WO2010139909A1

WO2010139909A1 - Safety stirrup for horseback riding

Info

Publication number: WO2010139909A1
Application number: PCT/FR2010/051102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yann Dubourg
Original assignee: Freejumpsystem
Priority date: 2009-06-04
Filing date: 2010-06-04
Publication date: 2010-12-09
Also published as: EP2438003B1; FR2946331A1; FR2946331B1; EP2438003A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a stirrup for horseback riding including a single half-arch (1) for connecting together a first end of a stirrup floor (5) and an eyelet (4) for mounting the stirrup on a stirrup leather, and a means for retaining the foot in the stirrup for enabling a quick release of the foot from the stirrup in the event of a fall, for which the retaining means consists of a curved elongate arm (2) having a proximal end (2a) rigidly connected to a second end of the floor (5) and a free distal end (2b), comprising, from the proximal end thereof, a first rigid segment (21), a second segment (22) comprising means (13, 14) arranged so as to provide at least one reduced stiffness area enabling a bending of the arm (2) in at least one first direction, and a third segment (23) ending in the free distal end (2b).

Description

SECURITY RIDING CALIPER

The present invention relates to a safety riding stirrup for securing the practice of riding by avoiding the risk of foot stuck in the stirrup in case of a fall. Riding stirrups are traditionally composed of a closed eyelet connecting the stirrup to a stirrup leather, two half-arches and a floor, the two half-arches connecting the eyelet and the floor to surround the foot of the rider.

The use of the two half-arches allows the rider to retain his stirrups more easily, the foot can indeed come out of the stirrup only by a movement backwards, the loss of the stirrup due to a lateral movement n 'does not exist. The disadvantage of using such calipers is the danger that the foot of the rider remains stuck in the stirrup during a fall if it is shod too thoroughly.

The use of the boot comes from the need to protect the rider from the risk of blocking the foot in the stirrup. Although effective, this use is not perfect and many accidents due to foot stuck in the stirrup are still to be deplored.

The document WO03 / 070622 A1 describes a stirrup / riding shoe assembly for which the stirrup comprises a single half-arch connecting to a stirrup stirrup and for which the stirrup and the shoe are provided with hooking means that unhook in case of fall. The document FR 2 920 421 A1 describes a stirrup comprising a single half-arch connection to a stirrup and equipped with a short branch with free end forming a lateral stop capable of bending to release the foot of the rider in case of a fall.

The present invention aims to improve such a stirrup and in particular to give it a better hold in the direction of the introduction of the foot in the stirrup while retaining a function of release of the foot in case of a fall to offer a better support of the foot, which makes this caliper more effective and more precise in the driving of the horse, while offering a great security of use. To do this, the present invention provides a riding stirrup comprising a single half-connecting arch between a first end of a floor of the ether and a mounting eyelet of the stirrup on a stirrup stirrup and a holding means foot in the stirrup adapted to allow rapid release of the foot of the stirrup in case of a fall, characterized in that the holding means is constituted by a curved elongate branch having a proximal end secured to a second end of the floor and a free distal end comprising, from its proximal end, a first rigid segment, a second segment comprising means arranged so as to provide at least one zone of reduced stiffness enabling the branch to bend in at least a first direction and a third segment terminated by the free distal end.

Preferably said means are arranged so as to make the flexible leg in a rear direction with respect to the direction of insertion of the rider's foot into the yoke and steep in a forward opposite direction.

Advantageously, the means arranged so as to make the flexible branch in the rear direction comprise at least one slot on at least a front portion of the branch relative to an axis passing through the proximal and distal ends of the branch, the corresponding front part. in front of the rider's foot, the edges facing the slot apart when applying a force from the front to the back on the distal end of the branch which bends the branch rearward while the edges facing the slot abut under the action of a force applied from the back to the front on the distal end of the branch which resists the branch to the before. More particularly, the branch comprises at least two slots.

According to a particular embodiment, the means comprise at least one cut transverse to a rear front axis of the stirrup, the cut forming a reduced stiffness zone allowing a deflection of the branch in the transverse direction. According to this embodiment, said at least one slot extending from a front edge of the branch preferably opens into a transverse cutout.

According to a particular embodiment, the branch comprises at least three cuts. Advantageously, the branch is curved in the manner of a second half-arch.

According to a preferred embodiment, the half-arch is made from a spring steel rod. Advantageously, the eyelet is provided with a slot for introducing a stirrup stirrup.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of the invention accompanied by the drawings which show: in FIG. 1: an exploded diagrammatic view of a first embodiment of a stirrup according to the invention; in Figure 2: a view of the stirrup of Figure 1 partly assembled; in FIG. 3: a front view of the stirrup of FIG. 1; in FIG. 4: a side view of the stirrup of FIG. 1; FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a stirrup branch according to an embodiment of the invention. in Figures 6A and 6B: side views of a stirrup of the invention according to the position of the foot of a rider.

FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of the production of a stirrup according to the invention. The half-arch 1 of the stirrup, the eyelet 4 and a beam 5a support the floor are made in one piece from a rod 1 has bent and curved.

The rod 1a is preferably made of steel and is inserted in plastic shells 6, 7 or in an overmoulding to give the final shape of the half-arch. The steel axis 5a forming the floor support is the continuity of the half-arch 1.

The floor comprises a plate 5b subject to the axis 5a.

The plate 5b, for example a metal plate, is fixed on the axis or beam 5a by two screws 3 screwed into threaded bores 8 made in the axis 5a.

Between the plate 5b and the beam 5a is trapped a plate 5c forming with a lower cover 5d a shell portion giving its volume to the floor. Still according to this embodiment, a branch 2 comprising a body of elastomeric material is attached to the end of the floor plate 5b opposite the half-arch 1 a.

For its fixing the branch comprises a lug 11 extending under the wafer 5c to be fixed with the plate 5b.

This branch 2 is not connected to the eyelet 4 of the caliper.

The stirrup is shown partly assembled in Figure 2.

First, the plate 5b is assembled with the plate 5c to bring out a ring 9. Next, the beam 5a is slid through a hole at the end of the plate 5c, between stops 10 and then through the hole. Ring 9 and screws 3 are put in place to secure the floor members 5b, 5c to the beam 5a.

The branch 2 is then fixed by means of its lug 11 and the screw 12.

To finish the floor, we put the lower cover 5d and a non-slip mat 5th.

The lower part of the branch 2 is thicker than its upper part so as to make it more rigid.

The assembled stirrup is shown in front view in FIG.

It comprises a single half-arch 1 connecting a first end of a floor 5 of the stirrup and an eyelet 4 mounting the stirrup on a stirrup stirrup and a foot holding means in the stirrup adapted to allow a quick release of the foot of the stirrup in case of a fall, the holding means being constituted by the branch 2 having a proximal end 2a secured to a second end of the floor and a free distal end opposite the half arch to level of the eyelet.

Advantageously, the branch 2 is curved in the manner of a second half-arch and of a length such that it comes practically at the level of the eyelet at a distance of a few millimeters to a few centimeters from the half-arch 1 for limit as much as possible the risk of hanging the extremity of the branch in an object or obstacle beside which the rider passes.

Indeed, the safety stirrups short outer branch have the disadvantage of making the use of the caliper difficult because the stirrup, in working like a hook, can be taken in various objects when the saddled horse is walked in hand with the stirrups hanging freely on the saddle.

The elongated branch which is closed on the half arch in the manner of a second half-arch and is closed on the half-arch near the eyelet solves this problem.

4 shows the stirrup seen from the side of the branch 2 and shows that the distal end 2b of the branch ends at the bottom of the eyelet 4.

The lower part forming the proximal end 2a of the branch is thick at the junction of the branch and the floor and the branch is refined as one moves away from the proximal end 2a to go towards the end. distal 2b.

The branch is made of a relatively flexible material such as an elastomer and its local stiffness is determined by its thickness.

The lower part of the branch from its proximal end constitutes a rigid first segment 21 of height close to the height of a foot shod.

Figure 5A shows this lower part in section.

It comprises according to the example a metal insert which ends with the lug 11 coming out of the branch to allow its attachment to the floor.

This metal insert which makes the lower part of the branch completely rigid can in particular extend over the height of the first segment.

The rigidity of the first segment ensures that the rider will not lose his stirrups untimely.

According to one aspect of the invention, the branch comprises a second flexible segment 22 in at least a first direction. The second segment is more particularly detailed in FIGS.

5b.

It comprises means 13, 14 adapted to make the flexible leg in a rear direction B with respect to the insertion direction of the foot of the rider in the stirrup and steep in an opposite direction before A. The effect of this configuration is represented Figures 6A and 6B.

Figure 6A shows the rider with his foot in the stirrup and bearing forward. In this configuration, the rider's instep is in support against the branch, the constitution of which is made to withstand this support and hold the foot of the rider.

Figure 6B shows the rider falling. In this case, the front of the rider's foot is straight up and pushes on the branch from front to back in the B direction.

The configuration of the branch is such that it flexes and frees the foot of the rider.

