portions are connected to one another by a second hook and loop fastener. The first and second hook and loop fasteners may be substantially the same as one another, i.e. having substantially the same dimensions and / or release load. The predetermined load at which the safety release strap releases is preferably 40 to 90 kg. It is preferable that a range of different straps is available, each having a different predetermined release load within the stated range. As noted below, the specific safety release strap to be used will be based on the weight of the horse with the predetermined release load preferably being 10 to 15% of the body weight of the horse. Preferably, the head collar comprises a poll strap and the poll strap comprises the safety release strap. The poll strap may comprise a main part that comprises a first end portion, which is connected to the head collar, and a second end portion, which is connected to the safety release strap, the safety release strap being connected between the second end portion of the main part and the head collar. The main part of the poll strap is preferably adjustable in length and may comprise a buckle and eyelets for such purposes. According to the present invention in a further aspect, there is provided a safety release strap for a head collar for a horse, the safety release strap removably attachable to the head collar and comprising one or more hook and loop fasteners, which are configured so that the safety release strap releases upon application of a predetermined load to the safety release strap. According to the present invention in a yet further aspect, there is provided a poll strap for a head collar for a horse, which comprises a safety release strap that comprises one or more hook and loop fasteners, which are configured so that the safety release strap releases upon application of a predetermined load to the safety release strap. The safety release strap of any aspect may be configured in accordance with any of the above statements. Moreover, further preferable, features will be apparent from the description that follows. The term hook-and-loop fastener, as used herein, denotes any fastener that comprises male and female components, wherein the male component has a large number of hook-like or mushroom-like projections and the female component has a large number of projection-engageable elements such as, but not limited to, loops. Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 shows a headcollar according to an embodiment; Figure 2a, 2b and 2c show, respectively, front (or outside), side and back (or inside) views of a safety release strap for use in the embodiment of Figure 1, and Figures 3a and 3b show, respectively, developed (i.e. unfolded) inside and outside views of the strap of Figures 2a to 2c. With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a head collar 1 for a horse according to an embodiment of the present invention. The head collar 1 comprises a safety release strap 11 that is removably attached thereto. The safety release strap 11 comprises one or more hook and loop fasteners (15, 16, Figure 2b), which are configured so that the safety release strap 11 releases upon application of a predetermined load to the safety release strap 11. In the present arrangement, a poll strap 2 of the head collar comprises the safety release strap 11. It should be noted, however, that the safety release strap 11, may be otherwise located in a head collar, i.e. it need not form part of the poll strap 2. Furthermore, the head collar 1, irrespective of the position of the safety release strap, may take numerous alternative forms to that shown, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is not to be limited to the depicted arrangement. Considering the head collar 1 of the present arrangement, with the exception of the poll strap 21 safety release strap 11, this is of largely conventional form. The head collar 1 comprises a set of straps configured to fit securely on a horse's head. The head collar 1 comprises the poll strap 2, a nose band 3, a chin strap 4, a throat strap 5 and a plurality of connector straps 6. In the present arrangement, the connector straps 6 comprise a lower jaw strap 6a and a pair of cheek straps 6b, 6c. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the connector straps could be otherwise configured and could be varied in number. The poll strap 2 is provided to extend over the poll of a horse, and may otherwise be referred to as a head piece. The cheek straps 6b, 6c are arranged to extend along the horse's cheeks. The throat strap 5 is arranged to extend around the horse’s throat latch. The lower jaw strap 6a is arranged to extend along the bottom surface of the horse's lower jaw. The chin strap 4 is arranged to extend around the bottom of the horse's jaw. The nose band 3 is arranged to extend around the bridge of the horse's nose. In the arrangement shown, the ends portions of the poll strap 2 are coupled to adjacent ends of throat strap 5 via first and second rings 7 that are arranged to be positioned on opposite sides of the horse's head. Of course, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art other types of connections can be employed. A bottom ring 8 provides a connection point for connecting a lead line (not shown). The lead line can be coupled to bottom ring 8 with a conventional spring clip or other suitable mechanism. In use, the lead line can be tied to a stationary object to limit movement of an unattended horse or be held by a handler when leading the horse. The safety release strap 11 extends between a pair of attachment means 7, 10 comprised by the head collar 1, which attachment means preferably comprise rings 7, 10 as shown. It should be appreciated that in alternative arrangements, the attachment means may take alternative forms, and, as mentioned, may be otherwise located within the head collar 1. The attachment means 7 could, for example, comprise buckles. The safety release strap is preferably looped through each of the attachment means 7, 10, as shown, and removable from the attachment means by releasing the loops. A first of the loops 12 is preferably fixed using a fastener 13 with a second of the loops 14 fixed using the hook and loop fastener(s) 15, 16. It should be noted that the orientation of the safety release strap 11 may be flipped through 180 degrees, such that the first loop 12 is attached to the attachment means 7 and the second loop 14 is attached to the attachment means 10. By such an arrangement, with the application of a predetermined tensile force to the rings 7, 10, the hook and loop fastener(s) 15, 16 will release, releasing the second loop 14 and releasing the safety release strap 11 (and thereby the head collar 1). The fastener will act to keep the safety release strap 11 attached to the ring 10, thus maintaining attachment of the safety release strap 11 to the head collar 1 and avoiding its loss. However, removal of the fastener 13, which preferably comprises a Chicago fastener, or alternative threaded fastener, will allow for the complete removal of the safety release strap 11 from the poll strap 2 (and thereby the head collar 1). With reference to Figures 2a to 2c and 3a and 3b, further consideration will be given to the exemplary structure of the safety release strap of the present arrangement. As best seen in Figure 2b, a first end portion 11 a of the safety release strap 11 is folded back to overlap an adjacent portion 11 b of the safety release strap, and the fastener 13 fixes the folded back first end portion 11 a to the