Abstract:
A riding stirrup includes a supporting structure terminating in a solid shape and a mechanical assembly pivotably mounted on the supporting structure and around the solid shape. Additionally, the riding stirrup includes a floor assembly including at least one U-shaped profile, a floor, and one or more resilient structures, wherein the floor assembly is mounted on the mechanical assembly for vertical movement relative to an axis of the solid shape.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a U.S. National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/FR2006/000083 filed Jan. 10, 2006, which published as WO 2006/077307 A2 on Jul. 27, 2007 and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and §365 of French Application No. FR 0500691 filed Jan. 24, 2005. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a riding stirrup, aimed at providing the rider, at the various speeds, with stability, comfort and security. According to the invention, the various mechanical components used are very precisely calculated with reference to the opposing forces. The value of this innovation includes the reduction of the muscular fatigue and the microtraumatisms generated by the impacts, and the increase in security due to an open three-quarter supporting structure making it easy to remove the foot. Additionally, according to the invention, an ergonomic floor closely hugs the shape of the foot. 
     2. Description of Background Information 
     Ninety percent of the stirrups sold are not furnished with a shock-absorbing system. In certain cases the sole on which the foot rests may be furnished with a rubber sole serving more as a non-slip element than a shock absorber. At certain rapid speeds (e.g., full gallop), in the kick-backs, the feet of the rider tend to jump on the sole causing a loss of balance, or loss of the stirrup. The comfort and stability of the rider remain quite precarious, as the impacts imposed by his mount are directly transmitted to the bones, to the muscles and to the ligaments of the rider. 
     The remaining ten percent of stirrups sold are articulated stirrups furnished with a shock absorber, using either springs or rubber silent blocks. However, the drawback of these existing models are their excess flexibility. The materials used are not sufficiently suitable for the opposing forces, which has the effect of increasing the movements of the foot instead of assisting them. Consequently, many riders have tested and then abandoned them, as the technique does not correspond to the needs of the rider. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, two mechanical components are nested (or intimately connected) in order to form a device or an integral system having five functions (or different independent movements). The supporting structure of the mechanism is manufactured in a single piece cast as a monoblock in a hard metal. The supporting structure terminates in a metal square (or, for example, any other geometric shape of the cruciform type). The top ridge and bottom ridge of the metal square are oriented parallel to the axis of the supporting structure. A metal tube of appropriate length is housed around the metal square. Sections of flexible, elastic materials resistant to compression, such as polyurethane, rubber, silicone or any other materials, are inserted between the four faces of the metal square and the internal corners of the metal tube, to form a mini torsion bar mechanical assembly. Moreover, the flexible, elastic materials include a profile that is round, triangular, round with a shoulder or cast, and are of a suitable length, diameter and hardness. The mini torsion bar is covered with a shock-absorbing mechanism forming a body with an ergonomic floor (on which the foot of the rider rests). The mini torsion bar serves to limit, regulate, meter and above all assist the movements of the foot in its forward and rearward pressures. Moreover, the mini torsion bar limits and assists the balancing movements while regulating them and the mini torsion bar re-establishes the balance and stability forward and rearward, due to the torque ratio returning the floor or the foot to the initial or horizontal position. Furthermore, the flexibility is finely calculated to allow the rider to lower or orient his heel in the position that he desires. Consequently, the muscles, the bones, and the tendons are less stressed due to a more naturally horizontal or flatter position of the foot. 
     The mini torsion bar is covered or trapped by a metal floor assembly forming the floor. The floor assembly includes profiled supports having an inner side approximately 10 mm greater (in its height) than the tube forming the mini torsion bar. The floor assembly, furnished with the floor is freely adjustable, such that the floor assembly can slide downward or upward on the sides of the tube forming the mini torsion bar. 
     Two or more spheres of flexible materials are housed between the underside of the floor and the top of the tube of said torsion bar. Additionally, two or more holes (or reservations) are provided in the floor in order to receive these spheres therein. The invention contemplates that spheres, squares, rectangles or any other shapes of polyurethane, rubber, silicone or any other flexible material, or where necessary, springs may be used. According to the invention, the vertical pressure of the foot of the rider compresses and relaxes the spheres trapped between the underside of the floor and the top of the tube. It is easy to understand the comfort provided to the rider by the elasticity of the compressed spheres just under his foot. According to the invention, the spheres are at a distance from one another and they work independently like two shock absorbers, wherein the floor adapts to the various lateral stands of the foot of the rider. 
     The floor of the stirrup works in three assisted dimensions with return to point zero on the horizontal. In response to vertical pressure of the foot forward or rearward, the torsion bar causes a return to the initial position point zero. Additionally, in response to vertical pressure, flexibility is assisted by the spheres being compressed beneath the floor. 
