Pivotable Stirrup Iron with Cam-Actuated Foot Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Riders face difficulties in mounting a horse due to stirrup length issues, especially when stirrups are shortened for activities like jumping or galloping, and existing mounting aids either require external assistance, are unsafe, or have reliability and durability problems.
Innovation Solution
A two-part stirrup iron with a fixed and moveable part, featuring a cam mechanism that automatically adjusts to form a closed loop configuration when the rider's foot is placed on a foot plate, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring safety by not pinching or startling the horse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the stirrup leather is shortened to suit riding activities like jumping or galloping, then the stirrup length is appropriate for riding, but the rider experiences difficulty in elevating their foot to the height of the stirrup iron to mount the horse
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrup iron incorporates a moveable part that can pivot between a first operating position (adjacent to the base plate) and a second operating position (extended downward). This dynamic mechanism allows the stirrup to automatically adjust its effective length: when the rider places their foot on the foot plate during mounting, the moveable part pivots to provide additional height assistance, then returns to its normal position once mounting is complete, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining appropriate riding length
2Ease of operation
If a mounting block or external object is used to assist mounting, then the rider can reach the stirrup iron, but the horse can move away unexpectedly and such objects are not always available
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrup iron's moveable part with foot plate is self-contained and automatically activates when the rider places their foot on it during mounting. The mechanism provides mounting assistance through its own structure without requiring external mounting blocks, fences, or other objects. The system is always available when needed and cannot be displaced by horse movement, ensuring both ease of operation and reliability
3Ease of operation
If a second person provides assistance by boosting the rider, then the rider can mount the horse, but a second person may not always be present
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrup iron's moveable part with foot plate enables the rider to mount independently without requiring assistance from a second person. The mechanism is always available and does not depend on the presence or availability of another individual, providing both ease of operation and complete riding independence in all situations
4Ease of operation
If the rider lengthens the stirrup leather before mounting, then the rider can reach the stirrup iron, but it becomes difficult to adjust the stirrup to the correct riding length while astride the horse
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrup iron's moveable part automatically provides mounting assistance when the rider places their foot on the foot plate, eliminating the need for manual stirrup leather lengthening. The mechanism self-adjusts through its own motion without requiring the rider to manipulate buckles, straps, or adjustment mechanisms, thereby avoiding the complexity of adjusting stirrup length while mounted and ensuring the stirrup maintains the correct riding length automatically
5Ease of operation
If a pivotable step mounting aid is used that pivots to a position below the stirrup, then the rider can mount the horse, but the step may brush off the body of the horse which may startle or pinch the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The foot plate is specifically positioned and oriented to contact only the rider's boot during mounting, with its location and angle designed to avoid contact with the horse's body. The moveable part's geometry and pivot path are configured so that the foot plate engages the rider's footwear at a location that cannot brush against or pinch the horse, thereby providing mounting assistance while eliminating harmful effects to the animal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The stirrup iron provides a safe and reliable mounting aid that automatically adjusts to the correct length without requiring riders to take their hands off the reins, maintaining stability and durability over time.
Implementation Method 1
a cam mechanism connecting the foot plate to the moveable part so that depression of the foot plate will cause the cam mechanism to act on the moveable part urging it from the second operating position towards the first operating position
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a stirrup iron (1) comprising a two part construction including a first, fixed part (3), and a second, moveable part (5). The fixed part (3) comprises a body and the moveable part (5) comprises an L-shaped arm pivotally mounted to the fixed part (3).The moveable part (5) is pivotable to and from a first operating position in which a step portion (15) of the moveable part (5) forms a closed loop stirrup, and a second operating position in which the step portion (15) is located below and spaced apart from the fixed part (3) thereby forming a foot-step. The stirrup iron (1) further comprises a releasable locking mechanism, a foot plate (19) mounted on the fixed part (3) and a cam mechanism connecting the foot plate (19) to the moveable part (5). Depression of the foot plate (19) will cause the cam mechanism to act on the moveable part (5) urging it from the second operating position towards the first operating position.