GB2499813A

GB2499813A - Anti-slip horse boot

Info

Publication number: GB2499813A
Application number: GB201203520A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fiona Sinclair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-02-29
Filing date: 2012-02-29
Publication date: 2013-09-04
Also published as: GB201203520D0

Abstract

An anti-slip overshoe comprising a resiliently deformable boot with integrated sole grips, cooperating with an upper part that encircles at least part of the pastern. The overshoe is sufficiently elastic to allow it to be stretched over the hoof. The sole may have durably resistant members and inserts embedded therein. The overshoe can be in the form of a lattice type structure or a bootie with integrated or removable studs.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

NIGEL DOWN FOR

AN ANTI-SLIP HORSE BOOT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an anti-slip overshoe, typically but not exclusively for use on horse hooves.

Background

Horses are susceptible to injury if they slip or fall as the weight of their body exerts huge forces on their limbs. Where possible slippery surfaces such as wet ground, snow and ice are avoided however, this is not always possible or practical, particularly when competing.

Traditionally in shod horses studs can be added to a horses shoe to prevent slipping. Typically these are screwed into a metal shoe at set locations depending upon use. Various different types and sizes of studs are available for different conditions such as grass studs or road studs.

However, fitting can be difficult as it requires holding the horses leg up for a period of time whilst the stud a stud is fitted. The process of fitting studs involves a number of stages including; the removal of stud plugs that protect the entry point of the stud on the shoe, cleaning of the stud hole and then fitting of the stud. This is a timely process and if not tightened sufficiently the stud can be lost.

When in use studs alter the foot balance of the horse when on a hard surface, this could lead to associated ailments such as tendon strain. Also studs are only recommended for use during work and should be removed when the horse is turned out or stabled so as to prevent damage to the horse, others or floors surfaces and kick boards.

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Use of studs is limited to the shod horse and therefore owners who have unshod horses do not have means of stopping their horse from slipping.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Granted United States patent US 6 688 401 (SMITH) discloses a horseshoe made from an elastically deformable material comprising: (a) a tread portion; (b) said tread portion having an upper surface which contacts a horse's hoof and a lower surface which contacts the ground, said tread portion including a plurality of hollow cylindrical buttons; and (c) said buttons being open at said upper surface and being closed at said lower surface by a thin film of said elastically deformable material.

Granted European patent EP 1 122 998 (MACDONALD) discloses an equine multipurpose protector boot comprising: a sole member, at least one side flap, an outer compressive cover and a heel member, characterised in that: the sole member has an upwardly depending rim extending around the periphery of the sole member at least at the toe and at each side, wherein the inner surface of said rim is substantially vertical at least in the region of the sides of the sole member to allow differing shaped hooves to drop down onto the platform of the sole without restriction, and the said rim is of sufficient rigidity to provide resistance to lateral movement of the hoof; the at least one side flap is located at each side of the hoof, attached to or integrated with the sole member, and composed of flexible material which is able to conform to the shape of the sidewalls of the hoof; the outer compressive cover is provided with means to force said at least one side flap into conformation with the shape of the hoof and prevent lateral movement of the hoof in the boot; and the a heel member, is flexibly attached to the rear of the sole member and shaped to include at least one fastening strap adapted to pass around the pastern bone at a point within the range of 2 to 3.5 cm above the coronary band of the hoof in such a manner that it prevents the hoof from lifting out of the boot.

Granted European patent EP 0 080 959 (VOLAND) discloses a horseshoe apparatus protection assembly for Equidae comprising a flexible and elastic housing material with an outer cover comprising rigid material covering the protection assembly. The

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horseshoe is intended for the protection of the feet of horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and other animals in the utilitarian and sportive domains. The inner housing may be stamped or cast using elastomeric materials to conform to the shape of the foot. The rigid material of the outer cover comprises synthetic resins including adiprene. The outer cover may also be adapted to be elastic at its upper regions to permit ease of fitting and removal of the horseshoe apparatus from the foot of the animal. The base or sole of the outer cover may be adapted to accommodate additional elements comprising calks, non-skid plates, horseshoes and like devices traditionally used in conjunction with foot coverings for animals. The inner housing may be adapted to contain a treatment product by means of a groove to hold the treatment product or by impregnating the inner layer with the treatment product.

United States patent application US 4 212 356 (BATTLE) discloses a nail-less horseshoe comprising, in combination:(a) a flexible material defining an enclosure having an upper rim, said enclosure being of general hollow ungulate shape for engaging about and under a horse's hoof and including a generally horizontal forwardly directed rear lip across the rear upper perimeter portion of said rim and a front V-shaped opening extending from the upper front of said rim of the enclosure and terminating in a vertex portion at the lower front of the enclosure to permit the enclosure to be expanded and placed over the hoof, said enclosure including integrally formed exterior enlargements having generally vertical slots, said enlargements being positioned at circumferentially spaced exterior locations about the enclosure;(b) a flexible belt of textile material passing about the exterior of the enclosure below said rim through said slots with opposite end portions of the belt extending forwardly adjacent to said V-shaped opening; and(c) buckle means coupled to said opposite end portions of said belt for cinching the end portions together in overlapping relationship whereby said enclosure may be readily disposed over a horse's hoof and thereafter said end portions of the opposite ends of said belt cinched to circumferentially contract the enclosure about the hoof, said rear lip engaging over the rear heel portion of the horse's hoof, the opposite sides of said V-shaped opening coming together as said enclosure is contracted to thereby cause said enclosure to snugly engage the horse's hoof.

