Horse Saddle with Integral Resilient Mounting and Sweat Pads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horse saddles cause discomfort and repetitive back injuries for riders due to severe impacting forces, are difficult to maintain, and can lead to sweat buildup causing discomfort for horses, while stirrups pose a risk of foot entrapment during falls.
Innovation Solution
A saddle with integrally formed resilient materials for shock absorption, sweat-absorbing pads, and stirrups designed for easy disengagement, featuring a single-piece construction for reduced sweat buildup and improved rider safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional saddles with discrete components are used, then structural support is provided, but cleaning becomes arduous and sweat builds up on the horse's back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete saddle components (seat, side supports, mounting members) into a single integral saddle structure. This unification eliminates gaps between components where sweat and dirt accumulate, making the saddle easier to clean while maintaining all necessary structural functions.
2Ease of operation
If traditional saddles are used, then rider support is provided, but severe impacting forces cause discomfort and back injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates cushioning elements and shock-absorbing features into the saddle structure before impact occurs. The saddle design includes compliant mounting members and energy-absorbing structures that preemptively mitigate the transmission of impacting forces from the horse's back to the rider, reducing discomfort and injury risk.
3Reliability
If traditional stirrups are used, then rider foot engagement is provided, but foot disengagement fails during falls causing dragging injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic principles to stirrup design, creating stirrups that adapt their engagement characteristics based on applied forces. The stirrup structure includes mechanisms that maintain secure foot engagement during normal riding but automatically release or become disengagable when subjected to abnormal forces such as falls, preventing dangerous foot entrapment.
4Strength
If traditional saddles are used, then structural support is provided, but sweat buildup causes chafing and discomfort to the horse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates porous or wicking materials into the saddle structure, particularly in areas contacting the horse's back. These materials allow sweat to be absorbed and dispersed, preventing pooling and chafing while maintaining the structural integrity and support functions of the saddle.
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 saddle reduces impacting forces, facilitates easier maintenance, keeps the horse's back dry, and ensures safe stirrup disengagement, minimizing injuries to both riders and horses.
Implementation Method 1
The seat (8) is resiliently carried on the side support panels (4) by a pair of spaced apart resilient mounting members (10) for absorbing shocks between the side support panels (4) and the seat (8)
Implementation Method 2
the wicking characteristic of each sweat absorbing pad is such as to transfer sweat from the back of the animal to respective exposed surfaces of the sweat absorbing pad by capillary action so that the sweat is evaporated therefrom
Implementation Method 3
a damping means is provided for acting between the seat and the respective side support panels for damping vibrations in the seat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A saddle (1) for a horse comprises a pair of side support panels (4) for engaging the back of the horse (2) and a seat (8) resiliency carried on the side support panels (4) by a pair of mounting members (10) integrally formed with the seat (8) and the side support panels (4). Side members (5) releasably secured to the side support panels (4) extend downwardly on opposite sides of the animal and are releasably secured by a girth strap (6) extending beneath the belly of the horse. A pair of sweat absorbing pads (22) secured to the underside of the side support panels (4) act to transfer sweat from the back of the horse for evaporation thereof. A seat cover (28) is secured to the seat (8), and straps (32) extending from the seat cover (28) carry stirrups (33).