Patent Application
20160198691
This invention relates generally to farriery, and, more specifically, to flexible animal shoes.
This invention relates generally to farriery, and, more specifically, to flexible animal shoes. In some embodiments, the flexible animal shoe may include a hoof protection device. In one embodiment, a hoof protection device includes a base; and a cuff comprising one or more panels, wherein the hoof protection device is configured for securing with a hoof. In another embodiment, the hoof protection device includes one or more girdles configured to wrap around at least a portion of the cuff. In another embodiment, the hoof protection device includes one or more girdles configured to securably link the cuff with one or more anchor points of one or more anchor plates. In another embodiment, the hoof protection device includes an adjustable width base comprising an open and/or at least partially closed sole. In another embodiment, the hoof protection device includes a collar configured for securing with above a hoof. In another embodiment, the hoof protection device includes a grip sock interfaceable with the cuff and a hoof.
Some embodiments of the flexible animal shoe may include a collar. In some embodiments, the collar further includes: an upper strap with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and second portions coupleable with a fastener; a lower strap with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and second portions coupleable to the girdle; and a flexible vertical piece coupling the upper strap and lower strap. In other embodiments, the collar may be coupleable with the base or cuff of the shoe.
Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
This invention relates generally to farriery, and, more specifically, to flexible animal shoes.
Specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in
Importantly, a grouping of inventive aspects in any particular “embodiment” within this detailed description, and/or a grouping of limitations in the claims presented herein, is not intended to be a limiting disclosure of those particular aspects and/or limitations to that particular embodiment and/or claim. The inventive entity presenting this disclosure fully intends that any disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation ever presented relative to the instant disclosure and/or any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application (e.g. continuation, continuation-in-part, and/or divisional applications) may be practiced with any other disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation. Claimed combinations which draw from different embodiments and/or originally-presented claims are fully within the possession of the inventive entity at the time the instant disclosure is being filed. Any future claim comprising any combination of limitations, each such limitation being herein disclosed and therefore having support in the original claims or in the specification as originally filed (or that of any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application), is possessed by the inventive entity at present irrespective of whether such combination is described in the instant specification because all such combinations are viewed by the inventive entity as currently operable without undue experimentation given the disclosure herein and therefore that any such future claim would not represent new matter.
The present invention is comprised essentially of a base and a means by which the base is coupled with a hoof.
One purpose of the independently movable panels is to allow cuff 104 to lay flush against different parts of the hoof. This secures the shoe to the hoof, and also prevents intrusion of foreign objects between cuff 104 and the hoof, as foreign objects can cause irritation and injury to the animal. Hoofs grow inconsistently, so another purpose of the one or more independently movable panels is to allow cuff 104 to be reusable over time, as each panel adjusts individually to the surface of the hoof as the hoof grows. Another purpose of the one or more independently movable panels is to allow the hoof to slide easily into and out of cuff 104, preventing the use of a professional farrier and allowing the animal to go without shoes when that is optimal. Each panel bends, being fastened on only one side, which allows a user to move the panels out of the way of the hoof as it is inserted into or removed from the shoe. Another purpose of the one or more independently movable panels is to protect the hoof from impact injury, by laying flush against and covering the majority of the surface area of the hoof.
In some embodiments, the hoof protection device 100 may include one or more girdles 106 configured to wrap around at least a portion of the cuff 104. In some embodiments, girdle 106 may include a heel pad 110. In some embodiments, cuff 104 may include one or more guides 112 to guide girdle 106. In some embodiments, girdle 106 may be secured using a fastener 114. Accordingly, hoof protection device 100 is configurable to secure with a hoof 108 in a non-invasive manner. In some embodiments, girdle 106 may include an upper strap and a lower strap. In a further embodiment, the upper and lower straps may be coupled by fastener 114. In some embodiments, at least one of the upper strap or lower strap may include ridges. In some embodiments, girdle 106 and fastener 114 may be a ratcheting buckle or a ratchet strap. In other embodiments, fastener 114 may be a prong buckle, the prong of which may be disposed through a plurality of holes in girdle 106 straps. Girdle 106 and fastener 114 may be any number of strap and buckle systems without altering the function of the girdle and fastener.
In some embodiments, base 102 may be composed of plastic, metal, rubber, synthetic material, composite material, and/or a combination of the same. For example, base 102 may include a metal animal shoe inner portion covered with a durable rubber outer portion. Base 102 may include an exposed metal animal shoe and/or may be a metal animal shoe. Base 102 may have an open sole (e.g., shoe) and/or a closed sole (e.g., boot). Base 102 may include a flexible width adjustable using a girdle.
In some embodiments, cuff 104 may be composed of plastic, metal, rubber, synthetic material, composite material, and/or a combination of the same. Cuff 104 may include one uniform panel or two, three, four, five, or more panels. Cuff 104 may include multiple panels configured to overlap with adjacent panels or remain separate. Cuff 104 may be angly and tensionally biased against a hoof. Cuff 104 may be configured to rise to approximately an edge of a hoof.
