U.S. patent application number 12/883377 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for magnetic boot attachment for a stirrup.
Invention is credited to Ashley M. Yanke, Paul H. Yanke.
Application Number | 20110056094 12/883377 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44772955 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110056094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yanke; Paul H. ; et
al. |
March 10, 2011 |
MAGNETIC BOOT ATTACHMENT FOR A STIRRUP
Abstract
A riding boot attachment for use with a riding boot includes a
body member having a first surface, a second surface, and at least
two openings for receiving the riding boot. The body member
receives at least a portion of the riding boot and is shaped and
configured to conform to a contour of the riding boot. The riding
boot attachment also includes a sole for engaging a stirrup, the
sole coupled to the first surface of the body member, and a
magnetic member coupled to the sole.
Inventors: |
Yanke; Paul H.; (Milwaukee,
WI) ; Yanke; Ashley M.; (Mount Vernon, AR) |
Family ID: |
44772955 |
Appl. No.: |
12/883377 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12403638 |
Mar 13, 2009 |
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12883377 |
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61036819 |
Mar 14, 2008 |
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61052773 |
May 13, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/131 ;
36/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B68C 2003/0033 20130101;
B68C 2003/0083 20130101; A43B 5/14 20130101; A43B 13/00 20130101;
B68C 2003/0091 20130101; A43B 5/18 20130101; A43B 1/0054 20130101;
A43B 5/006 20130101; B68C 3/00 20130101; A43B 13/22 20130101; A43B
5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/131 ;
36/132 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/00 20060101
A43B005/00 |
Claims
1. A riding boot attachment for use with a riding boot, the riding
boot attachment comprising: a body member, the body member
including a first surface, a second surface, and at least two
openings for receiving the riding boot, wherein the body member
receives at least a portion of the riding boot and is shaped and
configured to conform to a contour of the riding boot; a sole for
engaging a stirrup, the sole coupled to the first surface of the
body member; and a magnetic member coupled to the sole.
2. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein when the sole is
positioned proximate the stirrup, the magnetic member is attracted
to the stirrup to releasably secure the riding boot attachment to
the stirrup.
3. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein the magnetic
member comprises at least one plate.
4. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein the sole includes
a recessed area and the magnetic member is positioned in the
recessed area.
5. The riding boot attachment of claim 4 wherein the recessed area
is defined by an opening for supporting the magnetic member and the
magnetic member is coupled to the sole with at least one
fastener.
6. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein the sole includes
a tread-like texture.
7. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein the sole is
integrally formed with the first surface of the body member as a
single piece.
8. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein the sole is formed
of magnetic material.
9. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein the body member is
formed of a neoprene material.
10. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein one of the
apertures is formed in the first surface of the body member for
receiving a heel of the riding boot.
11. The riding boot attachment of claim 1 wherein one of the
apertures is formed in the second surface of the body member for
receiving an upper portion of the riding boot.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part and claims
priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/403,638,
entitled "STIRRUP", filed on Mar. 13, 2009 by Paul H. Yanke and
Charles H. Yanke, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/036,819, entitled "STIRRUP", filed Mar. 14, 2008
by Scott H. Yanke, Patricia A. Van Housen and Paul H. Yanke, and to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/052,773, entitled
"STIRRUP", filed May 13, 2008 by Scott H. Yanke, Patricia A. Van
Housen and Paul H. Yanke, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a boot attachment for a
riding boot, and more particularly, to a magnetic riding boot
attachment that magnetically attracts a stirrup.
[0003] Typically, stirrups attach to a saddle by straps. In
equestrian events and activities, a rider's feet are placed into
the stirrups, thereby allowing the rider to maintain their balance
on an equine (e.g., a horse). It is common for a rider's foot to
fall out of the stirrup, often called "losing their stirrup" or
"blowing their stirrup." If order to prevent this action, a rider's
foot is held in the stirrup by a variety of make-shift restraints,
such as rubber bands, strings, leather, or fabric ties. Such
restraints usually require assistance to put on, are unsightly in
competitive arenas, and are outlawed by the governing bodies of
various equestrian sports.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, the invention provides a riding boot
attachment for use with a riding boot. The riding boot attachment
includes a body member having a first surface, a second surface,
and at least two openings for receiving the riding boot. The body
member receives at least a portion of the riding boot and is shaped
and configured to conform to a contour of the riding boot. The
riding boot attachment also includes a sole for engaging a stirrup,
the sole coupled to the first surface of the body member, and a
magnetic member coupled to the sole.
[0005] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic stirrup and a
riding boot according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a riding boot attachment for
use with the stirrup and riding boot of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is bottom view of the riding boot attachment of FIG.
2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the riding boot
attachment of FIG. 2 on the riding boot of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the riding boot attachment and
riding boot of FIG. 4.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the riding boot
attachment and riding boot of FIG. 4.
[0012] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a stirrup 10 and a riding boot 14 for use
with one embodiment of the invention. The stirrup 10 and the riding
boot 14 form a riding system for use with various riding animals.
As shown in FIG. 1, the stirrup 10 includes a base 18, an eye 22
for a strap to connect the stirrup to a saddle, such as a leather
strap, and two branches 26 extending between the base 18 and the
eye 22. The stirrup 10 may be formed of various materials, such as
steel, stainless steel, iron, plated nickel, plastic, aluminum,
wood, leather, and composites. Furthermore, the stirrup 10 may be
formed of any metal as is known in the art. The magnetic stirrup 10
may be either English-style, as shown, or Western-style.
