Adjustable stirrup

Abstract

A stirrup arranged to be adjusted to an individual rider of a horse is provided. The stirrup includes a stirrup support bracket and a foot tread. The adjustable stirrup is provided with a stirrup angle adjustment arrangement, arranged to adjust the stirrup in one or more of an x-, y- or z-axis direction. A stirrup leather mounting part is arranged to receive the lower end sling of a stirrup leather.

Claims

1. A stirrup arranged to be adjusted to an individual rider of a horse, comprising: a stirrup support bracket; a foot tread; a stirrup leather mounting part arranged to receive the lower end sling of a stirrup leather, wherein said stirrup is arranged to be adjusted in one or more of an x-, y- or z-axis direction, and wherein said stirrup bracket comprises a fixed part and a releasable part, wherein said fixed part is fixedly mounted to the foot tread and said releasable part is releasably attached to the foot tread.

2. The stirrup according to claim 1, wherein said foot tread is arranged to be rotated around the x-axis, whereby the foot tread of the stirrup is inclined in relation to the stirrup support bracket.

3. A stirrup arranged to be adjusted to an individual rider of a horse, comprising: a stirrup support bracket; a foot tread; a stirrup leather mounting part arranged to receive the lower end sling of a stirrup leather, wherein said stirrup is arranged to be adjusted in one or more of an x-, y- or z-axis direction, and wherein said stirrup leather mounting part is attached to said fixed part via a slider and a locking plate arranged on each side of the fixed part and wherein the stirrup leather mounting part, the slider, the fixed part and the locking plate are locked together by a locking bolt.

4. The stirrup according to claim 3, wherein said fixed part of the support bracket is provided with a notch, in which notch said slider is arranged to slide, whereby the stirrup bracket is enabled to be rotated around the z-axis.

5. The stirrup according to claim 1, wherein said stirrup leather mounting part is enabled to be rotated around the y-axis in relation to the stirrup support bracket.

6. The stirrup according to claim 3, wherein said stirrup leather mounting part is locked in a desired, rotated position in relation to the slider, by locking the slider, the fixed part and the locking plate together by the locking bolt.

7. The stirrup according to claim 1, wherein said releasable part is releasably attached to the foot tread by use of one or more first magnets, arranged on the releasable part and adapted to interact with corresponding one or more second magnets arranged on the foot tread, whereby the magnet attraction between the first magnets and the second magnets attaches the second part to the foot tread.

8. The stirrup according to claim 7, wherein the releasable part is loosened from a foot bracket if an applied force exceeds the magnetic force between the first magnets and the second magnets.

9. The stirrup according to claim 1, wherein the releasable part when loosened from a foot bracket is caught by a catch strap.

10. The stirrup according to claim 8, wherein the magnetic force applied by the first magnets and the second magnets in cooperation with beveled surfaces will guide the released part back into its original position if the applied force is released.

11. The stirrup according to claim 1, wherein said stirrup is arranged to be adjusted along all three spatial directions, namely the x-, y- and z-axes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an overview of a stirrup in accordance with embodiments herein.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the stirrup in FIG. 1 from underneath.

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a stirrup in accordance with embodiments herein.

(4) FIG. 4 is another exploded view of a stirrup in accordance with embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) Embodiments herein will now be described with reference to the accompanied drawings.

(6) FIG. 1 is a brief overview of one exemplified embodiment of a stirrup 100. The stirrup 100 is arranged to be adjusted to an individual rider of a horse. The adjustable stirrup comprises a stirrup support bracket and a foot tread 2. The stirrup 100 is arranged to be adjusted in one or more of an x-, y- or z-axis direction. A stirrup leather mounting part 5 is arranged to receive the lower end sling of a stirrup leather substantially extending in the x-axis direction.

