Abstract:
A fall arrestor suitable for attachment to a saddle. The fall arrestor is held by a rider of a horse or the like and allows the rider to control and mitigate the danger when unseated from a horse. Exemplary embodiments include webbing configured in a Y-shape so that it can be connected to stirrup bars on opposite sides of a saddle which conveniently take the load of a fall. The device may also include sacrificial links and a rubber shock absorber to further control the fall.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of United Kingdom Patent Application Serial No. 0508809.1, filed May 3, 2005, and entitled “Device and Saddle Assembly,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a device for breaking the fall of a rider from a horse or the like and a saddle assembly including a saddle equipped with such a device and a method for horse riding.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Horse riding is a popular sport, but can be inherently dangerous if a horse unseats a rider, or the rider loses balance and falls from the horse. Serious injuries can result from such falls, particularly back and head injuries. It is generally accepted that riders should not be secured to animals to prevent them from falling, as this could be dangerous for the rider in the event that they lose control of the animal and it bolts under low lying branches for example, or if the rider is dragged behind the animal. Thus, riders are typically taught to let go and fall from a horse cleanly when they lose balance or when the horse bolts.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to a first exemplary aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for breaking a fall of a rider from a horse or the like, the device comprising at least one member having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is connectable to a load bearing portion of a saddle and wherein the second end portion is capable of being gripped by a rider. In such an embodiment, either or both members can be a flexible member.  
         [0007]     The device provides an aid for riders who fall from a horse or the like and enables the rider to make a more controlled and safer descent. In the event of a fall from an animal, use of the device enables the rider to maintain a semi-upright position. Since the second end portion is capable of being gripped by a rider, the head and back of the rider are more likely to be clear from the ground and the rider will be landed over the shoulder of the horse, which is safer.  
         [0008]     The first end portion of either or both members can be arranged to be coupled to load bearing portions of the saddle at spaced apart locations.  
         [0009]     The first end portion can be provided with connection means for connecting the device to the load bearing portion of the saddle.  
         [0010]     The connection means can comprise two connectors for connecting the first end portion to the saddle in two separate locations. Thus the device can comprise one member and two connectors arranged in a Y-shaped configuration.  
         [0011]     The first end portion connectable to the saddle is advantageous since any load applied to the device in use will be borne in a mid region on the back of the horse or the like.  
         [0012]     Each connector can comprise a length of webbing. A smooth webbing material is advantageous since it will limit any pain experienced by the horse or the like if the webbing material comes into contact with the animal.  
         [0013]     Each connector can comprise a fixing means. The fixing means can comprise an anchor tie for fixing the device to the load bearing portion of the saddle.  
         [0014]     Each connector can be connectable to two load bearing portions of the saddle. The connectors can further comprise one or more links for coupling each member to the saddle in use, wherein the links are arranged to break on application of a predetermined force thereto.  
         [0015]     Accordingly, these links are provided to act as sacrificial links in use, to dissipate some of the energy of the fall, since they are designed to break on application of a predetermined force. Therefore, when the device is in use, the links coupling the device and the saddle can be used to weaken the impact or force of the fall.  
         [0016]     At least one member can be provided with a stop member. The stop member can comprise a rim protruding radially outwardly with respect to the or each member. The stop member can be arranged such that it is proximate to the second end portion. The stop member can be arranged to act as an impediment to prevent the device from slipping out of the rider&#39;s hand when in use.  
         [0017]     A compressible member can be provided on the member, preferably in the region of the second end portion. The compressible member can be compressible by a rider, thereby acting as a shock absorber. Preferably the compressible member is compressible in an axial direction, the axial direction defined by the member.  
         [0018]     A neck portion of the compressible member may be provided to encourage the compression of the compressible member, the neck portion having a smaller radius than a main part of the compressible member. The width and/or length of the neck portion can be varied to alter the compressive force required for deformation thereof. In general, the shorter axial length of the neck portion the less force required for compression and the longer axial length of the neck portion, the greater the force required for compression thereof.  
         [0019]     Preferably, the compressible member is adapted to compress to a greater extent than the member. Preferably, the member is adapted to compress by a negligible extent.  
         [0020]     The compressible member can comprise two or more portions, each shaped to compress on application of a predetermined load. The portions can be shaped to compress on application of different predetermined loads. Each shaped portion can comprise a neck portion.  
         [0021]     The compressible member can be manufactured from compressible foam rubber.  
         [0022]     The stop member can be provided as part of the compressible member, such that application of a force to the stop member causes compression of the compressible member, typically in an axial direction.  
