Patent ID: 7178318

Claim:
A progressive flex headplate assembly for use in the construction of a saddle tree capable of fitting horses of different widths, said progressive flex headplate comprising: an elongated spring element having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion located therebetween, said elongated spring element having a larger thickness dimension at said center portion than at said first and second end portions, a top segment, a middle segment, and a bottom segment constructed of a flexible, resilient material, wherein said top segment has a first length dimension, said middle segment has a intermediate length dimension longer than said first length dimension of said top segment, and said bottom segment has a length dimension greater than said intermediate length dimension of said middle segment; wherein said segments are consecutively arranged to overlie each other from said top segment to said bottom segment; and a curved segment constructed of a rigid material, said curved segment secured to said center portion of said elongated spring element; wherein said first and said second end portions of said elongated spring element exhibit both progressive flexibility and resilience in response to flexure of said first and second end portions permitting the headplate assembly to flex to fit more than one size horse; wherein each of said top segment, said middle segment, and said bottom segment has a front edge and a back edge, and wherein one of said top segment, said middle segment, and said bottom segment includes two rail segments extending outwardly from said back edge thereof.