Abstract:
A horse saddle has a saddletree to which is mounted a rotatable stirrup bar secured to a pivot which is transverse to the length of the saddletree. The rotatable stirrup bar allows the stirrup leathers to rotate both forwardly and rearwardly of the pivot, relative to the saddle, with reduced wear and tear to the stirrup leather. The stirrup bar comprises a closed loop for retaining the stirrup loop on the stirrup bar during rotation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present divisional application is based upon U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/485,101, filed Jul. 28, 2004, and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,530, which is a 371 of PCT/AU02/01023, filed Aug. 1, 2002. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to horse saddles and is particularly directed to a stirrup bar that can be pivotally or rotatably attached relative to the saddletree. The stirrup bar comprises a closed loop for retaining a stirrup loop on the stirrup bar during rotation. The invention will be described with reference to a horse saddle but it should be appreciated that the invention may also extend to saddles for other types of animals. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A saddle is typically manufactured using a rigid internal saddle frame, which is also known as a saddletree. A typical saddletree is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The saddletree is made of rigid material that may comprise wood, laminated wood, fibreglass, rigid plastics material and the like. The saddletree typically has a length of between 50-90 cm and a width of between 30-60 cm although this can vary. The tree has a rear cantle portion (see reference numeral  11   FIG. 1 ), a front gullet portion (reference numeral  12   FIG. 1 ) and a pair of side rails ( 13 ,  14   FIG. 1 ). A strong steel stirrup bar ( 15 ) is fixed to the front portion of the saddletree and is immovable with respect to the saddletree. The stirrup bar illustrated in  FIG. 1  is typical for an Australian saddle, and the stirrup bar is made such that the stirrup leather can be releasably attached to the stirrup bar. For an American western saddle, the stirrup bar is in the form of a closed loop, which means that the stirrup leather cannot be released from the stirrup bar. 
     In use, a stirrup is attached to each stirrup bar. The stirrups function to hold and support a rider&#39;s foot. If the rider stands-up the entire weight of the stirrups, and therefore the stirrup bar supports the rider. This creates quite large stresses on the stirrup leather that are transferred to the stirrup bar. If the direction of the stress is at an angle to the stirrup bar, there is a possibility of damage to the stirrup bar, and/or damage to the saddletree. 
     Stirrup bars are known that allow the stirrup to swing inwardly and outwardly relative to the saddle. Sometimes a loose fit of the stirrup leather to the bar is sufficient; other times the stirrup bar can contain a bush or sleeve to allow the leather to swing inwardly and outwardly relative to the saddle. It is also known to provide some lateral adjustment of the stirrup leather relative to the bar (i.e. allowing the leather to be spaced further away or nearer to the rider&#39;s legs). 
     The present invention is directed to a stirrup bar assembly that has a member which can rotate and which can reduce stress on the leather strap that is attached to the stirrup bar. In one form, this can be achieved by having the stirrup leather attached to the member which can rotate about an axis which is transverse to the length of the saddle to reduce stress on the stirrup leather, and/or the stirrup bar and therefore to the saddle tree. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a stirrup bar assembly, and a saddle having such a stirrup bar assembly that may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with the useful or commercial choice. 
     In one form, the invention resides in a stirrup bar assembly, the assembly comprising a stirrup bar that is mounted for rotation relative to a saddletree. 
     Suitably, the stirrup bar assembly comprises an attachment plate. The attachment plate is typically attached to the saddletree. The means of attachment may vary but may include fasteners, adhesive, or manufacture of the saddletree in such a manner that the attachment plate forms part of the saddletree. The attachment plate may comprise a metal plate. The metal plate may comprise steel. The metal plate may be substantially planar. The metal plate may have a length of between 5-20 cm, a width of between 3-10 cm, and a thickness of between 1-5 mm. This can of course vary to suit. The metal plate may be substantially rectangular when viewed in plan but may have beveled corners. 
     A shaft may be attached to the attachment plate. The shaft may extend from one side of the attachment plate and is typically substantially perpendicular to the attachment plate. The shaft may comprise a cylindrical shaft. The shaft may be manufactured from metal such as steel. One end of the shaft may be fixed to the attachment plate such that the shaft does not rotate relative to the attachment plate. Alternatively, the shaft may be fitted such that it can rotate relative to the attachment plate. The shaft may have a length of between 10-40 mm, and if the shaft is cylindrical, it may have a diameter of between 10-30 mm. 
