Abstract:
A horse stirrup which also functions as a mounting aid by providing, in the same assembly, a foot supporting platform for riding, as well as a convenient, lower level platform for mounting. The mounting platform, and related structure, also function, in cooperation with the riding platform, to reduce the exposure of the rider to stirrup foot lock in case of a fall.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/796,060 filed Apr. 26, 2007 entitled “Horse Mounting Aid Assembly”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,575,849, and Ser. No. 12/378,125 filed Feb. 11, 2009 entitled “A Stirrup Assembly” which is a continuation-in-part of said application Ser. No. 11/796,060. Full disclosures of said applications are incorporated herein by reference, the priority of which is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The subject of this application relates to the field of equestrian equipment, and more particularly to a stirrup arrangement which permits the horseman to more safely and easily mount, ride and dismount a horse, or other rideable animal. 
     Traditionally, stirrups form parts of conventional horse mounting equipment and may be positioned on one or both sides of the saddle. Stirrups are designed not only to assist the rider in mounting, but also in maintaining balance during riding, and when dismounting. 
     For safety while riding, the bottom, foot resting, portion of the stirrup is generally located at a level where the rider&#39;s feet are comfortably engaged when the rider is in the saddle. Depending upon the height of the horse and the leg length of the rider, this may result in the stirrup being too high for the rider to easily engage for mounting the horse. Riders often attempt to overcome this difficulty by searching for something to stand on, or having another person physically assist them. Appropriate items, or persons, are often not available. 
     Another possibility is adjusting the stirrup to a lower than functional level for mounting, however, this presents the additional problem of readjusting the stirrup when the rider is sitting in the saddle. Even a highly experienced rider is dangerously exposed to an accident while trying to perform this maneuver. When the rider, in the saddle, attempts to reach down for drawing up the stirrup, the required leaning to one side can lead to a fall. Using traditional stirrups, the only safe way to adjust the height is to have another person, one who is dismounted, adjust them for the rider. 
     In the alternative, a rider may attempt to climb upon an object such as a bucket or ladder to reach the stirrup, but this also can lead to injury caused by the instability of the object or the animal moving at a critical time. 
     OBJECTS OF THE IMPROVEMENT 
     One object of the improved stirrup is to greatly increase the safety and convenience of mounting a horse or other rideable animal. Another object is the elimination of mounting drawbacks associated with traditional stirrups and substituting safe, reliable alternatives, without giving rise to excessive costs. 
     It is yet another object to define herein a fully integrated stirrup assembly which assists a person in mounting a horse from the ground, helps to keep the person safe during such mounting, and provides a simple, reliable transformation of the mounting procedure, and subsequent ride, into a more enjoyable activity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE IMPROVEMENT 
     The present improvement in stirrups creates a fully integrated arrangement which is safer, easier to use and more reliable for mounting and riding, as well as being suitable for either English or western type saddles. The improved stirrup allows the rider&#39;s foot to be safely positioned in the device during mounting and riding while prohibiting the rider&#39;s foot from becoming dangerously stuck or trapped therein. 
     These advantages are achieved through the provision of a mounting aid assembly which comprises, in one form, a pivotally mounted bottom portion, or step, to which a hollow, open ended, receiver or volume is attached. The receiver, in this example, comprises a cage formed from spaced-apart thin bars or wires, but may be constructed from a variety of other materials. The step presents a generally vertical, out-of-the-way, mounting support surface when pivoted to latched, riding position. However, in response to a small angular rotation in the opposite direction, for example, about a quarter circle, it engages a positioning stop fixed to the stirrup iron. Here the mounting support surface presents a generally horizontal, foot supporting attitude at a location substantially lower than the stirrup support surface used for riding. In this location the mounting support surface serves as a more convenient and safe target for the rider&#39;s foot insertion and subsequent swinging upwardly into the saddle. Once in the saddle, this example only needs a simple forward kick to pivot the step into the prior upper, latched position, where the foot is safely and comfortably received for riding without exposure to trapping in case of a fall. It further provides a simple, convenient and effective way to stow the mounting step when not needed. 
     In another form, the improved stirrup arrangement comprises a mounting step rigidly connected to, and supported by, a laterally offset brace which, in turn, is pivotally connected to a lower, laterally offset, area of the stirrup. The step and its support brace together form an “L” shape whereby, upon pivoting the brace, the mounting step is stowed, generally vertically and in greater part, above the level of the riding footrest, where it becomes a side wall of the stirrup foot entry. A resilient spring arrangement, associated with the pivotal connection, allows the sidewall step to rotate, and thereby move outwardly and downwardly under pressure. This movement creates a lateral opening, permitting a foot, otherwise trapped in the stirrup, to be released. 
     For mounting, the step and brace are rotated against the spring arrangement by hand to a position where the step latches into a horizontal, foot receiving attitude, well below the stirrup footrest. After mounting, foot pressure on the footrest releases the latch and the step rotates under spring pressure to its side wall, that is, riding position. 