[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, a tread or foot pad 30 is
removably coupled to the base 18 using fasteners (e.g., screws)
inserted through apertures in the base 18. In a further embodiment,
the foot pad 30 may be permanently attached to the base 18. The
foot pad 30 may include ribs or another textured surface to provide
friction between the foot pad 30 and riding boot 14 (or riding boot
attachment 50 as discussed below). The foot pad 30 may be formed of
various materials, such as metal (e.g., steel), plastic, rubber,
urethane, silicon or leather. In some embodiments, the foot pad is
molded using injection molding (i.e., high or low pressure
injection molding), gravity molding, vacuum molding or any molding
process. In still other embodiments, the stirrup 10 may not include
a tread or foot pad 30.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2-6, a magnetic plate system 42, or first
attractant or first magnetic member, which exhibits magnetic
behavior, is coupled to or imbedded in a sole 48 of a riding boot
attachment 50. The sole 48 is generally formed of rubber or other
polymeric material. A second attractant or second magnetic member
(not shown), which also exhibits magnetic behavior, is coupled to
or imbedded in the foot pad 30. In other embodiments, the second
magnetic member may be coupled to or imbedded in the base 18 of the
stirrup 10.
[0016] In some embodiments, the style or discipline of equine
riding determines the riding boot placement in the stirrup and
therein the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member
placement in the riding boot attachment 50 and foot pad 30,
respectively.
[0017] The riding boot attachment 50 includes a fabric sheath 54
having the sole 48 and a heel aperture 58. The fabric sheath 54 is
configured to surround a portion of the riding boot 14 and a
portion of a sole 46 of the riding boot 14, whereby the heel
aperture 58 receives a heel 52 of the riding boot 14. The fabric
sheath 54 includes a fabric loop 62 on a rear of the riding boot
attachment 50 to enable a user to grasp, pull, push, or otherwise
manipulate the riding boot attachment 50 to put it onto and take it
off of the riding boot 14. In other embodiments, the fabric loop 62
may be any other type of element configured for grasping by a user.
The fabric sheath 54 is manufactured of neoprene. However, in other
embodiments, the fabric sheath 54 may be manufactured from spandex,
nylon, or other stretch material. The stretch material is necessary
to stretch the riding boot attachment 50 over the riding boot 14 to
hold the magnetic plate system 42 against the sole 46 of the riding
boot 14. In still other embodiments, the fabric sheath 54 may be
manufactured from other types or combinations of fabric
materials.
[0018] The riding boot attachment 50 also includes the sole 48
affixed to the bottom of the riding boot attachment 50 with
adhesive. However, in other embodiments, the sole 48 may be affixed
to the bottom of the riding boot attachment with a fastener,
stitching, or other mechanical means. The riding boot attachment is
shown as a slip-on article. However, in other embodiments, the
riding boot attachment may include other adjustment features,
including but not limited to a strap, a buckle, button, and/or
shoelaces.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the sole 48 of the riding boot
attachment 50 includes the magnetic plate system 42. The magnetic
plate system 42 is shown as two plates; however, in other
embodiments, the magnetic plate system may include one plate or
more than two plates. As the number of plates increases, the
magnetic attraction and flexibility of the sole may increase.
[0020] Each of the plates 42 is configured for receipt in a recess
66 formed in the sole 48, and affixed to the sole 48 with at least
one fastener 70, such as a washer and rivet. However, in other
embodiments, the plate 42 may be affixed with one or a combination
of a fastener, such as a nail, other mechanical means, or adhesive.
Once received in the recess 66, the magnetic plate 42 is flush with
the bottom of the sole 48. In still other embodiments, ridges 74 of
the sole may be filed or otherwise machined down to provide the
recess for the magnetic plate. The ridges 74 are shown as having a
uniform shape on the sole. However, in some embodiments, the ridges
74 may have other shapes, sizes, or combination of shapes and/or
sizes. In still other embodiments, the sole 48 may be flat without
any ridges 74. In such an embodiment, the flat sole would include
recesses for receipt of the magnetic plate system, such that the
magnetic plate system would be flush with the flat sole.
[0021] The magnetic plate system 42 may be formed of various
conventional magnetic materials. For example, in some embodiments,
the magnetic plate system 42 is formed of ferromagnetic materials,
such as steel, carbon steel or iron, which produce magnetic fields
that attract one another. In another embodiment, the magnetic plate
system 42 is a composite loaded with metal. The magnetic plate
system 42 is configured to magnetically attract and/or interact
with the second magnetic member formed in the stirrup 10.
[0022] The type, size and shape of the second magnetic member
utilized in the stirrup 10 determines the effectiveness or amount
of magnetic attraction with the magnetic plate system 42. In some
embodiments, the thickness and size of the magnetic plate system 42
may be varied to correspond to the type, size and shape of the
second magnetic member in order to provide a desired amount of
attraction between the magnetic members.
[0023] The magnetic field couples the stirrup 10 (i.e., the second
magnetic member) to the sole 48 of the riding boot attachment 50
and thereby prevents a rider's foot from slipping through, or
falling out of, the stirrup 10. If a rider does fall off the equine
(e.g., horse, mule, etc.), the attraction of the first and second
magnetic members is broken by the force of the rider's fall;
therefore, allowing the rider's foot to fall out of the stirrup 10
rather than remaining entangled with the stirrup 10.
[0024] Although described for use with a riding boot, the riding
boot attachment is contemplated for use in other applications where
a magnetic attraction is desirable between two elements.
[0025] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the
figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended
as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present
invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their
configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more
independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features
and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *