Improvements in or connected with Stirrups.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 24th Dec.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Stirrups.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM PARRY, of 17 Devonshire Road, Princes Park, Liver-
pool, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant, 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 has reference to saddle stirrups, and has for its object to pro-
vide an improved non-slipping, and more or less elastic pad or surface in con-
nection with the foot har or plate.
Hitherto various proposals have been made with regard to the provision of non-
slipping stirrup foot plates; and Patents have been taken out for several forms
of such proposed stirrups but none of then have been found of real utility, as
they all have been defective in one respect or another, rendering them unser-
viceable for the purpose intended. Now the aim of the present invention has
heen, to accomplish this admittedly desirable improvement, by providing a non-
slipping, and also more or less elastic, foot rest or tread, in connection with
stirrups, in such a form, and in such a manner, that, while providing these
characteristics, the stirrup and whole arrangement is practical as an article of
harness, and has no objectionable features or points either from a practical, or a
utility point of view.
The Invention will be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate my Improvements.
Figure 1 is a sectional clevation shewing a stirrup with my Improvements
applied to it; Figures 2 and 3 are transverse section, and plan, respectively, of
the same; and Figure 4 is a detail of tread pad.
According to the Invention I employ in connection with the foot plate of the
stirrup (marked a in the drawings), a pad of india rubber (or equivalent material).
the upper or tread part, b, of which is of the full area of the foot plate, and prac-
tically covers it completely while the lower portion c consists of a projecting
keying or holding portion, adapted to fit within the elongated or oval opening
in the foot plate a-which is usually or commonly provided in stirrup foot plates,
and to fill that opening; so that the edges of the har a surrounding or form-
ing the aperture d, constitutes a matrix fastening, in which the male portion c
fits, and practically engages, so as to constitute a secure fastening; but, at the
same time, in a manner which enables the pad to be readily removed or detached
from its fastening. To attain this end, the fastening portion e should be made
so as to be a "fair" fit within the opening ; and in some cases, it is made
slightly larger at the lower part, all round, than at the upper, where it merges
into the tread portion b; or, it may be provided with portions which project
slightly so as to effect a keying action, or provide catching points, to engago
with the lower edge or surface of the foot plate a, when inserted in the aperture d.
The tread portion 6 is carried out at each side in the form of horns b, which
engage with the sides of the stirrup "iron" c, and practically grasp it; and the
surface of the tread is provided with corrugations as shewn, or projections; or is
of uneven surface, so as to provide the best non-slipping surface obtainable.

page_text: These two portions b and c, which constitute an article for use in connection
with stirrups, according to the invention, are in one; the rubber article being
manufactured or formed in moulds in the manner well known in the india rub-
her manufacture.
It is to he understood, in lieu of using a single attaching or fastening portion c,
this portion of the article may consist of two or more parts, acting in the same
manner, and serving the same purpose, as the single one. The use of one or the
other of these constructions will depend upon the form of stirrups to which the
article to be applied, and to the requirements of users; and may be modified
as to form or shape to meet special cases.
By this Invention, the non-slipping action referred to is perfectly obtained;
and, consequently, the losing of the position which the foot normally should,
and does take, on the stirrup tread, which frequently takes place with stirrups
with the normal tread, is obviated; and, moreover, the pad affords a pleasant
elastic feeling to the feet, which tends to enable riders to ride a longer time
without tiring. Also, as stated, the article is readily placed in position in the
stirrup, and as readily removed by hand (but, nevertheless, will not free itself
from it, or of itself fall out of place, or press out of position when in use), and
thus it enables the stirrups to be cleaned and managed as heretofore.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a riding stirrup, a rubber or equivalent pad or device, consisting of a
tread portion (6), and a lower attaching or fastening portion or portions (c),
respectively, placed or seated on the tread bar (a), and fitting within an aperture
or apertures (d) of said tread bar; substantially as and for the
forth.
purposes set
2. The non-slipping and elastic rubber article for stirrups, comprising the
parts or formations specified, as shown in and set forth with reference to the
drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of November, 1897.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON
Applicant's Patent Agents,
15 Water Street, Liverpool.