WO2012069454A1

WO2012069454A1 - Stocking for the foot of an animal

Info

Publication number: WO2012069454A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/070642
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sven Revheim; Espen Revheim
Original assignee: Equine Fusion As
Priority date: 2010-11-22
Filing date: 2011-11-22
Publication date: 2012-05-31
Also published as: NO332273B1; NO20101640A1

Abstract

A stocking (10) for the foot (15) of an animal, where the stocking (10) is designed in such a manner that when in use it maintains a stable and unaltered position on the foot (15), and where the stocking (10) comprises an upper part (20) which is attached round the part of the foot (15) which is substantially above a transition point relative to the sole of the foot, and a lower sole part (30) which abuts against the underside of the foot.

Description

Stocking for the foot of an animal

Introduction

The present invention relates to a stocking for use on the foot of an animal. More specifically, the invention relates to features regarding the design of a stocking which is suitable for use in a shoe fashioned to fit the foot of an animal. Use of the stocking will provide several beneficial effects.

Background to the invention

At times various utility animals have a need to protect their feet by means of stockings and/or shoes. Larger animals such as, for example, a cloven-hoofed animal, and particularly a horse normally use iron horseshoes. These shoes, however, do not maintain the important biomechanical function possessed by a horse' s hooves.

A horse is often described as an animal with five hearts, the reason being that the hooves form an important part of the blood circulation in pumping blood round in the animal' s body. The hooves expand when the horse puts its weight on its hoof and contract when the horse removes its weight from the hoof. This constitutes the biomechanical function, where changes in mechanical influence during downward pressure and upward lift directly reinforce and contribute to the horse' s circulation. The hoof is therefore of vital importance for the horse' s survival. The hoof has exceptional ability to repair itself. Only the kidneys and the liver have equally important functions in the horse' s body. All regeneration of tissue, cornified material and other structures in the hoof are entirely dependent on a constant supply of nutrients via the blood flow in the hoof in order for this process to function optimally.

A horse is genetically created without the use of man-made shoes. A hoof has been designed by nature so as to maintain a correct ergonomic form adapted to suit the type of surface on which it is used. A hoof is subjected to natural wear during use, and will grow out and take shape according to the type of use. Alteration of the natural form of a hoof will have an unknown influence and effect on the hoof and the parts which are directly or indirectly affected by a change from the normal development provided by nature.

The use of shoes for horses has previously been mostly connected with iron shoes which are fixed to the hoof with rivets or nails. This is an old method which has also been controversial since this method hampers and places restrictions on the hoof' s natural growth and form. Iron shoes furthermore provide little or no shock absorption, with the result that the use of iron shoes will often lead to damage in the horse' s tendons and muscles. Furthermore, the horse' s hoof will be prevented from expanding, with the result that iron shoes will not permit the above-mentioned biomechanical pumping function in the hoof. Iron shoes are also risky since the horse may be nail-pierced. This means that the nail is incorrectly inserted in the horse' s shoe so that the nail pierces the dermis in which there are nerves, or the horse may be nail-pinched which means that the nail presses on the nerves with the result that the horse becomes lame until the nail is removed and the injury has healed.

Only a few years ago there was no question of removing the iron shoes from a competition horse. Most people knew very little about what would happen. Today, however, there are barefoot horses going without shoes in all disciplines and branches of sport. For many years most people experienced a difficult transitional period after the removal of shoes. An unpredictable period both with regard to time and footsoreness became an obstacle for many who were considering switching to barefoot horses. With more knowledge of trimming and with the use of new lighter types of plastic horseshoes, practically all horses can go straight back to work or training after the iron shoes have been removed.

When using new types of lighter horseshoes generally made of plastic, it has become apparent that there is a need to have a stocking inside them in order amongst other things to obtain a better fit of the animal' s foot to the shoe, and to prevent sand and other foreign elements from intruding in between shoe and foot.

US-7174858 B2 describes a protective sheath which acts as a stocking for use in a shoe for a horse. The object is to prevent undesirable intrusion of foreign elements between shoe and stocking. As can be seen in figs. 5 and 6 (which is fig. 1 in the present description) in the said publication, the design-related features include a rear suspension point between sole and upper part to ensure that the rear part of the sheath will move up and down in a vertical motion when the hoof is used. This will lead to adverse frictional wear against the foot. The design moreover is not suitable for use on its own, i.e. without a shoe on the outside to hold the sole part in place under the foot.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by means of a stocking which can be used alone or together with a shoe, and where when in use the stocking maintains a stable and unaltered position on the foot, thereby avoiding frictional problems.

The stocking according to the invention is primarily intended for use in a shoe, but in an embodiment it may function per se as a complete and light shoe which may be employed for medical purposes such as, e.g. rehabilitation of worn and/or infected hooves. It is also suitable for use as protection and in order to prevent wear and tear and hoof diseases by using the stocking when a horse, e.g. is at locations where it is particularly exposed.

