Hoof boot fastening device with safety locking system for single-hoofed animals

Abstract

Hoof boot fastening device for equines, comprising: a) a hoof boot shell (8), b) at least one retaining component connectable to the hoof boot shell (8), in particular a V-component (3), c) and at least one releasable locking system for connecting the retaining component to the hoof boot shell (8), characterized in that d) the locking system comprises at least one guide rail with undercut arranged on the hoof boot shell (8) and at least one locking element cooperating with the retaining component, e) wherein the guide element is at least partially integrated, recessed and / or adjacent to the wall of the hoof boot shell (8), f) and wherein the locking system is designed such that the retaining component can be releasably fixed in the area of ​​the coronary band of the hoofed animal and unintentional loosening of the connection during movement of the hoofed animal is at least made more difficult.

Description

1. Technical field The invention relates to an individually adjustable hoof boot fastening device for equines with an integrated safety locking system (1). The invention is used for fastening hoof boots to the hooves of equines. 2. State of the art Previously known hoof boots have fastening systems primarily designed for application to the standing hoof (EP 3 203 832 B1). This requires the user (10) to remain close to the ground next to the equine for extended periods, which increases the risk of injury from kicks or similar trauma, especially with restless animals. Furthermore, easily detachable mechanisms pose the risk of unintentionally opening when brushed against by the opposite hoof or other objects in their path (EP 2 545 769 A1). Furthermore, conventional rigid sidewalls often restrict the natural hoof mechanism ( EP 2 477 483 B1 ). 3. Object of the invention The invention is based on the objective of providing a hoof boot fastening device that: • Minimizes the risk of injury to the user (10) by allowing the hoof boot to be securely attached to and detached from the raised hoof. • Prevents unintentional loosening of the fastener by external force. • The controlled elastic deformation of the hoof boot fastening device reduces the pressure load on the hoof mechanism as well as on the pastern and coronary band region of the equine animal, while simultaneously ensuring a secure hold. 4. Solution to the problem and advantages The task is solved by a hoof boot fastening device with an integrated safety locking system (1). The closure system comprises at least one guide rail (1a) with an undercut (1b) that is recessed into the lateral portions of the shell (8b). A V-component (3) extends from the heel region to the front side wall and crosses over the front coronary band. At the ends of the front segments (3a), there is at least one coupling element (2) which is inserted into the at least one guide rail (1a) and engages positively in the undercut (1b). Tightening is then achieved using a toe tab (7). Since the user (10) can place the hoof boot shell (8) over the hoof with the hoof lifted caudally and then has a direct view into the guide rails (1a), they can insert the coupling elements (2) precisely into the guide rail (1a).With the hoof raised cranially, the toe flap (7) can be tightened, as the hoof boot is already positioned on the hoof by the closed V-component (3). Comfortable wear during movement with a secure fit: The side wall of the shell has two vertical inlets. The three parts of the side wall (8a, 8b) are elastically movable against each other through the inlets (8c), allowing the hoof capsule to expand minimally when the horse strikes the ground without exerting excessive pressure on the hoof mechanism. A heel bar (9) prevents the V-component (3) from slipping into the sensitive pastern area and the hoof boot shell (8) from lifting off the sole. If the pastern drops significantly, as can occur, for example, during the landing phase after a jump, the heel bar (9) pulls the V-component (3) out of the sensitive pastern area, with the V-component (3) then elastically returning to its original position due to the pull of the toe flap (7).The interaction of the following two features of the fastening device prevents excessive contraction of the V-component (3) and the resulting cutting into the skin of the fetlock and coronary band region of the equine. The angle of the two front segments of the V-component (3a) is chosen to allow sufficient space for the fetlock, but not so much that the hoof can detach from the fastening. The toe flap (7) encompasses the intersection of the two front segments of the V-component (3a) and also prevents cutting into the cranial fetlock and coronary band region. At the same time, however, the toe flap (7) allows lateral movement, so that the hoof boot fastening device can follow the movements of the equine. The hoof boot fastening device preferably comprises several modules, which are available in many different sizes and can thus be individually adapted to the anatomy of the equine.The modules can be manufactured wholly or partially using additive manufacturing to allow for a wide range of sizes. Elastic, semi-elastic, or dimensionally stable materials, as well as combinations thereof, can be used. Fastening techniques and individual adaptability through the use of additional components such as buckles and protruding material reserves are largely avoided to reduce the risk of snagging. The safety locking systems (1), in particular guide rails (1a), can preferably be recessed, at least partially, into the wall of the hoof boot shell (8). This ensures that the locking system lies as close as possible to the hoof when fastened, thus reducing the risk of snagging on obstacles, vegetation, opposing hooves, or other external objects.To enable easy removal of the coupling element (2) from the safety locking system (1) despite minimal material protrusion, the end of the front segments (3a) features a grip thickening (5) and an indentation (4) into which the hooks of commercially available hoof picks can engage for improved gripping. Furthermore, this hoof boot fastening device offers the advantage over a hook-and-loop fastener of being very easy to clean of dirt and animal hair. With hook-and-loop fasteners, the accumulation of dirt and animal hair, as well as frequent use, usually leads to a loss of adhesion. 5. Brief description of the drawings Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show: • Fig. 1 a detailed view of the safety locking system. • Fig. 2 a longitudinal section view of the safety locking system. • Fig. 3 a view of the V-component with coupling elements. • Fig. 4 a front view of the hoof boot shell with toe flap and safety locking system. • Fig. 5 a side view of the open hoof boot shell with the V-component attached to the heel bar. • Fig. 6 an illustration of the operation of the hoof boot fastening device on the raised hoof. 6. List of reference symbols 1 Safety locking system 1a Guide rail 1b Undercut 2 Coupling element 3 V-component 3a Front segment of the V-component 3b Rear segment of the V-component 3c Angle geometry of the V-component 4 Hoof cleaning inlet 5 Grip thickening 6 Heel bar attachment point 7 Toe flap 8 Hoof boot shell 8a Middle portion of the hoof boot shell 8b Lateral portion of the hoof boot shell 8c Vertical inlet of the hoof boot shell 9 Heel bar 10 User 10a User's left hand 10b User's right hand 11 Right leg of the hoof 12 Underside of the hoof boot shell QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature EP 3 203 832 B1

