GB2434519A

GB2434519A - Apparatus for mounting saddle stirrups

Info

Publication number: GB2434519A
Application number: GB0701603A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Alfred Lovatt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-28
Filing date: 2007-01-29
Publication date: 2007-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-29
Also published as: GB0701603D0; GB2434519B

Abstract

Apparatus and method for adjusting the position of a saddle stirrup longitudinally comprises a slide bar 1 that is mounted to extend longitudinally of a saddle and a slider 3 movable along the slide bar to adjust the position of the stirrup. The slider is secured in a selected adjusted position by a pivotal flap 21 having a locking pin (23, fig 11) received in an aperture 15 in the slide bar and retained by spring means, preferably a spring clip (31, fig 13). In use a stirrup strap attached to a stirrup is attached to the slider. The slider has an arm 11 with a hook 13 to allow the stirrup strap to be releasably secured.

Description

SADDLE STIRRUPS

This invention relates to saddle stirrups.

Saddle stirrups are typically suspended from the saddle by straps, commonly referred to as leathers, the length of which can be adjusted to raise or lower the stirrups according to the size of the rider.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for adjusting the position of the stirrups longitudinally of the saddle.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for adjusting the position of a stirrup longitudinally of a saddle comprising a slide bar for mounting on part of a saddle to extend longitudinally of the saddle and a slider mounted on the slide bar for movement lengthwise of the slide bar, the slider being adapted for attaching a strap for suspending a stirrup from the saddle, and means for releasably securing the slider at any selected one of a plurality of positions spaced apart along the slide bar, the securing means including a locking pin moveable between an inoperative position permitting movement of the slider relative to the slide bar and an operative position preventing movement of the slider relative to the slide bar, and spring means for holding the locking pin in the operative position.

Preferably, the locking pin is selectively engageable with any one of a plurality of holes on the slide bar to secure the slider at any selected position along the slide bar.

Preferably the locking pin is mounted for pivotal movement to and from the operative position about a pivot axis parallel to the length of the slide a I bar. The locking pin may be provided on a flap pivotal about the pivot axis with the locking pin extending transverse to the pivot axis.

The spring means may comprise a spring biasing the locking pin towards the operative position. For example, the spring may comprise a torsion spring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a tension spring, compression spring or any other suitable spring or equivalent such as a resiliently compressible rubber spring arranged to bias the locking pin towards the operative position. In a preferred arrangement, the spring is a torsion spring mounted about the pivot axis of the locking pin for urging the locking pin towards and holding the locking pin in the operative position.

Alternatively, the spring means may comprise a spring clip co-operable with the locking pin in the operative position to hold the locking pin in the operative position. Preferably, the spring clip has a resilient leg that is arranged to snap-engage a notch in the locking pin to retain the locking pin in the operative position and is movable to release the locking pin for movement to the inoperative position.

Preferably, the locking pin is received in aligned holes in the slider and slide bar in the operative position and the spring clip is arranged between the slider and slide bar to engage the locking pin in the operative position.

Preferably, the slider comprises a housing with a slot through which the slide bar extends and the spring clip is located within the slot between the slider and slide bar.

In another arrangement, the spring means may comprise a spring biasing the locking pin towards the operative position and a spring clip cc-operable with the locking pin in the operative position.

Preferably, the housing includes a support arm extending below the slide bar for attaching the stirrup strap to the slider.

Preferably, the support arm is configured for releasably attaching the stirrup strap.

Preferably the slide bar is adapted for securing to a saddle tree at two spaced apart locations between which the slider is located.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for adjusting the position of a stirrup longitudinally of a saddle comprising the steps of providing a slide bar and a slider slidably located on the slide bar, securing the slide bar to a part of a saddle to extend longitudinally of the saddle, attaching a stirrup to a stirrup strap and attaching the stirrup strap to the slider, moving the slider lengthwise of the slide bar to adjust the longitudinal position of the stirrup, securing the slider in a selected adjusted position with a locking pin retained by spring means.

The spring means may comprise a spring biasing the locking pin to the operative position or a spring clip co-operable with the locking pin in the operative position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for adjusting the position of a stirrup longitudinally of a saddle comprising a slide bar for mounting on part of a saddle to extend longitudinally of the saddle and a slider mounted on the slide bar for movement lengthwise of the slide bar, the slider being adapted for attaching a strap for suspending a stirrup from the saddle, and means for releasably securing the slider at any selected one of a plurality of positions spaced apart along the slide bar.

Preferably, the securing means including a locking pin moveable between an inoperative position permitting movement of the slider relative to the slide bar and an operative position preventing movement of the slider relative to the slide bar.

Preferably, the locking pin is mounted on the slider for pivotal movement to engage any selected one of a plurality of holes in the slide bar to secure the slider relative to the slide bar.

