RETRACTABLE STIRRUP EXTENSION

摘要

A retractable stirrup extension for use with a saddle and horse. The extendable stirrup assembly includes an conventional fixed stirrup with an upper (top) foot plate for supporting the rider's foot during riding, and a retractable bottom foot plate retractably attached to the upper stirrup with an extension mechanism that provides about 4-8 inches of vertical travel (extension). The bottom foot plate travels easily between an open (extended) and a closed (retracted) position. The bottom foot plate provides a lower “step” for the rider to use when mounting the horse. A latching mechanism can be used when riding the horse.

主权项

1. A retractable stirrup extension assembly comprising:
a fixed upper stirrup for use with a horse and saddle, comprising: left and right side legs; an upper arch bridging across the two side legs at the top; and a top foot plate bridging across the two side legs at the bottom; wherein the top foot plate has a long dimension and a long axis (X-axis) that is aligned with said long dimension; and further wherein the top foot plate comprises a left end and a right end comprising left and right top transverse hinge pin holes, respectively; and a retractable lower stirrup extension comprising:
a retractable bottom foot plate comprising left and right ends with left and right bottom transverse hinge pin holes, respectively;a left upper hinge plate, comprising upper and lower ends with corresponding upper and lower transverse hinge pin holes, respectively;a left lower hinge plate, comprising upper and lower ends with corresponding upper and lower transverse hinge pin holes, respectively; andwherein the upper end of the left lower hinge plate is pivotally attached to the lower end of the left upper hinge plate with a transverse hinge pin; andwherein the lower end of the left lower hinge plate is pivotally attached to the left end of the bottom foot plate with a transverse hinge pin inserted in the left bottom transverse hinge pin hole; andwherein the upper end of the left hinge assembly is pivotally attached to the left end of the top foot plate with a transverse hinge pin inserted in the left upper transverse hinge pin hole;a right upper hinge plate, comprising upper and lower ends with corresponding upper and lower transverse hinge pin holes, respectively;a right lower hinge plate, comprising upper and lower ends with corresponding upper and lower transverse hinge pin holes, respectively; andwherein the upper end of the right lower hinge plate is pivotally attached to the lower end of the right upper hinge plate with a transverse hinge pin;wherein the upper end of the right upper hinge plate is pivotally attached to the right end of the top foot plate with a transverse hinge pin inserted in the right upper transverse hinge pin hole; andwherein the lower end of the right lower hinge plate is pivotally attached to the right end of the bottom foot plate with a transverse hinge pin inserted in the right bottom transverse hinge pin hole;whereas rotation of the right and left pairs of linked hinge plates about their respective pivots causes the bottom foot plate to extend vertically downwards in a linear direction along a Y-axis (which is perpendicular to the X-axis of the top foot plate); andwhereas reversed rotation of the right and left pair of linked hinge plates about their respective pivots causes the bottom foot plate to retract vertically upwards in a linear direction along the Y-axis.