WO1993011662A2

WO1993011662A2 - Protective sleeves and connectors therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1993011662A2
Application number: PCT/GB1992/002299
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas John Bratt; Arthur William Lucas
Original assignee: Arrow Industries Limited
Priority date: 1991-12-19
Filing date: 1992-12-11
Publication date: 1993-06-24
Also published as: GB2276304A; GB2276304B; WO1993011662A3; AU3091992A; GB9410630D0

Abstract

A protective sleeve (10), for instance an over-reach boot comprising a flexible strip (12) connectable at its ends to form the sleeve (10). Attached to the respective ends (32, 33) of the strip (12) are respective parts (24, 26) of a hook and fleece fastener (20). When a sleeve (10) is formed, the ends (32, 33) are in an overlapping relation, with the respective parts (24, 26) of the hook and fleece fastener (20) in engagement. Corresponding formations (31, 34, 35, 36, 38, 42, 44, 46, 48) provided on the ends (32, 33) sealingly engage one another and/or the corresponding end (32, 33) of the strip (12), to form a sealed compartment (28) in which the fastener (20) is located. The strip (12) comprises a relatively highly visible material. Alternatively or additionally, a relatively high visibility marking is located in the compartment (28), to allow an observer of the sleeve (10) to see when the compartment (28) is open, or partially open.

Description

Protective Sleeves and Connectors therefor

The present invention relates to protective sleeves and connectors therefor.

Current designs of protective sleeves for protecting the hoof of a horse comprise a member which can be wrapped around the hoof and its ends fastened together to form the sleeve. The fastening conventionally comprises a buckle and strap arrangement. Such arrangements are prone to injure the hoof. Further, these arrangements are relatively complex and hence difficult and time consuming to fit to the animal, as well as being expensive to produce.

In addition, it is frequently necessary or desired to take animals, and in particular horses, along public roads and footpaths. It is important for safety reasons that such animals are visible to other road users, in particular motorists. This is especially true in conditions of poor visibility such as in bad weather or in the dark. It has hitherto been difficult to ensure that the horse is sufficiently visible.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a connector having first and second parts connectable together in at least a partly overlapping relation, the first and second parts providing cooperating means such that, when the parts are in the overlapping relation, a substantially closed compartment is defined between the parts and the cooperating means, the first and second parts further providing connection means for releasably connecting the parts together in the overlapping relation, the connection means being so arranged as to be located, in use, in the compartment, whereby to be substantially protected from contaminants from outside the compartment.

Preferably the cooperating means comprises upstanding formations which extend from one or both of the parts, from mutually facing surfaces when the parts are in the overlapping relation. Preferably corresponding formations are provided on both parts wherein the formations are alignable to cooperate and form a compartment. The corresponding formations are preferably so formed as to provide a seal when aligned, such that a substantially sealed compartment is formed.

Preferably at least one side of the compartment is defined by a rib extending from one of said parts and a sealing formation comprised in the other part such that when the parts are in the overlapping relation, the sealing formation extends over and engages the rib and further engages the said one part. The sealing formation preferably makes sealing engagement with the rib and said one part.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one side of the compartment may be defined by a first lip extending from one of the parts and a second lip extending from the other part to be engagable in a recess formed in the said one part, such that when the parts are in the overlapping relation, the second lip is located in the recess, and the first lip engages the second lip. The first and second lips preferably make sealing engagement.

Further, at least one of the sides of the compart¬ ment may be defined by a lip extending from one of the parts to be sealingly engagable with the other part.

Preferably the connection means comprises a hook and fleece fastener, wherein a fleece part of the fastener is attached to one part of the connector, and a hook part is attached to the other part of the connector and arranged to connect with the fleece part in the overlapping relation. The respective parts of the connection means may be attached to respective parts of the connector by means of a suitable adhesive, such as a cyanoacrylate based adhesive. Alternatively or additionally, the connection means may be attached to respective parts by stitching.

