WO2018229655A1

WO2018229655A1 - Shoe for equids and method of production

Info

Publication number: WO2018229655A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/054247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain CRETAZ; Cédric SCHMID; Kevin MOREL
Original assignee: SCHWEIZER, Stéphane; TRAECHSLIN, André; CHABRIER, Raymonde; LUISIER, Gérard; GOLAY, Colette
Priority date: 2017-06-12
Filing date: 2018-06-12
Publication date: 2018-12-20
Also published as: CH713813A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe for equids, in particular a horseshoe, which is made of titanium and of which the shape in cross section corresponds substantially to a butterfly shape. Along at least part of its length or its whole length, this shoe has in cross section a groove (5, 6) on each of its upper (3) and lower (4) face, giving the cross section of the shoe said butterfly shape. According to one embodiment, the grooves of the top and bottom parts of the bar constituting the horseshoe extend as far as the toe part of the shoe. The shoe can be made of titanium. All of these features combined allow this shoe for equids to provide shock absorption, hence better protection and independence of the two branches, making it possible to gain speed and better energy recovery round bends.

Description

DESCRIPTION

EQUAL IRON AND MANUFACTURING METHOD

The invention relates to an equine iron. It can be including a horseshoe. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing said equine iron.

Background of the invention

It is undisputed that an iron horseshoe shaped close to the Gallic iron, iron nailed has multiplied and popularized in the Gallo-Roman era.

The origin of the horseshoe is very controversial.

The excavations show that the use of equine iron is effective, first among the Celts (400 to 50 BC), since 2400 years. There are many technical documents relating to the horseshoe or equine iron.

The initial goal of the horseshoe is to protect the horse's foot especially on hard floors, it may be thought that a first development of these horseshoes took place with the developments of paved Roman roads. Indeed, the primary purpose of an iron is to avoid premature wear of the horn, a problem that does not arise naturally. In times of war, especially in the Middle Ages, another goal of the horseshoe was to protect the horse's foot against the anti-jumper tips stuck in the ground.

A horseshoe is traditionally U-shaped, is made of metal, such as iron and is adapted to the shape of the foot of the horse to be shoeed by the blacksmith and then fixed on the horn of said foot by means of nails. The main problem posed by known horseshoes is that they hinder the damping role of the horse's foot. Indeed during the impact on the ground, the foot of a horse may suffer, depending the weight of the horse and the type of impact, for example during the race and / or during jumps, brief but intense efforts, which may, in the event of receiving jumps, up to 2.5 tonnes,

The foot of the horse is naturally intended to absorb such shocks and widens especially at the moment of impact, in the horizontal direction and / or vertical as appropriate, to damp the shock or shocks. The foot then retracts at the end of the unwinding to be able to expand again during a subsequent impact.

However, the traditional rigid irons do not allow the foot to widen and retract and thus hinder the damping role of the horseshoe. They are therefore detrimental to good shock absorption on the horse's foot during practice. This problem of damping is particularly crucial for the sporting practice of the horse, race (especially in turns) and jumps.

Furthermore, depending on the type of practice, trot races, current irons hinder the natural speed of the horse, which leads to deferrer horses to increase the speed in the race.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to satisfy the contradictory requirements of: the protection of the foot of the horse made necessary by the work imposed by the man, and in particular whatever the discipline,

and maintain the natural dynamics and damping characteristics of the horse's foot. An object of the invention is notably to propose a horseshoe allowing the horse to be as efficient as it is shod, but to be protected from wear so as not to cause suffering for the animal.

Another aim is also to propose an equine iron which is light, damping, resistant to wear, thin, inexpensive. Another goal is also that iron is simple to manufacture. Another purpose is also that the iron can adhere to the horse's foot by being nailed, glued or resinated. An object of the invention is also to provide a reliable and inexpensive manufacturing process and respecting the methods of laying by traditional farrier.

According to the invention, this or these objects are achieved by the fact that the iron has in cross section over at least a portion of its length a groove on each of its upper and lower faces. This construction gives the iron a cross section in the form of an I-section (IPN, IPE or HE A type) coated (or flattened).

According to one embodiment, the grooves of the portions above and below the half-round bar extend from the free ends of the branches of the iron to the gripping portion of the horseshoe.

Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment, in the case where the grooves above and below stop at the gripping portion of the horseshoe, it has a lateral groove formed on at least one or on each side of the clamping part, conferring on the cross section a form of I-section (type IPN, IPE or HEA profile) no longer coated, but standing (or lying H). In this embodiment, the horseshoe thus has alternatively in the clamp part, central iron, a cross section in the form of standing I, so a cross section having a degree of flexibility in the transverse direction and, on each branch, a transverse cross-section in the form of a coated I-section, giving it a certain degree of flexibility in the vertical direction.

The cross section I coated profile allows vertical flexibility independent of the two branches of the horseshoe and thus provides better damping shocks in the vertical direction.

The I-section straight or standing in the clamp part allows to keep a certain rigidity in the central part, or clamp, of the iron and thus allows to maintain the aspect revival essential in case of race, while allowing a certain degree freedom in transverse direction very useful for example for taking turns and allowing a real time saving of up to one second per turn.

This form of iron thus makes it possible to improve the transmission of the influx of the horse in the gripper part and the heel cushioning thanks to the branches of the iron, the specific cross-sectional shape making it possible to better follow the movement of the foot pad of the foot. the horse that deviates during the ground support phase and thus allows the damping of the efforts.

According to one embodiment, the horseshoe according to the invention is made of a light and strong material such as titanium, and for example titanium T16A4V of group 5. Such a horseshoe thus makes it possible to respect for the first time in such a material the vertical flexibility independent of the two branches of the iron and the natural horizontal flexibility of the foot of the horse without constraint.

The horseshoe according to the invention, then has in cross section over at least a part of its length a unique butterfly-shaped design (that is to say having in cross section a butterfly shape or I-shaped section ) and is made of titanium or any other metal or composite materials retaining at least the characteristics of lightness, malleability, strength and abrasion resistance of titanium.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing, either molded or machined, of such an iron, comprising in an exemplary embodiment the stepsconsisting of:

• make on the flat part or part above a half-round bar a groove on at least a part of the length

• make a groove on at least half of the length of the semi-circular part or the bottom part of a half-round bar

• to make the fixing holes,

• Forging or molding the equine iron to the desired shape from the half-round bar obtained in the previous steps.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be described and highlighted in the following description, which is given by way of several nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended figures which show schematically:

Figure 1: An equine iron according to the invention, seen from above

Figure 2: An equine iron according to the invention, in view from below

Figure 3: An equine iron of Figures 1 and 2 in front view

Figure 4: An equine iron of Figures 1 and 2 in rear view

Figure 5: An equine iron according to the invention in perspective 3 D view from above

Figure 6: An equine iron according to the invention in perspective 3D view from below

Figure 7: An equine horseshoe in section according to the plane Δ '

Figure 8: An equine iron according to a second embodiment in view similar to Figure 5

Figure 9: a sectional view along IX-IX of Figure 8. Two exemplary embodiments for illustrative and non-limiting purposes will be given below.

In Figures 5 and 6, the equine iron according to the invention has the shape of a horseshoe, that is to say, it is substantially U-shaped, but with a unique cross-sectional design substantially butterfly-shaped, allowing flexibility and damping. This horseshoe has two lateral parts 1 and 2, symmetrical with respect to the axis

AA, cf. Figure 1. Its upper portion 3 intended to be in contact with the horse's foot is flat, while its lower face 4 intended to be in contact with the ground has a rounded shape.

As shown in the figures, and more particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the horseshoe according to the invention has in cross section along its entire length a groove, respectively 5, 6, on each of its respectively upper face 3 and lower 4.

The lower groove 6 has a substantially rectangular shape as obtained for example following a milling operation with a normal milling cutter, while the upper groove 5 has a more conical shape, or even a dovetail, obtained at using a strawberry of appropriate shape, for example of conical shape, to accommodate a possible damping insert as will be seen later. The groove 5 has in particular a width in transverse direction greater at its base 5a, than its opening 5b.

Of course other forms of grooves 5 and 6 are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

The grooves 5, 6 and in the example shown are made along the entire length of the U forming the horse, on each of the faces thereof and approximately arranged centrally with respect to the transverse section of said U, this gives the together a cross section shaped I coated section (type IPN, IPE or HEA) or substantially shaped butterfly.

Holes or sockets 7 are, in known manner, themselves regularly made along the grooves.

