TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to bits for animals.

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to a horse bit.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] It is known in the art to provide a horse bit having a mouthpiece with ends attached to a bridle and reins. In use the mouthpiece is placed into the mouth of a horse to assist a rider to communicate with the horse and control the horse's movement.

[0005] Prior art horse bits exist having a broad range of shapes, sizes and functions which vary the severity and action of the bit up on the horse's mouth. It is desirable for a particular mouthpiece to be matched to the characteristics of the horse and/or the rider to optimise the relationship between the horse and the rider. A commonly used horse bit is known as a snaffle bit, A snaffle bit is a simple bit having no 'curb' chain, strap or shank for leverage and as such does not employ a leverage effect on the horse's mouth.

[0006] It is a problem with prior art horse bits that during use the horse may be able to move their tongue from its proper place under the mouthpiece. When a horse's tongue is not in the proper position the bit no longer works effectively and the rider's control over the movement of the horse may be compromised. This can be a serious concern for the health and the safety of both horse and rider in any equestrian activity such as an event, race or competition.

[0007] To avoid the risk of a horse's tongue being displaced above the mouthpiece and losing control in race conditions it is known to employ methods of tongue restraint which involve physically tying the horse's tongue such that it cannot be moved over the mouthpiece. [0008] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bit for animals, the bit comprising an elongate mouthpiece having an intermediate tongue pad spaced between and connecting together peripheral end portions, wherein the intermediate tongue pad provides a surface area arranged to rest on an upper surface of an animal's tongue thereby locating the mouthpiece in an operable position over the tongue and preventing the animal from slipping the tongue over the mouthpiece.

[0010] Preferably, the tongue pad is integral with the end portions. [0011] Preferably, the animal is a horse.

[0012] Preferably, each end portion further comprises a ring for attaching to a bridle strap or reins thereby forming a snaffle type horse bit.

[0013] Preferably, each ring comprises a straight portion and a curved portion in a "D" shaped configuration, each end portion being in connection with the straight member of the respective "D" shaped ring.

[0014] Preferably, the end portion and the ring are pivotally connected with an eggbutt type connection.

[0015] Preferably, the tongue pad is of variable width.

[0016] Preferably, the tongue pad has a maximum width of about up to five times the diameter of the end portions.

[0017] Preferably, the tongue pad comprises a splayed portion having a surface area arranged to abut with the animal's tongue.

[0018] Preferably, the splayed portion is configured as two bulbous portions abutting each other at a central location of the bit. [0019] Preferably, the surface area comprises a lower surface adapted to contact the tongue, [0020] Preferably, the lower surface is configured such as to effectively and comfortably accommodate the tongue.

[0021] Preferably, the lower surface comprises a generally planar surface.

[0022] In an alternative arrangement, the lower surface comprises a curved surface. [0023] Preferably, the lower surface comprises a textured surface.

[0024] Preferably, the mouthpiece comprises metallic material.

[0025] Alternatively, the mouthpiece may comprise leather, plastic or rubber material.

[0026] Preferably, the mouthpiece comprises an articulated body having at least one joint. This arrangement allows the end portions to rotate about the longitudinal axis and/or to pivot in a plane substantially parallel to the plane defined by the tongue pad.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one joint is located in a plane above the lower surface of the tongue pad. This arrangement impedes pinching of the tongue during use of the articulated body.

[0028] In an arrangement, the mouthpieces comprise a removable tongue pad. This arrangement allows replacement of the tongue pad.

[0029] A tongue pad adapted to be located between end portions, wherein the intermediate tongue pad provides a surface area arranged to rest on an upper surface of an animal's tongue thereby locating the mouthpiece in an operable position over the tongue and preventing the animal from slipping the tongue over the mouthpiece. [0030] Preferably, the surface area comprises a lower surface adapted to contact the tongue, wherein the lower surface is configured such as to effectively and comfortably accommodate the tongue.

