Abstract:
The present invention comprises a sock for use on the leg of a horse or ungulate, such as a cow, donkey or other hoofed animal. In the preferred embodiment the sock is tubular in shape having an upper opening and a lower opening. The sock is generally comprised of an upper cuff, main body and lower cuff. The upper cuff and main body are configured to frictionally engage creating a circumferential force on the leg of the horse such that the sock will not easily slip down on the leg of the horse. Expanded knit around the knee joint and fetlock joints allow for the free motion of those joints thus alleviating contrary forces that would normally and otherwise cause the sock to be pulled down by that motion. The lower cuff is configured to expand over said hoof of said ungulate and when over the hoof conform to or hug the small pastern.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/317,655 (filed Dec. 24, 2008). The continuation-in-part application lists the same inventor. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicabl. 
       MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to the field of horse leggings. More specifically, the invention comprises a sock that fits over the leg of a horse for protection or temperature regulating purposes. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Horses spend a great deal of time outside in both the winter and the summer months. Due to exposure of the legs of a horse to inclement weather, insects, and plants, a horse would benefit a great deal from a leg sock. Metabolically challenged horses often have difficulty adjusting to cold temperatures. This is a health hazard for horses that have experienced founder or chronic laminitis as blood vessels in their legs and hooves are likely already damaged. This damage can worsen in cold weather, causing extreme pain and even laminitis. Keeping a horse&#39;s legs warm by using leg socks can help to keep those blood vessels working at full capacity. Leg socks can improve the very quality of a circulation-impaired horse&#39;s life. Additionally, horses suffer from a number of different medical conditions related to their legs. A properly designed leg sock can offer some relief for leg conditions such as arthritis by keeping the legs insulated from cold temperatures. The act of insulating the leg can also benefit the horse by keeping its leg warm prior to racing, jumping, or other activities, thus reducing the risk of common leg injuries. A sock for summer wear can offer further relief, by warding off flies. Flies cause horses to stomp their legs obsessively leading to cracks and splits in the wall of the hoof as well as the loss of shoes resulting in lameness or weakened hoof integrity. Additionally, flies often bite legs raw, causing infections and stopping the healing processes of wounds and injuries. Thus, a sock which offers cooling properties is desirable as well. 
         [0008]    Previously, leg socks, braces, or wraps contained loops, snaps, zippers, straps, or other means of securing the device in place on the horse&#39;s leg. However, these attachment means can cause problems for the horse, such as if the horse gets caught in a pasture hazard because of the attachment device or if the horse handler puts the device on incorrectly causing improper constriction resulting in bowed tendons or impaired circulation. This can be detrimental to the horse&#39;s health. 
         [0009]    Therefore it is desirable to create a sock that is easy to take on and off, which will remain secure on the horse&#39;s leg while the horse moves around and which will properly regulate temperature. The present invention achieves this objective, as well as others that are explained in the following description. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention comprises a sock for use on the leg of a horse or other hoofed ungulates, such as a cow, mule or a donkey. In the preferred embodiment the sock is tubular in shape having an upper opening and a lower opening. The sock is generally comprised of an upper cuff, main body, and lower cuff. The upper cuff, main body and lower cuff are configured to frictionally engage the leg of the horse such that the sock will not easily slip down on the leg of the horse. The main body of sock is configured to expand specifically at the fetlock joint and in the preferred embodiment, the knee joint, allowing for unimpaired motion at these joints. The expansion of the knit in main body around these joints reduces forces on the sock created by the movement of the joints, which would otherwise cause the sock to be pulled down. The lower cuff is configured to expand in order to pass over the hoof of the ungulate and once clear of the hoof, then contract to conform to the smaller shape of the pastern, preventing the sock from slipping back down over the hoof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, showing the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, showing the present invention on the leg of a horse. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view, showing the present invention over a hoof of a horse. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view, showing the present invention being put on a horse. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view, showing a user taking the present invention off of a horse. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view, showing a user taking the present invention off of a horse. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5   c  is a perspective view, showing a user taking the present invention off of a horse. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view, showing the bottom cuff of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view, showing the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view, showing the bottom cuff of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view, showing the preferred embodiment of the sock on the bent leg of a horse, showing forces acting on the sock as the leg bends. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the sock on the bent leg of a horse, showing forces acting on the sock as the leg bends. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       [0026]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 sock 
                 12 
                 sock 
               
               
                 14 
                 upper cuff 
                 16 
                 main body 
               
               
                 18 
                 lower cuff 
                 20 
                 horse 
               
               
                 22 
                 foreleg 
                 24 
                 hind leg 
               
               
                 26 
                 hoof 
                 28 
                 handler 
               
               
                 30 
                 alternate upper cuff 
                 32 
                 alternate lower cuff 
               
