Abstract:
A stirrup has a pair of arms, an eye on the arms for receiving a strap, and a footrest on the arms for supporting the foot of a rider. A cylinder/plunger assembly at each end of the footrest defines its travel between a retracted position and an extended position. A spring acting on the plunger in each cylinder urges the footrest toward the retracted position, such as to provide shock absorption for downward pressure exerted by the foot of a rider.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/143,169, filed on Aug. 28, 1998, and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a swiveled stirrup with a flexible and shock-absorbed footrest. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A stirrup consists of a pair of curved arms which serve as a carrier for an eye and a foot. Each arm is joined to the other at one end while the opposite ends of the arms are spaced from one another to form a U-type structure. The eye is located at the joint and the foot is disposed between the spaced ends of the arms. 
     The stirrup is secured to a horse by passing a strap through the eye which then serves as a holding member for the strap. In a prior-art stirrup, the arms and the foot can rotate incrementally relative to the eye between a position in which the eye is coplanar with the arms and positions in which the eye is transverse to the arms. This allows the eye to be oriented optimally such that the strap rests flat against the belly of the horse and under the leg of a rider. At the same time, the arms and the foot of the sturrup can be properly positioned to receive the boot of the rider. In some prior-art embodiments, the foot of the stirrup can also rotate relative to the arms on an axis extending between the spaced ends of the arms. The foot is rotatable forwards and backwards from a central position in which a plane defined by the arms is perpendicular to the tread of the foot. The primary reason for rotation of the foot is safety. Thus, should the rider fall off the horse backwards, the foot of the stirrup can rotate backwards to allow the boot of the rider to be released more easily from the stirrup. 
     The stirrup described above has a drawback related to the eye. The eye has several discrete positions relative to the arms and the foot. Once the eye is moved into one of these positions to achieve an optimal initial configuration for a rider, the eye is locked to the arms and the foot by a locking mechanism. Accordingly, the eye rotates when the foot of the rider turns or twists sideways in the stirrup. As the eye rotates, the strap passing through the eye twists so that the edges of the strap are turned towards and rub against the horse and the leg of the rider. This is uncomfortable for both the horse and the rider. 
     Another drawback of the preceding stirrup stems from the fact that the foot of the stirrup can rotate forwards as well as backwards from the central position. During normal use, the boot of the rider tends to push forwards with a resultant forward rotation of the foot of the stirrup. This causes the rider to experience a certain degree of instability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to reduce discomfort from a stirrup. 
     Another object of the invention is to improve the stability of a stirrup. 
     The preceding objects, as well as others which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by the invention. One aspect of the invention resides in a stirrup that comprises a carrier, a footrest on the carrier, and a holding member on the carrier for holding a strap. In one embodiment of the stirrup, the carrier and the footrest are freely rotatable relative to the holding member at least through an angle equalling or approximating 90 degrees. With this embodiment, the holding member can be positioned so that a strap held by the same lies flat against an animal to be ridden and flat against the leg of a rider. Inasmuch as during use the carrier and the footrest are free to rotate relative to the holding member at least through an angle of the order of 90 degrees, the carrier and the footrest can simultaneously be oriented to properly receive the boot of the rider. Moreover, the ability of the carrier and the footrest to freely rotate relative to the holding member allows the holding member to maintain its position in the event that the boot of the rider turns or twists sideways in the stirrup. This enables the strap to remain flat against the horse and the rider&#39;s leg. 
     In another embodiment of the stirrup, the carrier defines a plane and the footrest is provided with a support surface for a foot or boot. The footrest is rotatable relative to the carrier and has a preselected position in which the support surface is perpendicular to the plane. The stirrup here comprises means for restricting rotation of the footrest out of the preselected position to a single direction only. 
     This embodiment of the stirrup can be secured to an animal to be ridden such that the footrest can only rotate backwards from the position of perpendicularity of the carrier plane and footrest support surface. Since the footrest is unable to rotate forwards relative to the carrier, this embodiment of the stirrup enables the foot of a rider to be supported relatively stably. 
