MXPA99011429A - Easy mount stirrup - Google Patents

Abstract

Un estribo incluye una barra transversal (8), un primer miembro en forma de U (4), un segundo miembro en forma de U (6) conectado de manera deslizable al primer miembro en forma de U, y un mecanismo de retracción. La barra transversal conecta dos lados del primer miembro en forma de U. El segundo miembro en forma de U estáadaptado para deslizarse entre la primera y segunda posiciones sobre el primer miembro en forma de U. El mecanismo de retracción es desviado para retraer el segundo miembro en forma de U de la primera posición a la segunda posición. Se proporciona un método para facilitar el montar un animal de montar. El método incluye extender una primera porción de un estribo, trepar sobre el animal de montar colocando un pie en una primera posición extendida del estribo, y retraer la primera porción extendida del estribo en respuesta a la liberación de la presión del pie de la primera porción. El acto de extensión incluye deslizar la primera porción hacia abajo a lo largo de una segunda porción del estribo.

Description

FOOTBALL TO MOUNT FILIL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to riding equipment, and more particularly to extensible stirrups to assist a rider in mounting a riding animal. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE The construction of saddles and riding accessories suitable for low riders, young riders, and riders with diminished mobility represents special challenges. These riders often need outside help, for example, help from another person or a raised object, to ride a tall horse or other riding animal. External help is often not available or inconvenient. If the need for external mounting help can be eliminated, riding on the back of a horse will be more available to the aforementioned group of riders. The prior art includes several devices designed to help a rider to ride a horse. One of such devices is the separate mounting bracket. The separate riding bracket attaches to the saddle and hangs closer to the ground than a riding bracket. A deficiency of the stirrup for separate riding is that it remains attached to the saddle during the act of riding. The separate riding bracket can frighten both the riding animal and the rider, fluttering during a vigorous cavalcade and can also catch on low bushes and trees. A second such device is the extension of the stirrup. Some extensions of stirrup are also inconvenient, because they remain too extended during the ride. Other extensions of stirrup lack the rigidity to support the rider solidly when he or she climbs on the horse. They buckle under the rider's weight or turn too easy. The deficiencies of similar mechanical suitability are inherent in most of the mounting aids of the prior art. Most mounting aids have been developed for English riding gear. Such aids are not always adaptable to western riding gear, although western riders often prefer taller and harder horses to ride. Many of the familiar riding aids could deviate from the aesthetic appearance of the horse, rider and riding gear if they were modified for use with western riding equipment.

The present invention is directed to overcome, or at least reduce the effects of, one or more of the problems discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION i In a first aspect of the present invention, a stirrup is provided. The stirrup includes a crossbar; a first U-shaped member, a second U-shaped member slidably connected to the first U-shaped member and a retention mechanism. The cross bar connects two sides of the first U-shaped member. The second U-shaped member is adapted to slide between the first and second positions on the first U-shaped member. The retraction mechanism is biased to move the second U-shaped member from the first position to the second position. In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for facilitating mounting to a riding animal. The method includes extending a first portion of a stirrup, climbing over the mount animal by placing one foot on the first extended portion of the stirrup, and retracting the first extended portion of the stirrup in response to release of foot pressure from the first. The act of extension involves sliding the first portion down along a second portion of the stirrup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PHOTOS Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after reading the following detailed description and after referring to the Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a view of an embodiment of an extensible stirrup in a retracted position; Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an extended position; Figures 3A and 3B detail a particular embodiment for the extensible stirrup of Figures 1 and 2, in which the bolts guide the sliding of the lower U-shaped member along the upper U-shaped member; Figure 3C illustrates an embodiment for attaching the wire pin of Figure 3B to the upper side member; Figure 4A illustrates a second embodiment of an extensible stirrup, in which the slide bars guide the sliding of the U-shaped member along the upper U-shaped member; Figure 4B is a plan view of the slide bar and the thin pin retaining the slide bar in the longitudinal slot of the embodiment of Figure 4A; Figure 5A details the helical spring employed in the retraction mechanism of a particular embodiment; Figure 5B is a side view of the exterior of the helical spring of Figure 5A; Figure 6A illustrates a wire pin capable of immobilizing the stirrup in the extended position, as may be employed in some alternative embodiments: Figure 6B illustrates a retraction mechanism for the extensible stirrup of Figures 3A and 4A, which employs a helical spring; Figure 7 illustrates a J-shaped extension of the longitudinal groove, which is capable of immobilizing the extensible stirrup in the extended position; Figure 8A is a view of a portion of the outer face of one of the upper side members in a manner employing alternative means for immobilizing the stirrup in the extended position; Figures 8B and 8C show how the extensible stirrup, partially