Preferably, means is provided to hold the locking pin in the operative position. For example, the locking pin may be held in the operative position under the biasing of a spring urging the locking pin to the operative position. Alternatively or additionally, the locking pin may be held in the operative position by engagement with a retainer in the operative position. The retainer may be resilient to snap-engage the locking pin in the operative position. For example, the retainer may comprise a spring clip.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only, wherein: Figure 1 shows apparatus embodying the present invention: Figure 2 shows a view of one side of the slide bar shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view of the other side of the slide bar shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an end view of the slide bar shown in Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a view of one side of the slider shown in Figure 1 with the flap omitted; Figure 6 is a view from one end of the slider shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an underneath view of the slider shown in Figure 5; Figure 8 is a side view of the retainer hook shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a plan view of the retainer hook shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a front view of the flap shown in Figure 1; Figure 11 is a side view of the flap shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a plan view of the flap shown in Figure 10; and Figure 13 shows the spring clip for securing the flap in the locked position.

Referring to the drawings, apparatus for adjusting the position of a stirrup (not shown) longitudinally of a saddle (not shown) is shown comprising a slide bar 1 and a slider 3. Typically, the saddle is provided with two stirrups, one on each side of the saddle. For convenience, the following description describes apparatus for adjustably mounting one stirrup and it will be understood that the other stirrup would be mounted in similar manner to allow both stirrups to be adjusted.

The slide bar 1 is made of flat metal strip of rectangular section, for example steel strip, bent at one end to form an attachment leg 5 extending generally normal to the length of the slide bar 1 and cranked towards the slide bar 1. The attachment leg 5 and the other free end of the slide bar 1 remote from the attachment leg 5 are adapted for securing to one side of a saddle tree (not shown) for example by rivets, with the slide bar 1 extending longitudinally of the saddle tree.

The slider 3 comprises a housing 7 with a slot 9 configured to receive the slide bar 1 and a support arm 11 that depends from the housing 7 to extend below the slide bar 1. The stirrup is attached to one end of a stirrup strap or leather (not shown) and the support arm 11 is configured for attaching the other end of the stirrup strap to suspend the stirrup from the saddle tree. The stirrup strap is adjustable to raise/lower the stirrup relative to the saddle tree to suit the rider.

A retainer hook 13 is mounted at the free end of the support arm 11 for pivotal movement between an open or release position generally aligned with the support arm 11 and a closed or retainer position generally normal to the support arm 11. The hook 13 is shown in the closed position in Figure 1 and is held in each position by an over-centre spring (not shown) housed in the support arm 11. In use the hook 13 is located in the closed position to retain the stirrup strap on the support arm 11 and, when it is desired to remove/replace the stirrup strap, the hook is moved to the open position allowing the strap to slide off/on the support arm 11. The hook 13 will also move to the open position to release the stirrup strap if the rider falls off the horse preventing the rider being dragged along by the horse.

The slide bar 1 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes 15. In this embodiment there are five holes but it will be understood that any number and/or spacing of holes may be employed.

The slide bar 1 extends through the slot 9 in the housing 7 and the housing has a pair of aligned holes 17,19 in opposed sidewalls. The slider 3 is slidable along the slide bar ito align the holes 17,19 with any selected one of the holes 15 in the slide bar 1 and is provided with a locking flap 21 having a locking pin 23 for reception in aligned holes of the slider 3 and slide bar 1 to secure the slider 3 relative to the slide bar 1.

The locking flap 21 is secured between a pair of longitudinally spaced lugs 25, 27 on top of the housing 7 by a pivot pin 29 by means of which the flap 21 can pivot between an operative, locked position in which the locking pin 23 is received in aligned holes of the slider 3 and slide bar 1 to prevent movement of slider 3 along the slide bar 1 and an inoperative, release position in which the locking pin 23 is clear off the holes to allow the position of the slider 3 along the slide bar 1 to be adjusted. The flap 21 is shown in the locked position in Figure 1 to secure the slider 3 relative to the slide bar 1 and can by pivotted in the direction of arrow A to the release position.

The locking pin 23 is retained in the operative, locked position by a spring clip 31 located in the slot 9 between the slider 3 and slide bar 1.

The spring clip 31 is made of metal and has a resilient leg 33 configured, when the locking pin 23 is inserted into aligned holes of the slider 3 and slide bar 1, to engage a notch 35 in the locking pin 23 to hold the locking pin 23 in place until it is desired to adjust the position of the slider 3 along the slide bar 1. The free end of the locking pin 23 is tapered to deflect the resilient leg 33 as the locking pin 23 is inserted to assist locating the leg 33 in the notch 35 with a snap action.

