Improvements in Safety Stirrups.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 2nd Feb., 1895
Improvements in Safety Stirrups.
A communication to me from FRIEDRICH WILHELM MROSE, of 6, Beguinen-
strasse, Coesfeld, in the Empire of Germany, Secretary.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, 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, and accompanying
drawings, that is to say :-
The present invention has for its object an improved stirrup by which the
entanglement of the foot of the rider in case of accident, such as the fall of himself
or of the horse, or in mounting or dismounting, is prevented.
The improved stirrup differs from others having the same object, in the method
of construction by which to obtain the required result, the tread of the stirrup is
made in two halves, which, by the pressure of the rider's foot when caught in it,
turns sideways and thereby opens, whilst after the foot is freed from the stirrup, the
parts return automatically to their normal position.
The accompanying drawinge are in illustration of the invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a stirrup, and Figure 2 is a transverse
section, shewing the bottom plate or tread.
The upper part of the stirrup a is somewhat larger in cross section than the side
pins b, & projecting down from its lower ends, upon which the tread, made in two
parts c, c fits, these parts being provided with sockets c, c', which turn upon the
pins b, b.
The upper edges of the sockets c', are inclined to their axis, and fit against
corresponding sockets or rings d the lower edges of which are similarly inclined or
bevelled, and which are moveable in a longitudinal direction only, being guided by
a pin fitting in the slot d². These sockets d are pressed down by helical springs e
the upper ends of which abut against the projecting edge of the large part of the
stirrup a, and in this way the halves of the tread c, c, are kept in their proper
normal position.
In order to reduce the friction of the sockets c', c¹ upon the halves of the tread in
turning, the lower ends of these sockets are fitted with antifriction balls f which are
supported by a flange upon the head g' of a screw g screwed into the lower end of
the pins b. The whole of the parts surrounding these pins are covered by a sheath
or casing i.
In order to ensure the retention in position of the two moveable halves c of the
tread described, upon one of them is fixed a spring safety plate h, having bevelled
lower flanges at its sides, which fit against corresponding projecting edges upon
the parts h, h¹ of the halves of the tread, so that whilst the foot of the rider is
pressing properly upon the stirrup, the parts are kept in their normal position, but
when from accidentally becoming entangled the foot presses against the sides of
the tread, the latter open out laterally, (as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 2).
The operation of the improved stirrup is as follows:-If the foot of the rider
from any cause, such as a fall, becomes caught in the stirrup, a side pressure is
exerted by the beel or toe against the tread of the stirrup.
As this pressure is greater than that exerted by the two springs e, it follows that
the halves of the tread, after the safety plate / has been released from the

page_text: projections h¹ in the way already described, can turn round laterally, (as shewn by
the arrows and dotted lines in Figure 2).
The sockets d, by reason of their inclined edges which fit against the corresponding
ones on the tread sockets c', are forced upward, compressing the springs e.
After the halves of the stirrup tread are sufficiently opened and the foot released,
they are at once returned to their original closed position, by the action of the
springs upon the inclined edges of the sockets.
The safety plate & therefore again becomes engaged with the projections at h²
upon the two halves of the tread c.
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 :-
An improved safety stirrup, having the tread or bottom in two parts c, c turning
upon the side pins b, b, and kept in their closed position by springs e, but capable
of opening by side pressure, and then returning automatically to their closed
position, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 17th day of December 1894.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.