The present invention relates generally to pads for use on a riding or pack-bearing animal and the method of making the pad. More specifically, the present invention relates to a saddle pad for placement between a saddle and an animal, for example a horse and the method for making the saddle pad.
Saddle pads are used to protect an animal from injury or discomfort from the weight of the saddle, a rider, or cargo. For example, equine saddle pads are placed between the saddle and a horse to cushion the horse from the load, prevent slippage, and alleviate an abrading friction on the horse's back.
Saddle pads are found in a variety of constructions and materials. Materials that have been used include natural fibers, for example, wool and cotton, synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyurethanes, polyvinylacetate (EVA) polymers, and blends thereof. Various problems are encountered with conventional saddle pads depending on its construction. For example, some pads retain moisture and become heavy which increases the load and traps heat generated by the horse. Other pads become easily soiled with the perspiration of the horse which breeds bacteria and diseases. As a result the pad becomes odorous and can also break down and lose its cushioning properties. Still other pad constructions grab and pinch the hairs on the horse's back or rubs abrasively the muscles of the horse which causes greater discomfort or injury. All of the problems associated with conventional saddle pads not only negatively impacts the comfort of the horse but also inhibits the movement of the horse. Therefore, there is need for pads that provides greater comfort, durability, ventilation and moisture control.
Several embodiments of a saddle pad are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention the saddle pad comprises a single, unitary layer comprising from about 70% to about 95% by weight animal fiber of at least one of the Camelidae Family and the Bovidae Family, and 5% to about 30% by weight an alternative material. An alternative fiber includes natural fiber, synthetic fibers, and mixtures thereof.
In another embodiment a saddle pad herein is a two-layer pad that includes a first layer and a second layer, and the first layer and second layer have two different material compositions. The first layer comprises from about 70% to about 95% by weight animal fiber of the Camelidae Family or the Bovidae Family, and from about 5% to about 30% by weight of an alternative material, based on the weight of the first layer. The second layer comprises from about 50% by weight to about 95% by weight animal fiber of at least one of the Camelidae Family and the Bovidae Family, and up to about 50% by weight an alternative material. In another embodiment the first layer comprises from about 70% to about 95% by weight alpaca fiber and from about 5% to about 30% of an alternative fabric material.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the saddle pad is a three-layer pad that includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer disposed between the first and second layer. The third layer or “middle layer” is a weave construction comprising a plurality of yarns that form a criss-cross pattern. In one embodiment the yarns of the third-layer weave of core-spun yarn.
In yet another embodiment, a method for making the three-layer saddle pad includes weaving yarns to form a third layer or “middle layer”; attaching the middle layer to either the first layer or the second layer; and attaching the second layer to the first layer.
The various embodiments of the present invention can be understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Also, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Various embodiments of a saddle pad having combined features that provide durability, cushioning, ventilation and moisture resistance, are disclosed herein. The discussion with reference to the
The various embodiments of the saddle pad herein are made of materials that include at least one of animal fiber of the Camelidae Family of animals, the Bovidae Family of animals, and an alternative fiber material. An “alternative fiber material” is herein defined as any natural fiber, synthetic fiber, or blends thereof, other than, or different than, the animal fiber of the Camelidae Family and the Bovidae Family of animals. Natural fibers, include but are not limited to, plant fibers, animal fibers, and any fiber of nature, for example wool and cotton. Synthetic fibers include, but are not limited to, thermoplastics and thermosets, and blends thereof, for example polyester fiber, nylon fiber, polyurethane fiber, ethyvinylacetate (EVA), and blends thereof.
The animal fiber of the Camelidae Family of animals includes, but is not limited to, alpaca fiber, llama fiber, vicuana fiber, and camel fiber, for example. The animal fiber of the Bovidae includes, but is not limited to the American bison fiber and yak fiber, for example.
Saddle pad 16 also includes, by weight, from about 5% to about 30%, in another embodiment from about 10% to about 20%, and in yet another embodiment from about 15% to about 25% alternative fiber material, based on the weight of the saddle pad. The alternative fiber material provides memory and elasticity to the saddle pad, and the combination of materials in saddle pad 16 provide softness and moisture resistance while also maintaining overall pad stability and shape.
In another embodiment, the alternative fiber material of saddle pad 16 includes from about 5% to about 50%, in another embodiment from about 5% to about 25% and in another embodiment from about 7% to about 13% by weight bamboo fiber based on the weight of the saddle pad. Bamboo fiber combined with the animal fiber of the Camelidae Family and the Bovidae Family of animals described above, further improves the memory and stability of the pad. In another embodiment of the present invention, the bamboo fiber is carbonized. The carbonized bamboo fiber can minimize or prevent fungus buildup from bacteria that is originates from a soiled pad, perspiration of the horse, from the environment, etc.
