Equine browband headguard

Abstract

An equine browband headguard includes a frontal portion and first and second lateral portions devised to protect prominent portions of an animal's head during gameplay in contact sports such as polo. Frontal portion is devised to seat between the zygomatic arches on the animal's forehead to overlie a frontal bone of a pony (or other animal), protecting the sutures between the nasal bone, frontal bone, and parietal bone, as well as the sinus cavity thereunder. First and second lateral portions are devised to overlie temporomandibular joints. The equine browband headguard is devised to install into an existing bridle with minimal reconfiguration, essentially replacing an existing browband. The equine browband headguard has been devised to present a low-profile, elegant addition to the tack of sporting animals engaged in contact sports like polo and may present a surface for team insignia or branding.

Description

[0001] EQUINE BROWBAND HEADGUARD SPECIFICATION

[0002] TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

[0003] Be it known that we, Luis Valcarcel, a citizen of the United States, and Eduardo Amaya, a citizen of Argentina, have invented new and useful improvements in an equine browband headguard as described in this specification.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Sports like polo are dangerous to the ponies as well as the players. Polo ponies are actively engaged in gameplay at speed. Polo ponies weigh around 1,000 pounds; at speed, significant momentum is achieved. Polo payers swing sticks or mallets, typically made of bamboo with a hardwood head, at full tilt to jettison a hard ball at speed. During gameplay, polo balls can accelerate to speeds exceeding 100 mph. Typically made of hard plastic, and weighing around 3.5 to 4.5 ounces with a 3.5-inch diameter, impact with ponies can cause serious injury, especially to the head. Players wear protective clothing, including knee pads, helmets, and face guards. But the ponies are generally exposed. Polo ponies are valuable. A good pony can cost over $250,000. What is needed is an equine browband headguard readily fitted to protect the head of animals in contact sports like polo, which is also lightweight, low-profile, and elegant.

[0006] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to an equine browband headguard, and more particularly, to an equine browband headguard installable to a bridle to protect the skull and temporomandibular joints of the animal during gameplay.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The instant equine browband headguard has been devised to protect the head of an animal during gameplay in contact sports such as polo. Polo, the “sport of kings,” holds a position of status in society, long associated with high society, wealth, and elegance. The instant equine browband headguard, therefore, has been devised to protect polo ponies during gameplay while maintaining a minimal and elegant profile.

[0010] It should be noted by persons skilled in the art that the instant equine browband headguard may be usable with other animals in like capacity as expressed herein with regard to horses. While the presentation and discussion of the instant equine browband headguard herein is chiefly directed in its preferred embodiment to use in the equine arts, such an application should not be deemed limiting or exclusively devised for use with horses only. With minimal modifications, the metes and bounds of the inventive subject material set forth herein may be readily applicable to bovines or canines, or other animals for which the instant equine browband headguard may be useful. Thus, the term “equine,” as used herein throughout, is intended broadly to cover other quadrupeds with which the present invention may be applicable.

[0011] The instant equine browband headguard, therefore, is configured to replace the browband in existing bridles. When fitted to a pony or other animal, the instant equine browband headguard presents a frontal portion to overlie the frontal bone of the pony, to protect the parietal seam and nasal suture, with lateral portions extended to overlie and protect the temporomandibular joints which, prominent on most horses, are otherwise exposed. In a preferred embodiment set forth herein, the equine browband headguard is made of hand-stitched leather to present a low-profile, elegant appearance while protecting the head of the pony.