     Still another embodiment of the stirrup of the invention includes a cylinder/plunger assembly at each end of the footrest for allowing its travel between a retracted position and an extended position. A spring acting on the plunger in each cylinder urges the footrest toward the retracted position, such as to provide shock absorption for downward pressure exerted by the foot of a rider. 
     An additional aspect of the invention resides in a method of manipulating a stirrup which includes a carrier, a footrest on the carrier, and a holding member on the carrier for holding a strap. One embodiment of the method comprises the steps of engaging the holding member with a strap, and freely rotating the carrier and the footrest relative to the holding member at least through an angle equalling or approximating 90 degrees. The engaging and rotating steps are performable in either order. 
     It was mentioned earlier that the holding member may have a holding portion which is at least approximately coplanar with the carrier in a predetermined position of the carrier and the footrest. In such an event, the instant embodiment of the method can further comprise the step of restricting rotation of the carrier and the footrest out of the predetermined position to a single direction only. This embodiment of the method may also comprise the step of restricting rotation of the carrier and the footrest in such direction to an angle equalling or approximating 90 degrees. 
     As outlined previously, the footrest may be rotatable relative to the carrier. Furthermore, the carrier may define a plane and the footrest may be provided with a support surface which is intended to support a foot and is at least approximately perpendicular to the carrier plane in a preselected position of the footrest. Under such circumstances, another embodiment of the method provides for restricting rotation of the footrest out of the preselected position to a single direction only. The latter embodiment of the method can further comprise urging the footrest towards the preselected position. The features of the different embodiments of the stirrup can be combined as can the features of the different embodiments of the method. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be forthcoming from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stirrup in accordance with the invention in one condition. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stirrup of FIG. 1 in another condition. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the connection between a carrier and a footrest constituting part of the stirrup of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen in the direction of the arrows IV—IV of FIG.  1  and shows the connection of FIG. 3 in assembled condition. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the connection between the carrier of the stirrup of FIG. 1 and a strap holding member also constituting part of the stirrup. 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen in the direction of the arrows VI—VI of FIG.  1  and shows the connection of FIG. 5 in assembled condition. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a stirrup in accordance with another embodiment of the invention in one condition. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the stirrup of FIG. 7 in another condition. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged, partially cut-out view showing the cylinder/plunger connection between the curved arms of the a carrier and the footrest in the embodiment of FIG. 7 in retracted position. 
     FIG. 10 is a view of the cylinder/plunger connection of FIG. 9 in extended position. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stirrup of FIG. 7 illustrating the swinging motion of the footrest resulting from its hinged connection with the carrier of the stirrup. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a stirrup according to the invention is identified by the numeral  10 . The stirrup  10  includes a carrier  12  made up of two curved arms  14  and  16 . The arm  14  has an upper end  14   a  and a lower end  14   b  while the arm  16  has an upper end  16   a  and a lower end  16   b . The upper end  14   a  of the arm  14  faces the upper end  16   a  of the arm  16 , and the upper ends  14   a , 16   a  are connected to diametrically opposite locations of a vertical cylindrical housing  18 . The upper end of the housing  18  is open whereas the lower end is closed by an end wall  20  which is visible in FIG.  6 . 
     The lower end  14   b  of the arm  14  is spaced from the lower end  16   b  of the arm  16 , and the lower ends  14   b , 16   b  face and are in line with one another. The arrangement of the arms  14 , 16  and housing  18  is such that the carrier  12  resembles an arch or inverted U structure which can be considered to define a plane. This plane is vertical in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     A foot or footrest  22  is rotatably mounted on the lower ends  14   b , 16   b  of the arms  14 , 16 . The foot  22  includes a resilient tread  24  which is carried by a base  26 , and the tread  24  has an upper surface  28  which serves as a support surface for the foot of a rider. The upper tread surface  28  is provided with several arrows  30  which, when the stirrup  10  is in use, should point towards the front of an animal to be ridden. Accordingly, the forward direction is the direction in which the arrows  30  point while the backward direction is the opposite direction. 
