Abstract:
The present invention is for a multi rowel spur which provides for the rotational change of rowels on the spur while attached to the rider&#39; foot, thus allowing for individual adjustment of the spur rowel necessary during training and riding of the individual horse.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/934,908 entitled: Multiple Rowel Spur filed Jun. 15, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the field of riding spurs, and more particularly to spurs of the type having rotatable rowels mounted thereon. The riding spur of the present invention is particularly adapted to training and showing horses. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The utilization of riding spurs for cueing and training horses is well known. The incorporation of rotatable rowels mounted on spurs has been known for many years. However, prior art spurs have not been particularly suitable for differing horses or stages of accomplishment. For example, at differing stages of training and depending on the particular sensitivity of the individual horse it may be desirable to use a different type of rowel in order to achieve the desired movement from the horse. Unfortunately, for individuals riding multiple horses, such as a trainer, or for those performing multiple events it may be necessary to have multiple spurs with different rowels in order to achieve the desired movement without causing undue discomfort or harm to the horse. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it would be advantageous to devise a spur with multiple rowels and a method of changing the rowel, which address the drawbacks of current solutions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Briefly, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a riding spur is provided with a shank and rotatable rowel. A portion of the shank supporting the rotating rowels is a two stage configuration where the terminal portion of the shank rotates on its axis midway between its ends and locks into place with a spring loaded locking mechanism. The addition of a two stage rotating shank provides for the use of multiple types of rotating rowers on the same spur shank allowing for easy exchange between the different rowels. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view illustrating a multiple rowel spur in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the multiple rowel spur is shown attached to a boot; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the multiple rowel spur illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the multiple rowel spur illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of the multiple rowel spur illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the multi rowel spur. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0013]    Referring generally to  FIG. 1-4 , a multi rowel spur  100  is shown in a conventional U-shaped form having arms  110  and  120  extending forwardly of the wearer&#39;s boot. Notches  130  and  140  are formed in the arms  110  and  120  and may include suitable hinges or hinge pins (not shown) to permit convenient attachment to the wearer&#39;s boot. Normally, leather straps are used that are buttoned on metal buttons hinged to such hinge pins for securing the spur adjacent to and in contact with the wearer&#39;s boot. The spur  100  includes rearward extending arms  150  and  160  collectively known as the shank that terminate in a second stage shank supporting member  170 . The rearward extending arm, ( 150  or  160 ) includes a vertical attachment apparatus  220 . The vertical attachment apparatus  220  is configured to receive an attachment pin  230 , which connects a second stage shank locking mechanism  240  to the appropriate rearward extending arm ( 150  or  160 ). 
         [0014]    In a present embodiment, a second stage shank  180  has a centrally located pivot hole  200  formed therein through which a pivot pin  190  may attach the second stage shank  180  with the second stage shank supporting member  170 . The second stage shank  180  is formed with two locking holes  210 , one located on each side of the centrally located pivot hole  200 . The second stage shank  180  bifurcates at each end to provide for the attachment of the spur rowers. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment of the present invention, second stage shank  180  may pivot on the pivot pin  190  to reveal one rowel and locks into position on the rearward extending arms, ( 150  or  160 ) to create an extension of the shank while exposing only one of the multi rowers at a time. The locking mechanism  240  is configured with an integral pin  250  that travels through the shank ( 150  or  160 ) and is received into the second stage shank  180  at one of the two locking holes  210 . 
         [0016]    In further embodiments, the locking mechanism  240  is held in the locked position with pressure applied by the use of a spring device  260 . The spring device may be one of a leaf spring, a conventional spring, or any device that creates positional stability of the locking mechanism  240 . The spring device  260  is attached to the rearward extending arms ( 150  or  160 ) on the same side as the locking mechanism  240 . 
         [0017]    In further embodiments, the rowels on the second stage shank  180  are rotated by exerting sufficient force on the locking mechanism  240  to overcome the pressure supplied by the spring device  260 , thus releasing the integral pin  250  from the locking hole  210  and allowing for rotation of the second stage shank  180  and the exposure of the riders choice of rowers. The second stage shank  180  is then locked into place by releasing force on the locking mechanism  240  and aligning the integral pin  250  with the locking hole  210 . 
         [0018]    Referring generally to  FIG. 5 , a method for using a multi rowel spur is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A first rowel and a second rowel are attached to a second stage shank  180  at a first end and a second end of the second stage shank  180 . An assessment of a situational riding or training need is made according to the horse movement needs and desires of the rider, which then require selecting a rowel in accordance with the desired movement of the horse. Following selection of the rowel, if the selected rowel is not exposed, a locking mechanism  240  that holds the second stage shank  180  in lineal alignment is de-activated and the second stage shank  180  is rotated to expose the selected rowel. With the selected rowel exposed the locking mechanism  240  is activated to secure the second stage shank  180  in lineal alignment with the first stage shank and the selected rowel is exposed. 
         [0019]    In a further embodiment, the situational riding and or training needs may continually be re-assessed and the selected rowel may need to be changed. In the event that a change in the rowel is needed the locking mechanism  240  may need to be de-activated and the second stage shank  180  rotated to expose the selected rowel. Once the selected rowel is exposed the rowel is held in position by activating the locking mechanism  240 , which secures the second stage shank  180  in linear alignment with the first stage shank. 
         [0020]    It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.