The invention relates to the field of horse-riding equipment and concerns an equestrian saddle tree.
Equestrian saddles are used to seat and support a rider on a mount such as a horse. Among the different types of equestrian saddles known, the saddles allowing so-called “English” riding are generally made up of a saddle tree which is a frame forming the pommel and the cantle of the saddle. A complete equestrian saddle comprises such a saddle tree and generally receives equipment such as stirrup bars, girths, fenders, etc. A seat for the rider is moreover mounted to the saddle tree.
Patent application FR2931140 describes such an equestrian saddle tree. This saddle tree is associated with a generally bed-shaped part which is limited by an outer free edge comprising a pommel part, a cantle part and two longitudinal parts. This external free edge is able to cooperate with an internal free edge complementary to the saddle tree. The bed comprises elementary strip-shaped parts, two adjacent strips being separated from each other by a slit. When combined with a saddle tree adapted to receive it, this generally bed-shaped part makes it possible to reconcile some rigidity offering good protection of the mount and some flexibility adapted to the rider's comfort.
Although equestrian saddles of prior art represent an improvement in ergonomics for the rider and the mount, this ergonomics can still be improved as well as the consistency in the dynamic behavior of the whole.
The purpose of the invention is to improve equestrian saddle trees of prior art.
To this end, the invention is directed to an equestrian saddle tree comprising a frame forming a pommel and a cantle which are connected by lateral strips, this saddle tree consisting of a single piece of composite material, the reinforcement of which comprises a plurality of superimposed layers of sheet material and the matrix of which consists of at least one resin. The frame comprises:
Such a saddle tree is made of composite material for lightness, rigidity, and flexibility properties provided by these materials. Making it of composite material further allows the saddle tree to be made of two plies of sheet material. The first ply is formed by at least one layer of sheet material, and preferably several such layers. This first ply only participates in the main function of the saddle tree (making a frame) by providing a framework participating in making the frame. The second ply is also formed by at least one layer of sheet material, and preferably several such layers. This second ply also participates in the main function of the saddle tree, completing the framework of the first ply to form the frame, and further integrates a rider's seat into the saddle tree structure itself, so that this seat is connected to the entire surface of the frame.
Such a saddle tree can be directly equipped with a saddle seat (usually upholstered leather) resting on the second ply and does not require any canvas or stretched structure (such as “false seats”) underneath this seat or any attachments to the saddle tree. The saddle tree according to the invention is as a single piece which performs, on the one hand, an interface function with the mount with the consequent constraints of rigidity and ergonomics for the mount, and performs on the other hand an interface function with the rider by mechanically ensuring the maintenance of his/her seat, with the consequent constraints of flexibility and ergonomics for the rider. Moreover, these two functions are linked to each other by the general structure made of layers of sheet material. Indeed, the saddle tree links these two functions in such a way that, during dynamic phases of riding, movements of the mount and the rider are intimately linked by the presence, within the stack of layers of sheet material, of some layers providing the frame function and other layers providing a seating function.
Moreover, the saddle tree according to the invention allows the implementation of manufacturing methods with a high repeatability, especially compatible with quality certification requirements, because it is produced in a single piece and does not require the manual installation of canvas or stretched structure on a frame, nor the attachment of an independent flexible part. Production means in accordance with the rules of the art of composite materials thus allow mass production of the saddle tree. The invention allows the implementation of manufacturing methods that ensure uniformity of the saddle trees produced and mechanical stability of each saddle tree over time.
The saddle tree according to the invention thus has advantages in its static behavior (comfort of the rider and comfort of the mount) and advantages in its dynamic behavior (link between the functions of interface with the rider and interface with the mount) which limit resonance phenomena between the movement of the rider's seat and the movement of the mount's back.
The saddle tree according to the invention may comprise the following additional characteristics, alone or in combination:
With respect to the latter characteristic, the vertical direction, in which the vertical plane longitudinally intersecting the saddle tree extends, is defined with respect to the saddle tree as the orientation it adopts in the position for mounting the mount, that is, when the rider's seat is facing upwards and the central opening is facing downwards.