As will now be understood, when the slide bar 1 is secured to the saddle tree, the longitudinal position of the slider 3 relative to the saddle tree can be adjusted to move the stirrup suspended from the support arm 11 of the slider 3 forwards and backwards to suit the rider. Moreover, the stirrup can be raised and lowered by adjusting the length of the stirrup strap to suit the rider. In this way, the invention provides a simple and effective method for adjusting the stirrup position in two directions to suit the rider.

In a modification (not shown) to the above-described embodiment, the locking pin is resiliently biased towards the operative position. For example, a spring may be provided to bias the locking pin towards the operative position. Thus, the spring may comprise a coil spring or torsion spring mounted on the pivot pin to act between the flap and the housing to bias the flap for pivotal movement about the pivot axis in a direction to urge the locking pin towards the operative position. Any other suitable type of spring such as a leaf spring, compression spring or tension spring arranged in a suitable manner to urge the locking pin towards the operative position may be employed. The spring may comprise an overcentre spring having an unstable position between stable end positions corresponding to the operative and inoperative positions of the locking pin such that the locking pin is movable away from a stable end position against the biasing of the spring until it passes through the unstable position whereupon the spring moves to the other stable end position. In this way, the spring urges the locking pin towards the operative and inoperative positions. The spring may be provided in place of or in addition to the spring clip above described. In some arrangements more than one spring may be provided to urge the flap towards the operative position.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment above described. For example, the spring clip to retain the locking pin in the operative, locked position may be of any suitable construction and made of any suitable material. Other modifications and improvements that can be made to the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for adjusting the position of a stirrup longitudinally of a saddle comprising a slide bar for mounting on part of a saddle to extend longitudinally of the saddle and a slider mounted on the slide bar for movement lengthwise of the slide bar, the slider being adapted for attaching a strap for suspending a stirrup from the saddle, and means for releasably securing the slider at any selected one of a plurality of positions spaced apart along the slide bar, the securing means including a locking pin moveable between an inoperative position permitting movement of the slider relative to the slide bar and an operative position preventing movement of the slider relative to the slide bar, and spring means for holding the locking pin in the operative position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, the slide bar has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holes and the locking pin is mounted on the slider for pivotal movement to and from the operative position to engage a selected hole in the slide bar to secure the slider relative to the slide bar.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, the spring means comprises a spring clip co-operable with the locking pin to retain the locking pin in the operative position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein having the spring clip has a resilient leg that is arranged to snap-engage a notch in the locking pin to secure the locking pin in the operative position and is movable to release the locking pin for movement to the inoperative position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein, the locking pin is received in aligned holes in the slider and slide bar in the operative position and the spring clip is arranged between the slider and slide bar to engage the locking pin in the operative position.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein, the slider comprises a housing with a slot through which the slide bar extends and the spring clip is located within the slot between the slider and slide bar.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein, the locking pin is provided on a flap pivotally mounted on the slider and the locking pin extends transverse to the pivot axis.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the spring means comprises a spring arranged to bias the locking pin towards the operative position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein, the locking pin is received in aligned holes in the slider and slide bar in the operative position and is biased by the spring to maintain engagement of the locking pin in the aligned holes in the operative position.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the spring is selected from the group comprising a torsion spring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a compression spring, and a tension spring.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein, the locking pin is provided on a flap pivotally mounted on the slider and the locking pin extends transverse to the pivot axis.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 as dependent on claim 10 wherein the spring comprises a torsion spring arranged to bias the flap to urge the locking pin to the operative position.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the spring means comprises a spring arranged to urge the locking pin towards the operative position and a spring clip co-operable with the locking pin in the operative position.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the slider includes a support arm extending below the slide bar for attaching the stirrup strap to the slider.

15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the support arm is configured for releasably attaching the stirrup strap.

16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the slide bar is adapted for securing to a saddle tree at two spaced apart locations between which the slider is located.

17. Apparatus for adjusting the position of a stirrup longitudinally of a saddle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A saddle provided with apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.

19. A saddle according to claim 18 comprising a respective slide bar and slider assembly on each side of the saddle.

20. A method for adjusting the position of a stirrup longitudinally of a saddle comprising the steps of providing a slide bar and a slider slidably located on the slide bar, securing the slide bar to a part of a saddle to extend longitudinally of the saddle, attaching a stirrup to a stirrup strap and attaching the stirrup strap to the slider, moving the slider lengthwise of the slide bar to adjust the longitudinal position of the stirrup, and securing the slider in a selected adjusted position with a locking pin retained by spring means.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the locking pin is pivotal towards an operative position to secure the slider in the selected adjusted position and away from the operative position to release the slider.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the locking pin is retained in the operative position by a spring clip.

23. A method according to claim 21 wherein the locking pin is retained in the operative position by a spring biasing the locking pin to the operative position.

24. A method for adjusting the position of a stirrup longitudinally of a saddle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.