adjacent portion 11b to define the first loop 12. Preferably, the first end portion and the adjacent portion are provided with corresponding openings 17 for receiving the fastener 13, wherein the fastener takes a form that is removable from the strap. The adjacent portion 11b preferably comprises a middle portion 11b of the safety release strap 11. A second end portion 11c of the safety release strap is folded back to overlap the middle portion. The arrangement is preferably such that the first end portion 11a, the middle portion 11 b and the second end portion 11 c overlap one another. The safety release strap is preferably oriented in use such that the middle portion 11 b faces out, i.e. the open end faces inward, to prevent accidental opening by the open end getting caught or rubbed on an external object. In the present arrangement, there are two hook and loop fasteners 15, 16 provided. Each hook and loop fastener comprises a female (or loop) portion 15a, 16a for engaging with a respective male (or hook) portion 15b, 16b. In the present arrangement, the second end portion 11c is connected by a first hook and loop fastener 15, which comprises loop portion 15a and hook portion 15b, to the middle portion 11 b, and the first and second end portions 11a, 11c are connected to one another by a second hook and loop fastener 16, which comprises loop portion 16a and hook portion 16b, as best seen in Figure 2b. It should be appreciated that the hook and loop portions may be switched and, moreover, that the first end portion 11a may be attached to the middle portion 11b instead of the second end portion 11c. In the present arrangement, there are two hook and loop fasteners 15, 16 provided. It should be appreciated in alternative arrangements, there may be only a single hook and loop fastener provided. The use of two hook and loop fasteners 15, 16 allows for increasing the release force of the safety release strap 11, whilst keeping the safety release strap 11 short. However, as will be appreciated, this may otherwise be achieved with a single stronger hook and loop fastener. As noted above, it is preferable that the poll strap 2 comprises the safety release strap 11. In the present arrangement, the poll strap comprises a main part 2a. The main part 2a is preferably adjustable in length. It may comprise a buckle 9, as shown. The main part 2a comprises a first end portion, which is connected to the head collar 1, for example, to one of the rings 7 to which the throat strap 5 is attached, as shown. The main part 2a further comprises a second end portion, which is connected to the safety release strap 11, preferably via the ring 10 as shown. The arrangement is such that the safety release strap 11 is connected between the second end portion of the main part 2a and the head collar 1. Of course alternative arrangements will be possible, including, for example, arrangements where the safety release strap 11 forms a mid-section of the poll strap 2, different attachment means are provided, or otherwise. The safety release strap 11 can be made from leather or synthetic material. It is preferably formed in one piece with the hook and loop fasteners 15, 16 stitched thereon. The predetermined release load of the safety release strap 11 is preferably between 40 and 90 kg. The release load will be determined by the release strength and length of the hook and loop fastener (or combined length of hook and loop fasteners when there is more than one provided). The specific safety release strap to be used will be based on the weight of the horse with the predetermined release load preferably being 10 to 15% of the body weight of the horse. It is preferable that a range of different safety release straps 11 is available, each with a different predetermined release load. The safety release strap to be used will generally be determined by head collar size to typical weight ratio, however this ratio may not always work for every horse and pony. A horse may have a smaller head size combined with a heavy body and vice versa. This leads to a unique feature of this invention, namely tailoring the release weight to horses and ponies outside the typical head size to body weight ratio. The different safety release straps will be of similar length despite the difference in release weight, (it is the hook and loop length within the strap that determines the release load / weight). Because the strap is completely replaceable, users can choose the correct size strap / release weight for their horse. A weight calculator will be available to enable users to select the correct safety strap based on their horse weight and head size. The preferred hook and loop fasteners have a width of 25mm and comprise Velcro® (specifications E08802533019925 &E00102533019925), wherein the length of the hook and loop fasteners are varied for varying the release load of different straps. The testing of the straps will now be considered: Different lengths of hook and loop fasteners were tested to determine which length should be used on each headcollar size, aiming for 10-15% release weight to body weight of the average horse that would wear the correlating sized head collar. With knowledge that the size of the head collar itself can influence the release rate and wishing for users to be able to interchange strap lengths if desired, the safety release straps, formed in accordance with the strap 11 depicted in Figures 2a to 2c, were tested in isolation to determine the release weight. A Thumler Z3 3KN Tensile Tester Machine from AML Instruments was used to measure the release rate of straps varying in hook and loop length from 6 to 14cm at 1cm increments. 3 straps of each length were pulled 10 times each so averages could be calculated. Force Accuracy - ±0,5% of the indicated load from 2 to 100% of load cell capacity and 1% down to 1% of the load cell capacity. Where a hook and loop length is stated, this is the length of each of the loop portions 15a, 16a and each of the hook portions 15b, 16b. Testing was conducted by attaching each strap to rings 7, 10, as seen in Figure 2a to 2c and applying a tensile load to the rings to determine the release load. Giving results as follows: Strap no. 6A 6cm Velcro on short PVC strap 6B 6cm Velcro on 10cm PVC strap 7 cm Velcro on 10cm PVC strap 8cm Velcro on 10cm PVC strap 9 cm Velcro on 10cm PVC strap 10cm Velcro on 10cm PVC strap 11cm Velcro on 11cm PVC strap 12cm Velcro on 12cm PVC strap 1 505.375 465.279 515.95 532.165 605.77 656.244 660.666 904.378 2 411.799 465.279 523.987 572.744 604.132 692.612 823.504 778.493 3 416.161 450.066 537.65 605.868 666.346 649.603 754.281 749.858 Average N 444.445 460.208 525.862 570.259 625.416 666.153 746.150 810.910 KG 45 47 54 58 64 68 76 83 Av. Std Dev 4.63 3.36 5.26 5.51 7.22 6.70 5.73 7.45 Providing a detailed, example, sizing guide, as follows: Size Headcollar To fit Height Horse Approx weight lower end Approx weight upper end Average weight 10% of Average weight 15% of Average weight Suggested Velcro Length Average release Kg SD Kg S 12.2- 14.0 250 450 350 35 52.5 6cm (on short strap) 45 4.63 M 14.0- 15.2 350 550 450 45 67.5 8cm 58 5.15 L 15.2- 16.2 450 650 550 55 82.5 10cm 68 6.70 XL 16.3- 17.3 550 750 650 65 97.5 12cm 83 7.45 Numerous alternative arrangements and modifications to the embodiments as described herein will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims. In particular, features of the described embodiments may be readily combined. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and / or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