illustrated in Figure 8A, is immobilized in the extended position and released from the immobilized configuration; Figure 8D illustrates how the spring fastener of the embodiment of Figures 8B-8C immobilizes the bracket in the extended position and is released from the immobilized position; Figure 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using the extensible stirrups of Figures 1-8D; Y . Figures 10A, 10B and 10C illustrate the operation of the extensible stirrup of Figures 1 and 2. Although the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, the specific embodiments thereof have been shown by means of examples in the drawings and they are described here in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of the specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms described, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. invention, as defined in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC MODALITIES Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. With the interest of being clear, all the characteristics of a real implementation in this specification are not described. Of course, it will be appreciated that in the development of any such real modalities, numerous specific implementation decisions must be made to achieve the specific goals of the developers, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. In addition, it will be appreciated that, even if such a development effort could be complex and time-consuming, it would nevertheless be a routine for those skilled in the art to have the benefits of this description. The different modalities, the alternative embodiments and the specific modalities for the extensible stirrups, according to the present invention, have upper and lower U-shaped members, and the position of the lower U-shaped member is adjustable. The upper U-shaped member is a complete stirrup, which is joined in a known manner to a saddle strap of the saddle. The upper U-shaped member supports the rider's foot during the ride. The lower U-shaped member is slidably attached to the upper U-shaped member and has a foot bar, which can extend downward to give the rider a "lower step" to climb on the riding animal. In this way, the rider does not need to raise his whole foot upwards, towards the riding stirrup to climb on the riding animal. The lower U-shaped member and the associated foot bar are automatically retracted towards the upper U-shaped member when the rider's foot is removed. When the rider is placed on the riding animal, the two U-shaped members stay tightly together and are removed less of the rider's aesthetic appearance, the riding gear and the riding animal. . Figure 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of the extensible stirrup 2 in the retracted or assembled position. The extensible stirrup 2 includes upper and lower U-shaped members 4, 6 and a transverse bar 8. The U-shaped members 4, 6 and the transverse bar 8 can be made of hard plastic, steel, aluminum or other rigid materials that are not substantially under the weight of the rider. A stirrup belt 10 is wound around the transverse bar 8 to attach the extensible stirrup 2 to a chair (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower U-shaped members 4, 6 taper substantially in the mouth formed by the U-shape, that is, in the shape of the western-style riding stirrups. In some embodiments, U-shaped members 4, 6 do not substantially contract or widen toward the mouth. The invention also covers other shapes for the U-shaped members 4, 6, for example, the cross bar 8 and the upper U-shaped member may have the shape of the English-style riding bracket (not shown). The lower U-shaped member 6 rests snugly against the upper U-shaped member 4 in the retracted position.

Figure 2 is a view of the extensible stirrup 2 of Figure 1 in the extended position. The upper U-shaped member 4 has two side members 12 and a bar for the foot 14. The lower U-shaped member 6 has two side members 16 and a bar for the foot 18. The lower U-shaped member 6 is adapted to slide uniformly along a portion of the length of the two side members 12 of the upper U-shaped member 4. Figures 3A-B and 4A-B illustrate the embodiments 22, 24 of the extensible stirrup, in which the projections 28, 30 of the side members 16 fit in the longitudinal grooves 26 of the side members 12 to guide the sliding of the lower U-shaped member 6. In the particular embodiments illustrated , the projections are bolts 28, in Figures 3A-3B and slide bars 30, in Figures 4A-4B, although the invention is not limited thereto. In Figures 3A-3B, the heads of the bolts 29 hold the upper and lower U-shaped members 4, 6 attached. In Figures 4A-4B, a thin pin 31 passes through a longitudinal slot 34 of the slide bar 30 to hold the upper and lower U-shaped members 4, 6 attached. In order to increase the uniformity of the sliding movement of the lower U-shaped member 6, the external diameter of the projections 28, 30 can be narrowly adjusted to the width of the longitudinal grooves 26. Referring to Figures 3A-3B, the lateral members 16 they can include transverse hinges 36, 38, so that the lower U-shaped member 6 can be readjusted to the variable width of the upper U-shaped member 4 during sliding. Each side member 16 consists of three flat plates 40 joined by transverse hinges 36. A hinge 38 connects the lower part of the plates 40 to the bar for the foot 18. The hinges 36, 38 allow the side members 16 to flex while they slide around the plate for the upper foot 14 of the upper U-shaped member 4. Referring to Figure 3A, an alternative embodiment can use flexible belts (not shown) to form the side members 16. The flexible belts can be constructed with A variety of materials, such as nylon, leather, cloth or flexible plastic. Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, other embodiments may employ hollow side members 12 (not shown) for the upper Ü-shaped member 4. In those embodiments, the cross-section of the lateral members 16 of the lower U-shaped member 6 fits snugly within the hollow interiors of the side members 12 of the upper U-shaped member 4.

In this embodiment, the hollow interiors of the lateral members 12 of the upper U-shaped member 4 guide the sliding movement of the lateral members 16 of the lower U-shaped member 6. The cross sections of the lateral members 12, 16 of the upper and lower U-shaped members 4, 6 can take a variety of adjustment forms, for example, circular, oval, square, triangular and rectangular. The lateral members described above can be used, for example, in extensible stirrup 2 embodiments that have the shape of an English saddle stirrup (not shown). The hollow and adjusting cross-sectional side members 12, 16, the slots 26 and the bolts 28 of Figures 3A-3B, and the slots 26 and the slide bars 30 of Figures 4A-4B described above, form alternative means. for slidingly connecting the first and second U-shaped members 4, 6. Referring again to the particular embodiment of Figures 3A-3B, the crossbar 8 is at least partially hollow to accommodate a latching mechanism 50. The mechanism 50 may use an elastic material, a torsion spring, or a pair of coil springs. One mode uses "constant force springs" or "springs" manufactured by Vulcan Spring and Manufacturing Company, 501 School House Road, Telford, PA 18969. A cord or wire 52, eg, a coated steel wire or a nylon filament, connects the retraction mechanism 50 to the side members 16 or to the bolts 28. The embodiments of Retraction mechanism 50 using an elastic material or a torsion spring pass the cord or wire 52 on a roller 51 and then through a longitudinal hole 54 of the lateral member 12 of the upper U-shaped member 4. The modes of the mechanism of retraction 50 of Figures 4A and 6B use a coil spring positioned so that the cord or wire 52 is fed directly into the hole 54 without the need for the roller 51 of Figure 3A. The retraction mechanism 50 holds the lower U-shaped member 6 under tension by diverting its return to the adjusted position against the upper U-shaped member 4. Referring again to Figure 4A, the retraction mechanism 50 utilizes the coil springs 60. to keep the wires 52 under tension. Each wire 52 connects one of the side members 16 to one of the coil springs 60. Upon release of the foot pressure on the bottom bar for the foot 18, the coil springs 60 rewind the wires 52 retracting the U-shaped member. bottom 6 to a position adjusted against the upper U-shaped member 4.

The retraction mechanism 50, for example, the elastic material / tension spring of Figure 3A or the coil spring 60 of Figures 4A-B and the cord or wire .52 connecting the retraction mechanism 50 to the shaped member of lower U 6 of Figures 1-2, 3A and 4B, form the retraction means. Figures 5A and 5B show one of the coil springs 60 of Figure 4A in more detail. The coil spring 60 includes a central shaft 64, a wound strip of spring metal 66, and a circular drum 68. One end of the wound strip of the spring metal 66 is attached to the central shaft 64 and the other end is attached to the shaft 64. circular drum 68. The central shaft 64 is rigidly fixed to the interior of the transverse bars 8 of the extensible stirrups 22, 24 of Figures 3A and 4A. The circular drums 68 is free to rotate under the tension produced by the wound strip of spring metal 66 thereby rewinding the wire 52 of Figures 3A-4A. The coil spring 60 holds the wire 52 under a substantially constant tension of about 6.7 to 11 newtons (48 to 80 foot pounds per square second) in intermediate positions between the retracted and fully extended positions. Referring to Figures 3A-5A, the transverse bar 8 has a round or U-shaped cross section. One embodiment has a round