         [0023]     Preferably, the compressible member comprising the stop member has a bore through which the member extends.  
         [0024]     The device can comprise two members provided adjacent each other which connect with at least one, preferably two pairs of adjacent connectors, each pair of connectors connectable to the saddle, such that in use, the connection between one member and the saddle will not be broken should another member or one connector break.  
         [0025]     The length of each member can be adjustable. Each member can be provided with adjuster means. Thus the length of the device can be altered to suit the requirements of the rider or the nature of the riding they intend to do.  
         [0026]     The device can be manufactured from synthetic rope.  
         [0027]     According to a second exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a saddle assembly comprising a saddle and a device for breaking a fall of a rider as described herein.  
         [0028]     The saddle assembly is useful in conjunction with the usual horses tack. Reins are typically provided to be held by the rider for controlling the horse. However, the reins are not load bearing and move with the horse&#39;s head. The saddle assembly comprising the device attached to the saddle, is a separate, steady aid for a rider. Attaching the device to a load bearing portion of the saddle is advantageous as it represents the most stable position for the device and is likely to be the least damaging to the horse. The device is suitable for attachment to a standard English saddle.  
         [0029]     Connector means can connect the member to load bearing portions of the saddle in spaced apart locations. Connector means preferably connect the member to stirrup bars provided on the saddle.  
         [0030]     Two members can be coupled to the saddle in two spaced apart locations.  
         [0031]     The device coupled to the saddle at two spaced apart locations can occupy a Y-shape. This has the advantage that when a rider falls, the horse carries a certain amount of the strain on its back without a part of the saddle to which the device is attached, such as the stirrup bar, from taking all the load of the falling rider.  
         [0032]     The device can also be used to allow a rider to regain their balance. The device can also be used to allow a rider to control their descent on dismounting from the horse or the like.  
         [0033]     The device is not limited to use on a horse, as it may be used on other animals such as a donkey, pony, etc.  
         [0034]     The invention also provides a method of horse riding comprising gripping a device as described herein whilst riding.  
         [0035]     The invention also provides a method for a rider to control a fall from a horse or the like, the method comprising the rider holding a device as described herein, the device being secured to a load bearing portion of a saddle on the horse, and in the event of the rider falling from the horse, maintaining hold of the device, allowing the device to take a portion of the weight of the rider, and releasing the device.  
         [0036]     Preferably the method includes compressing the compressible member in order to cushion the fall, and more preferably allowing the sacrificial weak links to break before releasing the device.  
         [0037]     Preferably the device also aids to orient the rider so that their head is uppermost and preferably so that they are less likely to land on their back or head.  
         [0038]     Any feature of any aspect of any invention or embodiment described herein may be combined with any feature of any aspect of any other invention or embodiment described herein mutatis mutandis.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0039]     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to and as shown in the following drawings:  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a device according to the first aspect of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the device according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a saddle assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a shock absorber; and  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a saddle assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass devices for breaking the fall of a rider from a horse or the like and a saddle assembly including a saddle equipped with such a device and a method for horse riding. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0046]     A device for breaking the fall of a rider (not shown) from a horse or the like is shown generally at  10  in  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0047]     The device  10  of  FIG. 1  comprises a flexible member  12  and connectors  14 . The flexible member  12  has a first end portion  92  and a second end portion  94  that may be comprised of a synthetic rope, such as polyester.  
         [0048]     Towards the second end portion  94  there is provided a hand stop  18  in the form of a rim extending radially outwardly relative to the flexible member  12 . Similarly, an end stop  22  is provided in the form of a rigid rim extending radially outwardly and is prevented from sliding off the flexible member  12  by a knot  24 . The hand stop  18  also comprises a shock absorber  20 . The shock absorber  20  is positioned between the hand stop  18  and the end stop  22 . According to this embodiment, the shock absorber  20  comprises a compressible foam rubber. Although, any form of compression device or material capable of deformation will be suitable for use as the shock absorber  20 .  
         [0049]     The first end portion  92  is tied to a metal ring  50 . Also attached to the metal ring  50  are two strips of webbing  30 . Each length of webbing  30  is attached to the ring  50  by means of a doubled over end portion  34  which is stitched to form an aperture (not shown). The aperture accommodates the metal ring  50 . Similarly, an opposing end portion  32  is doubled over and stitched to create an aperture (not shown), which accommodates a spring-loaded clip  38 . The spring-loaded clip  38  is provided with an anchor line  40  and a link  42  attached thereto. The anchor line  40  and the link  42  can be used for coupling the device  10  to a saddle. The anchor line  40  is attached to a load bearing portion of a saddle whereas the link  42  is attached to any suitable part of the saddle, as described in more detail below.  
