Abstract:
A sulky shaft connector device includes a swivel ball joint arrangement whereby the sulky shaft is allowed relative damped vertical movement with respect to the harness. A sulky shaft connector member, removably connected to the sulky shaft, forming part of the device also provides for quick and releasable engagement between the sulky shaft and the sulky shaft connector device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for patent application Ser. No. 60/623,228, filed on Nov. 1, 2004, is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention concerns racing sulky harnesses, more particularly to a racing sulky shaft connector device for use with a harness.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Lameness represents one of the greatest threats to the health and racing careers of racehorses and is particularly relevant with Standardbreds that are used in harness racing. Harness racing involves connecting a sulky, or bike, to the racehorse, which is driven by a rider sitting rearwardly of the sulky. The sulky typically includes a frame, two wheels, a seat for the rider and two elongate shafts for connecting to a horse harness on either side of the horse. The rider sits on the seat and controls the horse using reins. In harness racing, a generally oval racetrack is used, which is banked upwards and away from the center. During a race, the workload performed by the horse includes transport of its own mass against air resistance, the track surface, centrifugal forces as well as the sulky and rider&#39;s mass. The rider&#39;s center of mass is typically located behind the wheel axles, which causes the sulky to lift upwardly at the sulky shafts and hinder the horse&#39;s natural running gait. Moreover, the horse&#39;s natural running gait causes the horse&#39;s sides lateral torso to move up and down during full forward and rearward limb extensions, with the force of this action being transferred to the sulky wheels via the harness connector and the sulky frame thereby causing the sulky wheels to oscillate. The aforesaid factors combine to decrease the efficiency of the horse&#39;s running form, which in turn can significantly reduce the speed and comfort of the horse. Moreover, current sulky designs and the track&#39;s banking combine to cause upper body and lower leg injuries to the horse. This may significantly reduce the racing career of the horse and cause costly veterinarian bills.  
         [0004]     Many designs of sulky shaft connector exist, a few examples of which are as follows: 
        U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,367, issued Apr. 27, 1982 to Cashman for “Racing Sulky and Harness”;     U.S. Patent Application No. US2003/0009997, published Jan. 16, 2003 to Knox for “Apparatus and Method for Quickly Releasing a Harness from a Vehicle”;     U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,419, issued Sep. 10, 2002 to Terwilliger for “Swivel Joint Quick Hitch for Harness Racing”; and     U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,428, issued Nov. 6, 1984 to Gilbertson for “Shaft Coupler”; and     U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,991, issued Oct. 2, 1984 to La Mura for “Harness Connector”.        
 
         [0010]     The aforesaid designs suffer from a number of important drawbacks. Disadvantageously, none of the designs appears to be of sufficient flexibility in the harness system to allow the horse&#39;s movements to be independent of the sulky shafts. Some of the designs are of a complex construction, which may add mass to the harness. One design appears to allow only a restricted swiveling movement of the harness relative to the sulky shaft. In addition, some designs appear to be only suitable for statically connecting the sulky shafts to the harness and may be unsuitably inflexible to allow independent cushioning of the sulky shafts during normal racing conditions. Furthermore, the designs all appear to rely on an interference fit between the sulky shaft end and the harness connector, which may not be suitable to enable independent extension and retraction of the sulky shafts during racing and banking.  
         [0011]     Thus there is a need for an improved racing sulky shaft connector device and shaft connector member thereof.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention reduces the difficulties and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a sulky shaft connector device for use with a racing sulky harness that allows a racehorse harnessed thereto to reach and maintain maximum speed with a significantly more natural gait. To achieve this, a novel ball and socket connection allows a frame, to which the harness is connected, to damply slide along a vertical path of travel relative to a sulky shaft end and to also rotate laterally relative thereto. Moreover, the device is quick fit to allow easy assembly and disassembly from the sulky shaft via a male-female type sulky shaft connector member that is also removably connected to the sulky shaft. The rounded profile of the male end ensures a self-alignment of the two mating connector member parts. Advantageously, this arrangement significantly reduces the workload placed on the horse during a race and increases the horse&#39;s athletic performance, while significantly reducing injuries to the horse&#39;s upper body and lower legs.  
         [0013]     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sulky shaft connector device for use with a horse harness, the device comprising: a frame for connecting the horse harness thereto, the frame having a first frame end and a second frame end that is spaced apart from the first frame end; and a sulky shaft end member that is connected to a sulky shaft, the frame being movably connected to the sulky shaft end member, the sulky shaft end member being located between the first frame end and the second frame end, the first frame end and the second frame end being movable relative to the sulky shaft end member.  
