| WO/2017/119854 | WHIP SYSTEM FOR MEASURING HITTING ENERGY |
| WO/2020/096653 | RIDING CROP APPARATUS FOR STRIKING A HORSE |
| WO/2011/059484 | DRESSAGE WHIP AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUIDING A HORSE |
| AT10791U1 | 2009-10-15 | |||
| GB2518427A | 2015-03-25 | |||
| DE3129097A1 | 1983-02-10 | |||
| GB2338881A | 2000-01-12 |
| CLAIMS 1 . A whip assembly, the whip comprising a handle part with a flexible shaft extending therefrom, and a lighting arrangement, the lighting arrangement being configured when operating to illuminate the whip shaft. 2. A whip assembly according to claim 1 , characterised in that the whip shaft is hollow and made of a translucent or transparent material, and the lighting arrangement illuminates the interior of the whip shaft. 3. A whip assembly according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the lighting arrangement is provided in the handle part and shines light down the interior of the whip shaft. 4. A whip assembly according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the lighting arrangement comprises one or more lighting elements located within the whip shaft. 5. A whip assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the lighting elements are in the form of LEDs or fibre optics. 6. A whip assembly according to claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the lighting elements are spaced around and along the length of the whip shaft. 7. A whip assembly according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the lighting arrangement includes lighting elements around the outside of the whip shaft. 8. A whip assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the lighting elements comprise a light string or fibre optics. 9. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lighting arrangement is configured to selectively provide a flashing light. 10. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lighting arrangement is configured to selectively provide different colour lights. 1 1 . A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the whip assembly includes a rechargeable battery. 12. A whip assembly according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that the rechargeable battery is a lithium battery. 13. A whip assembly according to claims 1 1 or 12, characterised in that the rechargeable battery is located in the handle part. 14. A whip assembly according to any of claims 1 1 to 13, characterised in that indication means are provided to indicate that the battery is being charged and/or to indicate the charging state of the battery. 15. A whip assembly according to any of claims 1 1 to 14, characterised in that a solar panel is provided on the whip assembly to enable charging of the battery. 16. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a connection unit for providing wireless connection to a communication device such as a mobile phone, is provided on the whip assembly to permit communication therethrough. 17. A whip assembly according to claim 16, characterised in that a speaker and/or a microphone are provided on the whip assembly for use with the connection unit. 18. A whip assembly according to claims 16 or 17, characterised in that the connection unit operates by a wireless technology such as BLUETOOTH®. 19. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a camera is provided on the whip assembly. 20. A whip assembly according to claim 19, characterised in that the camera connects to the connection unit, such that the camera can connect to a communication device such as a mobile phone. 21 . A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an input to connect to a data storage means is provided. 22. A whip assembly according to claim 21 , characterised in that a slot for a memory card such as a micro SD card is provided on the handle part. 23. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the whip assembly includes a GPS unit. 24. A whip assembly according to claim 23, characterised in that a GPS unit connects to a communication device such as a mobile phone. 25. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a torch arrangement is provided on the whip assembly. 26. A whip assembly according to claim 25, characterised in that the torch arrangement is provided on the handle part. 27. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a near field communication microchip is provided in the handle part. 28. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the whip assembly includes selectively operable ultrasonic sound emitter to repel other animals. 29. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the whip assembly includes a motion sensor. 30. A whip assembly according to claim 29, characterised in that the whip assembly includes a memory device to record motion data. 31 . A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a light reflective part is provided on the whip assembly. 32. A whip assembly according to claim 31 , characterised in that a light reflective part is provided on the shaft. 33. A whip assembly according to claim 32, characterised in that the light reflective part is provided on the shaft adjacent to, or towards the handle. 34. A whip assembly according to any of claims 31 to 33, characterised in that the light reflective part comprises a mirror. 35. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaft is made of any of a plastics material, acrylic or fibreglass. 36. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaft is removably mounted on the handle part. 37. A whip assembly according to claim 36, characterised in that the handle part is selectively mountable on other items for use therewith. 38. A whip assembly according to claims 36 or 37, characterised in that engageable screw threads are provided on the shaft and handle part. 39. A whip assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a switch arrangement is provided on the handle part for controlling the lighting arrangement and any other components of the whip assembly. 40. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. |
This invention concerns whip assemblies, and especially whip assemblies for equestrian purposes.