               
                 34 
                 knee joint 
                 36 
                 toe 
               
               
                 38 
                 walls 
                 40 
                 heel 
               
               
                 42 
                 pastern joint 
                 44 
                 coronet band 
               
               
                 46 
                 upper opening 
                 48 
                 lower opening 
               
               
                 50 
                 fetlock joint 
                 52 
                 hock 
               
               
                 54 
                 first section 
                 56 
                 second section 
               
               
                 58 
                 third section 
                 60 
                 front leg 
               
               
                 62 
                 cannon 
                 64 
                 alternate main body 
               
               
                 66 
                 foot 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates the present sock  10 . The sock  10  is generally comprised of upper cuff  14 , main body  16 , and lower cuff  18 . The sock  10  is tubular in shape having a hollow center containing upper opening  46  at the top of sock  10  and lower opening  48  at the bottom of sock  10 . Lower cuff  18  is located at the bottom of main body  16  and is bell-shaped. Lower cuff  18  is compactly knitted allowing lower cuff  18  to easily expand and contract. The preferred embodiment of the present sock  10  has upper cuff  18  located at the top of sock  10 . Upper cuff  18  is a more compact knit than the main body  16  knit. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , main body  16  is, in its preferred embodiment, further comprised of first section  54 , second section  56  and third section  58 . First section  54  of main body  16  begins just above lower cuff  18 , third section  58  begins just below top cuff  14  of sock  10  and second section  56  sits between first section  54  and third section  58 . First section  54  and third section  58  allow for greater expansion than second section  56 . 
         [0029]    The present sock  10  is shown on a horse leg in  FIG. 2 . Upper cuff  14  sits above knee joint  34  in the preferred embodiment. Main body  16  extends from the bottom of top cuff  14 , covering the knee joint  34 , cannon  60  and fetlock joint  50 , to the top of lower cuff  18 . As described above, main body  16  is preferably comprised of three sections  54 ,  56  and  58 . Third section  58  of main body  16  sits just below top cuff  14  of sock  10 . Third section  58  expands around the knee joint  34  reducing the force on the sock created by the motion of knee joint  34  (further described in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). First section  54 , just above lower cuff  18 , expands around fetlock joint  50  and pastern  42  thereby reducing any force on sock  10  created by the motion of this joint. The expansion and reduction of force on sock  10  assists in keeping sock  10  from slipping down on cannon  60 . Second section  56  expands less than first section  54  and third section  58 , conforming to cannon  60  and frictionally engaging cannon  60  of horse&#39;s leg. Main body  16  of the sock  10  has a length which is greater than the total length of the cannon  60  to permit further motion in the leg without causing sock  10  to slip down cannon  60 . Additionally, the added length of sock  10  in main body  16  provides the benefit of more insulation for warmth. Lower cuff  18 , located directly below main body  16 , expands over hoof  26  and fits comfortably on pastern  42  above hoof  26 . 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 3  the reader can see how the present sock  10  is placed onto the leg of the horse. The horse&#39;s handler gently lifts cannon  62  and hoof  26  off of the ground and slips upper cuff  14  followed by main body  16  over the horse&#39;s hoof  26 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , lower cuff  18  easily stretches over hoof  26  as handler  28  pulls upward on the sock. However, once lower cuff  18  passes over the hoof  26  it contracts again to securely fit pastern  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . Once the sock  10  is on the horse&#39;s leg it can be easily adjusted to ensure the correct placement (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 11 ). The absence of an attachment means, such as Velcro, snaps, loops, or ties, eliminates the risk of handler  28  applying the present sock  10  in a manner that could injure the horse by wrapping or applying the attachment means in a way that causes improper vascular constriction or tendon constriction. Additionally, the absence of an attachment means reduces the risk of injury if the sock becomes tangled in a potential pasture hazard, such as fencing debris, thereby otherwise causing damage to the horse&#39;s leg. The present sock  10  is designed to slip off leg  22  if the sock  10  gets caught up in any significant external hazard. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5   a - c  shows the manner in which handler  28  removes sock  10  from the horse&#39;s leg  22 . While the preferred embodiment of sock  10  is shown, the manner of removing the alternate embodiment of sock  12  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) is identical in nature. First, as shown in  FIG. 5   a  handler  28  pushes sock  10  down on horse&#39;s cannon  62  towards hoof  26 . Sock  10  bunches together considerably, naturally expanding as sock  10  is pressed downward. Next, as shown in  FIG. 5   b  handler  28  gently lifts hoof  26  off of the ground grasping sock  10  at its base approximate to lower cuff  18  and pulling sock  10  over hoof  26 . As handler  28  pulls sock  10  lower cuff  18 , main body  16  and eventually upper cuff  14  slip off of the horse&#39;s leg with ease, as illustrated in  FIG. 5   c.    
         [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates lower cuff  18  and its location on the horse&#39;s pastern  42 . As illustrated, a horse&#39;s hoof  26  contains toe  36  and heel  40 , coronet band  44 , and walls  38 . Lower cuff  18  covers pastern  42  and ends just above coronet band  44 . Lower cuff  18  acts to prevent main body  16  from slipping over walls  38 , toe  36 , and heel  40 . 
         [0033]    Returning to  FIG. 2  upper cuff  14  is preferably located above the knee joint  34 . Since upper cuff  14  has a denser knit and greater level of elasticity than the body of sock  10 , and because the knit is expanded around the knee joint  34  and fetlock joint  50 , allowing free motion of the sock around those joints, sock  10  stays in place for extended periods of time. This is due to the fact that the forces created by the frictional engagement of the sock with foreleg  22 , cannon  62  and pastern  42  are greater than the forces acting on sock  10 , including those created by the motion of the joints and gravity itself. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , lower cuff  18  is located in the reduced diameter of the pastern  42 . Lower cuff  18  would have to expand to move up onto the fetlock joint  50  or down onto the hoof  26 . Thus lower cuff  18  contributes to hold the sock in place. Again, the expansion of first section  54  of main body  16  over fetlock joint  50  joint permits the sock  10  to easily move with fetlock joint  50  as the horse moves, greatly assisting with keeping sock  10  in place. 
         [0034]    The present sock  10  is shown in  FIG. 7  on both front legs  60  and hind legs  24  of the horse  20 . On front legs  60 , upper cuffs  14  of socks  10  are pulled above knee joint  34 . However, on the horse&#39;s hind legs  24 , upper cuffs  14  sit just below the horse&#39;s hocks  52 . As shown, a large proportion of the horse&#39;s four legs are covered by the present socks  10 . This benefits the horse by keeping the legs warm in the winter or before or after strenuous activity and by protecting the legs from insects and minor scratches from branches or brush. 
         [0035]    In the present embodiment, sock  10  is preferably knitted from a yarn that has the ability to insulate the horse&#39;s leg, and frictionally engage the horse&#39;s leg while avoiding constriction of the leg or compromising circulation in any manner. One example of a yarn containing these properties would be a yarn containing, cotton, acrylic, wool, polyester, nylon, elastand (spandex), nylon Lycra and/or elastic hydrocarbon polymer (rubber). In the preferred embodiment the fibers contain FOSSHIELD® fiber technology (as discussed below). Main body  16  of the present sock  10  can be knitted using various sizes and density of cable knit stitch, in which the order of the stitches is permuted, to utilize as much yarn as necessary in order to create optimum insulation, protection and strength. Knit density, cross stretch, and levels of elasticity are changed through out the sock knitting process to provide optimumfit, “stay put” qualities and insulation for warmth and protection. By controlling the number of ends of yarns, the density of the stitch, the number of ends of elastic yarns, the tension or lack of tension of the yarn feeds, the plaiting of the yarns in concert with each other and the dimensional sizes of the various yarns, the present sock  10  expands as needed to be put on or taken off, while frictionally engaging with the leg to offer “stay put” qualities and optimum fit, warmth and protection. 
         [0036]    An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 8 . In the alternate embodiment, sock  12  is comprised of upper cuff  30 , main body  64  and lower cuff  32 . Sock  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 11  on the leg of a horse. Upper cuff  30  conforms to the shape of cannon  62  with medium compression and is held in place by a circumferential frictional engagement. Upper cuff  30  sits just below knee joint  34 . Lower cuff  32  is still present as described in the preferred embodiment, conforming to the pastern joint  42 . Main body  64  is comprised of one expanded portion which expands around fetlock joint  50  and allows sock  12  to move freely with the movement of fetlock joint  50 . The motion encouraging properties of alternate main body  64  prevent sock  12  from being pulled down on the leg of the horse every time the leg bends. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , lower cuff  32  still expands easily and fits comfortably over small pastern  42  without causing unnecessary constriction. Again, lower cuff  32  comes to a rest just above coronet band  44  (while coronet band  44  would not normally be visible through sock  12  it is shown here for purposes of illustrating the location of lower cuff  32  on the horse&#39;s leg). An optional foot  66  may be added in the form of a flat knit, loose fitting, bell shaped covering to add protection from flies to the coronet band  44 . Foot  66  does not change or modify any of the properties of lower cuff  32 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  illustrates the placement of alternate embodiment of socks  12  at the knees  34  and hocks  52  of horse  20 . Socks  12  are held in place by frictional engagement and kept in place by the properties of expansion built into main body  64  of sock  12 . It is important that no straps, buttons, snaps, loops or Velcro are used to attach or constrict the socks  12  to the horse&#39;s legs. 