     In FIG. 1, the position of the foot  22  is such that the plane defined by the carrier  12  is perpendicular to the upper tread surface  28 . Contrary to a conventional foot which can rotate forwards and backwards from this position relative to its carrier, the foot  22  can only rotate backwards relative to the carrier  12 . FIG. 2 shows the foot  22  in a rotated position relative to the carrier  12 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 show a connection assembly  32  between the foot  22  and the arm  14  of the carrier  12 . Since the connection between the foot  22  and the arm  16  is identical, only the connection assembly  32  will be described. 
     The connection assembly  32  includes a horizontal cylindrical housing  34  which is affixed to the underside of the base  26  of the foot  22 , e.g., by welding. One end of the housing  34  faces the arm  14  of the carrier  12  and is open while the other end faces the arm  16  and is closed by an end wall  36  (FIG.  4 ). The open end of the housing  34  is separated from the carrier arm  14  by a small gap. A notch or groove  38  is formed in the inner surface of the housing  34  adjacent the open end of the housing  34 . 
     The connection assembly  32  further includes a circular shaft or rod  40  which is press fit into a narrow section  42   a  of a passage provided at the end  14   b  of the carrier arm  14 . The shaft  40  projects from the passage into the housing  34 . In addition to the narrow section  42   a , the passage includes a wide section  42   b  which adjoins the narrow section  42   a . The passage  42   a , 42   b  extends from the side of the arm  14  which faces the arm  16  towards the side of the arm  14  which faces away from the arm  16 . The passage  42   a , 42   b  is open at the former side of the arm  14  and closed at the other side. The wide section  42   b  is located on the side of the arm  14  which faces the arm  16 . 
     A notch or groove  44  extends radially outward from the wide section  42   b  of the passage  42   a , 42   b  partway to the external surface of the carrier arm  14 . A torsion spring or biasing element  46  surrounds the shaft  40  with clearance and sits in the wide section  42   b . The spring  46  has two legs  46   a  and  46   b , and the leg  46   a  is received in the notch  44  of the carrier arm  14  while the leg  46   b  is received in the notch  38  of the housing  34  secured to the foot  22 . The spring  46  bears against the carrier arm  14  and the housing  34  in a sense urging the foot  22  and the carrier  12  to the position in which the plane defined by the carrier  12  is perpendicular to the upper surface  28  of the foot  22 . 
     A bushing  48  is located inside the housing  34  with clearance and is press fit on the shaft  40 . The bushing  48 , which is situated adjacent to the spring  46 , is provided with an extension  50  at the end of the bushing  48  remote from the spring  46 . The extension  50  constitutes a segment of a cylinder and is bounded circumferentially by a longitudinal edge  50   a  and a longitudinal edge  50   b.    
     A second bushing  52  is press fit inside the housing  34  and sits between the bushing  48  and the end wall  36  of the housing  34 . The bushing  52  is formed with an extension  54  at the end of the bushing  52  facing the bushing  48 . The extension  54  constitutes a segment of a cylinder and is bounded circumferentially by a longitudinal edge  54   a  and a longitudinal edge  54   b.    
     The bushing  52 , housing  34  and foot  22  are rotatable relative to the bushing  48 , shaft  40  and carrier  12 . 
     The extension  50  of the bushing  48  and the extension  54  of the bushing  52  overlap one another. The longitudinal edge  50   a  of the extension  50  faces the longitudinal edge  54   a  of the extension  54 , and the longitudinal edges  50   a ,  54   a  are arranged to abut each other when the plane defined by the carrier  12  is perpendicular to the upper surface  28  of the foot  22 . Consequently, the foot  22  is unable to rotate forward relative to the carrier  12  beyond the position of perpendicularity of the upper foot surface  28  and the carrier plane. 
