Stirrup Strap Buckle Assembly Preventing Accidental Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckle assemblies for stirrup straps tend to release under the forces generated by horse and rider movements, leading to potential rider imbalance and injury.
Innovation Solution
A buckle assembly with a plate and receiver configuration, featuring a tongue with pins and a spring latch that slides to lock or release, ensuring secure adjustment and locking of the stirrup strap length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional buckle assembly is used for the stirrup strap, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor because it tends to release under forces from horse and rider movements
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a receiver with a latch mechanism, a tongue with positioning elements, and a strap with adjustment holes. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing the likelihood of failure in any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue is inserted into the receiver, with positioning elements on the tongue nesting within corresponding features in the receiver. The latch mechanism nests within the receiver structure, creating a compact nested arrangement that enhances reliability through integrated load paths while controlling overall complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the buckle assembly uses a simple locking mechanism, then the device complexity is low, but the stability is insufficient to prevent accidental release under dynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is pre-positioned in a engaged state with the tongue, and positioning elements are pre-configured to align with specific holes in the strap. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the buckle is assembled, the stable locked state is achieved automatically without requiring additional stabilization components.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning elements on the tongue automatically engage with corresponding features in the receiver and strap holes, creating self-stabilizing positioning that prevents accidental release. The spring-loaded latch self-adjusts to maintain engagement under varying loads, providing stability without complex external control systems.
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 buckle assembly effectively prevents accidental release, maintaining rider stability and safety by securely adjusting and locking the stirrup strap length.
Implementation Method 1
a spring latch that slides to lock or release
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle assembly for a stirrup strap is disclosed, one aspect comprising a plate connectable to a first end of the strap, the plate having a tongue extendable from the first end of the strap, the tongue having at least one pin extending perpendicularly from the first side, the pin being insertable in a strap through-hole near a second end thereof; and a receiver having a sleeve with a first side and a second side, the sleeve being configured to slidably receive the second end of the stirrup strap and the tongue when the pin of the first side of the tongue is positioned in one of the through-holes, the receiver further having a spring latch with a distal end having an opening for receiving the pin, the spring latch moveable between a locking position and a release position.