     Additionally, vertical, lateral pressure may be assisted by spheres at a distance (hence independent). According to an aspect of the invention, spheres, (or any other shape of materials) of differing hardness and, in embodiments, of various colors may be used and adapted to the weight of each rider. For example, the spheres (or any other shape of materials) may be in brackets of 15 kilos, in order to adapt flexibility to the weight of each rider. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, an abutment made of flexible material comes to finalize and close the stirrup at three quarters of its opening and hold the floor assembly. The abutment is attached by a fastening system at the end of the square of the support structure. The abutment may be of different height and/or width, and it may, where necessary, be adjusted to reduce or increase the space reserved for the boot of a rider. Therefore, the stirrup can be adapted to the width of the foot of a rider. Additionally, the abutment may, where necessary, have a shape that is much more closed and has a higher return on the shoe of the rider in order to make it a contact stirrup (in order to prevent losing the stirrup). The purpose of this half-branch or lateral abutment is to keep the foot of the rider laterally in place on the floor (or in the stirrup); the half-branch or lateral abutment is high enough for the foot not to pass over it. 
     The materials used for the half-branch or lateral abutment are semi-hard (in order to avoid injuring the rider and his mount in the event of a fall) polyurethane, rubber, silicone or any other material. Additionally, the half-branch or lateral abutment may, where necessary, be made of metal covered with flexible material. Furthermore, the half-branch or lateral abutment may, where necessary, pivot to the horizontal on its fastening in the case of a rider fall or in the case of an impact. 
     The stirrup thus furnished with this half-branch or lateral abutment forms a three-quarter-closed stirrup. 
     It is easy to understand the whole value of this shape (three-quarter-closed) for the safety of the rider in the event of a fall. The shape of the structure is progressively very open in its height in order to slide the feet therein, and includes an opening of one quarter for removing the foot and a flexible part (or lateral abutment) which twists or pivots to release the foot. 
     The ergonomic floor is curved and it is adjusted to the shape of the rider&#39;s foot. The floor surface and length are judiciously calculated so as not to hamper the rider, while providing maximum stability. Additionally, the floor surface and length are sufficiently great to set in action the mechanism of the mini torsion bar. According to the invention, the floor works like a lever arm on the mini torsion bar mechanism in action. Additionally, a non-slip element is created by a multitude of holes whose circumference is pushed out in protrusions toward the top surface of the floor, or by excrescences of metal. Furthermore, a space may be provided on one of the sides of the floor in order to laterally attach the half-branch or lateral abutment thereto. 
     The loop retaining the stirrup leather is oriented parallel to the mount of the rider, in order to position the opening of the stirrup facing the tip of the toe of the rider. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An exemplary nonlimiting embodiment of the invention will be better understood with the following description and accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  represents a front view of the integrated supporting structure of the mechanism, and finalized by the foot abutment made of flexible material; 
         FIG. 2  represents a front view and a side view of said mini torsion bar mechanical assembly; 
         FIG. 3  represents an exploded view and an assembled view of the stirrup assembly; 
         FIG. 4  represents a view of the mechanical assembly and the floor assembly assembled onto the supporting structure; 
         FIG. 5  represents a different type of assembly (or of positioning) of the foot abutment made of flexible material attached to the edge of the floor; and 
         FIG. 6  represents a view of the foot abutment attached to the edge of the floor, in a different shape, with return on the shoe. 
         FIG. 7  represents a view of the abutment with an additional foot abutment attached to the branch; 
         FIG. 8  represents an assembled view of the stirrup assembly; and 
         FIG. 9  represents an exemplary embodiment of the stirrup assembly having a closed stirrup shape. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stirrup assembly  20  is formed of a supporting structure  1  on which a mechanical assembly  12  (or mini torsion bar) rests terminating in a foot abutment  11  made of flexible material. The mechanical assembly  12  has the ability by the floor  3  to be lowered from zero to fifty degrees maximum (in relation to the opposing forces) forward or rearward of relative to the vertical of the supporting structure  1 . Additionally, the mechanical assembly  12 , in response to vertical pressure on the floor  3 , falls and rises. Additionally, the pressure on the floor  3  can fall independently on either the side of the floor  3 , e.g., on the side of the floor  3  having the supporting structure  1  or on the abutment side  11  of the floor  3 . 
     Detail in the embodiment can be seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the supporting structure  1  in its shape terminates in a solid square  7 . The square  7  (or any other geometric form, for example, an octagon, a diamond, or a cruciform) has several functions. The square  7  serves as a bearing surface to the mechanical assembly  12 , on which the torsion movement is created. At an end of the square  7 , a fastening  14  is arranged by a part cast from the square  7  having at least two ridges positioned in the vertical direction of the supporting structure  1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a section of tube  8  with an inner side greater than the four ridges of the square  7  comes to be housed around the square  7  in order to trap it. The tube  8  will generate the torsion (or pivot) movement forward and rearward. Portions of flexible materials  5  of suitable length and diameter, and of appropriate hardness, such as polyurethane, rubber, silicon or other materials, will penetrate by force between the four faces of the square  7  and the internal corners of the tube  8  in order to materialize the torsion movements of the tube  8 . In embodiments, the flexible materials  5  may be round shapes, round shapes with shoulder or triangular shapes. 
