Acute-Angle Thermoplastic Horseshoe Clip for Precise Hoof Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for fitting horseshoes with clips are lengthy, imprecise, and prone to clip breakage, especially with aluminum fittings, which can cause discomfort and injury to horses due to mechanical stress and difficulty in maintaining clip proximity to the hoof.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a thermoplastic clip with an acute angle (between 30° and 80°) that is heated to adapt to the hoof's surface, allowing closer contact and easier placement, and an abutment device with a flared attachment lug for secure assembly, reducing mechanical stress and enhancing clip durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If clips are placed at 180 degrees on aluminum fittings, then the horseshoe can be manufactured with pre-formed clips, but the clips require strong straightening which weakens them and causes frequent breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angle parameter of clips from the traditional 180 degrees to an acute angle (30-80 degrees). This parameter change allows clips to be formed without strong straightening operations, maintaining their structural integrity and reducing breakage while still enabling pre-manufacturing of the horseshoe with clips attached.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of straightening clips from a 180-degree position to achieve proper placement, the invention inverts the approach by forming clips directly at the correct acute angle during manufacturing. This eliminates the harmful straightening process that weakens aluminum clips while achieving the same functional result.
2Ease of operation
If traditional straightening methods are used to position clips, then clips can be placed on the horseshoe, but the process is lengthy and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The clips are preliminarily formed at the correct acute angle during horseshoe manufacturing, eliminating the need for time-consuming straightening operations during farrier work. This preliminary action ensures precise angular positioning is achieved in the factory rather than in the field, reducing fitting time and improving precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If clips are formed by traditional forging methods, then clips can be created on the horseshoe, but the process is painful for the farrier and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the formation method parameter from traditional cold forging to a process that forms clips at acute angles (30-80 degrees) without requiring painful manual shaping. This can be achieved through specialized forming tools or pre-attached clip components that require minimal manipulation, improving both farrier comfort and angular precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method allows for precise placement and adaptation of clips to the horse's hoof, reducing breakage and discomfort, while enabling easier maintenance and extension of the horseshoe's service life by allowing clip replacement.
Implementation Method 1
heated to adapt to the hoof's surface
Implementation Method 2
A method involving a thermoplastic clip with an acute angle (between 30° and 80°) that is heated to adapt to the hoof's surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to meet the constraints stated above by proposing a method for fitting a horseshoe (10) comprising at least one clip forming an acute angle with the upper surface of the horseshoe, simple in its operation, allowing proximity and maintenance of the at least one clip with the horse's hoof. Another object of the present invention is a horseshoe for implementing this method, said horseshoe comprising at least one clip forming an acute angle with the upper surface of the horseshoe, said clip belonging to a stop device (13).