FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTIVE HORSESHOE FOR CLOVEN HOOVES OF ANIMALS

Abstract

A flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals, with a polyurethane base (1) adapted and fixed to the cloven hoof (9) of the animal by adhesive. The base (1) is elongated and flexible is formed by a plurality of equal primary units (3) joined in line one after the other, by flexible attachment. Each of the primary units (3) has a stud (5) with an upper base (11) for the support of the cloven hoof (9) and a lower base (12), and a flexible parietal flap (4) fixed obliquely to the upper base (11) of the stud (5), arranged in use on the lateral part of the cloven hoof (9). The parietal flaps (4) are configured to adapt to the shape of the cloven hoof (9) and close on the lateral part of the cloven hoof (9) when receiving the weight of the animal.

Claims

1. A flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals, comprising a base (1) made of thermoplastic polyurethane configured to be adapted and fixed to the cloven hoof (9) of the animal by adhesive means, wherein the base (1) is elongated and flexible, and comprises a first end (15) and a second end (16), said base (1) being formed by a plurality of equal primary units (3) joined in line one after the other, the adjacent primary units (3) being joined to each other by flexible attachment means, each of the primary units (3) comprising a stud (5), comprising an upper base (11) configured for supporting the cloven hoof (9) and a lower base (12), a flexible parietal flap (4) fixed obliquely to the upper base (11) of the stud (5), being arranged in use on the lateral part of the cloven hoof (9), the parietal flaps (4) are configured to adapt to the shape of the cloven hoof (9) and close on the lateral part of said cloven hoof (9) when receiving the weight of the animal.

2. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 1, wherein each of the primary units (3) comprises a flexible sole flap (6) fixed to the upper base (11) of the stud (5), on the side opposite to the parietal flap (4), and aligned with said upper base (11) of said stud (5), being arranged in use at the base of the cloven hoof (9) and configured for the support of said cloven hoof (9).

3. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 2, wherein the sole flap (6) of the primary units (3) has a triangular shape.

4. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals, according to claim 1, wherein the parietal flap (4) of the primary units (3) has a triangular shape.

5. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals, according to claim 1, wherein the lower part of the stud (5) under the outer edge of the cloven hooves (9) in use, is rounded.

6. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 1, wherein the stud (5) of the primary units (3) comprises, arranged at its lower base (12), a hole (13) configured for the insertion of metallic complements.

7. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 1, wherein the parietal flaps (4) comprise through-holes (14).

8. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 2, wherein the sole flap (6) comprise through-holes (14).

9. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 1, wherein the upper base (11) of the stud (5) comprises a rough embossed surface.

10. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means between adjacent primary units (3) comprise a flexible cylindrical body (10) arranged between the studs (5) of said adjacent primary units (3).

11. The flexible be and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means between adjacent primary units (3) comprise a curved and flexible linear element (17) arranged between the parietal flaps (4) of said adjacent primary units (3).

12. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 1, comprising closure means (2), configured to connect to each other the first end (15) and the second end (16) of the base (1) in use adapted to the shape of the cloven hoof (9).

13. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 12, wherein the closing means (2) comprise a substantially flat central body (7) configured for use to cover and protect the frog of the cloven hoof (9), and a plurality of arms (8) extending radially from the central body (7) and configured for use of connecting with the ends (15,16) of the base (1) by connecting means.

14. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 13, wherein the connecting means of the arms (8) to the ends (15,16) of the base (1) comprise shoulders (19) arranged at the ends of the arms (8), and openings (20) arranged in the studs (5) configured for the insertion of the shoulders (19) of the ends of the arms (8).

15. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 14, wherein the openings (20) are arranged on the sides of the studs (5) and the arms (8) are arranged between two adjacent studs (5) each shoulder (19) being inserted into the openings of both adjacent studs (5).

16. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 13, wherein the central body (7) has a triangular shape.

17. The flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals according to claim 13, wherein the central body (7) of the closing means (2) has grooves (18).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] In order to facilitate the understanding of the invention, an embodiment of the invention referring to a series of figures will now be described by way of illustration but not limitation.

