IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE-SHOES, AND IN THE MODE OR MODES OF FASTENING THE, SAME
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Spence at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 7th July 1880. A communication from
abroad by Hermann Lüdicke, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany.
WILLIAM SPENCE, of 8, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE-SHOES, AND IN THE
MODE OR MODES OF FASTENING THE, SAME." (A communication from abroad by
Hermann Lüdicke, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany.)
This Invention relates to improvements in horse-shoes, and the object of the
improvements is to give case to the hoof as well as the foot of the animal by
providing a soft and elastic shoe to prevent shock in striking on the ground. And
the Invention consists, in the first place, in the several following modes of fastening
the shoe to the hoof without the use of nails:-
The shoe is made of vulcanized india rubber, in which is inserted the iron or
steel to which the calkins are secured. Holes are formed in the iron or steel
through which the rubber extends, thereby uniting the rubber and metal as
required. The shoe is formed with a portion at the back extending inwards, in
order that the inner part of the hoof may be duly supported as well as tho
quarters.
The upper part of the shoe is provided with a ring or clasp of steel, which is
rendered elastic by means of springs or rubber suitably arranged between the said
ring and the hoof.
.
In the said ring or clasp are formed holes at one end thereof, such holes being
adapted to fit on a pivot or stud on the shoe to fasten the same.
The said ring or
clasp carries also a button, which serves to support a pair of nippers by means of
which the ring or clasp is laid round the hoof as required. The sole of this shoe
may be cut out, so as to leave the frog of the hoof open and lighten tlie shoe.
Apertures, may be formed in the shoc in order to afford ventilation to the hoof.
For shoes intended for heavy work the iron is bent up in the front part, in order
to protect the rubber from being worn, out by the hoof and to provide a firm
support to the latter.
Instead of the said ring or clasp a loose band of india rubber, leather, or other
suitable material may be used, such band being passed through loops arranged
upon the shoe, the ends of the band having holes and being fastened on the
same button.

page_text: Or a flat or tubular band provided with holes may be fixed at one end and
passed round behind the hoof and secured, thereby adapting the same size and shape
of shoe for application to differently shaped hoofs. Or the shoe may be fastened
by lacing at the back.
And the Invention consists in the second place in an improved shoe secured to
the hoof by nails. In order to diminish the shock to the foot on striking the
ground there is provided an elastic couch between the iron-and-the hoof,-nailed to.
the same by giving the iron a complete covering of vulcanized india rubber. The
nail holes are sunk in the iron to receive the heads of the nails, the holes being
surrounded on both sides of the iron by a collar, in order to prevent the rubber
from entering the said holes.
If the shoe is to be used without calkins the lower surface is furrowed to prevent
slipping. When intended to be used with calkins holes are formed in the two
branches, into which the sponges are screwed or otherwise secured. These holes
are likewise surrounded by collars for preventing the rubber from entering the
holes while casting the coat or covering.