Patent Application
20110107636
The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method for identifying an equestrian participant. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a numbering apparatus for changeably displaying a series of digits for an equestrian event.
They are also used in competitive sports including, but not limited to, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving, and rodeo. (See additional equestrian sports listed later in this article for more examples.) Some popular forms of competition are grouped together at horse shows, where horses perform in a wide variety of disciplines.
There are many Equestrian events. Sporting events are substantiated when they are included in the Olympic games. Equestrian events were first included in the Olympic games in 1900. By 1912, all three Olympic disciplines, still seen today, were part of the games. The following forms of competition are recognized worldwide and are a part of the equestrian events at the Olympics:
Additional events sanctioned by the FEI as international disciplines include combined driving, reining, equestrian vaulting, endurance riding and paralympic competition. While these events are recognized internationally and are all part of the FEI World Equestrian Games, none are yet part of the Summer Olympics, though some, such as vaulting and reining, are potentially on track to be added.
Participants of the various equestrian events are identified by a numeric identifier. The numeric identifier is generally a series of three (3) or four (4) numeric digits displayed upon a saddle pad. The printed display sheets are pre-printed, with a pair of matching sheets provided to the participant at the start of an event. The standard practice is to provide the participant with a printed display sheet that is inserted into a transparent sleeve. The printed display sheet is normally paper, which is subject to damage when wet. The sleeves can discolor or tear. Alternately, the display sheets can be pinned to the saddle pads, which risks tearing during the event.
Therefore, a numeric identifier, which is weatherproof, available to the participant in advance, and is secured throughout the event, is needed.
The present disclosure is generally directed to a device and respective system for identifying an equestrian event participant.
In some embodiments, the identification system may include:
In another aspect, the series of numbered panels comprise a set of numbered panels being numbered between 0 and 8, wherein the 6 and the 9 are interchangeable.
In still another aspect, the series of numbered panels comprise a plurality of sets of numbered panels, each set being numbered between 0 and 8.
While yet another aspect places a plurality of numbered panels adjacent each other.
In yet another aspect, the images of the numbers are printed upon an exposed surface of the numbered panels.
In a still further aspect, the images of the numbers are embroidered upon the numbered panels.
In another aspect, the panel receiving patch is colored to match the surface in which it is to be applied upon.
Continuing with another aspect, the panel receiving patch is applied to a saddle pad.
In a still further aspect, the panel receiving patch is applied to an equestrian riding jacket.
In yet another aspect, the panel receiving patch is applied to a sleeve or rear of the equestrian riding jacket.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Equestrian sports identify the participants via a numeric identifier. The judges or scoring parties rely of the numeric identifier as a means for identifying the participants or equestrian sporting horses 100 as presented in exemplary illustration of
The equestrian participant identifier system 150 provides a numbering identification system comprising a panel receiving patch 152 and a series of numbered panels 160, as illustrated in
The series of numbered panels 160 includes three (3) (or four as an alternate) sets 162, 164, 166 of numbered panels. Each set of numbered panels are numbered from 0 through 8, wherein the same panel is used for both the “6” and the “9”.
Each numbered panel 160 is formed having a dense hook interface 161 provided upon an attachment side and a numeric image 170 visible from an exposed side. The numeric image 170 includes images representative of the numbers 0 through 8, wherein the same panel is used for both the “6” and the “9”. The numbers can be printed onto the exposed surface using any printing method such as transfer printing, silk screen printing, and the like, embroidered onto the panels 160, or applied by any other known means. Alternately, the printing can be applied to the interface side, wherein the material is transparent, allowing the image to be visible from the viewing side. This would protect the image against stains, bleaching, water, and the like. The numbered panel 160 can be a single material having a dense hook interface 161 on the attachment side, and a relatively planar surface on the opposite site. Alternately, the dense hook interface 161 and the exposed surface can be of separate materials that are assembled together forming a single finished unit. The numeric image 170 can be applied to the exposed surface material 172 prior to or subsequent the assembly process.
A first exemplary embodiment is presented as a saddle pad assembly 120, being illustrated in
A second exemplary embodiment is presented as an equestrian participant 200, being illustrated in
The equestrian participant identifier system 150 provides the user with a means for identifying an exhibitor or show participant. The system 150 allows the user to create their own identifier, as opposed to obtaining a preprinted paper version. Should the number become damaged or lost, the user can easily replace one or more panels 150. The system 150 is designed to blend into the pad or garment, providing a look and feel of an unmodified item.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
