Abstract:
The present invention is a wrap designed to protect the saddle horn when a lariat rope is dallied around it and pressure applied, as when roping cattle in the sports of team and calf roping. The horn wrap consists of a strap having desired elasticity and durability, as well as a sufficient coefficient of friction. The horn wrap can have one or two apertures at the tips which can be pulled over the saddle horn and act to attach the horn wrap to the saddle horn. Generally anticipated to be in a generally bell shape, the attachment pieces act to protect the saddle pommel near the base of the saddle horn. The horn wrap may be beveled near its edges so as to allow for smooth layers on the saddle horn which can increase the contact of the rope to the saddle horn to increase the friction resisting the dally sliding when weight is applied to the rope.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/288,985 filed on 24 Oct. 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,992,366 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Applicants&#39; invention relates to a device for protecting the saddle horn and swells of a saddle. More particularly, it relates to a wrap designed to protect the saddle horn and swells when a lariat rope is dallied around it and pressure applied, as when roping cattle in the sports of team and calf roping. 
     2. Background Information 
     Roping cattle from horseback is a historical process that many recognize. Branding and doctoring the cattle necessitated that cowboys capture the animals, and early ranches where this process completed without the benefit or aid or pens and specialized shoots necessitated a very specific skill of the cowboys, as well as necessitating specialized equipment. Part of this specialized equipment included development of the western saddle. These skills and equipment in practice in many places yet today. 
     Many people are also familiar with the transition that was made of the various roping styles to rodeo events. One of the roping styles that found its way to the rodeo arena, and continues to grow in popularity, is the sport of team roping. Team roping, as its name implies, is an event that is completed by two ropers. The first roper, called the header, ropes the animals first and either ropes the animal around the neck or, more preferably, around the horns. The second roper, called the healer, waits for the header to slow the animal and turn the animal at an approximate 90-degree angle before roping the animal&#39;s hind legs. 
     In a typical rodeo run, the steer is placed in a starting gate called a shoot. Behind the shoot is a three-sided area called the box in which the header and healer start on their horses. Traditionally, the header and healer were in a double-box to the rear and on the right side of the steer. However, in the last few decades, it has become most common that the header starts in a box to the rear and on the left side of the steer, while the healer starts in a box to the rear and on the right side of the steer. The header calls for the steer to be released by nodding his head or otherwise indicating his readiness. The steer is given a designated head start, called a score, and the ropers (or at least the header) are required to wait in the box until the steer reaches a certain point, at which time they can leave the box in pursuit of the steer. 
     Once the ropers leave the box, their horses chase the steer an attempt to close the distance between the animals. As the header gets closer to the steer, he generally attempts to arrive to the rear of the animal close enough to rope it and slightly to its left. Meanwhile, the healer rates his horse back and to the right of the steer such that he is ready to close the gap after the header ropes, but also he can attempt to help keep the steer from ducking to the right. 
     Once the roper has gotten close enough to the steer to rope, he ropes the steer around the horns or neck and pulls his slack to tighten the loop around the steer&#39;s horns. He then takes a couple of wraps around his saddle horn with the free end of the rope (the “dally”) so that the steer is effectively attached by the rope to the saddle of the horse and rider. The header then signals his horse to slow which also slows the steer slightly. Then he turns his head horse off to the left at approximately a 90-degree angle such that the steer is then pulled to the left as well. Once the steer changes directions, the healer is then allowed to take his throw at the heels of the steer. He attempts to rope both hind feet, although roping one hind foot is a legal catch as well, albeit one with a penalty. Once the healer ropes the hind feet, he dallies his rope as well and stops his horse. The header continues until he takes the slack out of his rope, then turns his horse to face the steer, leaving the steer immobilized between the two horses. 
