GB2447205A

GB2447205A - An overreach boot for a horse

Info

Publication number: GB2447205A
Application number: GB0704436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hilary Anne Westropp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-08
Filing date: 2007-03-08
Publication date: 2008-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-08
Also published as: WO2008107690A1; GB2447205B; GB0704436D0

Abstract

An overreach boot for the lower portion of a foreleg of a horse, pony or like animal. The boot has a plurality of panels 4 arranged in overlapping side-by-side relationship to one another and fastening means for securing the boot about the foreleg. Each panel has an upper collar portion 13 and a lower skirt portion 15 depending from the collar. The inner surface (19, fig 3) of each panel is arranged to face the outer surface (21, fig 4) of the overlapping adjacent panel. Each panel is provided with a loop 14 which projects through an aperture (16, fig 3) of the adjacent panel. The fastening means 6 passes through the projecting loops for fastening the boot about the animal foreleg. The arrangement is such that the fastening means restricts movement of the inner surface away from the outer surface thereby to reduce noise created by impact of the surfaces on one another. The panels can be made of any suitable material such as PVC, neoprene, leather or rubber.

Description

Title: Improvements in or relating to protective equipment for horses

The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to protective equipment for horses, ponies and the like, particularly boots of the type known as overreach boots.

It can frequently happen that a horse or pony will strike a foreleg with one of its hind legs resulting in injury, that is, bruising or even severe lacerations. A common solution to this problem is a protective boot in the form of a rubber cuff io or spat worn about the animal's pastern bone and including a skirt portion extending so as partially to cover the hoof. These cuffs are not found entirely satisfactory in use since they tend to become inverted if the animal gallops in mud or water which forces its way beneath the cuff and lifts it. Moreover should the animal stand on the lower edge of the skirt portion, the latter tears or comes is off and the cuff then requires replacement to retain its effectiveness.

GB-A-2363962 A (to the same applicant) describes an improved boot which alleviates the above-described problems. However, the boot can be difficult to assemble and noisy in use.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved overreach boot.

The present invention provides an overreach boot for a lower portion of a foreleg of a horse, pony or like animal, the boot comprising: a plurality of panels arranged in overlapping side-by-side relationship to one another; and fastening means for securing said collar and skirt about said foreleg; wherein each panel has: (a) an upper, collar portion; (b) a lower, skirt portion depending from said collar; (c) an inner surface arranged to face an outer surface of the overlapping, adjacent panel; (d) and a respective loop and aperture; and wherein: each loop projects through the aperture of an adjacent panel; said fastening means, in use, passes through the projecting loops for fastening the boot about the animal foreleg; and the arrangement is such that said fastening means restricts movement of said inner surface away from said outer surface thereby to reduce noise created by impact of said surfaces on one another.

In a preferred embodiment, each said aperture extends from the respective collar portion into the skirt portion and said fastening means abuts said collar and said skirt portion of each said panel.

Each loop 14 is preferably elongate and in the shape of an inverted ML" io Advantageously, the fastening means is a strap and, in use, a lower edge of the strap sits on the lower skirt portion and thereby prevents its lifting as the leg of the animal is raised and lowered.

The boot preferably further comprises second means for reducing noise caused is by impact of said panels on one another.

Advantageously, the noise reducing means comprises cavities in at least one of the inner and outer surfaces for trapping air between the surfaces thereby to cushion movement of the surfaces towards one another.

In a preferred form of the invention the cavities comprise a plurality of longitudinal recesses each of which extends from a lower edge region of the skirt portion.

Advantageously, the recesses extend substantially the height of the skirt portion and are arranged in side by side relationship across substantially the full width of at least one panel.

Alternatively, the cavities comprise a plurality of substantially part spherical depressions and form an array extending from a lower edge region of the skirt portion and substantially the height of the skirt portion.

In one form of the invention the skirt portions overlap by a distance substantially equal to half the width of a panel.

There will now be described an example of an overreach boot according to the s invention. It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawings is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred form of overreach boot according to the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 are front and rear views respectively of one panel of the boot of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of end portions of adjacent panels; and Figure 5 is a side elevation of part of one panel of the boot showing the position of a loop on the panel.

