# Patent

## Title
Stirrup with footrest having a gas filled shock absorber

## Abstract

A stirrup includes an elongated footrest as well as a hanger for suspending the stirrup from a saddle. The footrest and the hanger can pivot relative to one another on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the footrest. A shock absorber is provided for the footrest and has spaces for anchoring the shock absorber to the footrest. The footrest, in turn, has anchoring members for the shock absorber.

## Background
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/367,107 filed 14 Feb. 2003 by Chia Wei Chang for “Stirrup With Relatively Movable Footrest and Hanger”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,632 which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/056,561 filed 25 Jan. 2002 by Chang Hsi-Chang for “Stirrup With Clamped Shock-Absorbing Pads”, now abandoned.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a stirrup.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Stirrups come in different forms. The above-referenced applications disclose a type of stirrup having a metallic footrest and a metallic hanger for suspending the stirrup from a saddle. The footrest is provided with an opening which is used to mount one or more shock absorbers on the footrest. An uppermost surface of the shock absorber or shock absorbers is nonslip to prevent the foot of a rider from sliding out of the stirrup.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention resides in a stirrup which comprises a support for a foot and a suspending element for suspending the support on an animal. The support is elongated and has opposed longitudinal ends, and the support is provided with an opening between such ends. The support includes means in the opening for anchoring a shock-absorbing element to the support.
One embodiment of the anchoring means comprises at least one member having a perforation which can receive a projection forming part of an anchoring element. It is possible for the anchoring element to have two projections and, in such an event, the anchoring means can include a pair of spaced members having respective perforations for receiving the respective projections.
Another embodiment of the anchoring means comprises at least one member which is receivable by a shock-absorbing element. Here, it is preferred for the anchoring means to include two members which are receivable by a shock-absorbing element and are located in the regions of the respective longitudinal ends of the support.
The opening in the support may be provided with a rest for a shock-absorbing element anchored to the support. Should the support have an anchoring member in the region of each of its longitudinal ends, the rest is situated between the anchoring members.
The stirrup can further comprise means connecting the support to the suspending element such that the support and the suspending element are movable relative to one another. The connecting means may be elastic or, alternatively, may comprise at least one pivot pin.
The connecting means can include a first part and a second part, and one of the parts can be an elastic sleeve which surrounds the other of the parts.
Another aspect of the invention resides in a shock absorber for the footrest of a stirrup. The shock absorber comprises a body designed to be anchored to the footrest and at least the major part of the body is inflated with gas. The gas preferably includes or consists of air.
The body of the shock absorber may be provided with at least one space for anchoring the body to the footrest of the stirrup. In one embodiment of the shock absorber, such space is slot-like.
The body of the shock absorber can be elongated and have opposite longitudinal ends. It is here possible for each of the longitudinal ends of the body to be formed with a space for anchoring the body to the footrest of the stirrup.
The body of the shock absorber may include a nonslip surface portion.
The body may be provided with one or more ribs which function to position the body on the footrest of the stirrup. The body can further be provided with one or more recesses which serve the same purpose.
It is also possible for the body of the shock absorber to have a rim for positioning the body on the footrest of the stirrup.
An additional aspect of the invention resides in a combination of the shock absorber and a stirrup.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be forthcoming from the following detailed description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a stirrup which is designed in accordance with the invention and includes a footrest, a shock-absorbing element on the footrest and a friction element overlying the shock-absorbing element.
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the stirrup of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a section in the direction of the arrows II—II of FIG. 1 with the shock-absorbing element and the friction element removed to present a top view of the footrest of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the footrest.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the shock-absorbing element of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the shock-absorbing element of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the shock-absorbing element of FIG. 5 as seen in the direction of the arrows VII—VII of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partly sectional perspective view of the stirrup of FIG. 1 with a sleeve forming part of the stirrup removed.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the friction element of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is an end view of the friction element of FIG. 1 as seen in the direction of the arrow X of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a stirrup which is designed in accordance with the invention and includes a footrest, a shock-absorbing element on the footrest and a friction element overlying the shock-absorbing element.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the stirrup of FIG. 11 with the shock-absorbing element, the friction element and a sleeve forming part of the stirrup removed.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the shock-absorbing element and friction element of the stirrup of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is a side view of the shock-absorbing element and friction element of the stirrup of FIG. 11.



DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 identifies a stirrup according to the invention. The stirrup 10 includes a rigid metallic footrest 14 which constitutes a support for a foot and a U-shaped, rigid metallic hanger or suspending element 16 which serves to suspend the stirrup 10 from an animal such as a horse, e.g., from a saddle mounted on the animal. The hanger 16, which is centered with respect to the footrest 14 laterally of the latter, is provided with a slot 18 for attaching the hanger 16 to the animal.
Considering FIGS. 3 and 4 with FIGS. 1 and 2, the footrest 14 is elongated and has opposed longitudinal ends 20a and 20b which are convex as seen in a plan view. The footrest 14 further has two opposed longitudinally extending sides 22a and 22b which bridge the longitudinal ends 20a, 20b, and the sides 22a, 22b are straight and parallel to one another. In addition, the footrest 14 has two flat parallel surfaces 24a and 24b lying in respective planes which are generally perpendicular to the straight sides 22a and 22b. The flat surfaces 24a, 24b face in opposite directions, and the straight sides 22a, 22b run from one of the flat surfaces 24a, 24b to the other. In use, the flat surface 24a faces up and can be considered to be an upper surface of the footrest 14 while the flat surface 24b faces down and can be considered to be a lower surface of the footrest 14.
The footrest 14 is formed with an elongated opening 26 having a shape similar to that of the footrest 14. The opening 26 has opposed longitudinal ends 26a and 26b, and the longitudinal end 26a of the opening 26 is located in the vicinity of the longitudinal end 20a of the footrest 14 while the longitudinal end 26b of the opening 26 is located in the vicinity of the longitudinal end 20b of the footrest 14. The elongated opening 26 extends from the upper surface 24a of the footrest 14 to the lower surface 24b and is bounded by a wall which slopes from the upper surface 24a to a location near the lower surface 24b. This wall has a concave segment 28a at the longitudinal end 26a of the opening 26 and a concave segment 28b at the longitudinal end 26b of the opening 26. The wall bounding the opening 26 further has two opposed segments 30a and 30b which face each other and run in the same direction as the straight sides 22a, 22b of the footrest 14. Each of the segments 30a,30b extends from one of the concave segments 28a, 28b to the other.
The wall 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b bounding the elongated opening 26 in the footrest 14 slopes in such a manner that the cross-sectional area of the opening 26 at the upper surface 24a of the footrest 14 exceeds the cross-sectional area at the lower surface 24b. The elongated opening 26 has a maximum width W1 at the upper surface 24a and a smaller maximum width W2 at the lower surface 24b. Both the cross-sectional area and the maximum width of the elongated opening 26 decrease progressively from the upper surface 24a to the location where the wall 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b stops sloping.
The upper surface 24a of the footrest 14 is made up of two curved sections 34a and 34b and two straight, strip-like sections 36a and 36b. The curved sections 34a, 34b are respectively located at the longitudinal ends 26a, 26b of the opening 26 in the footrest 14 while the strip-like sections 36a, 36b run along opposite sides of the opening 26. Each of the strip-like sections 36a, 36b bridges the curved sections 34a, 34b. 
In a similar fashion, the lower surface 24b of the footrest 14 is made up of two curved sections 38a and 38b and two straight, strip-like sections 40a and 40b. The curved sections 38a, 38b are respectively located at the longitudinal ends 26a, 26b of the opening 26 in the footrest 14 while the strip-like sections 40a, 40b run along opposite sides of the opening 26. Each of the strip-like sections 40a, 40b bridges the curved sections 38a, 38b. 
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, the stirrup 10 comprises an elongated shock-absorbing or cushioning element 46 having opposed longitudinal ends 48a and 48b. The shock-absorbing element 46 further has two opposed longitudinally extending sides 50a and 50b which bridge the longitudinal ends 48a, 48b, and the sides 50a, 50b are generally straight and parallel to one another.
The shock-absorbing element 46 is provided with a depression 52 which is bounded by a rectangle including two longer straight surface sections 54a and 54b and two shorter straight surface sections 56a and 56b. The longer surface sections 54a, 54b are generally parallel to one another and to the straight sides 50a, 50b of the shock-absorbing element 46. The depression 52 further has a bottom defined by two longer sloping surface sections 58a and 58b and two shorter sloping surface sections 60a and 60b. The longer sloping surface sections 58a, 58b run along the respective longer straight surface sections 54a, 54b while the shorter sloping surface sections 60a, 60b run along the respective shorter straight surface sections 56a, 56b. 
A sloping surface section 62a lies between the straight side 50a of the shock-absorbing element 46 and the longer straight surface section 54a of the depression 52. Similarly, a sloping surface section 62b lies between the straight side 50b of the shock-absorbing element 46 and the longer straight surface section 54b of the depression 52. The sloping surface sections 62a, 62b bridge the longitudinal ends 48a, 48b of the shock-absorbing element 46, and each of the sloping surface sections 62a, 62b merges into a transverse surface section 64a on the longitudinal end 48a and a transverse surface section 64b on the longitudinal end 48b. The transverse surface sections 64a, 64b, which may or may not be sloped, extend transversely of the shock-absorbing element 46 between the sloping surface sections 62a, 62b. The sloping surface sections 62a, 62b, as well as the transverse surface sections 64a, 64b, face upward during use and can thus be considered to constitute upper surface sections of the shock-absorbing element 46.
The shock-absorbing element 46 has two additional surface sections 66a and 66b which face away from the sloping upper surface sections 62a, 62b. The additional surface sections 66a, 66b bridge the longitudinal ends 48a, 48b of the shock-absorbing absorbing element 46, and each of the additional surface sections 66a, 66b merges into a transverse surface section 68a on the longitudinal end 48a and a transverse surface section 68b on the longitudinal end 48b. The transverse surface sections 68a, 68b extend transversely of the shock-absorbing element 46 between the additional surface sections 66a, 66b. The additional surface sections 66a, 66b, as well as the transverse surface sections 68a, 68b, face downward during use and can thus be considered to constitute lower surface sections of the shock-absorbing element 46.
An elongated opening is formed centrally of the shock-absorbing element 46 between the sloping surface sections 58a, 58b, 60a, 60b of the depression 52 and the lower surface sections 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b of the shock-absorbing element 46. The opening, which registers with the depression 52, is bounded by a rectangle including two longer straight surface sections 70a and 70b and two shorter straight surface sections 72a and 72b. The longer surface sections 70a, 70b are generally parallel to one another and to the straight sides 50a, 50b of the shock-absorbing element 46.
A crosspiece 74 centered longitudinally of the opening in the shock-absorbing element 46 bridges the longer surface sections 70a, 70b of the opening. The crosspiece 74 divides the opening into two apertures or spaces 76a and 76b. 