     The western saddle was traditionally, and is still, used on working horses on cattle ranches throughout the United States, particularly in the west. They are the “cowboy” saddles familiar to movie viewers and rodeo fans. The western saddle is characterized as allowing great freedom of movement to the horse, and security to the rider and strong control of the horse. One extremely functional item is virtually always identified with the western saddle—the saddle “horn.” 
     As is evident from the description of team roping above, the saddle horn is integral to roping cattle, whether it is in team roping as described above, or in branding, doctoring, tie-down calf roping, or other instances in which an animal is roped and snubbed to the roper&#39;s saddle. The saddle horn allows cowboys to control cattle by use of a rope around the neck, horns, or legs of the animal, tied or dallied around the horn. A “dally” is the term for when the rope is wrapped around the horn, without a knot, to cinch the bovine to the saddle. The free end of the rope is wrapped around the horn and held by the cowboy. The cowboy can then hold the free end tight or let it slide around the horn to best control the cow. Given that the horn must thus accept the weight of both the horse and steer, the horn is subject to extreme pressure. Likewise, as the dally is tighten, or is allowed to slide, there is an enormous amount of friction developed between the rope and the saddle horn. 
     The saddle horn is generally covered with leather or raw-hide and is susceptible to being damaged by the friction. As a result, cowboys often wrap their saddle horns with protective material that can be disposed of as it becomes damaged by the friction, removed, and replaced. 
     Probably the most common and popular of modern horn wraps are strips of rubble inner tube, where the strips are cut perpendicular to the tube so that a circle of rubber stripping is obtained. The strip is then pulled and stretched about the saddle horn until it is tight and covers the horn. It is then tied onto itself. 
     Other horn protective materials have been developed, such as the saddle horn friction fitting described by Jones in U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,006. The &#39;006 patent describes a hollow cylindrical fitting piece of rubber sized with an inner diameter sufficiently undersized in relation to the saddle horn that it achieves a tight, tensioned fit over the saddle horn. In practice however, in order for the single piece unit to be sufficiently tight to keep from turning when under the stress of a daily, it is so small that it is extremely difficult to install on the saddle horn. Likewise, when it needs to be replaced, it is very hard to remove, or it must either be cut off, creating the possibility of damaging the saddle horn. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention consists of a horn wrap. The present invention provides a novel apparatus that will protect the saddle horn. 
     The present invention also provides for a horn wrap having the following beneficial characteristics:
         a. even, smooth layers   b. wrap is reversible   c. increased contact with rope due to uniformity   d. protects pommel at base of saddle horn   e. easier application than traditional wraps and methods   f. increased useful life   g. variable wrap width   h. wrap tightens when dally applied   i. allows the user to adjust the length of the wrap to fit different sized saddles   j. reversible textured surface alternatively provides increased friction or increased shock absorption   k. wrap is not twisted on saddle horn       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 . is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2 . is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3 . is a sectional view of the present invention taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4 . is a top view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5 . is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6 . is a side elevation view of a saddle. 
         FIG. 7   a . is a front elevation view of a saddle. 
         FIG. 7   b . is a front elevation view of a saddle, and illustrating the present invention being applied to the saddle horn. 
         FIG. 7   c . is a front elevation view of a saddle, and illustrating the present invention being applied to the saddle horn. 
         FIG. 8 . is a perspective view of the horn wrap. 
         FIG. 9 . is a perspective view of the horn wrap with texturing. 
         FIG. 10 . is a schematic of a first embodiment of the texturing. 
         FIG. 11 . is a front elevation view of a saddle horn, and illustrating the multi-layered, non-twisted horn wrap on the saddle horn. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the figures in which like reference features indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Ref. No. 
                 Element 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 100  
                 Horn wrap 
               