     Alternatively, the stirrup bar assembly may comprise a shaft that is provided with a laterally extending portion such as a flange. In this arrangement, the attachment plate need not be present. The saddletree side plate can be formed with an opening through which the shaft passes with the laterally extending portion preventing the shaft from passing entirely through the opening. The laterally extending portion can then be fixed to the saddletree to hold the shaft in place. 
     If desired, a plurality of openings may be formed through the saddletree side plate to allow the shaft to be mounted relative to the saddletree at different positions to improve the comfort position for a rider. 
     A bearing may be attached relative to the shaft. The bearing may comprise a roller bearing that may be pressed over the shaft. One or more thrust washes may be provided which may be on each side of the bearing. 
     The stirrup bar may be attached to the roller bearing. Suitably, the stirrup bar is fixed to the roller bearing such that rotation of the bearing causes rotation of the stirrup bar. The stirrup bar is suitably able to rotate 360° relative to the attachment plate. 
     Alternative arrangements are envisaged to allow the stirrup bar to be rotatably mounted relative to the saddletree. For instance, the shaft may be rotatably mounted relative to the attachment plate, and the stirrup bar may be mounted to the shaft. 
     The stirrup bar typically comprises a metal member. The metal member may be formed from metal plate. The metal member may be provided with a supporting finger on which the stirrup leather can be attached in a removable manner. In this arrangement, the supporting finger may have a free end to allow the stirrup leather to be attached and removed relative to the supporting finger. 
     Alternatively, the stirrup bar may be shaped or configured such that the stirrup leather cannot be removed. For instance, the stirrup bar may be in the form of a closed loop. The closed loop may have a substantially triangular shape to define an internal opening or eyelet through which the stirrup leather can extend. 
     Alternative configurations of the stirrup bar are envisaged. 
     A stop means or limit means may be provided to prevent undesirable rotation of the stirrup bar. This may be in the form of a projection, button, profile and the like. The stop means or limit means may be attached to the saddletree. The stirrup bar may be provided with an abutment portion that can abut with the stop means or limit means to prevent further undesirable rotation of the stirrup bar. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention is directed to a stirrup bar assembly comprising a stirrup bar for mounting a stirrup loop, the stirrup bearing mounted relative to a saddletree for rotation about a pivot which is transverse to the length of the saddletree with the stirrup bar hanging below the pivot. The mounted stirrup is able to rotate forwardly, and rearwardly of the pivot while the stirrup loop is mounted to the stirrup bar. The stirrup bar comprises a closed loop, preferably of triangular shape, for retaining the stirrup loop on the stirrup bar during rotation. The stirrup bar assembly is attached to the saddletree by an axle or an attachment plate, and a stop member is provided to prevent over-rotation of the stirrup bar. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a known saddletree design containing a conventional stirrup bar. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a stirrup bar according to an embodiment of the invention for attachment to one side of the saddletree. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the mirror image of the stirrup bar of  FIG. 2  for attachment to the other side of the saddletree. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an end of view of the stirrup bar of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a rear side view of the stirrup bar of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates how the stirrup bar can adopt a first angular position. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates how the stirrup bar can adopt a second angular position. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a different type of stirrup bar that is particularly suitable for an American western saddle. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another type of stirrup bar (English style stirrup bar), which has a spring mounted end piece that provides a safety feature. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a further embodiment of the invention where an attachment plate is not required and the shaft has a laterally extending portion (such as a flange), the shaft passing through an opening in the side plate of the saddletree. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a portion of the side rail of a saddletree formed with a pair of openings to provide adjustment to the positioning of the saddletree assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings an initially to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a known type of saddletree. The saddletree forms the rigid internal frame for a saddle, and can be made out of fibreglass, wood, or any other suitable material. The saddletree  10  has a rear cantle portion  11 , a front gullet portion  12 , and a pair of side rails  13 ,  14  all of which are formed integrally. Rigidly attached to the saddletree is a stirrup bar  15  of known design. This stirrup bar is used for an Australian saddle and allows the stirrup leather to be removed from the stirrup bar. The stirrup bar  15  has a lower elongate finger  16  over which the stirrup leather can be supported. Typically, stitching or otherwise attaching a leather and padded overlay to the saddletree forms the saddle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is illustrated a left hand side and a right hand side stirrup bar assembly  17 ,  18  according to an embodiment of the invention. Each assembly is attached to one side of the saddletree such that the saddletree is provided with two such assemblies. In the embodiment, each assembly is provided with an attachment plate or backing plate  19 . Plate  19  is fastened to the saddletree  10  by any suitable manner. Plate  19  is formed of steel and is substantially rectangular when viewed in plan except with the inclusion of bevelled corners. Plate  19  has a length of 10 cm, a width of 5 cm, and a thickness of 4 mm. This can of course vary to suit. 
