WO2006031129A1

WO2006031129A1 - Combined jumping and dressage whip

Info

Publication number: WO2006031129A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000237
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Terence Mcmanus
Original assignee: David Terence Mcmanus
Priority date: 2004-09-17
Filing date: 2005-09-12
Publication date: 2006-03-23

Abstract

A riding whip is provided including a telescoping body formed by at least two elongate parts (1,5). The whip telescopes between a retracted position, in which it is suitable for use as a general purpose or jumping whip and an extended position, in which it is suitable for use as a schooling or dressage whip. The first part (1) includes a handle portion (2) and has a hollow body within which a second part (5) is provided to form the telescoping body. The second part (5) is movable within the first part so as to create an audible sound by impacting an internal wall of the first part (1) when the first part impacts a surface.

Description

COMBINED JUMPING AND DRESSAGE WHIP

Technical Field

The present invention relates to riding whips and in particular to riding whips suitable for use as both a jumping and a dressage whip.

Background

Riding whips generally come in two forms, one suited for use as a jumping whip (also referred to as a general purpose whip) and another suited for use as a dressage whip (also referred to as a schooling whip). The added length of the dressage whip enables a rider to school the horse without removing their hands from the reins, but is unsuitable for use as an effective jumping whip. Accordingly, where a rider is planning to do both jumping and dressage work, they must carry two whips, or alternatively attempt to use a whip unsuited to their purposes at least part of the time.

An important aspect of whips, particularly dressage whips, is to be balanced to enable easy control of the whip. Also, the whip should be light.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dual-purpose whip effective for use as both a jumping and dressage whip.

Alternatively it is an object of the invention to provide an improved whip, or at least to provide the public with a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a riding whip including a telescoping body formed by at least two elongate parts, a first said part including a handle portion at a first end and a clapper at a second end, wherein the first said part has a hollow body with an opening at said second end within which is received the second said part to form said telescoping body.

Preferably, when the telescoping body is in a retracted position, the second said part may be movable within the first said part so as to create an audible sound by impacting an internal wall of the first said part when the first said part impacts a surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a riding whip including a telescoping body formed by at least two elongate parts, a first said part having a hollow body and including a handle at a first end and an opening at a second end within which is received a second said part to form said telescoping body, wherein when the telescoping body is in a retracted position, the second said part is movable within the first said part so as to create an audible sound by impacting an internal wall of the first said part when the first said part impacts a surface.

Preferably, the first said part may have a length corresponding to the length of a jumping whip. This length may be between approximately 500 mm and 800 mm.

Preferably, when the telescoping body is fully extended, the riding whip may have a length corresponding to the length of a dressage whip. This length may be between approximately 800 mm and 1300 mm.

Preferably, the whip may have a wick attached to the telescoping body at the end opposite the handle.

Alternatively the whip may have a clapper attached to the telescoping body at the end opposite the handle.

Preferably, the whip may be structured so that when the telescoping body is retracted, an end of the wick opposing the end attached to the telescoping body can be inserted into said opening.

Preferably, the telescoping body may be formed from two parts; the first said part and the second said part.

Preferably, when the telescoping body is in a retracted position, the second said part is entirely or substantially entirely enclosed within the first said part.

Preferably, the first said part and the second said part are substantially the same length. Alternatively, the second said part may be slightly longer than the first said part.

Preferably, when the telescoping body is in a retracted position, the first said part engages with the second said part at a butt of the handle. Preferably, the second said part includes a button extendable through an aperture in the butt of the handle, whereby the first said part and the second said part are engaged by inserting the button through the aperture and are disengaged by pushing the button put of the aperture.

Preferably a flexible housing is provided on the butt to substantially enclose the button.

Preferably the first part includes a collar to guide the second member relative to the first member.

