WO1998052865A1 - An improved horse bit assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A bit assembly (10) for use on a rideable animal such as a horse (1) and comprising a first (20) and a second (25) annular member, each of which is rigid and has an outer diameter of between about 2 and 1/2 inches to about 5 inches. Concentrically disposed within each annular member (20, 25) is a contact element (30) having a main body that defines an aperture (33), at least one post member (42, 44, 46) for securing and disposing the contact elements (30) within the annular members (20, 25) at generally center regions thereof, and a mouthpiece (50) to be received in the mouth of the horse (1). The first and second ends (51, 52) of the mouthpiece (50) extend into and through the apertures (33) defined in the contact elements (30). Attached to each end (51, 52) of the mouthpiece (50) is a ring member (60) having a size that is larger than the contact element (30).

Description

Description AN IMPROVED HORSE BIT ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Claim of Priority

The present application is based on and a claim to priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) is made to provisional patent application filed with the U.S. Patent Office on May 21, 1997 and assigned Serial No. 60/050,916.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to equipment used for riding horses and in particular, to an improved horse bit assembly which greatly enhances a rider's ability to maneuver and direct a horse while riding the horse, and which therefore, offers a rider greater control over the horse, and even a horse which is young and relatively untrained.

Description of the Related Art It has long been recognized that the horse is a valuable animal, particularly when its power is controlled or otherwise harnessed by man and put to good use. Given the size of horses, however, man experiences difficulty from time to time in controlling them. Consequently, the training of a young or wild horse can and often does prove to be exceedingly difficult. This not only relates to training a horse to be handled by a person, but to accepting a rider on its back, and even more importantly, to be maneuverable and stoppable by a rider of the horse.

Many theories exist, as do ways and devices, for training a horse to accept a saddle and the weight of a rider on its back.

Equally important, many devices have been developed in order to train a horse to go forward, to turn and/or to stop when asked to do so, whether by a rider on the horse's back or by a trainer working with the horse on the ground. For aiding a rider with control of the horse, a common type of device is a bit which is inserted into the horse's mouth, and attached thereto, so as to hold it in place within the mouth, is a bridle fitted to the horse's head and most typically, a pair of reins are also attached to the bit and extend to the rider's hands. Normally, when a rider desires the horse to move forward, the rider simply urges the horse forward with his or her legs, on a loose rein so that little or no pressure is applied to the bit. On the other hand, when a rider desires the horse to stop, the rider simply pulls back on the reins, so that pressure is applied to the bit and the horse's head, or really, so that his mouth and nose is curbed inwardly, towards his chest, causing the horse to stop moving forward. In this regard, bits generally work and cause the horse to move or stop as desired, although some training to achieve these goals is often needed.

This is not always true, however, in causing a horse to move to the left or right. That is, in theory, when a rider desires to move a horse towards the left, the rider simply pulls on the rein running along the horse's left side, so that pressure is applied to the bit and the horse's head, causing the horse to move his head to the left, and the rider then urges the horse forward, so that the horse's body follows. Similarly, when a rider desires the horse to move towards the right, he simply pulls on the rein running along the horse's right side and urges the horse forward.

In reality, however, this does not always occur. For example, the horse may resist the pulling on the rein by biting on the bit and/or by moving his head downwardly to relieve the pressure. As another example, with some types of bits, the pulling action on the rein might even cause the bit to be pulled and slid horizontally from one side of the horse's mouth to the other, in the direction of the rein being pulled. Consequently, some riders will apply the principle of "neck reining." With this, in theory when the rider wants the horse to move to the left, the rider will move his right hand and right rein to the left, applying pressure with the rein to the horse's neck, at its right side, and hopefully, pushing the horse's head and neck to the left, so that the horse's body will follow the head. The opposite action would be taken to move the horse to the right. Here again, however, difficulties are often experienced by riders in having the horse move in the desired direction of movement.

As such, there remains a need in the art for an improvement in horse bits, and namely, for a horse bit assembly which allows for assured maneuverability of a horse by a rider or even by a skilled trainer working with the horse on the ground. The device of the present invention is adapted to meet these and various other needs present in the art .

