U.S. patent application number 10/742073 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for carousel rack for saddles.
Invention is credited to Priefert, Edward D..
Application Number | 20040211738 10/742073 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33302849 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Priefert, Edward D. |
October 28, 2004 |
Carousel rack for saddles
Abstract
A device for storing up to eight saddles on a one or two level
rotating rack, comprising a T-shaped base, a support pole with a
plurality of hooks at the top end, and one or two collars placed at
intervals along the support pole that freely rotate about the
support pole. Attached to these collars are a plurality of bent
U-shaped supports for holding saddles and saddle blankets.
Inventors: |
Priefert, Edward D.; (Mt.
Pleasant, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVIS, BROWN, KOEHN, SHORS & ROBERTS, P.C.
THE FINANCIAL CENTER
666 WALNUT STREET
SUITE 2500
DES MOINES
IA
50309-3993
US
|
Family ID: |
33302849 |
Appl. No.: |
10/742073 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60434929 |
Dec 19, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.11 ;
211/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B68C 1/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/085.11 ;
211/163 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A rack unit for storing saddles, comprising: (a) a base plate;
(b) base rods attached to lower surface of the base plate, the base
rods extending in a horizontal direction; (c) a support post
extending upward from upper surface of the base plate; (d) one or
more collars rotatably affixed to the support post; and (e) a
multiplicity of saddle supports removably affixed to the
collars.
2. The rack unit defined in claim 1 where the base rods comprise
two L-shaped cylindrical bars with a horizontally affixed platform
at the upper portion of the bend and having the platforms affixed
to the base plate with a plurality of fasteners.
3. The rack unit defined in claim 1 where the support post is
rigidly affixed to center axis of the base plate.
4. The rack unit defined in claim 1, top of the support post
comprising a multiplicity of hooks curving generally upwards.
5. The rack unit defined in claim 1 where the collars are comprised
of a cylindrical tube surrounding the support post and a plurality
of slightly raised braces attached to the collar at both the top
and bottom of the collar, and slightly raised from and running
parallel to the long axis of the collar.
6. The rack unit defined in claim 1 where the collars are supported
by a pin passed horizontally through a series of holes in the
support post.
7. The rack unit defined in claim 1 where the saddle supports
comprise: (a) a fixed plate containing a two keyhole shaped
notches; (b) a bent U-shaped bar initially extending
perpendicularly from the center of the fixed plate, bending
generally upwards, then forking to form an upper and lower fork,
where both forks extend horizontally and at an angle perpendicular
to the initial horizontal portion of the U-shaped bar; and (c) a
pair of narrow side members attached to the upper fork of the bent
U-shaped bar and extending substantially opposite to each other,
each of the side frame member forming a planar supporting surface
being located at an acute angle to the horizontal in a downwardly
manner.
8. The saddle support defined in claim 1 where the plate is affixed
to the collars using a plurality of fasteners.
9. The saddle support defined in claim 1 where the plate is
removably affixed to pins on the collars using a teardrop-shaped
notch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Art
[0002] The invention relates generally to a device for storing and
supporting horseback riding accessories and more specifically to a
rack for storing and supporting from one to eight saddles,
including the associated saddle blankets, on a rotational carousel
allowing several saddles to be easily stored and retrieved in a
relatively small space.
[0003] 2. Background of the Art
[0004] Saddle racks have been developed to keep saddles from being
stored on the ground, or in other haphazard fashions, which can
subject them to dirt, excessive wear, and damage. Several prior art
saddle racks hold only one saddle. The prior art saddle racks for
holding multiple saddles stack saddles on top of one another in a
vertical fashion, making it difficult to reach the top-most saddle.
Additionally, most of these saddle racks are fixed to a wall, which
does not allow for them to be moved or used in a variety of areas.
Most of these saddle racks do not contain additional racks for
blankets which are commonly used under the saddle while riding,
requiring the purchase of separate blanket racks, or requiring the
user to store the blankets underneath or on top of the saddle,
again exposing the saddle to sweat and dirt, and not allowing for
sufficient circulation to dry the blankets between uses. This can
cause mildew and mold to accumulate and deteriorate the saddle
blanket, and can result in discomfort and injury to the horse if
re-used while wet.
[0005] This invention allows for one to eight saddles to be stored
in a relatively small space. The rotational movement of the rack
allows for easy access to any of the eight saddles. This is also
helpful when cleaning saddles, as the user can remain in place
while cleaning multiple saddles. The preferred embodiment of the
invention further includes a blanket bar to allow for storage of
the proper blanket with each saddle. The blanket bar is mounted a
sufficient distance beneath each saddle support to allow for enough
air circulation to dry the blankets.
