US 2022/0073340 A1Published application

Shock reducing buckle and strap assemblies for girths and cinches

OwnerWilliam Alvin Larocqueinventor

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Abstract

A shock reducing buckle or strap assembly for girths and cinches includes an elastic portion in parallel with an inelastic portion. In a non-stretched, neutral position, the elastic portion is shorter than the inelastic portion by a predetermined amount. The assembly may be stretched up to the predetermined amount by overcoming the force of the elastic portion. Upon stretching the assembly by the predetermined amount, the inelastic portion comes in to play and prevents further stretching. A cinch or girth attached to a saddle utilizing the assembly holds the saddle snuggly while still allowing a predetermined amount of “give” or flexibility for comfort of the horse, expansion of the horse's chest during breathing, and reducing shock upon roping a steer or calf. The elastic flexibility is limited and has a “hard stop” limit whereupon the inelastic portion prevents any further stretching. The elastic strap is thus prevented from breaking.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A shock reducing assembly comprising:

an elastic portion formed by a first material having a first elasticity;
and
an inelastic portion formed by a second material having a second elasticity being less elastic than the elastic portion;
wherein the elastic portion and the inelastic portion are attached to one another at a point of attachment;
the elastic portion and the inelastic portion extend in parallel with each other from the point of attachment toward a holding piece to which the elastic portion and the inelastic portion are respectively secured;
in a non-stretched, neutral position, the elastic portion extends a shorter distance from the point of attachment to the holding piece than the inelastic portion extends from the point of attachment to the holding piece, whereby, in the non-stretched neutral position, the elastic portion is shorter than the inelastic portion by a predetermined distance;
and
in a stretched position, the elastic portion is stretched by an external force acting on the holding piece to overcome an elastic force of the elastic portion such that the elastic portion is stretched by a distance up to the predetermined distance, whereupon the inelastic portion extending between the point of attachment and the holding piece prevents further stretching of the elastic portion past the predetermined distance.

5 more elements

A method of manufacturing a shock reducing assembly, the method comprising:

forming an elastic portion by a first material having a first elasticity;
forming an inelastic portion by a second material having a second elasticity being less elastic than the elastic portion;
attaching the elastic portion and the inelastic portion to one another at a point of attachment;
extending the elastic portion and the inelastic portion in parallel with each other from the point of attachment toward a holding piece to which the elastic portion and the inelastic portion are respectively secured;
and
ensuring that in a non-stretched, neutral position, the elastic portion extends a shorter distance from the point of attachment to the holding piece than the inelastic portion extends from the point of attachment to the holding piece, whereby, in the non-stretched neutral position, the elastic portion is shorter than the inelastic portion by a predetermined distance;
whereby, in a stretched position, the elastic portion can be stretched by an external force acting on the holding piece to overcome an elastic force of the elastic portion such that the elastic portion can be stretched by a distance up to the predetermined distance, whereupon the inelastic portion extending between the point of attachment and the holding piece prevents further stretching of the elastic portion past the predetermined distance.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.