Accordingly, in an example embodiment, saddle pad 16 comprises, by weight, from about 70% to about 95% alpaca, from about 5% to about 30% carbonized bamboo, based on the weight of the saddle pad. The animal fibers of the Camelidae Family and Bovidae Family of animals, are soft against the horse and minimize the “grabbing” of the horse hair which is typical of conventional wool saddle pads for example.
The unitary or single layer saddle pad 16, according to the various embodiments described above, can be made via the needle-felted or wet-felted processes. For example the animal hair of the Camelidae Family and/or the Bovidae Family of animals, for example, alpaca, along with the alternative fiber material, for example, bamboo or carbonized bamboo, can be blended and put through the felted processes to produce the layer of saddle pad 16. The thickness of saddle pad 16 can vary and typically ranges from about 0.1 inch to about 4 inches, in another embodiment, from about 0.25 inch to about 2 inches, and in another embodiment from about 0.5 inch to about 1.5 inches.
First layer 24 of two-layer saddle pad 20 can include, for example, any of the material embodiments of saddle pad 16 described above with respect to
The material composition of first layer 24 and second layer 22 can also be based on the total weight of saddle pad 20. Accordingly, saddle pad 20 can include by weight, from about 60% to about 97%, in another embodiment from about 65% to about 93%, and in yet another embodiment from about 72% to about 87% animal fiber of the Camelidae Family and the Bovidae Family of animals, based on the weight of the saddle pad 20. Saddle pad 20 also includes, by weight, from about 3% up to about 40%, in another embodiment from about 7% to about 35%, and in yet another embodiment, from about 13% to about 28% alternative fiber material, based on the weight of the saddle pad.
In another embodiment of saddle pad 20, the first layer 24 and the second layer 22 have the same material composition, and in another embodiment the first layer 24 and second layer 22 have different material compositions.
Layers 22 and 24 of two-layer saddle pad 20 may optionally include inwardly concave edge portions 23 and 25, respectively to conform to the back of the horse, for example around the withers of the horse. Extended portions 26 and 28 of saddle pad 20 cover the shoulders of the horse. The thickness of saddle pad 20 can vary and typically ranges from about 0.1 inch to about 4 inches, in another embodiment, from about 0.25 inch to about 2 inches, and in another embodiment from about 0.5 inch to about 1.5 inches.
In an example embodiment, two-layer saddle pad 20 has a first layer 24 and a second layer 22 that include alpaca fiber as the animal fiber of the Camelidae Family and the Bovidae Family of animals, and at least one of bamboo, carbonized bamboo and wool, i.e. as blends thereof, as the alternative fiber material in accordance with the various compositions described above for saddle pad 20.
Two-layer saddle pad 20 can be made by attaching the first layer 24 and the second layer 22 via one or more of several means. For example, the layers 22 and 24 may be bonded by adhesive, for example, a liquid adhesive, or a hot melt adhesive. Layers 22 and 24 can also be sewn or stitched together via fibers, for example with a nylon or polyester thread, for example. The thickness of two-layer saddle pad 20 can vary and typically ranges from about 0.1 inch to about 4 inches, in another embodiment, from about 0.25 inch to about 2 inches, and in another embodiment from about 0.5 inch to about 1.5 inches.
Third layer 32 includes a plurality of parallel yarns 32, 33, that intersect at a substantially perpendicular angle with a plurality of parallel yarns 34, 35 in an alternating weave. More specifically,
Fiber bundle 39 of yarn 35 can be a bulky yarn bundle that is spun in a helical fashion about core 30 via a core spinning process. The twisted fiber bundle 39 is shown as a single-ply bundle, although two-ply and three-ply fiber bundles, for example a fiber bundle that is braided, can also be wrapped around core 30. The drafting twist of fiber bundle 39 can range from 2:1 to 10:1, in another embodiment from 5:1 to 8:1. Preferably, the denier of the fiber strands ranges from about 20 microns to about 40 microns, in another embodiment from about 25 microns to about 35 microns. In one embodiment fiber bundle 39 is made of a plurality of strands of animal fiber of at least one of the Camelidae and Bovidae Families of animals. In another embodiment the fiber bundle 39 is made of any absorbent material described above. In yet another embodiment the fiber bundle 39 can be a mixture of the absorbent fibers and the animal fibers of the Camelidae and Bovidae Families of animals, for example a mixture that comprises from about 50% to 100% by weight alpaca fiber and 50% to 100% absorbent fiber such as wool.
It will be appreciated that the saddle pads produced in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention have a structure and composition that enhances life of and performance of saddle pads used for animals.
In yet another embodiment, a method for making the three-layer saddle pad includes weaving yarns to form a third layer or “middle layer”; attaching the middle layer to either the first layer or the second layer; and attaching the second layer to the first layer.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
This patent application claims priority to Application Ser. No. 61/898,945 entitled “Saddle Pad and Method” filed on Nov. 1, 2013 and which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61898945 | Nov 2013 | US |