[0012] In an example embodiment set forth herein, the frontal portion is generally ovoid, comprising at least a basal layer, at least one inner layer, and at least one dorsal layer. In the preferred embodiment set forth herein, the at least one basal layer and at least one dorsal layer are manufactured of leather. In alternative embodiments, additional and other shapes and materials are contemplated, including leatherlike, rubberlike, and polymeric materials. In an example embodiment set forth herein, the at least one inner layer includes at least one first inner layer and at least one second inner layer. The at least one first inner layer may be manufactured of a hard material, such as leather or leatherlike material; rubber or rubberlike material; elastomeric or polymeric material such as polycarbonate, vinyl, polyurethane, latex, aramid or polyaramid materials; plastic; plate metal (s.a. aluminum), or other hard materials (Shore hardness of approximately 75 to 100D or Mohs hardness greater than 2.5) or any combination thereof. The at least one second layer may be manufactured of a shock absorbing material, such as foam, hard foam, high density foam, shock-absorbent foam, polyurethane foam, latex foam, open-cell foam, closedcell foam, memory foam, gel-infused foam, neoprene foam, polyethylene foam, expanded polystyrene foam, soft foam, or equivalent or similar shock-absorbing materials or any combination thereof. In an example embodiment contemplated herein, the at least one first inner layer and the at least one second inner layer are configured to alternate interior to the equine browband headguard frontal portion, thereby presenting hard materials and shock absorbing materials arranged to diffuse force of impact therethrough. Additional inner layers are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure, devised to absorb and deflect force of impact therewith.

[0013] In an example embodiment depicted herein, lateral portions include a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion. In a preferred embodiment, first and second lateral portions are generally circular; however, additional and other shapes are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure. First and second lateral portions may likewise comprise at least one first and second inner layers in like capacity as the frontal portion, comprising alternating layers of hard and shock- absorbing materials. First and second lateral portions may also include attachment members configured for interconnection with an existing bridle; in one example embodiment, enabling threadable integration with the crown piece of the bridle in a position in lieu of the browband and, in another example embodiment, with the browband.

[0014] Each of the first and second lateral portions are extended bilaterally from the frontal portion by means of first and second interconnecting members respectively. In an example embodiment set forth herein, first and second interconnecting members are strips of flexible material configured to wrap the instant equine browband headguard around the pony’s skull, about the orbital cavity and zygomatic arches to position the first and second lateral portions overtop the pony’s temporomandibular joints and to conform to the horse’s head in like manner as a browband of a bridle. In a preferred embodiment, first and second interconnecting members are leather.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES

[0016] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-section view of an example embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment installed to a bridle.

[0020] Figure 5 is a side elevation view of an example embodiment installed to a bridle.

[0021] Figure 6 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of a lateral portion.

[0022] Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a horse ’s skull.

[0023] Figure 8 is an elevation view of an example embodiment having a design element incorporated to the dorsal surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, example of the instant equine browband headguard employing the principles and concepts of the present equine browband headguard and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

[0025] An example embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. Equine browband headguard 10 is installed to bridle 100 in place of a browband (not shown). Equine browband headguard 10 is stylish, low- profile, and elegant and (as shown in FIG. 8) may include design elements showcasing a club or team emblem or other logo or design.

[0026] Equine browband headguard 10 includes frontal portion 20, first and second interconnecting members 22, 24, and first and second lateral portions 26, 28. Frontal portion 20 is positioned over frontal bone 500 of pony between zygomatic arches 502. As shown in FIG. 7, frontal portion 20 protects frontal bone 502 and sutures with nasal bone 506 and parietal bone 508 and the frontal sinus 510. First and second interconnecting members 22, 24 extend bilaterally to position first and second lateral portions 26, 28 overtop each temporomandibular joint 512. In the example embodiment shown, equine browband headguard 10 includes basal surface 30 and dorsal surface 40 see, e.g, FIG. 3). In this example embodiment, basal surface 30 and dorsal surface 40 are made of leather; however, additional and other materials are contemplated for use herein. In the example embodiment shown, dorsal surface 40 of frontal portion 20 may include a design, logo, or insignia 700 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 8).

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective elevation view of an example embodiment installed to bridle 100 in lieu of a browband (not shown). Second lateral portion 28 is shown overlying pony’s temporomandibular joint 512. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of an example embodiment of frontal portion 20 and / or first or second lateral portion 26, 28. In this example embodiment, basal surface 30 is made of leather. As shown, equine browband headguard 10 also includes first and second inner layers 32, 34. In the example embodiment shown, first inner layer 32 is a hard material, with Shore hardness of between 75 and 100D, and may comprise polycarbonate. Additional and other materials are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure, including but not limited to leather, leatherlike material, rubber, rubberlike material, polymeric materials, plastics, elastomeric materials, vinyl, urethane, polyurethane, aramid or polyaramid materials, and / or any combination thereof. Alternative embodiments may include metallic components such as aluminum, titanium, or plate metal with a Mohs hardness greater than 2.5. The purpose of the first inner layer 32 is to deflect impact and distribute force of impact across a planar extent, to protect the pony from high velocity balls and mallets swung at speed. Thus, any material with a comparable hardness and density as set forth herein is contemplated as within scope of this disclosure, with preference directed toward lightweight but durable materials.

