Patent Application
20210059358
The present invention is direct to an improved method and apparatus for attaching a riding spur to equestrian footwear, such as a boot, wherein the spur can be quickly and easily attached, adjusted or removed without dismounting the horse, and additionally provides the user with improved comfort and freedom of movement throughout equestrian activity.
People have been using spurs while riding horses for many years. A spur is a device which is worn on the back of a rider's boot, on or just above the heel, and helps the rider direct a horse's movement in various ways. Some specialized spurs are permanently fixed to the boot, but most spurs are temporarily secured with a strap. The main part of a conventional spur is a rigid U-shaped bracket, called a yoke, which wraps around the back-heel area of a riding boot. A rigid protrusion, called a spur neck, is fixed to and extends backward from the center of the rear, curved portion of the yoke. The distal end of the spur neck is called a spur tip, which is the part of the spur that physically contacts the horse. Most spurs are held in place by an instep strap, which is connected to both forward, free ends of the yoke and wraps over the instep and under the sole of a boot. The instep strap holds the front part of the spur yoke in place.
The rear part of the spur yoke is held in place and supported by a spur rest, which is a small lateral protuberance that extends backward from just above the heel of a riding boot. The function of the spur rest is very important, as it is intended to maintain the spur neck and spur tip in a specific position relative to the horse's anatomy. However, a common problem with this traditional method of spur attachment is the likelihood of the strap loosening during equestrian activity, which causes the rear portion of the yoke to slip down over the spur rest and drop downward, which is known as a “dropped spur”.
When a spur neck shifts upward or downward from its correct position, the point of contact between the spur tip and the horse changes—or is eliminated altogether. This diminishes the rider's control of the animal, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Because precise placement of the spur tip against the horse's side is critical, the rider must then halt the horse, dismount and re-adjust the spur and re-tighten the strap, which is inconvenient and time-consuming. Furthermore, because the strap must be very tight to prevent the spur from shifting, the rider experiences severe discomfort on the instep of her/his foot.
Another disadvantage when utilizing a spur rest is that only one spur position is available, forcing the rider to spend quite a bit of time adjusting the length of the stirrup straps to an exact needed length. This being an undesirable situation, it would be advantageous to have a connective arrangement wherein the spur could be secured to a rider's foot more conveniently, and in a way that would prevent the spur from shifting. Also, because short and tall riders have different leg lengths, it would be beneficial if the spur neck could be easily lifted or lowered, so as to optimize vertical placement of the spur tip against the horse's body.
In the case of the equestrian riding boot, zippers are mostly placed in a vertical position close to the center back of the boot. In this position, specifically at the ankle, the zipper is under a lot of tension combined with flexion and abrasion because of the rider walking around when un-mounted. This causes the integrity and strength of the zippers to diminish, and as a result break down, and no longer perform their function of keeping the boot closed at the ankle. Zippers are mostly covered with two narrow flaps extending from each side of the zipper. The narrow flaps, combined with the flexion, and tension experienced in the ankle area are not sufficient in size and structure to maintain coverage, and protection of, the zipper structure, leaving the area exposed to sand and fine debris. The addition of debris to the zipper structure along with the tension, flexion, and abrasion in the ankle area, leave the zipper even more at risk of failure. Furthermore, should the rider wish to remove the boot, they will need to undo, loosen, and release the instep strap, to remove the spur assembly, at which point the rider can remove the boot. The boot and the spur assembly are separated and will need to be reconfigured when the rider replaces the boot on the foot.
Thus, there is a need for a new convenient, easy, improved method of securely attaching a riding spur to equestrian footwear without using an instep strap, wherein the vertical position of the spur tip can be quickly and easily changed, and without the need for removing the spur in order to remove the footwear.
The invention satisfies the need for an improved method of securely attaching a riding spur to footwear without using an instep strap, wherein the vertical position of the spur tip can be quickly and easily changed, and without having to remove the spur in order to remove the footwear. Additionally, the spur can be quickly and easily attached, adjusted or removed by a rider without having to dismount the horse. Elimination of a tightened instep strap also provides more comfort to the rider. Furthermore, the improved method of attachment described herein allows riders to use existing, traditional spur yokes on the market today, without the instep strap.
