Abstract:
Horse blankets and methods of making blankets are provided which result in improved fit, greater comfort, improved coverage on the horse, and/or a more secure fit when in use. One such blanket ( 100 ) includes a body of blanket material having right and left side portions ( 110 ). The right and left side portions are adapted to extend down the horse&#39;s right and left sides, respectively, when the body of blanket material lies on the horse&#39;s back. The tight and left side portions further include a curved back edge ( 124 ) adapted to reduce a length of a bottom edge ( 130 ) of the right and left side portions. The curved back edge helps allow for increased movement of the horse&#39;s back legs without the horse&#39;s legs rubbing on and/or being restrained by the blanket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to horse blankets, and more specifically, to horse blankets and methods of making blankets which provide improved fit and comfort.  
         [0002]     Horse blankets are commonly used to keep horses warm when they are not being ridden or worked. Blankets may range from a thin summer sheet similar to a T-shirt, to a thicker winter blanket. Blankets for outdoor use may be waterproof, while blankets used only in stables or indoors may not be waterproof. Typical blankets are nearly uniform in shape and generally hang straight down the sides of the horse. Blankets may or may not have attachment devices to keep the blanket on the horse should the horse be outside on a breezy day, or begin to trot, gallop, or the like. Some blankets have a front edge which abuts or partially covers the withers of the horse. If blankets fit too closely, the neckline at the withers can chafe or rub hair from the horse, causing discomfort. The straight-hanging horse blankets also may restrict leg movement of the horse when walking, trotting, or the like. Improvements are desired in fit and comfort.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to horse blankets, and more specifically, to horse blankets and methods of making blankets. Horse blankets of the present invention are designed to provide improved fit, greater comfort, improved coverage on the horse, and/or to provide for a more secure fit when in use on the horse.  
         [0004]     In one embodiment of the present invention, a horse blanket includes a body of blanket material having right and left side portions. The right and left side portions are adapted to extend down the horse&#39;s right and left sides, respectively, when the body of blanket material lies on the horse&#39;s back. The right and left side portions further include a curved back edge adapted to reduce a length of a bottom edge of the right and left side portions. The curved back edge helps allow for increased movement of the horse&#39;s back legs without the horse&#39;s legs rubbing on and/or being restrained by the blanket.  
         [0005]     In some aspects, the length of the bottom edges of the right and left side portions is less than the length of the centerline of the blanket, with the centerline extending along the horse&#39;s back. In this manner, the bottom edges of the blanket hanging to the sides of the horse are less likely to restrict movement of the horse&#39;s legs when the horse is in the field or otherwise moving about. In some aspects the curved back edges of the right and left side portions each include an undercut edge adapted to be adjacent to the horse&#39;s right and left thighs. In other aspects, the curved back edges each include a rearward extension that transitions into the undercut edge. The rearward extension may be used, for example, to provide further blanket coverage over the horse&#39;s hips and buttocks. In some aspects, the right and left side portions each further include a curved front edge adapted to reduce the right and left side portion sizes adjacent the horse&#39;s right and left forearms. In this manner, the curved front edge helps facilitate movement of the horse&#39;s front legs or forearms.  
         [0006]     In some aspects the horse blanket includes a coupler adapted to extend from the right side portion over the bottom edges to the left side portion. In other embodiments, the coupler is adapted to extend from the left side portion over the bottom edges to the right side portion. The coupler may comprise a surcingle, a buckle, a clip, or the like. The blanket may further include a coupler adapted to couple a front edge of the right side portion with a front edge of the left side portion. In this manner, the blanket is retained about the horse&#39;s chest. The front coupler may comprise a surcingle, a buckle, a clip, or the like.  
         [0007]     In some aspects, the blanket further includes a shoulder portion defining a neckline, with the shoulder portion having a dart formed therein. The dart may include a cutout along the neckline to help the blanket lay flat on the horse&#39;s shoulders. In one embodiment, the dart is a generally triangular-shaped folded portion of the neckline, with the dart adapted to encourage the shoulder portion to lay flat on the horse&#39;s shoulders. In some aspects, the right and left side portions each include a dart at the neckline.  