               
                 10 
                 Strap 
               
               
                  10a 
                 Strap first end 
               
               
                  10b 
                 Strap second end 
               
               
                 12 
                 Strap bevel 
               
               
                 14 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 16 
                 Strap center 
               
               
                 18 
                 Strap edge 
               
               
                  20a 
                 First aperture 
               
               
                  20b 
                 Second aperture 
               
               
                  22a 
                 First bell attachment piece 
               
               
                  22b 
                 Second bell attachment piece 
               
               
                  24a 
                 First bell curvature axis 
               
               
                  24b 
                 Second bell curvature axis 
               
               
                  26a 
                 First tip 
               
               
                  26b 
                 Second tip 
               
               
                  28a 
                 First straight attachment piece 
               
               
                  28b 
                 Second straight attachment piece 
               
               
                 30 
                 Saddle 
               
               
                 32 
                 Horn cap 
               
               
                 34 
                 Horn 
               
               
                 36 
                 Gullet Slot 
               
               
                 38 
                 Seat 
               
               
                 40 
                 Pommel or Swells 
               
               
                 42 
                 Gullet 
               
               
                 44 
                 Rope 
               
               
                 46 
                 Cantle 
               
               
                 48 
                 Texturing 
               
               
                 50 
                 Outer layer 
               
               
                 A-A 
                 Horn wrap cross-sectional view 
               
               
                 B 
                 Livestock rope end 
               
               
                 C 
                 Rider rope end 
               
               
                 D 
                 Horn wrap binding direction 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  which illustrates Attention is first directed to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a first embodiment of the horn wrap  100 . The horn wrap  100  consists generally of a strap  10  having a first end  10   a  and a second end  10   b , and a first tip  26   a  and a second tip  26   b . The strap  10  is an elongated piece of material that may be made from a number of materials which exhibit desired characteristics. The desired characteristics include elasticity, and durability, as well as a sufficient coefficient of friction. 
     In its first embodiment, the horn wrap  100  incorporates first and second apertures  20   a  and  20   b  at the first and second tips  26   a  and  26   b . Additionally, the strap has a first width, while the first and second tips  26   a  and  26   b  may be formed into a first bell attachment piece  22   a  and a second bell attachment piece  22   b . The first and second bell attachment pieces  22   a  and  22   b  have broadened, second and third widths as compared to the first width of the strap  10 . While a first embodiment of the first and second bell attachment pieces  22   a  and  22   b  have been described herein as bell shaped, it is anticipated that the attachment pieces may be any shape that provides increased width as compared to the strap  10 , as such the attachment pieces could be manufactured in any of generally circular, oval, bell, square, rectangular, or other shapes. 
     In generally the center of the first and second bell attachment pieces  22   a  and  22   b  are first and second apertures  20   a  and  20   b . The first and second apertures  20   a  and  20   b  are sized such that they fit around the saddle horn  34 . Further, the elasticity of the horn wrap  100  and the first and second bell attachment pieces  22   a  and  22   b  allows the first and second apertures  20   a  and  20   b  to stretch over the horn cap  32 . 
     The strap  10  has a strap center  16  of a desired thickness. At both sides of the strap center  16  is a shoulder  14  and a strap edge  18 . The thickness of the strap  10  can narrow from the shoulder  14  to the strap edge  18 . This beveling allows the horn wrap  100 , when the edges  18  of the horn wrap  100  are lapped over themselves to be a relatively smooth surface presented on the horn  34 . 