Preferably the housing and the collar form a sufficient seal about the second part that a low pressure forms between the first and second parts upon initial retraction of the second part from the first part, the low pressure acting to resist retraction of the second part. t Preferably, when the telescoping body is extended the first said part and the second said part mat frictionally engage with each other, thereby retaining the telescoping body in the extended position. Alternatively, the first said part and the second said part may include stops that retain the telescoping body in the extended position.

The handle may be either integral with or secured to the first said part.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a riding whip including a telescoping body formed by at least two elongate parts, a first said part including a handle portion at a first end and a collar at a second end, wherein the first said part has a hollow body with an opening at said second end within which is received the second said part to form said telescoping body, a distal end of the second part including a clapper.

Further aspects of the present invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1: Shows a side view of a whip according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The whip is in a retracted position. Figure 2: Shows a side view of the whip of Figure 1 in an extended position.

Figure 3: Shows a side view of a whip according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The whip is in a retracted position.

Figure 4: Shows a side view of the whip of Figure 3 in an extended position.

Figure 5: Shows a side view of the telescoping part of the whips of Figures 1to 4.

Figure 6: Shows a side view of a whip according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The whip is in a retracted position.

Figure 7: Shows a side view of the whip of Figure 6 in an extended position.

Figure 8: Shows a side view of the telescoping part of the whip of Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 9: Shows a partial cross section through a butt of the whip of Figure 6.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The present invention relates to a riding whip. The whip telescopes between a retracted position, in which it is suitable for use as a general purpose or jumping whip and an extended position, in which it is suitable for use as a schooling or dressage whip.

Figures 1 and 2 each show a side view of a whip 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The whip includes a first body part 1 , which is formed by an elongate hollow annular member having a handle 2 at a first end and a clapper 3 (also referred to as a flapper) at a second end. The first body part has an opening at the second end, which is obscured by the clapper 3 in Figures 1 and 2.

The handle 2 may comprise a wrap over the end of the first body part 1 or may be an extension to the first body part 1. A strap 4 may optionally be provided, which in this embodiment is attached to the top of the handle.

The clapper 3 may be formed by two leather flaps, one to each side of the first body part 1. The clapper 3 has its usual and well-known function of creating a sound when impacted against a surface, such as the side of a horse. Alternative clappers may be provided, such as a clapper made from rubber, or one made from a single flap for example, but a clapper made of two parts, one to each side of the first body part 1 , 5 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention as presently contemplated.

A second body part 2 is located within the hollow first body part 1 and is extendable out of and retractable into the first body part 1. The second body part 2 may include a wick 6 at its end, the wick 6 held in place by a collar 7.

10

Figure 2 shows the whip 100 in an extended position and Figure 1 shows the whip 100 in a retracted position. When in the retracted position, the whip 100 may have a length L1 that makes it suitable for use as a jumping whip. Accordingly, the length L1 may be » between approximately 500 millimetres and 800 millimetres, most typically about 600

15 millimetres. When in the extended position, the whip 100 may have a length l_2 making it suitable for use as a dressage whip. Accordingly, the length L2 may be between approximately 800 millimetres and 1300 millimetres, most typically between 900 millimetres and 1100 millimetres. The first body part 1 and second body part 5 may have substantially the same length.

20

When the whip 100 is in the retracted position, the first body part 1 and the second body part 5 engage with each other so as to retain the second body part 5 within the first body part 1. Various forms of engagement may be used, including frictional engagement. However, in the preferred form of the invention as presently contemplated, the second

25 body part 5 includes a button 8 that extends out through a complimentary aperture 9

(obscured) when the whip 100 is in its fully retracted position. The button 8 and aperture 9 are shaped and dimensioned so as to resist withdrawal of the button 8 from the aperture 9. When the whip 100 is in the retracted position, the end 6a of the wick 6 may be inserted into the first body part 1 , thereby obscuring it from view behind the clapper 3.

30

To extend the whip 100, a rider need only depress the button 8, typically with her or his thumb, which releases the second body part 5, after which the rider may pull the second body part 5 out from the first body part 1. To retract the whip, the rider need only push the second body part 5 into the first body part 1 until the button 8 extends into the aperture 9.

