Modular Saddle Tree Segmentation for Anatomical Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing saddles with integrated gullet plates and locating legs are difficult to adjust to accommodate anatomical changes in horses, leading to potential health issues and reduced performance due to loss of fit, as the structural design makes it hard to modify the gullet plate and locating leg without significant technical effort or loss of stability.

Innovation Solution

A modular saddle tree design featuring a multi-piece gullet plate with a gullet iron element and locating leg, where the support element is reversibly detachably fixed to the locating leg via a fastening device, allowing for adjustable and flexible adaptation to the horse's anatomy, particularly in the trapezius muscle area, while maintaining stability and load-bearing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the gullet plate and locating legs are forged in one piece to ensure structural stability, then the stability and load-bearing capability are improved, but the adaptability and ease of adjustment to anatomical changes deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to anatomical changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gullet plate is divided into multiple segments including the gullet iron element and separate locating legs, connected through receiving devices. This segmentation allows individual components to be adjusted or replaced independently to accommodate anatomical changes while preserving the overall structural stability of the saddle tree.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the gullet plate and locating legs are forged in one piece, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of repair and adjustment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locating legs are designed as separate components that can be independently removed and replaced through the receiving devices on the gullet iron element. This allows straightforward adjustment and repair without requiring complex manual intervention or complete remanufacturing, while still enabling cost-effective customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the saddle tree is designed with high structural stability, then the load-bearing capability is improved, but the flexibility for modifications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capabilityVSAvoidflexibility for modifications
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving devices enable dynamic reconfiguration of the locating legs on the gullet iron element. This allows the saddle tree to transition from a fixed configuration to an adjustable one, maintaining structural integrity while accommodating anatomical changes through reversible attachment and replacement of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3003963B1Modular saddle tree with head iron
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 HENNIG JOCHEN
  • EP3003963B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3003963B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP3003963B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~4c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a modular saddle tree (10) for a riding saddle with a head iron (30), comprising a head iron element (16) and a position member (24), wherein a support element (24a) is arranged, in particular displaceably mounted, on the position member of the head iron by means of a fastening device (28), a saddle comprising the modular saddle tree according to the invention, a position member comprising a fastening device for a support element, a support element, and a head iron comprising a head iron element and a position member according to the invention.