         [0008]     The blanket may further include a raised withers portion coupled to the right and left side portions. The raised withers portion is adapted to join a neckline of the right and left side portions. In one aspect, the withers portion includes a generally triangular-shaped segment of blanket material coupled to the right and left side portions, although other shapes may be used. The withers portion is adapted to lie generally flush with the horse&#39;s withers when the blanket is draped over the horse&#39;s back. In this manner, the raised withers portion lays over the horse&#39;s withers, but is not biased against the horse&#39;s withers which would cause unnecessary chafing, rubbing or irritation to the horse&#39;s neck or withers.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment of the present invention, a horse blanket includes a sheet of material having front and back edges and first and second side edges. The front and back edges are generally symmetric relative to a centerline of the material, with the centerline adapted to extend down a horse&#39;s back when the blanket is placed thereon. The back edge includes an undercut portion adjacent the first and second side edges. Similarly, the front edge may include an undercut portion adjacent the first and second side edges. In this manner, the first and second side edges may have a length that is less than a centerline length. The horse blanket may further comprise first and second darts in the front edge, with the darts positioned generally symmetric relative to the centerline. Further, in one aspect the back edge has two different radii of curvature extending from the centerline to each of the first and second side edges. In one embodiment, the back edge curves outward to cover the buttocks portion of the horse, and then curves inward, in an undercut fashion to allow greater freedom of movement for the horse&#39;s rear legs. The blanket may include one or more belly bands having a coupler, with the coupler comprising a wide range of couplers, including a surcingle set in one embodiment.  
         [0010]     The present invention further provides methods of making horse blankets. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a body of blanket material, with the body being substantially symmetric about a centerline. The body of blanket material has right and left portions that extend from the centerline. The method includes defining front and rear undercut edges in one or both of the right and left portions of the blanket material. The undercut edges reduce a length of a bottom edge of the right and/or left portions compared to a length of the centerline. In some aspects the method includes creating a dart in a neckline by a folding over of the blanket material at the dart location. In other aspects, the method includes creating a raised neckline by removing a portion of the right and left portions extending from a front edge to the centerline. The removed portion is substantially symmetric relative to the centerline. The method then includes attaching a blanket material insert that has a greater surface area than the removed portion. In this manner, greater room is provided for the horse at the horse&#39;s withers.  
         [0011]     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a simplified side view of a blanket according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a simplified side view of the blanket of  FIG. 1  transposed on a prior art blanket;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts the blanket of  FIG. 1  on a horse;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an overall view of a portion of a coupler for use with blankets of the present invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 5A-5E  are various views of a surcingle set coupler for use with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , an embodiment of a horse blanket  100  according to the present invention will be described. While this embodiment is described having multiple features, alternative embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of these features individually, or in combination. With respect to  FIG. 1 , horse blanket  100  has right and left side portions  110 . Only left side portion  110  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . In a preferred embodiment, horse blanket  100  is generally symmetrical in shape about a centerline  112 . In this embodiment, the right side portion of blanket  100  will have at least some of the features depicted in left side portion  110 . Blanket  100  has a back or rear edge  110  that transitions from centerline  112  to a bottom edge  130 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the use of front, back, top, and bottom are intended to describe the configuration of blanket  100  when draped over a horse  300  as shown in  FIG. 3 . When blanket  100  is not on a horse, the front, back, left, and right nomenclature may be reversed or altered.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment, back edge  120  has an extension  122  that extends outward from centerline  112  in the manner depicted in  FIG. 1 . Extension  122  is adapted to provide greater coverage on a horse&#39;s rump or buttocks. Back edge  120  may further include an undercut edge  124  that transitions to bottom edge  130 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , undercut edge  124  is adapted to lie generally adjacent a thigh portion of the horse&#39;s back leg  340 . In this manner, the horse&#39;s back leg  340  can take longer strides before engaging the blanket&#39;s undercut edge  124 . This provides increased comfort for the horse, and allows for increased range of motion compared to a straight hanging blanket. Blanket  100  further includes a front edge  140 . In one embodiment, front edge  140  includes an undercut edge  142  that extends from front edge  140  to bottom edge  130 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , front edge  142  lies generally adjacent a forearm or front leg  330  of horse  300 . In this manner, undercut edge  142  helps facilitate foreleg movement of horse  300  for greater comfort.  
