Improved Stirrup Leather Attachments for Saddles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 4th May, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Stirrup Leather Attachments for Saddles.
I, WILLIAM GRAHAM LECKIE, of 14, St. Mary Axe, in the City of London,
Saddlery Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, that is to say :-
My said invention comprises new and improved means for attaching stirrup
leathers to saddles, the object being to cause the stirrup leather to be automatically
released when the rider is thrown from his seat so as to obviate the risk of his
being dragged by the foot.
In carrying out my invention, I interpose between a stirrup-leather bar (attached
to the saddle), and a metal loop or buckle (supporting the leather), an additional
metal loop having a spring catch, which, in combination with a special construction
of the parts, prevents the stirrup leather from becoming detached in ordinary use;
but on the stirrup leather being moved upward, forward, or backward, allows the
parts to become immediately disengaged.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood, I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings, to be
hereinafter referred to, and shewing my improvements.
Figure, 1, is a side elevation of a metal loop for attaching the stirrup leather,
and Figure, 2, is an end elevation of the same.
Figures, 3, and, 4, -are side and end elevations, respectively, of a buckle,
with an engaging part, and which may be used instead of the metal loop shown
in Figure, 1.
Figure, 5, is an elevation of the inner side of my new intermediate metal loop,
or connecting bit, with the spring catch opened.
Figure, 6, is a back end view of the loop shewn in Figure, 5.
Figures, 7, and 8, are elevations of the outer side with the spring catch open in
one and closed in the other.
Figure, 9, represents the intermediate loop (Figure, 5) in section, and the lower
loop (Figures, 1, and 2) engaged therewith.
Figures, 10, and 11, illustrate the application of my new or improved intermediate
loop to saddles fitted with two types of fixed bars.
In these drawings the parts are shown as for the right side of the horse; and
the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they
are repeated.
In carrying out my invention I interpose between the fixed stirrup-leather
bar, A, having a swing hook and the loop, B, or buckle, C, (supporting the
strap), an additional metal loop, D, having a spring catch, E, which, in
combination with the special construction of the loop, B, or buckle, C. prevents
the stirrup leather from becoming detached so long as the strain upon it is
in a downward direction; but on the stirrup leather being moved outwards
and upwards, as in some cases when the rider is thrown) the upper hook or
catching point, F, of the loop, B, or buckle, C, becomes disengaged from the
intermediate loop, D, thus releasing the stirrup. On the stirrup leather being
dragged towards the front, the loop, B, or buckle, C, pushes the spring catch, E,
forward turning it over on its pivot, and allowing the loop, B, or buckle, C, to
escape from the intermediate loop, D. If the stirrup leather should be dragged
towards the back it will become disengaged in the ordinary way.

page_text: Thus by the use of my said invention, when a rider is thrown from his horse, his
stirrup leather will be immediately and automatically released, in whatever
direction any drag on the stirrup leather is likely to take place.
my said
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
The combination of parts forming improved stirrup-leather attachments for
saddles, and comprising in each case a loop, (B) or buckle (C) formed with a
hook or catching point (F), and an intermediate loop (D) in which the said
hook engages and which is fitted with a spring catch (E) and is adapted to be
connected to the stirrup-leather bar fixed to the saddle, the parts being con-
structed and operating substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of March 1895.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.