WO2019094990A1

WO2019094990A1 - A horse bit having a pivotally mounted purchase and/or shank

Info

Publication number: WO2019094990A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2018/050055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carsten Engelke
Original assignee: The Bombers International Trust
Priority date: 2017-11-07
Filing date: 2018-10-24
Publication date: 2019-05-16

Abstract

A curb bit according to the invention includes a purchase (12) and lower shank (14), wherein the shank (14) is able to rotate relative to the purchase (12) and mouthpiece (not shown), which together form a fixed unit. The lower shank (14) is pivotally connected to the fixed unit formed by the mouthpiece and purchase (12). Rotation of the lower shank (14) relative to the fixed unit is limited to a desired degree, typically to about 60 degrees. The lower shank (14) is biased to return into a neutral position in which it is in alignment with the purchase (12).

Description

A HORSE BIT HAVING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED PURCHASE AND/OR SHANK

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a horse bit commonly known as a curb bit which has a purchase and a lower shank, at least one of which is pivotally connected to the remainder of the bit.

Background to the Invention

The prior art will be explained with reference to Figure 1 which shows a front view of a conventional Pelham bit, which is a type of curb bit. The bit includes a mouthpiece which is connected to a shank at either free end thereof. Each shank includes a purchase and a lower shank. The bit further includes a curb chain which is connected to cheek rings of the bit. In the example shown, the bit also includes a snaffle rein ring, which is however generally not included for a regular curb bit. When used on a horse, applying a backwards force to the curb rein rings by pulling on the reins connected thereto causes the mouthpiece to rotate forwards. At the same time, the lower shanks rotate backwards towards the rider, causing the purchases to rotate forward, thereby applying pressure to a poll of the horse via a headpiece of the bridle to which the bit is fitted in use. In addition, the curb chain which passes underneath the horse's chin along its lower jaw is tightened, thereby applying additional pressure.

As can be appreciated, a curb bit therefore has the potential to apply significant pressure to the poll, jaw and soft mouth tissue of a horse.

Some horses are very sensitive to pressure being applied to their poll and jaw and will react against being ridden with a curb or Pelham bit by shaking or throwing their heads, overbending or even bolting in an attempt to avoid the pressure.

Whereas as some horses are very forgiving towards a rider with unsteady and/or hard hands, others will seek to avoid the unsteadily applied pressure by opening their mouth, overbending, shaking or throwing their head, etc.

l The inventor therefore believes that a need exists for providing a curb bit which is kinder toward the horse in that pressure to the poll is not applied straight away when the curb reins are pulled on and/or wherein the action of the lower shanks (and therefore the pressure on the poll and tightening of the curb chain) is delayed. The nomenclature shown in Figure 1 will be used throughout this specification.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a curb bit, wherein:-

- the lower shanks and mouthpiece form a fixed unit; and

- the purchases are pivotally connected to said fixed unit; wherein rotation of the purchases relative to the fixed unit is limited to a desired degree; and wherein the purchases are biased to return into a neutral position in which they are in alignment with the lower shanks.

Each purchase may be arranged to pivot about a shaft which may pass through an aperture defined at a connecting end of the lower shank (remote the curb rein ring) and an aperture defined at a connecting end of the purchase (remote the cheek ring), thereby connecting the lower shank and purchase.

Rotation of the purchase about the shaft may be limited by one or two stoppers. The stoppers may be in the form of pins extending from the shaft.

In use, the pins may slide along arcuate side walls of the aperture in the purchase as the purchase rotates and abut against end walls of the aperture when the purchase has rotated to the desired degree, thereby inhibiting further rotation.

A biasing means may be provided for biasing each purchase into alignment with its associated lower shank.

The biasing means may be in the form of a torsion spring. It is to be appreciated, that the spring located at the right hand side of the bit biases the purchase into clockwise rotational motion (it is a right hand spring) whilst the spring located on the left hand side of the bit biases the purchase into anti-clockwise rotational motion (it is a left hand spring). A free arm of each torsion spring may extend into the aperture in the purchase, thereby allowing it to exert a force on the purchase when it abuts against an end wall of the aperture, i.e. when maximum rotation of the purchase has been achieved. Maximum rotation typically takes place through about 60 degrees. The shaft and torsion spring may be attached to or covered by ends caps.