The lower surface section 66a of the shock-absorbing element 46 is formed with an elongated rib or protuberance 78a which extends longitudinally of the shock-absorbing element 46. Likewise, the lower surface section 66b of the shock-absorbing element 46 is provided with an elongated rib or protuberance 78b which runs longitudinally of the shock-absorbing element 46. The ribs 78a, 78b are arranged so that, when the shock-absorbing element 46 is properly placed on the footrest 14, the rib 78a lies proximate to or against the wall segment 30a of the opening 26 in the footrest 14 while the rib 78b lies proximate to or against the opposing wall segment 30b. The length of the rib 78a is equal to or less than the length of the wall segment 30a of the opening 26 and the length of the rib 78b is equal to or less than the length of the wall segment 30b. The ribs 78a,78b serve to position or align the shock-absorbing element 46 on the footrest 14 transversely of the latter.
Turning to FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, the footrest 14 and the hanger 16 constitute two separate components which are connected to one another flexibly or elastically. The flexible or elastic connection between the footrest 14 and the hanger 16 allows the footrest 14 and the hanger 16 to move relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible or elastic connection is such that the footrest 14 and the hanger 16 can rotate or pivot with respect to one another on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the footrest 14.
The hanger 16 has an end portion 16a at the longitudinal end 20a of the footrest 14 and another end portion 16b at the opposite longitudinal end 20b of the footrest 14, and the end portions 16a, 16b face the footrest 14. The end portion 16a of the hanger 16 and the longitudinal end 20a of the footrest 14 are joined to each other flexibly or elastically as are the end portion 16b of the hanger 16 and the longitudinal end 20b of the footrest 14.
An anchoring element 82a is mounted on the upper surface 24a of the footrest 14 at the longitudinal end 20a of the footrest 14 while an anchoring element 82b is mounted on the upper surface 24a at the longitudinal end 20b. As illustrated in FIG. 8 for the anchoring element 82a, each of the anchoring elements 82a, 82b includes a cylindrical portion 84 of circular cross section having a larger diameter, a cylindrical portion 86 of circular cross section having a smaller diameter and a frustoconical portion 88 connecting the cylindrical portions 84a, 84b to one another. The larger cylindrical portion 84 of each anchoring element 82a, 82b sits on the upper surface 24a of the footrest 14 and serves as a base for the smaller cylindrical portion 86.
The hanger 16 of the stirrup 10 is provided with a passage 90 which runs from the end portion 16a of the hanger 16 to the end portion 16b thereof. A wire or cable 92 extends through the passage 90 and has opposite end portions 92a (only one visible in the drawings) which respectively project from the end portions 16a, 16b of the hanger 16. Part of each wire end portion 92a is embedded in and gripped by the respective anchoring element 82a, 82b so that the wire 92 is anchored to the footrest 14 and establishes a connection between the footrest 14 and the hanger 16.
The end portions 16a, 16b of the hanger 16 are spaced from the respective anchoring elements 82a, 82b by gaps, and the part of each wire end portion 92a which is not embedded in the respective anchoring element 82a, 82b bridges the corresponding gap. The wire 92 is flexible or elastic thereby allowing the parts of the wire 92 between the hanger 16 and the anchoring elements 82a, 82b to bend. When the parts of the wire 92 between the hanger 16 and the anchoring elements 82a, 82b are bent about an axis running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the footrest 14, the footrest 14 and the hanger 16 rotate relative to one another on this axis. The wire 92 can, for example, be made of steel.
The passage 90 of the hanger 16 has a circular cross section and a plug or insert 94 of circular cross section extends into the passage 90 through each of the end portions 16a, 16b of the hanger 16 (only the plug 94 for the end portion 16a is shown in the drawings). Each of the plugs 94 is provided with a channel of circular cross section for the wire 92, and each of the plugs 94 is arranged so that part of the respective plug 94 is located internally of the hanger 16 and part is located externally of the hanger 16. The plugs 94 are fast with the hanger 16 and can be a friction fit in the passage 90 and/or can be attached to the hanger 16 in a suitable manner.
Each of the two parts of the wire 92 spanning the hanger 16 and the anchoring elements 82a, 82b is surrounded by a sleeve or housing 96 of circular cross section, and each of the sleeves 96 is formed with a passage of circular cross section. One end of each sleeve 96 receives the smaller cylindrical portion 86 of the respective anchoring element 82a, 82b while the other end of each sleeve 96 receives the part of the respective plug 94 located externally of the hanger 16. The plugs 94 and the smaller cylindrical portions 86 of the anchoring elements 82a, 82b are fast with the sleeves 96, and the plugs 94 and smaller cylindrical portions 86 can be a friction fit in the sleeves 96 and/or can be attached to the sleeves 96 in a suitable manner.
The sleeves 96 are flexible or elastic thereby allowing the sleeves 96 to bend together with the parts of the wire 92 between the hanger 16 and the anchoring elements 82a, 82b. By virtue of the construction in the illustrated embodiment of the stirrup 10, the sleeves 96 and the parts of the wire 92 spanning the hanger 16 and the anchoring elements 82a, 82b are constrained to bend about an axis running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the footrest 14.
The sleeve 96 at the longitudinal end 20a of the footrest 14 may be arranged so that the end of the sleeve 96 which receives the plug 94 butts the end portion 16a of the hanger 16 and the end of the sleeve 96 which receives the smaller cylindrical portion 86 of the anchoring element 82a butts the larger cylindrical portion 84 of the anchoring element 82a. Similarly, the sleeve 96 at the longitudinal end 20b of the footrest 14 may be arranged so that the end of the sleeve 96 which receives the plug 94 butts the end portion 16b of the hanger 16 and the end of the sleeve 96 which receives the smaller cylindrical portion 86 of the anchoring element 82b butts the larger cylindrical portion 84 of the anchoring element 82b. The sleeves 96 then bridge the hanger 16 and the anchoring elements 82a, 82b on the footrest 14. The sleeves 96, the larger cylindrical portions 84 of the anchoring elements 82a, 82b and the end portions 16a, 16b of the hanger 16 can all have the same outer diameter so that a smooth transition from the footrest 14 to the hanger 16 exists at each of the longitudinal ends 20a, 20b of the footrest 14.
The sleeves 96, which constitute cylindrical elements of circular cross section, may be made of material different from that of the footrest 14 and from that of the hanger 16. By way of example, the footrest 14 and the hanger 16 can be made of steel while the sleeves 96 are made of rubber.
Returning to FIGS. 5 and 6 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the shock-absorbing element 46 is provided with a recess or indentation 80a at the longitudinal end 48a of the shock-absorbing element 46 and with a recess or indentation 80b at the longitudinal end 48b. The recesses 80a, 80b are centered transversely of the shock-absorbing element 46 and, when the shock-absorbing element 46 is properly placed on the footrest 14, the recess 80a receives the larger cylindrical portion 84 of the anchoring element 82a whereas the recess 80b receives the larger cylindrical portion 84 of the anchoring element 82b. The recesses 80a, 80b help to position or align the shock-absorbing element 46 on the footrest 14 transversely of the latter and also serve to confine the shock-absorbing element 46 longitudinally of the footrest 14.
