US2935833A - Retractable stirrup supporting device - Google Patents

Description

May 10, 1960 E. A. WOODHEAD RETRACTABLE STIRRUP SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 9, 1958 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United tates Patent RETRACTABLE STIRRUP SUPPORTING DEVICE Ebert A. Woodhead, Chino, Calif.

Application September 9, 1958, Serial No. 759,909

7 Claims. (Cl. 54-48) This invention relates to horseback riding equipment and more particularly to a retractable stirrup supporting device which may be utilized in conjunction with conventional saddles to selectively support a stirrup in riding or mounting position.

As is well known, it is common practice to mount a riding horse from the lefthand side and where the stirrups are adjusted to riding position, it is necessary during mounting, for the rider to raise his left foot to a relatively high elevation in order to engage the stirrup suspended from the saddle and to thereafter raise his entire weight into the saddle with little assistance from the left leg which due to the elevated position thereof does not materially assist in the mounting operation. This difliculty is overcome in certain instances by providing mounting blocks or platforms on which the rider stands prior to mounting but this, of course, is only effective where such mounting blocks or stands are present or there is some other suitable support for the rider.

It is accordingly an-object of this invention to provide a retractable stirrup supporting device which may be conveniently attached to a conventional saddle and which will serve to selectively support the lefthand stirrup in riding position or in a lowered mounting position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a retractable stirrup supporting device for application to a conventional saddle and which by convenient manipulation may be operated to lower the lefthand stirrup to a stirrup supporting device constructed in accordance with this invention and with the riding position of the stirrup indicated in full lines and the mounting position in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 an elevational view of the stirrup supporting device shown in Fig. 1 with parts broken away and in section for greater clarity and showing the .device in riding position in full lines and in lowered mounting position in dotted lines; and

Fig. 3 a side elevational view of the device as shown in Fig. 2.

With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown a retractable stirrup supporting device constructed in accordance with this invention and which may well comprise a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing 10 constructed of sheet metal or any other suitable material, which housing is provided with front and rear walls 11 and 12 and substantially parallel sidewalls 13 and 14. Each sidewall 13 and 14 is provided with an elongated slot 15 extending from a point spaced downwardly from the upper end of the housing 10 to a point adjacent the lower end of such housing.

A block 16 closes the lower end of the housing 10 and may be attached thereto by screw threaded or other suitable fastening means 17 and it is to be noted that the block 16 projects outwardly of the sidewalls 13 and 14 of the housing 10. The lower surface 18 of the block 16 is arcuate in cross section for a purpose to be later described. Spaced ears 19 and 20 project outwardly from each end of the block 16 and such ears provide vertically disposed channels 21, the purpose of which will be presently described.

Vertically movable sidebars 22 and 23 are slidably disposed in the channels 21 at each end of the block 16 and convenient mounting position and after mounting by a slight upward movement of the left toe, the stirrup will be returned upwardly to riding position and securely locked in such position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a retractable stirrup supporting device for attachment to a conventional saddle, which device may be utilized to lower the lefthand stirrup to a convenient mounting position and after mounting, raise to a riding position, such upward movement to riding position being facilitated by resilient means incorporated in the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a retractable stirrup supporting device for application to a conventional saddle for selectively supporting the lefthand stirrup in a raised riding position or in a lowered mounting position and in which locking means is provided for securely locking the device in riding position, such locking means being released to lower the device to mounting position by a simple manual manipulation of finger engaging members.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a retractable stirrup supporting device for conventionalsaddles which may be conveniently and economically manufactured from readily available materials and applied to such saddle and. a conventional stirrup without.

modification thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

' Fig. 1 is a view in perspective showing a'retractable out of engagement with the recesses 34. i

in spaced parallel relation to the sidewalls 13 and 14 of the housing 10. The lower ends of the sidebars 22 and 23 are connected by a stirrup supporting bar 24 which may be secured to the sidebars 22 and 23 by welding or any other suitable fastening means. A cross bar 25 is slidably disposed in the slots 15 in the sidewalls 13 and 14 of the casing 10 and the bar 25 connects the upper ends of the sidebars 22 and 23 and may be secured thereto by screw threaded or other suitable fastening means 26.