The invention also relates to an equestrian saddle tree comprising a frame, this saddle tree being characterized in that it is made of a single piece, the frame comprising:
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description thereof made hereinafter, by way of indicating and not in any way limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
The saddle tree 1 is in the form of a single piece of composite material and comprises no mechanical assemblies. The saddle tree 1 integrates a frame 2 as well as a rider's seat 3. The saddle tree 1 has a front part and a rear part corresponding respectively to the front and the rear of the frame. On its front part, the frame 2 comprises an arch forming the pommel 4 of the saddle tree 1. The shape of the frame 2 on its rear part in turn makes up the cantle 5 of the saddle tree 1. The frame 2 further comprises two lateral strips 6 connecting the pommel 4 and the cantle 5. The saddle tree 1 also has two spikes 7 especially for receiving the stirrup bars (not represented). Optionally, the cantle 5 can receive an attachment (not shown) for obtaining a particular shape for this portion of the rear of the saddle.
The saddle tree 1 is made of a composite material, the reinforcement of which consists of a plurality of superimposed layers of sheet material, and the matrix of which consists of a resin. The layers of sheet material are superimposed in a first ply 8 and in a second ply 9. Each of the plies 8, 9 comprises at least one layer of sheet material. Preferably, each of the plies 8, 9 comprises several layers of sheet material.
In the present example, the first ply 8 consists of superimposed wood sheets secured by a matrix made of a resin adapted to wood, for example a polyurethane resin. For making the first ply 8, the wood sheets are shaped according to the curves required for the framework 10 and are then bonded or embedded in the resin.
The second ply 9 is placed on the first ply 8. At the interface between the first ply 8 and the second ply 9, the lower layer of sheet material of the second ply 9 is secured by resin to the upper layer of sheet material of the first ply 8 (the terms lower layer and upper layer refer to the orientation of the saddle tree as shown in
The second ply 9 consists, in the present example, of a superimposition of woven carbon fiber sheets embedded in an adapted resin.
The second ply 9 extends over the framework 10 and also extends over the central opening 11. The frame 2 of the saddle tree 1 consists of the framework 10 and by the portion of the second ply 9 that is superimposed on this framework 10.
The saddle tree 1 thus consists of a multicomposite material whose reinforcement consists of a plurality of superimposed layers of sheet material and whose matrix consists of a resin. The extent of the second ply 9 of sheet material differs from the first ply 8 in that it also extends over the central opening 11 left by the framework 10. The second ply thus fulfills a second function (in addition to its first function of participating in constituting the frame 2 together with the first ply 8) which is to make a rider's seat.
In the present example, the first ply 8 and the second ply 9 consist of layers of different materials having as a matrix the same resin or, on the contrary, two different resins each adapted to the respective material of the plies 8, 9 (the resin present at the interface of the plies 8, 9 having to be compatible with both types of sheet materials).
Alternatively, the first ply 8 and the second ply 9 can consist of layers of the same sheet material, all with a same resin as a matrix.
The second ply 9 thus forms a membrane, the portion of which extending opposite to the central opening 11 comprises grooves 12.
With reference to
The second ply 9 in turn comprises, according to this example, six layers of braided carbon fiber sheets with a basis weight of 400 g/m2.
The cooperation of the reinforcing panel 13 and the second ply 9 is described with reference to
With reference to
The grooves 12 allow local deformations of the second ply 9, by bending portions of the seat 3, to offer the rider flexibility and comfort. To this end, the grooves 12 are disposed in a staggered pattern and extend substantially along lines that follow the inner contour 15 of the framework 10.
With reference to
Alternative embodiments of the saddle tree 1 can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the number and nature of the layers of sheet material of the first ply 8 and the second ply 9 may vary depending on the desired rigidity or flexibility, as well as the thickness of these layers.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1900282 | Jan 2019 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2020/050520 | 1/10/2020 | WO | 00 |