Alternatively attachment of the connection means may be by means of rivets, which are preferably of soft material, for instance rubber. The rivets may be fused to the respective parts and/or the connection means.

In a further alternative the connection means may be moulded in or welded to the respective parts.

There may be provided a plurality of respective parts of the connection means such that the first and second parts can be connected at a plurality of positions.

Preferably the connector is adapted to provide an indication of when the first and second parts of the connection means are wholly or partially apart.

Preferably a relatively high visibility marking is provided on the connector, to be visible when the connection between the first and second parts of the connection means is wholly or partially broken. The marking may be provided within the compartment. The marking may be reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent.

Preferably the first and second parts form respective ends of a protective member which is adapted to wrap around another member for protection thereof.

Preferably, the protective member comprises means for increasing the inherent visibility of at least a part of the protective member.

The said relatively high visibility means may comprise a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent and/or phosphorescent material. The said visibility means may be incorporated within the protective member or alternatively attached or coated on the protective member.

Preferably the protective member is moulded from rubber or plastics material incorporating a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent substance.

The protective member may include two or more panels or areas, each being of relatively greater visibility than the other(s) in particular light conditions.

Preferably the said visibility means is visually different to the aforesaid visibility marking.

The protection member may have the form of a sleeve and said other member may be part of an animal or human body. The protective member may provide a hoof, bone or joint protecting sleeve. The protective member may be an over-reach boot.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a marker arrangement for an animal, the arrangement comprising a body adapted to be releasably secured to the animal to be visible thereon, and means for increasing the inherent visibility of at least a part of the body.

The body may conveniently take the form of a sleeve having means for the releasable attachment thereof to an animal. Preferably, the sleeve is attachable at or adjacent the foot or the lower leg of an animal, particularly the hoof of a horse. Prefer¬ ably, the body part comprises an over-reach boot.

The body part may be formed at least partially from, or coated at least partially with, a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent material. Preferably, the body is moulded from rubber or plastics material incorporating a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent dye.

Alternatively, there may be provided at least one area or panel on the body comprising a highly visible material attached to the body.

The arrangement may include two or more panels or areas, each being more effective at increasing visibility in a different light level than the other(s).

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a hoof protecting sleeve in an open, out-of-use condition having a connector according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the hoof protecting sleeve of Fig. 1 , in a closed condition;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section along 111—111 of the sleeve of Fig. 2, in use on a hoof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion PI of the connector of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion P2 of the connector of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-section along VI-VI of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a partial cross-section along VII-VII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a hoof protecting sleeve according to the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a hoof protecting sleeve according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

For protecting a hoof of a horse, a sleeve 10 is removably locatable around the hoof 14 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings to form an over-reach boot. The sleeve 10, in its out-of-use condition as shown in Fig. 1 has the form of an arcuate strip of rubber or plastics material 12, which has a plurality of protective ribs 13 on the, in use, outer surface thereof. The profile of the strip 12 in cross-section is such that, when it is located in position around the hoof 14, the strip 12 forms a sleeve (over-reach boot) that conforms generally to the outer profile of the hoof 14.

In its closed condition the sleeve 10 is generally in the form of a short tube having respective open ends 11 and 15 (see Fig. 8). The end 11 is of a smaller diameter than the end 15. The wall of the sleeve 10 extends between the open ends 11 and 15 in a curved manner to give the sleeve 10 a generally flared configuration, to fit snugly around the hoof 14 as mentioned before.

Clearly, different shapes and sizes of sleeve 10 may be provided for fitment to different shapes and sizes of hoof.

The strip 12 comprises a hook and fleece fastener 20, the respective parts of which are located on respective end portions 32,33 of the strip 12. The portions 32,33 overlap one another when the sleeve 10 is formed. A hooked part 24 of the fastener 20 is attached to the outer surface 25 of the portion 33, the latter being inwardly of the two portions 32,33 in use. A fleeced part 26 is attached to the opposing inner surface 27 of the other portion 32. The parts 24,26 are attached to the respective surfaces 25,27 by a suitable adhesive. Cyanoacrylate based adhesives have been found to be suitable. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, stitching (not shown) is used to attach or facilitate attachment of the parts 24,26 to the respective surfaces 25,27.