The shaft may be kept in place by a screw or pin which passes through the end cap covering the torsion spring into a passage defined in the shaft.

In use, when a backward acting force is applied to the curb rein rings by pulling on the reins attached thereto, the lower shafts move backwards toward the rider. The purchases however remain in their original position by rotating about the shaft. Only once maximum rotation of the purchases has been achieved do they rotate forward, thereby exerting pressure on the headpiece of the bridle via the cheekpieces connected to the cheek rings of the curb bit. In addition, the curb chain is tightened proportionally to the forward motion of the purchases. When the pull on the curb reins is released, the lower shanks move forward and the purchases are biased back into alignment with the lower shanks.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a curb bit, wherein:- the purchases and mouthpiece form a fixed unit; and - the lower shanks are pivotally connected to said fixed unit; wherein rotation of the lower shanks relative to the fixed unit is limited to a desired degree; and wherein the lower shanks are biased to return into a neutral position in which they are in alignment with the purchases.

Each lower shank may be arranged to pivot about a shaft which may pass through an aperture defined at a connecting end of the lower shank (remote the curb rein ring) and an aperture defined at a connecting end of the purchase (remote the cheek ring), thereby connecting the lower shank and purchase.

Rotation of the lower shank about the shaft may be limited by one or two stoppers. The stoppers may be in the form of pins extending from the shaft. In use, the pins may slide along arcuate side walls of the aperture in the lower shank as the lower shank rotates and abut against end walls of the aperture when the lower shank has rotated to the desired degree, thereby inhibiting further rotation.

A biasing means may be provided for biasing each lower shank into alignment with its associated purchase.

The biasing means may be in the form of a torsion spring.

It is to be appreciated, that the spring located at the right hand side of the bit biases the lower shank into an anti-clockwise rotational motion (it is a left hand spring) whilst the spring located on the left hand side of the bit biases the lower shank into a clockwise rotational motion (it is a right hand spring).

A free arm of each torsion spring may extend into the aperture in the lower shank, thereby allowing it to exert a force on the lower shank when it abuts against an end wall of the aperture, i.e. when maximum rotation of the lower shank has been achieved. Maximum rotation typically takes place through about 60 degrees. The shaft and torsion spring may be attached to or covered by ends caps.

In use, when a backward acting force is applied to the curb rein rings by pulling on the reins attached thereto, the lower shafts pivot about the shaft and move backwards toward the rider.

The purchases and mouthpiece remain in their original position, i.e. the purchases do not yet cause pressure to be exerted on the horse's poll.

Once maximum rotation of the lower shanks has been achieved, they remain in a fixed position relative to the purchases and any additionally applied pressure will cause the purchases to rotate forwards, thereby exerting pressure on the horse's poll. In addition, the curb chain is tightened proportionally to the forward motion of the purchases.

When the pull on the curb reins is released, the purchases move backward and the lower shanks are biased back into alignment with the purchases, i.e. they rotate forward. By using a curb bit as described immediately above, the action of the lower shanks is delayed once a rider pulls on the reins attached to the curb rein rings, thereby making the action of the bit less severe. The motion caused by a rider's unsteady hands is absorbed by the rotation of the lower shanks without causing substantial discomfort to the horse.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be described by way of the following, nonlimiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a first embodiment of a lower shank and purchase of a curb bit in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the shank and purchase of Figure 2 in an assembled condition;

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the shank and purchase of Figure 3 after the purchase has rotated to the desired maximum degree;

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a second embodiment of a lower shank and purchase of a curb bit in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the shank and purchase of Figure 5 in an assembled condition; and Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the shank and purchase of Figure 6 after the shank has rotated to the desired maximum degree.

In Figures 2 to 4, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a purchase 12 and lower shank 14 of a curb bit wherein the purchase 12 is able to rotate relative to the lower shank 14 and mouthpiece (not shown), which together form a fixed unit. The purchase 12 is pivotally connected to the fixed unit formed by the mouthpiece and lower shank 14. Rotation of the purchase 12 relative to the fixed unit is limited to a desired degree and the purchase 12 is biased to return into a neutral position in which it is in alignment with the lower shank 14 as shown in Figure 3.

In use, the purchase 12 pivots about a shaft 16 which passes through an aperture 18 defined at a connecting end of the lower shank 14 (remote the curb rein ring 20) and an aperture 22 defined at a connecting end of the purchase 12 (remote the cheek ring 24), thereby connecting the lower shank and purchase.