crossbar 8 with an internal diameter of approximately 2.54 centimeters (cm) (1.0 inches). In one embodiment, the wire 52 is a steel cable less than about 1/16 inch in diameter, and the drum 68 is made of metal or plastic and has a diameter of approximately 1.3 cm (.5 inches). ) and a width of approximately 1.9 cm (.75 inches). The drum 68 has two side shield flanges 67, which are approximately 1.9 cm high (.75 inches). The rolled strip of the spring metal 66 is made of stainless steel and has a width of approximately .63 cm (.25 inches) and a thickness sufficient to provide adequate retraction force. In the above embodiment, the central shaft 66 can be made of steel or plastic and has a width of approximately .32 cm (.125 inches). The ends of the central shaft 64 can be square (not shown), so that the shaft 64 sits non-rotatably in the grooves (not shown) on the sides of the crossbar 8, or the shaft 64 can be fixed in a non-rotating manner to the crossbar "8 in other ways." The above-described embodiment for the retraction mechanism allows the lower U-shaped member 6 to be extended approximately 7.6 to 15.2 cm (3 to 6 inches) under a force of substantially constant return from about 6.7 to 11.1 ne tons (48 to 80 foot pounds per square second) Figures 3A and 6A illustrate the first devices 71, 70 for retaining the lower U-shaped member 6 of the extensible stirrup 2 of the Figures 1 and 2 in the extended position, ie a wire guard similar to a spring 72. The wire guard 72 is firmly attached to the upper side member 12, for example, Figure 3C shows a method for attaching the guard or pin 74 at the bottom of the longitudinal groove 26, ie, inserting the wire guard 72 into a cavity 75. When the rider (not shown) pulls down to extend the lower U-shaped member 6, the head of the bolt 29 of the stirrup 22 of Figures 3A-3B or the metal fastener 33 of the bracket 24 of Figure 4A, passes through the jaws of the wire guard 74. The jaws 74 are closed again to hold the head of the bolt 29 or the metal fastener 33 immobilizing by either the stirrups 22, 24 of Figures 3A-3B and 4A in the extended position, while the rider raises his foot to the lower bar for the foot 18. During the ride, the additional downward pressure on the lower bar for foot 18, due to the weight of the rider, it pushes the bolt 28 further down to reopen the wire guard 72. The head of the bolt 29 or the metal fastener 33 slides back, through the jaws of the keeper or pin 74, releasing the lower U-shaped member 6 when the rider suddenly releases the pressure on the lower bar for the foot 18 by removing his foot from it to take the riding position (no shown). The devices 70, 761 allow the rider to immobilize the stirrups 22, 24 of Figures 3A-3B or 4A-4B in the fully extended position, while raising his foot on the lower bar for the foot 18. The wire guard 72 may take a a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art to provide the operation described above. FIGS. 5B and 6B give the details of a mode 17 of the retraction mechanism 50 of the extensible stirrup 22 of Figures 3A-3B, which employs the helical spring 60"of Figure 5A. non-rotating on the sides of the partially hollow transverse bar 8 as shown in Figure 6B.A end of the wire 52 joins and winds around the drum 68 between the two protective flanges 67. The other end of the wire 52 engages the lower U-shaped member 6 of Figures 1 and 2 or pin 28 of Figure 3A Each side member 16 of the lower U-shaped member 6 engages one of the wires 52, and each of the wires 52 is connected to a separate one of the coil springs 60.