Granted Australian patent AU 526 790 (GLASS) discloses an improved composition molded shoe for horses comprising a sole and integral walls conforming in shape to a horse's foot, a re-entrant fold on each side of the front shoe wall having the fold

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creases lying in the plane substantially that of the front of the hoof, a pair of brackets symmetrically located and affixed to the shoe upper portions rearward of and proximate the re-entrant folds, each of said brackets being generally rhombic shaped and adapted to be affixed inside the shoe side walls, a cable engaging grooved means affixed to each of said brackets at a front upper portion, a plurality of inwardly and downwardly inclined teeth on the lower edge of said brackets, a elongated composition strap having downwardly inclined serrations positioned inside the shoe in approximately a semi-circle around the inside of the rear part of the shoe, means attaching the ends of the strap to the shoe side walls and the brackets, a continuous loop binding cable, a pair of vertically spaced apertures in each front portion of the shoe side wall located to be tangential, substantially to the top and bottom of cable engaging grooved means, a cable anchoring bracket affixed to the upper midpoint of the shoe front wall, means affixing the cable to said bracket, said cable then dividing to the right and to the left of the front of the shoe, passing into the shoe through the lower apertures, engaging the cable engaging grooved means, passing out of the shoe through the upper apertures for engagement with over-center buckle means.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 463 542 (MURIEL) discloses a hoof shielding device comprising: a shielding member comprising a concave portion for receiving the hoof of the horse such that the heel of the horse shoe is covered by the shielding member; and attachment means adapted to allow attachment of the shielding member to the horse shoe.

In contrast the present invention provides an easy to transport and store comfortable, reliable means of providing grip in temporary conditions.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an anti-slip overshoe comprising; a resiliently deformable boot with integrated sole grips, cooperating with an upper that encircles at least part of a pastern.

Typically the boot comprises a moulded shell of a durable, lightweight material that encases a hoof of a horse, extending at least to the hoofs coronet band and encasing the hoof heel bulb.

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It may be envisaged in preferred embodiments that a posterior part of the boot in use covers the bulb of heel and lower posterior pastern and will have a protective function by preventing damage from over reaching (toe of hind limb touching posterior of lower fore limb). Said area of posterior hoof boot may be thickened in some embodiments to provide protection from impact.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the boot material has sufficient elastic ability to enable said boot to be pulled on over the hoof without requirement of a break in the boot.

In preferred embodiments the boot is composed of a grid in order to minimise material costs and allow maximum freedom.

In another embodiment the boot would have means of expanding and contracting a hoof entry point which could be achieved by formation of an entry point that matches the boot sole. Once in place the boot could be tightened to create a snug fit around the hoof by means of clips, straps, hooks, buckles, hook and loop portions or alike.

In preferred embodiments and according to a third aspect of the present invention the sole of the boot includes integrated metal, carbon or rubber studs or members.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention such grip members are embedded, and according to a fifth aspect of the present invention the members are covered by material uppermost in use in order to avoid damage to a hoof.

For example in addition or the alternative, in preferred embodiments the boot includes a resilient cushion layer of foam, neoprene or alike on the interior of the boot to evenly distribute pressure through the boot.

In yet further embodiments studs are removable and interchangeable so that number, type and location of studs can be altered. Typically removable studs would be secured by means of a screw fitting or push fitting that can be locked into place but also readily removed.

Studs or members are located on the sole of the boot so as to ensure an even foot balance when the horse is weight bearing. It is envisaged that a plurality of stud

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shapes and sizes would be available to support different activities and to accommodate gait abnormalities and variations.

In a preferred embodiment the sole of the boot may include a plate of strengthened material such as metal to serve as an anchor point for the studs and also provide increased structural strength. Said plate may therefore be encased within the boot sole and may serve as an indicator to excessive wear of the boot when it becomes visible.

In another embodiment the sole of the boot is formed of an abrasive, durable material to facilitate grip without requirement for studs or embedded members.

In other embodiments in addition to the embedded members the sole of the boot has a raised tread pattern to reduce or stop slippage being for example of a softer rubber compound or alike that retain flexibility and grip even in cold conditions.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a brace to mitigate against displacement of the boot. In preferred embodiments this brace stretches from a collar about the horse's pastern to a front most part of the boot in use, in order that the boot will not work free.

In all preferred embodiments said boot attaches across the distal phalanx to the upper which is lightweight, flexible, breathable and rises to cover the fetlock joint and fasten above the fetlock joint. In the preferred embodiment the boot integrates with the upper.

Typically the boot is attached to the upper by elastic means, for example a resiliently deformable cord. Said upper typically fastens around the horse's pastern by hook and loop sections such as VELCRO (Trade Mark), buckle or other temporary secure means of attachment.