     The floor  3  and its profiled supports  6  together are used to generate the torsion movements of the mechanical assembly  12  of the square  7 , the flexible materials  5  and the tube  8 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a metal floor assembly  19  is formed of the floor  3  and two U-shaped profiled supports  6  of adjusted dimension, and of an internal height that is approximately ten mm greater than the tube  8 . Moreover, the floor assembly  19  formed of the floor  3  and profiled supports  6  forms a single cast part, wherein the floor assembly  19  covers or traps the tube  8 . 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the floor assembly  19  of the floor  3  and the profiled supports  6  supports three different mechanical functions. 
     The floor assembly  19  is adjusted in contact with the two faces of the tube  8  and can navigate upward. Additionally, the floor assembly  19  is guided and held laterally on one of the sides by the abutment  11  furnished with a shim and on the other side by a shoulder  18  cast in the supporting structure  1 . 
     According to an aspect of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 4 , two or more spheres  4 , squares, or rectangles with a hardness and size (volume) that is appropriate and composed of flexible material, such as polyurethane or other materials, or metal springs, are housed between the floor  3  and the supporting tube  8 . Spaces or reservations  10  are machined or arranged in the floor  3  in order to keep the spheres  4  in place at a determined distance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the stirrup assembly  20  generates, by the foot of the rider resting on the floor  3 , five different functions while assisting the rider&#39;s foot flexibly. 
     With a first function, vertical pressure force on the front of the floor assembly  19 , the floor assembly  19  tilts and takes with it the tube  8  which squeezes the flexible materials  5  on the fixed square  7 . Upon a releasing of the pressure force, the floor  3  returns to the horizontal (or point zero). 
     With a second function, the vertical pressure force on the rear of the floor assembly  19  causes the same effects of return to the horizontal (or point zero). According to an, aspect of the invention, the elastic forces are calculated so that the floor  3  does not adopt an angle greater than twenty degrees. 
     With a third function, the vertical pressure force on the floor assembly  19  compresses and relaxes the spheres  4  resting on the tube  8  creating a back-and-forth movement. It is easy to understand the whole value of these compressed spheres  4  which swell and subside under the pressure of the rider, releasing a progressive energy. 
     With the fourth and fifth functions, with the spheres  4  being at a distance from one another in their spaces or reservations  10  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), upon compression, the spheres  4  create two independent functions, wherein the stand of the foot laterally may therefore be corrected by squeezing one or the other of these two spheres  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the abutment  11 , made of flexible material, serves to hold the stirrup assembly  20  together and retain the foot of the rider laterally in the stirrup. According to an aspect of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the abutment  11  is attached at the end of the square  7  via the fastening  14 , and in embodiments, the abutment  11  may, if necessary, pivot on the fastening  14 . As shown  FIG. 5 , with an alternative embodiment, an abutment  11 ′ may be attached to a side of the floor  3  via fastening  16 . Additionally with an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , an abutment  11 ″ may be adjusted and slide in its fastening  16 , such that the stirrup assembly  20  can be adjusted to the width of the rider&#39;s foot. 
     Moreover, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the abutment  11 ″ may also have a shape returning on the shoe of the rider in order to hold the foot of the rider on the floor  3 , and therefore make it a contact stirrup in its height while retaining maximum security. 
     According to an additional aspect of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the supporting structure  1  may include a foot abutment  17  made of flexible material. The foot abutment  17  is attached to the supporting structure  1  at a certain height, in order to keep the foot of the rider on the floor  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the floor  3  has a shape curved upward on its front and rear portion at an angle of approximately 165 degrees, such that the floor  3  closely hugs the shape of the rider&#39;s sole. Moreover, the surface, length and shape of the floor  3  is sufficient to give a maximum stability to the foot of the rider. Additionally, the floor  3  includes a non-slip element  9  created directly in the material of the floor  3  or fitted to the floor  3 . 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the present invention may well be used on a conventional closed stirrup shape. For example,  FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the stirrup assembly having a closed stirrup shape, wherein the abutment  11 ′″ forms the closed stirrup. 
     In equestrianism, the stirrup assembly  20  of the present invention may be used at several levels. The stirrup assembly  20  is suitable for the various equestrian disciplines through its design and its benefits. The stirrup assembly  20  is aimed mainly at riders spending long hours on their mounts, e.g., endurance, trekking, instructor, outdoor school and show jumping. The stirrup assembly  20  provides a maximum of comfort and safety to the rider. 
     Naturally the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described, modifications remaining possible from the point of view of the make-up of the various elements, or by the substitution of a technical equivalent without, for all that, departing from the field of protection of the present cited invention.