The stocking is made in such a manner that when used it will not prevent the natural biomechanical function possessed by a hoof of a cloven-hoofed animal such as, for example, a horse. In other words, the biomechanical function will be maintained. The applicant has also developed a special type of shoe which when used maintains the biomechanical function of a hoof. Such a shoe and the present stocking will together form a complete set which offers a great many advantages during use.

The stocking' s special design ensures that there is a minimum of friction between the stocking and the foot on which it is placed. This is achieved by a fixing point being provided round one or more natural hinge points in the lower part of the foot which is substantially above the transition point of the stocking relative to the sole of the foot, and where a lower sole part abuts against the underside of the foot. This is highly advantageous for the prevention of galls, particularly on the heel portion where sores are easily acquired today when using other types of stockings.

The stocking will also prevent sand, earth, water etc. from intruding between the stocking and the foot by tightly enveloping the foot. It will further prevent intrusion between the stocking and a shoe mounted on the outside thereof.

As it will be understood from the above description, the stocking according to the invention will provide several advantages. These include better comfort during use compared to other types of stockings, there will be a shorter healing period, e.g. for wounds or galls, and not least there will be an economic benefit when using a stocking of this kind. In general it will be beneficial to use the stocking since the foot of an animal will be protected from any injuries and adverse influences, and an animal can recover more quickly when the stocking is employed for healing an injured foot.

Brief summary of the invention

The present invention comprises design-related features of a stocking for the foot of an animal, where the stocking is designed in such a manner that when in use it maintains a stable and unaltered position on the fool. The stocking comprises an upper part which is attached round the part of the foot which is substantially above a transition point relative to the sole of the foot, and a lower sole part which abuts against the underside of the foot.

The stocking according to the invention is characterised in that it is made so that it is fixed round natural hinge points in the lower part of the foot. This is achieved either by design-related features where the lower sole part of the stocking is secured in toe part and heel part, or by a turned-up central portion on the lower sole part of the stocking abutting against and being fixed against natural hinge points on each side of the lower part of the foot.

The stocking will be all-enveloping and may be used alone or together with a shoe. When in use the stocking will not prevent the natural biomechanical function existing in the lower part of the foot and hoof of a cloven-hoofed animal.

Further aspects of the invention are defined in the dependent claims in the set of claims.

Brief summary of the figures

The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the attached figures, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the prior art from US-7, 174,858;

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a stocking according to the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a second example of a stocking according to the invention; Figure 4 illustrates a stocking placed inside a shoe, and

Figure 5 illustrates a stocking placed inside a shoe, and where the stocking has a sole with grip.

Detailed description

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached figures. Even though the invention as it is presented in the description describes in broad outline the stocking used on a horse' s foot, it should be understood that it is not limited to comprising a stocking only for a horse. The invention and its basic concepts may also be employed for other hoofed/cloven-hoofed animals such as donkeys, mules and dromedaries, but it is also suitable for other animals with paws and not hooves.

As shown in figures 2 and 3, the invention comprises a stocking 10 for the foot 15 of an animal, such as, for example, a horse. The stocking 10 is designed in such a manner that in use it maintains a stable and unaltered position on the foot 15. The stocking 10 comprises an upper part 20 which is attached round the part of the foot which is substantially above one or more transition points relative to the sole of the foot, and a lower sole part 30 which abuts against the underside of the foot. These characteristics are achieved by the stocking 10 being made in such a manner that it is fixed round natural hinge point 35 in the lower part of the foot, by the lower sole part 30 of the stocking 10 being fixed in toe part 45 or heel part 55, as illustrated in figure 3. This can be achieved by the underside of the stocking 10 being prestressed relative to its upper side by a force which causes at least toe part 45 and heel part 55 to be prestressed upwards and towards each other. The stocking' s 10 front and rear parts may be such that these parts pull up toe part 45 and heel part 55 respectively.

Fixing round natural hinge point 35 in the lower part of the foot may also be achieved by a turned-up central portion 40 on the lower sole part of the stocking 10 abutting against and being fixed against natural hinge point 35 on each side of the lower part of the foot. It is the latter which is illustrated in figure 2.

In an embodiment the stocking 10 is made in one piece of an elastic material.

Current material technology has advanced so far that it is possible to make the stocking 10 in an extremely elastic material, so that it is easy to put the stocking 10 on, and where it snugly and pliably encloses the foot when it has been applied.

The material used may, for example, be Neoprene ®. Different portions of the stocking 10 may have different thickness in order to obtain the desired properties.

Since the stocking' s 10 elastic material is made thicker on the lower sole part 30 than the upper part 20, the stocking 10 will be more robust where the greatest forces are applied during a downward tread. In order to make such an embodiment more robust, the underside of the stocking 10 may furthermore be equipped with a flexible sole part.

In a second embodiment the stocking 10 may be composed of two or more parts which are attached to each other. The upper part 20 may then, for example, comprise an elastic material, while the lower part which then becomes a sole part 30 may comprise a flexible material.

The said sole part 30 of the stocking 10 may be made in different ways depending on which properties the sole part 30 requires to have, and whether the stocking 10 is to be used with or without a shoe 70 on the outside.

Even though the stocking 10 is primarily intended for use in a shoe 70, it is also well-suited for use on its own, preferably with a reinforced underside in a rubber material. A light shoe 70 of this kind will be well-suited for medical purposes such as, e.g. rehabilitation of worn and/or infected hooves. It is also suitable for use as protection and for preventing wear and tear and hoof diseases by using the stocking when a horse is standing in the stable, or in places where it is particularly exposed. The sole part 30 of the stocking 10 may be made in such a manner that surfaces which are optimal for training and the like are built into the sole part 30, in order, for example, to provide optimal training conditions for the horse. This may be accomplished by making the degree of hardness or softness of the sole part 30 according to requirements.

By making a sole part 30 with integrated cushioning effect by incorporating one or more shock-absorbing layers or means, various different types of surface may be simulated, which will be highly beneficial for training horses for a special type of use, such as, for example, for trotting races. The shock-absorbing element in the sole part 30 in a stocking 10 may be, e.g. pockets of gel or air. Since the stocking 10 has damping properties, this will therefore open up the possibility for more people to train a horse in a way which only a few can afford today. If the stocking 10 is used in a shoe 70 which already has specific damping properties, a stocking 10 with its damping properties will change the overall damping properties. The same shoe 70, but with different stockings 10 inside, may thereby be employed in order to adapt the damping properties according to requirements.

Figure 4 illustrates the stocking 10 used inside a shoe 70. By using a shoe 70 on the outside of the stocking 10, the stocking 10 per se will provide a seal both between the foot 15 and the stocking 10, and between the shoe 70 and the stocking 10, thereby keeping out water and not least sand which contributes to frictional wear. If the stocking 10 is made thicker at the opening to the shoe, this will ensure a good seal.

As already mentioned, the stocking 10 according to the invention may be made in only one part, or several parts which are joined together. In one embodiment the upper part 20 of the stocking 10 may be closed round the whole of its cylindrical shape. In another embodiment this part may have an opening which can be closed by suitable means, such as, e.g. Velcro 50, clips etc. after the stocking 10 has been placed on the foot 15.

In one embodiment, means are attached in the upper part of the stocking 10 for preventing impact injuries which may occur when the feet brush against one another. These protective means may, for example, be strips 60 of Teflon which are glued on to the upper part 20, or attached in another way. This is illustrated by light shaded areas in the upper portion of the stocking in figure 2.

The stocking 10 may be made of different materials including those with watertight, one-way breathing, various types of impregnating and friction-reducing properties. Neoprene ® is an example of a highly suitable material. When the stocking 10 is used inside a shoe 70, it is important that there should be as little friction as possible between stocking 10 and shoe 70 in order that the shoe' s intended function should be maintained.

Figure 5 illustrates the stocking 10 with a grip sole 80 which ensures that the friction between the stocking 10 and the shoe 70 is such that the stocking 10 does not slide inside the shoe 70 during use. In addition to the stocking 10 being provided with a grip sole 80, which for example comprises lugs or a specific pattern on the underside of the stocking 10, the actual shoe 70 may also be adapted to fit the stocking 10 so that the grip sole 80 on the stocking 10 and the shoe's 70 inner surface have patterns which match each other so that they intermesh.

It is also important that the load to which the sole part 30 in the stocking 10 is subjected, and which is directly related to the weight of the animal on which the stocking 10 is used, is able to withstand the load. By using an elastic sole part 30 in the stocking 10, energy will be able to be intercepted and absorbed by the sole part 30. An elastic sole part 30 is typically comprised of rubber. A definition of hardness is the resistance a material has against a permanent distortion. This may be measured, for example, by a durometer which is suitable for determining the elasticity of materials such as rubber. Elasticity is generally expressed as a Shore value. As will be appreciated, the thickness which a sole part 30 in a stocking 10 according to the invention has will vary according to the animal which has to use the stocking 10, since size, weight, type of use etc. will vary. It has been found, however, that for a typical horse a thickness of the sole part 30 of 2mm to 5mm, and with a Shore value in the rubber in the sole part 30 of around 45-80 will be favourable for transferring the biomechanical function.