35 Having first and second body parts 1 , 5 of substantially the same length, or having the second body part 5 slightly longer than the first body part 1 , is advantageous when this method of retaining the whip 100 in the retracted position is used, as it allows the rider to engage the button 8 into the aperture 9 by pushing the second body part 5 into the first body part 1. This simple method of extension and retraction allows the rider to convert between a jumping whip and dressage whip while still on the horse, which may be important at least for convenience.

The second body part 5 tapers towards the wick 6. With suitable complementary ^' dimensioning of the first body part 1, this tapering allows the second body part 5 to frictionally engage with an interior surface of the first body part 1 when the whip 100 is extended, thereby holding the whip 100 in its extended position.

In an alternative embodiment, the first body part 1 and second body part 5 may be provided with stops (not shown) to both limit the extent of extension of the whip 100 and retain the whip 100 in the extended position. This may be important where, for example, competition regulations specify a maximum length whip. Stops may also be provided to position and hold the whip 100 in its retracted position, in which case the second body part 5 may be shorter than the first body part 1.

Figures 3 and 4 both show a side view of a whip 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows the whip 200 in a retracted position and Figure 4 shows the whip 200 in an extended position.

The whip 200 includes a first body part 1a having a handle 2a and a strap 4a at one end and an aperture 10 at the other end. A collar 11 may optionally form the aperture 10. The whip 200 has a second body part that is the same as the second body part 5 of the whip

100 and therefore like reference numerals have been adopted in Figures 3 and 4 for the second body part 5 as those used in Figures 1 and 2. The whip 200 does not include a clapper. Like the whip 100, the wick 6 may be inserted into the aperture 10 when the whip 200 is in a retracted position. The wick 6 may be partially inserted onto the aperture 10, as shown in Figure 3, or fully inserted into the aperture 10 so as to obscure the wick 6 from view. The whip 200 may have the advantage over the whip 100 of being more aesthetically appealing when in the extended position, due to the absence of a clapper at mid point.

The whip 200 extends and retracts in the same way as the whip 100, with the button 8 of the second body part 5 extending into an aperture 9a of the first body part 1 a when the whip 200 is in the retracted position. As with the whip 100, alternative means of retaining the whip 200 in its retracted and extended positions may be used.

Despite the absence of a clapper, the whip 200 can still make a sound when impacted against a surface. This is due to the ability of the second body part 5, particularly towards its narrow end, to move within the first body part 1a. Therefore, when the first body part 1a impacts a surface, the second body part 5 continues moving temporarily until it hits an inside wall of the first body part 1a, making a sound. This sound can best be achieved using the preferred embodiment of whip as presently contemplated which has the telescoping part of the whip 200 formed from only two body members, ensuring the maximum amount of movement of the second body part 5 within the first body part 1a.

The sound created by the whip 200 is also created by the whip 100 and works in addition to the sound created by the clapper 3. The sound, if not required for either whip 100 or whip 200, may be reduced by limiting the movement of the telescoping parts and/or by providing an impact absorbing material around the inner periphery of the first body part 1, 1a.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Reference numerals for the embodiment of Figures 6 to 9 that are the same as those used in previous embodiments refer to like features. In this embodiment the clapper 3 is provided on the distal end of the second part 5. The construction is still such that, in addition to, or in substitution of, the sound of the clapper 3, the telescoping parts can move relative to each other to make a desired sound, as described above.

Furthermore, the butt 9a of the first part 1a has a flexible enclosure in the form of cap 12 (which is shown in cross section in Figure 9). This allows the button 8 to be substantially enclosed, improving the appearance of the whip and preventing detritus from entering the first part. It will be seen that an open ended cap could also be provided to improve the appearance of the whip. The flexible nature of the cap 12 still allows the button to be easily pushed to initiate expansion of the whip.

