| 摘要 |
<p>An improved stirrup suspension (10) utilizes a multi-stage spring suspension to accommodate the different downward forces generated during normal riding as well as jumping. The stirrup suspension includes a housing (12) having a bottom wall (24) and continuous side wall (26), a plunger (14) slidably received within the housing (12), a stirrup connector (16) mounted to the lower end of said plunger, a first spring element (18) received around the plunger, and a second spring element (20) also received around said plunger. The first spring element (18) is effective for exerting a force F1 under a minimum load while the second spring element (20) is effective for exerting a force F2 that is greater than F1 under a minimum load. In use, the lower end of the plunger (14) is attached to the stirrup which will move up and down relative to the housing. The plunger (14) slidably moves within housing (12) where a flange member (52) at the top of the slide compresses the first and second spring elements (18, 20) upon the exertion of a downward force on the stirrup.</p> |
