An Improved Riding Stirrup.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1897-Accepted, 2nd Oct., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Riding Stirrup.
I, JAMES MACPHAIL, of Blue Island, Cook County, State of Illinois, United States
of America, Mechanical Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of stirrups for riding saddles,
the object being to ensure that the feet shall be readily disengaged from the
stirrups in case of the rider being accidentally thrown, it being at the same time
impossible for the stirrups to come apart or become disconnected when in normal
use.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, of which :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stirrup when in normal use;
Figure 2 is a view of the arch,
Figure 3 is a view of the underside of the foot-plate when disconnected, and
Figure 4 is an end view of the same.
The stirrup is constructed in two parts, a foot plate A and arch B.
The foot plate A, preferably oval in shape is provided at each end on its under-
side with projections A' forming recesses A² ending in depressions A* A notch or
groove A3 forming a continuation of each recess A², is also formed in the edge
of the plate, which is preferably thickened for the purpose. The arch B is so
constructed that its sides (preferably circular in cross section) form a strong spring,
and each side terminates in a hook B¹. When not under tension the distance
between the free ends of the sides is slightly less than the longest diameter of
the foot-plate, so that the foot-plate can be sprung into position between them.
the hooks B₁ engaging in the recesses A² grooves A³ and depressions A*, so as
to form the complete stirrup as shown in Figure 1.
Whilst no amount of pressure, directed from above downwards, such as is put
on the foot-plate when the stirrup is used in riding, will force the two portions
of the stirrup apart, should the rider be thrown, and his foot caught between the
arch and the foot plate, then owing to the side pressure placed on the plate, the
arch being fixed by the boot, the two portions of the stirrup readily separate and
the foot is instantaneously released.
The drawings accompanying this Specification illustrate a convenient form of
stirrup constructed according to this invention, but it is evident that many
variations may be made for ornamental or other purposes without departing from
the spirit of the invention which is not confined to the details therein shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A riding stirrup in which a foot-plate is adapted to be forced out of a spring
retaining-arch by the rider's foot for the purpose described.

page_text: tension.
3. In a
аттар compris
riding stirrup the combination with a spring arch having hooks, of a
foot-plate with recesses or grooves to engage such hooks, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
4. The safety riding stirrup substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dotad this First day of Santamber 1897
JAMES MACPHAIL.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.