WO2002043031A1 - Training device for simulating the fixing of protective strips on horses' legs - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a training device for simulating the fixing of protective strips on horses' legs and more particularly on the tendons and the ligaments located in the leg zone called cannon . The inventive device is characterised in that it comprises a life-size prefabricated leg (1) essentially provided with force sensors (2) positioned over the entire length of the leg to be bandaged and a base (4), whereon said leg rests, essentially provided with means (5) adapted to indicate the intensity of pressure exerted by the strip at each passage and electronic circuits adapted to measure said intensity and control said indicator means (5). The force sensors (2) are placed, mutually opposite, on either side of the leg (1), preferably at the front and at the rear.

Description

 PEDAGOGICAL DEVICE FOR SIMULATION OF POSE

PROTECTIVE TAPE ON HORSES LEGS

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to an educational device for simulating the installation of protective bands on the legs of horses and more particularly on the tendons and ligaments situated in the area of the leg called "cannon". This allows you to acquire know-how by memorizing the gesture, the holding of the strip in the hand, the installation process, the tension to be applied to the strip to obtain maximum efficiency. This invention allows safe learning.

Currently, learning takes place directly on horses and is practiced in difficult conditions, especially for the neophyte. The installer is positioned squatting and is a few centimeters from the horse's legs. The animal, even if it is docile, does not always remain quiet (bites of flies, horseflies). It can move and destabilize the installer in his balance and in his concentration. The band passes from one hand to the other to surround the member and the student must master, at all times, the holding of the band in his hand otherwise he must take back the entire bandage if it were to be found on the ground and unfold. The stress and anxiety of the beginner are often transmitted to the animal causing both beings an anti-teaching pressure.

Regarding the transmission of know-how, the instructor's correction is not precise. No means of control can inform the installer and the instructor that the tape is too tight or not tight enough. The instructor visually checks the pose by checking the overlap of the barrel by the band, respecting the pose diagonally and without creases. For the pressure exerted on the barrel, the instructor puts his finger between the band laid and the barrel of the horse and ensures that the band is not too tight.

The device according to the invention has the advantages linked to the following functions:

- pedagogy: control of all the parameters of the pose;

- initiation: work in peace and without stress;

- economic: limitation of the risk of injuries costly in care or even in reform; - safety: cancellation of accident risks for the student;

- animal protection: elimination of suffering and all trauma, often the cause afterwards of problem between man and animal.

The invention aims to combine these various advantages and to this end relates to a device which is essentially characterized in that it comprises a prefabricated leg, full size, essentially provided with force sensors. positioned in the banding area and a base, on which said leg rests, provided essentially with visual and / or audible means indicating the intensity of the pressure exerted by the strip on each pass and electronic circuits capable of measuring said pressure on each passage and to indicate its intensity thanks to said visual and / or audible means.

For practical reasons, the leg and the base are removable.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment of the latter given by way of non-limiting example and shown in the accompanying drawings: these drawings:

- Figure 1 consists of 3 views showing the mounting of the strip on one leg;

- Figure 2 is an overview of the device according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a rear detail view of the leg; - Figure 4 is a detail front view of said leg;

- Figure 5 is a sectional view of the mechanical part of the base;

- Figure 6 is a top view of detail of the base;

- Figure 7 is a view of the electronic modules contained in the base.

The method of applying the band to the barrel of the horse's leg is shown in Figure 1.

The installer begins with a turn, for example at the top of the barrel, then he descends diagonally by overlapping the previous round by about 2 cm, this to the bottom of the barrel. Then he goes up the strip in the same way, crossing to end at the top of the barrel. The starting point for laying the strip can obviously be placed at other points on the barrel.

The pressure that must be applied to the tendons and ligaments, for good protection and good efficiency, must be constant. The way of laying a strip is a long-term learning process. The effectiveness of the bandage depends on several criteria. First you have to choose the corresponding band. the desired function (rest, transport, polo shirt, work, running) and each function corresponds to a different pressure. Then you have to master the right mechanical tension to be subjected to the band to apply the right pressure on the tendons and ligaments.

The device as a whole, shown in Figure 2, comprises a prefabricated leg (1), full size, resting on a base (4). The real dimension of the educational device will allow the user to take benchmarks on how to cover the member with the band and to position themselves according to the volume of the leg.