     In both forms, appropriate stops are provided to limit rotation of the step between a functional, mounting aid position and a safe, foot withdrawal position. When the mounting aid device is pivoted from its normally stowed, upper, position downwardly, in both forms the step descends a sufficient distance below the stirrup support surface to substantially assist the rider in the mounting procedure. Once the rider is mounted, in one form of the improved stirrup, a quick forward jerk of the rider&#39;s foot will provide the impetus for the mounting portion to pivot up, roughly through about a quarter circle, and latch in foot protecting position. In the other form the mounting step device is hand cocked to its lower step position, where it locks for aiding the mounting procedure. After mounting the rider&#39;s foot on the footrest triggers a return of the mounting of the sidewall position where excess side pressure by the rider&#39;s foot causes pivotal wall movement sufficient to release an otherwise trapped foot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the improved stirrup arrangement, showing the mounting step in stowed position and, by broken lines, also in functional position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stirrup arrangement of  FIG. 1  showing, by broken lines, a rider&#39;s foot in riding position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the stirrup arrangement of  FIG. 1  showing the mounting step in functional position and, by broken lines, in stowed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the stirrup arrangement of  FIG. 1  showing, by broken lines, an intermediate position of the mounting step pivoting toward the stowed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial, perspective view of the stirrup arrangement of  FIG. 1  showing the mounting step in functional position and engaged with a mounting foot outlined by broken lines. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the stirrup arrangement of  FIG. 1  showing the triggering of the mounting step release, resulting in the mounting step resting in the closed, sidewall stowed, position. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial elevational view of the stirrup of  FIG. 1  with a portion broken away to show details of the mounting step latch release. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the improved stirrup arrangement, showing the mounting step in latched, stowed position and, by broken lines, a rider&#39;s foot safely received in riding position. 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  showing the mounting step unlatched into functional mounting position and receiving a foot, illustrated in broken lines. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the improvement are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the device, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the arrangement in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 , the numeral  10  designates one type of stirrup assembly, or arrangement, in accordance with the present improvement. The assembly  10  comprises a modified English-style stirrup, or sometimes called stirrup iron, although it should be understood that the claimed features are appropriate also with modified western-style stirrups shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     The stirrup assembly  10  includes the basic functional parts to be considered a stirrup iron, such as a frame member  11  and footrest  12  but, in addition, has an auxiliary portion comprising a stirrup aid member, or mounting step device  14 , comprised, in this example, of a laterally offset brace  16  supporting a mounting step  18 . The upper end  20  of the mounting step device  14  is pivotally connected to the underside  22  of the bottom part, or footrest  12 , of the stirrup iron. The footrest  12  has sufficient lateral extension for receiving a rider&#39;s foot  25  thereon,  FIG. 2 . 
     The pivotal connection between the mounting step device  14  and the footrest  12 , in this example, is provided by depending, spaced apart bearing mounts  26 ,  FIGS. 5 and 6 , receiving a transverse shaft  28  fixed to the device upper end  20  and surrounded by a helical spring  30 . The mounting step device upper end  20  is shaped to provide a surface  21 ,  FIG. 6 , which contacts the underside  22  of the footrest  12  when the mounting step device  14  is rotated to the mounting position shown in  FIG. 5 . The surface  21  thereby provides a stop, rigidly preventing the mounting step from rotating beyond the position shown in  FIG. 3  for mounting function. Contact between the brace  16  and the underside  22  of the footrest  12  produces a stop which prevents rotation in the opposite direction, past that shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     An offset, axially projecting pin  32 ,  FIG. 5 , is shown mounted in the shaft  28  resting in contact against one end  34  of a trigger lever  36 . This contact prevents the transverse shaft  28  from rotating under pressure from helical spring  30 , thus maintaining the mounting step device in depending, functional position. 
     The trigger lever  36  is mounted for rocking on a transverse pin  38  and, at its other end  40 , terminates in a generally vertically projecting post  42  extending through and above an opening  44  in the footrest  12 . An appropriate spring  46 , best seen in  FIG. 7 , applies resilient pressure against the end  34  of the trigger lever  36 , whereby the post  42  is urged upwardly through the opening  44  when such movement is not resisted by frictional contact with the pin  32  under the torsional pressure from the helical spring  30 . However, when a foot is placed on the footrest  12  the post  42  is urged, by the under surface of the foot, downwardly, releasing the pin  32  and thereby permitting the helical spring  30  to rotate the mounting step  18  into its sidewall, stowed position,  FIG. 2 . The pin  32  then rests beneath the lever trigger end  34 , preventing the post  42  from rising until the mounting step is again needed,  FIG. 6 . 