         [0019]     In one embodiment, undercut edges  124  and/or  142  result in bottom edge  330  having a length  132  that is shorter than a length  114  of centerline  112 . This configuration again allows for freer movement of the horse&#39;s legs. As shown in  FIG. 1 , blanket  100  has a shoulder portion  150  that includes a neckline  152 . The neckline  152  may extend from front edge  140  to centerline  112 , along one or both side portions  110 . In one embodiment, neckline  152  incorporates a raised withers portion  160 . In one embodiment, withers portion  160  comprises a generally triangular piece of blanket material that extends from approximately centerline  112  to shoulder portion  150 . As shown, in one embodiment withers portion  160  further defines at least a part of neckline  152 . In this manner, raised withers portion  160  provides greater comfort and room at the horse&#39;s withers. This configuration helps avoid the rubbing of hair on horse  300 , which otherwise may be rubbed and fall off when using prior art blankets.  
         [0020]     In one embodiment, neckline  152  has a dart  154  formed therein. Dart  154  is formed in the neckline portion of left side portion  110 . Dart  154  also may be formed in the neckline of right side portion  110 . In one embodiment, dart  154  is a cutout or removed piece of shoulder portion  150 . In this embodiment, dart  154  helps shoulder portion  150  lie flatter against the horse&#39;s shoulders. In another embodiment, dart  154  comprises a folded over portion of the material used to make blanket  150 . The folded over material is then stitched, glued, or otherwise attached to adjoining material in shoulder portion  150 . In a particular embodiment, a stitching  192  is used to form dart  154 , as generally shown by the dashed line in  FIG. 1 . In this manner, dart  154  provides an increased thickness of blanket  100  at the dart location. In some embodiments, additional stitching is used about the general periphery of blanket  100  as shown by dotted line  190 . In one embodiment, adding darts  154  to the neckline helps shorten the neckline. In this manner, the front edges of the right and left side portions  110  are raised. Further, a front edge coupler  182  may be raised. This effect is particularly noticeable when darts  154  are formed by folding over a portion of the material used to make blanket  150 . As a result, blanket  100  has more room in the chest for the horse.  
         [0021]     To help maintain blanket  100  on horse  300 , blanket  100  may further include one or more couplers  170 . In one embodiment, coupler  170  includes one or more belly bands. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment a portion of first band  172  is stitched or otherwise attached to left side portion  110  of blanket  100 . First band  172  couples to a second band  174 . Second band  174  has an end or other segment that is coupled to the right side portion of blanket  100  (not seen in  FIG. 1 ). Second band  174  then extends underneath the horse, crossing over bottom edges  130  of both the left and right side portions of blanket  100 . A coupling mechanism  180  then operates to couple bands  172  and  174  together to help maintain blanket  100  on horse  300 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment two crossing second bands  174  are used to help affix blanket  100  to horse  300 . In one embodiment, bands  172  and  174  are coupled together on the left side portion of blanket  100  when blanket  100  is on horse  300 . In other embodiments, first band  172  passes under the horse and couples to band  174  on the right side portion of blanket  100 . Other band arrangements or combinations may be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, a single band may be used. Alternatively, two bands are used that do not cross as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Other coupling mechanisms also fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0022]     In some embodiments, blanket  100  further includes front edge coupler  182  as schematically depicted in  FIG. 1 . Front edge coupler  182  may include a coupling mechanism similar to coupler  170 . Coupler  182  may comprise, for example, a belt, surcingle, clip, latch, or the like. In one embodiment, front edge coupler  182  operates to couple front edge  140  of the right side portion to front edge  140  of left side portion  110 .  
         [0023]     Blanket  100  may be made from one or more sheets or pieces of waterproof blanket material, or non-waterproof material. In some embodiments, blanket  100  is a multi-layered blanket for use in colder climates or seasons. Alternatively, blanket  100  is a thinner material for use in warmer climates or warmer seasons.  
