Apparatus and method for measuring the magnitude and distribution of forces on the foot of a quadruped
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring the magnitude, distribution and timing of forces applied against a hoof of a quadruped, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a substantially rigid shoe assembly shaped for interconnection to a hoof of said quadruped, said shoe assembly comprised of an inner-shoe and an outer-shoe, said inner-shoe operatively coupled to said outer-shoe to receive individual force sensing elements between said inner-shoe and said outer-shoe, said force sensing nodules having a plurality of individual force sensors interconnected thereto which can detect the magnitude, distribution and timing of vertical, horizontal and tangential forces acting on said substantially rigid shoe assembly;
(b) attachment means for securely holding said inner shoe to said hoof of said quadruped;
(c) coupling means for securely engaging said outer-shoe to said inner-shoe;
(d) signal receiving means for transmitting or processing signals from said individual force sensing elements which are indicative of the magnitude, distribution and timing of vertical, horizontal and tangential forces applied to said substantially rigid shoe assembly;
(e) securement means for attaching said signal receiving means to a leg of said quadruped in a manner which does not alter the natural movement of said quadruped; and
(f) interconnection means for transferring one or more signals between said individual force sensing elements and said signal receiving means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved apparatus and method are described for continuously measuring the timing and distribution of forces exerted against the entire surface of a quadruped'"'"'s foot, thus providing a diagnostic tool to assist in measuring the ambulatory functions of an animal. The described force sensing device is lightweight, durable and worn by the animal in a manner which does not alter the natural movement of the quadruped. The device may be utilized without a shoe within an attached boot, or incorporated in a modified conventional horseshoe which fits over the hoof of the animal. The apparatus can further include a remote sensing and feedback function which allows the processing, storing, display and feedback of data indicative of the ambulatory functions of the animal at one or more remote locations.
55 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring the magnitude, distribution and timing of forces applied against a hoof of a quadruped, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a substantially rigid shoe assembly shaped for interconnection to a hoof of said quadruped, said shoe assembly comprised of an inner-shoe and an outer-shoe, said inner-shoe operatively coupled to said outer-shoe to receive individual force sensing elements between said inner-shoe and said outer-shoe, said force sensing nodules having a plurality of individual force sensors interconnected thereto which can detect the magnitude, distribution and timing of vertical, horizontal and tangential forces acting on said substantially rigid shoe assembly; (b) attachment means for securely holding said inner shoe to said hoof of said quadruped; (c) coupling means for securely engaging said outer-shoe to said inner-shoe; (d) signal receiving means for transmitting or processing signals from said individual force sensing elements which are indicative of the magnitude, distribution and timing of vertical, horizontal and tangential forces applied to said substantially rigid shoe assembly; (e) securement means for attaching said signal receiving means to a leg of said quadruped in a manner which does not alter the natural movement of said quadruped; and (f) interconnection means for transferring one or more signals between said individual force sensing elements and said signal receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for continuously measuring the magnitude, distribution and timing of forces on a quadruped'"'"'s hooves, including data which is indicative of the ambulatory functions of said quadruped, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a substantially rigid shoe assembly shaped for interconnection to at least one hoof of said quadruped, said shoe assembly comprised of an inner-shoe and an outer-shoe, said inner-shoe operatively coupled to said outer-shoe to receive individual force sensing elements between said inner-shoe and said outer-shoe, said force sensing elements having a plurality of individual force sensors interconnected thereto which can detect the magnitude, distribution and timing of vertical, horizontal and tangential forces acting on said substantially rigid shoe assembly; (b) attachment means for interconnecting said inner shoe to said at least one hoof of said quadruped; (c) coupling means for securely interconnecting said outer-shoe to said inner-shoe; (d) signal receiving means for receiving, measuring, or transmitting data indicative of the magnitude distribution and timing of vertical, horizontal and tangential forces exerted on said at least one hoof of said quadruped; (e) interconnection means for transferring one or more signals between said individual force sensors and said signal receiving means; (f) attachment means for attaching, in a non-motion-altering manner, said signal receiving means to a leg of said quadruped; and (g) remote data means for receiving, monitoring and/or processing information received and generated from each of said signal receiving means at a remote location.
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Specification