1. A head collar for a horse, which comprises a safety release strap that is removably attached thereto and comprises one or more hook and loop fasteners, which are configured so that the safety release strap releases upon application of a predetermined load to the safety release strap.

2. A head collar as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the safety release strap comprises a fastener for detachably attaching the safety release strap to the head collar.

3. A head collar as claimed in Claim 2, wherein a first end portion of the safety release strap is folded back to overlap an adjacent portion of the safety release strap, and the fastener fixes the folded back first end portion to the adjacent portion to define the first loop.

4. A head collar as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the first end portion and the adjacent portion are provided with corresponding openings for receiving the fastener.

5. A head collar as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded fastener, preferably a Chicago screw.

6. A head collar as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the head collar comprises a first attachment means that is received by the first loop, wherein the first attachment means preferably comprises a ring.

7. A head collar as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the adjacent portion comprises a middle portion of the safety release strap.

8. A head collar as claimed in Claim 7, wherein a second end portion of the safety release strap is folded back to overlap the middle portion.

9. A head collar as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the folded back second end portion defines a second loop.

10. A head collar as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the head collar comprises a second attachment means that is received by the second loop, wherein the second attachment means preferably comprises a ring.

11. A head collar as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the first end portion, the middle portion and the second end portion overlap one another.

12. A head collar as claimed in Claim 11, wherein one of the first and second end portions is connected by a first hook and loop fastener to the middle portion and the first and second end portions are connected to one another by a second hook and loop fastener.

13. A head collar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined load is 40 to 90 kg.

14. A head collar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the head collar comprises a poll strap and the poll strap comprises the safety release strap.

15. A head collar as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the poll strap comprises a main part that comprises a first end portion, which is connected to the head collar and a second end portion, which is connected to the safety release strap, the safety release strap being connected between the second end portion of the main part and the head collar.

16. A safety release strap for a head collar according to any preceding claim.

17. A poll strap for a head collar according to any of Claims 1 to 13, wherein thepoll strap comprises the safety release strap.

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