The stocking 10 is furthermore well-suited for medical use such as rehabilitation of worn and/or infected hooves. It is also suitable for use as protection and for preventing wear and tear and hoof diseases by using the stocking 10 when a horse is in locations where it is particularly exposed. This applies particularly where the stocking 10 is used without an additional shoe 70 on the outside. As already mentioned, in this case a flexible sole part 30 is generally fixed to the underside of the stocking 10.

When the stocking 10 is used for medical purposes, medication can be applied to the hoof, for example creams and the like. The stocking' s 10 function may also be to exclude chemical pollutants and to protect against external stresses. This leads to a faster healing process and less medical inspection and medication, thereby reducing medical expenses.

The invention will also lessen the influence of chemical and mechanical stresses such as a horsebox during transport or the like and thereby reduce injuries, hoof infections and the like. When the stocking 10 is provided with a flexible sole part 30, its friction against the surface will also ensure better transport, such as on loading ramps and other slippery surfaces.

The invention may further be employed during stabling, thereby obtaining savings on straw for making it softer for the horse to stand in the stall. It will be possible to increase the use of a horse in relation to investment, since the invention will offer more possibilities and areas of use and longer riding compared with present-day technology.

If one wishes to use an ordinary horseshoe attached by nails, it will be possible to attach it to the hoof in the normal manner. It may be attached on the outside of the stocking 10. Alternatively, it may be attached on the inside of the stocking 10, i.e. the stocking is pulled over a foot 15 on which a horseshoe is already mounted. With such a combination the sole part 30 of the stocking 10 may advantageously contain for example rubber with a type of reinforcement for reducing wear and preventing damage to the stocking 10.

It will be understood that the present invention will have many functions which will be able to provide great savings by preventing injury and by healing the feet of animals.

Even though the core of the present invention is to provide a stocking 10 which when in use maintains a stable and unaltered position on the foot, it is evident from the above description that there are other beneficial effects which are achieved by means of the specific design. The stocking 10 will be well-suited to repetitive movements such as trotting. By using a shoe 70 on the outside of the stocking 10, this will ensure a seal both between the foot 15 and the stocking 10, and between the shoe 70 and the stocking 10, thereby keeping out water and not least sand which contributes to frictional wear.

Claims

A stocking (10) for the foot (15) of an animal, where the stocking (10) is designed in such a manner that when in use it maintains a stable and unaltered position on the foot (15), and where the stocking (10) comprises an upper part (20) which is attached round the part of the foot (15) which is substantially above a transition point relative to the sole of the foot, and a lower sole part (30) which abuts against the underside of the foot,

characterised in that the stocking (10) is made so that it is fixed round natural hinge points in the lower part of the foot (15), either by the lower sole part (30) of the stocking (10) being secured in toe part (45) and heel part (55), or by a turned-up central portion (40) on the lower sole part (30) of the stocking (10) abutting against and being fixed against natural hinge points on each side of the lower part of the foot (15).

A stocking (10) according to claim 1,

characterised in that the stocking (10) is made in one piece of an elastic material which completely envelops the foot (15) so that it follows the natural biomechanical function in a foot (15) on which the stocking (10) is placed.

A stocking (10) according to claim 1,

characterised in that the stocking (10) is made of at least two different parts attached to each other, where the upper part (20) comprises an elastic material, and the lower sole part (30) comprises a flexible material which transfers a natural biomechanical function in a foot (15) on which the stocking (10) is placed.

A stocking (10) according to claim 3,

characterised in that the sole part (30) of the stocking (10) comprises material with a mechanical strength which can withstand puncture by nails.

A stocking (10) according to claim 4,

characterised in that the material comprises a reinforcement. A stocking (10) according to claim 1,

characterised in that the upper part (20) of the stocking (10) is either closed round the whole of its cylindrical shape, or has an opening which can be closed by suitable means after mounting. A stocking (10) according to claim 1,

characterised in that the sole part (30) comprises means which provide it with cushioning properties.

A stocking (10) according to claim 1,

characterised in that on its outside the sole part (30) has a frictional layer which is adapted to fit a shoe (70) in which the stocking (10) is to be used.

A stocking (10) according to claim 1,

characterised in that the upper part (20) of the stocking (10) is equipped with means for preventing impact injuries.

A stocking (10) according to claim 9,

characterised in that the means for preventing impact injuries are strips (60) of Teflon.

A stocking (10) according to claim 1,

characterised in that the stocking (10) comprises different materials including those with watertight, one-way breathing and friction-reducing properties.

A stocking (10) according to claim 1,

characterised in that the upper part (20) of the stocking (10) is thicker at the opening to an externally located shoe (70) in order to ensure a good seal, both between the foot (15) and the stocking (10) and between the shoe (70) and the stocking (10), thereby keeping out elements which may contribute to frictional wear.