Saddlewrangler- a portable, collapsible saddle rack system   

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/279,872 filed Oct. 26, 2009 and entitled SaddleWrangler.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This inventions relates to devices for transporting and storing equestrian equipment, specifically saddles and the associated tack and accessories between horses and transporting vehicles or storage facilities. In particular, this invention relates to a 4-wheeled frame that can carry and store saddles and tack and can easily maneuver over level terrain or sandy, rough ground without physical exertion greater than the ability to roll the weight of the SaddleWrangler, the saddle(s), and/or the accessories; and can be collapsed when not in use to form a footprint that is less than one-half is expanded (opened) size. This invention can be easily used by children and adults, and not only in a stable setting, but also when transporting horses and equipment to shows and other riding events.

While other saddle racks are known in the art, they often are capable of carrying one saddle and are limited in the ability to carry and/or store additional equestrian accessories. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,338,049; 3,930,663; 5,791,668) Other types of saddle racks are large and heavy and require special transport devices or more than one person to maneuver the cart. Combination saddle racks and carriers are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,362,078 and 6,616,152 and 6,929,269 are combination racks and dollies or handtrucks. Each of these are cumbersome to use, especially by children or smaller adults, due to the distribution of weight, and the angle in which the saddles are transported allows for instability and dragging on the ground of the accessories. These devices have been known to fall over without prevarication when fully loaded.

SUMMARY

The SaddleWrangler Saddle Rack System invention relates to devices for the transportation and storage of one or two saddles and additional tack accessories. The SaddleWrangler is a self-contained device, not dependent on another device for portability. The unit is collapsible to form a footprint less than one-half its expanded (opened) size, and can stand independently without external support by deploying the kickstand attached to the storage box frame.

The present invention provides the ability to easily maneuver saddle(s) and tack over level terrain or sandy, rough ground without physical exertion greater than the ability to roll the weight of the device, the saddle(s), and/or the accessories. The front handle has two positions for adjusting the maneuverability—one position allows for rolling over smooth terrain using all four wheels, the second position extends the handle and the operator lifts the device, allowing the rear pneumatic wheels to take the load for moving smoothly over rough or sandy ground. Additional detachable handles are provided for greater leverage and control. This weight distribution makes it easier for children or small adults to use without difficulty.

The SaddleWrangler invention has a built-in collapsible saddle rack on the center post that allows for carrying saddle blankets and pads, or a second saddle. The base device has a saddle size adjusting feature that is also available as an attachment on the collapsible second saddle rack.

The present invention has a center post that has at the top a detachable hook-shaped bracket that provides the operator with a location for hanging head gear, bridles, strapping or other equestrian rigging. This resolves the issue of items dragging on the ground when being moved. A second detachable bracket (which is inserted inside the previously mentioned bracket) provides for the on-board storage of additional saddle blankets, pads, or other accessories using detachable rods that are stored, when not in use, in the front legs of the base frame.

The SaddleWrangler invention has an attached feed bucket on the lower frame that can be used for feed or other smaller accessories.

The present invention has a storage box frame attached to the bottom of the base frame in which the detachable components can be stored when not in use. This storage box provides personal storage when all attachment are in use. This storage can be locked using a personal locking device.

The present invention has a detachable cup/fly spray holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention when in the open position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one side of the invention when in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention when in the collapsed position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front frame of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front handle of the invention with detachable handles.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the center post of the invention at the rear of the device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the braking mechanism attached to the center post of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the collapsing capability of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism that supports the invention when in the open position.

FIG. 10 is two perspective views of the collapsible upper saddle rack of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the removable saddle size adjusting mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the storage box frame assembly, the lockable slider, and the kickstand of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the blanket attachment bracket with adjustable screw and blanket rods of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cup/spray bottle holder of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The SaddleWrangler Saddle Rack invention is shown in FIG. 1. The base frame for the invention, enumerated as 1, is self-contained, and not dependent on another device for portability. The present invention has two caster wheels 13 in the front of the unit, and two pneumatic wheels 14 located at the rear of the unit that provide for ease of transportation over smooth or rough surfaces. A feature of this saddle rack is the ability to carry one or two saddles and associated tack and accessories. A single saddle would be draped over the base frame 1, and the saddle size adjuster 2 would be adjusted to fit the saddle, thereby retaining the shape of the saddle. A second saddle could be mounted to the collapsible saddle/blanket rack unit 30 which also has a size adjusting component 31 with hand adjustable screw 32, to enable the saddle shape to be supported. This collapsible saddle/blanket rack unit 30 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 10 and the size adjuster 31 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 11. The rigging carrier attachment 29 provides a place to hang bridles, headstalls, and other rigging. A flat bed is provided on one of the hook supports to keep valuable leather accessories from being damaged by bending sharply. The rigging carrier attachment 29 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 10. A supporting gusset 3 is a part of the base frame to provide additional structural support.

The SaddleWrangler Saddle Rack invention has an adjustable handle 9 that is inserted into the bracket 10 which is attached to the base frame 1. The handle has two positions for adjusting the ease of maneuverability that can be locked in at pin 11 on bracket 10. In addition to these two positions, detachable handle extensions 12 are available for further leverage when the saddle rack is fully loaded with two saddles and associated tack and accessories. The adjustable handle assembly is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5.

The present invention has the ability to be collapsed to form a smaller footprint for storage. FIG. 2 shows the saddle rack invention fully deployed from a side view of the unit. FIG. 3 shows the unit folded into the collapsed position and standing without outside support. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 demonstrate the pivot points and the locking mechanism. This is accomplished by first activating the braking mechanism handle 15 through the slide bracket 16 and engaging the keeper 17 by releasing the tension spring 18 pressure, thereby deploying the brake pads 19 against the pneumatic wheels 14. Once the brakes are deployed, a shaft with adjustable screw to support the device in an open position 7 is unscrewed allowing it to drop out of the slide bracket 8, which is attached to cross-frame 6, that locks the base frame 1 in position. The user then lifts the base unit 1 toward the center post 24 using the saddle size adjuster 2 and attaches chain 5 to the metal stud 4, then releases pin 37 to deploy the kickstand 36, and reattaches pin 37 once the kickstand 36 is deployed in order to hold the kickstand 36 in place. The center post 24 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6. The center post 24 can be removed when storing or transporting the SaddleWrangler by removing pin 26 from fitting 25 and pulling the center post 24 out of fitting 27. The braking mechanism 15, 16, 17, and 18 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 7.

The present invention also has a blanket attachment bracket 33 which inserts into the center post 24, tightens with securing knob screw 28, allowing blanket rods 34 to be inserted into the bracket for hanging multiple blankets and pads. The blanket rods 34 are stored when not in use in the front legs of the saddle rack in the opening 35. The blanket attachment bracket 33 and blanket rods 34 are shown in greater detail in FIG. 13.

A storage box frame 20 is attached to the lower main frame 1 of the SaddleWrangler saddle rack which allows insertion of a storage container that holds all of the attachments of the SaddleWrangler when they are not in use, and can be used for personal storage when the SaddleWrangler saddle rack is fully in use. A slider 21 is attached to the storage box frame that has an opening for a personal locking device to protect items being stored in the container. This storage box frame 20 and locking slider 21 are shown in greater detail in FIG. 12.

The present invention also has a cross-frame 22 on the front main frame 1 that provides for a feed bucket 23, shown in greater detail in FIG. 4.

The present invention also has a detachable cup/spray bottle holder 38 attached to the main frame 1, shown in greater detail in FIG. 14.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the following claims, it will be understood that various changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.