In some embodiments, girdle 106 may be composed of leather, plastic, metal, fabric, a synthetic material, a composite material, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Girdle 106 may be composed of a wire, a cable, a woven strap, a leather strap, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Girdle 106 may be composed of a single piece and/or a plurality of pieces. Girdle 106 may include two or more girdles. Girdle 106 may be configured to circumscribe a cuff and/or partially circumscribe a cuff. Girdle 106 may have ends coupled to posterior portions of a base, that traverse across a base, and/or that are mounted under and/or within a base. Girdle 106 may be bias cut to fit substantially over a surface of a cuff. Girdle 106 may be coupled with a cuff and/or base and/or be separable from a cuff and/or base (e.g. coupled to a posterior portion of a base). Girdle 106 may be omitted with a cuff being adhesively coupled with a hoof. Girdle 106 may supplement adhesive coupling with a hoof.
In some embodiments, heel pad 110 may be composed of rubber, fabric, plastic, a synthetic material, a composite material, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Girdle 106 may be coupled and/or anchored to a base at or near the heel pad 110. Girdle 106 may be coupled and/or anchored to a cuff.
In some embodiments, guides 112 may be composed of rubber, metal, wood, plastic, a synthetic material, a composite material, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Guides 112 may be uniformly distributed along a top and/or bottom portion of a cuff. Guides 112 may be elongated, shortened, and/or assume any regular and/or irregular shape. Guides 112 may be adjustable, movable, slidable, and/or rotatable.
In some embodiments, fastener 114 includes a ratchet buckle fastener. Buckle fastener 114 may include one, two, three, or more fasteners. Buckle fastener 114 may include fasteners on opposing sides of a cuff. Buckle fastener 114 may be supplemented and/or complemented with adhesive, a button, a screw, a bolt, and/or other fastener. 5
In some embodiments, hoof protection device 100 may include reflective material and/or safety and/or decorative lighting positioned thereon. Lighting may be rechargeably powered by movement.
In some embodiments, girdle 202 may be configured to simply wrap around at least a portion of a cuff (
In some embodiments, girdle 212 may be configured to traverse across an entire portion of a base. Girdle 212 may have ends that traverse across a portion of a base with the ends mounted on the base. Girdle 212 may have ends that traverse across a portion of a base with the ends crossed and mounted on the base. Girdle 212 may traverse under, through, around, and/or over a portion of the base. Girdle 212 may traverse across at least two different portions of the base.
In some embodiments, slot guides 306 may include a slot in a cuff and/or a passageway coupled with a cuff. Slot guides 306 may be one, two, three, four, or more guides. Slot guides 306 may be disposed at posterior, side, and/or anterior positions on a cuff. Slot guides 306 may be positioned on a base. Slot guides 306 may be configurable to directing a girdle horizontal, vertical, angly, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Slot guides 306 may be openable, closable, movable, removable, shiftable, slidable, and/or anglable. Slot guides 306 may be configurable to directing a girdle around, below, over, and/or through a base and/or cuff.
In some embodiments, slot guides 306, post guides 316, slit guides 326, and other guides may be combined, supplemented, and/or omitted. Other guides may include a cuff having an internal channel, a groove or impression in a cuff, attachment of a girdle directly with a cuff, securable flaps of a cuff, edges of a cuff, brackets attachable with a cuff, holes in a base, fastenable straps or loops, or any other similar guide.
In some embodiments, cable fasteners 406 may include a binder buckle, a ratchet track, a worm drive, a reel dial, and/or any other fastener configurable to controllably tightening a cable. Cable fasteners 406 may be configured to pinch, pull, twist, stretch, or otherwise effectively adjust a length of a cable. Cable fasteners 406 may be positioned on a posterior, side, and/or anterior portion of a cuff and/or below or within a base. Cable fasteners 406 may include one, two, three, or more fasteners. Cable fasteners 406 may include a lock and/or removable cover portion. Cables may be a girdle, extend from a girdle, and/or couple with a girdle. Cable fasteners 406 may secure a girdle to an anchor and/or secure one end of a girdle to another end of a girdle.
In some embodiments, anchor plates 502 are mountable on a hoof using adhesive. Anchor plates 502 may include one, two, three, or more independent portions. Anchor plates 502 may be mountable to interface with only a portion of or substantially an entire surface area of a cuff Anchor plates 502 may be used in conjunction with other embodiments described herein, including a girdle and fastener.
In some embodiments, anchor plates 502 include are configured for frictionally interfacing with a cuff using surface irregularity, male and female components, hook and loop, adhesive, and/or other similar methodology. Anchor plates 502 may include one or more posts 508 configured to extend into and/or through one or more channels, depressions, and/or orifices of a cuff
In some embodiments anchor plates 502 are configured for fastening with a cuff. Anchor plates 502 may include one or more posts 508 that are configured to extend through one or more orifices of a cuff and securably receive nuts. Anchor plates 502 may include one or more embedded nuts that are configured to securably receive bolts extending through one or more orifices of a cuff.
