Patent Application
20180194611
A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates to an equine display system. In particular, it relates to a display system for use on a horse pad for removably display of such things as an exhibitor number in a horse show, logo, stable name, owner, monogram and the like.
The circumstances in which the owner of a horse or a horse rider will wish to display removably an item on the horse's saddle pad. Items such as competitive numbers in shows, jewelry, logos, names, decorative design and the like all could be displayed. Many times such items can be embroidered or otherwise permanently affixed to the saddle pad. However, it is not uncommon that some items need to be temporarily affixed such as a show number.
A contestant in a horse show receives a contestant number which must be displayed however, such number changes with each competition. Such number will identify the horse and rider only for the particular competition. Accordingly, a vast number of removable systems for mounting a competitive number or any other display have been developed for use on various types of equine saddle pads. Some of these are specific to the type and shape of the pad while others are generic in application.
These devices all require some sort of two piece direct connection such as a snap or hook and loop fastener on the pad and a matching snap or hook and loop fastener on a number holding device. These types of devices leave something on the pad that is unsightly and not useful when not in use to attach a number or other display. The device remaining on the pad can also be an irritant if rubbed against or the like by the rider or someone close to the horse.
While the attempts at display systems of the prior art have attempted to solve display issues, they do not solve all the problems associated with display on the saddle pad and there is still a need for systems which improve upon current known technology.
The present invention solves the above issues and more by providing a horizontal mounting strap which, when not in use to display a number, can have a smaller display of its own and a display holder which loops over the mounting strap with at least two straps such that the display is actually removably hung rather than removably connected to the saddle pad.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is an equine saddle pad display system comprising:
While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.
The terms “about” and “essentially” mean±10 percent.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.
Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.
The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. Term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.
As used herein the term “equine saddle pad” refers to any blanket placed between a saddle and a horse's back to prevent galling. The terms “saddle blanket”, “saddle pad” (or “numnah)”, “blanket” and “saddle cloth” refer to blankets, pads or fabrics inserted under a saddle and are used interchangeably. In the current invention, the saddle pad will have a portion of the pad not underneath the saddle such that a display item can be seen on it, as shown by example in the Figures. In one embodiment, the pad is an English saddle pad and in yet another embodiment, the saddle pad is a Western saddle pad.
As used herein the term “display system” refers to a combination of a saddle pad and a display item used together so that a display item can be seen on the side of a horse. The system involves a horizontal mounting strip that is looped on the saddle pad and the display item with a plurality of loops perpendicular to the horizontal strip such that the loops can be utilized to hang the display item.
As used herein the term “display item” refers to any item that can have a plurality of loops on its back and be used to hang on the horizontal straps on the pad. Including, but not limited to, clear pouch with or without the competitor or exhibitor number displayed therein, item is selected from the group consisting of logo, stable name, a person's name, the owner, a monogram, jewelry and the like.
As used herein the term “horizontal mounting strap forming a loop” refers to a strip of material that is placed essentially horizontally on a visible place on the saddle pad with the vertical ends attached, e.g. by sewing to the pad, thus forming a loop with the pad, the back part of the loop and the strap, and the front part as shown in the Figures. The exact material is not a critical element and it could be multiple materials, the only requirement is that when attached to the saddle pad, it can support the display item in the method described herein. Both ends could, in one embodiment, be attached in a fixed manner and any attachment means contemplated. The middle part of the horizontal loop is at least partially not attached to the saddle pad in order for a plurality of essentially vertical attachment loops on the display item to loop around the horizontal mounting strap and hang there with the top of attachment loops resting on the top of the strap loop. Figures also show this in detail. The horizontal mounting strap can be a fixed closed loop or can be one that opens and recloses by way of hook and loop fastener, snaps or the like since at least one of the horizontal loop and vertical attachment loops must open to hang the display item on the horizontal loop. The strap is made wide enough and tall enough to accommodate the display item and/or to accommodate any message on the front face of the horizontal strap. In one embodiment, the strap is from about a half an inch to about 4, 5 or 6 inches tall, in another about 1 to 3 inches high. In yet another embodiment there is permanently attached to the horizontal strap any kind of message, logo, or the like since the name of the saddle pad, a logo, a name, or the like such that is seen when a display item is not attached to the horizontal strap.
As used herein the term “attachment loops” refers to a plurality of essentially vertical loops on a back face of the display item positioned such that they can loop around the horizontal strap and hang the display item thereon. Loops of cloth or the like can be utilized as well as loops made of hook and loop fasteners which can open and close the loop in order to hang around on the horizontal strip.
As used herein the term “hang the display item” refers to taking the display item and encircling the horizontal strap with the essentially vertical loops on the back of the display item. This can be accomplished by opening the horizontal strap and threading the horizontal strap through the vertical loops and then reclosing or by opening the vertical loops and threading them through the horizontal loop before reclosing. Some form of attachment device then must be utilized to keep the loop being opened and closed when in use.
As used herein the term “attachment device for repeatedly opening the loop” refers to a device on one or both of the horizontal and vertical loops for opening and closing the loops. In one embodiment, it includes snaps, hook, and loop fasteners. Other fastening means can be utilized. In one embodiment, the attachment device cannot be seen when the vertical loops are not attached to the horizontal loop.
Now referring to the drawings,
Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant.
