Spring-Loaded Rocker Arm Safety Lock for Stirrup Strap Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety locks for stirrups do not effectively release the stirrup strap when a rider falls off a horse, regardless of the fall direction or horse reaction, potentially causing the rider to be trapped.
Innovation Solution
A safety lock design featuring support arms, a support beam with a pin on the outer side, and a spring-loaded rocker arm that allows the stirrup strap to slide off when the rider's weight changes the stirrup's axis, ensuring release from the strap regardless of the fall direction or horse reaction, without the need for a spring or spring pin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the safety lock uses a pin on the support beam and support arms to hold the strap, then the strap is securely held during riding, but the strap cannot release when the rider falls off
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. During normal riding, the arms hold the strap securely in place. When a fall occurs and the stirrup axis changes, the arms can move to allow strap release, thus resolving the contradiction between security and release capability
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between the support beam and the surface under the support beam is specifically optimized to create different operational states. This dimensional parameter ensures that under normal load the strap is held firmly, but when the stirrup tilts during a fall, the geometric relationship changes allowing the strap to slide off, achieving both security and release
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support arms are positioned to prevent strap sliding, then the strap remains in place during walking, but the strap cannot slide off when the rider falls
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are designed with asymmetric positioning where the innermost arm is shorter than the outer arms. This asymmetric configuration creates a stable holding position during normal use while allowing asymmetric movement patterns during falls that enable strap release, preventing entrapment while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates vertical spacing (distance between support beam and surface below) as an additional dimensional parameter. This vertical dimension works together with the horizontal arm positioning to create a three-dimensional release mechanism that allows strap ejection during falls while maintaining two-dimensional stability during normal use
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 design ensures the stirrup strap is securely held during riding but automatically releases when the rider falls, preventing entrapment and allowing the stirrup to detach from the strap, enhancing rider safety.
Implementation Method 1
Below the support beam is provided a spring loaded rocker arm that will push the strap in place again if it should slide a little beyond the pin when the stirrup is not loaded.
Data Source
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AI summary
Safety lock for welding/mounting on stirrups. A safety lock to be welded or mounted on stirrups where the stirrup strap is to hang on a support bar within a pin and within a rocker arm on a bearing face, supported by support arms. The safety lock keeps the stirrup secure in the strap during riding, but will release the strap such that the stirrup is loosened and falls off the strap if the rider falls off the horse and stays hanged by the stirrup.