Safety stirrup and strap system

{
  "publication_number": "US10906799B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Safety stirrup and strap system",
  "abstract": "The present invention provides a safety stirrup and strap system for quick and easy stirrup adjustment for use with a saddle or similar type of riding equipment used during equine assisted therapies or in any recreational riding wherein quick and easy stirrup adjustment is desired.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A safety stirrup and strap system comprising: a stirrup strap formed of a flexible elongated material having a buckle at one end and an opposite end distal to the buckle wherein the buckle is capable of receiving the opposite end of the stirrup strap thereby providing a loop from which a safety stirrup may be suspended in a normal use position; a safety stirrup comprising stirrup bars defining an arch wherein the safety stirrup is suspended from the stirrup strap wherein the safety stirrup comprises removable padding wrapped around all or a portion of the bars defining the arch of the safety stirrup; wherein the stirrup strap comprises a plurality of separate and discrete blocks of buckle holes adjacent to each other along the stirrup strap, wherein each separate block contains the same number of buckle holes and wherein each buckle hole contained in each block is demarcated by a unique indicia selected from numbering or lettering of each buckle hole.",
    "2. The safety stirrup and strap system of claim 1, wherein the blocks of buckle holes are identified by using a bright color.",
    "3. The safety stirrup and strap system of claim 2, wherein each separate block contains 5 buckle holes.",
    "4. The safety stirrup and strap system of claim 1, wherein the unique indicia are numbers.",
    "5. The safety stirrup and strap system of claim 1, wherein the removable padding comprises fleece or foam.",
    "6. The safety stirrup and strap system of claim 1, wherein the removable padding is secured to the bars of the stirrup by hook and loop material."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Occupational therapists, physical therapists and/or speech and language pathologists use hippotherapy to treat patients. Hippotherapy uses equine movement to enhance the balance and muscle function of people with neurological disorders, for example, amongst other benefits. This technique originated in Germany and has been used in the United States since the 1950's. In the United States licensed physical and occupational therapists have designed hippotherapy treatments for thousands of neurologically impaired riders.\n\nPhysical therapists have documented the following medical benefits of hippotherapy: decreased spasticity, improved balance, improved coordination, improved gait, improved posture, and improved range of motion. Occupational therapists have reported that hippotherapy improves the organization of the sensory system, increases oral motor control, improves cognition, awareness, and processing, improves hand control, and increases the psycho-social interaction of the rider with the environment.\n\nProblems associated with hippotherapy often arise due to the condition of the rider/patient. Neurologically-impaired riders often require three to four people at the horse arena to (a) determine the most therapeutic position for the rider receiving hippotherapy, (b) groom and saddle the horse, (c) assist in the transfer to and from the horse, and (d) lead or walk beside the horse. Physically or psychologically impaired riders sometimes have weak or no strength in their hands which prevents the riders from forming a good grip onto the horn of a horse's saddle. Furthermore, riders often have poor balance and coordination.",
  "cpc": [
    "B68C 3/00",
    "A41F 9/02",
    "A44B 11/20",
    "B68C 1/16",
    "B68C 2003/0041",
    "B68C 2003/0075",
    "B68C 2003/0083"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A44B 11/20",
    "F16B 1/00",
    "B68C 3/00",
    "B68C 1/16"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Monica Pi-Jung Wu"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-08-30",
  "publication_date": "2021-02-02",
  "grant_date": "2021-02-02",
  "priority_date": "2016-04-07",
  "application_number": "US-201816117440-A",
  "family_id": "60001479",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US313609A",
    "US847896A",
    "US1335826A",
    "US4233712A",
    "US5802608A",
    "US6513309B1",
    "US20060168918A1",
    "US20070051076A1",
    "US7073313B1",
    "US20100045022A1",
    "JP2010261117A",
    "US20140082891A1",
    "FR3027892A1"
  ]
}