US759636A - Overshoe for horses. - Google Patents

Description

'No..759,636. PATENTED MAY 1-0, 190i J.T.RYAN.

OVERSHOE FOR HORSES. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1903.

"ii-W N0 MODEL,

fizgaaaax j flaw/ 72207 Patented May 10, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. RYAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

OVERSHOE FOR HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,636, dated May 10, 1904.

Application filed August 27, 1903.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHN T. RYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St..Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Horses Over-shoes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanymgdrawmgs, forming part ofthis specification, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view of my improvedhorse-overshoe in position on a horses foot. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the overshoe detached, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the insole or pad removed.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an overshoe designed particularly to be applied to the feet of horses, the object being to construct a shoe of the character described which can be quickly and easily applied, and which when in position will provide a soft pad desirable in cases where horses feet are sore.

The object of my present invention is to construct the overshoe in the standard sizes and of flexible material, such as rubber or leather, the shoe, if made of rubber, being reinforced by canvas or other similar fabric. This shoe is designed to hold in position a soft pad, which may be either rubber or felt, the pad conforming to the shape and contour of the foot. These pads or insoles are also preferably made in standard sizes, and being separable from the overshoe may be separately shaped to fit a horses foot, the operator trying the insole in its designed position to determine whether or not it properly its the foot before the shoe is applied to hold the insole in position. Of course the operator can deepen the recess of the insole to accommodate the frog or otherwise shape and manipulate the insole for the purpose of nicely fitting it to a particular foot of a horse. WV hen the proper insole is adjusted to the foot, it is inserted. in the overshoe and the overshoe applied in position. The overshoe may be either low-laced, if it is desired to avoid interference with the action of the horse, or the uppers of the overshoe may be extended to provide a Serial No. 170,907. (No model.)

high-laced shoe. The sole of the overshoe is preferably roughened or provided with projections, so as to avoid slipping.

WVith these objects in view the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts, all as will hereinafter be described and afterward pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, in which I have represented the foot of a horse with my improved device in position thereon, 1 indicates a soft pad or insole, which is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This insole is recessed at 2 to receive the frog of the foot. I prefer that the upper face of the insole fit snugly against the under side of the foot whether or not a shoe is present on the foot, as by so doing there is less liability of the insole gettingloose, due to the yielding nature of the material of which it is composed, and where this material is impervious-as, for instance, where soft rubber is used--a suction is created which will hold the insole in position. This insole is preferably fitted in position on the foot of the horse before the overshoe is put on, and when the insole is properly shaped to lit the bottom of the foot it is inserted in the overshoe and the overshoe applied.

The overshoe is cnp-shaped with a contracted month, which is designed to be slightly spread apartin being introduced upon the foot. The bottom of the overshoe (indicated at 5) is preferably roughened and is solid, forming a substantial support throughout the entire area of the insole. The edges 6 of the overshoe are integral with the bottom and are shaped to tit snugly on all sides of the foot, the upper extremity of the edges at the sides and front being inclined inwardly to form a contracted mouth, which hugs the hoof. The back of the shoe is extended up shortly above the heel portion of the foot and is provided with forwardly-extending straps, one of which is provided with a buckle, so that the shoe may be secured in position. One of these straps 7 may pass through a loop 8, extending upwardly from the front portion of the shoe-upper. If desired the upper of the shoe may extend up higher than is shown in the drawings in order to make a high-laced shoe. In this manner the shoe will protect the ankle and avoid the evil effects of the animal striking or interfering in action.

In order that the back or counter of the shoe will maintain a conformation similar to the conformation of the foot of the animal, a stiffening-piece 9 is provided, which is interposed between the inner and outer walls of the counter, said stiffener being of approximately the form of the rear portion of a horses foot, so that when the shoe is in its applied position the stiffened portion will assist in retaining the shoe in place.

From the above it will be seen that the shoe when in position on the horse is held firmly in place, suction assisting in holding the shoe in position. The shoe or sandal, having a level bearing and a stiff counter in the back, with a strap buckled in front of the hoof just below the action of the joint, will not interfere with the movement of the ankle and provides a natural protective covering for the hoof. Another advantage resulting from the peculiar arrangement of the stiffener 9 is that it extends down below the hoof of the animal and is approximately parallel with the edge of the pad 1, so that when the hoof is in contact with the pad the spreading of said pad and the resistance offered by the stiffener will cause it to be firmly held in position and will prevent excessive spreading, so as not to distort the shape of the overshoe. The shoe can be used on the feet of driving-horses having smooth shoes and will protect the feet and shoulders from jars due to traveling on hard streets. The insole being smooth, flat, soft, and level will accommodate any rouglmess on the bottom of the shod horse, the inequalities embedding themselves into the soft insole and by so doing will insure even wearing on the bottom of the overshoe. The overshoe has a rolled roughened edge over the entire area of its lower surface to prevent slipping and give good wearing qualities. If desired, a sheet of lead out to the pattern of the insole can be placed under the insole to give weight to the sole in training trotting horses.

I am aware that minor changes in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described Without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an overshoe for horses, the combination with an insole made of yielding material, of an overshoe having a solid bottom for supporting the insole in position, and a flexible upper for embracing the hoof, a stiffener carried in the back of the overshoe and having a depending portion extending below the line of the bottom of the hoof and parallel with one edge of the pad to prevent excessive spreading thereof; substantially as described.

2. In a shoe for horses, the combination with an insole shaped to snugly fit the bottom of the hoof, of a shoe having a solid bottom for supporting the insole in position and having an integral upper extending from its edges which is inclined inwardly at the sides and front to snugly embrace the hoof, an extension at the back, a stiffener carried by the extension, said stiffener conforming to the shape of the adjacent portion of the hoof to assist in holding the shoe in place and having a depending end approximately parallel with the edge of the insole for the purpose described; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature,in the presence of two witnesses,this th day of August, 1903.

JOHN T. RYAN.

Witnesses:

EMMA RYAN, F. R. CORNWALL.

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