Hoof boot shell portion

Abstract

The invention relates to a hoof boot shell portion (1), comprising a base portion (2) having a lower surface (2a) arranged to bear against the ground and an upper surface (2b) arranged to receive the sole of the hoof. A rim (3) is arranged to extend from the edge of the base portion (2) and adapted in use to surround the hoof. The rear portion of the base portion (2) is formed by two blocks (20, 21) of the base portion (2) separated by an elongated slot (2'). A recess (2a') is formed in the lower surface (2a) at the edge of the slot (2'). A base element (4) is attached in connection with the slot (2') and recess (2a'), the shape of the base element (4) being designed to correspond to the shapes of the slot (2') and the recess (2a') such that the blocks (20, 21) of the base portion (2) are located either in their original positions or displaced away from each other. The plate portion (4a) of the base element (4) forms a region (4a') of the lower surface (2a) of the base portion (2), which is softer compared to the hardness of the other material of the base portion (2).

Description

[0001] HOOF BOOT SHELL PORTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a hoof boot shell portion, comprising a base portion having a lower surface arranged to bear against the ground and an upper surface arranged to receive the sole of a hoof, and a rim arranged to extend from the edge of the base portion and adapted, in use, to surround the hoof, wherein a rear portion of the base portion is formed by two base portion blocks separated by an elongated slot formed in the rear portion of the base portion, the slot being open at the rear of the base portion.

[0003] Such prior art hoof boots are manufactured mainly from thermoplastic polyurethane. Typically, each different size has to be manufactured separately, i.e., using different manufacturing molds and dimensions.

[0004] Hoof boots of this type are known, for example, from published patent application W02014130251A1, in which the rear portion of the base of the shell portion is divided into two parts, with a flexible web between the parts functioning as a resilient intermediate element. The hoof boot according to the solution is attached by gluing or nailing, and the purpose of the flexible rear portion is primarily to facilitate mounting the shell portion onto the hoof. For this purpose, a notch is formed in the rear portion of the base portion, into which a suitably sized wedge is inserted to spread the two parts apart, thereby expanding the base portion so that the shell portion can be positioned on the hoof. The wedge must subsequently be removed partially or completely to allow nailing, at least. In this solution, however, attachment of the shell portion requires mechanical fastening to the hoof. The publication does not address whether one shell portion is suitable for more than one hoof size.

[0005] Such prior art hoof boots are also known, for example, from products manufactured by Vainica Oy and marketed under the Flex Hoof Boots brand. In addition to the structure of the above-mentioned shell portion known per se, the hoof boot comprises fastening means adapted to fit around the lower part of the hoof of a horse, for example straps or belts. Such fastening means are typically attachable to attachment points formed to the rim and generally in connection with the base portion.A number of such corresponding hoof boots are known on the market, but their basic structural principle is similar to the solution of Vainica Oy. Known products, however, require the same features which require the safety and health of the animal to be taken into account. Accordingly, in such hoof boots, the material of the shell portion, including the base portion, must be suitable for the gait and anatomy of the animal's hoof while also being sufficiently durable for abrasive use. Corresponding hoof boots currently available on the market are made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which primarily fulfills in use the safety and health requirements of the animal. It is possible to produce hoof boots made of TPU that are simultaneously flexible in the rim and fastening means, thereby satisfying the aforementioned safety and health requirements, as well as providing adequate durability for the base portion. Other plastic or plastic composite materials possessing similar properties can also be used.

[0006] In this type of hoof boots, in which the base portion area covers the entire hoof (area defined by the toe, side wall, heel, and frog), the anatomical effect of the base portion on the hoof when it contacts the ground has not been taken into account. For example, in a horse, the frog area (the rear part of the hoof), which typically contacts the ground first during a step, consists of softer tissue than other parts of the hoof. In such cases, a uniform base of the hoof boot may interfere with the natural gait of the animal (whether running or walking). The term "gait" refers to the different modes of movement of the hoofed animal. In the case of a horse, these include, for example, walk, trot, canter, gallop, pace, and tbit.

[0007] Nevertheless, in known solutions, a hoof boot must still be manufactured separately for each hoof size, for example using a mold and dimensions corresponding to the size, bringing about increased manufacturing costs.

