EP4499565B1

EP4499565B1 - Device for connecting a stirrup strap to the tree of a saddle for horseback riding

Info

Publication number: EP4499565B1
Application number: EP23718053.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuliano Gallo
Original assignee: Prestige Italia SpA
Current assignee: Prestige Italia SpA
Priority date: 2022-03-30
Filing date: 2023-03-28
Publication date: 2025-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2043-03-28
Also published as: EP4499565A1; WO2023187629A1

Description

The present invention relates to a device for connecting a stirrup strap to the tree of a saddle for horseback riding.
Normally, stirrup straps, i.e., the straps for supporting the stirrups, are connected to the tree of the saddle, and in particular to the so-called stirrup bar, by means of couplings of the mechanical type.
In particular, stirrup bars are known which are provided with a snap-acting lever in the end directed toward the rear of the horse during use, which allows to slide off the stirrup strap in the event of an accidental fall from the horse.
However, although they are widely used, these stirrup bars are not without drawbacks.
First of all, these solutions do not always make it easy to perform the operations for coupling the stirrup strap to the stirrup bar.
Moreover, it is difficult to precisely adjust the preloading of the snap-acting lever so that it can open, allowing release only when necessary (i.e., in case of a fall).
Other known solutions are, for example, those described in EP428436 in the name of Hermès, or in US4924660 . In particular, in addition to the snap-acting lever, the invention according to this last mentioned patent provides for the possibility to adjust the position of the stirrup bar in a horizontal direction.
DE 150 106 C and FR 342 028 A disclose devices for connecting a stirrup strap to the tree of a saddle for horseback riding according to the preamble of appended claim 1.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for connecting a stirrup strap to the tree of a saddle for horseback riding that is capable of improving the background art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device for connecting a stirrup strap to the tree of a saddle for horseback riding that allows to facilitate the operations for engaging the stirrup strap with the stirrup bar.
Not least object of the invention is to provide a device for connecting a stirrup strap to the tree of a saddle for horseback riding that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide and at competitive costs.
This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for connecting a stirrup strap to the tree of a saddle for horseback riding according to the invention as defined in claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device for connecting a stirrup strap to the tree of a saddle for horseback riding according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of the connecting device according to the invention in the engagement condition;
Figure 2 is a lateral elevation view of the connecting device in the engagement condition;
Figure 3 is a perspective view, from a first viewpoint, of the connecting device in the disengaged condition;
Figure 4 is a view, from another viewpoint, of the connecting device in the disengaged condition.

With reference to the figures, the device, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, for connecting a stirrup strap 10 to the tree 11 of a saddle for horseback riding comprises a first connecting body 2, configured to be stably associated with the end 10a that is upper during use of the stirrup strap 10, and a second connecting body 3 configured to be associated with the tree 11.
The connecting device 1 comprises engagement/disengagement means which are adapted to allow the mutual engagement and disengagement of the first connecting body 2 and of the second connecting body 3.
According to the claimed invention, the engagement/disengagement means comprise coupling means of the mechanical type 50, which are configured to allow the stable coupling of the first connecting body 2 to the second connecting body 3 by means of a movement of the first connecting body 2 with respect to the second connecting body 3 along at least one movement trajectory.
Moreover, means for retaining the first connecting body 2 and the second connecting body 3 in a coupled condition are provided.
According to the claimed invention, the retention means are configured to allow uncoupling between the first connecting body 2 and the second connecting body 3 following the application, to the first connecting body 2, of a force that exceeds a predetermined force, which is directed along a substantially horizontal uncoupling direction 100 and is oriented toward the rear part of the saddle and therefore of the horse.
Advantageously, at least one of the movement trajectories comprises a coupling direction which extends oppositely with respect to the direction defined by the uncoupling direction 100.
According to the claimed invention, the uncoupling direction 100 extends, going toward the rear part of the saddle (and therefore of the horse), upward from below.
According to a preferred practical embodiment, the retention means comprise connection means of the magnetic type which act between the first connecting body 2 and the second connecting body 3.
Preferably, the engagement/disengagement means are configured to allow stable coupling by means of a movement of approach of the first connecting body 2 with respect to the second connecting body 3 along a plurality of movement trajectories, and in particular along trajectories that are different with respect to the uncoupling direction 100.
In this respect, the engagement/disengagement means, and more particularly the coupling means of the mechanical type, can comprise at least one bolt-like body which is formed on one of the connecting bodies 2, 3 and can engage a respective seat formed on the other connecting body 2, 3.
The approach movement of the first connecting body 2 with respect to the second connecting body 3 along at least one movement trajectory produces the transition of the bolt from an inactive condition to an active position, in which the mutual spacing of the first connecting body 2 from the second connecting body 3 by means of a movement other than the uncoupling direction 100 is prevented.
Preferably, at least one bolt-like body is formed on the first connecting body 2, while the respective seat is formed on the second connecting body 3.
The pairing of the engagement/disengagement means allows the use of the saddle in complete safety, since the stirrup straps, even when they are stressed during normal use, are firmly attached to the tree and therefore to the saddle by means of the connecting device 1.
However, if the rider falls, any force exerted on the stirrup strap along the direction designated by the arrow 100, which corresponds to the uncoupling direction, renders inoperative the coupling means of mechanical type, causing the consequent disengagement of the second connecting body 3 from the first connecting body 2.
In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a connecting device 1 that is extremely practical to use and is capable of ensuring the disengagement of the stirrup strap 10 in the event of a fall in a reliable manner.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims. Accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

A device (1) for connecting a stirrup strap (10) to the tree (11) of a saddle for horseback riding, comprising a first connecting body (2) configured to be stably associated with the end (10a) that is upper during use of said stirrup strap (10), and a second connecting body (3) configured to be associated with said tree (11), wherein the connecting device comprises engagement/disengagement means adapted to allow the mutual engagement and disengagement of said first connecting body (2) and of said second connecting body (3), the engagement/disengagement means comprising coupling means of the mechanical type (50) configured to allow the stable coupling of the first connecting body (2) to the second connecting body (3) by means of a movement of the first connecting body (2) with respect to the second connecting body (3) along at least one movement trajectory, means being provided for retaining said first connecting body (2) and said second connecting body (3) in a coupled condition, said retention means being configured to allow the uncoupling between the first connecting body (2) and the second connecting body (3), following the application, to said first connecting body (2), of a force that exceeds a predetermined force, is directed along a substantially horizontal uncoupling direction (100) and is oriented toward the rear part of the horse, characterized in that said uncoupling direction (100) is extended, going toward the rear part of the saddle, upward from below.
The connecting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said movement trajectories comprises a coupling direction which extends oppositely with respect to the uncoupling direction (100).
The connecting device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention means comprise connection means of the magnetic type which act between the first connecting body (2) and the second connecting body (3).
The connecting device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement/disengagement means are configured to allow stable coupling by means of a movement of approach of the first connecting body (2) with respect to the second connecting body (3) along a plurality of movement trajectories.
The connecting device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement/disengagement means comprise at least one bolt-like body which is formed on one of said connecting bodies (2,3) and can engage a respective seat formed on the other connecting body (2, 3), the approach movement of said first connecting body (2) with respect to said second connecting body (3) along at least one movement trajectory producing the transition of said bolt from an inactive condition to an active position, in which the mutual spacing of the first connecting body (2) from the second connecting body (3) by means of a movement other than said uncoupling direction (100) is prevented.
The connecting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one bolt-like body is formed on said first connecting body (2) and in that said at least one respective seat is formed in said second connecting body (3).
A saddle for horseback riding, characterized in that it comprises a connecting device according to one or more of the preceding claims.