[0028] In the example embodiment shown, second inner layer 34 is rendered of shock absorbing material. In a preferred embodiment, second inner layer 34 is Poron XRD®. However, additional and other shock-absorbing materials are contemplated for use herein, including urethane, polyurethane, latex, rubber and rubberlike materials, elastomeric materials, open-cell foam, closedcell foam, charcoal foam, neoprene foam, polyethylene foam, expanded polystyrene foam, gel- infused foam, sort foam, or other shock absorbing materials or any combination thereof. Preference is again directed toward lightweight and high-strain materials such as foams having around 9 pcf density. Other densities are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure.

[0029] Additional inner layers are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure, including alternating layers of alike or different materials such as, for example, alternating first and second inner layers 32, 34 to present layers of hard sheets sandwiched between shock absorbing layers. While basal and dorsal layers 30, 40 are shown herein made of leather (to match the tack of the pony), additional and other materials are contemplated for use therewith. In the preferred embodiment set forth herein, basal and dorsal surfaces 30, 40 are rendered of quality leather to match the tack of the ponies and to present an elegant, low-profile headguard that is attractive to the sport and which may present itself for minimal branding.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the instant equine browband headguard 10. In this example embodiment, frontal portion 20 resembles a rounded pentagon and covers more of the pony’s forehead. Additional and other shapes are contemplated herein, including diamond, square, rectangular, circular, ovoid, polygonal, and other shapes configured to overlie the frontal bone 502 and protect the sutures and sinus cavity 510 thereunder.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Cheek straps 102 of bridle 100 are threaded through loops on basal surface 30 of first and second lateral portions 26, 28 (see FIG. 6) whereby equine browband headguard 10 is installable to an existing bridle 100 in lieu of the browband (not shown). Equine browband headguard 10 is configured to fit to bridles 100 known in the art, to integrate therewith, without altering the appearance of the bridle 100 beyond acceptable norms.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows basal surface 30 of first lateral portion 26. Loop 50 is disposed thereupon by which equine browband headguard 10 can be installed to a bridle 100. Cheek strap 102 threads through loop 50 enabling equine browband headguard 10 to be installed to a bridle 100 in lieu of an existing browband (not shown). FIG. 7 illustrates a horse skull 500. Frontal bone 502, zygomatic arch 504, nasal bone 506, parietal bone 508, frontal sinus 510, and temporomandibular joint are identified. FIG. 8 illustrates an example brand element or insignia 700 disposed upon the frontal portion 20. Team insignia are typically used to identify teams and sponsors. Frontal portion 20 offers additional utility in presenting a surface suitable for showcasing a team or sponsor insignia, or other indicium by which to visually communicate an affiliation or source of goods or services.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 15 January 2026 (15.01.2026)AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)1. An equine browband headguard installable to a bridle, said equine browband headguard comprising: a frontal portion configured to overlie a frontal bone of a skull of an animal to which the equine browband headguard is fitted; a first lateral portion disposed laterally from the frontal portion in a first direction wherein the first lateral portion is configured to overlie a temporomandibular joint of the animal to which the equine browband headguard is fitted.

2. The equine browband headguard of claim 2 further comprising: a second lateral portion disposed laterally from the frontal portion in a second direction opposite that of the first direction, wherein each of the first and second lateral portions is disposed bilaterally in relation to the frontal portion to overlie each temporomandibular joint of the animal to which the equine browband headguard is fitted.

3. The equine browband headguard of claim 3 further comprising: a first interconnecting member disposed connecting the first lateral portion to the frontal portion; anda second interconnecting member disposed connecting the second lateral portion to the frontal portion.

4. The equine browband headguard of claim 4 wherein the equine browband headguard is installable to replace a browband in an existing bridle.

5. The equine browband headguard of claim 5 wherein each of the frontal portion and first and second lateral portions further comprises: at least one basal layer; at least one inner layer; and at least one dorsal layer.

