Patent Application
20100294517
The present invention generally relates to a mold for an equine and an equine hoof and method of making a horseshoe and hoof protection. More specifically, the invention is a horseshoe or other hoof protection mold for an equine and an equine hoof and method of making an in situ horseshoe and hoof protection.
It is an object of the invention to provide a horseshoe or other hoof protection mold to attach a horseshoe or other hoof protection to an equine's hoof without the use of nails or adhesives.
It is an object of the invention to provide a horseshoe or other hoof protection mold that produces an attached horseshoe or hoof protection that is lighter and more flexible than traditional steel or aluminum horseshoes.
What is really needed is a mold that can directly apply a horseshoe or other hoof protection to an equine and equine's hoof and a method of making an in situ horseshoe and hoof protection without the use of nails or adhesives with an attached horseshoe or hoof protection that is lighter and more flexible than traditional steel or aluminum horseshoes.
The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:
Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
The base mold 20 can accommodate the injected material when particles of additional material to increase durability and traction (not shown) are added to the injected material. These particles are placed inside of the base mold 20 before applying the injected material inside the base mold 20. The particles can include tungsten granules and dust and carbide granules and dust, but can include other particles that increase the durability and traction of the horseshoe and hoof protection HS that are well known in the art. A stud thread (not shown) can also be added to the injected material before and during application of the injected material. In addition, a plurality of inserts of material to increase durability (not shown) can also be placed in the base mold 20 before applying the injected material.
The base mold 20 can be manipulated and handled to loosen and release the set and cured horseshoe and hoof protection HS once the injected material is set and cured. The base mold 20 can also incorporate a therapeutic design onto the horseshoe and hoof protection HS, which can include a heart bar design and a straight bar design. The therapeutic design can be any therapeutic design that is well known in the art that is capable of being produced by the base mold 20. The base mold 20 and mold for an equine animal with an equine hoof to make an in situ horseshoe and hoof protection 10 are made of translucent silicon and can also be made of any other plastic material that can be injected into the base mold 20 that is well known in the art.
The first step of the overall method 100 is trimming the equine hoof and removing any loose sole, horn and frog 110. A brush, such as a wire brush, should also be used to brush the hoof clean of any loose debris. The second step of the overall method 100 is applying a two part putty on the hoof bottom, the side walls and the heel bulbs of the equine120. The two part putty is a silicon putty that sets in 1-5 minutes once mixed together with an adequate amount to cover the solar or bottom surface of the hoof and approximately 1-3 inches in height of the putty up the dorsal or side wall and the heel bulbs of the hoof.
The purpose of this is to let the putty set and cure in situ on the hoof until it is a solid silicon rubber 130, which is the third step of the overall method 100. The rubber will produce a perfect mold of the applied hoof. The mold is then removed and filled with a two part premixed fast setting semi-rigid or rigid urethane to a depth of 1-4 inches depending on the mold's shape and size 140, which is the fourth step of the overall method 100. This material sets inside the mold created until it is a solid plastic cast. This solid plastic cast is removed from the hoof mold and is an exact replica of the hoof applied. A horseshoe shape or hoof covering made of any material and of any shape is also applied to this cast and a moldable clay is used to seal any gaps between the horseshoe or hoof covering and the hoof cast 150, which is the fifth step of the overall method 100. The horseshoe and moldable clay are prepared for molding by adding clay in the center and at various points of the prepared horseshoe on the hoof cast. The purpose of this moldable clay is to provide depth to the mold when placed in a container, as discussed in the sixth step 160. The additional purpose of the points of clay added, are for a plurality of injection holes on the finished product.
The hoof cast and prepared hoof covering or horseshoe is placed in the container and a second material of a two part urethane or silicone liquid rubber that was premixed is poured into a second mold formed between the container and cast and horseshoe material 160, which is the sixth step of the overall method 100. The second material is poured until it covers the pre-made hoof covering or horseshoe up to an approximate distance of 1-3 inches in height within the container and shouldn't fill past the hoof cast. The urethane or silicon liquid is allowed to set and cure until it is firm and the material is removed from the second mold along with the hoof cast and horseshoe or hoof covering 170, which is the seventh step of the overall method. This second mold is the final product of the overall method, for the purpose of making an in situ horseshoe or hoof covering mold for an equine hoof 100. The in situ horseshoe is made when the constructed mold is placed in position on the equine hoof and a fast setting urethane, which is a third material, is injected through the mold 180, which is the eighth step of overall method 100. Once this fast-set urethane has set to a solid state, the second mold is removed from the equine hoof leaving attached the third material in a horseshoe shape on the equine hoof 190, which is the ninth and final step of the overall method 100.
While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/180,425 filed on May 21, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Application 61/186,909 filed on Jun. 15, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61180425 | May 2009 | US | |
| 61186909 | Jun 2009 | US |