Figure 7 illustrates a second device 80 for immobilizing the lower U-shaped member 6 of Figures 1, 2, 3A and 4A in the extended position. The device 80 has an extension 82 at the bottom of each of the longitudinal grooves 26 of the upper U-shaped member 4. The width of the longitudinally extending and J-shaped grooves 26, 83, and the diameter of any of the bolts 28, in the bracket 22 of Figure 3A, or the metal fastener 33, in the bracket 24 of Figure 4A, are substantially equal and given by approximately .95 cm (.375 inches) in one embodiment. The hand pressure is sufficient to extend the lower U-shaped member 6 and place the screw 28 or the metal fastener 33 on the extension 82. The additional pressure of the weight of the rider on the lower bar for the foot 18 causes the bolt 28 slides down towards the groove 84. Then, under the tension of the retraction mechanism 50, the bolt 28 or the metal fastener 33 naturally slide back up towards the longitudinal groove 26 in response to the releasing the slot 84. Referring still to Figure 7, the region between the longitudinally extending and J-shaped slots 26, 83 may have a slot 85 for receiving the cord or wire 52, so that the extension thereof does not pull the pin 28 out of the J-shaped extension 82. The groove 85 can pass through the center of the width of the upper side member 12 or be positioned asymmetrically with respect to the width of the upper side member 12. In a modality d, the slot 85 extends along approximately one third of the length of the longitudinal slot 26. Figures 8A-8B illustrate a third device 126 for locking the lower U-shaped member 6 of the 'Figures 1, 2 and 3A in the extended position. The device 120 includes a flexible spring fastener 122 rotatably attached to each upper side member 12, an arm 124 rigidly fixed to each lower side member 16, and a pair of bolts 28. The bolts pass through the holes in the legs. lower side members 16 and the longitudinal grooves 26 of the upper side members 12. The three-dimensional view of Figure 8A of a portion 125 of the upper side member 12 shows a longitudinal groove 126 positioned along the outer face of the longitudinal groove 26 Each bolt 28 is slidably attached to the upper and lower side members 12, 16 passing through the slot 26. The arms 124 extend into the slots 126 in such a manner as to allow a sliding connection between the upper side members. and lower 12, 16. Figures 8B illustrate how the device 120 is immobilized in the extended position. When the rider pulls the lower U-shaped member 6 downward, a triangular extension 130 of the arm 124 pushes the ends 132 of the spring clip 122 (see Figure 8B) inwardly. When the triangular extension 130 slides along the ends 132, the spring fastener 122 is expanded by pushing the ends 132 onto the triangular extensions 130. When the ends 132 of the spring fastener 122 are captured on top of the extensions triangular 130, the lower U-shaped member 6 of Figures 1, 2 and 3A is immobilized in the extended position. Figure 8C illustrates how the device 120 is released from the immobilized configuration of Figure 8B. The weight of the rider's foot on the lower bar for the foot 18 of Figure 2 pushes the lower side member 16 further down. During downward movement, a diagonal surface 134 of the arm 124 tilts the spring clip 122 about a pivot or pivot axis 135 away from the longitudinal direction. In the inclined position, the ends 132 of the spring fastener 122 are not captured on the triangular extensions 130 of the arms 124. When the rider removes his weight from the lower bar for the foot 18 of Figure 2, the retraction mechanism 50 of Figure 3A can retract the lower U-shaped member 6 without capturing the ends 132 of the spring fastener 122 on the triangular extensions 130. When the side member 16 moves upward, a diagonal wall 136 of the cavity 138 tilts the spring clip 122 back to the vertical direction, whereby the spring clip 122 is ready to be immobilized the next time the rider extends the lower U-shaped member 6. Figure 8D is a view amplified 140 of the outer face of the lateral member 12 of Figure 2 and of the arm portion 124 entering the longitudinal slot 126 along the outer face of the side member 12. The amplified view 140 shows as one of the ends 132 of the spring fastener 122 is captured on the triangular extension 130 of the arm 124. When the side member 16 I of the lower U-shaped member 6 moves further down, the pin 28 compresses a shoulder 142 of the spring fastener 122 thereby causing the ends 132 to be pushed inward, ie, away from the triangular extensions 132. The inward movement of the ends 132 facilitates the tilting of the spring fastener 122 with the diagonal surface 134, when the downward movement of side member 16 continues. Referring to Figures 3A-3B, 4A-4B and 5A-5B, a fourth device for immobilizing the lower U-shaped member 6 of Figures 1-2 in the extended position is a cam immobilization mechanism (not shown) for the coil spring 60 of Figures 4A and 5A. The cam immobilization mechanism reversibly immobilizes the coil spring 60 to a fixed internal tension, when the external force on the wire 52 is released to a fixed extent. Subsequently, pushing on the