Importance

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Abstract

An improved, low-cost safety stirrup (10) is provided having a release feature which permits safe removal of a rider's foot 26 in the vent of a fall or other mishap, and which also includes a shock-absorbing mechanism (15) and anti-rotation structure (31, 44) for preventing undesirable stirrup turning. The stirrup (10) advantageously includes a unitary metallic frame (12) presenting a tubular upper end (28) and a cantilever, footpad-supporting lower base (40). A footpad assembly (16) including a resilient, synthetic resin, U-shaped member, presenting at its bight, a footpad (56) is removably affixed to the frame base (40). An inboard keeper wall (58) extends upwardly from the footpad (56) to prevent escape of the rider's foot (26) during normal riding, but yields and bends open to permit the rider's foot (26) to clear the stirrup (10) in the event of a fall or the like. The shock-absorbing mechanism (15) includes a saddle strap loop (42) having a depending shank (44 ) slidably positioned within the upper end (28) of the frame (12), with a coil spring (46) encircling the shank (44). The shank (44) and a portion (31) of the frame bore (30) are polygonal in cross section whereby relative rotation between the loop (42) and frame (12) is prevented.

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First Claim