Alternatively, the parts 24,26 may be attached to the respective surfaces 25,27 by rivets (not shown) which pass through suitable apertures formed in the respective parts 24,26 and overlapping portions 33,32. Soft rivets, such as rubber rivets have been found to be preferable. These rivets are secured in position by applying heat thereto to deform the rivets and/or weld the rivets into position. The rivets may be individual rivets or may be interconnected.

In a further alternative, the parts 24,26 are secured to the respective portions 33,32 by welding or moulding them on the respective surfaces.

When the sleeve 10 is located around a hoof, the fastener 20 is located within a generally sealed compartment 28. The latter is defined by the overlapping portions 33, 32 and corresponding ribs and lips extending from respective surfaces of the overlapping portions 33,32 as will be described.

The hooked part 24 and fleeced part 26 may be of relatively high visibility, for instance they may be fluorescent, luminescent, phosphorescent or reflective. This enables an observer of the sleeve, in position on a hoof, to notice when the connection is coming undone. It is to be appreciated that any part within the compartment 28 may be of relatively high visibility, to enable an observer to see when the connector is coming undone or loose or indeed that the connector may be adapted in any way to indicate when it is coming undone or loose.

With reference to the in-use condition as shown in Fig. 4, a lip 34 extends along the upper edge of the portion 32, such that the lip 34 contacts a rib 35 formed on the outer surface 25 of the portion 33, to provide a first seal therebetween. The lip 34 extends over the rib 35 to contact the portion 33 at a point removed from the rib 35 and thereby provide a second seal.

With reference to Fig. 5, a lip 36 extends along the lower edge of the portion 32. A recess 38 is formed in the inner surface 27 of the portion 32, and extends along the inside of the lip 36. The tip of a rib 42 extending along the outer surface 25 of the portion 33 locates in the recess 38 to provide a first seal. The lip 36 contacts an outer edge 40 of the inner portion 33 to form a second seal.

Referring to Fig. 6, extending down the free end of the portion 33 is a lip 44 which contacts the inner surface of the portion 32 adjacent a kinked area 31 on the portion 32 to provide a seal. The kinked area 31 facilitates overlapping of the portions 32,33.

Referring to Fig. 7, extending down the free end of the portion 32 is a lip 46 which contacts the outer surface 25 of the portion 33 to form a first seal. A rib 48 extends from the outer surface 25 of the portion 33 to contact the portion 32 to provide a second seal.

The material from which the strip 12 is formed incorporates a fluorescent dye such that the wall thereof is highly visible. When the sleeve 10 or over-reach boot is mounted over the hoof of the horse in the normal way, there is thus provided for increased visibility of the horse. The sleeve is particularly beneficial for use on the back legs of the animal, but may usefully be used on all four legs.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative sleeve or over-reach boot 110. The general configuration of the boot 110 is similar to that of the boot 10 of Fig. 1, except that there is provided an alternative connector C (not shown in detail).

The connector C requires the provision, on the wall of the boot 110, of a generally planar area 50 adjacent an end 52 of the strip 112, on which there are provided no ribs 13. The planar area 50 is provided with a panel 54 of a highly reflective material, which produces increased visibility particularly in conditions of low light. The configuration of the sleeve 110 and the connector C are such that in use of the sleeve 110, the area 50 and thus the panel 54 tend to orient themselves to a position generally at the back of the hoof on which the sleeve 110 is mounted. Thus, in the instance of a back hoof, the panel 54 will be clearly visible from behind the animal.

It will be appreciated that further or alternative strips of the reflective material may be provided, for example between the ribs 13 or around the boot 10, 110. The provision of such strips ensures that the sleeve 110 is highly visible from all directions so that where the sleeve is used on a front hoof, for example, there is also provided for increased visibility from the front of the animal .