[0006] The saddle rack allows for use of either one or two
subunits. If four or fewer saddles are stored, only one base
subunit is used. If more saddles need to be stored, the user can
attach an additional subunit to the base saddle rack. Each subunit
stores the saddles at the same, convenient height for ease of
access. Furthermore, each saddle support and blanket rack
combination is removable from the collar subunit to allow for even
more flexibility. The entire unit is easily deconstructed and moved
rather than affixed to a wall, permitting the saddle rack to be
easily modified and transported for use in a variety of areas both
at home and away.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a rack for storing multiple
saddles and saddle blankets consisting of a base member having a
base plate with a support post attached to the medial point of the
upper surface of the base plate and two L-shaped base posts
extending horizontally from the lower surface of the base plate.
The base posts have a platform welded to the upper side of the bend
in the posts. The platform on the base posts is attached to the
base plate by a plurality of fasteners.
[0008] The support post consists of two portions that extend
generally upwards, ending in a top portion comprising a plurality
of hooks. At intervals along the support post, one or two collars
are positioned around and freely rotate about the support post.
Attached to these collars is a multiplicity of saddle supports
which extend perpendicularly to the support post, curve generally
upwards, and then curve back to the horizontal at an angle
perpendicular to the initial portion of the saddle support, and
fork into an upper and lower arm. To opposite sides of the upper
arm are attached narrow side members, which extend outwards from
the upper arm at acute angles to the horizontal in a downward
direction. The upper arm and side members support the saddle; the
lower arm supports the saddle blanket.
[0009] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the
following specification, drawings, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rack configured to hold
six saddles.
[0011] FIG. 2a is an exploded view of base plate, support post, and
collar.
[0012] FIG. 2b is an exploded view of support post, base plate, and
L-shaped rods.
[0013] FIG. 2c is an exploded view of L-shaped rods, support post,
collar, and saddle support.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of collar-saddle support connection
using fasteners.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of collar-saddle support
connection using pins and teardrop-shaped notches.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] In the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a saddle rack 10 of the
present invention configured to hold up to six saddles, using two
subunits that support up to three saddles each. A lower portion of
the support post 14 is rigidly affixed to a center point of the
upper surface of a base plate 11. FIG. 2a shows the upper portion
of a support post 15 fitting over the top of the lower portion of
the support post 14. To the top of the upper portion of the support
post 15 are four hooks 16 that have their lower end rigidly affixed
to the top of the upper portion of the support post 15 and extend
generally upwardly to hold bridles or other hanging materials.
Collars 20 are slid over the support post and are supported at the
desired height on the upper 15 or lower 14 portion of the support
post using a pin (not shown) passed horizontally through holes 18
on the support post underneath the collar 20. The collars 20 are
then restricted from moving vertically along the support post 14,
15, but are freely rotatable around the support post 14, 15.
Collars 20 can also be configured to support up to four
saddles.
[0017] FIG. 2b shows the bottom surface of the base plate 11 as it
is connected to a pair of cylindrical L-shaped rods 12a,b with a
plurality of fasteners 17. The rods 12a,b are rigidly affixed to
the base plate 11 at their centers. The L-shaped rods 12 extend
generally in the horizontal direction to form a wide base for the
saddle rack 10.
[0018] FIG. 2c shows generally the attachment and orientation of a
saddle support 30 to the collar 20. A plate 31 of the saddle
support 30 attaches one of two ways to a brace 23 on the collar 20.
The bent U-shape portion of the saddle support 30 has three
continuous portions. A first portion 33 extends perpendicularly and
horizontally out of the center point of a base 31 of the saddle
support 30. A second portion 34 curves generally upwards and at a
right angle to the first portion 33. A third portion forks into an
upper arm 36 and a lower arm 35 which lie in the horizontal plane
at angles perpendicular to the first portion 33. To opposite sides
of the upper arm 36 are attached narrow side members 37, which
extend outwards from the upper arm at acute angles to the
horizontal in a downward direction. The upper arm 36 and side
members 37 combine to form a wide base to support the saddle in a
position mimicking the position of the saddle on a horse's back.
The lower arm 35 forms a bar on which to hold a saddle blanket or
the like.
[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 show alternate ways in which to connect the
collar 20 to the saddle support 30. In both systems, the neck of
the collar 21 is firmly attached to the braces of the collar 22 at
both the top and bottom. FIG. 3 displays a semi-permanent method in
which the brace of the collar 22 is attached to the plate 31 of the
saddle support 30 using a nut and bolt 23a. FIG. 4 shows a less
permanent method in which a teardrop shaped notch 32 in the plate
31 of the saddle support is fitted over a pin 23b on the brace 22
of the collar 20. The plate is then slid in a downward direction to
lock the pin 23 into the narrower upper portion of the notch
32.
[0020] Once assembled, the user operates the saddle rack by moving
the saddle supports 30 around the center axis of the support post
14, 15 until the desired saddle is available.
[0021] The foregoing description comprises illustrative embodiments
of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the
methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience,
and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the
steps of the method in a certain order does not necessarily
constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method.
The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and
illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto,
except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the
art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make
modifications and variations therein without departing from the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *