WO2006029866A1

WO2006029866A1 - Shoeing element for equines and process for its application

Info

Publication number: WO2006029866A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/009935
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Vanini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-17
Filing date: 2005-09-15
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2007-03-17
Also published as: ITMI20041773A1

Abstract

The shoeing element (1) comprises a first body part (2) having a surface (3) facing towards the equine’s foot and a second body part (4) having a surface (5) suitable for contact with the ground, the first body part (2) being made from softer and more elastic plastic material than the second body part (4), and has connection members (6) with the foot of the equine through a glue.

Description

SHOEING ELEMENT FOR EQUINES AND PROCESS FOR ITS APPLICATION

DESCRIPTION

The present finding refers to a shoeing element for equines and to a process for its application.

As known, the characteristics of shoes to be applied to equines hooves and of the nails suitable for their application are numerous and all substantially important.

Firstly, it should be noted that shoes of the front legs have fairly similar longitudinal and transversal diameters with the longitudinal diameter slightly longer than the transversal diameter.

On the other hand, the shoes of the back legs have substantially larger longitudinal diameters due to the different shape of the front and back feet of equines.

As known, each half of the shoe, excluding the toe, is called a branch in turn able to be divided like the wall of the foot into side walls, quarters and heels.

There are two branches of the shoe, a side one and an inner one.

In the back hooves, the outer branch is generally longer and can also have a slightly greater width.

The width of the shoe is known as "binda" and at the level of the face that comes into contact with the ground and in a position slightly towards the outside there is the groove inside of which there are the holes, the nail holes, in which the heads of the nails shall be housed.

The nails that are used to fix the shoes to the hoof have a trapezium-shaped section.

This particular configuration is due to the fact that it allows the nail itself to come out towards the outer side of the wall whilst it is embedded.

In this way, if the nail is positioned in the correct manner it will tend to naturally move away from the living part of the foot .

The farriers work thus requires a great deal of preparation and professionalism, since the whole biomechanics of the animal and in particular its movement and so-called lameness depends upon the work carried out by this person.

Amongst other things, indeed, one of the most important aspects is the application of the shoe to the equine' s hoof and thus the type, the insertion, the location and the orientation of the nails are of fundamental importance.

One just has to think that a farrier, after having taken the equine' s foot forward onto his knee or onto a bench, normally has to cut the tips of the nails to 3-4 millimetres from the point where they come out from the wall and then hammer back the parts of the nails projecting in the small recesses present under the point at which the nails themselves come out .

To avoid the nails being able to come out, this operation is carried out between the tongs and the hammer, resting the head of the tongs under the head of the nail that is being hammered back.

Finally, the rivets must be filed if they are sharp.

The task proposed of the present finding is that of eliminating the aforementioned technical drawbacks of the prior art .

In this technical task, an important purpose of the finding is to make a shoeing element for equines and a process for its application that allows the use of nails for the connection of the shoe to the equine's foot to be totally or partially eliminated or to be rendered superfluous.

Yet another purpose of the finding is to make a shoeing element and a process for its application that are extremely quick and certainly simpler to be carried out with respect to those with conventional shoes.

Yet another purpose of the finding is to make a shoeing element that has a low weight that is less than all known types of shoes, and allows the vibrations and knocks during the movement of the equine, due to the unevenness and the hardness of the ground on which it moves, to be dampened.

A further purpose of the finding is to make a shoeing element that has excellent adherence on any type of ground, thus allowing the equine to have substantial stability and safety of behaviour during movement . Another purpose of the finding is to make a shoeing element for equines and a process for its application that allow optimal anchoring of the shoe to the hoof and low consumption of the shoe.

Another purpose of the finding is to make a shoeing element for equines and a process for its application that, not using nails for the connection to the animal's foot, does not take into account the pre-existing journeys in the equine' s hoof that continually modify their positioning due to the growth of the animal's nail, forcing shoeing to be carried out even very frequently.

This task, as well as these and other purposes, are accomplished by a shoeing element comprising a first body part having a surface facing towards the equine's foot and a second body part having a surface suitable for contact with the ground, characterised in that said first body part is made from softer and more elastic plastic material than said second body part, and has connection members with the foot of said equine through a glue.

Also forming the object of the present patent is a process for the application of a shoeing element onto the feet of an equine, characterised in that it consists of at least a first bending step of tabs along a first bending line to create an angle of about 90° between said tabs and the main plane of said shoeing element, a second bending step of said tabs along a second bending line to adapt said tabs to the shape of the foot of said equine, and a third gluing step carried out by distributing a glue according to the predetermined ways on the surfaces of said shoeing element and of said tabs facing towards the foot of said equine exerting a suitable pressure until a predetermined adhesion force is reached.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become clearer from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the shoeing element for equines and of the process for its application, illustrated for indicating and not limiting purposes in the attached drawings, in which: figure 1 is a plan view from above of the shoeing element according to a first embodiment of the finding; figure 2 is a plan view from below of the shoeing element of figure 1; figure 3 is a perspective view of the second body part of the shoeing element of figure 1; figure 4 is a top side section view of the shoeing element according to a second preferred embodiment of the finding, in which the recesses for the arrangement in plane of the thin elements are not present, at the exit from the cast; figure 5 is a top side section view of the shoeing element of figure 4 in the first preparatory application step to the foot of the equine; figure 6 is a top side section view of the shoeing element of figure 4 in the second application step to the foot of the equine; and figure 7 is a top side section view of the shoeing element of figure 4 in the final application step to the foot of the equine.

With reference to the quoted figures, the shoeing element is wholly indicated with reference numeral 1.

The shoeing element 1 comprises a first body part 2 having a surface 3 facing towards the equine' s foot and a second body part 4 having a surface 5 suitable for making contact with the ground.

Preferably, the upper surface of the second body part 4 has a hollow 9 in which the first body part 2 is housed with the surface 3 only slightly raised with respect to the side edges of the hollow 9.

The first body part 2 is made from softer and more elastic plastic material than the second body part 4, and has connection members 6 with the foot of the equine through a glue.

The shoeing element 1 also has rigidifying means 7 of the connection members 6, able to be deformed to shape them to the foot of the equine in the sticking step of the glue.

Advantageously, the surface 3 facing towards the equine' s foot, being made from softer and more elastic plastic material than the plastic material of the surface 5 suitable for making contact with the ground, can thus adapt to possible roughness and undulations of the of the surface of the equine' s hoof thus equally allowing optimal adhesion carried out by the glue.

In such a way, the glue that is used can carry out its adhesion characteristics in an optimal manner and is not subject to quick shocks that would tend to make the shoeing element break and thus detach from the equine's hoof.

Different polyurethane-based materials have proven particularly suitable for making the first and second body part 2 and 3.

The connection members 6 comprise tabs 8 suitable for engaging with the wall of the equine's foot.

The tabs 8 have a different height and in particular the side ones have a slightly tapered configuration.

The tabs 8 are preferably made in a single piece with the first body part 2.

A number of tabs 8 greater than or equal to five has proven particularly advisable for application.

The rigidifying elements 7 comprise thin elements 10 associated with corresponding tabs 8, and each thin element 10 has a rigidifying portion 11 at least partially incorporated in the material of the corresponding tab 8 and a support portion 12 of the rigidifying portion 11 at least partially incorporated in the material of the first body part 2.

Of course, the rigidifying portion 11 of each thin element 10 must be inside the surface of the tab 8 facing towards the equine's foot.

Moreover, the rigidifying portion 11 of each thin element 10 has at least one through hole 24 through which buttons with many spikes 25 for holding the tab 8 on the wall of the equine' s foot can be introduced.

Each thin element 10 has at least one first bending line 13 to achieve the lifting of the tab 8 with respect to the first body part 2 and a second bending line 14 substantially parallel to the first bending line 13 to achieve the adaptation of the tab 8 to the wall of the equine's foot.

Preferably, each thin element 10 has a first and second draft lightening 15 and 16 at the first and second bending line 13 and 14.