The overreach boot of the present invention is an improvement on the boot disclosed in my earlier patent application GB 2363962. Figure 1 illustrates an improved overreach boot comprising a plurality of identical panels 4 arranged in overlapping side-by-side relationship to one another. Each panel has an upper, collar portion 13 and a lower, skirt portion 15 which, in use form a collar and skirt of the boot. As can be seen in Figure 1, the skirt has the shape of an inverted bowl. The panels are conveniently made from synthetic or natural materials such as rubber, leather, PVC or neoprene. Typically, the boot is moulded from a suitable polymer material. Each collar portion 13 is generally part cylindrical in shape and each lower skirt portion 15 is curved in the longitudinal direction in a generally part spherical shape or similar, It will of course be appreciated that these shapes may be varied. The panels 4 are secured together at the upper end portions thereof by a relatively wide strap 6 or other elongate fastening means having a non-slip buckle 8. Each panel 4 comprises two side by side, lengthwise extending portions 10 and 12. As may be clearly seen from Figure 4, the portion 10 comprises the normally outwardly visible portion of each panel 4 and portion 12 comprises an inwardly orientated portion only visible when the skirt moves in use, since each portion 12 is overlapped by the portion 10 of the adjacent panel. The portion 10 also has an inner surface 19 which faces an outer surface 21 of the portion 12 of the adjacent panel 4.

The upper collar portion 13 of each panel 4 is of reduced width and is provided with an outwardly projecting loop 14 arranged to pass through an aperture 16 provided in the adjacent panel, when the panels are assembled. The strap 6 then passes through the loops 14 and the boot may then be fastened about the animal's pastern bone and secured by the buckle 8 which, when fastened, is received within the area between loops. A lip 18 is provided on the upper portion of panel portion 12 above the loop 14 to prevent accidental abrasion of the animal's leg. The lip abuts the upper edge 20 of the portion 10 of the adjacent panel.

As is best seen in Figures 2 and 3 each loop 14 is elongate and is effectively in the shape of an inverted t". To accommodate this loop the aperture 16 extends from the upper collar portion 13 of the panel 4 into the curved, lower skirt portion 15. The size of the loop 14 and aperture 16, both wider than those shown in GB2363962, makes it extremely easy for the boot to be assembled and secured around the animal's foreleg and allows use of a relatively wide strap to improve the overall rigidity of the boot. The lower edge of the wide strap, when the latter is in position, sits on the upper part of the curved, lower skirt portion and prevents its lifting as the leg of the animal is raised and lowered. This use of wide loops and apertures assists in reducing the noise caused by impact of adjacent portions and 12.

A further means for reducing noise caused by impact of adjacent portions 10 and 12 is provided on one or both surfaces 191 21. In the illustrated embodiment the means is in the form of a plurality of longitudinal grooves 22 in the inner surface 19 which extend preferably from the lower end region of the portion 10 towards the lower edge of the aperture 16. The grooves serve to trap air between the portions 10 and 12 and cushion the impact of the two portions against one another, It will be appreciated that any suitable shape of recess may be used. For io example, an array of circular depressions may be provided in one or both surfaces 19, 21.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1 An overreach boot for a lower portion of a foreleg of a horse,

pony or like animal, the boot comprising: a plurality of panels arranged in overlapping side-by-side relationship to one another; and fastening means for securing said collar and skirt about said foreleg; wherein each panel has: (a) an upper, collar portion; (b) a lower, skirt portion depending from said collar; (C) an inner surface arranged to face an outer surface of the overlapping, is adjacent panel; (d) and a respective loop and aperture; and wherein: each loop projects through the aperture of an adjacent panel; said fastening means, in use, passes through the projecting loops for fastening the boot about the animal foreleg; and the arrangement is such that said fastening means restricts movement of said inner surface away from said outer surface thereby to reduce noise created by impact of said surfaces on one another.

2 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said aperture extends from the respective collar portion into the skirt portion and said fastening means abuts said collar and said skirt portion of each said panel.

3 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each loop 14 is elongate and in the shape of an inverted "L".

4 An overreach boot as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the S fastening means is a strap and, in use, a lower edge of the strap sits on the lower skirt portion and thereby prevents its lifting as the leg of the animal is raised and lowered.

An overreach boot as claimed in any of the preceding claims further io comprising second means for reducing noise caused by impact of said panels on one another 6 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second noise reducing means comprises cavities in at least one of said inner and outer surfaces for trapping air between said surfaces thereby to cushion movement of said surfaces towards one another.