     Attached to plate  19  is a cylindrical steel shaft  20 . To fit steel shaft  20  to plate  19 , plate  19  is formed with a circular hole through which steel shaft  20  passes. One end of steel shaft  20  is welded to or otherwise fixed to the rear of plate  19  such as through welds  22  (see  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). Thus, shaft  20  is rigidly attached to plate  19 . The shaft  20  has a length of 25 mm, and a diameter of 20 mm. 
     A bearing  25  in the form of a roller bearing is press fitted over shaft  20 . Thrust washers (not illustrated) are positioned on each side face of bearing  25 . Bearing  25  has a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness or height of 10 mm. Bearing  25  therefore rotates about rigid shaft  20 . 
     Attached to bearing  25  is a stirrup bar  26 . The stirrup bar  26  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7  is typical for an Australian saddle and contains an elongate lower finger  27  that has a free end  28  to allow stirrup leather to be removably attached to finger  27 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a different type of stirrup bar  30 , i.e. closed loop, which is suited for an American western style saddle and which has a triangular type shape defining an internal opening  31  through which the stirrup leather can pass. 
     It should also be appreciated that the precise shape and configuration of the stirrup bar need not be essential to the invention provided that the stirrup bar is able to rotate. Therefore, a variation of the invention would include a stirrup bar as illustrated in  FIG. 1  which shows a pair of fingers which allows the stirrup bar to be a “dual position in line stirrup bar”. Similarly, other types of stirrup bars can be used and these may include the American-style stirrup bar illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and an English style stirrup bar illustrated in  FIG. 9 , where the bar  42  has an end portion  40  which is spring-loaded  41  the main portion of the stirrup bar and therefore the end portion  40  is able to flip down from the position illustrated in  FIG. 9  to a flipped down position where the end portion is substantially in line. 
     Stirrup bar  26  is welded or otherwise attached to bearing  25  by a spot weld  32   a . Thus, stirrup bar  26  rotates with bearing  25 . 
     Stirrup bar  26  is formed with an abutment or shoulder portion  32 . A pin or other type of projection (not illustrated) is provided on saddletree  10  in such a way that the pin will abut portion  32 , to prevent further rotation of stirrup bar  26 . Thus, although stirrup bar  26  is theoretically able to rotate by 360° relative to plate  17 , in practice, once the assembly is attached to a saddletree, a pin or projection on the saddletree will prevent such further rotation. In  FIG. 1 , the position of such a pin  33  is given. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment does away with the need for an attachment plate. Instead, there is provided a cylindrical steel shaft  50  one end of which has a laterally extending portion in the form of a circular flange  51 . The side rail  52  of the saddle tree is formed with an opening  53  which is large enough to allow the steel shaft to pass through the opening, but too small to allow the circular flange  51  to pass through the opening. Once shaft  50  has been pushed through the opening, it is held in place by a circlip  54  that attaches to groove  55  in shaft  50 . Of course, the shaft can be removed merely by removal of circlip  54 . Once the shaft has been attached via circlip  54 , a thrust plate  55   a  is pushed onto shaft  50 . A bearing  56  similar to that described previously is then placed onto shaft  50  followed by another thrust plate  57 , and the assembly is held in place by a second circlip  58  that attaches to recess  59 . Attached to bearing  56  is a stirrup bar (not illustrated) which is similar to that described above. 
     The advantage of this variation is that the attachment plate is not required and the assembly can be removed and no welding is necessary. 
     A further advantage and variation to the invention is to form a number of openings  53  in the side rail of the saddletree. This is illustrated partially in  FIG. 11 . In this manner, the position of the entire assembly can be varied on the side rail of the saddle tree by choosing which opening will be used to support the shaft and therefore ultimately the stirrup bar. This allows the rider to choose the position that will be most comfortable for the rider. 
     The assembly allows the stirrup bar to rotate in unison with the fender strap thus transferring stress from the leather strap to the bearing  25 . The stirrup bar can now rotate in any direction along with the stirrup leather. 
     It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications are envisaged. For instance, there may be other means to hinge or rotate the stirrup bar relative to the saddletree. The embodiment describes a shaft  20  that is fixed to plate  19  and where the stirrup bar  26  is fixed to a bearing  25  that rotates relative to shaft  20 . Of course, shaft  20  may rotate relative to plate  19  in which case stirrup bar  26  is fixed to shaft  20 .