A problem often encountered by horse riders, and especially when travelling on roads, is that they may not be very visible to other road users and especially in low lighting conditions. This may particularly be the case if the horse rider is trying to signal to other road users that they wish to turn, or make some other manoeuvre. Horse riders often have a whip, but this is generally not very visible to other road users.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a whip assembly, the whip comprising a handle part with a flexible shaft extending therefrom, and a lighting arrangement, the lighting arrangement being configured when operating to illuminate the whip shaft.
In one arrangement the whip shaft is hollow and made of a translucent or transparent material, and the lighting arrangement illuminates the interior of the whip shaft.
In one configuration the lighting arrangement may be provided in the handle part and may shine light down the interior of the whip shaft. In a further configuration the lighting arrangement may comprise one or more lighting elements located within the whip shaft. The lighting elements may be in the form of LEDs or fibre optics. The lighting elements may be spaced around and along the length of the whip shaft. In a further arrangement the lighting arrangement includes lighting elements around the outside of the whip shaft, and the lighting elements may comprise a light string or fibre optics. The lighting arrangement may be configured to selectively provide a flashing light. The lighting arrangement may be configured to selectively provide different colour lights.
The whip assembly may include a rechargeable battery which may be a lithium battery and may be located in the handle part. A connection, which may be a USB port, may be provided on the handle to permit charging of the rechargeable battery.
Indication means may be provided to indicate that the battery is being charged and/or to indicate the charging state of the battery.
A solar panel may be provided on the whip assembly to enable charging of the battery.
A connection unit for providing wireless connection to a communication device such as a mobile phone, may be provided on the whip assembly to permit communication therethrough. A speaker and/or a microphone may be provided on the whip assembly for use with the connection unit.
The connection unit may operate by a wireless technology such as BLUETOOTH®. A camera, which may be a video camera, may be provided on the whip assembly. The camera may connect to the connection unit, such that the camera can connect to a communication device such as a mobile phone.
An input to connect to a data storage means may be provided, and a slot for a memory card such as a micro SD card may be provided on the handle part. The whip assembly may include a GPS unit, which may connect to a communication device such as a mobile phone.
A torch arrangement may be provided on the whip assembly and may be provided on the handle part.
A near field communication microchip may be provided in the handle part. The whip assembly may include selectively operable ultrasonic sound emitter to repel other animals.
The whip assembly may include a motion sensor and may include a memory device to record motion data.
A light reflective part may be provided on the whip assembly and may be provided on the shaft. The light reflective part may be provided on the shaft adjacent to, or towards the handle. The light reflective part may comprise a mirror.
The shaft may be made of a plastics material and may be made of acrylic or fibreglass. The shaft may be removably mounted on the handle part, and the handle part may be selectively mountable on other items for use therewith.
Engageable screw threads may be provided on the shaft and handle part.
A switch arrangement may be provided on the handle part for controlling the lighting arrangement and any other components of the whip assembly. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic side view of a whip assembly according to the invention. The drawing shows a whip assembly 10 with a handle part 12 from which a flexible shaft 14 extends with a popper 16 at its distal end. The shaft 14 may be selectively mounted on the handle part 12 by respective screw threads (not shown) which may permit the handle part 12 to be used with other items.
The handle part 12 is of a greater diameter than the shaft 14 and may be made in any particular form or material so as to be comfortably held by a user. A switch 18 is provided at the opposite end of the handle part 12 to the shaft 14 and connects to a rechargeable lithium battery located in the handle part 12. A USB port 20 is provided to permit charging of the battery and an indication light 22 is provided adjacent the port 20 to indicate when the battery has been or is being charged, and also as required to provide an indication of the status of the battery charge.
