Abstract: Moldable products which conform to the size and shape of a particular object and methods of forming the same are provided. The products are made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural leathers, synthetic leathers, and mixtures thereof. The products and methods of the invention are particularly useful for manufacturing custom-fit footwear at a reasonable price. Methods in accordance with the invention comprise molding the starting material on and around a foot, wetting the material with a mixture comprising a leather stiffening or hardening agent, and drying the wetted material while still on the foot.

Abstract: Moldable products which conform to the size and shape of a particular object and methods of forming the same are provided. The products are made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural leathers, synthetic leathers, and mixtures thereof. The products and methods of the invention are particularly useful for manufacturing custom-fit footwear at a reasonable price. Methods in accordance with the invention comprise molding the starting material on and around a foot, wetting the material with a mixture comprising a leather stiffening or hardening agent, and drying the wetted material while still on the foot.

Abstract: A load leveling saddle pad for placement on the back of an equine animal such as a horse or mule beneath the saddle which uses a load leveler to fill depressions behind the scapula thereby building a more even surface for the bearing load. The saddle pad includes a pair of interconnected aprons which extend over the ribs and shoulders of the animal, with the load leveler being positioned on the aprons for positioning behind the scapula of the animal, the load leveler including at least one shim and an attachment member which releaseably couples the shim to the apron. Preferably, a thin bridging material is used to connect the aprons along their respective top edges to avoid pinching of the animal, with holes provided along the upper ridge thereof for ventilation.

Abstract: A padded construction useful for straps or irregularly-shaped articles is provided which includes a pair of opposed outer panels and a core sandwiched between the outer panels with side margins extending between the latter and having the core between the side margins. One of the outer panels and the side margins are formed of a closed cell neoprene synthetic resin foam material, whereas the core includes a length of synthetic resin (e.g., nylon or polyester) webbing. In one embodiment, the outer panels and side margins are integrated to present a tubular section of the neoprene foam material, and the core is disposed within the tubular section; an exterior decorative leather piece may be attached by sewing through the tubular subassembly. In another embodiment, the core includes an internal leather strap to which the webbing is attached, and neoprene is first applied to the core subassembly and is wrapped around the side margins thereof in an overlapping fashion.

Abstract: An improved saddle tree is provided, which flexibly confirms to a horse's back to accommodate the physically characteristics of a given horse, and incorporates a damping system to preclude excessive vibrations in the flexible materials. The saddle tree includes a pair of laterally spaced apart, flexible synthetic skirts connected by a spanning member and a seat element. The seat element is coupled with the respective skirts at two forward pivot mountings, and the spanning member extends between the skirts at a rearward position. The seat element carries a skid assembly at a position just rearward of the pommel, and this assembly deforms under compressive loading to provide damping action. The cantle portion of the seat element slidably and frictionally engages the top of the spanning member.

Abstract: An improved safety stirrup (10) which prevents significant rearward shifting of the stirrup body (24), thereby reducing the possibility that a rider's foot (F) can pass completely through the stirrup body (24) and present a safety hazard. The safety stirrup body (24) includes an upper suspension shaft (26) having a pair of spaced, descending stirrup legs (28, 30) and a lowermost footpad (32); the shaft (26) is pivotally received within a looped stirrup strap (14). Significant rearward pivoting of the body (24) is prevented by provision of a plurality of upright, elongated, forwardly canted cam members (38-42) extending upwardly from the shaft (26). The cam members (38-42) are co-operable with the looped strap (14) for inhibiting rearward pivoting of the body (24).

Abstract: An improved saddle tree assembly (10) which permits infinite adjustment at multiple points so that the tree may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the physical characteristics of a given horse. The saddle tree assembly includes a pair of laterally spaced apart, flexible synthetic resin skirts (12, 14) together with a spanning, overlying tree frame (16). The frame is coupled to the skirts by means of threaded adjustment structures (18, 20, 22, 24) permitting selective shifting between the tree frame and skirts. At each connection point between the tree frame and skirts a multiple-layer, rivet-connected plate assembly (62, 64 and 82, 84) is provided, which serves to effectively and evenly distribute the rider's weight, in order to minimize pinching or bruising of the horse's back.

Abstract: An improved breastplate assembly (10) which is adapted for connection with a saddle (12) and serves as a humane training aid to encourage a horse to travel with its head lowered while avoiding injury to the animal in the event of undue upward movement of the horse's head and neck. The breastplate assembly (10) includes a breastplate (14) having a pair of interconnected straps (24, 26) adapted for connection to the saddle (12), together with a depending central strap (16) coupled with the breastplate (14) and extending downwardly for connection with the lower girth strap (22) of saddle (12). The central strap (16) includes an elongated, axially stretchable section (42), which preferably forms the lowermost section of the strap (16). A tiedown strap (18) is secured to the central strap (16) and extends upwardly for coupling with the horse's bridle to provide yieldable, axially stretching of the central strap (16) in response to upward movement of the horse's head.

Abstract: An improved saddle tree is provided, which flexibly confirms to a horse's back to accommodate the physically characteristics of a given horse, and incorporates a damping system to preclude excessive vibrations in the flexible materials. The saddle tree includes a pair of laterally spaced apart, flexible synthetic skirts connected by a spanning member and a seat element. The seat element is coupled with the respective skirts at two forward pivot mountings, and the spanning member extends between the skirts at a rearward position. The seat element carries a skid assembly at a position just rearward of the pommel, and this assembly deforms under compressive loading to provide damping action. The cantle portion of the seat element slidably and frictionally engages the top of the spanning member.

Abstract: An improved, low-cost safety stirrup (10) is provided having a release feature which permits safe removal of a rider's foot 26 in the vent of a fall or other mishap, and which also includes a shock-absorbing mechanism (15) and anti-rotation structure (31, 44) for preventing undesirable stirrup turning. The stirrup (10) advantageously includes a unitary metallic frame (12) presenting a tubular upper end (28) and a cantilever, footpad-supporting lower base (40). A footpad assembly (16) including a resilient, synthetic resin, U-shaped member, presenting at its bight, a footpad (56) is removably affixed to the frame base (40). An inboard keeper wall (58) extends upwardly from the footpad (56) to prevent escape of the rider's foot (26) during normal riding, but yields and bends open to permit the rider's foot (26) to clear the stirrup (10) in the event of a fall or the like.

Abstract: A riding saddle is provided which distributes the weight of the horse and rider over a large surface area on the back of a horse to prevent bruising and soreing of the horse's back and to provide a shock absorbing quality as the result of their resilient, spring-like material. The saddle includes a tree frame having first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel bars; first and second flexible skirts each having a surface area respectively greater than the surface area of lower face of the side bars; and fasteners coupling the skirts with the lower face of their corresponding bars. The skirts have flexing portions and flex to conform to the contours of the back of the horse on which the saddle is placed and are biased to return to the unflexed position when the saddle is removed from the horse. Preferably, the skirts include a layer of polycarbonate resin or plastic, a layer of foam rubber, and a layer of fleece-like material.