GB2519061A

GB2519061A - Hoop overshoe

Info

Publication number: GB2519061A
Application number: GB1314672.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Buchanan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-16
Filing date: 2013-08-16
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Also published as: GB201314672D0

Abstract

An Overshoe 1 for an animal that comprises a flat base plate 20 having elongate members 30 upon its periphery. The elongate members are attached to the base via a hinge 35 and comprise several sections that are flexibly connected together. The elongate members comprise formations 34 that are designed to engage an elongate securing member (50 figure 1) such as a strap to secure the shoe to the foot or hoof of the animal. The base of the overshoe may form a D-shape with the flat part of the D at the rear. The elongate member positioned at the rear of the overshoe may have a greater width and extend along the rear part of the overshoe. The base plate may have perforations (24 figure 4) through which a bespoke profiled insert (80 figure 6) can be shaped and attached using silicon adhesive or the like. The overshoe may comprise a one-piece plastics moulding. Also disclosed is a method of providing such an overshoe on an animals foot where the shoe of the animal is used as a template when folding the elongate members to fit the overshoe to the animals foot.

Description

HOOF OVERSHOE

Field of the invention

The invention relates to devices used to protect injuries, infections or bandages in particular protective covers or boots that can be affixed to animal's feet mostly but not exclusively pertaining to horses.

Background to the Invention

When animals suffer injuries or infection to their feet the injury can be exacerbated by the everyday ingress of dirt or debris. Without a properly applied means of damage, moisture and dirt protection any applied poultice or bandage Animals with bandaged feet cannot always be kept inside and homemade covers made from plastic bags and duct tape and the like offer little wear protection if the animal uses the foot at all, the worst consequence being that the ailment cannot "breathe" sometimes causing more of a problem than the original ailment.

There exist many types of horse boots not unlike a ski boots, these are normally excellent, the main problem with these products is the very high costs involved.

Known covers may comprise of a sole portion and various types of sticky flaps that stick to each other and the hoof to form a boot like shape in order to protect the hoof or any bandage upon the hoof prior to the fitment of the cover.

US 6122902 Schultz is typical, including a centre portion which is designed to be placed on the bottom of the animal's loot and to cover the bottom of the foot. The bandage also includes multiple attachment tabs which extend outwardly from the perimeter of the centre portion of the bandage. The tabs are designed to be bonded to the side of the animal's foot and thereby to retain the centre portion of the bandage against the bottom of the animal's foot. This is a single use temporary device which requires to be glued to the actual horses hoof, this glue would need to be removed from the hoof if the poultice or bandage it is meant to protect requires renewal, hardly satisfactory given that the animal could be in pain from the ailment and hardly likely to stand while any lengthy fitment or removal was made. The plastic material used would also cause the encased foot to detrimentally sweat.

us 20030167739 Clark et al, a wind around protector device made from flexible material. Attachment to the hoof is by nails screws and the like. Whilst giving protection this device given its fitment method is unsuitable for use with bandages and the like.

GB 0019949 Royle, comprises a elastically stretchable moulding in the shape of a sock with an elastic sealing top. This device would be of little use in the outdoors as the base of the sock has little protection as to wear or damage. The elastic material used would also cause the encased foot to detrimentally sweat.

DE 19738285 Ulrich, consists of a device using adhesive fillers to form the base of the shoe. This is a semi-permanent type device used as a hoof support not a bandage type protector. a

GB 0416222 Murfett, comprises a elastically stretchable moulding which is adjustable in height, in the shape of a sock with an elastic sealing top. This device would be of little use in the outdoors as the base of the sock has little protection as to wear or damage. The elastic material used would also cause the encased foot to detrimentally sweat.

WO 2009120085 Revheim, comprises the equine equivalent of an upmarket trainer, the sole even incorporating energy absorbing heel portions. A very expensive product that is only adjustable within a set size range.

US 7818952 L.ecompte, comprises a elastically stretchable moulding in the shape of a sock with an elastic sealing top. The sock top has a plurality of ridges which decrease in width as they near the top. These ridges provide excellent grip upon the animal's leg, unfortunately they also detrimentally restrict the blood flow to the leg portion encapsulated by the device. The elastic material used would also cause the encased foot to detrimentally sweat.

FR 2759248 Guillenieau, comprises a method of moulding a shoe, in particular for dogs from a material like silicon. This device is constructed for single use around a particular animal's foot. Removal would normally incur cutting off the shoe. The resilient material used would also cause the encased foot to detrimentally sweat.

