HEADPLATE AND TREE SYSTEM FOR A SADDLE

Abstract: There is disclosed a headplate suitable to form part of a tree of a saddle, the headplate comprising: a first plate member 1 intended in use to lie on one side of the withers; a second plate member 2 intended in use to lie on the other side of the withers, the second plate member 2 being directly or indirectly connected to the first plate member 1 and being able to undergo pivotal movement with respect thereto; and adjustable fixing means 12 capable of securing the first plate member 1 relative to the second plate member 2 at different angles relative to each other. Also disclosed are a saddle tree which incorporates such a headplate, and a saddle which incorporates such a tree. The headplate makes it possible for the same saddle to fit horses of different sizes.

Description: This invention relates to a headplate suitable to form part of a tree of a saddle, and to a tree incorporating the headplate, as well as a saddle incorporating the tree. In the construction of saddles for horse-riding, a frame which is known as a tree is used. This tree may be made of a single piece, which is generally wood, although any other suitable strong material such as composites may be used, and such a tree is known as a "fixed tree". Alternatively the tree may be made more flexible by the use of laminated strips of wood, or again other materials such as composites, which are generally reinforced by lengths of metal, such trees being known as "spring trees". Some trees, especially conventional spring trees, include a gullet plate, which is also known as a headplate, and which comprises two arcuate plates, commonly of metal, one of which overlies the other, and which are fixed together sandwiching another component of the tree in the pommel area. These plates serve to reinforce the saddle tree in this area. A conventional spring tree also includes two spring members, commonly strips of metal, which extend from the headplate area of the tree to the cantle area. These spring members govern flexion of the saddle in the seat area. To complete the construction of the saddle a covering, which is known as flocking and generally consists of leather and padding, is then fitted around the saddle tree. Conventionally, only a few sizes of tree are available, so the flocking is used to compensate for any difference in shape and size between the horse's withers and the saddle tree. Thus a considerable amount of padding is necessary in this area, which reduces the sensitivity of contact between the rider and the horse. Also, the flocking settles within a few hours of use to fit the shape and size of a particular horse at a particular time, and thereafter may not be varied. Therefore a separate saddle will be needed for each horse, and even this may not fit perfectly all the time, since the shape and size of the horse's withers may vary, for instance with the season. After construction, the stiffness of the spring members in the seat area is also fixed. Thus the saddle will not be suitable for use by riders of widely varying weights, since each will require a different degree of tension in the springs, to protect the horse's back whilst allowing sufficient contact with the rider. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a headplate suitable to serve as reinforcement for a head of a tree of a saddle, the headplate comprising: a rigid first member (1) intended in use to lie on one side of the withers, the first member (1) having an upper plate (7a) intended to overlie part of one side of the head and, rigidly spaced from the upper plate (7a), a lower plate (8a) intended to underlie part of the one side of the head; a rigid second member (2) intended in use to lie on the other side of the withers, the second member (2) having an upper plate (7b) intended to overlie part of the other side of the head and, rigidly spaced from the upper plate (7b), a lower plate (8b) intended to underlie part of the other side of the head, the second member (2) being connected to the first member (1) and being able to undergo pivotal movement with respect thereto; and compact, instantly adjustable fixing means capable of securing the first member (1) relative to the second member (2) at an infinitely variable angle over a predetermined range, the fixing means including a screwthreaded member (12) having a first end region (13 or 14) which is provided with a right handed screwthread and a second end region (14 or 13) which is provided with a left handed screwthread, which screwthreads engage with barrel nuts (10a, 10b) located in apertures (11a, 11b) located in the first and second members (1, 2) respectively, so that rotation of the screwthreaded member (12) causes the first and second members to move inwards together or outwards together. To assist understanding of the invention, in the foregoing counterpart to the main claim there have been introduced, by way of example only, the reference numerals of the relevant components of one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Preferably, the first and second members are directly pivotally connected, although there may be several pivotally connected members. The members may conveniently be connected by means of a hinge. The first and second members are preferably formed so that their major part is of the same shape as the conventional headplate; that is, the two plates of each member extend from the hinge area to lie above and below, and thereby to sandwich in the pommel area, the head component of the tree which extends from the pommel area to the cantle area. To provide rigidity in the headplate, each of the first and second members is preferably formed by casting. The barrel nuts provide for compensation for the relative change in the position of the first and second members. Access to the screwthreaded member may be provided, for example, by an axial extension which passes through a hole in one of the first and second members of the tree, but the screwthreaded member is preferably provided with radially extending holes in its central portion, into which may be inserted the point of a tool which may be used to turn the screwthreaded member. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a saddle tree including the headplate according to the first aspect of the invention. This tree may be a fixed tree, but is preferably a spring tree. According to a preferred embodiment of a spring tree of the invention, there is provided means for varying the tension of the spring members of the spring tree. This may be achieved by the provision of adjustable means capable of causing movement of the spring members in a manner such as to vary the tension therein. This may conveniently be achieved by fixing the spring members at one end region, having a pivoting point at an intermediate portion, and providing means by which the other end region of the spring member may be moved towards or away from the rest of the saddle tree. This movement may be achieved for example by means of a screwthreaded member which may be turned by inserting a coin into a slot at one end of that member. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a saddle having as its core a saddle tree according to the second aspect of the invention. For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a headplate according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled headplate of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of the complete saddle tree incorporating the headplate of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is another view of the complete saddle tree of Figure 3. Figure 1 shows first and second plate members 1 and 2, which are substantially mirror images of each other. The plate members 1 and 2 are provided at a first end with respective protrusions 3 and 4 which constitute hinge components and fit together to receive a hinge pin 5. The hinge pin 5 is provided with circular clips 6 at each end which serve as detents to secure the hinge pin 5. Portions 7a, 8a and 7b, 8b extend from the hinge means 3 and 4 of each plate member 1 and 2, the portions 7a and 7b overlying, and being spaced from, the portions 8a and 8b. The portions 8a, 8b further extend to form what are known as points 9a, 9b. Barrels 10a, 10b each having a radial internal screwthread are rotatably received in apertures 11a, 11b on the plate members 1 and 2. A screwthreaded pin 12 is provided at one end portion with a left handed screwthread 13 and at the other end portion with a right handed screwthread 14, which are inserted into the barrels 10a, 10b through openings in the respective plate members 1 and 2. A raised central portion 15 on the screwthreaded pin 12 is provided with radially extending apertures 16 which may receive the end 17 of a tool 18. Referring now to Figure 3, the headplate when incorporated in a saddle tree serves to reinforce the the main component 20 of the saddle tree in the pommel area. Portions 7a and 8a, and 7b and 8b, of each plate member sandwich the component 20 and are fixed to it. The component 20 is also reinforced, as shown in Figure 4, by an arcuate member 21 at the cantle area and by two members 22 extending from the arcuate member 21 towards the plate members 1 and 2. Two elongate spring members 23 are attached at one end region to the arcuate member 21 at the cantle end of of the saddle tree. The spring members 23 are bent at intermediate points 24, which rest against the headplate members 1 and 2 and serve as pivotal points. At the other end region 25 they are attached to the headplate members 1 and 2, by means of screws 26 which extend through the spring members 23 into the plate members 1 and 2. In use, the spring tree is covered by flocking, with a top coat of leather. The covering may be drawn apart to provide access to the screwthreaded pin 12. The point 17 of the tool 18 is inserted into the radially extending apertures 16, and the tool 18 is then used to turn the screwthreaded pin 12, which causes the plate members 1 and 2 to move inwards together or to move outwards together. This action either reduces or enlarges the angle of the pommel area of the saddle, thus allowing adjustment of the saddle to fit the horse's withers. The flocking may also be parted to provide access to the screws 26. Each screw 26 may be adjusted by inserting a coin into a slot 27 on the head of the screw 26. Tightening the screw 26 will cause the end 25 of the spring member 23 to move towards the respective plate member, and thus the spring member 23 will bend between the pivotal point 24 and the cantle end to provide a firmer seat. Conversely undoing the screws 26 will allow the end 25 of the spring member 23 to move away from the respective plate member and thus the spring member 23 will return to a straighter position, giving a less firm support.