The material is Group 5 Ti 6A14V titanium or any other material having characteristics combining superior strength (yield strength) or strength, or superior erosion resistance and / or lower density.

Due to the material used, the thickness e of the iron may be of the order of only 4 to 13 mm and preferably approximately 4 to 10 mm, cf. Figure 7. This iron by its small thickness, and allow the structure of the foot called fork to easily touch the ground support phase and thus fully ensure its role of widening of the foot walls by the counter-support on the foot pads , allowing optimal damping. In the field of trotting competitions, there is currently a tendency to straighten the horses to give the feet all their dynamic function, ensuring a better passage of the legs in the movement. Such an iron will achieve the same result while ensuring the foot protection function.

The width L of the cross-section iron (see Fig. 7) may, depending on the part of the branch or the use of the iron, be from 13 mm to 30 mm.

The butterfly shape or profiled I-shaped, which is distinguished in section, Figure 7, allows the presence of the lower groove 6 in the lower face 4, a good grip wet soil. The groove 5 in position on the upper face 3, makes it possible to slide, after shaping, a layer or upper shim of polyethylene or of polyurethane (of the type of that represented at 28 in connection with the second embodiment in FIG. ) whose role will be antivibration

The iron composition, shape and an advantageous version of the invention allows to open the two side portions 1 and 2 (Figure 1):

On a horizontal plane of at least 10 mm in relation to the AA axis

And on a vertical plane relative to the same axis AA, to follow the flexion of the foot in the cornering supports.

As this flexure remains in the range of elasticity of the iron and its material, the return to the initial state takes place without structural damage of the horseshoe.

Depending on the quantity of irons to produce, two manufacturing processes can be envisaged:

A) Less than 5Ό00 pieces

In order to manufacture equine iron according to the invention, it is possible to proceed as follows:

We start from a rigid titanium round bar with a diameter between 12 mm and 30 mm It is cut lengthwise to obtain two half rounds It is machined on the upper flat face 3 of this bar ½ round using, for example a conical bur, to obtain a groove 5, for example conical and in particular wider at its base 5a at the level of its opening 5b, and having for example a width of 5 mm to 2 mm at its upper opening 5b and a width of 6 to 10 mm at its base 5a. The groove 5 will for example have a depth of 2 mm on said upper face 3.

On the lower 4-round side of the half-round bar, for example using a cylindrical bur, a groove 6 approximately 5 mm wide and approximately 2 to 3 mm deep is machined.

- The two grooves 5, 6 are formed along the longitudinal axis of the bar and over the entire length of said iron, cf. Figure 1 and Figure 7, we then obtain the desired butterfly profile or I-shaped profile by the superposition of the two grooves 5 and 6.

10 stampings are produced by milling 7.

This pre-cut bar (in transverse direction) is carried in a forge in bar segments of variable dimensions and according to the sizes of irons that one wishes to obtain.

The forge carries titanium iron at a temperature of 1000 to 1200 ° C

The bar is placed in a hot press in a hydraulic press where previously a shaped metal imprint (or mold), removable and of variable shape and adapted to the type of iron envisaged (shape and / or size) was previously installed, (no represented on the drawing)

A progressive and variable pressure of at least 250 kg is applied, making it possible to bend the iron without deformation of its structures nor decrease of its technical capacities.

- The equine iron is removed and allowed to cool to room temperature, in order to preserve all its qualities.

B) More than 5Ό pieces produced

The manufacturing process will then be made by molding, before the forging operation by the blacksmith, in molds of shapes and sizes gathering all the necessary needs to meet the needs of the horse's foot: aplombs, pathologies, or disciplines of different work. The cast iron can be worked by the blacksmith for adaptation to the foot of the horse.

According to one embodiment, the material used is a light and strong metallic material such as Group 5 TiAl4V titanium, any other metal having similar and / or equivalent properties and may be used and in particular material having characteristics combining resistance ( elastic limit) or higher mechanical strength, or higher erosion resistance and / or lower density.

