NZ549028A - A stirrup that directed the riders toe in towards the ridden animal and will not catch a foot if the rider inadvertently dismounts - Google Patents

Abstract

A rigid horse riding stirrup is disclosed that assists a novice rider to position their toes correctly and not be caught by the stirrup if they dismount inadvertently. The stirrup comprises: a receptacle for snugly receiving at least the front of a rider's footwear, the receptacle including i) an upper portion that includes a fastening feature for suspension of the stirrup by a stirrup leather, ii) a nose portion for locating a riders footwear around the periphery of a rider's footwear and defining a peak, which in use corresponds to a toe portion of a rider's footwear, iii) a base for vertically supporting a rider's footwear in use, and iv) at least one side wall portion extending between the upper portion and base and nose portion. The receptacle is configured to present an opening towards the back of the horse, to receive a rider's footwear. The nose portion is configured to encourage the positioning of the rider's toes in a direction towards the horse flank and front.

Description

549028 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 549028/549832 Date: 7 August 2006 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A STIRRUP We, DAXAL LIMITED, a duly incorporated company within the laws of New Zealand with its registered office at 60 Pipiwai Road, Kamo, Whangarei, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 549028 The present invention relates to a horse riding stirrup.

When a horse rider is thrown or falls from a saddle, their foot can become entangled in the stirrup. Being hooked up in the stirrup and consequently dragged along the ground is dangerous and can result in serious injuries or even death.

NZ patent 517304 describes an accessory for fastening to a stirrup iron. It defines a receptacle of a flexible material that defines a region in which a boot or shoe of a rider can be placed. In use, forward movement of the rider's boot, relative to the stirrup iron, is substantially checked. An adjustable fastening is used so that the position of the receptacle relative to the stirrup iron can be adjusted. Though the accessory may to an extent prevent a rider's foot from becoming entangled in the stirrup, the need to adjust the accessory is inconvenient and time consuming. Further, the flexible material means that the rider's foot is not well protected and may be crushcd if trapped between the horse and an adjacent horse. The adjustability also adds weight to the overall stirrup that, for example in the horse racing industry, is undesirable.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stirrup which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a rigid horse riding stirrup, suitable for facilitating the riding of a horse, comprising a receptacle for snugly receiving at least the front of a rider's footwear, the receptacle including (i) an upper portion that includes a fastening feature for suspension of the stirrup by a stirrup leather, 549028 (ii) a nose portion for locating a rider's footwear around the periphery of said rider's footwear and defining a peak , that in use corresponds to a toe portion of said riders footwear, (iii) a base for vertically supporting said rider's footwear in use, and (iv) at least one side wall portion extending between the upper portion and base and nose portion; wherein the receptacle is configured to present an opening in use to a distal side from said horse, to receive a rider's footwear inwardly therethrough from a distal direction; and wherein said nose portion is configured to encourage the positioning of said rider's footwear in a direction extending both anteriorly and proximally in relation to said horse.

Preferably in plan view of the stirrup, the peak of the nose portion is positioned to, in use, be located on said horse's side of a vertical plane passing through the fastening feature, the vertical plane being substantially parallel to the direction of forward travel of said horse, thereby tending to encourage the pointing of the rider's foot inwards towards said horse.

Preferably the stirrup is asymmetrical about a vertical plane passing through the fastening feature and that is parallel to the direction of travel, the receptacle shaped to position a riders footwear, in use, in a condition to encourage the pointing of the rider's foot inwards towards the horse.

Preferably the fastening feature is a longitudinal slot through which a stirrup leather can pass the slot extending in a direction that is not parallel to a vertical place passing through the peak of the nose portion and the slot.

Preferably said stirrup includes a stirrup leather engaged to the fastening feature, the stirrup leather including a swivel to allow rotation of the stirrup about an axis parallel to a normal of the base of the stirrup.

Preferably the stirrup is of a cast alloy.

Preferably said stirrup is of a moulded composite material.

Preferably the composite is carbon fibre reinforced plastic or resin.

Preferably the plastic or resin is epoxy, polyester or nylon. 549028 Preferably the receptacle of the stirrup is completely enclosed save for said opening.

Preferably the receptacle of the stirrup is completely enclosed save for said opening and at least one of the side walls includes an opening to said receptacle. Preferably the upper portion is a wall.

Preferably at least one side wall portion includes an outwardly flared region extending towards an edge thereof that in part defines said opening, to create an funned like mouth opening to the receptacle.