The longitudinal end 48a of the shock-absorbing element 46 is convex, as seen in a plan view, between the recess 80a and the respective sloping surface sections 62a, 62b of the shock-absorbing element 46. Similarly, the longitudinal end 48b of the shock-absorbing element 46 is convex, as seen in a plan view, between the recess 80b and each of the sloping surface sections 62a, 62b. Hence, the contours of the longitudinal ends 48a, 48b of the shock-absorbing element 46 conform to the contours of the respective longitudinal ends 20a, 20b of the footrest 14.
The shock-absorbing element 46, or at least the major part thereof, preferably comprises a body inflated with gas. This allows the shock-absorbing element 46 to function as a gas pad or cushion. The shock-absorbing element 46 can be made of plastic and the gas used to inflate the shock-absorbing element 46 may be air. In the illustrated embodiment, all of the shock-absorbing element 46 except for the crosspiece 74 is inflated with gas.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and 9, the stirrup 10 further comprises a tread or friction element 98 discrete from the footrest 14 and from the shock-absorbing element 46. The tread 98 includes an elongated sheet-like element 100 with opposite longitudinal ends 100a and 100b having rounded convex edges. The sheet-like element 100 is U-shaped as viewed on end and includes two spaced legs 102 and 104 which run longitudinally of the sheet-like element 100 and are connected to one another by a generally flat crosspiece 106. The sheet-like element 100 has a surface 108a which faces inward of the sheet-like element 100 and an opposed surface 108b which faces outward of the sheet-like 100. The inward facing surface 108a will here be referred to as the inner surface of the sheet-like element 100 while the outward facing surface 108b will be referred to as the outer surface of the sheet-like element 100.
The tread 98 is designed to rest on the shock-absorbing element 46 with the longitudinal end 100a of the sheet-like element 100 proximate to the longitudinal end 48a of the shock-absorbing element 46 and the longitudinal end 100b of the sheet-like element 100 proximate to the longitudinal end 48b of the shock-absorbing element 46. When the tread 98 is properly positioned on the shock-absorbing element 46, the inner surface 108b of the sheet-like element 100 is directed towards the shock-absorbing element 46. The length of the sheet-like element 100 is such that the inner surface 108b of the sheet-like element 100 can bear against the transverse surface section 64a at the longitudinal end 48a of the shock-absorbing element 46 and against the transverse surface section 64b at the longitudinal end 48b of the shock-absorbing element 46.
The leg 102 of the sheet-like element 100 has a straight flat section 102a which is spaced from the crosspiece 106 and lies in a plane normal to the plane of the crosspiece 106. The leg 102 further has a straight flat section 102b which bridges the crosspiece 106 and the flat section 102a and is sloped relative to the crosspiece 106 and the flat section 102a. The leg section 102a is designed to lie against the straight side 50a of the shock-absorbing element 46 whereas the leg section 102b is designed to lie against the sloping surface section 62a of the shock-absorbing element 46.
Similarly, the leg 104 of the sheet-like element 100 has a straight flat section 104a which is spaced from the crosspiece 106 and is located in a plane normal to the plane of the crosspiece 106. The leg 104 further has a straight flat section 104b which spans the crosspiece 106 and the flat section 104a and is sloped relative to the crosspiece 106 and the flat section 104a. The leg section 104a is designed to bear against the straight side 50b of the shock-absorbing element 46 whereas the leg section 104b is designed to bear against the sloping surface section 62b of the shock-absorbing element 46.
The sheet-like element 100 is formed with perforate dimples or protrusions 110 which project to the outside of the sheet-like element 100 and cause the outer surface 108a thereof to be nonslip. The dimples 110 are perforate, and each of the dimples 110 has a central opening 110a. The outer surface 108a of the sheet-like element 100 is arranged to support the foot of a rider employing the stirrup 10, and this surface constitutes a friction surface which prevents the foot of the rider from slipping out of the stirrup 10.
The inner surface 108b of the sheet-like element 100 is provided with two threaded studs or projections 112a and 112b. The studs 112a, 112b are spaced from each other longitudinally of the tread 98 and are centered laterally of the tread 98.
Considering FIGS. 2 and 3, the footrest 14 is formed with two webs or strip-like elements 114 and 116 which are located in the opening 26 of the footrest 14. The webs 114, 116 are spaced from one another longitudinally of the footrest 14 and bridge the strip-like sections 36a, 36b thereof. The web 114 is provided with an opening or perforation 114a which is centered laterally and longitudinally of the web 114 while the web 116 is provided with an opening or perforation 116a which is centered laterally and longitudinally of the web 116. The openings 114a, 116a are spaced from each other by the same distance as the studs 112a, 112b on the tread 98. The opening 114a is arranged to be aligned with the aperture 76a of the shock-absorbing element 46 whereas the opening 116a is arranged to be aligned with the aperture 76b. 
When the tread 98 is properly positioned on the footrest 14, the stud 112a extends through the aperture 76a of the shock-absorbing element 46 and through the opening 114a of the web 114. In a similar vein, the stud 112b passes through the aperture 76b of the shock-absorbing element 46 and through the opening 116a of the web 116. The studs 112a, 112b project to the side of the webs 114, 116 remote from the shock-absorbing element 46, and the projecting portions of the studs 112a, 112b are of such length that a washer 118 and a nut 120 may be placed on each of these projecting portions. A clamp 122 can be applied to each of the studs 112a, 112b on the side of the respective nut 120 remote from the associated washer 118 to prevent loosening of the nut 120.
Upon tightening the nuts 120, the shock-absorbing element 46 is clamped between the tread 98 and the footrest 14. The tread 98 accordingly serves as an anchoring element for anchoring the shock-absorbing element 46 to the footrest 14.
The webs 114, 116 of the footrest 14 can be referred to as anchoring members for the shock-absorbing element 46.
One manner of assembling the stirrup 10 is as follows:
The hanger 16 with the wire 92 running therethrough is fabricated in a manner known per se as is the footrest 14 with the anchoring elements 82a, 82b. Each of the anchoring elements 82a,82b is formed with a passage for a respective end portion 92a of the wire 92.
Before the end portions 92a of the wire 92 are inserted in the anchoring elements 82a, 82b, one of the plugs 94 is placed on each end portion 92a. The plugs 94 are advanced to the respective end portions 16a, 16b of the hanger 16 and pushed into the passage 90 of the hanger 16 so that part of each plug 94 is inside the passage 90 and part of each plug 94 is outside of the passage 90. The plugs 94 are made fast with the hanger 16 by a friction fit in the passage 90 and/or by bonding the plugs 90 to the hanger 16.
