Adjustable Equestrian Saddle with Interchangeable Reinforcing Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing saddles for equestrian activities are complex, expensive, and require specialized expertise to adjust for varying horse sizes or anatomical changes, making them unreliable and difficult to maintain, especially in terms of fitting and distributing the rider's weight uniformly.

Innovation Solution

A saddle with a flexible tree and interchangeable rigid reinforcing members of inverted V-shape, easily removable and replaceable without disassembling the saddle, using simple tools like a screwdriver, to accommodate different horse sizes and anatomical changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a saddle is designed with a predetermined angle to fit a specific horse anatomy, then the saddle provides proper fitting and comfort for that horse, but it cannot accommodate horses of different sizes or anatomical changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different horse sizesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjusting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The saddle tree is divided into multiple hinged portions that can be angularly moved relative to each other. The tree includes a first portion, second portion, and third portion connected by hinges, allowing each segment to be independently adjusted to match different horse back angles and anatomical features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The saddle incorporates a dynamic adjusting system with hinges and lever mechanisms that enable the tree portions to be angularly positioned. The system includes a lever with a pivot point that can be rotated to different angular positions, allowing the saddle to adapt dynamically to various horse anatomies rather than being fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hinge and adjusting system is used to alter the saddle opening angle, then the saddle can fit different horse sizes, but the mechanism becomes strong, complex, bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of saddle angleVSAvoidweight of adjusting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The saddle tree portions are constructed from flexible, resilient materials such as laminated wood, composite materials, or flexible plastics. These materials provide the necessary structural strength while being lightweight, eliminating the need for heavy metal plates and bolts. The flexibility of the materials allows the tree to be angularly moved and held in position without bulky mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex adjusting system with metal plates, bolts, levers and nuts is used, then the saddle can be adjusted to different angles, but it requires technical skillfulness and specialized workers to carry out adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of saddle adjustmentVSAvoidease of adjustment by user

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting mechanism is designed to be user-friendly and self-serviceable. The lever system includes a handle that can be easily manipulated by the end user without specialized tools or expertise. The hinges and connection points are positioned and designed to allow simple manual adjustment, enabling riders or grooms to adjust the saddle themselves rather than requiring professional saddlers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If the headplate is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the saddle provides stability, but it cannot yield to accommodate variations in horse back width

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of headplateVSAvoidflexibility to fit different back widths

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The headplate incorporates zones of different rigidity: the central portion remains rigid to maintain structural integrity and support the rider's weight, while the lateral portions are made flexible or removable to accommodate variations in horse back width. This allows different parts of the headplate to have different mechanical properties suited to their specific functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The headplate is divided into multiple sections or layers that can move independently. The construction includes flexible, resilient overlapping layers secured together, where the distal ends of the layers can yield and flex under the rider's weight while the proximal portions remain stable. This segmented structure allows localized adaptation to horse back width variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8863482B2Adjustable saddle

Publication Date: 2014.10.21 DIAZ PEDRO RUIZ

AI summary

An adjustable equestrian saddle and adjusting and reinforcing system for adjusting an equestrian saddle to permit the saddle fit several sizes of the back and withers of one or more horses, wherein the adjusting system comprises a plurality of reinforcing members having different angular dimensions with the saddle having a headplate for interchangeably receiving the reinforcing members and a lid to have access to the reinforcing members.