Segmented Saddle with Flexible Spine for Horse Back Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional saddles with rigid structures fail to distribute load evenly across a horse's back, causing pressure points and restricting movement, leading to discomfort and potential injuries, and existing treeless designs often lack stability and security.
Innovation Solution
A saddle design featuring independent, arched, resilient transverse rib members connected by a flexible spine member that allows for flexure and even load distribution, combined with a dynamic load distribution system using load-bearing sections and adjustable stirrup hangers to reduce localized pressure points and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid tree structure is used in traditional saddles, then structural stability and load-bearing capacity are improved, but pressure distribution on the horse's back deteriorates causing localized pressure points
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid tree structure is segmented into multiple rigid sections (front section, rear section, and intermediate section) connected by flexible elements. This segmentation allows the saddle to maintain structural stability while accommodating horse movement and distributing pressure more evenly across the back.
Solution Approach 2:
The saddle incorporates dynamic flexibility through the connection between rigid sections, allowing the structure to adapt to horse movement. The flexible connections enable the rigid sections to move relative to each other, preventing localized pressure points while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If a rigid tree structure is used in traditional saddles, then load distribution is improved, but horse movement freedom deteriorates due to restriction of spine flexure
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the saddle into multiple rigid sections connected by flexible elements allows load distribution benefits of rigid structures while enabling horse movement through the flexible connections between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connections between rigid sections provide dynamic adaptation to horse movement, allowing spine flexure and body movement while maintaining load distribution capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If treeless saddle designs are used to improve flexibility, then horse movement freedom is improved, but stability and security deteriorate due to lack of rigid support
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple rigid sections are distributed throughout the saddle structure, providing localized stability points while the flexible connections between them maintain overall flexibility and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Rigid sections are strategically positioned at critical locations (front and rear) to provide stability where needed, while flexible connections are placed where movement is required, creating local quality variations in stiffness.
4Ease of operation
If close contact saddle design is used to improve fit, then rider-saddle contact is improved, but pressure distribution deteriorates concentrating load on fewer points
Solution Approach 1:
The close contact saddle design is segmented into multiple rigid sections that distribute rider weight across broader areas of the horse's back, reducing localized pressure while maintaining close contact for rider control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connections between rigid sections allow the saddle to dynamically adjust to horse movement, maintaining even pressure distribution throughout the riding sequence rather than concentrating load on fixed points.
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 design reduces pressure points on the horse's back, allows for greater flexibility and comfort, and improves the horse's mobility and the rider's balance, minimizing the risk of injury and behavioral issues while maintaining stability and security.
Implementation Method 1
resilient transverse rib members connecting the first and second opposed side panels, each rib member having a central crown portion
Implementation Method 2
a flexible spine member that allows for flexure and even load distribution
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The improved saddle structure (10) of the invention comprises first and second opposed side panels (12, 14),a plurality of resilient transverse arched rib members (16) connecting the first and second opposed side panels (12, 14),and a spine member (30) extending longitudinally between the first and second side panels (12, 4). The spine member (30) is connected to each rib member (16) at a central crown portion (20) of the rib member. The spine member (30) can comprise one or more elongate members or a plurality of connecting members joining the rib members (16) at their crown portions (20), and the spine member (30) is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of an animal on which the saddle structure (10) is fitted. A saddle seat (40) is secured to the spine member and/or rib members (16). The saddle structure (10) of the invention provides a saddle structure for use on the back of an animal whereby localised load pressure points are reduced while allowing flexure of the animal's spine, and whereby load is distributed more evenly along the length of the saddle structure.