     The first and second bell attachment pieces  22   a  and  22   b  are integrated into the ends of the strap  10 , and are designed for attachment to the horn  34  or to another portion of the saddle  30 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a second embodiment of the horn wrap  100 . Many of the same elements as in  FIG. 1  are evident. However, it is anticipated that the horn wrap  100  may be shaped so as to have the first and second bell attachment pieces  22   a  and  22   b  incorporate a curvature along the first and second bell curvature axis  24   a  and  24   b . This curvature of the first and second bell attachment pieces  22   a  and  22   b  provide for attachment of the horn wrap  100  over the horn  34  to fit closely against the pommel  40 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of the horn wrap  100  at the point as indicated in  FIG. 1  along axis A-A. This figure illustrates the greater thickness in the strap center  16  portion of the strap  10 , as well as the beveling of the strap  10  from the shoulder  14  to the strap edge  18 . The beveling is referred to as the strap bevel  12 . It is anticipated that the strap bevel  12  will be incorporated in to the strap  10  on both sides of the center axis. This will allow for the horn wrap  100  to be applied in either direction and with either side out from the horn  34 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the horn wrap  100 . In this embodiment, the horn wrap  100  incorporates first bell attachment piece  22   a  along with a second straight attachment piece  28   b . It is anticipated that the shape of the first bell attachment piece  22   a  would help protect the pommel  40  from friction and scoring applied by the rope  44 . However, it is also anticipated that the horn wrap  100  would act to protect the horn  34  regardless of whether the attachment pieces are straight or bell-shaped. Having a single bell attachment piece  22   a  as shown in this figure does allow for protection of the pommel  40  without having a bell-shaped attachment piece at both ends of the strap  10 . 
       FIG. 5  is another embodiment of the horn wrap  100 . In this figure, the horn wrap  100  is shown with first and second straight attachment pieces  28   a  and  28   b . In this embodiment, the strap  10  has a the first width, while the first and second straight attachment pieces  28   a  and  28   b  have second and third widths that are equal to the first width. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a saddle  30  having a horn  34  topped by a horn cap  32  at the front of the saddle  30 . The horn  34  is set atop a pommel  40  (also referred to as the swells) which is at the front of the seat  38 . The back of the seat  38  is the cantle  46 . The swells  40  are somewhat curved on the underneath creating an open area referred to as the gullet  42 . Where the seat  38  attaches to the pommel  40 , an opening is left near the center of the seat  38  where it attaches at the front to the pommel  40 . This aperture is referred to as the gullet slot  36 . 
     In most instances when a rope  44  is dallied about the horn  34 , it is done so in a counterclockwise direction. In this figure, the end of the rope  44  that is attached to the animal is at point B while the end of the rope  44  held by the rider is at point C. When weight is applied at the end of rope  44 , torque and friction is applied in a clockwise direction. In any case, torque and friction are applied in a direction opposite that of the direction of the dally taken by the rider. As stated above, it is typical that dallies are taken in a counterclockwise direction because most ropers are right-handed and right-handed ropers dally counterclockwise. 
     In order to best counteract the torque and friction applied to it by the weight, the horn wrap  100  is applied to the horn  34  in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow D. Applying the horn wrap  100  in the direction D, which is the same direction as the direction of torque as applied by the rope  44  results in the horn wrap  100  tightening about the horn  34  when torque and friction are applied by the rope  44 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a front view of the saddle  30 . It better illustrates the open area of the gullet  42  as circumscribed by the pommel  40 . It also indicates the general positioning of the horn  34 , horn cap  32  and gullet slot  36 . 
