Saddle lift for individuals with special needs and others

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10519028-B2
Application number	US-201715669240-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 4, 2017
Priority date	Aug 4, 2016
Publication date	Dec 31, 2019
Grant date	Dec 31, 2019

Abstract

A lift system includes a block and tackle pulley system movable along a track and carrying first and second hooks at a common attachment axis. The first hook is attached at a front end of the saddle while the second hook is attached to the back end of the saddle. Once the saddle is lowered onto the horse the inward tension of the hooks caused by the weight of the saddle is released allowing the hooks to be removed from the saddle without human intervention. The lift system accommodates a range of saddle sizes and weights.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of assisting individuals with special needs with saddling a horse during equine-assisted therapy, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning a horizontal track above a staging area sized to accommodate a standing horse and with one end of the track positioned near a saddle storage area holding a saddle, the track having a sliding carriage movable along the track, the sliding carriage supporting a block and tackle having an upper pulley attached to the sliding carriage and a lower pulley attached to a pair of pendant hooks;
(b) maneuvering the sliding carriage over the saddle storage area and lowering the block and tackle so that the hooks may engage with the saddle in the saddle storage area;
(c) raising the saddle using the block and tackle;
(d) positioning the sliding carriage over the standing horse in the staging area and lowering the block and tackle to position the saddle on the horse; and
(e) disengaging the hooks from the saddle; wherein
an individual with special needs operates the block and tackle.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein steps (b)-(c) are accomplished by an individual holding a single rope of the block and tackle.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the upper pulley includes a cam and further comprising the step of passing the single rope through the cam to allow movement of the single rope in one direction and prevent movement of the single rope in an opposite direction.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a strap between breast collar D rings of the saddle to form a loop, wherein the loop is configured to receive at least one of the hooks.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a front hook of the pair of pendant hooks is positioned near a front of the saddle and oriented with a point of the front hook directed outward with respect to a center of the saddle.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein a rear hook of the pair of pendant hooks is positioned near a rear of the saddle and oriented with a point of the rear hook directed toward the center of the saddle.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the rear hook comprises a shank extending along a first axis and curving along an axis perpendicular to the first axis, and the point is bent backward toward the shank along an outer edge of the hook.

8. The method of claim 6 , where the rear hook is sized to engage a rear edge of a cantle of the saddle.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein points of the pair of hooks are oriented in a same direction when hooked onto the saddle.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pair of hooks are coupled to the block and tackle at a common axis.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of adjusting a distance between at least one of the hooks and the common axis.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein a weight of the saddle produces an inward force between the pair of hooks when the saddle is lifted.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual with special needs is in a wheelchair.

14. A method of assisting individuals with special needs with saddling a horse during equine-assisted therapy, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning a horizontal track above a staging area sized to accommodate a standing horse and with one end of the track positioned near a saddle storage area holding a saddle, the track having a sliding carriage movable along the track, the sliding carriage supporting a block and tackle having an upper pulley attached to the sliding carriage and a lower pulley attached to a pair of pendant hooks;
(b) positioning an individual with special needs who is operating of the block and tackle with respect to the track such that a vector formed by the individual holding a single rope of the block and tackle is 45 to 90 degrees with respect to an axis formed by a length of the track;
(c) maneuvering the sliding carriage over the saddle storage area and lowering the block and tackle so that the hooks may engage with the saddle in the saddle storage area;
(d) raising the saddle using the block and tackle;
(e) positioning the sliding carriage over the standing horse and lowering the block and tackle to position the saddle on the horse; and
(f) disengaging the hooks from the saddle; wherein
steps (c)-(d) are accomplished by the individual holding the single rope of the block and tackle.

Assignees

• Wisys Tech Foundation Inc

Inventors

• Burris Shanna Arline
• Olson Dean Ivan

Classifications

• A63B71/00

  Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 (starting appliances A63K3/02) · CPC title

• B68C1/00

  Saddling equipment for riding- or pack-animals · CPC title

• B68C1/002 Primary

  Saddle-racks for supporting or cleaning purposes · CPC title

• F16M11/046

  adapted to upward-downward translation movement · CPC title

• F16M13/027

  Ceiling supports · CPC title