SAFETY STIRRUPS

Abstract: A safety stirrup (110) comprises an arch (112) and a stirrup cap (116) which are releasably secured together by attachment means (120). The attachment means includes a spring loaded pin (124) having a recess (132) which is registerable with a recess (138) in a pin (136) attached to the cap (116). Normally the recesses on the pins (24) and (36) are not in register and the pin (36) is held in position by the pin (24). In the event of a rider falling the riders foot contacts a spring (122) upon which the pin (124) is secured and depresses the pin (124) releasing the arch (112) from the cap (116).

Description: Safety Stirrup The present invention relates to safety stirrups for use by horse riders. The most usual form of stirrup used in horse riding comprises a metal arch forming a stirrup iron which is spanned by a tread at its free ends and being provided with a stirrup eye at the top of the arch. A stirrup leather is passed through the stirrup eye so that the stirrup iron is suspended from the saddle at a height convenient for a rider. A known form of accident in horse riding is when a rider becomes unseated so that one of the riders feet becomes hooked in the stirrup. The fallen rider is then dragged along the ground by the horse usually sustaining considerable injuries as the rider is unable to disengage the foot from the stirrup iron. The present invention seeks to provide a safety stirrup which will enable a rider to avoid this danger without interfering with the normal operation of the stirrup. Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention provides a safety stirrup including two separable parts, one part comprising a stirrup tread and the other part comprising a stirrup cap, the two parts being releasably secured together by attachment means, SUBSTTTUTE SH the attachment means being urged into a first position in which the two parts are secured together, the attachment means being operable by contact by a riders foot to move the attachment means to a second position in which the two parts are released from each other. Accordingly in a second aspect the present invention provides a safety stirrup including two separable parts, one part comprising stirrup tread and the other part comprising a stirrup cap, the two parts being releasably secured together by attachment means, the attachment means being urged into a first position in which the two parts are secured together, the attachment means being operable by contact by a riders foot to move the attachment means to a second position in which the two parts are released from each other, the attachment means comprising spring means on which is mounted a pin. The attachment means can comprise a pair of spaced apart plates upon one of which is located a pin which is engageable with the stirrup cap in which is formed a stirrup eye. One or more springs can be provided to urge the attachment means into the first position in which the pin engages an opening in the stirrup cap. The two plates comprising the attachment means can be secured together by a pair of spaced apart pins and springs can be located around the pins, the pins extending through openings in an arch of the tread. The pin can be engageable with a stirrup cap in which is formed the stirrup eye. The spring means can comprise a spring plate can urge the attachment means into the first position in which the pin engages a recess in a pin attached to the stirrup cap. The attachment means pin can be provided with a recess to register with the recess in the stirrup cap pin when the attachment means are urged into the second position to release the two parts of the stirrup. A spring can be mounted between the spring plate and the arch of the stirrup tread to urge the attachment means into the first position. The spring plate can also be provided with a projection to prevent rotation of the attachment means pin. ( The pin can be indicated at an angle to the horizontal, and the r angle can be approximately 11°. The spring can be coated in a rubber or plastics material and the ends of the spring can be located behind a pair of guard walls on the shoulders of the stirrup tread. The spring means can comprise a block of elastic or elastomeric material which is moulded to the pin and attached to the stirrup tread. The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows a front elevation of one form of safety stirrup according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a section on line A-A in figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the stirrup shown .in figure i; Figure 4 shows a section on line B-B in figure 1; Figure 5 shows a front elevation of the stirrup cap of the stirrup shown in figure 1; Figure 6 shows a side elevation of the stirrup cap; Figure 7 shows a front elevation of the attachment means of the stirrup shown in figure 1; Figure 8 shows a plan view of the attachment means shown in