6. The equine browband headguard of claim 6 wherein the at least one basal layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of: leather, leatherlike material, rubber, rubberlike material, polymer, polymeric material, elastomer, elastomeric material, vinyl, urethane, polyurethane, latex, aramid or polyaramid material, or a combination thereof.

7. The equine browband headguard of claim 6 wherein at least one dorsal layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of:leather, leatherlike material, rubber, rubberlike material, polymer, polymeric material, elastomer, elastomeric material, vinyl, urethane, polyurethane, latex, aramid or polyaramid material, or a combination thereof.

8. The equine browband headguard of claim 6 wherein the at least one inner layer includes at least one first inner layer and at least one second inner layer, wherein the at least one first inner layer is comprised of material selected from the group consisting essentially of: leather, leatherlike material, rubber, rubberlike material, polymer, polymeric material, elastomer, elastomeric material, polycarbonate, vinyl, polyurethane, latex, aramid or polyaramid material, aluminum, titanium, or other material having a Shore hardness of between 75 and 100D, or a combination thereof; and the at least one second inner layer is comprised of material selected from the group consisting essentially of: foam, hard foam, high density foam, shock-absorbent foam, urethane foam, polyurethane foam, latex foam, open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, memory foam, gel-infused foam, gel-infused memory foam, rebond foam, charcoal foam, neoprene foam, polyethylene foam, expanded polystyrene foam, soft foam, or another shock absorbing material, or any combination of thereof.

9. An equine browband headguard comprising:a frontal portion configured to position overlying a frontal bone of the skull of an animal to which the equine browband headguard is fitted; a first lateral portion disposed laterally from the frontal portion in a first direction; and a second lateral portion disposed laterally from the frontal portion in a second direction opposite that of the first direction; wherein the frontal portion is configured to overlie a frontal bone of an animal to which the equine browband headguard is fitted whereby each of the first and second lateral portions is disposed bilaterally in relation to the frontal portion and configured to overlie each temporomandibular joint of the animal to which the equine browband headguard is fitted.

10. The equine browband headguard of claim 10 further comprising: a first interconnecting member disposed connecting the first lateral portion to the frontal portion; and a second interconnecting member disposed connecting the second lateral portion to the frontal portion.

11. The equine browband headguard of claim 11 wherein each of the frontal portion and first and second lateral portions further comprises: at least one basal layer; at least one inner layer; andat least one dorsal layer.

12. The equine browband headguard of claim 12 wherein the at least one basal layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of: leather, leatherlike material, rubber, rubberlike material, polymer, polymeric material, elastomer, elastomeric material, vinyl, urethane, polyurethane, latex, aramid or polyaramid material, or a combination thereof.

13. The equine browband headguard of claim 12 wherein at least one dorsal layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of: leather, leatherlike material, rubber, rubberlike material, polymer, polymeric material, elastomer, elastomeric material, vinyl, urethane, polyurethane, latex, aramid or polyaramid material, or a combination thereof.

14. The equine browband headguard of claim 12 wherein the at least one inner layer includes at least one first inner layer and at least one second inner layer, wherein the at least one first layer is comprised of material selected from the group consisting essentially of: leather, leatherlike material, rubber, rubberlike material, polymer, polymeric material, elastomer, elastomeric material, vinyl, urethane, polycarbonate, polyurethane, latex, aramid or polyaramid material, aluminum, titanium, or another material with a shore hardness of between 75 and 100D, or any combination thereof;and the at least one second layer is comprised of material selected from the group consisting essentially of: foam, hard foam, high density foam, shock-absorbent foam, urethane foam, polyurethane foam, latex foam, open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, memory foam, gel-infused foam, gel-infused memory foam, rebond foam, charcoal foam, neoprene foam, polyethylene foam, expanded polystyrene foam, soft foam, or another shock absorbing material, or any combination of thereof.

15. The equine browband headguard of claim 13 wherein the equine browband headguard is installable to replace a browband in an existing bridle.

16. The equine browband headguard of claim 14 wherein the equine browband headguard is installable to replace a browband in an existing bridle.

17. The equine browband headguard of claim 15 wherein the equine browband headguard is installable to replace a browband in an existing bridle.

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