Elastically Deformable Stirrup Half-Arch for Multi-Directional Foot Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horse-riding stirrups with elastic deformation in a single direction are limited in functionality and require complex, expensive molds for manufacturing, restricting the release of a rider's foot in various fall directions and being difficult to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A stirrup design featuring a single body of elastically deformable plastic material for the second half-arch with a frusto-conical upper part that can flex in all radial directions, eliminating the need for grooves or notches and simplifying the manufacturing process, allowing for assembly without complex molds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second half-arch is designed with incisions and grooves to enable elastic deformation in a single direction, then the stirrup provides controlled bending in the antero-posterior direction, but the functionality is limited and cannot ensure foot release in other directions during falls
Solution Approach 1:
The second half-arch is segmented into multiple radial sections separated by grooves that extend from the lower part toward the upper part. This segmentation allows the half-arch to bend elastically in multiple radial directions while maintaining structural integrity, enabling foot release in various directions during falls.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves are strategically positioned at specific angular intervals around the half-arch to create localized flexibility zones. This local quality approach ensures that the half-arch maintains rigidity in non-groove areas while providing controlled elastic deformation capability in groove areas, achieving multi-directional foot release without compromising overall structural strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the second half-arch is made with complex grooves and notches to enable multi-directional bending, then the stirrup can release the foot in various directions, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The second half-arch is designed with a curved, arch-shaped geometry that naturally facilitates multi-directional bending. The grooves follow the curvature of the arch, allowing the molded structure to flex radially in multiple directions without requiring complex mold mechanisms. This curvature-based design achieves multi-directional flexibility using standard molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves are designed with specific depth, width, and spacing parameters that can be adjusted during molding to control the flexibility characteristics. By optimizing these geometric parameters, the half-arch achieves adequate elastic deformation in multiple directions while being manufacturable with conventional molds, avoiding the need for expensive complex mold mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the second half-arch includes multiple grooves and notches for multi-directional deformation, then the stirrup provides comprehensive safety coverage, but the assembly process becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The second half-arch is provided as a single pre-formed molded piece that integrates the upper part, lower part, and all groove features into one unified component. This merging of features into a single component eliminates the need for separate assembly steps to attach different parts, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage through the integrated multi-directional deformation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece second half-arch design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables multi-directional elastic deformation for foot release, and integrates all safety features in one component. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts and assembly operations required, making the stirrup easier to assemble while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
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
Ensures foot release in any direction, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, and facilitates easier assembly while maintaining structural integrity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a second containment half-arch (16), extending from a second lateral portion (17) of the support element (11), opposite to the first lateral portion (14), the second half-arch (16) comprising a lower part (18) configured to be secured to the support element (11), and an upper part (19) extending from the lower part (18) up to near the attachment portion (15); wherein the second half-arch (16) comprises a single body (20) made of elastically deformable plastic material
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a stirrup (10) for horse-riding saddles, comprising: - a support element (11) to support a user's foot, - and an open arch (12) extending from the opposite ends of the support element; this open arch (12) in turn comprises: - a first load-bearing half-arch (13) extending from a first lateral portion (14) of said support element (11) and comprising an attachment portion (15) configured for fastening a stirrup strap, - and a second containment half-arch (16), extending from a second lateral portion (17) of said support element (11), opposite to said first lateral portion (14), the second half-arch (16) comprising a lower part (18) configured to be constrained to the support element (11), and an upper part (19) extending from the lower part (18) up to near the attachment portion (15). The second half-arch (16) comprises a single body of elastically deformable plastic material (20) on which the lower part (18) and the upper part (19) are defined.