7 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cavities comprise a plurality of longitudinal recesses each of which extends from a lower edge region of the skirt portion.

8 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein said cavities comprise a plurality of longitudinal recesses each of which extends substantially the height of the skirt portion.

9 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein said longitudinal recesses are arranged in side by side relationship across substantially the full width of at least one panel.

10 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein said longitudinal recesses are arranged in side by side relationship across substantially the full width of each panel.

11 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cavities comprise a plurality of recesses each of which has a width substantially similar to its height.

12 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cavities comprise a plurality of substantially part spherical depressions.

13 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein said cavities form an array extending from a lower edge region of the skirt portion.

14 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein said cavities form an array which extends substantially the height of the skirt portion.

An overreach boot as claimed in claim 11, 12, 13 or 14 wherein said cavities form an array which extends across substantially the full width of at least one panel.

16 An overreach boot as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15 wherein said cavities form an array which extends across substantially the full width of each panel.

17 An overreach boot as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the skirt portions overlap by a distance substantially equal to half the width of a panel.

18 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 17 wherein each upper portion is provided with a lip portion and an upper edge portion, the lip portion of one panel abutting the upper edge portion of the neighbouring panel.

19 An overreach boot for horses, ponies and the like comprising a boot constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.

Amendments To The Claims Have Been Filed As Follows 1 An overreach boot for a lower portion of a foreleg of a horse, pony or like animal, the boot comprising: a plurality of panels arranged in partially overlapping side-by-side relationship to one another; and fastening means for securing said collar and skirt about said foreleg; wherein each panel has: (a) an upper, collar portion; (b) a lower, skirt portion depending from said upper, collar portion; Co (c) an inner surface arranged to face an overlapping outer surface of the O adjacent panel; () 15 (d) and a respective loop and aperture; CD and wherein: C) each loop projects through the aperture of an adjacent panel; said fastening means, in use, passes through the portions of the loops projecting through the apertures of the adjacent panels for fastening the boot about the animal foreleg; and the arrangement is such that the lower edge of the fastening means in use sits on the upper part of each lower skirt portion and prevents lifting of the skirt portions as the leg of the aminal is raised and lowered, thereby restricting movement of said inner surface away from said outer surface to reduce noise created by impact of said surfaces on one another.

2 An overreach boot as claimed in claim I wherein each loop 14 is elongate and in the shape of an inverted "L", having a generally horizontal portion extending from the upper collar portion of its associated panel and a generally vertical portion connected to the lower skirt portion.

3 An overreach boot as claimed in either of the preceding claims wherein the fastening means is a strap.

4 An overreach boot as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising second means for reducing noise caused by impact of said panels on one another.

5 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second noise reducing means comprises cavities in at least one of said inner and outer surfaces for trapping air between said surfaces thereby to cushion movement of CO said surfaces towards one another. C)

Q3 15 6 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cavities comprise a O plurality of generally vertical longitudinal recesses each of which extends from a CT) region close to a lower edge of the skirt portion.

7 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cavities comprise a plurality of longitudinal recesses each of which extends substantially the height of the skirt portion.

8 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein said longitudinal recesses are arranged in side by side relationship across substantially the full width of at least one panel.

9 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein said longitudinal recesses are arranged in side by side relationship across substantially the full width of each panel.

An overreach boot as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cavities comprise a plurality of recesses each of which has a width substantially similar to its height.

11 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cavities comprise a plurality of substantially part spherical depressions.

12 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein said cavities form an array extending from a a region close to lower edge of the skirt portion.

13 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein said cavities form an array which extends substantially the height of the skirt portion.

14 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein said cavities form an array which extends across substantially the full width of at least one panel.

15 An overreach boot as claimed in any of claims 10 to 14 wherein said 0 cavities form an array which extends across substantially the full width of each C') panel.

16 An overreach boot as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the panels overlap one another by a distance substantially equal to half the width of each panel.

17 An overreach boot as claimed in claim 16 wherein each panel is provided with a lip portion along a part of a top edge of its upper collar portion and a lip-less upper edge portion along the remainder of its top edge, the lip-less portion of one panel being received vertically beneath and abutting the lip portion of the neighbouring panel.

18 An overreach boot for horses, ponies and the like comprising a boot constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.