[0008] A challenge in known solutions is also the attachment of the different parts of the hoof boot, such as the fastening points for straps, to the hoof boot itself. Typically, the different parts are mechanically fastened to each other using rivets or screws, which may cause discomfort to the animal.The object of the present invention is to provide a hoof boot in which the aforementioned disadvantages related to manufacturing and use are avoided. In particular, the aim is to provide a hoof boot structure in which the same components can be used to produce multiple finished sizes of the hoof boot. At the same time, an object of the invention is to better take into account the anatomy of the hoof during use, while also fulfilling the safety and health requirements of the hoofed animal, and maintaining maximum flexibility of the remaining shell portion.

[0009] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a shell portion of the hoof boot, the distinguishing features of which are set forth in the characterizing part of independent claim 1.

[0010] The above-mentioned object is achieved by applying the solution according to the invention, in which the co-operation of a separate base element in combination with a slot formed in the base portion allows both the production of different sizes of hoof boots and a novel structure in the rear portion of the base portion that will better take into account the anatomy of the hoof.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying dependent claims. They disclose a preferred attachment of the different parts of the hoof boot to each other by glueing, thereby avoiding screws or rivets that could potentially cause discomfort to the animal. For example, they define a preferred placement of a base piece that is softer than the other material in the base portion, so that the softer material better absorbs shocks directed to the hoof, in particular the frog area.

[0012] In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a hoof boot according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0014] Figure 2 shows the hoof boot of Figure 1 as seen from below without the base portion, with the base piece detached,Figure 3 shows the hoof boot base portion of Figure 1,

[0015] Figure 4 shows the hoof boot base portion of Figure 3 as seen from below, and

[0016] Figure 5 shows a front view of the hoof boot base portion of Figure 3.

[0017] Accordingly, shown in the figures is a hoof boot shell portion 1 according to the invention. The hoof boot shell portion 1 is a shoe-like element adapted to be fitted around the hoof of an animal, such as horse. It comprises at least a base portion, designated by reference numeral 2, and a rim, designated by reference numeral 3. Other parts described below may also be attached thereto.

[0018] The base portion 2 is formed by the part remaining in use beneath the hoof, with its lower surface 2a arranged to bear against the ground. Ground in this context refers to any surface against which the lower surface 2a bears. The ground may, for example, be soil or stable floor, in any case a surface over which the hoofed animal can move. The upper surface 2b of the base portion 2, which is on the opposite side and preferably substantially oriented opposite to the lower surface 2a, is in turn arranged to receive the sole of the hoof. Accordingly, during use, the base portion 2 remains between the ground and the sole of the hoof during the gait of the hoofed animal.

[0019] The rim 3 is in turn arranged to rise substantially upward or obliquely upward from the edge or edge region of the base portion. The rim 3 is formed by a thin wall 3a, the shape of which is, however, selected such that the hoof of a hoofed animal, such as horse or donkey, can be inserted into the space defined by the wall 3a and the base portion 2. The shape of the upper edge 3b of the rim 3 is preferably designed to follow the anatomy of the hoof region of the hoofed animal.

[0020] The hoof boot shell portion 1 disclosed above is preferably made of plastic or plastic composite material. In particular, the base portion 2 and the rim 3 made of plastic material is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Especially in the application of the hoof boot shell portion, hardness of the TPU is significant for the reasons disclosedabove. Preferably, the hardness here has a Shore value (Shore A) of 60-90 Shore. The hardness measurement method is in this case preferably a Shore hardness test intended for measuring the hardness of plastics. The material of the hoof boot shell portion 1 may also be other than plastic or plastic composite material, the flexibility and hardness of which correspond to those of the shell portion 1 made of TPU as disclosed above.

[0021] The lower surface 2a of the base portion 2 is provided with formations, such as grooves, for better support and preventing slipping on various surfaces, such as riding arenas, terrain, and paved roads.

[0022] A slot 2' is formed in the base portion 2 according to the invention, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 indicated by reference numeral 2'. The slot 2' is preferably an elongated slot extending from the rear portion of the base portion 2 toward the front, separating two blocks 20 and 21 of the base portion, which are connected by the area of the base portion 2 located in front of the slot 2'. The slot 2' preferably extends into the central region of the base portion 2. The blocks 20 and 21 of the base portion 20 thus are adjacent areas of the base portion 2, which are separated from each other by the slot 2'. The slot 2' is therefore open at the rear of the base portion 2. The width of the slot 2' is preferably 2-20 mm, but may also deviate from this.