Returning to FIG. 5B, the means adapted to the differentiated function for holding forward and for escaping rearward comprise, according to the example shown, at least one slot 13 on a front part of the branch with respect to a α axis passing through the proximal and distal ends of the branch, the front part corresponding to the front of the rider's foot.

The slot starting from a front edge of the branch opens into a cutout 14 centered on the axis α.

The cutout 14 is arranged so as to provide a zone of reduced stiffness allowing the deflection of the branch 2 from front to rear.

The zone of reduced stiffness corresponds to the bridge 15 opposite the slot 13 with respect to the axis α. The second segment 22 is so designed that the edges of the slot

13 deviate when applying a force from the front to the back on the distal end of the branch which bends the branch while the edges of the slot opposite abut under the action of a force applied from the back to the front on the distal end of the branch which makes the branch resist. According to the example of FIG. 4, the branch comprises three slots each opening into a cutout 14.

According to the example of FIGS. 5A, 5B, the branch comprises two stiffness adaptation slots 13 each opening into a cutout 14, a third cutout 14 not provided with a slot forming only a zone for softening the branch in the transverse perpendicular direction. to the front-rear direction. In this context, the openings 14 also provide a flexibility of the branch in a lateral direction which promotes the release of the foot of the rider during a fall.

Indeed, the stirrup can rotate around the stirrup leather during the fall of the rider, it is necessary that the branch can also bend laterally.

The choice of two cuts associated with two slots and a cut without slot adapts the flexibility in the rear direction and the flexibility in the lateral direction.

This configuration is optimized for adults for example. The third segment 23 in the upper part of the branch is terminated by the distal end 2b.

It may be intermediate stiffness between the stiffness of the first segment and the stiffness of the second segment or remain of a stiffness close to that of the first segment. To improve the integration of the branch and the floor, the branch has at its proximal end 2a a foot forming an end end of the floor which leaves the bracket 11 on the floor.

An advantage of not connecting the branch to the half-arch or the eyelet is to achieve a comfortable stirrup because it has a certain flexibility. To obtain this flexibility, the half-arch, the eyelet and the floor beam are advantageously made from a single spring steel rod.

According to the example of FIG. 3, the eyelet is provided with a slot 20 for introducing a stirrup stirrup which makes its use very easy, the combination of an open eyelet with an external safety branch as defined by the present invention allows the use of the stirrup on a saddle stirrups fixed.

The invention is not limited to the example shown and in particular it is possible to adapt the thickness of the branch and the number of cuts and slots according to the weight of the riders while remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 - Riding stirrup comprising a single half-arch (1) connecting a first end of a floor (5) of the stirrup and an eyelet (4) mounting the stirrup on a stirrup stirrup and a means holding the foot in the stirrup adapted to allow rapid release of the foot of the stirrup in the event of a fall, characterized in that the holding means is constituted by a curved elongated limb (2) having a proximal end (2a) secured to a second end of the floor (5) and a free distal end (2b), having from its proximal end a first rigid segment (21), a second segment (22) having means (13, 14) arranged so as to provide at least one area of reduced stiffness allowing a deflection of the limb (2) in at least a first direction and a third segment (23) terminated by the free distal end (2b).

2 - A stirrup according to claim 1 characterized in that the means (13, 14) are arranged so as to make the flexible arm in a rear direction (B) relative to the insertion direction of the foot of the rider in the stirrup and steep in an opposite direction before (A).

3 - A stirrup according to claim 2, characterized in that the means arranged so as to make the flexible branch in the rear direction (B) comprise at least one slot (13) on at least a front portion of the branch relative to a axis (α) passing through the proximal and distal ends of the branch, the front part corresponding to the front of the rider's foot, the edges facing the slot (13) deviating when applying a force from front to rear on the distal end of the branch which bends the branch backwards while the edges facing the slot abut under the action of an applied force of the back forward on the distal end of the limb which makes the limb stand forward.

4 - A stirrup according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (13, 14) comprise at least one transverse cutout (14) relative to a rear front axis of the stirrup, the cut forming a zone of reduced stiffness allowing a deflection of the branch (2) in the transverse direction.

5 - A stirrup according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said at least one slot extending from a front edge of the branch opens into a transverse cutout (14).

6 - A stirrup according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the branch comprises at least two slots (13).

7 - A stirrup according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the branch comprises at least three cutouts (14). 8 - A stirrup according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the branch (2) is curved in the manner of a second half-arch and is closed on the half-arch near the eyelet.

9 - A stirrup according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the half-arch (1), the eyelet (4) and the beam of the floor (5a) are made from a spring steel rod.

10 - A stirrup according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the eyelet (4) is provided with a slot (20) for introducing a stirrup stirrup.