[0031] Preferably, the lower surface comprises a generally planar surface. [0032] In an alternative arrangement, the lower surface comprises a curved surface. [0033] Preferably, the lower surface comprises a textured surface. [0034] Preferably, the tongue pad comprises metallic material. [0035] Alternatively, the tongue pad may comprise metallic, leather, plastic or rubber material or combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a mouthpiece according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventions;

Figure 2 is a side view of the mouthpiece of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is an end view of the mouthpiece of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0037] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a mouthpiece 10 having a length along a longitudinal axis between two peripheral end portions 12, 14, Typically, the mouthpiece comprises a metallic material with the end portions 12, 14 having a generally circular cross section and adapted to rest in an interdental region of the horse's mouth where there are no teeth. [0038] The mouthpiece 10 further comprises an intermediate tongue pad 16 spacing apart and connecting together the end portions 12, 14 as seen in Figure 1. The tongue pad 16 comprising a splayed portion which is wider (see Figure 1) and flatter (see Figure 2) than the adjacent end portions 12, 14. The tongue pad 16 has an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20. [0039] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 the tongue pad 16 comprises a contoured peripheral edge 22 of the upper and lower surfaces 18, 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the peripheral edge 22 provides a tongue pad 6 having, in plan view, a symmetrical appearance of two bulbous portions abutting each other at a middle point of the mouthpiece 0. [0040] It is to be understood each peripheral edge 22 of the tongue pad 16 is dimensioned to be safe for the animal with no sharp corners or pinch points that could injure or annoy the tongue, lips or mouth of the horse.

[0041] Preferably, the tongue pad 16 will have a width W of up to 5 times a diameter of the end portions 12, 14. However it is to be understood that the width W may also vary along the length of the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece 10.

[0042] As seen in Figure 3, it is envisaged a thickness ΐ of the tongue pad 16 is typically less than the diameter of the end portions 12, 14. Accordingly, a step 24 may be required between the end portions 12, 14 and the tongue pad 16 upper and/or lower surfaces 18, 20.

[0043] Alternate embodiments of the present invention may comprise a tongue pad 16 having any desirable shape and variations in the length, width and thickness of the surfaces 18, 20 are encompassed in the scope of the mouthpiece 10.

[0044] Preferably, at least the lower surface 20 is arranged to be a generally planar surface.

[0045] It is to be understood the lower surface 20 rests on the animal's tongue in use, in alternate embodiments the lower surface 20 may be curved, contoured or textured in order to more effectively or comfortably accommodate the tongue.

[0046] End portions 12, 14 of the mouthpiece 10 are each respectively arranged to be pivotally connected to a respective ring (not shown) which in turn may be connected to a bridle and reins as is known in the art.

[0047] Preferably, the mouthpiece 10 is connected to the rings via an eggbutt joint as is known in the art thereby avoiding any pinching of the horse's mouth, tongue or lips.

[0048] Preferably, the ring comprises a "D" ring (not shown) having a straight portion and a curved portion. The straight portion comprising the eggbutt joint with the mouthpiece 10 and the bridle/reins being connected to the curved portion.

[0049] It is to be understood the "D" ring with eggbutt joint will assist the mouthpiece 10 of the present invention to remain in its correct position having the tongue pad 16 being generally horizontally disposed above the tongue in use. [0050] Alternative embodiments may comprise a different shaped ring or have a different joint between the ring and the mouthpiece 10.

[0051] In the preferred embodiment the mouthpiece 10 is integrally formed from a metallic material such as a stainless steel or copper, for example, however other materials such as leather, plastic or rubber may be used.

[0052] Alternate embodiments may comprise an articulated mouthpiece 10 (not shown) having one or more joints (not shown) along the length of the mouthpiece 0 and which may be arranged such that then peripheral end portions 12, 14 can rotate about the longitudinal axis and/or may be pivotally articulated in a plane substantially parallel to the surfaces 18, 20.

[0053] In such alternate embodiments the joints may be arranged to be above a planar level of the lower surface 20 of the tongue pad 16 such that in use pinching of the animal's tongue cannot occur.

[0054] An alternate embodiment of the present invention may comprise a tongue pad 16 that is fitted to a prior art mouthpiece and which may also be removable if the original mouthpiece is desired.

[0055] It is evident that the embodiments of the present invention previously described provide a more humane method of restraining the tongue of a horse. The present embodiments of the invention relate to the provision of a horse bit which employs a tongue pad to position the horse bit over the horse's tongue and ensure a correct position in the horse's mouth to maintain the rider's control over the horse. Thus, the horse's tongue during use of the horse bit in accordance with the embodiments of the invention is located in the proper position and allowing that the bit works effectively which allows the rider to control the movement of the horse. Thus, there is no need to for tying the tongue of the horse in any equestrian activity.

[0056] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0057] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.