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed towards a bit assembly for use on a ride-able animal, such as a horse, and is seen to initially comprise a first and a second annular member, each of which is preferably, rigid and which has an overall size of between generally about two and one-half inches to generally about five inches. The invention is designed for use with a bridle that extends over the head of the horse and which has one end attached to the first annular member and another end which is attached to the second annular member so that each annular member will be disposed, in the assembled and operative orientation, generally adjacent the corners of the horse's mouth and cheek region. Concentrically disposed within each of the first and second annular members is a contact element, also preferably formed of a rigid material. The contact element has a main body that defines an aperture therein and further, is sized to be between generally about three-quarters of an inch to generally about two inches. The invention further comprises means for securing and disposing each of the contact elements within each of the annular members at a generally center region thereof. Preferably, the securing and disposing means comprise a first post member and a second post member, each securely disposed and spanning the distance between the contact member and the annular member. In addition, the improved bit assembly of the present invention is designed for use with a mouth piece or "port" as these are known in the horse industry. The mouth piece typically comprises at least one rodlike segment, and includes a first end, a second end and a main body structured and disposed to be received in the mouth of the horse and to extend across its mouth. The first end of the mouth piece extends into and through the aperture defined in the contact element of the first annular member and the second end of the mouth piece extends into and through the aperture defined in the contact element of the second annular member. Attached to the each end of the mouth piece is an abutment member, preferably in the form of a ring, and each abutment member has an overall size which is larger than the contact element so as to prevent the ends of the mouth piece from being pulled therethrough. Finally, a leather strap is preferably connected to each abutment member and is sized to extend from the abutment member to a rider positioned on the horse to act as a pair of reins so as to allow the rider to operate the bit assembly of the present invention and thereby, to guide or steer the horse while it is being ridden.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved horse bit assembly which greatly enhances a rider's ability to maneuver and direct a horse.

A feature of the present invention is that when a rider pulls on a rein or other lead connected to the bit to achieve a desired direction of movement, the bit applies pressure to the face of the horse, on the side opposite to that being pulled on, thereby pushing the horse's head in the desired direction of movement, instead of pulling the horse's head in that direction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved horse bit assembly which is more readily accepted and tolerated by a horse, and which leads to the horse's being more comfortable and having a better attitude while being ridden and/or trained.

An advantage of this invention is that the present invention reduces the amount of time it takes to train a horse how to respond and turn in response to a rider's signals. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it offers a rider greater control over a horse.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings and patent claims and from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side, partial perspective view of a horse on which the improved bit assembly of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 is a side view of the preferred cheek plate assembly of the present invention, comprising one annular member, a contact element and a plurality of post members, which is to be used with a mouthpiece so as to form a bit assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 2 -A is a side view of the invention shown in Figure 2, but in an alternative embodiment.

Figure 3 is a side view of the improved bit assembly according to the present invention, assembled with a bridle and pair of reins.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Shown throughout the Figures, the present invention is directed towards an improved horse bit assembly, generally indicated as 10, which is used in combination with a bridle or other assembly, 2 by a rider to control and maneuver a horse 1, donkey, mule or other ride-able animal.