[0002] EP 2 545 769 A1

[0002] EP 2 477 483 B1

[0003]

Claims

Hoof boot fastening device for equines, comprising: a) a hoof boot shell (8), b) at least one retaining component connectable to the hoof boot shell (8), in particular a V-component (3), c) and at least one releasable locking system for connecting the retaining component to the hoof boot shell (8), characterized in that d) the locking system comprises at least one guide rail with undercut arranged on the hoof boot shell (8) and at least one locking element cooperating with the retaining component, e) wherein the guide element is at least partially integrated, recessed and / or adjacent to the wall of the hoof boot shell (8), f) and wherein the locking system is designed such that the retaining component can be releasably fixed in the area of ​​the coronary band of the hoofed animal and unintentional loosening of the connection during movement of the hoofed animal is at least made more difficult. Hoof boot fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide element comprises at least one guide rail (1a), in particular with at least one undercut (1b). Hoof boot fastening device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element comprises at least one mushroom head bolt (2), locking element, plug-in element, screw element or a combination thereof. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element can be inserted into the guide element and can be fixed there in a form-fitting, force-fitting and / or snap-fit ​​manner. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding component has at least two intersecting front segments (3a). Hoof boot fastening device according to claim 5, characterized in that the front segments (3a) are arranged crosswise above the coronary margin. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding component has a predetermined angular geometry (3c) by which pressure loads in the area of ​​the fetlock and / or coronary margin region can be reduced. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one tensioning element, in particular a toe tab (7), is provided by means of which the holding component can be retensioned. Hoof boot fastening device according to claim 8, characterized in that the clamping element comprises the intersecting front segments (3a) at least section by section. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hoof boot shell (8) has at least two inlets (8c), in particular vertical inlets, through which wall sections are formed that are at least partially elastically movable relative to each other. Hoof boot fastening device according to claim 10, characterized in that the movable wall sections allow elastic expansion of the horn capsule during loading of the hoof. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one heel ridge (9) is provided which reduces slippage of the retaining component in the direction of the fetlock joint and / or reduces lifting of the hoof boot shell (8) from the sole of the hoof. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding component and / or the hoof boot shell (8) are modularly constructed and designed in different sizes. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one component of the device is manufactured by additive manufacturing and / or individually adapted. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding component has at least one grip thickening (5) and / or at least one inlet (4) for facilitating release of the locking system. Hoof boot fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking system is designed in such a way that unintentional loosening of the connection by lateral movements, forces acting against the insertion direction and / or tensile forces is made more difficult.

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