The thin element 10 can advantageously be in the form of a metal plate or a metal mesh.

A first impression 17 for housing a longitudinal rigidifying element 18 of the shoeing element 1 is formed in the hollow 9.

The longitudinal rigidifying element 18 is a deformable metal wire that extends along the two branches of the shoeing element 1.

Second impressions 19 for housing the support portions 12 of the thin elements 10 are also formed in the hollow 9.

The support portions 12 are substantially T-shaped so as not to allow sideways withdrawal from the relative impressions 19.

The impressions 19 have a greater depth than the first impressions 17 to position the support portions 12 of the thin elements 10 below the longitudinal rigidifying element 18.

Of course, both the support portions 12 of the thin elements 10 and the longitudinal rigidifying element 18 are embedded in the material of the first body part 2.

The base of the second impressions 19 has a through hole 26 aligned with a through hole 27 of the support portion 12 of the thin elements 10, through which through holes 26 and 27 a vertical attachment screw 28 can be introduced suitable for perforating and poking out from the material of the first body part 2 to stick into the equine's foot.

The outer side surface 20 of the second body part 4 can have recesses 21 for the arrangement in plane of the thin elements 10, as illustrated with reference to the embodiment of figures 1 and 3.

Moreover, the outer side surface 20 of the second body part 4 has, on the sides of the tabs 8, projecting zones 41 for protecting the tabs 8.

The inner side surface 22 of the second body part 4, on the other hand, has discharges 23 to'make it easier to move the inner and outer branch of the shoeing element in a coplanar manner. Advantageously, the surface 5 of the second body part 4 suitable for making contact with the ground has at least one groove 29 to increase the specific contact pressure thus improving grip in the case of wet ground and/or grass .

The ends of the inner and outer branch of the shoeing element

1 also have a slit 30 in which a cross member 31 is inserted suitable for preventing deformations of the shoeing element 1.

Such ends of the outer and inner branch of the shoeing element 1 are also tapered to avoid the hoof catching on the ground.

To make the shoeing element 1 the first and second body part

2 and 4 are co-moulded, positioning the longitudinal rigidifying element 18 and the thin elements 10 in the mould beforehand (in a flat configuration for the embodiment of figures 1-3, in a configuration having a step 90 for the embodiment of figures 4-7) .

The process for the application of the shoeing element 1 consists of at least a first bending step of the tabs 8 along the first bending line to create an angle of about 90° between the tabs 8 and the main plane of the shoeing element 1, a second bending step of the tabs 8 along the second bending line to adapt them to the shape of the equine's foot, and a third gluing step carried out by distributing the glue according to the predetermined ways on the surfaces of the shoeing element 1 and of the tabs 8 facing towards the foot of the equine exerting a suitable pressure until a predetermined adhesion force is reached.

In particular, the process with which the shoeing element is applied has a preliminary operation consisting of properly- cleaning the equine' s foot in question, for example and above all a horse's foot, and slightly rounding the lower edge of the hoof if it has small chips.

Thereafter, the shoeing element 1 is placed on the cleaned surface of the foot and one proceeds to adjust the "binda" or width of the shoeing element thanks to the discharges 23.

The shoeing element 1 is then removed from the animal's foot to distribute the glue on the surfaces of the first body part 2 and of the tabs 8 facing towards the animal's foot.

The shoeing element 1 is then reapplied to the hoof. More specifically, the tabs 8 are bent firstly vertically along the first bending line 13, whereas the button with many spikes 25 is positioned through the relative hole 24 in a position such as not to project from the surface of the tabs 8 facing towards the hoof, just as the nails 28 are positioned through the relative holes 26, 27 in a position such as to not project from the surface of the first body part 2 facing towards the hoof.

At this point, the tabs 8 are adapted to the shape of the hoof bending it along the second bending line 14, whereas the buttons 25 and the nails 28 are embedded in the hoof.

The buttons 25 in particular contribute to making the tabs 8 stick to the hoof during the glue hardening step.

It should be noted that the tip of the nails 28 penetrates only for a few millimetres vertically into the hoof remaining well away from the live part of the foot.