As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the bit 10 of the present invention is seen to include a cheek plate assembly comprised of at least one annular member, 20. Preferably though, the present invention includes a first annular member 20 and second annular member 25. Each one of these annular members 20, 25 will be disposed so as to correspond to one side of the horse's mouth as part of the assembly, 2. Each annular member 20, 25 is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, for example, a metallic material such as iron, steel, or aluminum. Of course, other materials could also be used to form the annular members 20, 25, including graphite, a suitably strong plastic or other material that may be invented in coming years. Ideally, however, each annular member 20, 25 will be forward of stainless steel and will have a thickness of generally between one-quarter inch (1/4") to one-sixteenth (1/16") inch. In the more preferred embodiment, where each annular member is made of stainless steel, each will have a thickness of generally about three-sixteenth (3/16") of an inch or about 3/16 gauge so as to provide an article of suitable mass whenever pressure is applied to the head of the horse or other animal being ridden. Additionally, as shown in Figure 1, each annular member is preferably sized so as to generally correspond the lower cheek region of the horse's head, adjacent the corners of the horse's mouth. In this regard, the overall size or outer diameter of each annular member is preferably sized to be between generally about two and one-half inches (2-1/2") to generally about five inches (5"), as this range of sizes will fall within a region wherein at the lower peripheral zone, the horse's teeth will not be disturbed and at the upper peripheral zone, the protrusion of the horse's cheek bone will cause discomfort nor interfere with the operation of the bit assembly 10. Thus, in a more preferred embodiment, each annular member has an overall shape or outer diameter of generally about three and half (3-1/2") to four inches (4") and further, each of the pair will closely match the other.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, it should be appreciated that the bit 10 of the present invention will be utilized with a bridle assembly, such as 2 , or other assembly which extends around the head of the horse 1. In this regard, most bridles have at least a first end 3, a second end 4 and a main body 6. Many bridles also include a head band 7 and a throat latch 8. Regardless, the main body 6 of the bridle is usually structured and disposed to extend from the bit on one side of the horse's mouth, over the head of the horse behind the ears, and down to the bit at the other side of the horse's mouth. So as to be usable on different horses, which may have differently sized heads, the bridle main body 6 or one or both of the first or second ends 3 or 4 may be adjustable, perhaps by way of a buckle, hook and loop fastener, etc. In any event, the first bridle end 3 is attached to one of the annular members, such as the first annular member 20 and the second bridle end 4 is attached to the other annular member, such as the second annular member 25. Preferably, this attachment is secure and yet removable such as for example by looping the strap of bridle material under and around the annular member and folding it back onto itself for attachment by a buckle or snap other attachment means. It will be appreciated that in assembled form, and prior to insertion in a horse's mouth, the bit will be suspended by the bridle. Referring back to Figure 2, the cheek plate assembly of the present invention is seen to also include a contact element 30 secured to each annular member. The contact element 30 comprises a main body 32 secured and disposed at a generally center region within the circular area defined by the annular member 20 or 25. Preferably, the contact element 30 is formed of a substantially rigid material, for example a metallic material such as iron, steel, or aluminum, although other materials could also be used including graphite, a suitably strong plastic or even another material that may be invented in coming years . In the preferred embodiment, the contact element 25 comprises a ring element, with a substantially circular shape that defines an aperture 33, also preferably having a substantially circular shape but not necessarily. Ideally, the contact element 25 is concentric with annular member 20 or 25, so that is centered within the circular area defined by the annular member. In this preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the contact element 30 is sized to be between generally about three-quarters of an inch (3/4") to generally about two inches (2") and ideally, one and one-half inches (1-1/2") . It is believed by the inventor hereof that this preferred contact element 30 not only readily accommodates a vast number and type of mouth pieces, as will be explained below, but further, provides the bit 10 with a proper balance, weight and mass readily accepted by the horse and readily useable to cause guided movement of the horse's head, explained below. In this regard, and as will also become clear from the explanation which follows, the overall size of aperture 33 is structured to permit the horse to freely move the mouthpiece extending therethrough within the confines of the contact element 30, and this feature is thought to lead to improved comfort of the horse ' s and consequently, an improved attitude towards being ridden and/or trained. It should be noted, however, that the main body 32 of the contact element 30 might