Safety riding stirrup

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety stirrup for equestrian use, featuring a locking system designed to keep the rider's foot stable and securely attached to the footplate during normal use, while ensuring rapid detachment when necessary. The system comprises a folding element articulated on the footplate, actuated by a tension spring fixed at two points and operating around a fulcrum, which allows the element to exert controlled pressure on the foot. This pressure is sufficient to prevent slipping but does not prevent deliberate or accidental detachment. A particular geometric configuration of the system perfects the closure when the line between the spring's attachment points overpasses the fulcrum. In an embodiment, the folding element exerts a force of approximately 10 N. A curved element is also provided on the footplate, designed to improve the lateral stability of the foot during riding.

Description

[0001] “SAFETY RIDING STIRRUP”

[0002] * * *

[0003] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of horseback riding equipment, and specifically refers to a safety stirrup intended for use with horseback riding saddles and configured to reduce the risk of injury for the rider in the event of an accidental falling off while riding.

[0005] KNOWN PRIOR ART

[0006] Riding stirrups have been used for hundreds of years. Generally, a stirrup comprises a D-shaped metal or plastic structure with a slot in the center of the arcuate part of the D-shaped structure for fastening a stirrup strap, or stirrup leather, which in turn connects to a saddle. In use, the rider's foot is inserted into the D-shaped structure, and the straight base portion, known as the footplate, is adjacent to the sole of the rider's boot, whereas the arcuate part of the stirrup is adjacent to the upper of the rider's boot.

[0007] Several devices are known, in the field of horseback riding, intended to improve the rider's safety, including stirrups equipped with mobile or elastic elements that allow the foot to escape in the event of falling off.

[0008] For example, a stirrup is known that comprises a single semi-arch, which connects two main parts: on one side, a first end of the stirrup base, on which the rider's foot rests, and on the other side an eyelet used to fasten the stirrup to the saddle via a stirrup leather.

[0009] The stirrup is also equipped with a foot retaining device designed to quickly release the foot in the event of falling off, which essentially consists of a low-rigidity segment that can flex in at least one direction, thus allowing the branch to open in the event of impact or traction.

[0010] However, known solutions of this type exhibit critical issues related to the reliability of the release mechanisms, for example, it may happen that, despite the segment with low rigidity has flexed, the rider's foot remains stuck in the stirrup and the rider is therefore dangerously dragged by the horse.

[0011] Object of the present invention is to overcome these limitations by providing a safety stirrup that is reliable, simple to use and resistant to the environmental conditions typical of the horseback riding activity, significantly improving the rider's protectionwithout impairing freedom of movement or ergonomics.

[0012] Further object of the invention is to obtain the aforesaid results in a practical and inexpensive way.

[0013] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] These and other objects are achieved by means of a safety riding stirrup comprising:

[0015] a supporting structure provided, in its upper part, with an eyelet configured to allow the passage of a stirrup leather for hooking to a saddle;

[0016] a tread for supporting the rider's foot, removably connected to the supporting structure;

[0017] a quick-release joining system between the supporting structure and the tread, configured in such a way as to allow the tread to be separated from the supporting structure in the event of the rider falling off, thus avoiding the rider remaining entangled to the supporting structure and therefore to the saddle and preventing the risk of being dragged by the horse.

[0018] An advantage of the present invention is that, thanks to the quick release system between the supporting structure and the tread, the risk of the rider remaining entangled to the saddle in the event of falling off is avoided, thus preventing dangerous situations such as the rider being dragged by the horse.

[0019] Moreover, the supporting structure and quick release system are designed to ensure reliable operation also in the environmental conditions typical of horseback riding activity, such as mud, humidity and mechanical stresses.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the stirrup includes a safety locking system configured to keep the rider's foot in contact with the tread, thus reducing the risk of loss of contact, said safety system comprising:

[0021] a bending element connected to a tension spring;

[0022] a fulcrum with respect to which the spring allows the bending element to exert mild pressure on the foot, thus ensuring the stability of the rider without preventing detachment if necessary.

[0023] The main advantage of this solution is that, thanks to the mild pressure exerted by the bending element driven by the tension spring around the fulcrum, the foot remains stationary and adhering to the tread, thus ensuring a safe and comfortableposition. At the same time, the pressure is such that it does not hinder the detachment in the event of a falling off or sudden movement, preserving the rider's safety.

[0024] In summary, the system ensures an optimal balance between stability during normal use and quick release in emergency situations, avoiding the risk of dragging in the event of falling off.

[0025] Further characteristics of the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description provided by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the figures depicted in the attached drawings, in which:

[0028] - figure 1 shows a partially sectional view of a safety riding stirrup, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] - figure 2 shows a section of the stirrup according to the plane AA of figure 1; - figure 3 shows a side view of the stirrup of figures 1-2;

[0030] - figure 4 shows a section of a first component of the stirrup of figures 1-3;

[0031] - figure 5 shows a sectional view of a second component of the stirrup of figures 1-3;

[0032] - figure 6 shows a partially sectional view of a safety riding stirrup of a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] - figure 7 shows a section of the stirrup according to the plane AA of figure 6; - figure 8 shows a side view of the stirrup of figures 6-7;

[0034] - figure 9 shows a section of a first component of the stirrup of figures 6-8; and - figure 10 shows a sectional view of a second component of the stirrup of figures 6-8.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0036] The present invention will now be illustrated with initial reference to figure 1, that is, a partially sectional view of a safety riding stirrup, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, globally denoted by the reference number 10.

[0037] The stirrup 10 substantially comprises two parts cooperating together to ensure the rider's safety.The first part of the stirrup 10 is composed of a supporting structure 12 which ends, in its upper part, with an eyelet 14, where the aforesaid eyelet 14 allows a strap for hooking to the saddle to pass, generally known as stirrup leather.