wire 52 releases the cam locking device (not shown) allowing the lower U-shaped member 6 to extend or retract. Such cam restraint or locking mechanisms are well known in the art and can, for example, include a ratchet device (not shown). The invention also aims to cover other devices for immobilizing the stirrup 2 of Figures 1-2 in the extended position. Those devices may include one or more hooks, fasteners or clamps (all not shown) known to those skilled in the art. These devices can be placed in the base of the slots 26 of Figures 3A and 4A to hold / release the head of the bolt 29 or the fastener 33 thereby immobilizing / releasing the lower U-shaped member 6 by known techniques by those skilled in the art. The bolt 28 or metal fastener 33 of Figures 3A-4A with the wire guard 72 of Figure 6A, the bolt 28 or the metal fastener 33 of Figures 3A-4A with the J-shaped extension groove 82 of Figure 7, and device 120 of Figures 8A-8D, form alternative means for immobilizing the lower U-shaped member 6 in the extended position. The cam retention or locking mechanism for the coil spring 60 forms the other means for immobilizing the lower U-shaped member 6 in the extended position. Figure 9 is a flow diagram of the steps of a method 90, performed by a rider (not shown), to use the extendable stirrup 2 of Figures 1-7. In block 92, the rider manually pulls down on the lower U-shaped member 6 to immobilize the lower bar for the foot 18 in the extended position, i.e., a position in which the lower and upper bars for the foot 14, 18 are not adjacent. The rider retains or immobilizes the lower bar for the foot 18 using the wire guard 72 of Figure 6A, the J-shaped extension 82 of Figure 7, or the cam retention or locking mechanism of the coil springs 60 of the Figures 4A and 5A for immobilizing the lower U-shaped member 6 in the extended position. In block 94, the rider climbs the saddle (not shown) on the horse or other riding animal (not shown) using the lower bar for foot 18 as a step. In block 96, the rider takes the position of "riding by moving his foot from the lower bar for foot 18 to the upper bar for foot 14, ie the bar for the riding foot. Retraction mechanism 50 retracts the lower bar for the foot 18 to a position substantially adjacent to the upper bar for the foot 14 in response to removal of the rider's foot from the lower bar for the foot 18. The extensible stirrups of Figures 1- 8 are not limited to being used for riding horses, rather, the invention can be used on other riding animals, such as donkeys, mules, llamas, alpacas, bulls, and elephants (not shown) .The invention can also be used to assemble mechanical riding machines, such as the electric bull machine (not shown) Figures 10, 10B and 10C illustrate the operation of the stirrup 2 of Figures 1 and 2 for mounting a horse Figure 10A illustrates a rider 106 using his hand 104 for immobilize the extensible stirrup 2 in the extended position. Figure 10B shows the rider 106 placing his boot 110 on the foot bar 18 of the lower U-shaped member 6 to assist in mounting the horse 12. The stirrup belt 10 transmits the weight of the rider 106 from the extensible stirrup 2 up to the saddle 114. The strap of the stirrup 10 joins the extensible stirrup 2 to the saddle 114 on the riding side, and a second stirrup strap joins an ordinary stirrup (both not shown) to the saddle 114 on the other side. Figure 10C shows the rider 106 after placing his boot 110 on the foot bar 14 of the upper U-shaped member 4, that is, to take the riding position. The lower U-shaped member 6 automatically retracts tightly against the upper U-shaped member 4, in response to the pressure removal of the rider's foot 106 from the lower U-shaped member and remains retracted during the ride . The particular embodiments described above are illustrative only, since the invention can be modified and practiced in different but equivalent ways, apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. In addition, no limitations are intended to the construction details of the design shown herein, other than those described in the following claims. Therefore, it is evident that the particular embodiments described above can be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. In consecuense. The protection sought here is set forth in the following claims.

Claims (33)

1. CHAPTER CLAIMEDICATORÍO Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content is claimed in the following CLAIMS: 1. A stirrup, characterized in that it comprises: a first member having a first transverse member and first sides extending from the first transverse member; a second member having a second transverse member and second sides extending from the second transverse member; the second sides mounted slidably on the first sides between an extended position and a retracted position; an immobilization retention device placed on the first and second members and engaging in the second extended immobilization position, the second member in the second extended position; and a releasing device that disengages the immobilization retention device after downward movement of the second transverse member, with respect to the first transverse member.