With the material used, the thickness of the iron may be of the order of only 4 to 13 mm and preferably approximately 4 to 10 mm, cf. Figure 7; the minima envisaged are: Density: Less than 4.8

Mechanical resistance: Greater than or equal to 895 N / mm2

Resistance (Re) elastic limit: Greater than 500 Mpa

More particularly a titanium of group 5, Ti6A14V or equivalent standard

This horseshoe has the remarkable advantage of protecting the horse's foot from abrasion while retaining the damping effect and therefore its dynamics. It respects a natural elasticity of the horse's foot. What professionals call "the pump phenomenon"

The equine iron according to the invention may be attached to the anterior and / or posterior legs of the animal

Fixing can be done in a traditional way, by means of nails called rivets, passed through the fixing holes or stampings 7 or by gluing.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a second embodiment, in which the similar or identical elements will be designated by the same references increased by 10. Thus, this horseshoe according to the second embodiment has two lateral parts.

10 and 12, symmetrical with respect to the axis AA, cf. Figure 8. Its upper portion or face 13 intended to be in contact with the horse's foot is flat, while its lower face 14 intended to be in contact with the ground has a rounded shape. As in the previous example, this horseshoe has in cross section along its entire length a groove, respectively 15,16, on each of its faces respectively upper 13 and lower 14.

The grooves 15, 16 are similar to the grooves 5, 6 previously described and similarly give the iron in cross section a butterfly shape or I-shaped section (or H flattened) by their superposition.

The main difference from the previous embodiment is that said grooves 15, 16 do not extend the full length of the iron but extend only from the free ends 12a, 11a of the side portions 11, 12 respectively. at a central part, named 20 iron clamp.

Therefore, only the branches 30, which include the parts, called quarter 33 and nipple 34 and located on each side of the iron will have in cross section the butterfly shape or I-shaped section described in connection with the previous example of iron .

Moreover, as shown in particular in FIG. 9, the equine iron comprises, on at least or on each of the lateral sides and respectively inside (or medial) 22 and outside 21, a lateral groove, namely disposed substantially at the horizontal and opening on the outer face of the profile, respectively 25, 26.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 9, these grooves 25, 26 then give the cross-section of the iron in the gripper portion 20 a crushed or recessed H-shaped profile, that is to say a profile similar to that conferred by the grooves 15 and 16 in the branches of the horseshoe but oriented in a direction to 90 °. In this embodiment, the horseshoe thus has alternatively in the clamp portion 20, central of the iron, a cross section in the form of I upright, so a cross section having a degree of flexibility in transverse direction and on each branch 30, a cross-section in the form of a coated I-section, giving it on the contrary a certain degree of flexibility in the vertical direction, these respectively vertical and transverse directions are represented by the vectors V and T in FIGS. 4 and 9. These directions are indicated by the vectors respectively V and T in Figure 9. The cross-section I coated profile allows independent vertical flexibility of the two branches 30 of the horseshoe and thus provides better shock absorption in the vertical direction. The right I-profile part in the clamp part 20 makes it possible to keep a certain rigidity in the central part, or clamp of the iron, and thus makes it possible to retain the necessary stimulus aspect in case of running, while allowing a certain degree of freedom in cross direction very useful for example for taking turns and allowing a real time saving of up to one second per turn.

This form of iron thus makes it possible to improve the transmission of the influx of the horse into the gripper portion 20 and the heel cushioning thanks to the branches 30 of the iron, the specific cross-sectional shape making it possible to better follow the movement of the footpad the foot of the horse which deviates during the ground support phase and thus allows the damping of efforts. Note that according to one embodiment, it may however have a groove above and / or below (15, 16) at the same time as the lateral grooves (25, 26) throughout the clamp part (20) or a part of it.

FIG. 9 also shows an antivibration insert or wedge 28 of damping material, such as polyethylene or polyurethane resin, disposed in the upper groove 15 as explained above, which makes it possible to reduce the vibration from 800 Hz to 150 Hz in the bone structures of the horse's leg

This insert can be fixed by simple form connection in the groove, especially when it is wider at the bottom than at the top and has a conical shape or dovetail. It is also possible to envisage fixing by other means and in particular gluing.

In conclusion, the horseshoe according to the invention makes it possible for a horse to be as efficient in the iron state as in the iron state. Knowing that for trotter racehorses, the barefooted feet of a classic horseshoe make it possible to gain an average of one second on 2700 m, this represents a 25 m advantage, huge in a race. This gain of time is gained mainly in cornering due to the independence of the two branches of the horse's foot made possible by the horseshoe according to the invention.

It is the automobile equivalent of the superiority of the independent wheels facing the rigid axle.