Preferably a re-enforcing band that defines a region of greater wall thickness of the base and side walls is provide that extends about at least part of said receptacle as said base and side walls.

Preferably the band extends to said fastening feature Preferably the band extend parallel to a vertical plane.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a horse riding stirrup for use in facilitating the riding of a horse, said horse riding stirrup comprising: a composite rigid base wall, from which there upwardly extends a composite rigid wall defining two opposed sides and a front, wherein the base wall, sides and front define a receptacle, wherein the stirrup is adapted to allow at least the front of a riding shoe to pass into the receptacle through an opening to said receptacle and become snugly engaged therein; wherein the receptacle is configured to present an opening in use to a distal side from said horse, to receive a rider's footwear inwardly therethrough from a distal direction; and wherein said nose portion is configured to encourage the positioning of said rider's footwear in a direction extending both anteriorly and proximally in relation to said horse.

Preferably the opening is defined by said base wall and said two opposed side walls. 549028 Preferably at lease one of the opposed side walls includes relief to facilitate release of the shoe when twisted relative to said stirrup about an axis parallel to a normal of the base of the stirrup.

Preferably at least one of the opposed side walls include a scalloped edge at the opening, said scallop adapted to accommodate the ankle of the rider.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a moulded rigid horse riding stirrup suitable for facilitating the riding of a horse, said stirrup defining a receptacle for snugly receiving the front of a rider's footwear, the receptacle including a rearwardly presented opening to receive the footwear and bounded by (i) an upper portion that includes a fastening feature for suspension of the stirrup by a stirrup leather, (ii) a nose portion having a peak being, in use, the advance most part of the stirrup, and (iii) a base to vertically support the footwear, and side wall portions extending between the upper portion and base and nose portion; and wherein the stirrup is configured to encourage the positioning of said rider's footwear in a direction extending both anteriorly and proximally in relation to said horse.

In even a further aspect the present invention consists in a horse riding stirrup comprising: a composite rigid base wall from which there upwardly extends a composite rigid wall defining two opposed sides and a front, wherein the base wll, sides and front define a receptacle adapted to allow the front of a rider's shoe to locate therein through a rearwardly presented opening; and wherein the stirrup is configured to encourage the positioning of said rider's footwear in a direction extending both anteriorly and forwardly in relation to said horse; and wherein the receptacle is configured and adapted to prevent twisting of the shoe relative the stirrup and thereby prevent the shoe from snagging in the stirrup. 549028 The present invention may also consists in a composite material stirrup as herein described and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.

The present invention may also consist in a composite material stirrup as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a preferred embodiment of the stirrup. Figure 2 is a perspective back view of the stirrup of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a top view of the stirrup of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a perspective back view of an alternative embodiment of the stirrup, Figure 5 is a top view of the stirrup in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a perspective front view of another alternative embodiment of the stirrup, Figure 7 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of the stirrup, Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment, Figure 9 is a plan view of the stirrup of Figure 8, and Figure 10 is a sectional view through a stirrup of Figure 8 and 9.

Figures 1 and 2 each shows a perspective front and back view of one embodiment of a right hand side or off-stirrup. A left hand side stirrup may look the same as a mirrored reflection of the stirrup shown in figure 1.

The stirrup of the present invention has an upper portion 7, a nose 4, a base 8 and side wTalls 5 and 6. The upper portion 7 and base 8 extends from the nose 4. The side walls 5 and 6 extend between the upper portion 7, base 8 and nose 4. The nose 4, side walls 5 and 6, upper portion 7 and bottom portion 8 forms a receptacle for receiving at least the front portion of a horse rider's shoe or boot.

The upper region of the upper portion 7 defines a fastening feature. This may comprise a slot 3 for suspension of the stirrup by a stirrup leather. The stirrup leather may have included a swivel that allows the rider's foot to be more comfortably positioned. The swivel also facilitates easy release of the rider's foot from the stirrup.