Moreover, the presence of the nails 28 is also preferable but optional, the anchoring of the shoeing element 1 to the hoof being ensured mainly by the glue .

At this point the structure is consolidated fixing the cross member 31 in the relative slit, and it is possible to also make the weight of the equine rest upon the shoeing element until the adhesion is complete.

The finding thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants, all covered by the present inventive concept.

Moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

For example, it has been found that an excellent glue is cyanacrylate-based, which is sold commercially with the name Loctite, but this does not rule out any other glue with similar characteristics being able to be suitably used.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. Shoeing element comprising a first body part having a surface facing towards the equine's foot and a second body- part having a surface suitable for contact with the ground, characterised in that said first body part is made from softer and more elastic plastic material than said second body part, and has connection members with the foot of said equine through a glue.

2. Shoeing element according to claim 1, characterised in that it also has rigidifying means of said connection members that are deformable to shape said connection members to the foot of said equine in the sticking step of said glue.

3. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said connection members comprise tabs suitable for engaging with the wall of the foot of said equine.

4. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said tabs are made in a single piece with said first body part .

5. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said rigidifying means are at least partially incorporated in the material of said first body part .

6. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said rigidifying means comprise at least one thin element for each of said tabs, said thin element having a rigidifying portion at least partially incorporated in the material of the corresponding tab and a support portion of said rigidifying portion at least partially incorporated in said first body part.

7. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said thin element has at least a first bending line to achieve the lifting of the corresponding tab with respect to said first body part and a second bending line substantially parallel to the first bending line to allow the adaptation of the corresponding tab to the wall of the foot of said equine.

8. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said thin element has a first and second draft lightening at said first and second bending line.

9. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said thin element is a metal plate.

10. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said thin element is a metal mesh.

11. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said rigidifying portion of said thin element has at least one through hole through which buttons with many spikes for holding the corresponding tab on the wall of said equine's foot can be introduced.

12. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the upper surface of said second body part has a hollow in which said first body part is housed.

13. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said first and second body part are made from polyurethane.

14. Shoeing element according to any one of the -previous claims, characterised in that a first impression for housing a longitudinal rigidifying element of said shoeing element is housed in said hollow.

15. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said longitudinal rigidifying element of said shoeing element is a deformable metal wire than extends along the two branches of said shoeing element.

16. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that second impressions for housing said support portions of said thin elements are housed in said hollow.

17. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said second impressions are deeper than said first impression to position said support portions of said thin elements below said longitudinal rigidifying element.

18. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said support portions of said thin elements and said longitudinal rigidifying element are embedded in the material of said first body part .

19. Shoeing element according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the outer side surface of said second body part has recesses for the arrangement in plane of said thin elements.

20. Shoeing element according to one or more, of the previous claims, characterised in that the inner side surface of said second body part has discharges to make it easier to move the inner and outer branch of said shoeing element in a coplanar manner.

21. Shoeing element according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said surface of said second body part suitable for contact with the ground has at least one groove to improve grip on the ground.

22. Shoeing element according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the outer side surface of said second body part has, on the side of said tabs, projecting zones to protect said tabs .

23. Shoeing element according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the base, of said second impressions has a through hole aligned with a through hole of the support portion of said thin elements, through which through holes a vertical fastening nail is able to be introduced suitable for perforating and poking out from the material of said first body part to bed itself into the foot of said equine.

24. Process for making a shoeing element according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that it consists of co-moulding said first and second body part, positioning said longitudinal rigidifying element and said thin elements in the mould beforehand in flat configuration.

25. Process for the application of a shoeing element onto the feet of an equine, characterised in that it consists of at least a first bending step of tabs along a first bending line to create an angle of about 90° between said tabs and the main plane of said shoeing element, a second bending step of said tabs along a second bending line to adapt said tabs to the shape of the foot of said equine, and a third gluing step carried out by distributing a glue according to the predetermined ways on the surfaces of said shoeing element and of said tabs facing towards the foot of said equine exerting a suitable pressure until a predetermined adhesion force is reached.