Adjustable Curb Strap Assembly for Equine Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional leather curb straps in bridles lack flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness, leading to discomfort and potential injury for horses, and they fail to provide optimal communication between riders and horses due to their rigid nature and inability to adjust to individual horse anatomies and sensitivities.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, adjustable curb strap assembly featuring a high-tensile strength elongated member with serially attached elements, such as beads, that can be customized for different horse anatomies and riding styles, providing enhanced control and comfort by distributing pressure evenly and allowing nuanced communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional leather curb straps are used, then the bridle assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but the curb strap lacks flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness, leading to discomfort and potential injury for horses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to horse anatomyVSAvoidcurb strap assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curb strap is divided into multiple segments including an adjustable strap portion, an elongated member, and serially attached elements (beads). This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions - the adjustable strap provides customization, the elongated member provides flexibility, and the beads provide distributed pressure points, collectively improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The curb strap assembly incorporates dynamic elements such as an adjustable strap with buckles that allow riders to modify the fit and tension based on the horse's anatomy and riding conditions. This dynamic adjustability enables the same assembly to adapt to different horses and situations without requiring multiple fixed designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If conventional leather curb straps are used, then the construction is simple, but the rigid nature fails to provide optimal communication between riders and horses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication precisionVSAvoidcurb strap construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curb strap incorporates beads serially attached along the elongated member, creating localized pressure points at specific intervals. These discrete contact points provide nuanced communication by allowing the rider to apply pressure at different locations along the strap, enabling more precise and differentiated signals to the horse compared to uniform leather straps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable strap portion allows riders to change the tension and fit parameters of the curb strap assembly. By modifying these physical parameters, the rider can optimize the communication effectiveness for different horses, training levels, and riding styles, transforming a static component into an adaptable communication interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional leather curb straps are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but the straps cannot adjust to individual horse anatomies and sensitivities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization to individual horsesVSAvoidcurb strap manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The curb strap assembly is pre-configured with adjustment mechanisms (buckles, straps) and serially attached elements in standard configurations. This preliminary preparation allows for quick field customization to individual horses without requiring complex manufacturing processes for each specific horse, balancing ease of manufacture with adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a flexible elongated member with serially attached elements is used, then control and communication are enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol effectivenessVSAvoidcurb strap assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functional elements - the flexible elongated member, serially attached beads, and adjustable strap components - into a single integrated curb strap assembly. This combination achieves reliable control effectiveness by consolidating flexibility, pressure distribution, and adjustability into one cohesive unit rather than requiring separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250382170A1Equestrian control devices and methods of use

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 CHRISTOPHER ERIN

AI summary

An equestrian control device and methods of use. The control device includes an improved control strap device for installation into a bit of a bridle assembly. The device includes an assembly of a connector pair located between an elongated member span having installed thereon a plurality of serially attached elements. The strap can be secured to a shank installed on either of a hackamore shank or a shank bit, which can further be secured to reins. In combination, specialized straps and serially attached elements combine to increase comfort of the equine and the rider's ability to control the equine. Additional biasing features of the strap assembly and strap-alternative assemblies are disclosed to supplement this comfort and control. A method of installing and using the device.