FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to rodeo and equestrian accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reversible rowel for bull or horse riding.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Spurs are commonly worn on boots and used as a means of controlling an animal and/or maintaining balance while riding the animal. Specifically, the rowel is the portion of the spur used to grip against the skin of a bull or a horse. Many existing rowels use a symmetrical design to provide a consistent amount of grip regardless of the orientation of the rowel. While this may be useful in some applications, users who may wish to change the amount of grip their spurs provide must acquire additional rowels to do so. This can lead to unwanted costs from purchasing multiple types of rowels and may force users to store or carry additional rowels if the need to make adjustments arises.
Accordingly, there is a present need for a versatile rowel which can provide more than one level of gripping ability for users. The present invention is a reversible rowel which includes a first plurality of rowel spokes and a second plurality of rowel spokes which provide varying amounts of grip. The reversible rowel may be mounted onto the shank of a spur in two different ways, allowing the user to make use of either the first plurality of rowel spokes or the second plurality of rowel spokes. A locking channel engages with the shank of a spur to prevent the reversible rowel from rotating, ensuring that the user experiences a consistent amount of grip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention showing the central plane.
FIG. 4 is a front view of present invention showing the rowel disc with a dashed line.
FIG. 5 is a left side view of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention is a reversible rowel that may be used as part of a spur to control the movements of animals and provide a point of balance for riders during equestrian and rodeo events. The present invention comprises a rowel disc 1, a first plurality of rowel spokes 5, and a second plurality of rowel spokes 8. The rowel disc 1 acts as a central hub which is able to rotate when mounted onto the shank of a spur. The first plurality of rowel spokes 5 is laterally connected about a first half 2 of the rowel disc 1. Similarly, the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 is laterally connected about a second half 3 of the rowel disc 1. The first plurality of rowel spokes 5 and the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 are sized differently in order to give the user varying levels of control. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rowel disc 1, the first plurality of rowel spokes 5, and the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 are made from steel. Other iron alloys, aluminum, or brass may alternatively be used. A plurality of notches 11 traverse into the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 and the second plurality of rowel spokes 8. The plurality of notches 11 help to grip against the body of the animal being ridden. The plurality of notches 11 is radially distributed about the rowel disc 1. This arrangement allows the reversible rowel to grip the body of the animal in a consistent and effective manner.
In reference to FIGS. 1-2, a first base surface 12 is delineated across the rowel disc 1, the first plurality of rowel spokes 5, and the second plurality of rowel spokes 8. A second base surface 13 is delineated across the rowel disc 1, the first plurality of rowel spokes 5, and the second plurality of rowel spokes 8, opposite to the first base surface 12. A mounting hole 14 concentrically traverses through the rowel disc 1 from the first base surface 12 to the second base surface 13. The mounting hole 14 is used to attach the reversible rowel to the shank of a spur. When mounted onto the shank, the reversible rowel may be rotated about the mounting hole 14. This arrangement allows the reversible rowel to adjust in position when pressed against the skin of an animal.
In reference to FIGS. 4-5, a locking channel 15 traverses into the first base surface 12. The locking channel 15 engages with the shank of a spur in order to prevent the reversible rowel from fully rotating. A central plane 4 of the rowel disc 1 is centrally aligned with the rowel disc 1. The central plane 4 is positioned perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface and is positioned in between the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 and the second plurality of rowel spokes 8. The locking channel 15 is extended normal to the central plane 4 and is centrally positioned within the first base surface 12. Because of this arrangement, when the rowel is mounted onto a shank, the locking channel 15 forces either the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 or the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 to be oriented away from the shank. If the user were to position the reversible rowel such that the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 is oriented away from the shank, the locking channel 15 engages with the shank in order to prevent the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 from rotating to an outward position. This effectively allows the user to choose between riding with the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 and the second plurality of rowel spokes 8.
In reference to FIG. 4, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each rowel spoke from the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 is diametrically opposed to a corresponding rowel spoke from the second plurality of rowel spokes 8. Though the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 and the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 are equally distributed about the rowel disc 1, an arc length 6 for each of the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 is greater than an arc length 9 for each of the second plurality of rowel spokes 8. The arc length 9 for each of the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 helps to give the user a traditional feel when riding. The increased arc length 6 for the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 helps to give the user a better grip when riding. To achieve the larger arc length 6 for each of the first plurality of rowel spokes 5, each rowel spoke from the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 is separated by a linear slot 16. Further, a pair of end spokes 7 from the first plurality of rowel spokes 5 is separated from the central plane 4 by a linear gap 18. This arrangement provides a minimal amount of spacing between each of the first plurality of rowel spokes 5. In reference to FIG. 4, in order to achieve a more traditional feel for the second plurality of rowel spokes 8, each rowel spoke from the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 is separated by an angular slot 17. Further, a pair of end spokes 10 from the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 is separated from the central plane 4 by an angular gap 19. This arrangement provides a smaller surface for the second plurality of rowel spokes 8 to engage with the body of the animal.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Patent Application
20170273409