In use, the strip 12 is chosen according to the size and shape of the hoof to which the sleeve 10 is to be fitted. The hoof does not require to be lifted for fitment. The strip 12 in its unfastened, open condition (Fig. 1 ) is located around the hoof, until the hoof is enclosed thereby. The overlapping portions 32,33 are then aligned and pressed together to ensure that the parts 24,26 of the fastener 20 are securely engaged. The corresponding ribs and lips provide seals as hereinbefore described, and thereby ensure that the fastener 20 is located within a sealed compartment 28 and generally protected from contamination by dirt, mud or other contaminates from outside the sleeve 22. Thus, there is provided a protective sleeve 10 with connectors, which is very simple to fit to a hoof, and which is not susceptible to deterioration of its effectiveness of providing a secure connection.

If, for any reason, the fastener 20 becomes undone, or starts to come undone, the provision of highly visible markings within the compartment will allow this to be noticed by an observer, to enable the fastener to be re-secured. Clearly, the high visibility markings within the compartment are of a different colour or type than any high visibility surface(s) on the exterior of the sleeve 10, so that the two can be differentiated by an observer to allow the aforementioned observations to be made. Furthermore, the relatively high visibility markings on the sleeve 10 increases the visibility of a horse to which it is secured.

It is to be appreciated that the connector can be used to connect other parts or components together besides protective sleeves.

It is to be further appreciated that the sleeve comprising the connector can be of any suitable shape to be adapted for protection of other parts of an animal or human body. For example, the sleeve may be suitable for fitment around and protection of joints like knees, elbows etc. (joint protectors) and bones, such as shins (brushing boots). The sleeve could also be adapted for fitment to other objects for protection thereof. The sleeve may be adjustable, to allow fitment to the part to be protected, of varying sizes.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the parts of the fastener may be attached to the respective inner surfaces by any suitable means. The sleeve may be of rubber or any other suitable material. The compartment may be sealed by any suitable number, shape and configuration of formations, ribs, lips etc. The connector may be formed of any suitable fastening means, which preferably operates by application of pressure thereto. A combination of a reflective materials and/or highly visible dyes or coatings may be utilised, each being more effective at increasing visibility in a different light level, to give optimum visibility under all conditions.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CL A I MS

1. A connector having first and second parts connectable together in at least a partly overlapping relation, the first and second parts providing cooperating means such that, when the parts are in the overlapping relation, a substantially closed compartment is defined between the parts and the cooperating means, the first and second parts further providing connection means for releasably connecting the parts together in the overlapping relation, the connection means being so arranged as to be located, in use, in the compartment, whereby to be substantially protected from contaminants from outside the compartment.

2. A connector according to Claim 1, in which the cooperating means comprises upstanding formations which extend from one or both of the parts.

3. A connector according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the upstanding formations extend from mutually facing surfaces when the parts are in the overlapping relation.

4. A connector according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which corresponding formations are provided on both parts wherein the formations are alignable to cooperate and form a compartment.

5. A connector according to Claim 4, in which the corresponding formations are so formed as to provide a seal when aligned, such that a substantially sealed compartment is formed.

6. A connector according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which at least one side of the compartment is defined by a rib extending from one of said parts and a sealing formation comprised in the other part such that when the parts are in the overlapping relation, the sealing formation extends over and engages the rib and further engages the said one part.

1. A connector according to Claim 6, in which the sealing formation makes sealing engagement with the rib and said one part.

8. A connector according to any of Claims 4 to 7, in which at least one side of the compartment is defined by a first lip extending from one of the parts and a second lip extending from the other part to be engagable in a recess formed in the said one part, such that when the parts are in the overlapping relation, the second lip is located in the recess, and the first lip engages the second l ip .