The upper portion 7 prevents unnecessary upward movement of the rider's foot within the stirrup. The bottom portion 8 of the stirrup supports the bottom of the rider's footwear. The side walls 5 and 6 protect the rider's feet from sideward external impact especially for a jockey in horseracing. The side walls also prevent sideward movement and twisting of the rider's foot in the receptacle by virtue of the rcceptacle being shaped so that the riders shoe or boot snugly fits into the receptacle. The side walls, upper portion and bottom portion arc all rigid. This prevents deformation of the side walls and upper and bottom portion by the riders foot. This may otherwise occur when for example a riders foot is twisted relative the stirrup during a fall. The rigidity prevents the riders foot from deforming the stirrup so that the propensity for a snagging of the boot with the stirrup is reduced and so that surface area contact between the boot and the stirrup does not change significantly thereby providing predictable ftictional engagement characteristics.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the stirrup. The stirrup is asymmetrical about the axis X-X of the stirrup. The axis X-X is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y being parallel to the direction of travel of the horse, when the stirrup is in use. The peak of the nose 4 is off centre the axis X-X. A line Z drawn in plan view from the slot 3 to the peak of the nose 4, points substantially inwards towards the horse. As a result, when a rider is mounted on a horse, the toes of the rider tend to point inwards towards the horse. The shape of the stirrup is such that the rider's feet can retain this desired riding position.

The side wall 5 may include a scalloped portion 9. The scalloped portion 9 is a cut-away portion provided to accommodate the rider's ankle and/or reduce stirrup weight.

Figures 4 and 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the stirrup where another scalloped portion 10 is provided in the side wall 6. The extra scallop 10 may be provided for reducing the overall weight of the stirrup. Weight is an important factor for jockeys in horseracing. The scallop 10 also means that the rider's foot can withdraw from the stirrup more easily by sideward movement of his foot.

Figure 6 shows another alternative embodiment of the stirrup. In this stirrup, there are ventilation and weight-reducing openings 11 at the top portion 7 of the stirrup.

The entire stirrup is moulded from a rigid composite material. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic or resin is preferred as it is lightweight and provides sufficient 549028 strength. This is ideal in horseracing as weight is a crucial factor. The plastic or resin matrix can be an epoxy, polyester or nylon.

The stirrup may also be of a cast alloy.

The stirrup can be moulded or cast and customised to suit each individual rider's footwear to ensure a snug fit of the footwear in the stirrup.

Further, the rigidity of the stirrup ensures that the rider's feet are protected from external impact. This is especially useful in horseracing, where a jockey's foot might be crushed between the jockey's horse and an adjacent horse, or inside a starting gate.

Figure 7 shows a top view of yet another alternative embodiment of the stirrup. The structure of this stirrup is essentially the same as the stirrup in Figure 3. Similar to Figure 3, the stirrup is asymmetrical about the axis X-X of the stirrup. This stirrup is a right hand stirrup. In use, the peak of the nose 4 still points substantially inwards towards the horse.

Figure 8-10 shows another version of a stirrup. It includes side walls 5, 6 nose 4 and base 8 and upper portion 7.

The side wall 6 preferably includes a flared section to present an enlarged foot entrance to the stirrup. This flared section facilitates the entry of a boot into the stirrup as it will help guide and align a boot as it is pushed into the stirrup. It may also assist in release of the boot, especially during a any twisting of the foot about a vertical pivot axis.

To ensure sufficient strength yet keeping weight low, the side walls, nose, base and/or upper portion may be of a thickness that with the inclusion of a peripheral band 50, provides a sufficiently rigid stirrup. The inclusion of the peripheral band may allow the side walls, nose, base and/or upper portion to be of a thinner construction than may otherwise be required to offer sufficient rigidity. The band 50 passes under the riders foot and up the side walls to the top of the stirrup. The band is preferably integrally formed as part of the stirrup. The band is located at the inside of the stirrup. Alternatively it may be located on the outside. The entire stirrup is preferably integrally formed.

Claims (24)

CLAIMS: 549028 9

1. A rigid horse riding stirrup, suitable for facilitating the riding of a horse, comprising a) a receptacle for snugly receiving at least the front of a rider's footwear, the receptacle including i) an upper portion that includes a fastening feature for suspension of the stirrup by a stirrup leather, ii) a nose portion for locating a riders footwear around the periphery of a rider's footwear and defining a peak, which in use corresponds to a toe portion of a rider's footwear, iii) a base for vertically supporting a rider's footwear in use, and iv) at least one side wall portion extending between the upper portion and base and nose portion. b) wherein the receptacle is configured to present an opening in use to a distal side from said horse, to receive a rider's footwear inwardly therethrough from a distal direction; c) and wherein said nose portion is configured to encourage the positioning of said rider's footwear in a direction extending both anteriorly and proximally in relation to said horse.