         [0014]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sulky shaft connector member for interconnecting a shaft of a sulky and a sulky shaft connector connected. to a horse harness, the sulky shaft connector member comprising: a male connector member releasably connecting to a female connector member connected to the sulky shaft connector, the male connector member having a free end adapted for engagement and registration with a lumen of the sulky shaft.  
         [0015]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided. herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following Figures, in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a simplified perspective view of a racing sulky with a sulky shaft connector device of the present invention harnessed to a racehorse;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a simplified perspective exploded view of the sulky and the sulky shaft connector device of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a simplified perspective exploded view of the sulky shaft connector device and the sulky shaft connector member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a simplified side view of the shaft connector device of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is simplified partially broken front view of the shaft connector device of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0022]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are an enlarged broken section views of the quick release connector of  FIG. 3  in a releasing configuration and in a locking configuration; respectively. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a racing sulky is shown generally at  10 . Broadly speaking, the sulky  10  includes a frame  12 , a pair of forks  14 , a pair of wheels  16 , two elongate sulky shafts  18  and a seat  20 . A harness  22  and reins  24  respectively provide a means of connecting the sulky  10  to a horse  26  and controlling the horse  26 .  
         [0024]     The frame  12  includes a rear cross connector bar  28  to which the two forks  14  are connected. Typically, the forks  14  are welded to the cross connector bar  28 , but maybe part of a single piece of material which is machined and formed into the two forks  14 . In accordance with the present invention, the forks  14  are angled away from the rear end  30  of the horse  26  and locate a rider&#39;s center of mass  34  behind the wheel&#39;s axles  24 . Since both forks  14  are essentially identical, only one will be described in detail. The fork  14  includes two spaced apart struts  36 ,  37  that form a gap  38  of sufficient width to allow the wheel  16  to be mounted therebetween on the axle  24 . The wheel  16  is connected to a lower end  34  of the struts  36 ,  37  using conventional fasteners. Preferably, the forks  14  are angled away from a generally vertical y-axis  40  at an angle of from about 1° to about 40°. More preferably, the forks  14  are angled away from the y-axis  40  at about 20°. The fork  14  is made from a straight, generally elongate rectangular piece of substantially rigid, non-resilient material, such as steel and the like.  
         [0025]     For greater wheel tracking and cornering around a banked racetrack, the forks  14  are also connected to the cross connector bar  28  such that they are cambered at from about 0.5° to about 5°, more typically at about 2° from the y-axis  40  when viewed from the sulky rear.  
         [0026]     As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the seat  20  is connected to the cross connector bar  28  and typically is adjustably mounted on two seat support shafts  42  which allow the seat  20  to be adjusted towards or away from the rear end of the horse  26  depending upon the weight of the rider. Conventional adjustment means (not shown) known to those skilled in the art are typically used. A pair of footrests or stirrups  43  are connected to the cross connector bar  28  are generally orthogonal relative thereto against which the rider rests his heels during operation of the sulky  10 . The stirrups  43  may be adjusted to conform to the rider&#39;s height.  
         [0027]     The two elongate sulky shafts  18  are spaced apart and connected to the end portions  44  of the cross connector bar  28 . Each sulky shaft  18  is angled inwardly towards the sides of the horse  26  so that they may be connected to the harness  22  as will be described in more detail below. Since each sulky shaft  18  is essentially identical, only one will now be described in detail.  
         [0028]     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the sulky shaft  18 , are typically of tubular construction and include a front portion  46  and a rear portion  48 . The front portion  46  includes a lumen  50  sized to receive therein a sulky shaft connector member  52 , which is part of a sulky shaft connector device  70  of the present invention. The front portion  46  is angled such that when the sulky  10  is harnessed, the front portion  46  lies generally parallel to the ground. The rear portion  48  may be connected to the cross connector bar  28  by welding or may be of a unitary construction. The sulky shaft  18  is angled upwardly away from the ground to enable the correct racing form to be achieved once the sulky  10  is connected to the harness  22 .  
         [0029]     A pair of stabilizer bars  54  are connected to the cross connector bar  28  and are located outside of the sulky shaft rear portions  48 . Each stabilizer bar  54  is angled towards a connector point  56  located on the sulky shafts  18 . A connector collar  58  connects the stabilizer bars  54  to their respective sulky shafts  18  in a triangular configuration.  