     In order to apply the horn wrap  100 , the first bell attachment piece  22   a  (in a first embodiment of the horn wrap  100 ) is applied about the horn  34 . The first tip  26   a  of the horn wrap  100  is thus anchored to the horn  34 . The second tip  26   b  of the horn wrap  100  can then be extended from the horn  34 , wrapped around the pommel  40  and through the gullet slot  36 . The horn wrap  100  can then be wrapped about the horn  34 . Once again, arrow D indicates the direction of the anticipated wrapping of the horn wrap  100 . However, the horn wrap  100  can be wrapped in either direction about the horn  34 , but should be wrapped in the direction opposition that the rider intends to apply the dally. 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates the horn wrap  100  further applied to the horn  34 . In this figure, the horn wrap  100  has been attached to the horn  34  via the first bell attachment piece  22 A. The horn wrap  100  has been wrapped around the pommel  40  through the gullet  42  and the gullet slot  36 . It has then been wrapped around the horn  34  in an even layering of the strap  10 . The second tip  26   b  can now be extended through the gullet slot  36  around the pommel  40  and through the gullet  42 , then applied around the horn cap  32  and anchored about the horn  34 . Applied in this manner, the horn wrap  100  presents a smooth surface on the horn  34  about which dally wraps may be taken. The smooth surface allows for virtually one hundred percent contact of the rope  44  to the horn wrap  100 . This allows for greater friction to be applied by the horn wrap  100  to the rope  44  helping to stop the animal at the end of rope  44 . Because both either of the first or second attachment pieces may be applied to the saddle horn  34  first, the horn wrap  100  may be used in orientation until such time as it becomes scorched and the rider wishes to remove it, flip it over and attach it as in a second orientation using the opposite attachment piece for the first attachment to the horn  34 . Likewise, the double strap bevel  12  allows for this secondary use as well. The horn wrap  100  and its first and second bell attachment pieces  22   a  and  22   b  act to protect both the horn  34  and the pommel  40 . The horn wrap  100  is easier to apply than traditional wraps because of the attachment pieces built into the horn wrap  100  itself. Further, because of the smooth, even layers of the horn wrap  100  as it is applied to the horn  34 , the horn wrap  100  enjoys a comparatively longer useful life. 
     Finally, the width of the strap  10  can be varied. A narrow strap  10  width allows for many turns by the strap  10  about the horn  34 , whereas a wider strap  10  width provides for quick application and only a few turns about the horn  34 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the horn wrap  100  in an embodiment that makes it sizable to the saddle  30  and horn  34 . The swell  40  shape and size of a saddle  30  will vary between different saddles  30 . The horn wrap  100  may have multiple first apertures  20   a  at the strap first end  10   a , and multiple second apertures  20   b  at the strap second end  10   b  in order to allow for more efficient sizing when applying the horn wrap  100  to the horn  34 .  FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment with four (4) first apertures  20   a  and two (2) second apertures  20   b , however it is anticipated that the horn wrap  100  may have additional or fewer apertures (not shown) at the strap first and second ends  10   a  and  10   b . The multiple apertures  20   a  and  20   b  also allow the user to add or subtract wraps of the horn wrap  100  around the horn  34 , thus making for thicker or thinner finished, wrapped dally horns  34 . Excess strap  10  may be cut off for better fit. Multiple apertures may be built into the horn wrap  100  at either the strap first end  10   a  or strap second end  10   b . Beginning the wrapping process at varying first apertures  20   a  near the strap first end  10   a  will cause the effective length of the strap  10  to be lengthened or shortened, and thus allow for more exact and user determined sizing of the horn wrap  100  on the horn  34 . The first apertures  10   a  may be called sizing holes. 
     The second apertures  10   b  may be called keeper holes. The second apertures  10   b  are used to make the final attachment of the horn wrap  100  to the horn  34  and finish the application. Having multiple second apertures  10   b  allows the user to reapply the wrap if the outermost second aperture  10   b  is damaged, thus prolonging the useful life of the horn wrap  100 . 
     The horn wrap  100  is made from a rubber compound or other elastic material. The elasticity helps maintain the constriction of the horn wrap  100  about the horn  34 , as well as size the horn wrap  100  to the horn  34 . The material also has a certain softness. The elasticity and softness of the horn wrap  100  give the horn wrap  100  its coefficient of friction or “bite” against the rope  44  when a dally is taken and weight is applied against the livestock rope end B. The horn wrap&#39;s  100  elasticity may be measured as a percent of elongation, or, how much the material will stretch in size before failing. The present invention anticipates horn wraps  100  having elasticities that range from 100% elongation to 2500% elongation. However, in a preferred embodiment, the horn wraps  100  having elasticities that range from 400% elongation to 1600% elongation. 
     The softness of the horn wrap  100  material is measured in durometers. Durometer is typically used as a measure of hardness in polymers, elastomers and rubbers, and have a value between 0 and 100, with higher values indicating a harder material. A udometer measures the depth of an indentation in the material created by a given force. The present invention anticipates horn wraps  100  having a softness that ranges from 30 to 60 durometers on the A scale. However, in a preferred embodiment, the horn wraps  100  have a softness that ranges from 40 to 55 durometers on the A scale. 