[0082] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show an anterior perspective, posterior perspective and inferior perspective respectively of an embodiment of a horseshoe of the present invention arranged on the cloven hoof of a horse.

[0083] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show an anterior perspective, posterior perspective and inferior perspective respectively of another embodiment of a horseshoe of the present invention arranged on the cloven hoof of a horse that includes closing means for the connection of the ends of the base.

[0084] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show a front anterior view, a front posterior view and a bottom plan view respectively of an embodiment of the base of FIGS. 1 to 6, separated from the cloven hoof and in its extended form.

[0085] FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13 show in detail a front anterior view, a front posterior view, a bottom plan view, and a side view of an embodiment of the horseshoe base primary unit of FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0086] FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 show an anterior front view, a posterior front view and a perspective view of an embodiment of the closing means of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

[0087] In these figures reference is made to a set of elements which are: [0088] 1. base of the horseshoe [0089] 2. Closing means [0090] 3 primary units of the base [0091] 4. primary unit of parietal flap [0092] 5. stud of primary unit [0093] 6. sole flap of the primary unit [0094] 7. central body of the closing means [0095] 8. arms of the closing means [0096] 9. cloven hoof [0097] 10. flexible cylindrical body of the attachment means between primary units [0098] 11. upper base of the stud [0099] 12. lower base of the stud [0100] 13. hole in the lower base of the stud [0101] 14. through-holes in the flaps [0102] 15. first end of the base [0103] 16. second end of the base [0104] 17. curved linear element of the attachment means between primary units [0105] 18. grooves of the central body [0106] 19. shoulders of the connecting means arranged at the ends of the arms [0107] 20. openings of the connecting means arranged in the studs

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0108] The object of the present invention is a flexible and adaptable horseshoe for cloven hooves of animals, particularly for horses, although it can be used for other animals, such as different types of cattle.

[0109] As can be seen in the figures, the horseshoe has a base (1) made of thermoplastic polyurethane, which in use is adapted and fixed to the cloven hoof (9) of the animal by means of adhesive means.

[0110] The base (1) is elongated and flexible, and has a first end (15) and a second end (16), as can be seen in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. These FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the base (1) in an extended form, while FIGS. 1 to 6 show it in a closed form on the cloven hoof (9) of the animal. The base (1) is formed by a plurality of equal primary units (3) joined to each other in line one after the other, the adjacent primary units (3) being joined to each other by flexible attachment means. In this way, a single highly flexible body is achieved in all directions, thus allowing instant self-adaptation to any morphology or condition that the cloven hoof (9) on which it is arranged may present.

[0111] As seen in FIGS. 10 to 13, each of the primary units (3) comprises a stud (5) with an upper base (11) for the support of the cloven hoof (9) and a lower base (12), and a flexible parietal flap (4) fixed obliquely to the upper base (11) of the stud (5), being arranged in use on the lateral part of the cloven hoof (9) of the animal. The parietal flaps (4) are configured to adapt to the shape of the cloven hoof (9) and close on the lateral part of said cloven hoof (9) when receiving the weight of the animal. This arrangement is clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. This facilitates the bearing and interaction between the cloven hoof and the ground,

[0112] In particular, the lower part of the stud (5) under the outer edge of the cloven hoof (9) is rounded, as can be seen in FIG. 13.

[0113] According to a particular embodiment, the stud (5) of the primary units (3) has, arranged at its lower base (12), a hole (13), as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 12, for the insertion of metallic complements or calks, which allow to increase the traction on slippery surfaces such as asphalt, mud or ice.

[0114] Preferably, the upper base (11) of the stud (5) has a rough surface with relief, forming cylindrical reliefs or grooves, to increase the surface for the distribution of the adhesive and also to raise the friction between the cloven hooves (9) and the studs (5), thus increasing the stability of the attachment between both surfaces.