2. 2. The stirrup according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sides are mounted externally of the first sides. * - The stirrup according to claim 1, characterized in that the extended position includes an immobilized position and a released position, where the first and second members are immobilized in the immobilized position and released in the released position. The stirrup according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes fasteners placed on the second sides projecting into longitudinal grooves in the first sides, whereby the fasteners slide with the grooves. The stirrup according to claim 4, characterized in that the immobilization device includes a fastener on the first member, slidably coupled to the fasteners on the second sides that retain the second member 'in the extended position. The stirrup according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastener is a wire guard on each of the first side, adapted to receive the fastener in the extended position. The stirrup according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking device includes a J-shaped groove in the longitudinal grooves adapted to receive the fastener in the extended position. . The stirrup according to claim 1, characterized in that the immobilization device includes: a spring fastener having one end rotatably mounted on each first side; an arm rigidly attached to each second side; and the arm adapted to slide over the end of the spring fastener to lock the second member in the extended position. The stirrup according to claim 1, characterized in that the immobilization device includes a cam member. The stirrup according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second sides are perpendicular to the transverse members and are substantially parallel to each other. The stirrup according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a retractor which engages the first and second members, diverting the second member from the extended position to the retracted position. 12. The stirrup according to claim 11, characterized in that the first member has a transverse member and the retractor is housed within the transverse member. The stirrup according to claim 11, characterized in that the retractor includes a helical spring mounted with each end of the transverse member with a flexible member connecting the helical spring to one of the second sides. The stirrup according to claim 11, characterized in that the retractor includes an elastomeric member having one end joined to the transverse member and another end joined to one of the second sides. 15. A stirrup, characterized in that it comprises: a first U-shaped member comprising a transverse bar connecting two sides of the first U-shaped member; a second U-shaped member slidably connected to the first U-shaped member between a first position and a second position on the first U-shaped member; a retraction mechanism biased to move the second U-shaped member from the first position to the second position; first and second projections on the second U-shaped member, slidably received in the first and second slots in the first U-shaped member; . an immobilization device placed on the first and second members arranged in the first position, immobilizing the second U-shaped member in the first position; and a releasing device that disengages the immobilization device. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the immobilization member includes at least one wire guard adapted to hold one of the projections, in response to the second U-shaped member in the first position. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one of the first and second grooves has a J-shaped extension, the J-shaped extension is adapted to hold one of the projections in response to the second member at U-shape that is in the first position. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the locking device includes a J-shaped extension in each of the first and second slots, the J-shaped extensions hold the first and second projections in response to the second U-shaped member that is in the first position. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the first U-shaped member has a transverse member, and wherein the retraction mechanism is housed in the transverse member, diverting the second member from the first position to the second position. 20. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the second U-shaped member includes articulated sides. 21. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the second U-shaped member has a transverse bar connected to adjacent sides by means of hinges. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the first and second U-shaped members have substantially narrower widths in the mouth of the U-shape. 23. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the The retraction mechanism comprises at least one of a cable, a wire, and a line: the cable, the wire, and the line are adapted to transmit a return force of the retraction mechanism to the second U-shaped member. 24. The stirrup according to claim 23, characterized in that the retraction mechanism also includes at least one helical spring capable of producing the return force. 25. The stirrup in accordance with the claim 15, characterized in that it also comprises a coupling between the first and second U-shaped means, the coupling substantially limits the movement between the first and second U-shaped members for the sliding movement. 26. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the production includes one of a bolt or a slide bar. 27. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the first U-shaped member has a transverse member, and wherein the transverse member is partially hollow and has a portion of the retraction mechanism. The stirrup according to claim 15, characterized in that the sides of the first U-shaped member are partially hollow and receive the sides of the second U-shaped member. 29. A method for facilitating the mounting of a riding animal, characterized in that it comprises: extending a first portion of a stirrup with respect to a second portion of the stirrup; immobilizing the first porcxon in an extended position with respect to the second position; place the rider's foot on the first, extended portion; placing the weight of the rider on the first extended portion to release the first portion of the second portion; and removing the weight of the rider from the first portion to retract the first portion extended to a retracted position adjacent to the first portion. 30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the extension act includes manually placing a projection coupled to a first U-shaped member of the abutment, in a locking device on a second U-shaped member of the abutment, the device is selected from the group consisting of a J-shaped extension slot and a wire guard. 31. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the act of extension includes placing the tension on the spring, the act of retraction is effected by means of the spring. "32. A method for facilitating the mounting of a riding animal, characterized in that it comprises: immobilizing a lower bar for the foot of an extensible stirrup in an extended position; climb on the riding animal using the lower bar for the foot of the extensible stirrup as a step; Y . Unlock the lower bar of the foot of the extensible footboard in response to the exercise of a downward pressure of the lower bar for the foot. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that the act of immobilization includes manually maneuvering a projection coupled to a first U-shaped member of the extensible stirrup, in a locking device on a second U-shaped member of the stirrup. extendable, the device is selected from the group consisting of a J-shaped extension slot, a wire guard, a snap fastener and a cam mechanism.