     The stirrup iron, in this example, has a fixed sidewall  48  which locates on the horse side of the stirrup assembly during normal use. The sidewall  48  is fixed to one end  50  of the footrest  12  and curves at its upper portion  52  to produce a shape similar to the inverted letter “J.” The upper portion  52  of the sidewall  48  includes a bridge  54  through which an adjustable leather support strap (not shown) may be engaged in a conventional manner. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-7  the footrest  12  is supported only by the connection  56  between the sidewall  48  and the footrest  12 , however, the sidewall and connection can be modified in size and strength as needed for performance. The desired closure, or surrounding of the foot resting on the footrest, in this example, is provided by the mounting step  18  when in stowed position, as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 . It is to be understood that additional braces or sidewall members (not shown) could be used in conjunction with the stowed mounting step  18  to provide additional resistance against foot release under special circumstances, such as unusually hard riding. However, this would tend to defeat the safety feature offered by the improved arrangement by increasing the danger of foot locking in the stirrup in case of a fall. 
     One functional operation series for the example shown in  FIGS. 1-7  is as follows:  FIG. 1  illustrates, in broken lines, a finger contacting the mounting step  18 , shown in a stowed position from prior use of the stirrup iron. By being pulled downwardly, the mounting step  18  rotates about the shaft  28 , winding the helical spring  30 . This movement also rotates the pin  32  counterclockwise about the axis of the shaft  28 , toward the position  33 , as shown in broken lines,  FIG. 7 . This allows the spring  46  to raise the post  42  to the point where the trigger lever  36  urges the post  42  through the footrest  12  to a position terminating above the footrest surface, as shown in  FIG. 3 . This also allows the pin  32  to engage the end  34  of the lever  36 , locking the mounting step  18  in a position substantially below the footrest  24  and at a level more conveniently reached by the person mounting the horse to more easily swing up and over the horse and into the saddle (not shown). The foot is then removed from the mounting step  18  and placed on the footrest, virtually automatically depressing the post  42  down to approximately the same level as the footrest surface. This causes trigger lever end  34  to move off of the pin  32  whereupon the helical spring  30  rotates the brace  16 , and its attached mounting step  18  clockwise as shown in  FIG. 4  and the arrow  19  of  FIG. 7 . The rotation stops when the mounting step reaches the stowed position shown in  FIG. 2  for riding. The above results are obtained while the rotating mounting step moves only through about a quarter circle instead of the apparent need for a half circle or greater rotation. 
     Further, if the rider should fall, due to rough riding or other reason, the stowed mounting step  18  will rotate outwardly and downwardly, under the pressure of a foot, which may otherwise be trapped. This will produce a release, virtually eliminating the danger of a foot lock, and being dragged head down. In the event a rider prefers a greater resistance to rotation than supplied, this can often be adequately addressed through selecting a helical spring of greater resistance. 
     Turning now to the second embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , which is adapted for use with a western-style stirrup iron  58  having spaced apart side walls  59 . A bottom portion or mounting step  60  is rotatably connected by side mounted pivots  62  for pivotal motion from a forwardly projecting position, shown in  FIG. 8 , to a generally vertical position shown in  FIG. 9 . The rotation from the horizontal to the vertical position is restricted, in this example, by a projecting stop  64  which is positioned to contact a mating projection  65  on mounting step sidewalls  66  and  68 . The center area  70  of the bottom portion or mounting step  60  has an extension  72  providing additional support for contact between the foot, shown in broken lines, and the mounting step,  FIG. 9 . 
     Spaced-apart thin bars or wires  74  extend from the sidewalls and center of the mounting step  60  to an anchor rod  76 , also connected to the bottom portion or mounting step  60 , together forming a hollow, open ended cage for receiving the foot therein. Although thin bars or wires are shown in the present example, the hollow open ended foot receiver may be constructed of a variety of other materials, such as leather, screen or suitable plastic. 
     The mounting step  60  is normally maintained in position forwardly and frontally of the stirrup iron  58  by means of one or more appropriate latches  78  which, in this example, engage the anchor rod  76 . In this position a receiving volume is created whereby a foot may enter the open end and ride comfortably without danger of the foot extending through the stirrup iron and being dangerously trapped in case of a fall. 
     When, however, it is desired to utilize the device as a mounting step, it is a simple matter to release the latch  78  whereupon the bottom portion or mounting step  60  moves through a surprisingly small approximate quarter circle, whereupon the projection  64  of the sidewall  66  contacts the stop  62  and the mounting step  60  is presented for use at a significantly lower level than the riding surface or footrest  80 . In this location the mounting step  60 , and its extension  72 , are presented generally horizontally and substantially lower than the functional stirrup surface, thereby serving as a more convenient and safe target for the rider to utilize by foot insertion and swinging upwardly into the saddle. 
     Once in the saddle a simple forward kick against the mounting step by the foot will easily pivot the step into the prior upper latched position where the foot confining configuration is in effect for safe riding. In addition, the arrangement described provides a convenient and effective ability to stow the mounting step. 
     Many other changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present arrangement without departing from the spirit thereof. Therefore it is requested that the rights to the improvement be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.