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(11) | EP 2 364 608 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Handy spur structure |
| (57) A handy spur structure including: a spur main body, which is a curved rigid body
adapted to a configuration of a heel section of a rider's shoe/boot, the spur main
body having two end sections each of which is formed with at least one strap slot,
a strap being passable through the strap slots of the spur main body and fastened
around an instep of the shoe/boot to secure the spur main body to the shoe/boot, the
spur main body having at least one post outward protruding from a middle section of
the spur main body; and a soft and elastic lining member disposed on an inner circumference
of the spur main body. Multiple recessed/raised anti-slip stripes are formed on a
surface of the lining member for keeping the spur structure from slipping on the shoe/boot
and avoiding abrasion thereof.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a handy spur structure, and more particularly to a spur structure, which is anti-slip and anti-wear and is not liable to abrade the surface of a shoe/boot.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] A conventional spur is secured to the heel of a rider's boot by means of a strap for contacting the belly of a horse. U.S. Patent No. 7552576, entitled "spur with removable end piece", discloses a spur for equitation. The spur includes a U-shaped main body and an end piece for contacting a portion of a body of an animal being ridden. The main body includes two arms terminating in ends. Each end has slots, through which a strap may be threaded for securing the spur to a rider's boot or shoe. The main body further includes a protruding post terminating in a flattened portion. The end piece is removably attached to the post. In use, the main body is fitted onto a heel section of the rider's boot or shoe. Then the strap is passed underneath the boot or shoe and fastened around an instep thereof to secure the spur to the boot or the shoe.
[0003] U.S. Patent No. 6381931, entitled "strap-attached spur", discloses a substantially U-shaped body with two lateral bars and a base part between the lateral bars. Each lateral bar has a free end. Two spur strap eyelets are provided for in each free end of each lateral bar. A spur protrudes from a middle section of the base part in opposite direction from the two lateral bars. In use, the base part is fitted onto a heel section of a rider's shoe/boot. A spur strap is passed through the strap eyelets of the lateral bars and fastened around an instep of the shoe/boot to secure the spur to the shoe/boot.
[0004] In horse riding, the spur secured to the heel of the rider's boot frequently contacts the belly of a horse. Therefore, the spur must have a certain structural strength to ensure durability. Most of the traditional spurs are made of metal materials. Such metal-made spur has a considerably heavy weight and is manufactured at higher cost. Thanks to the advance of material technique and processing method, many kinds of hard plastic-made spur products have been developed recently. The existent spur products (including the spur structures disclosed in the above two Patents) are all single-material products with relatively high hardness. Accordingly, the surface of the shoe or boot is very liable to be abraded by the spur under the friction. Moreover, both the spur structure and the shoe or boot have polished surfaces in contact with each other and the spur structure is secured to the shoe or boot simply by means of the strap. As a result, in use of the spur, the spur tends to slip on the shoe or boot and displace or deflect away from its true position. This will cause inconvenience in use of the spur.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved handy spur structure, which can increase friction force between the spur structure and a rider's shoe/boot to avoid slippage of the spur structure on the shoe/boot.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above improved handy spur structure in which a portion in contact with the shoe/boot has better anti-wear property so that the lifetime of the spur product is prolonged.
[0007] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide the above improved handy spur structure in which the portion in contact with the shoe/boot is soft and elastic so that the abrasion of the shoe/boot can be minimized.
[0008] To achieve the above and other objects, the handy spur structure of the present invention includes a spur main body and a soft and elastic lining member. The spur main body is a curved rigid body adapted to a configuration of a heel section of a rider's shoe/boot. The lining member is disposed on an inner circumference of the spur main body.
[0009] In the above handy spur structure, multiple recessed/raised anti-slip stripes are formed on a surface of the lining member for keeping the spur structure from slipping on the shoe/boot and avoiding abrasion thereof.
[0010] In the above handy spur structure, the spur main body has two end sections each of which is formed with at least one strap slot. A strap can be passed through the strap slots of the spur main body and fastened around an instep of the shoe/boot to secure the spur main body to the shoe/boot.
[0011] The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing that the spur structure of the present invention is connected with a strap; and
Fig. 4 is a side view showing the application of the present invention to a boot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Please refer to Figs. 1 to 4. The handy spur structure of the present invention includes a spur main body 1 and a lining member 2. The spur main body 1 is a curved (substantially U-shaped) rigid body made of hard plastic. The spur main body 1 has two end sections each of which is formed with at least one strap slot 11 for a strap 3 to pass therethrough. A middle section of the spur main body 1 has an outward protruding post 12. The lining member 2 is disposed on a portion of an inner circumference of the spur main body 1 that is liable to contact a shoe/boot 4. The lining member 2 can be made of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) elastomer or the like material. The lining member 2 is soft, elastic, anti-wear and bending-resistant. In addition, multiple recessed/raised anti-slip stripes 21 are formed on a surface of the lining member 2 for increasing friction force.
[0014] In use, the spur main body 1 is fitted onto a heel section of a rider's shoe/boot 4. Then the strap 3 is passed underneath the shoe/boot 4 and fastened around an instep of the shoe/boot 4 to secure the spur main body 1 to the heel section of the shoe/boot 4. In this case, the post 12 rearward extends from the heel section. The lining member 2 is positioned between the spur main body 1 and the shoe/boot 4 in contact therewith to serve as a soft and elastic cushioning member. Under such circumstance, the surface abrasion of the shoe/boot 4 can be reduced. Moreover, the material of the lining member 2 has a property of high adhesion and is formed with the anti-slip stripes 21. Therefore, the spur main body 1 is not liable to slip on the shoe/boot 4 away from its true position. Accordingly, the rider can more conveniently use the spur structure to control a horse.
1. A handy spur structure comprising:
a spur main body, which is a curved rigid body adapted to a configuration of a heel section of a rider's shoe/boot; and
a lining member disposed on an inner circumference of the spur main body, the lining member being made of a soft and elastic material.
2. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple recessed/raised anti-slip
stripes are formed on a surface of the lining member.
3. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spur main body has
two end sections each of which is formed with at least one strap slot, whereby a strap
can be passed through the strap slots of the spur main body and fastened around an
instep of the rider's shoe/boot.
4. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spur main body has
a post outward protruding from a portion of the spur main body, which portion is adjacent
to the heel section of the rider's shoe/boot.
5. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the spur main body has a post
outward protruding from a portion of the spur main body, which portion is adjacent
to the heel section of the rider's shoe/boot.
6. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spur main body is
a U-shaped rigid body.
7. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the spur main body is a U-shaped
rigid body.
8. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the spur main body is a U-shaped
rigid body.
9. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spur main body is a U-shaped
rigid body.
10. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lining member is
made of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) elastomer.
11. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lining member is made
of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) elastomer.
12. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lining member is made
of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) elastomer.
13. The handy spur structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lining member is made
of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) elastomer.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description