         [0024]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , blanket  100  is shown disposed over a prior-art blanket  200 . Undercut edges  124  and  142  provide increased leg room for a horse wearing blanket  100  compared to blanket  200 . In some embodiments, back edge  122  provides increased coverage over the horse&#39;s rump or buttocks. Further, withers portion  160  increases the comfort of blanket  100  when on the horse. In some embodiments, withers portion  160  provides increased room for the horse at the horse&#39;s withers or base of the neck.  
         [0025]     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment coupler  170  comprises first and second bands  172  and  174  having coupling mechanisms affixed thereto. Coupling mechanisms  180  are adapted to couple together, to help hold together bands  172  and  174 . In one embodiment, band  174  passes under the horse&#39;s belly and couples to left side portion  110  (as seen in  FIG. 3 ). Alternatively, coupling mechanisms  180  are disposed on the right side portion of blanket  100 . It may be desirable, in some embodiments, to have coupling mechanism  180  disposed on the left or right side of the horse as opposed to directly under the horse. This facilitates ease of use of coupling mechanism  180 , and also provides a blanket layer between coupling mechanism  180  and the horse.  
         [0026]     As depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 A- 5 E, in one embodiment coupling mechanism  180  comprises a surcingle set  500 . Surcingle set  500  may be similar or identical to coupling mechanism  180  used for blanket  100 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , surcingle set  500  includes a female piece  510  and a male piece  540 . Female piece  510  includes a slot  512  passing therethrough for attaching female piece  510  to a strap, band, or the like as shown in  FIG. 4 . Male portion  540  also includes a slot  542  for coupling male portion  540  to a strap or belt similar to bands  172 ,  174 . Female piece  510  includes a coupling hole  514 . In one embodiment, coupling hole  514  has a larger hole  520  and a smaller hole  518  connected together by a channel  516 .  
         [0027]     Coupling hole  514  is adapted to receive an extension  544  that extends from a surface of male piece  540 . Extension  544  may comprise a mushroom-shaped extension having a cap portion  546  supported by a stem  548 . Cap  546  has a larger width or diameter than does stem  548  to define a gap  550  between cap  546  and the surface of male piece  540  from which extension  544  extends. Gap  550  facilitates coupling of female and male pieces  510 ,  540 . Extension  544  may have additional shapes other than that depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5E .  
         [0028]     As can be seen in  FIG. 5C , extension member  544  fits into and through larger hole  520 . In this embodiment, the width or diameter of cap  546  is less than the width or diameter of larger hole  520 . One or both of male and female pieces  540 ,  510  are translated to slidably engage the two pieces. More specifically, female piece  510  slides under cap  546  into gap  550  as stem  548  slides along channel  516  and into smaller hole  518 . Once stem  548  is in smaller hole  518 , male piece  540  and female piece  510  are coupled together since the width or diameter of cap  546  is greater than the width or diameter of smaller hole  518 . Male and female pieces  540 ,  510  may be decoupled by sliding stem  548  back through channel  518  into larger opening  520 , and removing extension member  544  through larger hole  520 . In some embodiments, stem  548  fits snugly into channel  516  so that stem  548  cannot easily slip from smaller hole  518  into larger hole  520 . The use of surcingle set  500  with bands  172 ,  174  allows bands  172  and  174  to be easily coupled together. In particular, surcingle set  500  can be coupled together without having to twist or rotate either female piece  510  or male piece  540 . In some embodiments, to engage coupling of male and female pieces  540 ,  510 , stem  548  is positioned at a desired angle relative to coupling hole  514 . The angle, in one embodiment, is between about seventy degrees (70°) and about ninety degrees (90°). In this embodiment, male and female pieces  540 ,  510  are generally co-planar when surcingle set  500  is coupled, providing for ease of coupling.  
         [0029]     Male portion  540  may further include one or more holes  560  in one embodiment. Holes  560  may be configured in any desired pattern and/or shape as decorative features. Holes  560  also may nominally reduce surcingle weight without negatively effecting the function of the surcingle.  
         [0030]     Further details on surcingle sets for use with the present invention are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Surcingle Sets and Methods of Making,” filed contemporaneously herewith and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0031]     The invention has now been described in detail. However, it will be appreciated that the invention may be carried out in ways other than those illustrated in the aforesaid discussion, and that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited by those specific example, but rather to be accorded the scope represented in the following claims.