WO 9412024 Sigafoos et al, comprises a protective covering bonded to the horses hoof. This device is constructed for single use around a particular animal's foot. Removal would normally incur cutting off the shoe protector and removal of the glue used. The plastic material used would also cause the encased loot to detrimentally sweat.

CA 2084149 Eaass, Comprises a disposable elastic sock used as a lining for an overboot or a poultice sock etc. This device would be of little use in the outdoors as the base of the sock has little protection as to wear or damage. The elastic material used would also cause the encased foot to detrimentally sweat.

US 5209048 Hanson, Comprises a surgical boot structure with securing fasteners such as Velcro or straps. The boot incorporates a piece of tubing that allows fluids to be administered to the hoof area without removal of the boot. A method of dosing an infected hoof without removal of the boot, the protection afforded by the boot is minimal, the boot being a disposable item as the risk of cross infection from subsequent usage on other animals would be high. The size fitment of the device US 5176221 Aprill, comprises a flexible sheet covering with fixture by adhesive coating on one side of the sheet. The main use of the device being a cosmetic one for show horses.

GB 9111133, 8815645 Logan, is termed a surgical slipper for cleft footed animals, secured by polyurethane expanding foam to the hoof. The device would be quite size specific.

FR 2560745 Fuseau, a flexible rubber like protective shoe having tabs or pull loops which aid the manual fitment of the device onto the hoof. The size fitment of

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the device would be quite specific. The elastic material used would also cause the encased foot to detrimentally sweat.

FR 2517175 Voland, a flexible inner shoe having a rigid outer cover made of synthetic resins including adiprene for protection. The inner shoe having a means to hold, dispense treatment fluids. The size fitment of the device would be quite specific.

GB 2069305 Unger, a boot for a horse's hoof having a resilient front and side to the boot, the rear portion being flexible to allow opening for ease of fitment and repositioning as required. The size fitment of the device would be quite specific. The elastic material used would also cause the encased foot to detrimentally sweat.

US 1442748 Trauger, a rubber and fabric pad for encapsulating a horseshoe. The size fitment of the device would be quite specific, the main use of the device being to provide extra grip by the shoe on certain surfaces.

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially alleviate the above mentioned disadvantages, or to provide an alternative to existing products. In particular the present invention can be easily made to fit quite a wide size range of animal feet, be of a low cost and simple to manufacture yet be quick to fit, because of its initial shape the packaging should also be minimal. In most cases the present invention will be reusable after appropriate cleaning, the plastic sole is also fully recyclable.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a hoof overshoe, comprising in the first instance a generally flat central base plate having articulate finger portions and a rear folding portion upon its periphery. The fingers and folding portion incorporate retention loops through which various types of belts, cords, straps including "cable" straps can be fitted. The use of the articulate fingers and folding portion(s) allows several sizes of hoofs or feet to be provided for in one basic shoe. When utilised on say a horses hoof the operator preferably utilises a previously used horseshoe as a size reference and pre-folds up the finger joints to the same approximate angle of the horses hoof at the nearest hinge portion outwith the profile of the horseshoe. By threading an appropriate strap through the preferably upper retention loops on the already folded adjustable fingers the hoof overshoe can take up the shape of a slipper, the back portion of which is still open. When ready the animal hoof is lifted and the "slipper is slipped on to the front of the hoof, the rear portion folding section is now folded at its appropriate hinge portion and the strap(s) fitted through the rear portion retention loops, the strap is then appropriately tightened and locked to form a robust hoof overshoe. When the adjustable fingers are pre-shaped in this way actual animal fitment can take less than seconds causing far less stress to the animal. If no old horseshoe is available or fitment is taking place on an animal apart from a horse the baseplate is temporarily fitted to the animal's foot in order to ascertain the correct fitment size of the sole before the finger portions are shaped.

When used as a protector after a bandage or poultice is fitted to a diseased or damaged foot, preferably a further intermediate sock like device is utilised. The intermediate sock is preferably made from a moisture-proof material which is air permeable. The incorporation of a pull cord or the like at the mouth of the sock usefully facilitates the retention of the sock until the hoof overshoe is correctly fitted. The hoof overshoe usefully protects the intermediate sock from undue wear or damage and likewise the bandage or poultice would be protected from the elements by the intermediate sock whilst usefully allowing the ailment to "breathe" through the air permeable, intermediate sock.

