Saddle for horse riding

Abstract

A saddle for horse riding, comprising a supporting frame (1) associated with at least one covering body designed to define a seat for the user, the supporting frame having a front region (2) and a rear region (3), the supporting frame having connection means (4) for connection between the front region and the rear region which are adapted to permit a first rotation, about an oscillation axis (100) which is substantially vertical in use, and a second rotation, along a longitudinal direction of extension (200) of the supporting frame, of the rear region with respect to the front region, the connection means having at least one elastically-behaving interconnection system (5) which has a first engagement portion (5a), associated with a first connection portion (2a) defined at the front region, and a second engagement portion (5b), associated with a second connection portion (3a) defined at the rear region.

Description

[0001] SADDLE FOR HORSE RIDING

[0002] The present invention relates to a saddle for horse riding.

[0003] Saddles for horse riding are normally constituted by a core or supporting frame made of composite material, wood or tempered steel, the purpose of which is to hold the rider on a support, which extends from the gullet iron to the rear cantie.

[0004] The frame and the parts associated with it are covered by a covering, which is modeled so as to constitute the seat.

[0005] Typically, in addition to the seat, saddles are provided with cushions and with flaps, which are often provided with a padding, the purpose of which is to support the knee of the rider.

[0006] A fairly common problem with many saddles is caused by an excessive rigidity of the frame along its longitudinal direction of extension.

[0007] This problem is particularly felt in certain situations in which there is, during use, a movement of the back of the horse that leads to a rotation of the rear part of the saddle with respect to the front part of the saddle.

[0008] In such situations, the rigidity, in the longitudinal direction, of the frame can cause a discomfort for the horse, which may be considerable.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to provide a saddle for horse riding which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0010] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a saddle for horse riding that gives a better comfort of use, for the rider but especially for the horse.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a saddle for horse riding that is highly reliable.

[0012] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a saddle for horse riding according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the saddle for horse riding according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the supporting frame for a saddle for horse riding according to the invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a view from below of the supporting frame;

[0015] Figure 3 is a view from above of the supporting frame;

[0016] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the supporting frame taken along the plane of arrangement identified by the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

[0017] Figure 5 is a side view of the supporting frame;

[0018] Figure 6 is an enlarged- scale view of a portion of the cross-section of Figure 4.

[0019] With reference to the figures, the saddle for horse riding according to the invention comprises a supporting frame, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , associated with at least one covering body, not shown in the figures, which is designed to define a seat for the user.

[0020] According to the present invention, the supporting frame 1 comprises a front region 2, which defines the gullet iron, and a rear region 3, which defines the rear cantie.

[0021] The supporting frame 1 is provided with connection means 4 for connection between the front region 2 and the rear region 3, which are adapted to permit a first rotation, about an oscillation axis 100 which is substantially vertical in use, and a second rotation, along a longitudinal direction of extension 200 of the supporting frame 1, of the rear region 3 with respect to the front region 2.

[0022] In a possible variation of embodiment, the connection means 4 can be configured to allow a rotation about two oscillation axes 100 which during use are substantially vertical and mutually spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of extension 200.

[0023] Advantageously, the connection means 4 are configured to prevent the rotation of the rear region 3 with respect to the front region 2 about an axis that is at right angles to the oscillation axis 100 and to the longitudinal direction of extension 200.

[0024] In particular, the connection means 4 have at least one elastically interconnection system 5.

[0025] The elastically-behaving interconnection system 5 is stably connected to the front region 2 and to the rear region 3.

[0026] In particular, the elastically-behaving interconnection system 5 has a first engagement portion 5a, associated with the front region 2, and a second engagement portion 5b, associated with the rear region 3.

[0027] More precisely, the first engagement portion 5a is connected to a first connection portion 2a defined at the front region 2, while the second engagement portion 5b is connected to a second connection portion 3a defined at the rear region 3.

[0028] Preferably, the first engagement portion 5a is stably connected to the first connection portion 2a and the second engagement portion 5b is stably connected to the second connection portion 3 a.

[0029] The elastically-behaving interconnection system 5 comprises an elongated body 10 which extends, during use, parallel to the longitudinal direction of extension 200 of the supporting frame 1.

[0030] The elongated body 10 has a first engagement portion 10a and a second engagement portion 10b.

[0031] The elongated body 10 has a substantially circular transverse crosssection.

[0032] The elastically-behaving interconnection system 5 further comprises a seat with elastically yielding walls 11 which is defined at the second connection portion 3a, within which the second engagement portion 5 is accommodated and which is configured to allow a movement of the second engagement portion 5b with respect to the rear region 3, so as to allow the first rotation about the oscillation axis 100 and the second rotation along the longitudinal direction of extension 200 of the rear region 3 with respect to the front region 2.

[0033] Advantageously, the seat with elastically yielding walls 11 is fitted over the second terminal engagement portion 10b of the elongated body 10.

[0034] For example, the seat with elastically yielding walls 11 is made of elastically behaving material, such as an elastomer or a rubber.

[0035] Conveniently, the second engagement portion 10b of the elongated body 10 is associated with an interconnection pin 12.

[0036] The interconnection pin 12 is arranged, during use, substantially at right angles to the oscillation axis 100 and to the longitudinal direction of extension 200, and as a consequence to the direction of extension of the elongated body 10.

[0037] In order to facilitate assembly operations, the interconnection pin 12 can be inserted into a calibrated hole defined at the second engagement portion 10b of the elongated body 10.

[0038] With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the seat with elastically yielding walls 11 is fitted over the second engagement portion 10b so as to surround, in addition to the second engagement portion 10b, the interconnection pin 12 as well.

[0039] Preferably, the seat with elastically yielding walls 11 is accommodated at a housing body 13 which is configured to be integrally associated with the second connection portion 3a.