The assembly can be powered by an external power supply unit (17) or by an energy source, in particular an accumulator, placed inside the base. The device shown in Figures 3 to 7 includes:

- a prefabricated leg (1), full size, essentially provided with force sensors (2) positioned over the entire length of the zone to be bandaged;

- a base (4), on which said leg rests, essentially provided with means (5) adapted to indicate the intensity of the pressure exerted by the strip (6) at each passage and electronic circuits (7,8,9) adapted to measure said intensity and to control said indicator means (5).

The force sensors (2) are placed in opposition on either side of the leg (1), preferably at the front and at the rear of the latter. They are connected to an electronic circuit (7) adapted to amplify and shape the electrical signal supplied by each sensor and whose intensity is proportional to the pressure received.

The signal provided by the electronic circuit (7) is transmitted to a microcontroller (8) adapted to manage the entire device. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the indicator means (5) consist of 3 columns of lights (10, 11, 12) of different colors, placed on the base (4) and adapted to indicate on the one hand the pressure exerted by the band and on the other hand the area of the leg concerned by said pressure.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the indicator means (5) consist of 2 networks of 3 columns of lights (10, 11, 12) placed on either side of the location (16) of the leg (1), one row corresponding to the right leg and the other to the left leg of the horse.

A switch (18) placed on the base (4) is adapted to display the network of light columns corresponding to the right leg (position D) or the left leg (position G). It has a neutral zone (OFF position).

The microcontroller (8) activates the indicator means (5) via a decoding circuit (9) and a control circuit (19).

The microcontroller (8) manages the on / off switch (3) associated with an indicator light (20) and a push button (21) for controlling all of the light columns (10, 11, 12): l switch (3), the indicator (20) and the button (21) being placed on pedestal.

The base (4) also comprises a peripheral ballast element (13), a non-slip strip (14) and a closure bottom (15).

The three columns formed by the lights fixed to the base, are positioned on a mask representing the false leg. The lights will work in pairs to indicate the pressure applied by the strip. The transfer of the pressure applied by the strip will be transmitted exactly on the mask using the lights of 3 different colors. These colors represented for example by green for medium pressure, yellow for effective pressure and red for excessive pressure. A push button (21) will check the status of the lights before each use.

The pressure measurement is continuous. As the user places the tape, he can, if he wishes, view, on one or the other of the masks located on either side of the false leg, the result in time real. Each column can include 16 lights of the light-emitting diode type connected 2 to 2 to each sensor which can in this case be 8 in total (4 at the front and 4 at the back of the leg).

The student can also pose the tape blind and view the complete result at the end of the pose. For this, the 3-position switch (18) allows you to select the right or left mask or all off.

This can also be achieved by means of push buttons controlling each mask.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown for which other variants can be provided, in particular in: - the type and number of force sensors;

- the method of prefabrication and the nature of the leg and the base;

- the type of visual and / or audio means;

- the type of electronic measurement management circuits.

Claims

1 - Educational device for simulating the installation of protective bands on the legs of horses and more particularly on the tendons and ligaments located in the area of the leg called "cannon; characterized in that it comprises a prefabricated leg (1) , life-size, provided essentially with force sensors (2) positioned over the entire length of the area to be bandaged and a base (4), on which said leg rests, provided essentially with means (5) adapted to indicate the intensity of the pressure exerted by the strip (6) at each passage and electronic circuits (7,8,9) adapted to measure said intensity and to control said indicator means (5). 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that force sensors (2) are placed, in opposition, on either side of the leg (1). 3 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the force sensors (2) are connected to an electronic circuit (7) adapted to amplify and shape the electrical signal supplied by each sensor and whose intensity is proportional to the pressure received. 4 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the signal supplied by the electronic circuit (7) is transmitted to a microcontroller (8) adapted to manage the entire device. 5 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicator means (5) consist of 3 columns of lights (10,11,12) of different colors, placed on the base (4) and adapted to indicate on the one hand the pressure exerted by the band and on the other hand the area of the leg affected by said pressure. 6 - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the indicator means (5) consist of 2 networks of 3 columns of lights (10,11,12) placed on either side of the location (16) of the leg (1), one row corresponding to the right leg and the other to the left leg of the horse. 7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that a switch (18) placed on the base (4), is adapted to visualize the network of columns of lights corresponding to the right leg (position D) or to the leg left (position G). 8 - Device according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the microcontroller (8) activates the indicator means (5) via a decoding circuit (9) and a control circuit ( 19). 9 - Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the microcontroller (8) manages the on/off switch (3) associated with an indicator light (20) and a push button (21) for controlling the assembly columns of lights (10,11,12); the switch (3), the indicator (20) and the button (21) being placed on the base. 10 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (4) also comprises a peripheral test element (13), an anti-slip strip (14) and a closing base (15).