A cap 12 which encloses the butt of the whip provides a further advantage in that, together with collar 11 (which may be formed from a flexible material such a rubber so as to provide a firm guide about the second part 5), an area of low pressure may be formed between the telescoping parts upon initial expansion of the whip. Therefore, when a user attempts to remove the second part 5 from the first part 2a, a partial vacuum is temporarily formed between the parts due to the sealing effect of the cap 12 and collar 11. This partial vacuum resists the initial expansion of the whip, therefore assisting in the prevention of the parts inadvertently expanding. Accordingly, the frictional engagement between the parts is augmented.

The components of the whips 100, 200 may be manufactured from any suitable material, primarily depending on factors such as cost, required expected lifetime, flexibility and weight. The first and second body parts 1 , 1a and 5 may be constructed from fibreglass, with or without a cover such as woven nylon thread. The handle 2, 2a may be rubber, leather or PVC and the clapper 3 may be leather.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A riding whip including a telescoping body formed by at least two elongate parts, a first said part including a handle portion at a first end and a clapper at a second end, wherein the first said part has a hollow body with an opening at said second end within which is received the second said part to form said telescoping body.

2. A whip as claimed in claim 1 wherein when the second part is received in the first part, the second said part may be movable within the first said part so as to create an audible sound by impacting an internal wall of the first said part when the first said part impacts a surface.

3. A riding whip including a telescoping body formed by at least two elongate parts, a first said part having a hollow body and including a handle at a first end and an opening at a second end within which is received a second said part to form said telescoping body, wherein when the second part is received in the first part the second said part is movable within the first said part so as to create an audible sound by impacting an internal wall of the first said part when the first said part impacts a surface.

4. A whip as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the first said part may have a length corresponding to the length of a jumping whip.

5. A whip as claimed in claim 4 wherein the length is between approximately 500 mm and 800 mm.

6. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, when the telescoping body is fully extended, the riding whip may have a length corresponding to the length of a dressage whip.

7. A whip as claimed in claim 6 wherein the length is between approximately 800 mm and 1300 mm.

8. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a wick provided on the telescoping body at the end opposite the handle.

9. A whip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 having a clapper provided on the telescoping body at the end opposite the handle.

10. A whip as claimed in claim 8 wherein the whip is structured so that when the telescoping body is retracted, an end of the wick opposing the end attached to the telescoping body can be inserted into said opening.

11. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the telescoping body is formed from two parts; the first said part and the second said part.

12. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein when the telescoping body is in a retracted position, the second said part is entirely or substantially entirely enclosed within the first said part.

13. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first said part > and the second said part are substantially the same length.

14. A whip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the second said part may be slightly longer than the first said part.

15. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein when the telescoping body is in a retracted position, the first said part engages with the second said part at a butt of the handle.

16. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second said part includes a button extendable through an. aperture in the butt of the handle, whereby the first said part and the second said part are engaged by inserting the button through the aperture and are disengaged by pushing the button out of the aperture.

17. A whip as claimed in claim 16 wherein a flexible housing is provided on the butt to substantially enclose the button.

18. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first part includes a collar to guide the second member relative to the first member.

19. A whip as claimed in claim 18 wherein the housing and the collar form a sufficient seal about the second part that a low pressure forms between the first and second parts upon initial retraction of the second part from the first part, the low pressure acting to resist retraction of the second part.

20. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein when the telescoping body is extended the first said part and the second said part frictionally engage with each other, thereby retaining the telescoping body in the extended position.

21. A whip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the first said part and the second said part may include stops that retain the telescoping body in the extended position.

22. A whip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle is either integral with or secured to the first said part.

23. A riding whip including a telescoping body formed by at least two elongate parts, a first said part including a handle portion at a first end and a collar at a second end, wherein the first said part has a hollow body with an opening at said second end within which is received the second said part to form said telescoping body, a distal end of the second part including a clapper.

24. A riding whip substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.