Compact Equine Boot Rigid Shell Anti-Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing equine boots fail to effectively protect the vulnerable rear portion of a horse's front hooves during vigorous activities in conditions like water, sand, and mud, as they tend to be pushed upward and rotated, exposing the hooves to injury.

Innovation Solution

A compact equine boot with a novel, relatively rigid hard shell made from elastomeric organic or polymer materials, combined with a cushion layer and a secure fastening system, designed to fit snugly and prevent rotation or upward movement on the hoof, even in challenging conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a typical prior art boot with foam core and Velcro fastener is used, then the boot is comfortable and easy to secure under good conditions, but the boot gets pushed upward and rotated when the horse maneuvers vigorously in mud, water and sand, exposing the vulnerable rear portion of the front hoofs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidboot structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from soft foam to relatively rigid material with specific hardness range (Shore A 80-90), transforming the boot's mechanical properties to resist upward pushing forces while maintaining protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining relatively rigid material layer with cushioning layer and fabric layers, creating a multi-layer composite boot that provides both structural integrity and comfort/protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a bell portion extending above the tops of prior art height boots is attached to prevent the boot from moving up, then the boot stays in place, but the boot becomes longer and less compact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot stabilityVSAvoidboot length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the rigidity parameter of the boot material, allowing a compact boot design to achieve stability through material stiffness rather than extended length, eliminating the need for a bell portion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the rear of the boot is made of tough but cushiony material, then the boot protects the vulnerable rear area under good conditions, but the cushiony material allows the boot to be pushed upward in water, mud, sand, and sawdust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidresistance to upward pushing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the hardness parameter of the boot material to a relatively rigid range (Shore A 80-90), increasing resistance to upward pushing forces while maintaining protective strength through the composite structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7434378B2Compact no-turn athletic equine boot

Publication Date: 2008.10.14 EQUIBRAND PRODUCTS GROUP LP

AI summary

A compact, athletic equine boot that resists turning on the animal's hoof when the animal such as a horse is jumping, running and turning in water, mud, sand and sawdust comprising a bell portion having a cushiony layer on the interior of a relatively rigid or hard shell, an internal compressible protrusion, a fastener to secure the boot on the hoof, the hard shell being flexible and strong to resist blows from over-reaching rear hooves. The invention also includes a laminate comprising a layer of a tough, flexible, strong material, a cushiony layer and a fastener for attaching one end of the laminate to another end of the same or different laminate. Also disclosed is a method of making.