Saddle lift for individuals with special needs and others
AssigneeWiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.
InventorsShanna Arline Burris, Dean Ivan Olson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims14
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.