Riding Girth Coupling Element Design for Horseshoe Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current riding girths are hazardous due to the risk of the horseshoe catching the central ring, snap hook, or strap during jumping, leading to potentially disastrous falls for both the horse and rider, and they often lack comfort for the animal.
Innovation Solution
A girth design featuring a coupling element with a plate-shaped spring hook and thermoplastic gel paddings, where the spring hook allows easy attachment and detachment of straps without accidental release and the paddings provide comfort and flexibility, reducing the risk of horseshoe interference and enhancing horse performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ring, snap hook, or strap with buckle is used in the central part of the girth for connecting to the martingale or harness, then the coupling function is achieved, but the risk of the horseshoe catching the coupling element during jumping increases, leading to dangerous falls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional ring, snap hook, or buckle from the central part of the girth and replaces it with a flat coupling element that has a reduced profile. This extraction of the protruding coupling mechanism eliminates the primary hazard point where horseshoes could catch during jumping, while maintaining the essential coupling function through a flattened design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a protruding coupling element that extends outward (traditional design), the patent inverts the approach by creating a flat coupling element with a reduced profile that lies flush against the girth. This inversion of the coupling element's geometry reverses the hazard profile while preserving the coupling capability.
2Device complexity
If a traditional girth design without additional padding is used, then the structure is simple, but the comfort for the horse is reduced due to muscle compression and potential blocking of blood supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies padding elements selectively at specific locations on the girth where they are most needed for comfort, rather than uniformly padding the entire structure. This localized approach to adding comfort features minimizes the increase in structural complexity while effectively addressing the horse's comfort needs in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines different materials in the girth construction, including the use of padding elements with specific elastic properties (such as foam or gel materials) integrated with the girth strap material. This composite approach enhances comfort by providing pressure distribution and blood flow maintenance while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
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 girth design significantly reduces the risk of horseshoe interference, simplifies the attachment process, and enhances horse comfort and performance by minimizing muscle compression and ensuring better blood supply and oxygenation.
Implementation Method 1
outer paddings 40 are applied to the outer side of the girth 1, between the central portion 10 and the side bands 12
Implementation Method 2
inner paddings 50 in thermoplastic gel are over-moulded
Implementation Method 3
a plate-shaped spring hook 18 which extends from said base 16 and which permits the insertion/extraction of the loop of the strap into and from the coupling element thanks to the elastic lifting of an end portion thereof relative to the base 16
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a riding girth comprising a central portion (10) from which two lateral bands (12) extend suitable to encircle the chest of the horse up to the connection to the saddle. On the outer side of the central portion (10) a coupling element (14) is made for attaching the loop of a strap of the martingale, harness or other operating instrument. Said coupling element (14) comprises a base (16) and a plate-shaped elastic hook (18) which extends from said base (16) and which permits the insertion/extraction of the loop of the strap into and from the coupling element thanks to the elastic lifting of an end portion thereof relative to the base (16).