The crossbar 25 serves as a cross head and is provided with spaced apertures 27 for slidably receiving vertically disposed guide rods 28 which may be screw threadedly received at their lower ends 29 in the block 16 or may be secured thereto in any other suitable manner. Compression springs 30 are received on the guide rods 28 between the upper surface of the block 16 and the lower surface of the cross bar 25 and these springs 30 serve to'urge the cross bar 25, sidebars 22 and 23 and the stirrup supporting bar 24 upwardly.

Opposed bores 31 are provided in the opposite ends of the block 16 and slidably disposed in each bore 31 is a plunger 32, the inner end of which is engaged by a compression spring 33 which also engages the inner end of the bore 31 and urges the plunger 32 outwardly.

The sidebars 22 and 23 are provided with opposed inwardly opening recesses 34 which as shown in Fig. 2, serve to receive the plungers 32 when in extended position to lock the sidebars 22 and 23 and the stirrup supporting bar 24 in raised position, as shown in full lines in the drawing. In order to facilitate disengagement of the plungers 32 from the recesses 34-, there may be provided plunger engaging members 35 disposed in the recesses 34 in alignment with the plungers 32 and the members 35 are attached to pins 36 slidably mounted in the sidebars 22 and 23 and having finger engaging knobs 37 on their outer ends to facilitate inward movement of the plunger engaging members 35 to move the plungers 32 inwardly The upper end of the housing may be closed by a suitable block or other means 38 and also secured to the upper end of the housing 10 is a stirrup strap receiving member 39 having a vertically disposed opening 40 thereinthrough which one portion 41 of the stirrup strap 42 may extend and as shown in Fig. 1, the portion 41 of. the stirrup strap 42 passes downwardly through the aperture 40 in the member 39 around and in engagement with the arcuate lower surface 18 of the block 16 and upwardly on the opposite side of the housing 10, the upper ends of the stirrup strap 42 being connected to the saddle in a conventional manner. In order to secure the device of this invention in position on the stirrup strap 42, there may be provided a clamp screw 43 on thestrap engaging member 39, which clamp screw 43- may engage theportion 41 of the stirrup strap 42 to securely clamp the device in place thereon.

A conventional stirrup 4-4 is provided with a cross bar 45 connecting the upper ends thereof and the stirrup 44 may be secured to the device of this invention in suspended position by a suitable strap, lacing or other suitable means 46 extending around the bar 45 and the stirrup. supporting bar 24 on the device of this invention.

As shown in full lines in the drawing, the device of this invention is locked in raised position to support the stirrup 44 in riding position with the plungers 32 engaging in the recesses 34 of the sidebars 22 and 23 and the device will occupy this position until such time a rider desires to mount the horse. At that time, it is only necessary for the rider to depress the finger engaging knobs 37 to move the plunger engaging members 35 inwardly into engagement with the plungers 32 which will result in moving the plungers 32 out of engagement with the recesses 34 in the sidebars 22 and 23 and permit downward movement of such sidebars, stirrup supporting bar 24 and stirrup 44 downwardly against the action of compression springs 30 to a position where it is convenient for the rider to insert his foot in the stirrup 44 and mount the horse. Upon completing the mounting operation, it is only necesary for the rider to exert a slight upward force on the stirrup '44 by raising his foot which, in conjunction with the upward force exerted by the compression spring 30, will result in moving the cross bar 25, side bars 22 and 23, stirrup supporting bar 24 and stirrup 44 upwardly to the position shown in full lines in the drawing, at which time the plungers 32 will be forced outwardly by the springs 33 into engagement with the recesses 34 to lock the device in raised riding position.

It will be seen that by the above described invention, there has been provided a relatively simple, yet highly effective retractable stirrup supporting device which may be conveniently applied to conventional saddles for permitting selective movement of the lefthand stirrup to a mounting position and thereafter to a raised riding position thereby materially facilitating themounting operation.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without depart ing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A retractabe stirrup supporting device comprising a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwall and substantially parallel sidewalls; each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of said sidewalls, the lower surface of said block beingarcuate in cross section for engaging a stirrup strap, spacedears projecting outwardly from each end of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, a'vertically. movable sidebar slidably disposed in each channel, a

stirrup supporting bar-connectingsthe: lower ends of said said slot and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars, vertically disposed guide rods secured to said block within said housing and slidably received in apertures in said cross bar, compression springs received on said guidebars between said block and said cross bar to urge said cross bar and guide bars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in the opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, said sidebars having opposed in wardly opening recesses for receiving said plungers to lock said side bars and stirrup supporting bar in raised position, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed in said recesses, finger engaging means on said members to facilitate movement of said members inwardly to move said plungers out of said recesses and permit downward movement of said sidebars and stirrup supporting bars to lowered position and clamp means on.the upper end of said housing'for engaging a stirrup strap to adjustably secure said device thereto.

2. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwall and substantially parallel sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projecting outwardlyof said sidewalls, the lower surface of said block being arcuate in cross section for engaging a stirrup strap, spaced ears projecting outwardly from each end of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically movable sidebar slidably disposed in each channel, a stirrup supporting bar connecting the lower end of said side bars below said block, a cross bar slidably disposed in said slots and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars; vertically disposed guide rods secured to said block within said housing and slidably received in apertures in said cross bar, compression springs received on said guidebars between said block and said cross bar to urge said cross bar and sidebars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in the opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, said sidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses for receiving said plungers to lock said side bars and stirrup supporting bar in raised position, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed in said'recesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitate movement of said members inwardly to'move said plungers out of said recesses and permit downward movement of said sidebars and stirrup supporting bar to forward position.

3. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwall and substantially parallel sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of said sidewalls, spaced ears projectingoutwardly from each end of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically'movable sidebar slidably disposed in each channel, a stirrup supporting bar connecting the lower ends of said sidebars below each block, a cross bar slidably disposed in said slot and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars, vertically disposed guide rods secured to said block within said housing and slidably received in apertures in said cross bar, compression springs received on said guide bars between-said block and said cross bar to urge said cross bar and sidebars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in the opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, said sidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses for receivingsaid plungers to lock said sidebars and stirrup supporting bar in raised position, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed in said recesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitate movement of said members inwardly to move said plungers out of said recesses and permit downward movement of said sidebars and stirsidebars below said block, across bar slidably disposed in rup supporting bar to lowered position.

4.- A retractablestirrup. supporting device comprising a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwall and sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of said sidewalls, spaced ears projecting outwardly from each end of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically movable sidebar slidably disposed in said chan nel, a stirrup supporting bar connecting the lower end of said sidebars below said block, a crossbar slidably disposed in said slots and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars, vertically disposed guide rods secured to said block within said housing and slidably received in apertures in said cross bar, compression springs received on said guide bars between-saidblock and said cross bar to urge said cross bar and said sidebars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in the opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, said sidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses for receiving said plungers to lock said sidebars and stirrup supporting bar in raised position, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed in said recesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitate movement I of said members inwardly to move said plungers out of said recesses and permit downward movement of saidsidebars and stirrup supporting bar to lowered position. 5. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing hav-,

ing a frontwall and a rearwall and sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of said sidewalls, spaced ears projecting outwardly from each end of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically movable sidebar slidably disposed in each channel, a stirrup supporting bar connecting the lower ends of said sidebars below said block, a crossbar slidably disposed in said slot and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars, vertically disposed guide rods secured to said block within said housing and slidably received in apertures in said crossbar, resilient means disposed between said block and said crossbar to urge said crossbar and sidebars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in the opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, said sidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses for receiving said plungers to lock said sidebars and stirrup supporting bar in raised position, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed, in said recesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitate movement of said members inwardly to move said plungers out of said recesses and permit downward movement of said sidebars and stirrup supporting bars to lowered position.

6. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwall and sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of said sidewalls, spaced ears projecting outwardly from each end of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically movable sidebar slidably disposed in each channel, a'stirrup supporting bar connecting the lower ends of said sidebars below said block, a crossbar slidably disposed in said slot and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars, resilient means disposed between said block and said crossbar to urge said crossbar and sidebars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in the opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, said sidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses for receiving said plungers, to lock said sidebars and stirrup supporting bar in raised position, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed in said recesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitate movement of said members inwardly .to move said plungers out of said recesses and permit downward movement of said sidebars and stirrup supporting bar to lowered position.

7. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwall and sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of said sidewalls, spaced ears projecting outwardly from each end of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically movable sidebar slidably disposed in each channel, a stirrup supporting bar connecting the lower ends of said sidebars below said block, a crossbar slidably disposed in said slots and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars, resilient means disposed between said block and said crossbar to urge said crossbar and References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bull Aug. 20, 1889 Long Aug. 11, 1896

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