         [0030]     Each of the lower end  34  of the struts  36 ,  37  is typically machined to be angled away from the ground and includes a strut connector  60 ,  61  to which an inner wheel stabilizer shaft  62  and an outer wheel stabilizer shaft  64  are respectively connected. The outer wheel stabilizer shaft  64  extends from the lower end  34  of the strut  36  and is connected to the sulky shaft  18  at the connector collar  58 . The outer wheel stabilizer shaft  64  is angled inwardly to connect with the connector collar  58 . The inner wheel stabilizer shaft  62  extends from the lower end  34  of the struts  37  and is connected to the outer wheel stabilizer shaft  64  at a connector sleeve  66 .  
         [0031]     Two triangular shaped connector pieces  68  interconnect the sulky shaft  18 , the stabilizer bar  54  and the outer wheel stabilizer shaft  64  and strengthen the sulky  10  and minimizes vertical and lateral movements of the sulky  10  during operation.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4 ,  5  and  7 , the sulky shaft connector device  70  of the present invention is used together with the horse harness  22  to enable the sulky  10  to be connected to the horse  26 . Since two sulky shaft connector devices  70  are used on either side of the horse  26  and are essentially identical, only one will be described in detail. Broadly speaking, the sulky shaft connector device  70  includes a frame  74 , a sulky shaft end member  76  connected to the sulky shaft connector member  52 .  
         [0033]     As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the frame  74  is connected to the harness  22  using a strap  78 . The frame  74  includes two belt connector members  81 ,  82 , ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) although one skilled in the art will recognize that the strap  78  could be connected to the frame  74  using one of the belt connector members  81  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, one skilled in the art will also recognize that many different types of strap connector are available and may be used with the frame  74  without deviating from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0034]     The frame  74  includes an upper frame end  84  and a lower frame end  86  that are axially spaced apart. The frame ends  84 ,  86  are generally flat plate portions that are generally parallel to each other interconnected by an intermediate portion  90  having a projection  92  for stabilizing the strap  78  once the strap has been connected to the frame  74 . The frame end  84  has an elongate curved extension  85  incorporating an arcuate slot  202 .  
         [0035]     A connector shaft  79  is connected between the upper frame end portion  84  and the lower frame end portion  86  with an axis  80 . The upper end of the connector shaft  79  is slidably movable within the arcuate slot  202 , whilst the lower end of the connector shaft  79  is pivotally mounted on the lower frame end  86  by means of a pin  200 . The connector shaft  79  between the upper frame end  84  and the lower frame end  86  defines a limited path of travel for the frame ends  84 ,  86  to move relative to the sulky shaft end member  76 . One skilled in the art will also recognize that the sulky shaft end member  76  may also move along the path of travel between the upper frame end  84  and the lower frame end  86 .  
         [0036]     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5  the sulky shaft end member  76  includes a socket  96  with a socket opening  98  and a ball member  100  rotatably mounted in the socket opening  98 . The socket  96  includes a socket inner sidewall  101  that is concave to rotatably mount the ball member  100  therein. The ball member  100  includes an axial bore  102  and two flattened ends  104 ,  106 . The axial bore  102  is sized to accommodate the connector shaft  79  therein and to allow the ball member  100  to slide towards and away from the frame upper end  84  and the frame lower end  86  along the restricted path of travel.  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 4 , and  5 , two compression springs  124 ,  126  are mounted on the shaft  79 . The upper compression spring  124  is located between the upper end  84  of the frame  74  and the sulky shaft end member  76 , whereas the lower compression spring  126  is located between the lower end  86  of the frame  74  and the sulky shaft end member  76 . The springs  124 ,  126  bias and center the sulky shaft end member  76  between the two spaced apart upper and lower frame ends  84 ,  86  of the frame  74 . This enables the upper and lower ends  84 ,  86  of the frame  74 , which is connected directly to the horse harness  22 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , to move independently of the sulky shaft end member  76  and relative thereto, along, a generally vertical path of travel and also to rotate laterally relative thereto. Since the identical arrangement is found on both sides of the horse, the independent movement and cushioning effect of the both sulky shaft connector devices  70  compensates for the up and down movement of the horse&#39;s sides during the normal running gait and also compensates for the differences in horse&#39;s body positioning when the horse is cornering around the banked track. The sulky shaft connector device also compensates for increased banking in turns, typically about 12°, while allowing the front portion of the outer sulky shaft, away from the inner part of the track, to rise in direct proportion to the outer wheel, which is raised to a position higher than the inner wheel. Moreover, the ball member  100  is able to rotate within the socket  96 , as best illustrated by the arrows in  FIG. 3 , and compensate for any rotation of the sulky shaft  18  during movement of the horse. While an independent spring and shaft cushioning or suspension system is illustrated, one skilled in the art will readily understand that other independent cushioning or suspension systems may also be employed without deviating from the scope of the invention. Examples of other cushioning or suspension systems include, but are not limited, to hydraulic systems, gas dampers, and the like.  
