Equine Boot V-Shaped Sling Strap Fetlock Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equine support boots often fail to provide adequate upward support and protection to the fetlock joint, leading to insufficient reduction of tensile stress and vulnerability to injuries, despite advancements in design and materials.
Innovation Solution
The equine support boot incorporates a v-shaped sling strap affixed to the upper part of the boot, which provides both circumferential and upward support by attaching above the fetlock joint and applying an upward force, along with a configuration that includes removable foam inserts for additional padding and protection from blunt force injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional horizontal straps are used to provide circumferential compression, then compressive force is applied to the lower limb, but upward support and tensile stress reduction at the fetlock joint is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sling strap is configured in a V-shape with asymmetric geometry, where the attachment point is positioned higher on the boot than the fastening point around the lower limb. This asymmetric arrangement creates a mechanical advantage that generates upward support force at the fetlock joint, resolving the contradiction by transforming a simple circumferential strap into a force-multiplying asymmetric structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional horizontal circumferential strap to a three-dimensional V-shaped configuration with vertical height component. By positioning the attachment point higher on the boot and creating diagonal strap segments, the design adds a vertical dimension to the force application, enabling upward support while maintaining circumferential compression.
2Stress or pressure
If the boot provides circumferential compression only, then some support is achieved, but tensile stress at the fetlock joint is not adequately decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped sling strap functions as a mechanical counterbalance system, where the diagonal strap segments create an upward counteracting force that opposes the downward tensile stress at the fetlock joint. The geometry of the V-shape ensures that the tension in the straps generates a vertical component that counteracts the harmful tensile forces during weight-bearing activities.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective coverage is extended to cover injury-prone areas, then protection from blunt force injuries is improved, but the boot structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into functional segments: a main boot body providing structural support, removable foam inserts for cushioning, and a separate V-shaped sling strap system for upward support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easy cleaning, replacement, and adjustment of individual parts without affecting the entire boot structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot incorporates removable foam inserts specifically positioned in areas requiring additional cushioning and protection from blunt force injuries. This local quality enhancement allows targeted protection at injury-prone areas without adding complexity to the entire boot structure, as the foam inserts can be easily removed or adjusted as needed.
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 boot effectively reduces tensile stress and provides enhanced protection and stability to the fetlock joint, facilitating injury prevention and rehabilitation by distributing load-bearing stress more effectively and preventing injuries such as over-reach and interference.
Implementation Method 1
the straps are wrapped downward and around the from the attachment site and therefore provide an upward force that decreases tensile stress in a localized area
Implementation Method 2
the fastening points of the ends of the straps are on the same horizontal plane as the attachment site. The straps wrap around the lower limb of the horse and provide circumferential support to a horse's fetlock joint
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the disclosed equine support boot comprises a base portion, at least one upper strap, and a v-shaped sling strap attached to a top section of the base portion, the sling strap being configured to pull the fetlock joint towards the attachment point to apply an upward force on the leg thus decreasing tensile stress in a localized area. In this embodiment, the disclosed equine support boot represents an improvement over known equine support boots because in known boots, sling straps rap horizontally around the horse's leg and thus do not provide an upward vertical force on the fetlock joint of the horse's leg. The use of a v-shaped sling strap in embodiments of the disclosed boot enables the straps themselves to apply an upward force toward the attachment point of the v-shaped strap when the boot is mounted on the horse's leg.