Saddle Comfort Bridge for Weight Distribution
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional English saddles fail to effectively distribute the rider's weight, causing discomfort and pressure points on the horse's back while providing inadequate support for the rider, leading to suboptimal riding performance and horse discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A comfort bridge made of rigid sole bend leather is positioned between the tree points and the rear of the saddle tree, forming a wedge-shaped panel that increases the structural support area under the rider's leg, reducing the need for bulky stuffing and spreading the weight over a larger area to avoid pressure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the saddle tree is designed with an hourglass shape to provide a narrow twist for the rider, then the rider's leg can fall straight down into place and the rider's weight is carried forward, but the area of the tree under the rider's leg provides no support for the rider's weight
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle tree is divided into distinct functional segments: the traditional hourglass-shaped tree points for rider support and leg positioning, and a separate bridge structure that spans between the tree points to provide additional weight-bearing surface area. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge structure adds a new dimensional element to the saddle tree by creating a horizontal span between the tree points, effectively adding a third dimension to the weight distribution system. This allows weight to be distributed across both the vertical tree points and the horizontal bridge surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the saddle is designed to carry the rider's weight over a large area of the horse's back, then the horse experiences better comfort and performance, but this creates a wide twist that riders dislike because it puts the rider behind the motion of the horse
Solution Approach 1:
Different areas of the saddle are given different functional qualities: the bridge structure provides a large, soft surface area for weight distribution over the horse's back to enhance horse comfort, while the tree points maintain a narrow, firm configuration to support the rider's leg position and keep the rider ahead of the horse's motion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional stuffing material is used to conform to the horse's back shape, then the saddle provides comfort to the horse, but the stuffing requires maintenance to make sure it does not pack down hard or shift
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using traditional soft stuffing material that requires maintenance, the invention uses a rigid bridge structure made from durable materials such as wood, metal, or composite materials. This bridge structure copies the weight-distributing function of the stuffing but eliminates the maintenance issues associated with soft materials packing down or shifting.
Data Source
AI summary
A comfort bridge for use with an English saddle. The bridge is formed of sole bend leather of a particular size, shape, and thickness positioned between a tree point and the back of the saddle tree. The bridge is placed on each side of the saddle and either placed within a panel or attached thereto. The bridge increases the structural support area by carrying the rider's weight over a larger area under the rider's leg. Each bridge is tapered around the edges to provide a smooth connection to the saddle panel, and provide for the comfort of the rider by avoiding the large material stuffing mass that has been traditionally used in the saddle panels of early designs.