NZ205009A - Horseshoe with projections to improve traction - Google Patents

Description

2 0 5 0 0 9 Priority Date(s): .... /V.. Y.

Complote Specification Filed: -%f,, 7..' Class: $&(.

P'""r"n yvmmr: Publication Date: P.O. Journal, No: NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HORSESHOES" WE, JAMES THOMSON WILSON a British Subject and WEE JEE FONG a citizen of Singapore, both of 21 Raffles Place, Singapore do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 205009 This Invention relates to a horseshoe.

The shape of known horseshoes is a circular arc larger than a semi-circle. The horseshoe is provided with holes for nails. A channel extends around the horseshoe in a bearing surface thereof, 5 and the holes for the nails open into this channel. Thus, once the horseshoe has been fixed to a hoof by nails, the heads of the nails do not protrude, but instead are located in the channel and are flush with the bearing surface of the horseshoe. weight metal can be used for racing shoes or plates. Racehorses are commonly equipped with conventional iron shoes for training, and fitted with lightweight shoes only for racing.

Known horseshoes or plates provide little assistance to a horse in full gallop. Also, on slippery or soft ground, a horse may have 15 difficulty in maintaining its footing.

According to the present invention there is provided a horseshoe, having a bearing surface, being that part of the shoe intended to bear on the ground when in use, comprising two parts: the first of these being a downwardly facing lower surface, and the second being a con-20 tinuously sloping surface located radially inwardly of said lower surface, the sloping surface extending upwardly and radially inwardly and being provided with a plurality of projections whereby, in use, traction between the horseshoe and a surface engaged by the bearing surface of the horseshoe is enhanced.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now Known horseshoes are commonly made of iron, although a light- 205009 be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of the horseshoe according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows the bearing surface of the horseshoe shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of the horseshoe shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a section along the line A-A of Figure 2; and Figure 5 and 6 show the bearing surface of two horseshoes according to the invention.

As shown in Figure 1, the horseshoe has a generally flat upper surface 1, and is provided with holes 2 for nails. As Shown, these holes 2 can be rectangular.

Referring to Figure 2, the bearing surface or bottom face of the horseshoe includes a channel 3, which extends around the entire horseshoe. An outer edge of the channel 3 is bounded by a portion of the shoe with a rounded lip 4 at its lower side, whilst the inner edge of the channel 3 is bounded by a portion 5 which has a surface 6 which slopes upwardly and radially inwards. Since the sectional view of Figure 4 shows the horseshoe upside-down, this surface 6 slopes downwards in Figure 4.

From this sloping surface 6 there projects ten projections or cleats 7. In this described embodiment, a vertical section through each projection 7 shows a generally rectangular cross-section (as shown on both sides of Figure 4). All the projections 7 are at an angle to a radius extending from a centre of the horseshoe through the respective 205009 projection. Furthermore, the projections 7 are disposed symetrically on either side of the horseshoe and are equally spaced along the sloping surface 6. All the projections 7 except for the two projections 7 shown at the top of Figure 2 are so orientated, that, in use, when a horseshoe is driven backwards relative to the ground (i.e. in the downwards direction in Figures 1 and 2), a wedge of ground is driven between each projection 7 and an adjacent part of the sloping surface 6, thereby improving the traction or grip of the shoe. For the two projections shown at the top of Figure 2, a wedge of ground is driven between these two projections to improve the traction. The number of projections and the orientation of each projection can be varied, and in particular it may be found that different arrangements are needed for different surfaces.

Each projection 7 could be 3 mm thick, and a bottom surface of the projection 7 could be flush with the bottom of the nail channel 3, as shown in the drawings.

It is not necessary for all projections 7 to have a similar cross-section. Combinations of projections 7 with different cross-sections can be used. Furthermore, in certain circumstances, it may prove beneficial to provide projections for the portion of the shoe outside the nail channel 3.

The horseshoes according to the present invention can be made from a variety of materials. In particular, iron, iron alloys, aluminium and aluminium alloys can be used. Conveniently, horseshoes according 20500 to the present invention can be cast in a mould which includes the shapes for the projections. Also, nylon or like substances can be used. Whatever material is used, the shape and arrangement of the projections may be varied to impart maximum grip and thrust.

Generally, it is expected that one design will be suitable for both front and back rear shoes plates on a horse, although in certain circumstances it may prove beneficial to use different shaped shoes at the front and rear.

In the case of horses which are fitted with iron training plates and lightweight racing plates should have a similar arrangement of projections, in order that the horse can become thoroughly accustomed to any difference in feel for that arrangement.

The described embodiment is intended principally for racehorses, and is thus primarily intended to improve longitudinal traction between the shoe and the ground. For other uses, it may be desirable to arrange the projections 7 so as to provide improved traction or grip laterally.

Figures 5 and 6 show two different designs. The Figure 5 design is intended for use as a rear racing plate, whilst the Figure 6 design is intended for use as a front racing plate. In figure 5, all the projections 7, except for the two foremost projections, are directed radially inwards. The Figure 6 construction is the same as that shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Claims (9)

What we claim is:

1. A horseshoe, having a bearing surface, being that part of the shoe intended to bear on the ground when in use, comprising two parts: the first of these being a downwardly facing lower surface, and the second being a continuously sloping surface located radially inwardly of said lower surface, the sloping surface extending upwardly and radially inwardly and being provided with a plurality of projections whereby, in use, traction between the horseshoe and a surface engaged by the bearing surface of the horseshoe is enhanced.

2. A horseshoe as claimed in claim 1, which includes a channel in the lower surface, the channel extending along the length of the horseshoe and including a plurality of openings for nails, which openings extend from an upper surface of the horseshoe and into the channel.

3. A horseshoe as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each projection is elongate when viewed perpendicularly to the lower face of the horseshoe and is Inclined to a radius extending from a centre of the horseshoe through that projection.

4. A horseshoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein each projection has a rectangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the lower face of the horseshoe.

5. A horseshoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the projections have lower surfaces which are flush with the lower surface of the horseshoe.

6. A horseshoe as claimed in any preceding claim, which is formed of iron or an alloy thereof.

7. A horseshoe as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, which is rmed of aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

8. A horseshoe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, which is rmed of nylon or other plastics material. 20SQ09 -t

9. A horseshoe substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. JAMES THOMSON WII WEE JEB^ONC BjytheiJr /flttor*j£ys HENRY HUGHES LIMIT!