figure 7; Figure 9 shows a side elevation of the attachment means; Figure 10 shows a front elevation of a further form of safety stirrup according to the present invention; Figure 11 shows a section on line A-A in figure 10; Figure 12 shows a side elevation of the stirrup shown in figure 10; Figure 13 shows a section on line B-B in figure 10; Figure 14 shows a front elevation of the stirrup cap of the stirrup shown in figure 10; Figure 15 shows a side elevation of the stirrup cap; Figure 16 shows a front elevation of the attachment means of the stirrup shown in figure 10; Figure 17 shows a plan view of the attachment means shown in figure 16, ; Figure 18 shows a side elevation of the attachment means; Figure 19 shows a front elevation of another form of safety stirrup according to the present invention; Figure 20 shows a plan view of the safety stirrup shown in figure 19; Figure 21 shows a side elevation of the safety stirrup shown in figure 19; Figure 21A shows an alternative arrangement of the attachment means shown in figure 21; and Figure 22 shows a perspective view of the stirrup of the safety stirrup shown in figure 19. Referring to the figures 1 to 9 inclusive, a safety stirrup (10) comprises a stirrup iron which can be formed of metal or other suitably strong and rigid material and includes an arch (12) which is integral with or to which is attached, a tread (14) . A stirrup cap (16) having a stirrup eye (18) is releasably secured to the arch (12) by means of an attachment assembly (20) . The attachment assembly (20) comprises two plates (22) and (24) which are secured together by one or more pins (26) . A circular pin (28) is secured centrally on the plate (22) . The top of the arch (12) is formed with three openings (30) and (32) and the openings (30) are provided with counter bores (30A) . The attachment assembly (20) is attached to the arch (12) so that the pins (26) extend through the openings (30) and the plates (22) and (24) are attached to the pins (26), a spring (34) having been located around each pin prior to assembly. The pins (26) can be in the form of studs attached to one of the plates (22) , (24) and the other one of the plates can be attached to the pins (26) by means of screws engaging a threaded bore in the pins. Alternatively the plates (22) , (24) can be secured together by any suitable means which provides for free movement of the attachment assembly against the spring load. One end of each spring (34) bears against the plate (24) whilst the other end bears against the end of the respective counter bore (30A) . The stirrup cap (16) includes a rectangular projection (36) having a central opening (38) and the projection (36) corresponds to a slot (40) formed in the top of the arch (12) . The stirrup cap (16) which is already attached to the stirrup leather (not shown) by means of the leather passing through the stirrup eye (18) , is attached to the arch (12) by depressing the attachment assembly (20) against the load of the springs (34) enabling the projection (36) to extend into the slot (40) in the top of the arch. The attachment assembly (20) can then be released enabling the pin (28) to engage in the opening (38) in the stirrup cap. If required a rubber seal or grom et can be provided between the stirrup cap and the arch, or either or both of the stirrup cap and the arch can be coated with a resilient material to prevent excessive movement between the stirrup cap and the arch. The arch is provided at its shoulders with a guard wall (42) in order to assist in preventing inadvertent release of the arch from the stirrup cap in normal use. If a rider falls from a horse and a foot is caught in the stirrup (10) in the arch (12) , the foot will pivot and slide on the tread (14) so that the toe of the foot contacts the plate (24) . The forces exerted by the rider being dragged along the ground by the horse will depress the plate (24) against the load of the springs (34) and thus the pin (28) will become disengaged from the opening (38) in the stirrup cap. The arch (12) will then be released from the stirrup leather and the rider will become detached from the horse. Although the rider may sustain some injuries, any injuries will be considerably reduced as the stirrup arch will become rapidly detached from the stirrup cap. As is shown clearly in figures 1, 2 and 3 the stirrup cap (16) is shaped to conform to the shape of the arch (12) and the plate (24) of the attachment assembly (20) is also shaped to generally conform with the shape of the arch particularly the shape of the guard walls (42) on the shoulders of the arch in order to improve the appearance of the stirrup and to minimise any sharp corners on the stirrup. The guard walls (42) provide some protection for the attachment assembly (20) in order to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent operation of the attachment assembly whilst the stirrup is in normal use. The