         [0038]     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the socket  96  is located at the end of a female connector fitting  300  providing a generally cylindrical cavity  302  with a mouth  304  for the reception of a male connector member  306  formed with a profiled head  307  of hemispherical form provided with an adjacent circumferential groove  308 . The fitting  300  has on its cylindrical wall  301  an entry housing  310  within which is resiliently mounted a detent  312  engageable within the groove  308 . The detent includes stub shaft portion  313  around which is located an open coil compression spring  315  held in place on the stub shaft portion  313  between a washer or circlip  317  and a shoulder  319  within the housing  310 . The stub shaft portion leads to a knob  320  having a flare  321  for abutment with the exterior of the housing  310  on the other side of the shoulder  319 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the male connector member  306  has a through hole  329  extending radially there through at its end remote from the head  307  and receiving a quick release assembly  330  (shown in a releasing configuration in  FIG. 3 ) provided with an operating lever  332  pivotally and radially mounted at  333  on an end of a screw  336  and having a cam face  334  contacting a clamping actuator  335  that is axially and slidably moving along the screw  336 . The screw  336  extends into the through hole  329  for registration within a hole  340  provided near the end of front portion  46  of the sulky shaft  18  for clamping the same between the actuator  335  and a nut  337  removably connected to the opposite end of the screw  336 .  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0040]     A typical operation of the sulky shaft connector device  70  will now be described beginning with the sulky  10  disassembled from the harness  22 . The rider inserts the male connector member  306  into the lumen  50  of the front portion  46  of each shaft  18  and registers the through hole  329  with the hole  340  and inserts the screw  336  there through and attaches nut  337  to the screw  336  and then operates the lever  332  in the tightening direction T ( FIG. 3 ) such that the cam face  334  contacts the clamping actuator  335  to secure the male connector member  306  onto the shaft end. The head  307  is then pushed into the cavity  302  (the final axial alignment being ensured by the rounded profile of the head  307  when engaging the cavity  302 ) wherein the hemispherical head abuts the resiliently biased detent  312  moving against the action of the spring  315  until the detent  312  is forced thereby into registration within the groove  308  (or the detent  312  is simply pulled radially outwardly by the operator fir insertion of the head  307 ). The shaft  18  is thus positively connected to the harness via the connector  52 .  
         [0041]     The reverse procedure is adopted to disconnect the shaft from the harness. The rider pulls the knob  320  to remove the detent  312  from the groove  308  allowing release of the head  307  which may then be withdrawn from the cavity  302 . Likewise the rider operates the lever  332  in the releasing direction R ( FIG. 3 ) to release the clamp actuator  335  thus allowing withdrawal of the screw  336  from holes  329 ,  340  (after removing nut  337  from screw  336 ) and then withdrawal of the male connector member  306  from the lumen  50 .  
         [0042]     Once the horse  26  begins to move, the frame  74  moves up and down relative to the ball member  100  and the socket  96  (as illustrated by the arrows in  FIG. 4 ). The ball member  100  and the socket  96  arrangement enables multidirectional pivotal movement of the sulky shaft connector device  70  relative to the sulky shaft  18  (as illustrated by the arrows in  FIG. 3 ), which compensates for the horse&#39;s movements during racing and significantly reduces or essentially eliminates sulky shaft lateral movement. Furthermore, movement of the frame  74  about the connector shaft  79  is possible by virtue of travel thereof within the slot  202 , thus permitting a degree of multi-plane flexibility as between the horse and the harness.  
         [0043]     Once assembled, the rider, if desired adjusts the seat  20  and mounts the sulky  10 . During racing, the sulky shaft connector device  70  with the compression springs  124 ,  126 , located on each side of the horse, operate as independent suspension and cushioning systems of the sulky  10 .  
         [0044]     Furthermore, as shown more specifically in  FIG. 4 , the intermediate portion  90  of the frame  74  is typically angled from the vertical, and from the connector shaft  79 , by an angle A of between about 5° and about 15°, preferably about 10°. Accordingly, the intermediate portion  90  follows the harness strap  78  line of direction forward by angle A off the vertical such that the connector shaft  79  remains substantially vertical when the frame  74  is connected to the horse  26 . The surface  95  of the intermediate portion  90  facing the horse  26  is generally concave to follow the body shape of the horse  26 .  
         [0045]     Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.