Flexible Forward Substrate for Treeless Western Saddle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern saddles with rigid saddletrees can cause pain and injuries to horses and riders due to their inflexibility, prompting the need for a treeless saddle design that provides support and stability without the drawbacks of traditional treed saddles.

Innovation Solution

A treeless western saddle with a flexible, nonrigid construction featuring a flexible forward substrate made from materials like polyurethane elastomer, integrated pommel and seat sections, and securement mechanisms such as panel straps and adhesive stitching to distribute rider weight evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid saddletree is used, then support and stability for the rider is provided, but pain and injuries occur to the horse and rider due to inflexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport and stabilityVSAvoidpain and injuries

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional rigid wooden or metal saddletree with a flexible substrate constructed from multiple layers including foam core, fiber mesh, and leather or synthetic material. This flexible shell structure maintains the necessary support and stability functions while eliminating the harmful rigidity that causes pain and injuries to both horse and rider.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible substrate is created using composite materials combining foam core for structural support, fiber mesh for tensile strength and flexibility, and outer leather or synthetic material for durability and comfort. This composite construction achieves the optimal balance between support stability and flexibility to prevent harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a treeless saddle design is used, then flexibility is improved to reduce trauma, but providing desired rider support and stability becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrauma reductionVSAvoidrider support and stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The saddle is divided into distinct functional segments: the flexible substrate provides foundational support, the seat cushioning layer provides rider comfort and weight distribution, and the stirrup straps provide anchoring points. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together to provide overall stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple composite material layers are strategically positioned to provide different functions: foam core for structural support, fiber mesh for flexibility and tensile strength, and leather/synthetic material for durability. This layered composite structure enables the saddle to simultaneously reduce trauma through flexibility while maintaining rider support and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If flexible materials are used for the substrate, then trauma to horse and rider is reduced through weight distribution, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrauma to horse and riderVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate uses composite materials where foam core provides lightweight structural support, fiber mesh provides tensile strength and flexibility, and leather or synthetic material provides durability and surface strength. This composite approach maintains structural strength while using flexible materials to reduce trauma through weight distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the substrate have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the central seat area uses softer, more compliant material for rider comfort and weight distribution, while the peripheral areas use stronger, more rigid material for structural support and attachment points, achieving both trauma reduction and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The flexible design reduces trauma to both the horse and rider by distributing weight and providing stability similar to traditional saddles without the rigidity issues, enhancing comfort and safety during riding.

Implementation Method 1

A flexible forward substrate for a treeless western saddle may be constructed of a nonrigid material such as a foam rubber compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

securement mechanisms such as panel straps and adhesive stitching to distribute rider weight evenly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS7992367B2Flexible forward substrate for a treeless western saddle

Publication Date: 2011.08.09 NORTHWESTERN SADDLERY

AI summary

A treeless western saddle comprising a flexible base coupled to an underside of a flexible substrate. A seat section is integrally formed in the flexible substrate. A pommel section is integrally formed in the flexible substrate. The flexible base has an upper stirrup aperture and a lower stirrup aperture formed in a lateral side of the flexible base. The underside of the flexible substrate has a cavity formed in a lateral side of the underside of the flexible substrate, the cavity to extend from the upper stirrup aperture to at least the lower stirrup aperture.