Once the plugs 94 are fast with the hanger 16, one of the sleeves 96 is placed on each of the end portions 92a of the wire 92. The sleeves 96 are pushed over the respective plugs 94 and into abutment with the respective end portions 16a, 16b of the hanger 16. The sleeves 96 are made fast with the plugs 94 by a friction fit on the plugs 94 and/or by bonding the sleeves 96 to the plugs 94.
After the sleeves 96 have been made fast with the plugs 94, the smaller cylindrical portions 86 of the anchoring elements 82a, 82b are pushed into the respective sleeves 96. As the anchoring elements 82a, 82b advance into the sleeves 96, the end portions 92a of the wire 92 enter the passages in the respective anchoring elements 82a, 82b. The anchoring elements 82a, 82b continue to be pushed into the sleeves 96 until the larger cylindrical portions 84 of the anchoring elements 82a, 82b abut the sleeves 96. The sleeves 96 are made fast with the anchoring elements 82a, 82b by a friction fit on the smaller cylindrical portions 86 and/or by bonding the sleeves 96 to the anchoring elements 82a, 82b. The end portions 92a of the wire 92 are likewise made fast with the anchoring elements 82a, 82b. This can be accomplished by placing a bonding agent in the passages of the anchoring elements 82a, 82b prior to insertion of the end portions 92a of the wire 92 in the passages. Alternatively, the end portions 92a of the wire 92 can be bonded to the anchoring elements 82a, 82b by welding or brazing, for example. In such an event, the sleeves 96 are put in place after the end portions 92a have been connected to the anchoring elements 82a, 82b. Thus, each of the sleeves 96 is then supplied as two semicylindrical sections which are butted and bonded to one another once the end portions 92a of the wire 92 have been secured to the anchoring elements 82a, 82b. 
The shock-absorbing element 46 is now placed on the footrest 14. The shock-absorbing element 46 is positioned on the upper surface 24a of the footrest 14 with the depression 52 in the shock-absorbing element 46 facing the hanger 16 of the footrest 14. The lower surface section 66a of the shock-absorbing element 46 rests on the strip-like section 36a of the upper footrest surface 24a and the lower surface section 66b of the shock-absorbing element 46 rests on the strip-like section 36b. In addition, the lower surface section 68a of the shock-absorbing element 46 rests on the curved section 34a of the upper footrest surface 24a whereas the lower surface section 68b of the shock-absorbing element 46 rests on the curved section 34b. 
The ribs 78a, 78b of the shock-absorbing element 46 are inserted in the opening 26 of the footrest 14 with the rib 78a running alongside the wall segment 30a of the opening 26 and the rib 78b running alongside the wall segment 30b. Moreover, the anchoring element 82a is introduced into the recess 80a of the shock-absorbing element 46 while the anchoring element 82b is introduced into the recess 80b. The ribs 78a, 78b and the recesses 80a, 80b serve to locate the shock-absorbing element 46 on the footrest 14. When the shock-absorbing element 46 is properly situated on the footrest 14, the aperture 76a of the shock-absorbing element 46 is aligned with the opening 114a in the web 114 of the footrest 14. Likewise, the aperture 76b of the shock-absorbing element 46 is aligned with the opening 116a in the web 116 of the footrest 14.
After the shock-absorbing element 46 has been placed on the footrest 14, the tread 98 is positioned with the stud 112a facing and in register with the aperture 76a of the shock-absorbing element 46 and with the stud 112b facing and in register with the aperture 76b of the shock-absorbing element 46. The studs 112a, 112b are then passed through the respective apertures 76a, 76b and into the openings 114a, 116a of the respective webs 114, 116 formed on the footrest 14. The studs 112a, 112b are advanced until the sheet-like element 100 of the tread 98 rests against the shock-absorbing element 46. When the sheet-like element 100 bears against the shock-absorbing element 46, a portion of each stud 112a, 112b projects to the side of the webs 114, 116 remote from the shock-absorbing element 46.
The washers 118 are placed on the projecting portions of the studs 112a, 112b and brought into abutment with the webs 114, 116 of the footrest 14. Subsequently, the nuts 120 are screwed onto the studs 112a, 112b and urged against the washers 118 thereby causing the shock-absorbing element 46 to be clamped between the footrest 14 and the tread 98. After the nuts 120 have been tightened, the clamps 122 are placed on the studs 112a, 112b adjacent to the nuts 120 so as to inhibit loosening of the nuts 120.
To use the stirrup 10, a saddle is secured to an animal, such as a horse, which is suited for riding. A strap is passed through the slot 18 of the hanger 16 and attached to the saddle after which a rider places his or her foot on the tread 98 and swings into the saddle. Once the rider is in the saddle and urges the animal to move, the rider's foot tends to pivot back-and-forth. This tendency causes the footrest 14 to rotate or pivot elastically relative to the hanger 16 on an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the footrest 14.
FIGS. 11–14 illustrate another embodiment of a stirrup in accordance with the invention
In FIGS. 11 and 12, the stirrup is identified by the numeral 210. The stirrup 210 includes a rigid metallic footrest 214 which constitutes a support for a foot and a U-shaped, rigid metallic hanger or suspending element 216 which serves to suspend the stirrup 210 from an animal such as a horse, e.g., from a saddle mounted on an animal. The hanger 216, which is centered with respect to the footrest 214 laterally of the latter, is provided with a slot 218 for attaching the hanger 216 to the animal. Unlike the hanger 16 of the stirrup 10 which is provided with a passage 90 for the wire 92, the hanger 216 of the stirrup 210 has a solid cross section throughout except for the portion of the hanger 216 containing the slot 218.
The footrest 214 is elongated and has opposed longitudinal ends 220a and 220b which are convex as seen in a plan view of the footrest 214. The footrest 214 is formed with an opening 222 which is elongated in the same direction, and has the same shape, as the footrest 214. The opening 222, which is centered laterally and longitudinally of the footrest 214, has opposed longitudinal ends 224a and 224b. 
The longitudinal ends 220a, 220b of the footrest 214 are U-shaped as seen in a plan view of the footrest 214, and the longitudinal ends 220a, 220b of the footrest 214 respectively accommodate the longitudinal ends 224a, 224b of the opening 222.
The footrest 214 has a side 226 which faces up during use and an opposite side 228 which faces down during use. The side 226 may thus be referred to as the upper side of the footrest 214 whereas the side 228 may be referred to as the lower side of the footrest 214.
The U-shaped longitudinal end 220a of the footrest 214 has two legs 230a and 230b as well as a crosspiece 232 which bridges the legs 230a, 230b. Similarly, the U-shaped longitudinal end 220b of the footrest 214 has two legs 234a and 234b plus a crosspiece 236 which bridges the legs 234a, 234. The leg 230a of the longitudinal end 220a and the leg 234a of the longitudinal end 220b are aligned with one another longitudinally of the footrest 214 and are spaced from each other. The same is true for the leg 230b of the longitudinal end 220a and the leg 234b of the longitudinal end 220b. 
Each of the legs 230a, 230b, 234a, 234b has an end face 238 which extends from the upper side 226 of the footrest 214 partway to the lower side 228. The end face 238 of the leg 230a and the end face 238 of the longitudinally aligned leg 234a are bridged by a bar 240a forming part of the footrest 214 while the end face 238 of the leg 230b and the end face 238 of the longitudinally aligned leg 234b are bridged by a bar 240b also forming part of the footrest 214. The bars 240a, 240b, which have a smaller thickness than the longitudinal ends 220a, 220b of the footrest 214, are parallel to one another.