(7) The stirrup is arranged to be adjusted different angles, whereby the stirrup 100 may be inclined in relation the horse. It is to be noted that in order to further increase the effect of adjusting the angles the form and the shape of the foot tread is important. The foot tread exemplified in the drawings is provided with a rough surface, that may be provided with knobs for example of metal, enabling high friction between the sole of the riding shoe and the foot tread. Thereby, the risk of slipping is minimized. Further, the foot tread may have an asymmetric form at least in part corresponding with the shape of a natural footprint, in order to provide for an increased support for the foot, and especially for the big toe. It has been seen that adjusting the angles of the stirrup is especially advantageous when it comes to improving the balance of the rider.

(8) The stirrup support bracket comprises a first fixed part 1a, and a second releasable part 1b. The support bracket provide for good and firm support for the foot of the rider, but still being safe when it comes to risk that the foot may get stuck if the rider totally loses his balance. If the force against the releasable part 1b of the stirrup support bracket exceeds a predetermined force, the whole part 1b will be loosened from the foot tread. Thereby, there is no risk of the rider getting stuck. The foot bracket 2 is in this example provided with metal knobs 16 providing a good grip between foot bracket and the sole of the shoe of the rider. Yet another advantageous detail is that the foot bracket is provided with a plurality of large through holes. This enables dirt and particles to fall down due to gravity, and the foot bracket 2 will be prevented from being clogged with dirt, resulting in that the grip may be lost.

(9) The angle of the foot bracket may be adjusted. This is done by loosen the locking bolts 10a, 10b, adjusting the foot bracket 2 in a desired angle, and locking the foot bracket 2 in the new position by tightening the locking bolts 10a, 10b again. This will be more explained later.

(10) The stirrup further comprises a top holder 17 comprising the stirrup leather mounting part 5, a slider 6 and a locking plate 6. The top holder 17 is attached to the fixed part 1a of the support bracket via a locking bolt (not shown). The slider 6 is arranged to slide in a notch 8 in the fixed part 1a of the bracket. By moving the slider in relation to the bracket, the angle between the top holder 17 and the rest of the stirrup 100 may be adjusted.

(11) FIG. 2 shows the stirrup in FIG. 1 from underneath. As may be seen from the drawing, the top holder 17 is shown locked in the middle of the notch 8. If the bolt 9 is untightened, the slider 6 may be moved to a new, desired position and thereafter locked again. The stirrup 100 is further providing with a catch strap 4, holding the releasable part 1b and the foot bracket together. Especially, if the releasable part 1b is totally released due to heavy force, the catch strap 4 will prevent the part 1b from being lost. It is to be noted that if the force applied to the catch strap is too heavy, it will however break. Thus, all to ensure full safety to the rider if the balance is lost.

(12) FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed exploded views from different angles of one example of a stirrup in accordance with embodiments herein.

(13) The foot tread 2 is attached to the stirrup support bracket 1 by use of an axis 3. The axis 3 is passed through the foot tread 2 and the foot tread 2 and the axis 3 are fixed to the fixed part 1a of the stirrup support bracket by use of locking bolts.

(14) On one side of the foot tread, the angle of the foot tread may be adjusted by untighten the locking bolts 10a, b, rotate the foot tread 2 around the axis 3 and the x-axis until a desired angle is achieved, and thereafter tightening the locking bolts again. On the other side the foot tread is attached to the releasable part 1b of the stirrup support bracket. On the releasable part 1b first one or more magnets 12 are arranged. The magnets 12 are arranged to interact with one or more corresponding magnets 13 whereby a firm attachment is achieved, providing a safe support for the foot of the rider. Still, if the force applied to the releasable part exceeds the magnetic force between the magnets 12 and the magnets 13, the releasable part 1b with release from the foot tread 2. Since the part 1b loosens as a whole, the stirrup will be totally open at the side with no parts at all still extending upwards from the surface of the foot tread. Thereby, a very safe stirrup is provided.

(15) Yet another advantageous feature is that the releasable part 1b will flip up as a hinge if the force applied to it stops. Thanks to the magnetic force applied by the magnets 12 and 13, and the beveled surfaces 14 and 15, the releasable part 1b will be guided back into its original position.

(16) The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. It is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present invention, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.