[0038] The second part of the stirrup 10 is referred to as tread 13 and acts as the rider’s foot support.

[0039] According to the invention, the tread 13 is removably joined to the supporting structure 12.

[0040] More specifically, according to an embodiment of the invention, a quick-release joining system is provided between the supporting structure 12 and the tread 13, which, in the event of rider falling off, separate from one another, thus preventing the rider from remaining entangled to the supporting structure 12 and therefore to the saddle and risking being dragged by the horse.

[0041] Specifically and according to an embodiment of the invention, the assembly is composed of a ball joint with a mild spring hold to keep the tread 13 joined to the supporting structure 12, thus allowing the rider to normally use the stirrup.

[0042] The joint between the supporting structure 12 and the tread 13 therefore consists of a ball element 24 (for example a ball or a half-ball) interposed between the supporting structure 12 and the tread 13 and which allows some degree of relative movement between these two parts.

[0043] This ball joint system, in addition to splitting in the event of a rider falling off, allows the rider's foot to rotate in all directions during normal use, to find the optimal position.

[0044] In addition, the proposed joint between the supporting structure 12 and the tread 13 provides flexibility and allows the tread 13 to fit with the movements of the rider's foot, while still holding the connection.

[0045] The sphere 24 can be held in position by a semi-spherical seat 24' rigidly connected to the tread by screws 41 which engage a plate 40 connected to said semi-spherical seat 24' as depicted, for example, in figure 4 which shows precisely a section of the tread 13 of the stirrup of figures 1-3. A screw 25 can be used to adjust the holding of the sphere 24 on the semi-spherical seat 24'.

[0046] Preferably, a spring 33 is provided for exerting slight pressure on the sphere 24 to keep the joint stable and firm during normal use.In the event of falling off, a greater force (such as the rider weight or a sudden impact) overcomes the strength of the spring 33 and allows the tread 13 to be quickly released from the supporting structure 12.

[0047] This system ensures that the stirrup 10 separates into two parts without resistance and without getting caught, avoiding the risk for the rider of remaining entangled to the saddle.

[0048] The joining system adapted to allow the separation of the two parts, i.e. of the supporting structure 12 from the tread 13 in any direction, may provide other joining or coupling systems, for example of a magnetic type or consisting of press studs or snap buttons, or the use of Velcro or other reversible separation means without losing the distinctive feature of the invention, i.e. to allow the separation of the component parts of the stirrup in the event of the rider falling off.

[0049] In addition, the stirrup 10 also provides a safety lock configured to keep the foot joined to the tread 13 in such a way as to avoid any falls resulting from the loss of contact with the stirrup itself, that is, thanks to a lock that presses lightly on the rider's foot and which, where needed, opens up very easily.

[0050] This safety lock is implemented thanks to a bending element 16 connected to a tension spring 26 to the tread 13.

[0051] Specifically, the tension spring 26 is constrained to the bending element 16 by means of a first fastening point 26a and to the tread 13 by means of a second fastening point 26b, where the bending element 16 is articulated to the tread (at 60).

[0052] The tension spring 26, by rotating with respect to a fulcrum C, allows the bending element 16 to close by exerting a mild pressure on the rider's foot so as to reduce the possibility of losing contact with the stirrup 10, thus reducing the consequent risk of falling off the horse.

[0053] Specifically, thus closing is perfected when the ideal line L, which joins the fastening points 26a and 26b, overcomes the fulcrum C and therefore at that point the bending element 16 is pressed by the spring 26 towards the rider's foot with a mild force, for example 10N, without thereby this value limiting the present invention.

[0054] Figure 6 shows a partially sectional view of a safety riding stirrup of a second embodiment of the present invention, generally denoted by the reference numeral 20.

[0055] This embodiment, also detailed in figures 7-10, illustrates a stirrup 20 whichdiffers from the stirrup 10, previously described, in that it has a curved member 50 which extends from the tread 13 and which approaches the bending element 16 from which it remains separated by a seat 52.

[0056] It should be noted that the joint between the supporting structure 12 and the tread 13 - two parts, which as described can be separated in all directions - can also be made with a ball joint, or a magnetic joint, or with snap buttons or press studs, or with Velcro or other reversible separation means.

[0057] Obviously, the invention as described can be further modified or improved for contingent or particular reasons, without departing from the object of the invention itself.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Riding safety stirrup, comprising:a footplate (13) for supporting the rider's foot;a safety locking system configured to keep the rider's foot in contact with the footplate (13),characterised by the fact that said safety locking system comprisesa folding element (16) articulated on the footplate (13),a tension spring (26) connected to the folding element (16) by means of a first attachment point (26a) and to the footplate (13) by means of a second attachment point (26b)a fulcrum (C) relative to which the spring (26) enables the folding element (16) to exert pressure on the rider's foot, ensuring its stability during normal use without preventing detachment in case of need.

2. Stirrup according to claim 1, wherein the folding element (16) closes under the action of the tensile spring (26), providing sufficient pressure to prevent the foot from slipping but such as to allow easy release when the rider exerts an opposing force.

3. Stirrup according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the footplate (13) comprises a curved element (50) extending therefrom and approaching the folding element (16), maintaining itself separated by a seat (52), contributing to the stability of the foot during riding.

4. Stirrup according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein due to the slight pressure exerted by the folding element (16), actuated by the tension spring (26) around the fulcrum (C), the foot remains stationary and adherent to the footplate (13), thus ensuring a secure and comfortable position.

5. Stirrup according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is perfected when an ideal line (L) joining the first and second attachment point (26a, 26b) of the spring (26) overpasses the fulcrum (C).

6. Stirrup according to claim 5, wherein the pressure exerted by the folding element (16) on the foot is about 10 N.

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