     By vary the softness and the elasticity of the horn wrap  100  material, the user can effectively select the general amount of bite or slide the horn wrap  100  will have. A horn wrap that is softer and more elastic will create a greater coefficient of friction and more bite, but will not have as long of a useful life. While a horn wrap that is harder and less elastic will create a lesser coefficient of friction and less bite, but will have a relatively longer useful life. 
     Other preferred characteristics of the horn wrap  100  material may be having a melting point temperature of 125° to 300° F., with the preferred embodiment having a melting point temperature of 125° to 225° F.; a tear strength of 125 to 325 psi, with the preferred embodiment having a tear strength of 170 to 225 psi; and a tensile strength of 1000 to 3500 psi, with the preferred embodiment having a tensile strength of 1500 to 2500 psi. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the horn wrap  100  having an area of surface texturing  48 . The texturing  48  of the horn wrap  100  can be used in varying ways as chosen by the user. The user&#39;s choice is made by how the user installs the horn wrap  100 . The user may choose to install the horn wrap  100  with the texturing  48  facing out, away from the saddle horn  34 , or with the texturing  48  facing in, toward the saddle horn  34 . The texturing  48  of the strap  10  may take many embodiments—ridges, bumps, grooves, lines, and may be patterned or irregular. 
     When the user takes a dally, and the rope  44  is wrapped around the horn  34 , the user holding the rope  44  at the rider rope end C anchors the rope as force is applied to the livestock rope end C. The livestock is able to be secured by the user, despite the weight of the livestock and the movement of the horse, due to the wraps of the rope  44  about the horn  34  and the friction of the rope  44 , created by the wraps, against the horn  34  and strap  10 . In order to enhance or minimize the coefficient of friction of the strap  10 , the horn wrap  100  is applied to the saddle horn  34  with the texturing  48  facing out. The type of texturing  48  may be varied so as to further increase or decrease the strap&#39;s  10  coefficient of friction. 
     Conversely, if the user installs the texturing  48  facing inward toward the horn  34 , then the texturing  48  will act to increase the shock absorbency of the horn wrap  100 . As is illustrated, the texturing  48  may be positioned along the strap  10  so that it will become the outermost layers of the horn wrap  100  when the strap  10  is installed on the saddle horn  34 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of the texturing  48 . The raised and recessed portions of the texturing  48  provide for increased/decreased friction or shock absorption depending upon whether the texturing is installed toward the horn  34 , or away from the horn  34 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the horn wrap  100  installed on a horn  34 . In this figure, the texturing  48  has been installed facing away from the horn  34 . Although there is a relatively small portion of the strap  10  that has texturing  48  (see  FIG. 9 ), the texturing  48  is placed on the strap such that when applied to the horn  34  the texturing  48  ends up being the outer layer  50  of the horn wrap  100 . 
     Application of the horn wrap  100  is accomplished by, from the seat  38 , inserting the strap first end  20   a  through the gullet  42  and placing the first aperture  20   a  over the horn  34 . the remainder of the strap  10  is wrapped clockwise (as viewed from above looking toward the front of the saddle  30 ) about the horn  34  until a short amount remains. It is generally advisable to wrap the first layer very tight, making sure there gaps or air bubbles. The remaining turns are kept tight, but not overly stretched, and keeping air from between the layers. On the outer wrap  50 , lower the strap  10  so that the strap edge  18  of the outer wrap  50  extends out over the swell  40 . From the right side of the horn  34 , insert the strap second end  10   b  through the gullet  42  and place the second aperture  20   b  over the horn  34 . The strap edge  18  that extends out over the swell  40  is rolled upward, and the strap  10  adjacent to the second aperture  20   b  is snugged up close to the horn  34 . The strap edge  18  is rolled back down and out over the swell  40 . If there are multiple second apertures  20   b  (or keeper holes), then this last step may be repeated. The horn wrap  100  as applied to a horn  34 , is a multilayered covering with no twists. Making the finished application&#39;s outer layer  50  relatively smooth. Further, the application process will create a covering that is somewhat concave, tending to urge the dally of a rope  44  toward the middle of the horn  34 . 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.