Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 29th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 29th June, 1888
The bridge, or arch, of the stirrup through which the foot of the rider passes, is
hinged or jointed somewhat like a pair of tongues at the top of the arch, and near the
loop provided for the stirrupleather; one end of the footplate being hinged or jointed
to one of the lower ends of the bridge; and the other end of the footplate, is formed
to latch on to the second end of the bridge, in such a manner, that the preasure of
the foot of the rider, upon the footplate, tends to make the latching the more secure ;
but when the preasure becomes less, and the foot hangs to the side of the bridge of
the stirrup, or in any way wedges between the two sides of the bridge, (which is often
the case when a rider is thrown from his horse) the latch lets go the end of the
bridge, which opens upon the top joint or hinge, and allows footplate to fall, or turn
down on its hinge; and thus release the foot of the rider.
To carry my invention into practical effect, I prefer to hinge, or pivot, the two
sides of the bridge together; at the top and centre of the arch of the bridge; forming
half of the loop for the stirrupleather on each side, and on one side of the bridge, at
the lower end, I joint or hinge a latch bar; which lies under the footplate, passing
through a suitable loop, fixed to, or formed on, the underside, of the footplate; The
loop is placed near the further end; and the distance the end of the latch bar is made
to pass in, or through, the loop, regulates, the distance, the bridge of the stirrup, will
open, before it allows the footplate to fall: The footplate is hinged to the bridge of
the stirrup, on the opposite side, to the latching bar; and rests upon it, when latched;
and a slot, or fork, is formed at the end of the plate, to allow it to rest upon the
joint of the latch bar, which allows the latch bar to be made very light, as the weight
of the foot, rests principally, upon the hinge joint, of the latch bar, and footplate. The
end of the latch bar, may be curved upwards, and made to spring in position; and
to regulate the latch, to require a greater strain to unlatch, or open the stirrup, the
end of the footplate, can be slightly curved over the end, or joint of the latch bar; or
suitable projections may be formed to lock into each other, when the preasure of the
foot is on the footplate.

page_text: Improvements in Safety Riding Stirrups.
JOHN HARRISON of Castle Bytham in the County of Lincoln Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The bridge or arch of the stirrup through which the foot of the rider passes, is
hinge or jointed somewhat like a pair of tongues, at the top of the arch and near the
loop provided for the stirrup leather, one end of the footplate being hinged or jointed
to one of the lower ends of the bridge; and the other end of the footplate is formed
to latch on to the second end of the bridge in such a manner that the pressure of the
foot of the rider upon the footplate tends to make the latching. the more secure; but
when the pressure becomes less, and the foot hangs to the side of the bridge, or in
any way wedges between the two sides of the bridge (which is often the case when
a rider is thrown from his horse) the latch lets go the end of the bridge which opens
upon the top joint, or hinge, and allows the footplate to fall or turn down on its hinge
and thus releasing the foot of the rider.
I will now proceed to describe how I prefer to carry my invention into practical
effect with reference to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1. is an elevation Fig. 2, a
plan from the underside of the footplate.
The two sides of the bridge a, and a, 1 are hinged at the top at 6; and on side of
bridge a. 1 a latch bar c is hinged at c1; Tho latch bar lies under the footplate d;
and passes through loop d. 1; on the under side of footplate, the distance the end of
latch bar passes through the loop d. 1, regulates the distance the bridge will open on
the hinge, b; before it allows the footplate to fall; The dotted lines in Fig. 1. of
drawings show the stirrup opening and the footplate free. The footplate is slotted
at the end d. 3; to allow it to rest upon the hinge of the latch bar. The latch is
curved upwards and made to spring in position to prevent the stirrup opening when
not required to do so; The end of footplate being curved over joint of latch the stirrup
cannot open when the foot of the rider presses upon the footplate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. Latching, or holding the movable side or part of a safety riding stirrup to the
footplate by means of a latch bar, jointed to the movable part of the stirrup, and
passing through a loop or held by projections on the underside of the footplate as sub-
stantially shown and described.
2. A safety riding stirrup hinged at the top of bridge and having the footplate
hinged and held in position by a latch jointed to the loose end of bridge lying under-
neath the footplate, and curved to spring in position for purpose set forth and as
substantially shown and described with reference to figs. 1. and 2 of accompanying
drawings.
Dated tk. acil 1
1000