         [0039]    Additionally, the alternate embodiment can be knitted from various materials. However, one good approach is to use a yarn treated with a FOSSHIELD® fiber treatment in which the fibrous material, or yarn in the present embodiment, is embedded with silver and copper ions. Foss Manufacturing Company, LLC, of Hampton, N.H. developed FOSSHIELD® fabric technology which safely and naturally inhibits the growth of destructive and odor-causing bacteria, fungi, and mold, in the socks. The use of FOSSHIELD® fabric technology allows for a clean environment around the leg of the horse. 
         [0040]    The alternate embodiment of sock  12  is preferably knitted from a yarn that has the ability to wick moisture from the horse&#39;s leg thereby keeping the leg cool. An example of a yarn containing these properties would be a yarn comprised of a blend of polyester, elastand (spandex), elastic hydrocarbon polymer (rubber) and treated with FOSSHIELD® fiber technology (as discussed above). 
         [0041]    The relevant forces acting upon sock  10  in the preferred embodiment are discussed and illustrated in  FIG. 12 . As illustrated, upper cuff  14  conforms to foreleg  22  of horse, creating a first force (shown by arrows labeled a) upon sock  10 , assisting in holding sock  10  in the desired position on the horse&#39;s leg. While the arrows labeled (a) show an inward force as first force, the reader will appreciate that the force is a circumferential inward force acting all around the leg at upper cuff  14 . Second section  56  of main body  16  conforms to cannon  62 , creating a second force (shown by arrows labeled b) upon sock  10 , also assisting in holding sock  10  in the desired position on the horse&#39;s leg (again this force is circumferential). Finally, lower cuff  18  conforms to pastern  42 , creating a minimal third force (shown by arrows labeled c) upon sock  10 , assisting in holding sock  10  in the desired position on the horse&#39;s leg, in this case, primarily assisting in positioning the sock  10  such that it will not slip over hoof  26  nor rise above fetlock joint  50  (again, the force is circumferential). The primary forces acting to hold sock  10  in the desired position on the leg of the horse are counteracted by secondary contrary forces. While gravity acts as a secondary force on the sock, its effect is minimal and therefore is greatly outweighed by the primary forces (a, b and c) discussed above which hold the sock in place. The secondary forces that are encountered are primarily from the movement of the horse, which in prior art socks acts to pull the sock in one direction or another, moving the sock out of the desired position or off of the leg entirely. The present design minimizes those secondary forces by creating a sock which allows for the movement of the sock around the relevant joints. As illustrated, third section  58  of main body  16  expands around knee joint  34 . The motion of knee joint  34  creates a first contrary force (shown as arrows labeled d) acting to pull sock  10  out of its desired position. Further, the motion of fetlock joint  50  creates a second contrary force (shown as arrows labeled e) acting again to pull sock  10  out of its desired position. The first and second contrary force are minimized due to the expansion properties of sock  10  at first section  54  around fetlock joint  50  and third section  58  around knee joint  34 . Thus, the sum of the forces holding the sock in its desired position is greater than the sum of the contrary forces acting to pull the sock out of its desired position thereby causing sock  10  to remain in position on the leg of the horse. 
         [0042]    Similarly the relevant forces acting upon sock  12  in the alternate embodiment are discussed and illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Upper cuff  14  conforms to cannon  62  of horse, creating a first force (shown by arrows labeled a—again as described above this force would act circumferentially) upon sock  10 , assisting in holding sock  10  in the desired position on the horse&#39;s leg. A secondary contrary force is created by the motion of fetlock joint  50 . Main body  16  expands around fetlock joint  50  thereby reducing the secondary contrary force. The sum total of the contrary forces is less than the first force, primarily acting to hold sock  12  in the desired position on the horse&#39;s leg. Additionally, as shown lower cuff  18  provides a circumferential second force (shown by arrows labeled c) acting on the pastern  42  which provides additional support to sock  12 . 
         [0043]    The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As an example, upper cuff  14  and main body  16  can be knitted in the same manner thereby effectively eliminating the appearance of an upper cuff  14 . Additionally, main body  16  can include one or two expandable sections. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.