The invention includes a hoof overshoe wherein the shoe portion comprises a moulded plastic base having adjustable fingers and rear portion upon its periphery.

In one example the overshoe is injection-moukied, as the pre-shaped moulding is generally flat the mould tool is inexpensive as is the transport packaging.

The invention includes a hoof overshoe wherein both the adjustable fingers and the rear portions have hinges between the adjustable sections. The hinges are preferably formed by grooves across the generally flat fingers and rear portions. The grooves or indentations form a weakened part of the structure wherein the operator can usefully bend the plastic along the profile of the groove without detriment to the structure. The plastic chosen for the manufacture of the overshoe fingers and rear portion is of a composition such as polyprDpylene which is known for this property.

The hinge grooves are preferably rounded in profile in order to prevent stress cracking. The illustrations show the fingers and rear portion with three joints it is

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realised that the device can be made with only one joint or several whilst still being within the scope of the invention.

The invention includes a hoof overshoe wherein both the adjustable fingers and the rear portions have hinges between the adjustable sections. The hinges are constructed in the normal manner with separate swivel pins. The parts of the adjustable fingers and rear portion can be moulded separately if required.

The invention includes a hoof overshoe wherein both the adjustable fingers and the rear portions have hingesbetween the adjustable sections. The folding sections or joints have loops, hooks, catches or the like on the outside profile of the shoe for the useful attachment or gripping engagement in conjunction with a strap or band.

When the overshoe is shaped and fitted to the applied foot, the strap, band, belt etc. preferably encompasses the top section or sections of the overshoe whereas the strap(s) is threaded and retained through the loops in the shaped fingers and rear portion, in order that when appropriately tightened and locked they form a method of retaining in a robust and secure manner the overshoe on the foot of the animal wearing it.

The invention includes a hoof overshoe wherein the underside of the shoe base plate has a further gripping profile or profiles in order to Improve the animal's foot grip.

The invention includes a hoof overshoe wherein the shoe base plate has through-hole perforations. If a circumstance exists where a hoofed animal requires support within its hoof cavity, that is the sole upbulging, horn jets and radiation furrows upon the bottom surface of the hoof, a corresponding filler or wadding can be made from silicon or the like by secreting resilient adhesive filler adjacent the point of the hoof cavity onto the shoe upper base plate face. The filler will readily engage itself through the shoe base plate perforations, the filler can then be covered with thin plastic sheet or the like or the hoof bottom face coated with petroleum jelly such as when the shoe base is temporarily correctly positioned against the corresponding hoof the adhesive filler takes up the required shape of the hoof cavity whilst the filler does not stick to the animals hoof. The overshoe with the shaped filler can then be set aside until such times that the adhesive filler is set and ready for use. This usefully allows the simple and inexpensive provision of custom made therapeutic protective footwear for hoofed animals in particular.

The invention includes a hoof overshoe wherein a section of the "cable tie" type strap or similar belt utilised is reduced in section at a point or points in its length in order to provide a safety break point. If the animal were to catch any part of the hoof overshoe or its retaining strap on say a boundary fence the retaining belt would fracture at the safety break point before the animal could be injured by the hoof overshoe being untowardly retained.

While one or more preferred embodiments of the preferred invention have been described above, it should have been understood that any and all equivalent realisatlons of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof.

The embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Thus, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments since modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the scope of appended claims.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hoof over shoe in accordance with the present invention fitted in this instance to a horses hoof, the intermediate sock is also shown.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a hoof over shoe in accordance with the present invention. The adjustable fingers and rear portion are folded appropriately into approximate angle of required use positions at the hinge portions of the finger and rear portion joints.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a hoof over shoe in accordance with the present invention. The adjustable fingers and rear portion are folded into approximate angle of use positions at the hinge portions of the third finger and rear portion joints.

Fig. 4 is a perspective bottom view of a hoof over shoe in accordance with the present invention. The adjustable fingers and rear portion are in flat profile to that of the inner base plate.

Fig. 5 is a top view of a hoof over shoe in accordance with the present invention.

The adjustable fingers and rear portion are in flat profile to that of the inner base plate.

Fig. 6 is a perspective top view of a hoof over shoe in accordance with the present invention showing the profiled insert affixed to the shoe base.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a fitted strap in accordance with the present invention showing the reduced profile which forms the safety break point.

REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Following is a listing of the components used in the best mode preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments. For the ready reference of the reader the reference numerals have been arranged in ascending numerical order.

1) Overshoe 20) Base plate 21) Base plate upper surface 22) Base plate lower surface 23) Base plate gripping profile 24) Base plate perforations 30) Adjustable finger 31) First finger joint 32) Second finger joint 33) Third finger joint 34) Retention loops 35) Finger Hinge portion 40) Rear portion 41) First hinged section 42) Second hinged section 43) Third hinged section 44) Retention loops 45) Rear Hinge portion 50) Retention strap 51) Retention strap, Safety break point 60) Intermediate sock 61) Intermediate sock pull cord 62) IntermedIate sock mouth 70) Horses leg 71) Horses foot 80)Proflled-insert

Brief description of the Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention are given by way of example only, will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Referring to Figs.1 to 7 the Hoof overshoe 1 comprises a base plate 20, having an upper surface 21 and lower surface 22 preferably with a gripping profile 23 and perforations 24.

Attached to the periphery of the said base plate 20 are adjustable fingers 30 with in this instance a first finger joint 31, second finger joint 32 and third finger joint 33, having retention loops 34 and hinge portions 3 incorporated. The rear portion 40 is also flexibly attached to the said base plate 20 and comprises in this instance of a first hinged section 41, a second hinged section 42 and a third hinged section 43 incorporating retention loops 44 and hinge portions 45. A retention strap 50 can usefully be utilised through the said retention loops 34, 44 in order to engage the said hoof overshoe 1 upon the corresponding animals hoof/foot 71 and leg 70. In some cases it would be preferable to fit an intermediate sock 60 with a pull cord retainer 61 and sock mouth 62. A further profiled insert 80 may be utilised upon the said base plate upper surface 21.

In the following specific description there is provided a said hoof overshoe 1, comprising in the first instance a generally flat said central base plate 20 having said articulate finger portions 30 and a said rear folding portion 40 upon its periphery. The said fingers 30 and said rear folding portion 40 incorporate said retention loops 34, 44 through which various types of said belts, cords, straps including "cable" straps, hereinafter termed straps 50 can be fitted. The use of the said articulate fingers 30 and said folding portion(s) 40 allows several sizes of said hoofs or feet 11 to be provided for in one said basic shoe 1. When utilised on say a said horses hoof 71 the operator preferably utilises a previously used horseshoe (not shown) as a size reference and pre-folds up the said finger joints 31, 32, 33 to the same approximate angle of the said horses hoof 71 at the nearest said hinge portion outwith the profile of the horseshoe. By threading an appropriate said strap 50 through the preferably upper said retention loops 34 on the already folded said adjustable fingers 30 the said hoof overshoe 1 can take up the shape of a slipper, the said back portion 40 of which is still open. When ready the said animal hoof 71 is lifted and the "slipper" is slipped on to the front of the said hoof 71, the said rear portion folding section 41, 42, 43 is now folded at its appropriate said hinge portion 45 and the said strap(s) 50 fitted through the said rear portion retention loops 44, the said strap 50 Is then appropriately tightened and locked to form a said robust hoof overshoe 1. When the said adjustable fingers 30 are pre-shaped in this way actual animal fitment can take less than 30 seconds causing far less stress to the animal. If no old horseshoe is available or fitment is taking place on an animal apart from a horse the said baseplate 20 is temporarily fitted to the said animal's foot 71 in order to ascertain the correct fitment size of the said sole 20 before the said finger portions 30 are shaped.

When used as a said protector 1 after a bandage or poultice (not shown) is fitted to a diseased or damaged said foot 71 preferably a said further intermediate sock like device 60 is utilised. The said intermediate sock 60 is preferably made from a moisture-proof material which is air permeable. The incorporation of a said pull cord, light elastic or the like 61 at the said mouth of the sock 62 usefully facilitates the retention of the said sock 60 until the said hoof overshoe 1 is correctly fitted. The said hoof overshoe 1 usefully protects the said intermediate sock 60 from undue wear or damage and likewise the bandage or poultice would be protected from the elements by the said intermediate sock 60 whilst usefully allowing the ailment to "breathe" through the air permeable, said intermediate sock 60.