[0115] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, each of the primary units (3) has a flexible sole flap (6) fixed to the upper base (11) of the stud (5), on the side opposite to the parietal flap (4), and aligned with said upper base (11) of said stud (5), so that in use it is arranged at the base of the cloven hoof (9) for the support of said cloven hoof (9).

[0116] Preferably, both the sole flap (6) and the parietal flap (4) can have a triangular shape to allow adaptability avoiding the appearance of undesirable folds, although they could have any other shape adapted to the particular needs.

[0117] Likewise, both the sole flaps (6) and the parietal flaps (4) may have through-holes (14) in different directions, to allow a better anchorage between the flaps (4,6) and the cloven hoof (9) of the animal, since a riveting effect may be generated by the adhesive in the through-holes.

[0118] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment means between adjacent primary units (3) are formed by a flexible cylindrical body (10) arranged between the studs (5) of the adjacent primary units. Preferably, in addition to the flexible cylindrical body (10) between studs (5), the attachment means between adjacent primary units (3) may have a curved and flexible linear element (17) arranged between the parietal flaps (4) of said adjacent primary units (3). FIGS. 1, 4 and 8 show this preferred embodiment of the attachment means including the cylindrical body (10) flexible between studs (5) and the curved and flexible linear element (17) between parietal flaps (4). The flexible cylindrical body (10) between studs (5) allows the bending of the invention in all directions giving the structure an instant self-adaptive capacity. The curved linear element (17) between the parietal flaps (4) provides elasticity to the joint and bending capacity, thus ensuring the joint work of all the parietal flaps (4), the self-closing effect, and the instant self-adaptation to the different angles that the cloven hoof (9) of the animal can present in its different areas, achieving optimal contact between each of the parietal flaps (4) and the surface of the cloven hoof (9), thus allowing to reduce the amount of adhesive to be used and facilitating the placement of the horseshoe on the cloven hoof (9).

[0119] As for the adhesive means that attach the base (1) to the cloven hoof (9) of the animal, these consist of glues of different nature, mainly in the fluid state. Essentially the adhesive media are put on the parietal flaps (4), for their fixation to the cloven hoof. If necessary, optionally, and to improve the fixation they can also be put on the studs (5) and the sole flaps (6).

[0120] According to different embodiments of the invention, the horseshoe has closing means (2) for connecting the first end (15) and the second end (16) of the base (1) when in use is adapted to the shape of the cloven hoof (9), and being able to close said base (1) to the cloven hoof (9).

[0121] Preferably, these sealing means (2) have a central body (7) substantially flat for use in covering and protecting the frog of the cloven hoof (9), and a plurality of arms (8) extending radially from the central body (7) and in use connect with the ends (15,16) of the base (1) by connecting means. FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 show this preferred embodiment of the closing means (2), which include the central body (7) and specifically two arms (8) extending radially from said central body (7). These closing means (2) give greater stability to the whole and improve the stimulation and protection of the foot tissues, the most important being the digital bearing and the ungular cartilages, thus avoiding their atrophy during the use of said invention.

[0122] According to the foregoing embodiment, these connecting means of the arms (8) to the ends (15,16) of the base (1) have shoulders (19) at the ends of the arms (8) and openings (20) in the studs (5) for the insertion of said shoulders (19).

[0123] According to a preferred form of the previous embodiment, the openings (20) are arranged on the sides of the studs (5), the arms (8) being arranged between two adjacent studs (5), so that each shoulder (19) is inserted into the openings of both adjacent studs (5), as can be seen in FIG. 6.

[0124] Preferably, the central body (7) of the closing means (2) may have a triangular shape, although they could have any other shape that fulfilled the purpose of covering and protecting the frog of the cloven hoof (9).

[0125] In addition, said central body (7) may have grooves (18) in different directions to add traction capabilities and thus reduce the possible occasional slips that may occur during walking.

[0126] Optionally, to increase the fixation of the base (1) to the cloven hoof (9), adhesive means can also be put on the central body (7) to facilitate its attachment to the cloven hoof (9).