9. A connector according to Claim 8, in which the first and second lips make sealing engagement.

10. A connector according to any of Claims 4 to 9, in which at least one of the sides of the compartment is defined by a lip extending from one of the parts to be sealingly engagable with the other part.

11. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the connection means comprises a hook and fleece fastener, wherein a fleece part of the fastener is attached to one part of the connector, and a hook part is attached to the other part of the connector and arranged to connect with the fleece part in the overlapping relation.

12. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the respective parts of the connection means are attached to respective parts of the connector by means of a suitable adhesive and/or stitching.

13. A connector according to Claim 12, in which the adhesive is a cyanoacrylate based adhesive.

14. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which rivets attach the connection means to the connector.

15. A connector according to Claim 14, in which the rivets are of soft material.

16. A connector according to Claim 14 or Claim 15, in which the rivets are made of rubber.

17. A connector according to any of Claims 14 to 16, in which the rivets are fused to the respective parts and/or the connection means.

18. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the connection means are moulded in or welded to the respective first and second parts.

19. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which there is provided a plurality of respective first and/or second parts of the connection means such that the first and second parts can be connected at a plurality of positions.

20. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the connector is adapted to provide an indication of when the first and second parts of the connection means are wholly or partially apart.

21. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which a relatively high visibility marking is provided on the connector, to be visible when the connection between the first and second parts of the connection means is wholly or partially broken.

22. A connector according to Claim 20 or Claim 21, in which the marking is provided within the compartment.

23. A connector according to Claim 20 or 22, in which the marking is reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent.

24. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the first and second parts form respective ends of a protective member which is adapted to wrap around another member for protection thereof.

25. A connector according to Claim 24, in which the protective member comprises means for increasing the inherent visibility of at least a part of the protective member.

26. A connector according to Claim 25, in which the said relatively high visibility means comprises a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent and/or phosphorescent material.

27. A connector according to Claim 25 or 26, in which the said visibility means is incorporated within the protective member.

28. A connector according to any of Claims 25 to 27, in which the means is coated on and/or attached to the protective member.

29. A connector according to any of Claims 24 to 29, in which the protective member is moulded from rubber or plastics material incorporating a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent substance.

0. A connector according to any of Claims 24 to 29, in which the protective member includes two or more panels or areas, each being of relatively greater visibility than the other(s) in particular light conditions.

31. A connector according to any of Claims 25 to 30, in which the said visibility means is visually different to the said visibility marking.

32. A connector according to any of Claims 24 to 31, in which the protective member has the form of a sleeve and said other member may be part of an animal or human body.

33. A connector according to any of Claims 24 to 32, in which the protective member provides a hoof, bone or joint protecting sleeve.

34. A connector according to any of Claims 24 to 33, in which the protective member is an over-reach boot.

35. A marker arrangement for an animal, the arrangement comprising a body adapted to be releasably secured to the animal to be visible thereon, and means for increasing the inherent visibility of at least a part of the body.

36. An arrangement according to Claim 35, in which the body is in the form of a sleeve having means for releasable attachment thereof to an animal.

37. An arrangement according to Claim 36, in which the sleeve is attachable at or adjacent the foot or the lower leg of an animal, particularly the hoof of a horse.

38. An arrangement according to any of Claims 35 to

37, in which the body part comprises an over-reach boot.

39. An arrangement according to any of Claims 35 to

38, in which the body part is formed at least partially from a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent material.

40. An arrangement according to any of Claims 35 to

39, in which the body part is coated at least partially with a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent material.

41. An arrangement according to any of Claims 35 to

40, in which the body is moulded from rubber or plastics material incorporating a reflective, fluorescent, luminescent or phosphorescent substance.

42. An arrangement according to any of Claims 35 to

41 , in which there is provided at least one area or panel on the body comprising a highly visible material attached to the body.

43. An arrangement according to any of Claims 35 to

42, in which the arrangement includes two or more panels or areas, each being more effective at increasing visibility in a different light level than the other(s).

44. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

45. An arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

46. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.