The longitudinal ends 220a, 220b of the footrest 214 have respective upper surfaces 242a and 242b which are flat and lie in a common plane. The lower side 228 of the footrest 214 is likewise flat and defines a plane which is parallel to the plane of the upper surfaces 242a, 242b. The bars 240a, 240b of the footrest 214 have respective upper surfaces 244a and 244b which are also flat and are again located in a common plane. The plane of the upper surfaces 244a, 244b of the bars 240a, 240b is parallel to, and located between, the plane of the lower side 228 of the footrest 214 and the plane of the upper surfaces 242a, 242b of the longitudinal ends 220a, 220b of the footrest 214.
The footrest 214 and the hanger 216 constitute two separate components which are connected to each other such that the footrest 214 and the hanger 216 can move relative to one another. More particularly, the footrest 214 and the hanger 216 are rotatable or pivotable with respect to each other on an axis which runs in the direction of elongation, and is parallel to the longitudinal axis, of the footrest 214.
The hanger 216 has two end portions and a U-shaped main portion 246 which bridges the end portions. Only one end portion of the hanger 216 is visible in the drawings. The non-visible end portion of the hanger 216 confronts the longitudinal end 220a of the footrest 214 while the visible end portion of the hanger 216, seen in FIG. 12, confronts the longitudinal end 220b of the footrest 214. The footrest 214 is connected to the end portions of the hanger 216 and the same connection is used at each of these end portions. This connection will be described with reference to the visible end portion of the hanger 216.
Considering FIG. 12, the visible end portion of the hanger 216 is denoted by the numeral 246a. The cross section of the end portion 246a of the hanger 216 is smaller than the cross section of the main portion 246 of the hanger 216, and the end portion 246a is in the form of a flat tongue or tab which projects from the main portion 246 axially thereof. The end portion 246a confronts the longitudinal end 220b of the footrest 214 as mentioned previously and is spaced from the longitudinal end 220b. 
An anchoring element 248 is mounted on the upper surface 242b of the longitudinal end 220b of the footrest 214. The anchoring element 248 is situated on the crosspiece 236 of the longitudinal end 220b and is centered with respect to the legs 234a, 234b of the longitudinal end 220b. The anchoring element 248 comprises a pedestal or base 248a which sits on the longitudinal end 220b of the footrest 214, and the anchoring element 248 further comprises a bearing member 248b which is supported by the pedestal 248a at an end of the pedestal 248a remote from the longitudinal end 220b. The bearing member 248b has a cross section which is smaller than that of the pedestal 248a. 
The bearing member 248b of the anchoring element 248 is located adjacent to and faces the end portion 246a of the hanger 216. The bearing member 248b is provided with a passage 250 which registers with a non-illustrated passage in the end portion 246a of the hanger 216. A pivot pin or bearing element 252 is mounted in the passage 250 of the bearing member 248b and the registering passage of the end portion 246a, and the pivot pin 252 pivotally connects the end portion 246a and the bearing member 248b to one another.
The axis of the pivot pin 252 extends in the direction of elongation, and is parallel to the longitudinal axis, of the footrest 214. Furthermore, the pivot pin 252 is coaxial with a non-illustrated pivot pin connecting the non-visible end portion of the hanger 216 to an anchoring element 254 on the longitudinal end 220a of the footrest 214. Consequently, the footrest 214 and the hanger 216 are pivotable or rotatable relative to one another on an axis extending in the direction of elongation, and paralleling the longitudinal axis, of the footrest 214.
Referring to FIG. 11 in conjunction with FIG. 12, the joint formed by the pivot pin 252, the end portion 246a of the hanger 216 and the bearing member 248b of the anchoring element 248 is surrounded by a sleeve or housing 256a which functions to protect the joint. One end of the sleeve 256a sits on the pedestal 248a of the anchoring element 248 while the other end of the sleeve 256a sits on the main portion 246 of the hanger 216 at a location between the slot 218 and the pivot pin 252.
A sleeve or housing 256b similar to the sleeve 256a surrounds the joint formed between the footrest 214 and the hanger 216 at the longitudinal end 220a of the footrest 214.
The sleeves 256a, 256b are flexible or elastic thereby allowing the sleeves 256a, 256b to bend as the footrest 214 and the hanger 216 pivot relative to one another. By way of example, the sleeves 256a, 256b can be made of rubber.
Considering FIGS. 11, 13 and 14, the stirrup 210 additionally includes a shock-absorbing or cushioning element 258 which is discrete from and anchored to the footrest 214. The shock-absorbing element 258 is elongated and has opposed longitudinal ends 258a and 258b. 
The shock-absorbing element 258 includes an elongated anchoring body 260 which defines one or more substantially leakproof chambers containing gas, and the anchoring body 260 is designed in such a manner that at least the major part of the shock-absorbing element 258 is inflated with gas. The gas used to inflate the anchoring body 260 is preferably air.
The anchoring body 260 includes a section 262 which is used to anchor the shock-absorbing element 258 to, and to position the shock-absorbing element 258 on, the footrest 214. As best seen in the side view of FIG. 14, this anchoring and positioning section 262 comprises two layers 264a and 264b which are joined to one another by a relatively thin neck or constriction 266. The neck 266 is centered lengthwise of the layers 264a, 264b and has a length less than that of either layer 264a, 264b. Thus, a portion of each layer 264a, 264b projects to one side of the neck 266 and another portion of each layer 264a, 264b projects to the other side of the neck 266. The projecting portions of the layers 264a, 264b on the one side of the neck 266 define a slot or space 268a at the longitudinal end 258a of the shock-absorbing element 258 while the projecting portions of the layers 264a, 264b on the other side of the neck 266 define a slot or space 268b at the longitudinal end 258b of the shock-absorbing element 258. The slot 268a opens to the sides and to the longitudinal end 258a of the shock-absorbing element 258 whereas the slot 268b opens to the sides and to the longitudinal end 258b of the shock-absorbing element 258. The slots 268a, 268b are planar and are located in a common plane.
The contours of the layers 264a, 264b of the anchoring body 260 are at least approximately the same as the contour of the opening 222 in the footrest 214. When the shock-absorbing element 258 is properly positioned on the footrest 214, the layers 264a, 264b of the anchoring body 260 are located in the opening 222 of the footrest 214 with the layer 264a above the layer 264b. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the length of the upper layer 264a is somewhat greater than the length of the lower layer 264b, and the length of the upper layer 264a is selected in such a manner that the upper layer 264a fits snugly in the opening 222 of the footrest 214 lengthwise of the opening 222. On the other hand, the upper layer 264a and the lower layer 264b have the same width and this width is chosen so that both the upper layer 264a and the lower layer 264b fit snugly in the opening 222 widthwise of the latter.