Claims: 1. A headplate suitable to serve as reinforcement for a head of a tree of a saddle, the headplate comprising: a rigid first member intended in use to lie on one side of the withers, the first member having an upper plate intended to overlie part of one side of the head and, rigidly spaced from the upper plate, a lower plate intended to underlie part of the one side of the head; a rigid second member intended in use to lie on the other side of the withers, the second member having an upper plate intended to overlie part of the other side of the head and, rigidly spaced from the upper plate, a lower plate intended to underlie part of the other side of the head, the second member being connected to the first member and being able to undergo pivotal movement with respect thereto; and compact, instantly adjustable fixing means capable of securing the first member relative to the second member at an infinitely variable angle over a predetermined range, the fixing means including a screwthreaded member having a first end region which is provided with a right handed screwthread and a second end region which is provided with a left handed screwthread, which screwthreads engage with barrel nuts located in apertures located in the first and second members respectively, so that rotation of the screwthreaded member causes the first and second members to move inwards together or outwards together. 2. A headplate as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second members are directly connected to each other in a pivotable manner. 3. A headplate as claimed in claim 2, in which the first and second members are provided with hinge means which are connected in a pivotable manner by a pin which extends through the hinge means. 4. A headplate as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which an intermediate portion of the screwthreaded member is provided with a plurality of radially extending holes into which may be inserted the point of a tool in order to turn the screwthreaded member. 5. A headplate as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which access to the screwthreaded member is provided by an axial extension which passes through a hole in one of the first and second members. 6. A reinforced tree for a saddle, which tree includes a headplate as claimed in any preceding claim. 7. A saddle tree as claimed in claim 6, which is a spring tree having spring members. 8. A saddle tree as claimed in claim 7, which also includes means for varying the tension of the spring members of the spring tree, these means being capable of causing movement of the spring members in a manner such as to vary the tension therein. 9. A saddle having as its core a saddle tree as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8.

Inventors: PELLEW, PETER IRVING, THE HON
Applicants: WELLEP INTERNATIONAL (UK) LIMITED
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B68C1
IPC codes: B68C1