         [0050]     The device shown in  FIG. 2  is similar to the  FIG. 1  embodiment, but comprises two flexible lines  12 A and  12 B. Each line  12 A,  12 B is provided with a hand stop  18 A,  18 B, shock absorber  20 A,  20 B and end stop  22 A,  22 B towards the second end portion  94  as described for  FIG. 1  above. Flexible lines  12 A,  12 B are coupled in adjacent relation using ties  56 .  
         [0051]     At the first end portion  92  the flexible lines  12 A,  12 B are each provided with a separate D-ring  52 A,  52 B. The D-rings  52 A,  52 B are joined by a tie  54 . The connectors  14  are the same as those previously described for  FIG. 1 .  
         [0052]     The advantage of the system such as that shown in  FIG. 2  is that in the event of failure or breakage of any of the attachments coupling the device  10  to a saddle, there is an in-built system redundancy since there are effectively two devices independently attached at separate points to load bearing portions of the saddle. As shown in  FIG. 2  these are coupled together to facilitate use of the device by the rider, while providing the system with in-built redundancy.  
         [0053]      FIG. 3  shows a saddle indicated generally at  60  with the device  10  attached thereto by connectors  14 . The saddle  60  has a seat portion  61  and is provided with two stirrup bars  62  secured to opposing sides of the saddle  60  on either side of the seat portion  61 . The stirrup bars  62  are C-shaped and have leather straps  64  slotted therein for supporting stirrups  68 . In use, each stirrup  68  accommodates a foot of the rider. Thus, each stirrup bar  62  to which the stirrup  68  is attached via the leather strap  64  is necessarily a load bearing part of the saddle  60 .  
         [0054]     Another advantage of the device  10  is that it can be used in conjunction with a traditional English saddle without modification thereof. As well as being load bearing portions of the saddle  60 , the stirrup bars  62  are also adapted to cope with jolts experienced when a rider mounts a horse.  
         [0055]     The device  10  shown in  FIG. 3  comprises a flexible line  72  which is provided with a ball stop adjuster  74  for adjusting the length of the line  72 . The anchor ties  40  secure the device  10  to the saddle  60 . Each anchor tie  40  attaches directly to the corresponding stirrup bar  62 . Links  42  are used to attach the spring-loaded clips  38  to D-rings  66 , which D-rings  66  are fixed to the saddle  60 .  
         [0056]     The ties  40  and the links  42  used in the present embodiment are advantageous since they do not require modification of a standard English saddle  60 . D-rings  66  are commonly provided on saddles. However, any other appropriate form of attachments or connectors  14  can be used.  
         [0057]     Before use, the length of the flexible line  72  can be adjusted depending on the requirements of the rider. Adjustment of the flexible line  72  is achieved using the ball adjuster  74 .  
         [0058]     The rider can mount the saddle  60  in the usual manner and sit in the seat portion  61 , while the rider&#39;s feet are accommodated in the stirrups  68 . It is usual for the rider to hold reins (not shown) for controlling the movement of the horse or other animal. Notably, the reins are never attached to a load bearing part of the horse. The rider also holds the flexible member  72  in one hand.  
         [0059]     In the event that the rider is dislodged from the seat portion  61  and begins to fall from the saddle  60 , they can grasp firmly the device  10  in the region of the second end portion  94  of the flexible line  72 . This is in contrast with the general teaching that a rider should let go as soon as they start to fall from an animal. The line  72  is more stable than the reins as the device  10  is attached to load bearing portions of the saddle  60  in a mid portion of the horse, whereas the reins are attached to, and therefore move with, the horses head.  
         [0060]     If the rider&#39;s grip on the flexible member  72  slips as the rider falls, the rider&#39;s clenched hand will eventually abut the hand stop  18 . The hand stop  18  prevents the device  10  from slipping out of the rider&#39;s grasp altogether. As the rider&#39;s hand abuts the hand stop  18 , the shock absorber  20  between the hand stop  18  and end stop  22  will be at least partially compressed, thereby cushioning the rider&#39;s hand from a jolt experienced as the impact of the falling rider is taken up by the device  10  as it becomes taut, which reduces some of the initial impact of the fall.  
         [0061]     Once sufficient force is applied to the connector means  14 , for example, when the device  10  becomes taut, the links  42  attaching the spring loaded clip  38  to the D-ring  66  are arranged to break, further cushioning the fall of the rider and dissipating some of the energy associated with the fall.  