As specifically illustrated in fig. 6 the invention includes a said hoof overshoe 1 wherein the said shoe base plate 20 has said through-hole perforations 24. If a circumstance exists where a hoofed animal requires support within its hoof cavity, that is the sole upbulging, horn jets and radiation furrows upon the bottom surface of the hoof (not shown), a said corresponding filler or wadding hereinafter termed a profiled insert 80 can be made from silicon or the like by secreting resilient adhesive filler adjacent the point of the hoof cavity onto the said shoe upper base plate face 21. The filler will readily engage itself through the said shoe base plate perforations 24, the filler can then be covered with a thin plastic film (not shown) or the like or the said hoof 71 bottom face coated with petroleum jelly so as when the said shoe base upper surface 21 is temporarily correctly positioned against the said corresponding hoof 71 the adhesive filler takes up the said required shape 80 of the hoof cavity whilst the said filler 80 does not stick to the said animals hoof 71. The said overshoe 1 with the said shaped filler 80 can then be set aside until such times that the said adhesive filler 80 is set and ready for use. This usefully allows the simple and inexpensive provision of custom made therapeutic protective footwear 1, 80 for hoofed animals in particular. As a further safety precaution the said strap 50 can usefully incorporate a safety break portion 51 of reduced structural strength designed to conveniently snap if the said device 1 was to be problematically caught on a foreign object.

Claims

Claims I An animal overshoe comprising: a base plate; and a plurality of elongate members connected to said base plate, wherein said elongate members each comprise a formation configured to enable securing of the overshoe to a foot of an animal by an elongate securing member engaging said formations with at least a portion of each said elongate member in an upstanding condition with respect to said base plate, wherein said elongate members are hinge connected to said base plate by respective to first hinges configured to permit movement of the elongate member to an upstanding condition in which the elongate member is upstanding with respect to said base plate, and wherein each of said elongate members comprises a plurality of segments that are connected to adjacent segments of the elongate member by respective second hinges Z1 configured such that the segments can each be moved to an upstanding position with respect to said base plate independently of said movement permifted by the respective said first hinges.
2, An overshoe case claimed in claim 1, wherein said first hinges connect said elongate members to an outer periphery of said base plate, said outer periphery comprises a front end portion having an arched profile and a rear end portion extending transverse to said arched profile and extending between respective ends of said arched profile, there is a plurality of elongate members having a first width connected to said front end portion and one elongate member attached to said rear end portion that has a width greater than said first width and extends between said respective ends.
3/ An overshoe as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein said first hinges comprise respective grooves defined in said elongate members.
4. An overshoe as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said second hinges comprise respective grooves defined in said elongate members.
5. An overshoe as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein each said segment is provided with a said formation.
6. An overshoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base plate is at least semi-rigid.
7. An overshoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base plate is a generally planar member,
8. An overshoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overshoe is a one-piece plastics moulding.
9. A overshoe as claimed in claim 8, wherein said moulding is a generally planar moulding.
10. An overshoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a said elongate securing member to engage said formations.
11. An overshoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein said elongate securing member has a first end, a second end and a reduced thickness section provided intermediate said first and second ends to facilitate breaking of said elongate securing member to release the overshoe from said animal's foot,
12. An overshoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an underside of said base plate is provided with at least one ground gripping profile.
13. An overshoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base plate r is provided with a plurality of perforations to facilitate gripping by a mouldable filler material placed on an upper surface of said base plate for moulding to the shape of a cavity in the animal's foot.
14. An overshoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said formations are configured to cooperate with the respective elongate members to define respective closed loops.An animal overshoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, configured for fitting to a hoof of a horse, 16. A method of providing an overshoe on an animal's foot, said method comprising: applying a base plate of an overshoe to a shoe used by said animal and bending a plurality of elongate members that project from an outer periphery of said base plate to bring at least a portion of each said elongate member into an upstanding condition so that said upstanding elongate members partially surround said outer periphery leaving an opening at said outer periphery; separating said overshoe from said body; inserting said animal's foot through said opening to position an underside of said foot on said base plate with said upstanding elongate members partially surrounding said foot, bending further elongate members that project from said outer periphery to bring at least a portion of each of said further elongate members into an upstanding condition to close said openin& and secwing said overshoe to said foot by fitting an elongate securing member to respective formations provided on said elongate members.17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said formations are configured to cooperate with said elongate members to define respective closed loops and fitting said elongate securing member comprises threading said elongate securing member through r 15 said loops.18. An animal overshoe substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. Co