Rotation of the purchase 12 about the shaft 16 is limited by two stoppers in the form of pins 26 extending from the shaft 16. In use, the pins 26 slide along arcuate side walls of the aperture 22 in the purchase 12 as the purchase 12 rotates and abut against end walls of the aperture 22 when the purchase 12 has rotated to the desired degree, thereby inhibiting further rotation.

A biasing means in the form of a torsion spring 28 is provided for biasing the purchase 12 into alignment with its associated lower shank 14. It is to be appreciated, that the spring 28 located at the right hand side of the bit biases the purchase 12 into clockwise rotational motion (it is a right hand spring) whilst the spring 28 located on the left hand side of the bit biases the purchase 12 into anti-clockwise rotational motion (it is a left hand spring).

A free arm 30 of the torsion spring 28 extends into the aperture 22 in the purchase 12, thereby allowing it to exert a force on the purchase 12 when it abuts against an end wall of the aperture 22, i.e. when maximum rotation of the purchase 12 has been achieved as shown in Figure 4. Maximum rotation typically takes place through about 60 degrees.

The shaft 16 and torsion spring 28 are attached to or covered by ends caps 32 and 34 respectively.

The shaft 16 is kept in place by pin 36 which passes through end cap 34 into a passage 38 defined in the shaft 16.

In use, when a backward acting force is applied to the curb rein ring 20 by pulling on the rein (not shown) attached thereto, the lower shaft 14 moves backwards toward the rider. The purchase 12 however remains in its original position by rotating about the shaft 16 in the direction of arrow "A" shown in Figure 4. Only once maximum rotation of the purchase 12 has been achieved does it rotate forward under action of the pulling rein, thereby exerting pressure on the headpiece of the bridle via the cheekpiece of a bridle connected to the cheek rings 24. In addition, the curb chain (not shown) is tightened proportionally to the forward motion of the purchase 12.

When the pull on the curb reins is released, the lower shank 14 moves forward and the purchase 12 are biased back into alignment with the lower shank 14 as shown in Figure 3. Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, reference numeral 40 generally indicates a purchase 12 and lower shank 14 of a curb bit wherein the shank 14 is able to rotate relative to the purchase 12 and mouthpiece (not shown), which together form a fixed unit.

The lower shank 14 is pivotally connected to the fixed unit formed by the mouthpiece and purchase 12. Rotation of the lower shank 14 relative to the fixed unit is limited to a desired degree, typically to about 60 degrees as shown in Figure 7.

The lower shank 14 is biased to return into a neutral position in which it is in alignment with the purchase 12 as shown in Figure 6.

The lower shank 14 pivots about shaft 16 which passes through an aperture 42 defined at a connecting end of the lower shank 14 (remote the curb rein ring 20) and an aperture 44 defined at a connecting end of the purchase 12 (remote the cheek ring 24), thereby connecting the lower shank 14 and purchase 12.

It is to be appreciated, that the purchase 12 and lower shank 14 are identical to those in Figures 2 to 4 but for the apertures 42 and 44 which have been swopped between the purchase 12 and shank 14.

Rotation of the lower shank 14 about the shaft 16 is limited by two stoppers in the form of pins 26 extending from the shaft 16.

In use, the pins 26 slide along arcuate side walls of the aperture 42 in the lower shank 14 as the lower shank 14 rotates and abut against end walls of the aperture 42 when the lower shank 14 has rotated to the desired degree as shown in Figure 7, thereby inhibiting further rotation.

A biasing means in the form of torsion spring 28 is provided for biasing the lower shank 14 into alignment with the purchase 12. It is to be appreciated, that the spring 28 located at the right hand side of the bit biases the lower shank 14 into an anti-clockwise rotational motion (it is a left hand spring) whilst the spring 28 located on the left hand side of the bit biases the lower shank 14 into a clockwise rotational motion (it is a right hand spring).

A free arm of 30 of the torsion spring 28 extends into the aperture 42 in the lower shank 14, thereby allowing it to exert a force on the lower shank 14 when it abuts against an end wall of the aperture 42, i.e. when maximum rotation of the lower shank 14 has been achieved. Maximum rotation typically takes place through about 60 degrees.

The shaft 16 and torsion spring 28 are attached to or covered by ends caps 32 and 34, respectively.

The shaft 16 is kept in place by pin 36 which passes through the end cap 34 covering the torsion spring 28 into a passage 38 defined in the shaft 16.

In use, when a backward acting force is applied to the curb rein rings 20 by pulling on the reins attached thereto, the lower shank14 pivots about the shaft 16 and moves backwards toward the rider.

The purchase 12 and mouthpiece remain in their original position and therefore no pressure is exerted on the poll of the horse and the curb chain does not apply any pressure either.

Once maximum rotation of the lower shank 14 has been achieved, it remains in a fixed position relative to the purchase 12 and any additionally applied pressure will cause the purchase 12 to rotate forwards, thereby exerting pressure on the horse's poll. In addition, the curb chain is tightened proportionally to the forward motion of the purchase 12. When the pull on the curb reins is released, the purchase 12 moves backward and the lower shank 14 is biased back into alignment with the purchase 12, i.e. it rotates forward into alignment with the purchase.

It is to be appreciated, that the invention is not limited to any specific embodiment or configuration hereinbefore generally described or illustrated.

Claims

A curb bit , wherein:- the lower shanks and mouthpiece form a fixed unit; and the purchases are pivotally connected to said fixed unit; wherein rotation of the purchases relative to the fixed unit is limited to a desired degree; and wherein the purchases are biased to return into a neutral position in which they are in alignment with the lower shanks.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each purchase is arranged to pivot about a shaft which passes through an aperture defined at a connecting end of the lower shank (remote the curb rein ring) and an aperture defined at a connecting end of the purchase (remote the cheek ring), thereby connecting the lower shank and purchase.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein rotation of the purchase about the shaft is limited to a desired degree.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 3, wherein rotation of the purchase about the shaft is limited by one or two stoppers in the form of pins extending from the shaft.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in use the pins slide along arcuate side walls of the aperture in the purchase as the purchase rotates and abut against end walls of the aperture when the purchase has rotated to the desired degree, thereby inhibiting further rotation.

A curb bit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a biasing means is provided for biasing each purchase into alignment with its associated lower shank.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the biasing means is in the form of a torsion spring.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 7, wherein a free arm of each torsion spring extends into the aperture in the purchase, thereby allowing it to exert a force on the purchase when it abuts against an end wall of the aperture, i.e. when maximum rotation of the purchase has been achieved. A curb bit as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the shaft and torsion spring are attached to or covered by ends caps.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the shaft is kept in place by a screw or pin which passes through the end cap covering the torsion spring into a passage defined in the shaft.

A curb bit, wherein:- the purchases and mouthpiece form a fixed unit; and the lower shanks are pivotally connected to said fixed unit; wherein rotation of the lower shanks relative to the fixed unit is limited to a desired degree; and wherein the lower shanks are biased to return into a neutral position in which they are in alignment with the purchases.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein each lower shank is arranged to pivot about a shaft which may pass through an aperture defined at a connecting end of the lower shank (remote the curb rein ring) and an aperture defined at a connecting end of the purchase (remote the cheek ring), thereby connecting the lower shank and purchase.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 1 1 or claim 12, wherein rotation of the lower shank about the shaft is limited to a desired degree.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 13, wherein rotation of the lower shank about the shaft is limited by one or two stoppers in the form of pins extending from the shaft.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 14, wherein, in use, the pins slide along arcuate side walls of the aperture in the lower shank as the lower shank rotates and abut against end walls of the aperture when the lower shank has rotated to the desired degree, thereby inhibiting further rotation.

A curb bit as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein a biasing means is provided for biasing each lower shank into alignment with its associated purchase.

A curb bit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the biasing means is in the form of a torsion spring.

18. A curb bit as claimed in claim 17, wherein a free arm of each torsion spring extends into the aperture in the lower shank, thereby allowing it to exert a force on the lower shank when it abuts against an end wall of the aperture, i.e. when maximum rotation of the lower shank has been achieved.

19. A curb bit as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the shaft and torsion spring are attached to or covered by ends caps.

20. A curb bit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the shaft is kept in place by a screw or pin which passes through the end cap covering the torsion spring into a passage defined in the shaft.

21. A curb bit according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.

22. A curb bit as specifically described with reference to or as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.

23. A curb bit including any new and inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.