         [0062]     Since the rider is holding onto the device  10 , their body will tend to orientate during the fall so that their head is further from the ground than their legs or lower part of their body. This will also bring their back upright.  
         [0063]     The rider can then let go of the device  10  and fall to the ground.  
         [0064]     The device  10  allows a rider to fall in a graduated and controlled manner. The shock absorber  20  and sacrificial links  42  alleviate the sudden impact of the fall experienced by the hand and body of the rider. The hand stop  18  and material from which the flexible member  72  is manufactured can improve the rider&#39;s purchase on the device  10 . The act of holding on to the device  10  maintains the rider&#39;s head and neck, at least partially upright and prevents the rider from falling head first from the horse.  
         [0065]     A further advantage of the Y-shaped attachment when the device is coupled to the saddle as shown in  FIG. 3 , is that as the rider falls on one side of a horse, the webbing  30  of the connector means  14  is taut on the opposing side, thereby ensuring that the anchor tie  40 , is acting on a central section of the C-shaped stirrup bar  62 . This is achieved without the anchor tie  40  tending to slip off the stirrup bar  62  as the rider falls, which may be the case if the connectors  14  were not constrained on both sides of the seat portion  61  of the saddle  60 . Additionally, the Y-shaped arrangement allows the horse&#39;s back to carry a proportion of the strain, so that it is not all carried by the stirrup bar  62 .  
         [0066]     The symmetrical nature of the Y-shaped attachment is advantageous since the device  10  defines an identical locus on each side of the saddle  60  within which it operates as a rider falls. Therefore the length of the device  10  can be accurately determined to suit the height of the rider. Alterations or adjustments to compensate for riders of a different weight and/or height are facilitated since the device  10  can be adjusted once to obtain an equal locus in which it operates on either side of the saddle  60 .  
         [0067]     The device  10  is designed not only to be weight bearing but is also designed with the ability to withstand the sudden impact when a rider falls. Furthermore, since the device  10  is attached to a load-bearing portion of the saddle  60 , the device is very stable and reliable. Additionally, placement of the device  10  on a load bearing portion of the saddle  60  means that the rider will tend to fall behind the shoulder portion of the horse when using the device  10 . This is safer for the rider as it reduces the risk of being trampled by the horse.  
         [0068]     An alternative shock absorber  20   s  is shown in  FIG. 4  with a hand stop  118  and an end stop  122  at respective ends thereof. The shock absorber  20   s  is provided with an axial throughbore (not shown) through which the member  12 ,  12 A,  12 B,  72  is accommodated. The shock absorber  20   s  is formed with a first shaped portion A and a second shaped portion B. Portion A has a narrow neck region  80  between an outer circumference  78  and an outer circumference  82 . Portion B has a graduated neck region  84  between the outer circumference  82  and an outer circumference  86 . Due to the narrow neck region  80  of the portion A, a smaller force is required to at least partially compress the neck region  80  between the outer circumference  78  and the outer circumference  82 , than that required to compress the more graduated neck region  84 . Thus, on application of a compressive force to the shock absorber  20   s , the portion A initially at least partially compresses, while application of a greater force is required to at least partially compress portion B. As a result, the impact of the fall can be reduced in two stages; first by compression of portion A, followed by compression of portion B if sufficient force is applied. Thus, the graduated neck region  84  is arranged to cope with severe shocks and jolts.  
         [0069]     In  FIG. 5 , an inertia reel  190  is provided on a device  100  to allow the rider to pull out a required length of the flexible member  112 . If the rider intends to jump with the horse then a longer length may be chosen compared to purely flat work with the horse which would ideally require a shorter length. In use, the inertia reel  190  will stop further extraction of the flexible member by known internal mechanisms. Inertia reels are available from a number of suppliers, for example: Lifting and Safety Services, Scunthorpe, UK; Warwick and Associates, Arizona, USA and Beaver Sales Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia. Other components shown in  FIG. 5 , including a shock absorber  120 , webbing  130  and a ring  150  (sewn into the webbing) have a similar use as that described for earlier embodiments.  
         [0070]     Modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example an automatic release mechanism may be incorporated. This may be in the form of a further weak link which would break should an unseated rider be caught between a horse and some other immovable object and still try to hold on. However this is less preferred since the “weak” link would still need to be strong enough to cushion the fall of a rider. Alternatively the automatic release may be facilitated by a position release mechanism, for example by use of a slotted mechanism, which releases the device from the horse when in an orientation which corresponds with the rider having fallen from the horse.  
         [0071]     Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.