In an aspect of the invention, both free ends of the spur yoke are inserted into two rearward-facing pockets, located on the left and right side of a riding footwear, wherein the pockets firmly hold and secure the free ends of the yoke to the footwear. An optional design provides two or more pockets on one or both sides of the footwear, arranged vertically at different heights, such that a free end of the yoke can be inserted into either an upper or lower pocket in order to achieve a proper fit. Many riding boots include a full-length vertical zipper, requiring the user to disconnect the instep strap and remove the spur assembly from the footwear before able to remove their footwear. In another aspect of the invention, by providing only one side pocket, another convenient advantage can be realized: the legwear garment can be removed from the wearer without having to remove the spur, which is accomplished by using a spur yoke wherein one of the free ends is shortened, and is not inserted into a pocket.
In this arrangement, the shorter of the two free ends does not cover the vertical zipper, allowing the zipper to be completely unzipped so that the footwear can be removed. Instead of a pocket, a releasable fastener such as a snap may be used to secure a free end of the yoke to the left &/or right side of a boot. The snap may also include a strap that can be woven through a free end of a traditional yoke. Also, two or more fasteners may be located at different heights on one or both sides, to secure the free ends of the yoke at different vertical positions.
The spur neck is held in place by a vertically positioned strap called a backstrap, which is centrally located on the lower back area of the footwear. The lower end of the backstrap is attached to the footwear just above the heel where it may be permanently fixed or releasably connected via a fastener such as a snap. The backstrap includes one or more apertures through which the spur neck projects. The upper end of the backstrap is connected to the footwear using a releasable fastener such as a snap, which effectively secures the spur neck to the footwear in a desired position. By providing multiple apertures, the vertical position of a spur tip can be easily changed by using a different aperture. Furthermore, two or more apertures may be connected to each other by one or more slits, allowing a different aperture to be accessed and used by simply pushing the spur neck up or down along a slit to engage a different aperture. The position of the spur tip can also be changed by unsnapping the upper end of the backstrap, then inserting the spur neck through a different aperture. Another function of having slits between apertures is to allow bulbous spur tips to be forced through a slit in order for the spur neck to engage a desired aperture. In some instances, two or more backstraps may be used to secure a spur in various positions.
In another aspect of the invention, the zipper is located in a curved position, starting at the lower arch area of the foot on an interior or exterior side of the boot, and curving upwards at an angle facing toward the back of the boot shaft, having its end configured near the center back of the knee. This position eliminates the zipper being in an area of such great resistance, therefore making the zipper more durable and long lasting. In addition to the new location, the zipper is covered with a wide single piece of leather laying in a backward facing direction. This means the zipper is also protected from sand and fine debris clogging the zipper structure, adding to the durability, function and longevity of the zipper and boot structure. Should the rider wish to remove the boot, they would simply unzip the zipper, and remove the foot from the boot. The spur would remain integrated with the boot, by means of the back strap and pockets. The boot and spur will not need to be reconfigured when the rider replaces the boot on the foot.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to equestrian footwear with an adjustable spur system. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Thus, the curved zipper 42 is positioned to extend from the lower mid-section of the boot upper 44, beyond the end of a pocket 31, travelling in an upwardly diagonal backward facing direction, around the boot shaft 45 to the upper back part of the boot, wherein the boot can be removed from the foot without removing the spur.
The curved zipper 42, is not visible to the naked eye as the zipper 42 is concealed under a backwards facing wide zipper cover 43. The wide zipper cover 43 works to protect the zipper from debris entering the zipper and its structural components. The wide zipper cover faces in a backward direction so to cover the entire curved zipper. This allows the curved zipper to be protected from debris entering the structure compromising the integrity and longevity of the component, thus shortening the useful lifespan of the boot.
The curved zipper 42 is shown in an interior, lateral, position, which avoids the flex area of the back of the ankle. Those skilled in the art will recognize that curved zipper 42 is advantageous since the zipper 42 is not subject to flexing, tension, and abrasion as used in a normal equestrian movement. Since the zipper 42 is no longer at the center-back of the boot, where it often gets puckered and fails due to the location near the user's ankle, the user can easily remove the boot without removing the spur. To remove the boot 519, the rider simply unzips the zipper, 42, and removes the foot from the boot, 519, with the spur still attached.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______ entitled EQUESTRIAN HALF SPUR FOR USE WITH AN ADJUSTABLE SPUR HOLDER, Attorney Docket No. IMP001 P302, owned by Nicola Veronica Schulten-Gaywood which is filed concurrently herewith and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15819739 | Nov 2017 | US |
| Child | 17094748 | US |
