Title

Rider protection

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to protection against the weather and the like for horse riders and the like.

Background of the invention

Riders in a number of equine disciplines and pursuits often have to confront conditions of cold wind, rain or snow. Cowboys and stockman who live and work in the high country are confronted with snow and driving rain when out on horseback moving stock or checking fences and this results in frozen, wet legs. Endurance riders who ride distances of up to a hundred miles non-stop are often confronted with rain and the cold. They presently have no lower body protection. They cannot wear waterproof pants as these are cumbersome and often uncomfortable as they will impede sitting comfortably in the saddle. Another concern is the saddle itself getting wet which can lead to damage.

Presently riders do have the option of wearing waterproof coats to keep the upper body dry and warm, but waterproof coats unfortunately leave the rider's legs exposed to the elements.

In the past chaps have been worn to protect against the cold but chaps are often bulky and not waterproof.

Summary of the invention

In contrast, the present invention provides rider protection apparatus comprising a container and a sheet: the container being adapted: for attachment to the leading edge of a horse blanket, saddle pad, saddle or the like; and to contain the sheet within it; the sheet being adapted to protect the lower portion of the rider's body against the weather.

It is preferred that a portion of the sheet is attached to the container within that container. In this case, it is particularly preferred that this attachment is readily detachable.

It is preferred that the sheet further comprises means for readily detachably attaching it to the waist of the rider.

It is preferred that the sheet further comprises means for readily detachably attaching it to the legs of the rider.

It is preferred that the sheet further comprises means for readily detachably attaching it to a saddle blanket, saddle pad, saddle or the like.

It is preferred that the sheet further comprises means for readily detachably attaching it to a stirrup or the like.

It will accordingly be seen that embodiments of the present invention protect the rider's lower body and the saddle from the elements.

Brief description of the drawings

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, preferred embodiments of it are described with reference to the drawings in which: figures 1 and 2 illustrate known forms of saddle blanket; figure 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention when in use by a rider; figures 4 and 5 illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention; figures 6 and 7 are further illustrations of the embodiments of figures 4 and 5; figure 8 is another illustration of the embodiments of figures 5 and 7; and figure 9 illustrates a detail of figure 8.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention Construction

Figure 1 shows an English-style saddle blanket 1 while figure 2 shows a saddle blanket 2 according to Western and Australian practices.

In contrast, figures 4 and 5 illustrates saddle blankets 3 and 4 according to embodiments of the present invention.

According to the embodiments 3 and 4 illustrated in figures 4 and 5, a bag 7 is integrated into the saddle blanket. It will also be appreciated that, according to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawings, the bag 7 is detachably attached to the saddle blanket. It is preferred that the bag 7 extends the entire periphery of the front of the blanket. The bag 7 is closed with a zip 8 and contains a waterproof sheet 9 which is not illustrated in figures 4 to 7 but which is illustrated in figure 8. It is preferred that the material used for construction of the bag7 be water resistant or waterproof. Suitable materials include Cordura or other nylon-based fabrics.

Although in the embodiments of figures 4 to 7 the bag 7 is illustrated as being closed with a zip, alternative preferred forms of closure for the bag 7 include any readily-releaseable, readily-refastenable closure.

The sheet 9 is constructed from any suitable material, which is preferably very waterproof, very flexible, relatively light in weight and relatively tear resistant. Preferred materials for the sheet 9 include woven and non-woven plastics materials, waxed cotton and other waterproofed woven natural fibre material.

Figure 8 illustrates the sheet 9 when it is folded out of the bag 7. As is illustrated in figure 9, the leading edge of the sheet 9 remains fastened within the bag 7 by any suitable means (which is not itself illustrated in that figure). It is preferred that this fastening of the sheet 9 within the bag 7 be readily self-detachable by the impulse loading (that is, "jerk") on it that would be caused by a rider falling from the horse. This feature aids in preventing the rider becoming "hung up" in the event of a fall. Suitable mechanisms for implementing such a fasting include Velcro fasteners.

The sheet 9 comprises two substantially triangular shaped sides 22 which are partially continuous in the top region 23.

Where the triangular shaped sides 22 are not continuous, they define a region 24 for placement around the waist region 26 of a rider and are fitted with Velcro or the like fastenings 17 for securing around the waist.

The trailing edge region of each substantially triangular portion 22 of the sheet 9 carries a Velcro fastener 11 suitably placed for connection to a corresponding Velcro fastening 12 carried on the saddle blanket 3 or 4. It is also preferred that the trailing edge 31 of the sheet 9 be stiffened or weighted by use of a relatively heavy seam or the like.

The lower corner of each substantially triangular portion 22 of the sheet 9 carries at least one, but preferably two Velcro fasteners 15 on an outer surface and a corresponding number of depending straps 16, attached on the inner surface of the sheet 9 and terminating in Velcro fasteners.

Use of embodiments of the present invention

In use, the sheet 9 is normally stowed within the bag 7. When the rider encounters rain wind or snow the bag 7 is opened by using the zipper or other readily releaseable closure 8. The rider then pulls the free portion of the sheet 9 out of the bag 7 and the leading edge of the sheet 9 remains fastened within the bag 7. The upper portion of the sheet/skirt is pulled up to the waist and secured around the waist by use of the fasteners 17. The trailing edge of the sheet 9 is preferably fastened to the saddle blanket 3 or 4 by use of the fastenings 11 and 12. The stiffening of the edge portion of the sheet 9 that is provided by the stiffened edge 31 tends to inhibit the billowing of the sheet 9 in the wind. The lower corners of the sheet 9 are then fastened to stirrups 26 as illustrated in figure 9 by passing the tapes 16 around the respective stirrup and fastening the tapes 16 to the Velcro patches 15.

It will be appreciated that the various fastenings (of the sheet 9 around the waist of the rider, to the saddle blanket and to the stirrups) need to be secured quickly and to be released quickly. The fastening of the sheet 9 around the waist of the rider also needs to be self-releasing in the event that and so they need to be self-releasing when they are snatched or jerked. In normal use, the securing means need only keep the sheet 9 taught and need not have any weight-bearing strength.

Once the sheet is secured around the waist of the rider then the lower portions of both sides of the sheet/skirt may, according to the rider's preference, be secured low down in the vicinity of the feet. This is achieved by passing a securing strap around the top portion of the stirrup and then pulled up firmly and then folded back on itself securing

with Velcro or other suitable means of attachment. This action stretches the sheet out. The same procedure is followed on the opposite side to cover and protect the other leg. Finally, according to the rider's preference, straps 14 may be passed around the rider's leg and fastened to the Velcro or like fastening 13. This secures the sheet 9 to the sides of the legs to inhibit the sheet from flapping in the wind.

According to other preferred embodiments of the invention that are designed for extremely cold conditions, the sheet 9 is lined with an insulating material. Preferred insulating materials include lambswool and polypropylene textile. It is preferred that such insulating materials be readily detachable from the sheet 9 for cleaning or when the insulation was not required for climatic conditions.

It will also be appreciated that, although the presently described embodiments of the invention attach the bag 7 to the leading edge of a saddle blanket, in alternative embodiments of the invention that are not illustrated in the drawings the bag 7 is attached to the leading edge of a saddle pad or to the leading edge region of a saddle.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

'Comprises/comprising' when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.