stirrup (10) can be sized to suit any age of rider whether adult or child and the rates of the springs can be chosen according to the weight of the rider. Referring to the figures 10 to 18 inclusive, a safety stirrup (110) comprises a stirrup iron which can be formed of metal or other suitably strong and rigid material and includes an arch (112) which is integral with or to which is attached, a tread (114) . A stirrup cap (116) having a stirrup eye (118) is releasably secured to the arch (112) by means of an attachment assembly (120) . The attachment assembly (120) comprises a spring steel plate (122) and a pin (124) which is secured at right angles to the plate (122) . The attachment assembly (120) is attached to the arch (112) so that the pin (124) extends through an opening (130) in the arch (112) . The pin (124) has a semi-circular recess (132) , and a keeper plate (134) is provided to retain the pin (124) on the arch (112) . The stirrup cap (116) which is already attached to the stirrup leather (not shown) by the leather passing through the stirrup eye (118) , is attached to the arch (112) by depressing the attachment assembly (120) against the load of the spring plate (122) so that the recesses on the pins (124) and (136) are in register. The pin (136) can then extend into the bore (140) in the top of the arch (112) . The attachment assembly (120) can then be released enabling the pin (124) to engage in the recess (138) in the pin (136) of the stirrup cap. If required a rubber seal or grommet can be provided between the stirrup cap and the arch, or either or both of the stirrup cap and the arch can be coated with a resilient material to prevent excessive movement between the stirrup cap and the arch. In order to prevent rotation of the pin (124) , the spring plate (122) can have a projection (not shown) to contact the arch (112), or the pin (124) can be keyed to the arch (112) allowing axial movement, but preventing rotational movement. The arch is provided at its shoulders with a guard wall (142) in order to assist in preventing inadvertent release of the arch from the stirrup cap in normal use. If a rider falls from a horse and a foot is caught in the stirrup (110) in the arch (112) , the foot will pivot and slide on the tread (114) so that the toe of the foot contacts the spring plate (122) . The forces exerted by the rider being dragged along the ground by the horse will depress the plate (122) and the thus the pin (124) will slide in the opening (130) in the stirrup cap enabling the recess (132) in the pin (124) and (138) in the pin (136) to register, hereby releasing the pin (136) from the bore (140) . The arch (112) will then released from the stirrup cap and leather, and the rider will become detached from the horse. Although the rider may sustain some injuries, any injuries will be considerably reduced as the stirrup arch will become rapidly detached from the stirrup cap. As is shown clearly in figures 10, 11 and 12 the stirrup cap (116) is shaped to conform to the shape of the arch (112) and the ends of the plate (122) of the attachment assembly (120) are also shaped to generally conform with the shape of the arch, particularly the shape of the guard walls (142) on the shoulders of the arch, in order to improve the appearance of the stirrup and to minimise any sharp corners on the stirrup. The guard walls (142) provide some protection for the attachment assembly (120) in order to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent operation of the attachment assembly whilst the stirrup is in normal use. The stirrup (110) can be sized to suit any age of rider whether adult or child and the rating of the spring plate can be chosen according to the weight of the rider. A spring can be located between the spring plate (122) and the stirrup arch to urge the pin into the position shown in figure 4, thereby locking the pin (136) to the arch. The plate can also be provided with a pin or projection to prevent rotation of the pin (124) in the opening (130) . Referring to figures 19 to 22 inclusive, a safety stirrup (210) comprises a stirrup iron which can be formed of metal or other suitably strong and rigid material and includes an arch (212) which is integral with or attached to a tread (214) . A stirrup cap (216) having a stirrup eye (218) is releasably secured to the arch (212) by means of an attachment means (220) . The attachment means (220) comprises a spring steel plate (222) and a pin (224) which is secured at right angles to the plate (222) . The ends of the plate (222) are located behind guard walls (242) wich are formed on the shoulders of the arch (212). In an alternative arrangement the pin (224) can be attached to a block of elastic or elastomeric material (242) shown in figure 21A. It will be seen that the free end of the pin (224) is attached to the block, and the block itself is attached to the walls (242) and the back of the arch (212) . The attachment means (220) is attached to the arch (212) so that the pin (224) extends through an opening (230) in the arch (212) . The pin (224) has a semi-circular recess (232) and a keeper plate (234) is provided to retain the pin (224) on the arch (212) . The stirrup cap (216) includes a circular section pin (236) having a semi-circular recess (238) , and the pin (236) is located in a bore (240) formed in the top of the arch (212) . T e stirrup cap (216) which is already attached to the stirrup leather (not shown) by the leather passing through the eye (218) , is attached to the arch (212) by depressing the load of the spring plate (220) or block (242) so that the recesses on the pins (224) and (236) are in register. The pin (136) can then extend into the bore (240) in the top of the arch (212) . The attachment means can then be released enabling the pin (224) to engage in the recess (138) in the pin (236) of the stirrup cap. As will be seen clearly in figure 20, the pin (224) is included at an angle to the horizontal and this angle can typically be 11° but other inclinations can be used. The purpose of the inclination is to enable the force exerted by the riders foot, when the riders boot contacts the attachment means to be as near normal to the pin (224) as possible. Such an arrangement will minimise any chance of the pin (224) jamming on the pin (236) of the stirrup cap. The safety stirrup shown in figures 19 to 22 functions in a similar way to the stirrups illustrated and described above.

Claims: Claims 1. A safety stirrup including two separable parts, one part comprising a stirrup tread and the other part comprising a stirrup cap, the two parts being releasably secured together by attachment means, the attachment means being urged into a first position in which the two parts are secured together, the attachment means being operable by contact by a riders foot to move the attachment means to a second position in which the two parts are released from each other. 2. A safety stirrup as claimed in claim 1 in which the attachment means comprises spring means on which is mounted a pin. 3. A stirrup as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in jhich the attachment means comprises a pair of spaced apart plates, the pin being mounted on one of the plates and the pin being engagable with the stirrup cap in which is formed a stirrup eye. 4. A safety stirrup as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which one or more springs are provided to urge the attachment means into the first position in which the pin engages an opening in the stirrup cap. 5. A safety stirrup as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the two plates comprising the attachment means are secured together by one or more spaced apart pins and the springs are located externally of the or each pin, the pins extending through openings in the arch of the tread. 6. A safety stirrup as claimed in claim 2 in which the spring means comprises a spring plate secured to the attachment means pin. 7. A safety stirrup as claimed in claim 6 in which the attachment means pin engages in a recess in a pin attached to the stirrup cap. 8. A safety stirrup as claimed in claim 7 in which the attachment means pin is provided with a recess to register with the recess in the stirrup cap pin when the attachment means are urged into the second position to release the two parts of the stirrup. 9. A safety stirrup as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 6 to 8 in which a spring is mounted between the spring plate and the stirrup arch to urge the attachment means into the first position. 10. A safety stirrup as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 6 to 9 in which the spring plate is either provided with a projection or the pin of the attachment means is keyed to the stirrup tread to prevent rotation of the attachment means pin. 11. A safety stirrup as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 6 to 10 in which the spring plate is coated in a rubber or plastics material. 12. A safety stirrup as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 6 to 11 in which the ends of the spring plate are located between guard walls formed on the shoulder of the stirrup tread. 13. A safety stirrup as claimed in claim 2 in which the spring means comprises a block of elastic or elastomeric material to which the attachment means pin is secured, the. block of elastic or elastomeric material being secured to the stirrup tread. 14. A safety stirrup as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 2 to 13 in which the attachment means pin is located at an angle to the horizontal. 15. A safety stirrup as claimed in claim 14 in which the angle is approximately 11°.

Inventors: CALLENDER ROBERT JOHN, CALLENDER, ROBERT, JOHN
Applicants: CALLENDER ROBERT JOHN, CALLENDER, ROBERT, JOHN
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B68C3
IPC codes: B68C3