Safety Stirrup with Automatic Retraction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stirrups do not effectively reduce the risk of injury to riders and animals during mounting or falling, as they remain outwardly projected and can cause accidents when the rider is not actively using them.
Innovation Solution
A safety stirrup design that automatically retracts into a closed configuration when not in use, utilizing a biasing means such as a coil spring to reduce outward projection, and includes features like a flange for easy opening and a strap attachment to prevent movement away from the animal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stirrup remains in a fixed outwardly projected position, then the rider's foot is easily accessible and supported, but the risk of injury to the rider and animal increases during mounting or falling
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrup is designed with dynamic movement capability, transitioning between an open configuration (projecting outward) and a closed configuration (retracted). The biasing means automatically adjusts the stirrup position based on whether a rider's foot is present, making the system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing means enables the stirrup to automatically return to the closed configuration when the rider's foot is removed, without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates its position based on the presence or absence of the rider's weight.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the stirrup automatically retracts to closed configuration when not in use, then the risk of injury is minimized, but the device complexity increases due to biasing means
Solution Approach 1:
The physical state of the stirrup changes between two distinct configurations (open and closed) based on the application or removal of force. The biasing means alters the positional parameter of the stirrup, enabling automatic transition between states without complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If the stirrup is maintained in open configuration by rider's downward force, then the foot support function is achieved, but force is required to counteract the biasing means
Solution Approach 1:
The rider applies partial force (downward pressure) only when needed (when mounting or using the stirrup), rather than continuous force. The biasing means handles the counteracting force automatically, requiring minimal effort from the rider during normal operation.
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 automatic closure of the stirrup reduces the risk of injury by minimizing outward projection, ensuring the rider's safety and the animal's safety during erratic movements or falls, and aids in easy operation by the rider.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing means may comprise a coil spring
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed is a stirrup (1) for riding an animal comprising: a first portion (2) adapted to rest against an animal to be ridden; and a second portion (4) adapted to support a rider's foot. The safety stirrup further comprises biasing means (6) adapted to bias the safety stirrup from an open configuration towards a closed configuration.