A solar panel 24 is provided on the shaft 14 adjacent the handle part 12 to also enable charging of the battery when the shaft receives light. A mirrored band 26 is provided immediately adjacent to the solar panel 24 to enable the whip assembly to reflect light for example off a vehicle's headlights, to aid the visibility of a user of the whip assembly 10.
The shaft 14 is hollow and made of a translucent plastics material such as acrylic. A plurality of lighting elements in the form of LEDs 28 are provided interconnected to each other and connected to the battery, and spaced longitudinally and diametrically throughout the shaft 14. In use the whip assembly 10 can be used in a conventional manner, and the mirror can help to increase the visibility of a user by reflecting light thereof.
Particularly in low lighting conditions, a user may wish to increase their visibility to other road users. Using the switch 18, the LEDs 28 can be illuminated so as to provide a clear visual indication to other road users of the existence of a horse rider. The whip assembly 10 may be configured such that a choice of colours of light can be selective as desired or most appropriate. The assembly 10 may also be configured such that the lights can flash, and this can be particularly useful for instance when a horse rider making a turn or a change of direction on a road. Therefore, when it is desired to make a turning, or a turning is actually being made, the lighting elements could for instance flash orange to clearly indicate the intended or actual turning taking place.
A torch arrangement 30 with any appropriate switching arrangement is provided on the handle part 12. A near field communication microchip shown diagrammatically at 32, is provided within the handle part 12. This microchip may be used to control features such as face recognition, opening of doors etc, which may be of particular use when the handle part 12 is used other than with the whip shaft 14.
Whilst the arrangement provides significant advantages in enhancing the external visibility of a rider using the whip, the assembly can be used in a conventional manner as a whip to direct a horse. As well as on whips for equestrian use, the invention may be used on other types of whips and crops.
Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, different lighting arrangements could be used other than the described LEDs. For example, a line of fibre optics could extend down inside of the shaft. In some arrangements the lighting elements are provided around the outside of the shaft and may be in the form of fibre optics or light strings. In such an instance the shaft need not be hollow. The light strings or fibre optics could for instance be wrapped around the shaft.
In a further alternative arrangement, a lighting arrangement could be provided in the handle part and shine down a translucent or transparent shaft.
The whip assembly may include a connection unit to permit connection to a communication device such as a mobile phone using for instance BLUETOOTH® technology. A speaker and/or a microphone may be provided on the whip assembly. These can be useful as a training aid for instance in dressage, allowing instant communication with a trainer. A programmable memory device or a location for a data carrier such as a micro SD card may be provided to provide instructions to a rider. A camera may be provided on the whip assembly which may be a video camera. The camera may connect to a communication device such as a mobile phone, for instance to record and/or transmit pictures. This could obviously be important in the event of any incidents or accidents. An input for a memory for the camera may be provided, for instance in the form of a slot for a micro SD memory card.
The whip assembly may include a GPS unit which could connect to the communication device such as a mobile phone. The whip assembly may include a motion sensor to detect motion of the whip. Alternatively or in addition, the whip assembly may include pressure pads or switches to detect when the whip is used as such. A memory device or a location for a data carrier such as a micro SD card may be provided to receive data concerning movement and/or use of the whip. This can provide useful data concerning whip usage, which can be important for instance in horse racing where generally only limited whip usage is permitted. The whip assembly may include a selectively operable ultrasonic emitter to repel other animals. This can be particularly useful when aggressive and/or noisy dogs are encountered which can spook/frighten a horse. The ultrasonic emitter could be controlled by the switch 18, or another switch could be provided on the house part 12.
A different switch arrangement could be provided. The shaft may be made of other materials such as fibre glass. The handle may take any appropriate form.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.