Referring once again to FIG. 13 in conjunction with FIG. 14, the anchoring body 260 further includes a section 270 which adjoins the upper layer 264a. The section 270 is in the form of a generally flat rim or flange which is circumferentially complete, that is, which extends along the entire periphery of the anchoring body 260. The rim 270, which has a contour resembling that of the opening 222 in the footrest 214, is designed to rest on the upper surfaces 242a, 242b of the footrest 214 when the shock-absorbing element 258 is properly situated on the footrest 214. To this end, the length of the rim 270 exceeds the length of the opening 222 in the footrest 214 and is equal to or less than the distance between the anchoring element 248 at the longitudinal end 220b of the footrest 214 and the anchoring element 254 at the longitudinal end 220a. The width of the rim 270 is greater than the width of the opening 222 and preferably does not exceed the width of the footrest 214.
The anchoring body 260 additionally includes a section 272 which projects to the side of the rim 270 remote from the layers 264a, 264b of the anchoring body 260. The projecting section 272, which again has a contour similar to that of the opening 222 in the footrest 214, has the same, or approximately the same, dimensions as the upper layer 264a of the anchoring body 260. When the stirrup 210 is in use and the shock-absorbing element 258 is in proper position on the footrest 214, the projecting section 272 of the anchoring body 260 sits above the upper surfaces 242a, 242b of the footrest 214.
The projecting section 272 of the anchoring body 260 has a side which faces away from the rim 270 and is directed upward during use, and a generally rectangular sheet-like element 274 is secured to this side of the projecting section 272. The sheet-like element 274, which has smaller dimensions than the projecting section 272, serves as a carrier for a tread or friction element 276.
The tread 276 comprises a generally rectangular sheet-like support 278 having approximately the same dimensions as the sheet-like carrier 274. The sheet-like support 278 has a major surface which faces away from the sheet-like carrier 274 and is directed upward when the stirrup 210 is in use and the shock-absorbing element 258 is properly situated on the footrest 214. Such surface is provided with a multiplicity of dimples or protrusions 280 which are intended to bear against the shoe sole of a rider employing the stirrup 210. The dimples 280 are perforate, and each of the dimples 280 is provided with a central aperture 280a. 
The dimples 280 are designed to impart a relatively high coefficient of friction to the tread 276 so that the latter has nonslip characteristics. This inhibits slipping of the foot of a rider out of the stirrup 210.
The tread 276 may be releasably attached to the sheet-like carrier 274, e.g., by way of hook-and-loop fastening means. Releasable attachment of the tread 276 to the sheet-like carrier 274 enables the tread 276 to be replaced when the tread 276 becomes worn or damaged.
The tread 276 is provided with a generally rectangular cutout 282 which exposes a portion of the underlying sheet-like carrier 274. Such portion of the sheet-like carrier 274 can be provided with one or more indicia forming a logo or a legend, for example.
Returning to FIG. 12, the longitudinal end 224a of the opening 222 in the footrest 214 accommodates a platform or crosspiece 284a while the longitudinal end 224b of the opening 222 accommodates a platform or crosspiece 284b. The platforms 284a, 284b, which are flat and sheet-like, lie in a common plane located between the plane of the lower side 228 of the footrest 214 and the plane of the upper surfaces 242a, 242b of the footrest 214. The platform 284a is fixed to the legs 230a, 230b and the crosspiece 232 of the longitudinal end 220a of the footrest 214 whereas the platform 284b is fixed to the legs 234a, 234b and the crosspiece 236 of the longitudinal end 220b of the footrest 214.
The platforms 284a, 284b serve as anchoring members for fixing the shock-absorbing element 258 on the footrest 14.
Another platform or crosspiece 286 is disposed in the opening 222 of the footrest 214 and is centered longitudinally of the opening 222. The platform 286 is again flat and sheet-like, and the platform 286 is parallel to the plane of the platforms 284a, 284b and is located on the side of such plane remote from the upper surfaces 242a, 242b of the footrest 214. The platform 286 is preferably positioned so that the surface thereof which faces away from the upper surfaces 242a, 242b of the footrest 214 is coplanar with the lower side 228 of the footrest 214. The platform 286, which functions as a rest or supporting member for the shock-absorbing element 258, is fixed to the bars 240a, 240b bridging the longitudinal ends 220a, 220b of the footrest 214. The shock-absorbing element 258 is flexible so that the shock-absorbing element 258 can be bent in order to mount the shock-absorbing element 258 on the footrest 214. One manner of mounting the shock-absorbing element 258 on the footrest 214 is to place the longitudinal end 258a of the shock-absorbing element 258 between the bars 240a, 240b of the footrest 214. The longitudinal end 258a is positioned with an adjoining portion of the lower layer 264b of the shock-absorbing element 258 bearing against the rest 286 of the footrest 214 and with the slot 268a of the shock-absorbing element 258 facing the anchoring member 284a of the footrest 214. The shock-absorbing element 258 can then be slid towards the anchoring member 284a thereby allowing the latter to enter the slot 268a. Once the anchoring member 284a is received in the slot 268a, the shock-absorbing element 258 can be bent in a manner which permits the other anchoring member 284b of the footrest 214 to enter the slot 268b of the shock-absorbing element 258.
As indicated earlier, the lower layer 264b of the shock-absorbing element 258 is somewhat shorter than the upper layer 264a. This makes it easier to insert one of the anchoring members 284a, 284b of the footrest 214 in the respective slot 268a, 268b of the shock-absorbing element 258 after the other anchoring member 284a, 284b has been received in the corresponding slot 268a, 268b. 
The shock-absorbing element 258 can be readily removed from the footrest 214 by pulling the central portion of the shock-absorbing element 258 away from the footrest 214. This action will cause the slots 268a, 268b of the shock-absorbing element 258 to retract from the respective anchoring members 284a, 284b of the footrest 214. Release of the shock-absorbing element 258 from the footrest 214 is facilitated by the fact that the lower layer 264b of the shock-absorbing element 258 is shorter than the upper layer 264a. 
When the shock-absorbing element 258 is properly anchored to the footrest 214, the anchoring members 284a, 284b are in the respective slots 268a, 268b. The upper layer 264a and the lower layer 264b of the shock-absorbing element 258 are located in the opening 222 of the footrest 214 with the lower layer 264b bearing against the rest 286 of the footrest 214. The rim 270 of the shock-absorbing element 258 rests on the upper surfaces 242a, 242b of the respective longitudinal ends 220, 220b of the footrest 214.
As seen in FIG. 11, a gap is present between the rim 270 of the shock-absorbing element 258 and the bar 240a of the footrest 214. A similar gap is present between the rim 270 and the opposite bar 240b of the footrest 214. These gaps, which exist because the bars 240a, 240b are thinner than the longitudinal ends 220a, 220b of the footrest 214 on which the rim 270 sits, make it easier to grip the shock-absorbing element 258 for removal from the footrest 214.
Various modifications are possible within the meaning and range of equivalence of the appended claims.