[0023] A recess 2a' is formed in the lower surface 2a of the base portion 2, at the edge of the slot 2'. The recess 2a' extends for a certain distance from the lower surface of the base portion 2 toward the upper surface. The recess 2a' thus borders the slot 2' such that the edge 2a" of the recess 2a' extends around the slot 2' at a distance therefrom. Consequently, the bottom of the recess 2a' forms a surface to which the base element 4 according to the invention, described below, can be attached. The edge 2a" of the recess 2a' is shaped to ensure improved attachment of the base element 4.

[0024] A base element 4 according to the invention is seen in Figure 2. The base element 4 comprises a plate portion 4a and a rib 4b, or another corresponding protrusion or ridge, projecting from the surface of the plate portion. This part will hereinafter bereferred to as "rib." The shape of the edge 4a' of the plate portion 4a of the base element is designed to correspond to the shape of the recess 2a' of the base portion 2, and the shape of the rib 4b of the base element 4 is designed to correspond to the shape of the slot 2'. Thus, the base element 4 can be inserted into place from the side of the lower surface 2a of the base portion 2. It is also possible, however, that the base element 4 can be inserted from the rear of the base portion 2 in the longitudinal direction of the rib 4b. In this case, the surface of the plate portion 4a on the rib side bears against the bottom of the recess 2a'. The base element 4 can then be attached to the base portion 2 by adhesive bonding between the ribside surface of the plate portion and the bottom of the recess 2a'. The adhesive may be applied, for example, to the bottom of the recess 2a'. In this arrangement, the rib 4b projects into the slot 2'. To facilitate this insertion, the cross-sectional shape of the rib 4b is such that the tip (upper portion) of the rib 4b tapers toward the tip, for example in a conical or curved manner.

[0025] It is of course also possible that, instead of or in addition to adhesive bonding, the base element 4 can be attached to the base portion 2 by rivets or screws.

[0026] The lower surface 4a" of the base element 4 according to the invention, which is on the opposite side of the plate portion 4a from the rib-side surface, faces toward the ground and is positioned essentially at least at the location of the horse's hoof. In use, the base element 4 thus forms part of the lower surface 2b of the base portion 2.

[0027] The rib 4b can be shaped in various ways relative to the slot 2'. Optionally, the rib 4b is first shaped with respect to the slot 2' such that blocks 20 and 21 of the base portion 2 remain in their original positions. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the rib 4b, particularly its width, is essentially the same as the width of the slot 2'.

[0028] Secondly, the rib 4b can optionally be shaped with respect to the slot 2' so that blocks 20 and 21 of the base portion 2 are positioned apart from each other. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the rib 4b, particularly its width, is larger than the width of the slot 2'. The rib 4b can also widen in the longitudinal direction toward the rear of the base portion 2. When blocks 20 and 21 are displaced away fromeach other by the insertion of the rib 4b, a hoof boot shell portion 1 is formed, which is larger than the original shell portion 1.

[0029] In this way, by mere shaping the rib 4b of the base element 4, a shell portion 1 is obtained that can be made in different sizes for hooves of different dimensions. Thus, a solution is achieved in which a shell portion 1 suitable for multiple hoof sizes can be achieved with a single base portion 2 in a simple manner.

[0030] According to the invention, at least the plate portion 4a of the base element 4 is made softer compared to the hardness of the other material of the base portion 2. The softer material implements the inventive concept in which the new structure of the rear part of the base portion also better accommodates the anatomy of the hoof. The softer material of the plate portion 4a absorbs the impact vibrations from the gait transmitted from the base portion 2 to the hoof better than the rest of the material of the base portion.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first support element 6 is arranged at the rear of the base element 4 for fastening means intended to secure the hoof guard shell portion 1. The first support element 6 is in this case a flap or tab projecting essentially upward from the base element 4, in which attachment points 6a and 6b are formed. The support element 6 may be a support element known per se, but it is formed in the base element 4 instead of in the base portion 2. In this embodiment, the attachment points comprise two lateral ears 6a and corresponding attachment holes 6b. It is noteworthy that the support element can, for example, be formed by casting directly into the base element 4, making the support element 6 an integral part of the base element 4. This in turn allows the support element 6 to be joined to the shell portion during its manufacturing stage as part of the base portion 2, without the use of metal screws or rivets. The support element 6, or at least its flap or tab, is in use positioned at the rear of the animal's hoof and leg.

[0032] In this case, it is also preferable that a support element for the fastening means is provided at the front of the base portion 2. The edge 3 of the shell portion then comprises a second support element 7. The second support element 7 is a flap ortab 7' attached, preferably by adhesive bonding, to the attachment surface 3a formed on the edge 3, in which attachment points 7a and 7b are formed. The attachment points 7a and 7b are integral parts of the flap or tab 7', extending above the edge 3. In this embodiment, the attachment points comprise two laterally extending ears 7a and corresponding attachment holes 7b. This arrangement also allows the second support element 7 to be joined as part of the base portion 2 without the use of metal nails or rivets.

