Patent Application
20100175353
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to horseback riding accessories and more particularly to devices to maintain contact between a riders footwear and the stirrup of a saddle during maneuvers.
2. Related Art
This invention relates to a form of boot for use by horse riders. Riders in general, and those taking part in equestrian sports in particular, are in frequent danger of being thrown from their mount. The risk of bodily injury in falling from a horse is in itself rather high, and is increased by the possibility of a rider's boot becoming stuck or hung in a stirrup in the course of a fall. Such occurrences frequently result in severe injuries.
Stirrups are known for use as a foot support while riding together with a saddle on, for example, horses or other riding animals. Furthermore, use is made of a pad between the stirrup and the rider's foot to ensure good friction and shock absorption.
Several types of stirrups and pads having an upper surface with high friction against the rider's foot are available on the market. A problem with this type of stirrup is, however, that earth or clay sticking to the stirrup, the pad or the foot deteriorates the friction of the rider's foot against the stirrup. Additional problems arising in connection with existing stirrups and pads consist in positioning the foot correctly in the stirrup. This may especially be a problem to beginners, which also constitutes a security risk if the rider falls off the horse since it may be difficult for him to set himself free. It may also be difficult to dismount the horse if the rider's foot has slipped too far into the stirrup.
An object of the present invention is to provide a system for use in connection with a stirrup while riding, which easily allows correct and safe positioning of the rider's foot relative to the stirrup.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that reduces the risk of the foot sliding too far into the stirrup.
The above objects and other objects that will be evident from the following description are achieved by a system according to the claims.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a footwear and stirrup contact system comprises a stirrup and footwear. At least one contact patch is affixed to the stirrup. The contact patch comprises a first material. The footwear is adapted to be worn by the rider, the footwear haves a multi-layered sole. The multi-layered sole includes a second material magnetically attracted to the first material.
The present invention provides a contact system for maintaining contact between a riders shoe and a stirrup. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to indicate like elements that appear in one or more of the drawings.
The contact system allows a horseback rider to maintain contact between their riding shoe and the stirrup of a saddle while riding. The rider wears magnetic footwear such as a riding shoe with a provided magnet. The stirrup has a contact patch or insert that includes a plate of ferrous metal or another magnet oriented such that it attracts the magnetic footwear. The contact patch is positioned such that it will be proximate to the magnet in the footwear when riding. During normal riding maneuvers, magnetic attractive forces between the footwear and the contact patch will maintain contact between the rider's feet and the stirrup. However, if the rider falls, the magnetic attractive forces do not bind the rider's feet to the stirrup.
Inner sole 213 comprises multiple layers of foam cloth and other materials.
An upper layer 216 is in contact with a rider's foot during use. Within the layers between upper layer 216 and a bottom layer in contact with the outer sole 206 is layer 218. Layer 218 may be any material, however, embedded in layer 218 are a series of magnets 220. Magnets 220 extend across the inner sole 213 from the ball of the foot 214 to the base of the smallest toe 222. While, the series of magnets are shown as four individual approximately round magnets, any size shape and number of magnets may be used.
Outer sole 306 may comprise multiple layers of foam, rubber or other materials. Inserted or embedded in outer sole 306 are a series of magnets 320. Magnets 320 extend across the outer sole 306 from the ball of the foot 314 to the base of the smallest toe 322. While, the series of magnets are shown as four individual approximately round magnets, any size shape and number of magnets may be used.
Having thus described several embodiments of the riding shoe and stirrup contact system, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the system have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, while the embodiments feature magnetic footwear and a metallic stirrup insert, a system using a magnetic layer and metallic footwear is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The invention is solely defined by the accompanied claims.