These irons according to the invention therefore not only increase the performance of horses but also protect the wear of the horse's foot, not to cause suffering for it. They also allow the tendinous or muscular ligamentous structures not to be subjected to inconsiderate and unsuitable efforts, and thus to preserve the health capital of the horse. This horseshoe according to the invention therefore combines all the advantages of what currently exists while meeting current expectations including protection and durability of iron. The horseshoe according to the invention is flexible, lightweight, damping, resistant to wear. It is inexpensive. It is also simple to manufacture and can be attached to the horse's foot either by studding, glue or resin. It allows to respect for the first time in such a metallic material the fixed vertical flexibility independent of the two branches of the iron and the natural horizontal flexibility of the foot of the horse without constraint.

The iron according to the invention can be used in any use of the horse, simple work, leisure or any sport, thanks to its lightness, combining with its resistance to erosion, and its elastic characteristics and high mechanical strength. Respecting the dynamic nature of the horse's foot, being not very restrictive for the animal that wears it, it allows the latter to gain comfort (damping) and performance (speed and dynamism).

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above by way of non-limiting examples, but encompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments. Thus, the grooves shown may have different shapes and / or sizes depending on the horse, type of activity, etc.

Similarly, any material other than titanium and having similar or equivalent characteristics may be used.

The shapes of the grooves may also be different, the main thing being to obtain a shape of profile having characteristics similar to a type I profile lying or standing, that is to say having a greater inertia in a given direction respectively vertical or longitudinal than in the other direction respectively horizontal or vertical.

Claims

A method of manufacturing a horseshoe, characterized in that it comprises the steps of

• producing on the flat part or part thereof (3, 13) of a half-round bar a groove (5, 15) on at least a part of the length

On the half-round part or bottom part (4, 14) of a half-round bar, form a groove (6, 16) on at least a part of the length

• to make the fixing holes,

Forging or molding the equine iron from the half-round bar obtained in the preceding steps.

Manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooves (5, 15, 6, 16) of the portions above and below the half-round bar extend over the entire length of said bar.

Manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooves (5, 15, 6, 16) of the portions above and below the half-round bar extend over a portion of the length of said bar.

Manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooves (15, 16) of the parts above (13) and below (14) of the half-round bar extend at least to the clamp portion (20). final iron.

Method according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one lateral groove (25, 26) is formed on at least one side of the gripper portion of the horseshoe along the entire length thereof.

Method according to claim 5, characterized in that a lateral groove (25, 26) is formed on each side of the gripper portion (20).

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper groove (5, 15) has a conical cross-section or dovetail.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the grooves (5, 6, 15, 16) are obtained by milling

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bar is cut in the transverse direction into segments whose length corresponds to the size of the irons that it is desired to obtain.

10. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the iron is obtained by molding.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bar is of a light and strong material such as titanium.

12. Process according to claim 11, characterized in that the material is titanium Tl6Al4V of group 5.

13. Equine iron, obtained using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

An equine iron characterized in that it has in cross section over at least a portion of its length a groove (5, 15, 6, 16) on each of its upper and lower faces.

15. Equine iron according to claim 14, characterized in that the groove (5, 15) greater than a conical cross section or dovetail.

16. Equine iron according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises an antivibration layer (28) housed in the upper groove.

17. An equine iron characterized in that it has in cross section along its entire length a groove (5, 6) on each of its upper and lower faces.

Equine iron according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the grooves (15, 16) of the upper and lower portions of the half-round bar extend to the clamp part (20). iron.

19. An equine iron according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises a groove (25, 26) lateral formed on at least one side of the clamp portion.

20. Iron according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that it is a light and strong metal material such as titanium.

21. Iron according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the density of the metal is less than 4.8

22. Iron according to any one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the mechanical strength is greater than or equal to 895N / mm2.

23. Horseshoe according to claim 16, characterized in that the antivibration layer (28) is polyethylene or polyurethane.

24. Iron according to any one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that the metallic material is titanium TÏ6AI4V group 5

25. Iron according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that it has in section or cross section substantially a butterfly shape or I-shaped section lying on at least a part of its length.

26. Iron according to claim 25, characterized in that it has in cross-section or cross section substantially shaped I-shaped right on its clamp part

27. Iron according to any one of claims 14 to 25, characterized in that it has a thickness of between 4 and 10 mm.