Pivotable step for stirrups
OwnerFrank Schulteinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An auxiliary step for a stirrup associated with a saddle wherein the auxiliary step is mounted so as to be pivotable from a first position generally adjacent to the stirrup to a second position spaced below the stirrup to thereby assist a rider in mounting the saddle. In a preferred embodiment, the step is positively urged to the first or raised position adjacent to the stirrup when not being used to assist the rider in mounting.
Claims17
In a stirrup for a saddle having a foot engaging base portion from which upwardly extend sidewalls which are connected to an upper wall adapted to be suspended from a stirrup strap, the improvement comprising:
- a step member, means for pivotally mounting said step member to the stirrup so as to be movable from a first position above the foot engaging base portion to a second position spaced from and below the foot engaging base portion and generally parallel thereto, said means for pivotally mounting said step member including a spindle having a first portion pivotally mounted to the stirrup such that the first portion is retained in parallel relationship to the foot engaging base portion about an axis that extends in a direction between the side walls of the stirrup so that the first portion of the spindle does not interfere with the conventional use of the stirrup, said spindle including a second portion extending generally perpendicular with respect to said first portion, and said step member extending from said second portion of said spindle whereby said step member may be lowered from said first position to said second position to form an extension of the stirrup to assist a rider in mounting a saddle.
In a stirrup for a saddle having a foot engaging base portion from which upwardly extend sidewalls which are connected to an upper wall adapted to be suspended from a stirrup strap, the improvement comprising:
- a step member, means for pivotally mounting said step member to the stirrup so as to be movable from a first position above the foot engaging base portion to a second position spaced from and below the foot engaging base portion and generally parallel thereto, said means for pivotally mounting said step member to the stirrup including a housing, means for rotatably mounting said housing relative to said foot engaging base portion of the stirrup, a fixed stub shaft mounted to the foot engaging base portion of the stirrup and extending within said housing, a spring element surrounding said stub shaft and having one end engagable with said stub shaft and another end connected to said housing whereby when said housing is rotated from said first to said second position, said spring element is placed into compression.
An auxiliary step for a stirrup wherein the stirrup includes a foot engaging base which is connected by side members to an upper portion connected to a stirrup strap, the auxiliary step comprising:
- a support spindle, a housing mounted to the stirrup, said spindle including a first portion mounted to said housing and a second portion extending outwardly generally transversely with respect to said first portion to an outer end, said first portion of said support spindle being pivotal such that said second portion is moveable in an arc from a first position adjacent one of the side walls of the stirrup to a second position extending below the foot engaging base of the stirrup, and a step member connected to and extending outwardly from said outer end of said second portion of said spindle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.