have a different configuration, such as for example, a square, hexagon, octagon, etc. and yet, still define an aperture 33, which can be disposed at a generally center region within the annular member 20 or 25. Any such other configuration of contact element 30 would still provide an improved bit falling within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Ideally, however, the contact element 30 will also be formed of stainless steel and will have a thickness of generally between one-quarter inch to one-sixteenth inch, and more preferably, a thickness of generally about 3/16 of an inch or about 3/16 gauge, similar to the preferred annular members 20, 25. Finally, it should also be noted, that the cheek plate assembly may include a pair of contact elements, preferably secured together, so as to offer a feature of accommodating a smaller horse or pony. That is, a smaller horse, pony, mule or other animal typically has a narrower mouth and the mouth piece used therein may be too large; by adding more than one contact element, the distance which the mouth piece must span will be less, as will become clear from the description which follows, below. In addition, the bit 10 of the present invention includes means 40 for securing and disposing the contact element 30 at a generally center region within the circular area defined by the annular member 20 or 25. In the preferred embodiment, the means 40 secure and disposed the contact element 30 in the same plane as the annular member so that the bit 10 will be able to lie generally flat against the cheek region of the horse. Preferably, the securing and disposing means 40 comprise at least one post member, 42, and to ensure a strong bit device, preferably, a plurality of post members such as 42 and 44. Each post member 42, 44 is preferably secured at a first end to the contact element 30, generally at an outer peripheral edge thereof, and at a second end, to the annular member 20 or 25 generally at an inner peripheral edge thereof. Post members 42, 44 are preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, such as iron, steel, or aluminum, although other materials could also be used including graphite, a strong plastic or other material that may be invented in coming years. Ideally, however, the post members 42, 44 will also be formed of stainless steel and will have a thickness of generally between one-quarter inch (1/4") to one-sixteenth inch (1/16"), and more preferably, a thickness of generally about 3/16 of an inch or about 3/16 gauge, similar to the preferred annular members 20, 25 and contact element 30. In this regard, post members 42, 44 may be welded or soldered in position between contact element 30 and annular member 20 or 25. In addition, post members 42, 44 are preferably disposed so as to be on opposite sides of contact element 30, as shown in Figure 2 -A. In such an embodiment, the post members 42, 44 will not interfere with, but instead, are disposed to readily permit the attachment of a bridle strap or even a rein to the annular member 20 or 25. In a more preferred embodiment, however, there will be three post members, 42, 44, 46 arranged and disposed as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the post members are still arranged so as to not interfere with the attachment of a bridle strap to the annular member 20 or 25, but further, substantially limit, if not prevent altogether, the rotation of the annular member 20 or 25 while bit 10 is being used on a horse, and even further, readily accommodate the attachment of and positioning of another strap of horse training equipment, such as a martingale. If desired, the bit 10 could include four post members, although this feature is less desirable as it might interfere with the attachment of and positioning of other horse training equipment on or to the annular member 20, 25. Finally, it should be noted that other securing and disposing means 40 might be utilized, other than one or more post members 42, 44, 46 to achieve the securing of the contact element 30 within the annular member 20 or 25 in the preferred disposition. These other means might include a flexible webbing material securely disposed to the contact element 30 and annular member 20 or 25 and extending therebetween, and yet, still provide an improved bit assembly falling within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the bit assembly 10 of the present invention is designed for use with and thus, further includes a mouth piece 50 to be received in the mouth of the horse or other animal. As will become clear from the explanation which follows, the mouth piece 50 is suspended at each end by the contact element 30 of the annular member 20, 25. In any event, the bit assembly 10 of the present invention is intended to accommodate a vast array of known mouth pieces, the majority of which are comprised of at least one rod-like segment. The mouth piece 50 can be comprised of a single rod-like segment, or two or three smaller such segments joined together, see Figure 3, or even a chain, or like object, which is sized to extend across the mouth of the horse. Regardless, the mouth piece 50 will generally include a first end 51, a second end 52 and a main body 54. The first end 51 of the mouth piece 50 will preferably extend out of the horse's mouth and both into and through the aperture 33 defined in the contact element 30 of the first annular member 20. Similarly, the second end 52 of the mouth piece 50 preferably extends out of the other side of the horse's mouth and both into and through the aperture defined in the other contact element of the second annular member 25.