     The longitudinal edge  50   b  of the extension  50  faces the longitudinal edge  54   b  of the extension  54 , and the longitudinal edges  50   b , 54   b  are spaced from one another when the carrier plane is perpendicular to the upper foot surface  28 . Accordingly, the foot  22  is free to rotate backward relative to the carrier  12  from the position of perpendicularity of the upper foot surface  28  and the carrier plane. The longitudinal edges  50   b , 54   b  are arranged to come into abutment when the foot  22  has rotated backwards relative to the carrier  12  through a predetermined angle which may be selected in a conventional manner. 
     With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, an eye or holding member  56  is mounted on the carrier  12  above the housing  18 . The eye  56  serves to hold a strap which is used to suspend the stirrup  10  from an animal to be ridden. The eye  56  includes an oblong portion  58  having a slot or elongated opening  60  through which a strap can be passed. The eye  56  further includes a cap-like portion  62  which extends downward from the oblong portion  58  and tapers outward on opposite sides thereof. The cap-like portion  62  is provided with a passage which is open at the end of the cap-like portion  62  remote from the oblong portion  58 . 
     The eye  56  is rotatable relative to the carrier  12  at least through an angle of 90 degrees or approximately 90 degrees. Preferably, however, rotation of the eye  56  relative to the carrier  12  is restricted to an angle equalling or approximating 90 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the eye  56  and carrier  12  are rotatable relative to one another through 90 degrees between a position shown in FIG. 1 and a position shown in FIG.  2 . The oblong portion  58  is coplanar with the carrier  12  in FIG.  1  and perpendicular to the carrier  12  in FIG.  2 . The eye  56  can rotate freely or continuously relative to the carrier  12  between the two extreme or terminal positions, that is, there is nothing in the stirrup  10  to interfere with or retard relative movement of the eye  56  and carrier  12  from either of these positions to the other. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a connection assembly  64  between the eye  56  and the carrier  12 . The assembly  64  includes a screw  66  having a threaded shank  68  and a head  70  which is press fit into the cap-like portion  62  of the eye  56 . The shank  68  extends into the housing  18  of the carrier  12 , and the connection assembly  64  further includes a nut  72  which is screwed onto the shank  68 . The nut  72  is located in the housing  18  near the open end of the same and near the head  70  of the screw  66 . The connection assembly  64  also includes a nut  74  which is press fit into the housing  18  and is situated adjacent to the end wall  20  thereof. The end of the shank  68  remote from the head  70  is screwed into the nut  74 . 
     Assuming that the eye  56  is rotated while the carrier  12  remains stationary, the screw  66  rotates together with the nut  72  adjoining the head  70  of the screw  66 . On the other hand, the nut  74  adjacent to the end wall  20  of the housing  18  remains stationary and, depending upon the direction of rotation of the eye  56 , the shank  68  of the screw  66  moves somewhat deeper into the nut  74  or withdraws slightly therefrom. In general, the eye  56 , screw  66  and nut  72  are rotatable relative to the nut  74  and carrier  12 . 
     The nut  72  is provided with an extension  76  at the end of the nut  72  facing the nut  74 . The extension  76  constitutes a segment of a cylinder and is bounded circumferentially by a longitudinal edge  76   a  and a longitudinal edge  76   b . Similarly, the nut  74  is formed with an extension  78  at the end of the nut  74  facing the nut  72 . The extension  78  again constitutes a segment of a cylinder and is bounded circumferentially by a longitudinal edge  78   a  and a longitudinal edge  78   b.    
     The extension  76  of the nut  72  and the extension  78  of the nut  74  overlap one another. The longitudinal edge  76   a  of the extension  76  faces the longitudinal edge  78   a  of the extension  78 , and the longitudinal edges  76   a , 78   a  are designed to abut each other when the oblong portion  58  of the eye  56  is coplanar with the carrier  12 . On the other hand, the longitudinal edge  76   b  of the extension  76  faces the longitudinal edge  78   b  of the extension  78 , and the longitudinal edges  76   b , 78   b  are designed to come into abutment when the oblong portion  58  of the eye  56  is perpendicular to the carrier  12 . 