## Claims

1. A stirrup comprising:
a support for a foot;
a suspending element for suspending said support on an animal; and
a shock-absorbing element on said support, at least a major part of said shock-absorbing element being inflated with gas.

2. The stirrup of claim 1, wherein said gas comprises air.

3. The stirrup of claim 1, wherein anchoring means anchors said shock-absorbing element to said support, said shock-absorbing element having at least one space which receives at least part of said anchoring means.

4. The stirrup of claim 3, wherein said support is elongated and has opposed first longitudinal ends and said shock-absorbing element is elongated and has opposed second longitudinal ends, said anchoring means including a member at each of said first ends, and said shock-absorbing element having a space at each of said second ends which receives a respective one of said members.

5. The stirrup of claim 3, wherein said at least one space is slot-like.

6. The stirrup of claim 3, wherein said anchoring means comprises a nonslip surface portion.

7. The stirrup of claim 1, wherein said shock-absorbing element comprises a nonslip surface portion.

8. The stirrup of claim 1, wherein said shook-absorbing element comprises at least one rib which cooperates with said support to position said shock-absorbing element on said support.

9. The stirrup of claim 1, wherein said shock-absorbing element is provided with at least one recess which cooperates with said support to position said shock-absorbing element on said support.

10. The stirrup of claim 1, wherein said shock-absorbing element comprises a flange which bears against said support to position said shock-absorbing element on said support.