In some embodiments, anchor plates 602 are mountable on a hoof using adhesive. Anchor plates 602 may be composed of plastic, rubber, a composite material, a synthetic material, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Anchor plates 602 may include one, two, three, or more anchor plates. Anchor plates 602 may be uniformly and/or non-uniformly distributable on hoof. Anchor plates 602 may be of similar and/or different sizes and/or shapes. Anchor plates 602 may be at least partially exposed by contours of a cuff.
In some embodiments, anchor points 608 are hooks, prongs, ridges, channels, holes, edges, or other similar structures configured for receiving a girdle. Anchor points 608 may be composed of rubber, plastic, metal, wood, a composite material, a synthetic material, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Anchor points 608 may include one, two, three, or more anchor points. Anchor points 608 may include one, two, or more anchor points on one anchor plate. Anchor points 608 may be movable, removable, slidable, shiftable, and/or rotatable relative to an anchor plate.
In some embodiments, girdle 604 includes a cable configured to lace with anchor points. Girdle 604 may include a cable secured to an anchor point. Girdle 604 may include a parallel cable configured to lace with parallel anchor points. Girdle 604 may include a strap and/or a strap portion. Girdle 604 may include one, two, three, or more girdles. Girdle 604 may be coupled with and/or laceable with a cuff and/or base. Girdle 604 may circumscribe a cuff and include a pad and/or protective channel for interfacing with a hoof heel. Girdle 604 may traverse under, across, over, and/or through a base.
In some embodiments, cuff 604 includes a shape to accommodate anchor plates. Cuff 604 may include contours to configurable to substantially expose anchor plates. Cuff 604 may include contours configurable to substantially cover anchor plates. Cuff 604 may include contours configurable to substantially expose anchor points. Cuff 604 may include one or more orifices configurable to allowing anchor points to protrude through. Cuff 604 may include curved and/or sharply angled contours. Cuff 604 may also be substantially minimized.
In some embodiments, anchor plates 708 may include one or more embedded bolts and/or nuts configured for removably securing an anchor point. Anchor plates 708 may include a flange or other similar structure for receiving a hook and/or clasp for removably securing an anchor point. Anchor plates 708 may include one or more depressions and/or extensions for snapping, interlocking, and/or mateably receiving an anchor point.
In some embodiments, hoof protection device 810 includes three overlapping plates 812 expandable and/or contractible with opposing ends of base 816. Overlapping plates 812 may include two, three, four, or more overlapping plates. Overlapping plates 812 may include one or more apertures for exposing a hoof. For example, overlapping plates 812 may be limited in shape to that surrounding any fasteners. Overlapping plates 812 may be securable in alignment using one or more fasteners 814. Overlapping plates 812 may be securable in alignment in coordination with a girdle and/or an independent cinching mechanism. Overlapping plates 812 may be contractibly biased to automatically adjust to a hoof width. Overlapping plates 812 may include traction surface irregularity.
In some embodiments, collar 902 is coupled with a girdle 906 posteriorly and a cuff 908 anteriorly and configured to secure using one or more fasteners 910 (e.g., single yoked collar or double yoked collar). It is to be noted that girdle 906 may be interchangeable with girdles 106, 202, 212, 302, 312, 402, 412, 604, and 702. Collar may be composed of leather, rubber, an elastic/stretch material, fabric, a synthetic material, a composite material, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Collar 902 may include one or more internal pads. Collar 902 may be coupled only with a girdle and/or only with a cuff. Collar 902 may be coupled at different positions with a girdle and/or a cuff. Collar 902 may be removably couplable with a girdle and/or cuff. Collar 902 may be at least partially positioned over a cuff, at a point just above a cuff, and/or at a point substantially above a cuff. Collar 902 may include two or more parallel and/or independent collars. Fasteners 910 may include two or more fasteners. Fasteners 910 may be omitted and collar may embody a sleeve and/or loop. Fasteners 910 may include a hook and loop, double back buckle, button, ratchet buckle, and/or a combination of the foregoing.
In some embodiments, grip sock 1002 is a sleeve disposable between a hoof 1004 and a cuff 1006. Grip sock 1002 may be composed of rubber, plastic, fabric, foam, a compressible material, an elastic material, a synthetic material, a composite material, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Grip sock 1002 may embody a contoured shape for sizing to a hoof. Grip sock 1002 may include an elastic upper rim.
While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “ a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
While preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/170,662 filed Apr. 20, 2009 (our ref. EMRY-1-1001), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/325,469 filed Apr. 19, 2010 (our ref. EMRY-1-1001-1), and U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/257,357 filed Sep. 19, 2011 (our ref. EMRY-1-1001-2). The foregoing applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13257357 | Sep 2011 | US |
| Child | 14932894 | US |