As an additional feature of the present invention, affixed to each end 51, 52 of the mouth piece 50 is an abutment member 60. Each abutment member 60 is structured and disposed to be at least as large as, and preferably, larger than the contact element 30, so as to prevent the end 51 or 52 of the mouth piece 50 from being inadvertently pulled or slid into the horse's mouth. Thus, abutment member may comprise a rod-like member but ideally, the abutment member 60 will comprise a ring member 62 sized to have an outer diameter which is at least as large, if not larger than that of the preferred contact element 30. In the preferred embodiment, the ring member 62 is secured to the bit end 51 or 52 by way of welding, soldering or other means, although other forms of attaching it thereto might also be used.

Finally, it should also be appreciated that the bit assembly 10 of the present invention will be utilized with at least one lead strap or a pair of reins, such as 8, 9 or other assembly which extend from the bit, and for example, up the neck of the horse and to a rider's hands. In this regard, each of the abutment members 60 are structured and disposed to receive at least one leather strap securely attached thereto. Of course, each of the abutment members 60, in the preferred embodiment comprising a ring member 62, can each easily accommodate the attachment of two reins thereto. If desired however, the reins might instead be attached directly to the annular members 20 and 25.

The operation of the present invention will now be described. When the bit 10 of the present invention is assembled with a bridle and reins, and is put on a horse with the bit placed within the horse's mouth, it greatly enhances a rider's ability to maneuver and direct the horse while it is being ridden, and therefore, offers greater control over the horse. Specifically, when the rider desires to move the horse towards the left, the rider may simply pull on the rein running along the horse's left side, so that the pressure is applied to the bit and the horse's head, but uniquely, on the right side of the bit and on the right side of the horse's head. This is because the pulling movement of the left side of the bit is translated into a pulling movement on the right side of the bit, but due to the size and action of the abutment member 60 and contact element 30, this pulling movement is translated to the annular member 25 as well, thereby converting it into a pushing movement against the cheek region on the horses ' head, which pushing pressure will greatly help to move the horse's head to the left. Then, the rider simply urges the horse forward, so that the horse's boy follows. A similar but opposite reaction occurs when a rider desires the horse to move towards the right . Thus, it is seen that the present invention offers a rider greater control over the horse, and even a horse which is young and relatively untrained. In the hands of a skilled trainer, the present invention might also be used to exercise the horse without a rider, such as by "lunging" the horse or even training the horse to perform other acts, such as to backing up, etc. Given the unique way in which the invention applies pressure to the horse's head, however, it is currently thought that the horse should not be tied up to an object, such as a pole, and left unsupervised, with the invention in place. That is because should the horse become spooked or frightened, so as to cause the bit assembly of the present invention apply pressure to the horse's head, it might cause the horse to become confused and to react in a way which is not harmonious with the pressure being applied.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, it is possible that only one cheek plate assembly will be utilized with a mouthpiece for the horse, instead of with two, and although not preferred, could lead to similar, favorable training results. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bit for use on a ride-able animal such as a horse, a donkey, mule or another animal, said bit comprising: a) a first and second annular member, each being substantially rigid and having an outer diameter of between generally about two and one-half inches to generally about five inches ; b) a substantially rigid contact element concentrically disposed within each of said first and second annular members and defining an aperture therein, each of said contact elements defining an aperture having a diameter of between generally about three-quarters of an inch to generally about two inches; c) means for securing and concentrically disposing said contact element within said annular member at a generally center region thereof; d) a mouth piece comprised of a least one rod-like segment, said mouth piece having a first end, a second end and a main body structured and disposed to be received in the mouth of the horse or other animal and to extend across the mouth, said first end of said mouth piece extending into and through said aperture defined in said contact element of said first annular member, said second end of said mouth piece extending into and through said aperture defined in said contact element of said second annular member; and e) a first abutment member attached to said first end of said mouth piece and a second abutment member attached to said second end of said mouthpiece, each of said abutment members having an outer diameter which is larger than said contact element so as to prevent said first end of said mouth piece from being pulled therethrough and each of said abutment members further structured and disposed to permit a leather strap to be attached thereto.

2. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said means further secure and dispose said contact element in a plane which is substantially the same as that of said annular member so that the bit assembly lays generally flat against a cheek region of the horse .

3. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said securing and disposing means comprise at least one post member secured to extend between said contact element and said annular member.

4. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said securing and disposing means comprise a pair of post members, each secured to extend between said contact element and an inner peripheral edge of said annular member.

5. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said securing and disposing means comprise three post members, each secured to extend between said contact element and an inner peripheral edge of said annular member.

6. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said annular member is made of stainless steel and has a thickness of between generally about 1/4 inch and generally about 1/16 inch.

7. An assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said annular member has a thickness of generally about 3/16 inch.

8. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer diameter of said annular member is about 3 and 1/2 inches to correspond the lower cheek region of a horse ' s head so as to not contact teeth of the horse at a lower peripheral zone nor to contact a cheek bone of the horse at an upper peripheral zone .

9. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said contact element comprises a ring element formed of stainless steel and which is centered within said annular member.

10. An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said outer diameter of said contact member is sized to be generally about 1 and 1/2 inches.

11. An assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said post members are formed of stainless steel and with a thickness of generally about 3/16 of an inch.

12. An assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said abutment member comprises a ring member formed of stainless steel and sized to have an outer diameter of generally about 1 and 1/2 inches.

13. A bit assembly for use on a ride-able animal such as a horse, a donkey, mule or another animal, said bit assembly comprising: a) a first and a second annular member, each being substantially rigid and having an outer diameter of between generally about two and one-half inches to generally about five inches ; b) a bridle having at least a first end, a second end and a main body, said main bridle body being structured and disposed to extend over a head of the ride-able animal with said first bridle end attached to said first annular member and said second bridle end attached to said second annular member; c) a contact element concentrically disposed within each of said first and second annular members, said contact element comprising a main body defining a generally circular aperture having a diameter of between generally about three- quarters of an inch to generally about two inches; c) each of said contact elements having a first post member and a second post member secured thereto and extending to one of said first or second annular members; d) a mouth piece comprised of a least one rod-like segment, said mouth piece having a first end, a second end and a main body structured and disposed to be received in the mouth of the horse or other animal and to extend across the mouth, said first end of said mouth piece extending into and through said aperture defined in said contact element of said first annular member, said second end of said mouth piece extending into and through said aperture defined in said contact element of said second annular member; e) a first ring member attached to said first end of said mouth piece and a second ring member attached to said second end of said mouthpiece, each of said ring members having a size which is larger than said contact element so as to prevent said ends of said mouth piece from being pulled therethrough; and f) a leather strap attached to each of said ring members, each leather strap structured and disposed to extend from said ring members to a rider positioned on the animal.

14. An assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said annular member is made of stainless steel and has a thickness of between generally about 1/4 inch and generally about 1/16 inch.

15. An assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said outer diameter of said annular member is about 3 and 1/2 inches to correspond the lower cheek region of a horse ' s head so as to not contact teeth of the horse at a lower peripheral zone nor to contact a cheek bone of the horse at an upper peripheral zone.

16. An assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said contact element comprises a ring element formed of stainless steel and which is centered within said annular member.

17. An assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said outer diameter of said contact member is sized to be generally about 1 and 1/2 inches.

18. An assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said post members are formed of stainless steel, with a thickness of generally about 3/16 of an inch and are welded to said contact member and annular member.

19. An assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said abutment member comprises a ring member formed of stainless steel and sized to have which an outer diameter of generally about 1 and 1/2 inches .

20. A cheek plate assembly for use as part of a bit assembly for riding a horse, a donkey, mule or another animal, said cheek plate assembly comprising: a) an annular member formed of a substantially rigid material and having an outer diameter of between generally about two and one-half inches to generally about five inches; b) a substantially rigid contact element concentrically disposed within said annular member at a generally center region thereof, said contact element having a main body defining an aperture, said aperture having a size of between generally about three-quarters of an inch to generally about two inches; and c) means for securing and concentrically disposing said contact element within said annular member at a generally center region thereof .