[0040] In this manner, as already mentioned previously, the elongated body 10 can rotate about the oscillation axis 100 and, optionally, the first body 10 can twist about its own axis of extension.

[0041] Conveniently, the second engagement portion 10b, and the seat with elastically yielding walls 11 associated with it, are movable about the oscillation axis 100 with respect to the housing body 13. The connection means 4, as mentioned above, are configured to allow a twisting of the rear region 3 with respect to the front region 2 along the axis of extension of the elongated body 10.

[0042] Preferably, the housing body 13 is made of rigid plastic material.

[0043] Conveniently, the presence of the seat with elastically yielding walls 11 , interposed between the second engagement portion 1 Ob and the housing body 13, makes it possible to return the frame, and in particular the rear region 3, to the initial condition following any rotations about the oscillation axis 100 and / or twists about the axis of extension of the elongated body 10.

[0044] As previously mentioned, it is possible for the elastically-behaving interconnection system 5 to be configured so as to define, along the extension of the frame 1, multiple oscillation axes 100 in order to allow a mutual rotation between various longitudinal sections of the frame 1.

[0045] For example, it is possible for one section to comprise the front region 2, and for the rear region 3 to be divided into two or more further sections, for example a first rear section arranged toward the front region 2, and a second rear section arranged in a distal position from the front region 2.

[0046] In this case, the elastically-behaving interconnection system 5 defines a connection between the front region 2 and the first section of the rear region where a first oscillation axis 100 is defined, and a connection between the first and the second section of the rear region, which is configured to allow a relative rotation between the two sections of the rear region about a second oscillation axis.

[0047] The connection between the first and the second section of the rear region can be, for example, similar to the connection between the front region 2 and the rear region 3.

[0048] In some situations, this allows the frame 1 to accompany the movements of the back of the horse with extreme precision.

[0049] Likewise, the elastically-behaving interconnection system 5 can be configured to allow a second rotation, along a longitudinal direction of extension 200 of the supporting frame 1, of the second section of the rear region with respect to the first section.

[0050] Likewise, the supporting frame can be provided with at least one elastic connecting membrane between the front region 2 and the rear region 3.

[0051] In particular, the elastic connecting membrane is designed to define, in cooperation with the front region 2 and with the rear region 3, the upper resting surface of the supporting frame 1.

[0052] According to a possible embodiment, the elastic connecting membrane is arranged around the connection means 4.

[0053] The elastic connecting membrane can be provided by molding and can surround the connection means 4, and in particular the elastically- behaving interconnection system 5.

[0054] Advantageously, the elastic membrane is made of SEBS thermoplastic rubber.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the front region 2 and the rear region 3 are made of fiberglass-charged nylon.

[0056] Use of the saddle for horse riding, according to the invention, is evident from the foregoing description.

[0057] In particular, it has been found that the frame 1 according to the invention, by virtue of the elastically-behaving interconnection system 5 acting between the front region 2 and the rear region 3, makes it possible to accompany the rotation of the back of the horse, in so doing giving more freedom to movement of the horse.

[0058] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a saddle for horse riding that allows a controlled rotation of the rear region of the saddle with respect to the front region of the saddle.

[0059] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0060] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0061] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000002833 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A saddle for horse riding, comprising a supporting frame (1) associated with at least one covering body designed to define a seat for the user, said supporting frame (1) having a front region (2), defining the gullet iron, and a rear region (3) comprising the rear cantie, characterized in that said supporting frame (1) has connection means (4) for connection between said front region (2) and said rear region (3) which are adapted to permit a first rotation, about an oscillation axis (100) which is substantially vertical in use, and a second rotation, along a longitudinal direction of extension (200) of said supporting frame (1), of said rear region (3) with respect to said front region (2), said connection means (4) having at least one elastically-behaving interconnection system (5) which has a first engagement portion (5a), associated with a first connection portion (2a) defined at said front region (2), and a second engagement portion (5b), associated with a second connection portion (3a) defined at said rear region (3), said elastically-behaving interconnection system (5) comprising a seat with elastically yielding walls (11) which is defined at the second connection portion (3a), within which said second engagement portion (5b) is accommodated and which is configured to allow a movement of said second engagement portion (5b) with respect to said rear region (3), so as to allow the first rotation about said oscillation axis (100) and the second rotation along said longitudinal direction of extension (200) of said rear region (3) with respect to said front region (2).

2. The saddle for horse riding according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastically-behaving interconnection system (5) comprises an elongated body (10), which extends, in use, parallel to the longitudinal direction of extension (200) of said supporting frame (1), said elongated body (10) having a first terminal engagement portion (10a) which defines said first engagement portion (5a) and a second terminal engagement portion (10b) which defines said second engagement portion (5b), saidelongated body (10) having a substantially circular transverse cross-section.

3. The saddle for horse riding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seat with elastically yielding walls (11) is fitted around said second terminal engagement portion (10b).

4. The saddle for horse riding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second terminal engagement portion (10b) is associated with an interconnection pin (12) which is arranged, in use, substantially at right angles to said oscillation axis (100) and to said longitudinal direction of extension (200).

5. The saddle for horse riding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seat with elastically yielding walls (11) is fitted around said second terminal engagement portion (10b) so as to surround said interconnection pin (12).

6. The saddle for horse riding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seat with elastically yielding walls (11) is accommodated at a housing body (13) which is configured to be integrally associated with said second connection portion (3a).

7. The saddle for horse riding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second terminal engagement portion (10b) and said seat with elastically yielding walls (11) are movable about said oscillation axis (100) with respect to said housing body (13).

8. The saddle for horse riding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing body (13) is made of rigid plastic material.

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