     If the arrangement is such that the longitudinal edges  76   a , 78   a  come into abutment in response to counterclockwise rotation of the eye  56  relative to the carrier  12 , no further counterclockwise rotation of the eye  56  can occur following abutment. At this time, the oblong portion  58  of the eye  56  is coplanar with the carrier  12 . In this position, the longitudinal edge  76   b  of the extension  76  is spaced from the longitudinal edge  78   b  of the extension  78  so that the eye  56  is free to rotate clockwise relative to the carrier  12 . 
     The spacing between the longitudinal edges  76   b , 78   b  is such that the longitudinal edges  76   b , 78   b  come into abutment when the eye  56  has been rotated clockwise 90 degrees relative to the carrier  12 . The oblong portion  58  of the eye  56  is then perpendicular to the carrier  12 . Additional clockwise rotation of the eye  56  is prevented although the eye  56  is free to rotate counterclockwise relative to the carrier  12  since the longitudinal edges  76   a , 78   a  are now spaced from one another. 
     Assuming that the oblong portion  58  of the eye  56  is coplanar with the carrier  12 , the operation of the stirrup  10  is as follows: 
     The stirrup  10  is placed next to the body of an animal to be ridden with the slot  60  of the eye  56  facing the body. A free end of a strap attached to the animal is passed through the slot  60 , and the free end of the strap is secured to suspend the stirrup  10  from the animal. The strap is arranged to lie flat against the animal. The carrier  12  and foot  22  are thereupon rotated to a position in which the stirrup  10  can receive the foot of a rider. In this regard, care should be exercised when positioning the stirrup  10  next to the animal so that the arrows  30  on the foot  12  point forwards following rotation of the carrier  12  and foot  22 . Once the carrier  12  and foot  22  have been rotated, the rider mounts the animal and, in the process, places her or his foot or boot on the foot  22  of the stirrup  10 . 
     If the upper surface  28  of the foot  12  is perpendicular to the carrier plane and the rider exerts backward pressure on the foot  22  while mounting or riding the animal, the foot  22  rotates backwards relative to the carrier  12  against the action of the spring  46 . Upon rotation of the foot  22  relative to the carrier  12 , the upper foot surface  28  is no longer perpendicular to the carrier plane. When the backward pressure is released, the spring  46  returns the foot  22  to the position of perpendicularity of the upper foot surface  28  and the carrier plane. 
     In contrast, should the rider exert forward pressure on the foot  22  when the upper foot surface  28  is perpendicular to the carrier plane, the foot  22  remains fixed relative to the carrier  12 . Consequently, the stability of the rider is enhanced. 
     In the event that the foot of the rider turns or twists sideways while the eye  56  and the carrier  12  are between their terminal positions, the carrier  12  rotates with the foot of the rider. However, the eye  56  remains in position because the carrier  12  can rotate freely relative to the eye  56 . Hence, the strap which passes through the eye  56  remains flat rather than twisting so that the edges thereof rub against and irritate the animal and the leg of the rider. 
     In the preceding description of the operation of the stirrup  10 , it was assumed that the oblong portion  58  of the eye  56  was coplanar with the carrier  12  when the strap was passed through the eye  56 . In this case, the carrier  12  and foot  22  are rotated to a position in which the stirrup  10  can receive the foot of the rider after passing the strap through the eye  56 . Alternatively, the carrier  12  and foot  22  can be rotated to this position before passing the strap through the eye  56  and then held in such position while the strap is passed through the eye  56 . 