[0033] It is possible that, instead of or in addition to adhesive bonding, the second support element 7 can be attached to the edge 3 of the base portion 2 by rivets or screws.

[0034] The fastening means, which are not shown here, are strap-like and / or sock-like devices that can be placed around the lower part of the hoofed animal's leg, taking the anatomy into account.

[0035] The material of the base element 4 is plastic or plastic composite, preferably thermoplastic polyurethane, i.e. TPU. The Shore value (Shore A) of the hardness of the base element 4 is preferably lower than the Shore values of the aforementioned base portion 2 and rim 3. The Shore A value can preferably be 30-70. In other words, the base element 4 is softer material than the base portion 2. Although certain Shore A values for the base portion are presented here, without the need of necessarily being limited to them. The relative hardness, i.e., the hardness (Shore values) of the base element in relation to the base portion can also be expressed as their relative ratio, which is preferably 1.1 to 2.5 (ratio of the Shore A value of the hardness of the base portion to the Shore A value of the hardness of the base element).

[0036] It should be mentioned here that, depending on the material of the plate portion 4a and / or the base portion 2, the hardness has been determined by at least one of the following hardness measurement methods: Shore measurement, Rockwell measurement, Vickers measurement, Brinell measurement, Leeb hardness test.

[0037] It should be noted that the solution disclosed in the figures represents a shell portion of a hoof boot intended for a horse. The invention is, however, not limited toshell portions for horses, but the invention as presented e.g. with the dimensions of the base portion 2, base element 4, and rim 3, can also be applied as a shell portion of a hoof boot for other hoofed animals, such as donkey.

Claims

Claims1. A hoof boot shell portion (1), comprising a base portion (2) having a lower surface (2a) arranged to bear against the ground, and an upper surface (2b) arranged to receive the sole of the hoof, and a rim (3) arranged to extend from the edge of the base portion (2) and adapted in use to surround the hoof, and wherein the rear portion of the base portion (2) is formed by two blocks (20, 21) of the base portion separated by an elongated slot (2') formed in the rear portion of the base portion (2), the slot (2') being open at the rear of the base portion (2), characterized in that a recess (2a') is formed in the lower surface (2a) of the base portion (2) at the edge of the slot (2'), that a base element (4) is attached in connection with the slot (2') and the recess (2a'), the shape of the base element (4) being designed to correspond to the shapes of the slot (2') and the recess (2a') such that the blocks (20, 21) of the base portion (2) are located either in their original positions when a rib (4b) projecting from the plate portion (4a) of the base element (4) is fitted into the slot (2') of the hoof boot and having a width essentially equal to the width of the slot (2'), or displaced away from each other, when the rib (4b) projecting from the plate portion (4a) of the base element (4) is fitted into the slot (2') of the hoof boot and having a width greater than the width of the slot (2'), and the lower surface (4a") of the plate portion (4a) of the base element (4) forms, when attached in connection with the slot (2') and the recess (2a'), a part of the lower surface (2a) of the base portion (2), which is softer compared to the hardness of the other material of the base portion (2).

2. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of claim 1, characterized in that the base element (4) has a rib (4b) projecting from the plate portion (4a) and capable of being fitted into the slot of the hoof boot.

3. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of any one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a first support element (6) is arranged at the rear of the base element (4) for fastening means intended to secure the shell portion (1) of the hoof boot.

4. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of claim 3, characterized in that the first support element (6) comprises attachment points (6a, 6b) for the fastening means.

5. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first support element (6) is formed by casting as an integral part of the base element (4).

6. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rim (3) of the shell portion (1) comprises a second support element (7) for fastening means intended to secure the shell portion (1) of the hoof boot, and that the second support element (7) is attached to an attachment point (3a) formed on the rim (3) of the base portion (2) by adhesive.

7. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of claim 6, characterized in that the second support element (7) is attached to an attachment point (3a) formed on the rim (3) of the base portion (2) by screws or rivets.

8. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second support element (7) comprises attachment points (7a, 7b) for the fastening means.

9. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base element (4) is attached to the base portion (2) by adhesive.

10. Hoof boot shell portion (1) of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the base element (4) is attached to the base portion (2) by screws or rivets.

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