2. A stirrup as claimed in claim 1, wherein in plan view of the stirrup, the peak of the nose portion is positioned to, in use, be located on said horse's side of a vertical plane passing through the fastening feature, the vertical plane being substantially parallel to the direction of forward travel of said horse, thereby tending to encourage the pointing of the rider's foot inwards towards said horse.

3. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the stirrup is asymmetrical about a vertical plane passing through the fastening feature and that is parallel to the direction of travel, the receptacle shaped to position a riders footwear, in use, in a condition to encourage the pointing of the rider's foot inwards towards the horse.

4. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the fastening feature is a longitudinal slot through which a stirrup leather can pass the slot extending in a direction that is not parallel to a vertical place passing through the peak of the nose portion and the slot. 549028 -10-

5. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 including a stirrup leather engaged to the fastening feature, the stirrup leather including a swivel to allow rotation of the stirrup about an axis parallel to a normal of the base of the stirrup.

6. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the stirrup is of a cast alloy.

7. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said stirrup is of a moulded composite material.

8. A stirrup as claimed in claim 8 wherein the composite is carbon fibre reinforced plastic or resin.

9. A stirrup as claimed in claim 9 wherein the plastic or resin is epoxy, polyester or nylon.

10. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the receptacle of the stirrup is completely enclosed save for said opening.

11. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the receptacle of the stirrup is completely enclosed save for said opening and at least one of the side walls includes an opening to said receptacle.

12. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the upper portion is a wall.

13. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein at least one side wall portion includes an outwardly flared region extending towards an edge thereof that in part defines said opening, to create a funnel like mouth opening to the receptacle.

14. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 8 or 9 wherein a re-enforcing band that defines a region of greater wall thickness of the base and side walls is provide that extends about at least part of said receptacle as said base and side walls.

15. A stirrup as claimed in claim 15 wherein the band extends to said fastening feature

16. A stirrup as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein the band extends parallel to a vertical plane.

17. A horse riding stirrup for use in facilitating control of a horse during riding thereof, said horse riding stirrup comprising or including: a) a composite rigid base wall from, which there upwTardly extends b) a composite rigid wall defining 549028 -11 - i) two opposed sides and ii) a front, c) wherein the base wall, sides and front define a receptacle, d) wherein the stirrup is adapted to allow at least the front of a riding shoe to pass into the receptacle through an opening to said receptacle to be snugly engaged therein; e) wherein the receptacle is configured to present an opening in use to a distal side from said horse, to receive a rider's footwear inwardly therethrough from a distal direction; f) and wherein the stirrup is configured to encouragc the positioning of said rider's footwear in a direction extending both anteriorly and proximally in relation to said horse.

18. A stirrup as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein the opening is defined by said base wall and said two opposed side walls.

19. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein at lease one of the opposed side walls includes relief to facilitate release of the shoe when twisted relative to said stirrup about an axis parallel to a normal of the base of the stirrup.

20. A stirrup as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein at least one of the opposed side walls include a scalloped edge at the opening, said scallop adapted to accommodate the ankle of the rider.

21. A moulded rigid horse riding stirrup suitable for facilitating the riding of a horse, said stirrup defining a) a receptacle for snugly receiving the front of a rider's footwear, the receptacle including a rearwardly presented opening to receive the footwear and bounded by i) an upper portion that includes a fastening feature for suspension of the stirrup by a stirrup leather, ii) a nose portion having a peak being, in use, the advance most part of the stirrup, and iii) a base to vertically support the footwear, and side wall portions extending between the upper portion and base and nose portion. 549028 - 12 - b) and wherein the stirrup is configured to encourage the positioning of said rider's footwear in a direction extending both anteriorly and proximally in relation to said horse.

22. A horse riding stirrup comprising: a) a composite rigid base wall; from which there upwardly extends b) a composite rigid wall defining c) wherein the base wall, sides and front define a receptacle adapted to allow the front of a rider's shoe to locate therein through a rearwardly presented opening; d) and wherein the stirrup is configured to encourage the positioning of said rider's footwear in a direction extending both anteriorly and forwardly in relation to said horse; e) and wherein the receptacle is configured and adapted to prevent twisting of the shoe relative the stirrup and thereby prevent the shoe from snagging in the stirrup.

23. A composite material stirrup as herein described and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.

24. A composite material stirrup as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings. i) two opposed sides and ii) a front, DATED THIS AJ Park per cPoIH^S AGENTS FOR THE APPUCANT