     In another embodiment  80  of the invention, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the footrest  82  of the stirrup is not rotatably connected to the ends of the curved arms  14 , 16 . Instead, the foot  82  includes two integral rigid ends  84  and  86  hinged to the arms  14 , 16  by means of interlocking links that provide flexibility to the footrest. As illustrated in the cut-out portion of the end  86  in FIG. 7, the footrest structure includes an integral cylindrical housing  88  containing a bolt or plunger  90  with a looped end  92  protruding upward therefrom. The housing  88  has an integral top end with a central perforation adapted to loosely receive the shank of the bolt  90 ; the bottom of the housing is open and covered by a cap  94 . As also shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9 and 10, a spring  96  is loosely encased over the bolt  90  within the inner wall of the housing  88  and the threaded tip of the shank of the bolt is screwed onto a locking nut  98 . Thus, the spring  96  contained between the top end of the housing  88  and the nut  98  urges the bolt  90  downward, in plunger fashion, such that the spring becomes compressed when downward pressure is exerted on the footrest  82 , as illustrated by the arrows A 1  in FIG.  8 . The resulting extended position of the footrest  82  is illustrated in FIG.  10 . An identical assembly is contained within the cylindrical housing  100  at the other end  84  of the footrest  82 . 
     The loop  92  in the bolt  90  is coupled to a corresponding loop  102  on the bottom end of the arm  14 , such as to provide a hinge point for the footrest assembly. The loop  92  is positioned on the same plane of the curved arms  14 , 16  of the carrier, while the loop  102  is disposed on a perpendicular plane to facilitate the footrest&#39;s swing motion back and forth. A resilient boot  104  with a snap-on retention ring  106  are provided to cover and protect the hinge assembly. An identical combination of components is provided for the hinge connection and within the cylindrical housing  100  at the other end  84  of the footrest  82 . 
     As a result of this configuration, the footrest  82  is provided with back and forth motion and shock absorption that improves the stability of the rider&#39;s foot in the stirrup. The spring  90  is preferably selected such that it becomes fully compressed under a weight of about 30-40 kg, which is estimated to be optimal for shock absorption of the forces exerted on each stirrup by an average-size person during normal riding. In addition, because of the hinged connections and the resilient boots  104  placed over them, the footrest is sufficiently flexible, as illustrated by the arrow A 2  in FIG. 11, to promote the release of the rider&#39;s foot in case of a fall. On the other hand, the boots ensure that the footrest is normally in a perpendicular position with respect to the carrier, which is desirable for stability and safety. When the rider&#39;s boot and footrest are bent forward, the spring-loaded arrangement tends to prevent separation of the rider&#39;s foot from the stirrup so long as pressure is applied, but separation is promoted by the spring reaction when pressure is no longer applied, which is desirable in case of a fall. 
     It is noted that the cylinder/plunger assemblies of the invention are easily taken apart for adjustment and repair, which is a desirable feature and advantage of this stirrup. The screw  98  can be screwed more or less to tighten or release the spring  90 , thereby affecting its performance. Similarly, the spring can be replaced with one with different characteristics to suit a particular application. 
     The swiveled eye  56  in this embodiment of the invention is the same as described in FIGS. 5 and 6. The eye is mounted on the carrier above the housing  18  and serves to hold a strap from which the stirrup  80  is suspended on the animal to be ridden. The eye is rotatable relative to the carrier at least through an angle of about 90 degrees (see arrow A 3  in FIG. 8) and, preferably, restricted to 90 degrees between the positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The eye  56  can rotate freely or continuously relative to the carrier between the two terminal positions. 
     As would be obvious to those skilled in the art, the construction components of the connection assembly  64  for the eye  56  of the invention are a mirror image of each other for the left and right stirrups, so that both stirrups can be swiveled in and out in the same manner. Moreover, the stirrups of the invention can be used for a horse as well as for other animals which can be ridden. 
     Various modifications are possible within the meaning and range of equivalence of the appended claims. Therefore, while the invention has been shown and described in what is believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures can be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope embraced by any and all equivalent apparatus.