In preferred embodiments all upper fastenings are on the anterior or lateral side of the pastern so as to avoid rubbing in gait and so as to not impinge on the tendon or ligaments of the horse's limb.

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In the preferred embodiment the upper includes a re-entrant cut out to allow the boot to be easily pulled on the hoof and the upper boot to be pulled up to the pastern tendon area. In other embodiments the re-entrant cut out has an elasticated portion that protects from ingress of material such as mud into the boot, in particular when in deep ground when this could restrict the horses ability to lift its limb out of deep mud.

Material between the boot and upper must be flexible to enable full movement at the fetlock joint and pastern. Typically the section of the overshoe that encompasses the pastern is of a lower density material so as to allow an increased range of movement being of equal strength to maintain structural integrity.

In some preferred embodiments the upper provides rigid support around the tendon. It is envisaged that the tendon support would have a degree of flexibility and be shaped to splay around the fetlock joint to avoid pressure points that could lead to damage to the tendon or surrounding soft tissue.

In some further embodiments the upper would be a full lower limb cover to cover a whole length of cannon bone to below the horse's knee and provide full support to the tendon and protection to the horse from medial brushing of the lower limbs and from over reaching of the hind limbs, particularly if said hind limbs are also booted.

It is envisaged that in other embodiments the boot and upper could be detachable to allow use in isolation or in combination.

In the preferred embodiment all parts of the overshoe are washable.

In further embodiments a horse shoe shaped optional filler would be available for use in a hoof boot when a horse that is usually shod has lost a shoe or if for medical reasons a horse is temporarily without shoes. This would avoid the requirement for purchase of additional sizes of boot and would ensure equal foot balance between limbs. The use of optional fillers could also aid in corrective shoeing or when a horse has different hoof sizes or lengths.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

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With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the overshoe;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment;

Figure 3 shows a view from front of the preferred embodiment;

Figure 4 shows a second side view of the preferred embodiment;

Figures 5 show a view from below and above of the preferred embodiment;

and

Figures 6 show two views of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

According to the present invention, wherein the boot is integratable with the upper, the design may be required to be handed, left or right, to ensure tendon support straps fasten on the anterior or lateral side of each limb with fasten points not extending to a medial part of the upper.

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It is envisaged that in some instances more than one overshoe size will be required on one horse to reflect variations in conformation between the fore and hind limbs, namely, hoof shape, pastern length and angle. In preferred embodiments however, a flexible nature of the boot material allows such accommodation.

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the overshoe designed as a quick, easy and low cost cover, offering the horse grip and stability in icy and snowy conditions, which can be used both walking the horse to a field or stables and whilst riding.

The pictured embodiment is formed in materials picked for their individual attributes wherein all aspects of the overshoe are perfectly suited to the task of providing stable and comfortable transportation from stable to field in icy conditions.

In the pictured embodiment a woven collar is fastened in use about the pastern with hook and loop portions such as VELCRO (Trade Mark) to provide a quickest and easy way of securing the overshoe in place over the hoof.

A web-like lattice structure for the boot creates a secure and tight fit around the hoof and ankle whilst also making manufacturing cheaper.

As pictured the collar is looped through a bungee strap, and tightened, which keeps the front of the boot from slipping down and keeps it in constant tension.

PU (polyurethane) moulded inserts in the boot sole are of a high density with the same texture as very rough sandpaper.

Carbon steel wire grip members are embedded in the sole bottom in a rubber lattice that contains the inserts, to provide extra grip and stability on the ice.

In use a user would:

Place the horse's hoof into the boot, bending back the rubber lattice where necessary.

Feed the strap through the collar and boot

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Tighten the collar and secure using VELCRO (Trade Mark).

Repeat this process for all four shoes.

The preferred embodiment thereby provides a quick and easy horseshoe overshoe, designed to offer the horse grip in icy conditions when the rider is walking the horse to the field.

The bottom of the overshoe will have a lot of grip, giving greater stability. The overshoe needs to be able to stretch to fit over the shoe, whilst being very durable to withstand the pressure and weather conditions.

The cover would be made out of rubber. It would stretch over the hoof.

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Claims

1. An anti-slip overshoe comprising; a resiliently deformable boot with integrated sole grips, cooperating with an upper that encircles at least part of a pastern.

2. An overshoe according to claim 1 wherein the boot material has sufficient elastic ability to enable said boot to be pulled on over the hoof without requirement of a break in the boot

3. An overshoe according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the sole of the boot includes integrated durably resistant members embedded in parts of the sole.

4. An overshoe according io ciaim 3 wherein such parts are spaced apart by secondary inserts.

5. An overshoe according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the members are covered by material uppermost in use in order to avoid damage to a hoof

6. A removable anti-slip horse boot comprising; a moulded hoof boot with integrated sole studs.

7. A removable anti-slip horse boot comprising; a moulded hoof boot with removable studs.

8. A removable anti-slip horse boot according to claims 6 or 7 comprising; a moulded hoof boot with integrated sole studs with an upper boot that encompasses the pastern and lower limit.

9. A removable anti-slip horse boot according to Claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the hoof boot has a rigid sole and flexible wall.

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