FR3108836A1 - HORSESHOE EQUIPPED WITH FORCE SENSORS - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE: HORSESHOE EQUIPPED WITH FORCE SENSORS The present invention relates to a horseshoe (2) equipped with at least one force sensor (31, 32), each of these force sensors (31, 32) comprising a portion fixing, assembled on the lower surface of the horseshoe (2) by screwing into a tapped hole, and at least one flexible portion, one end of which is integral with the fixing portion, the flexible portion extending at a distance from the surface lower part of the horseshoe (2), the flexible portion being equipped with at least one strain gauge able to measure deformations of the flexible portion. Figure for abstract: Figure 1 FIGURES

Description

HORSESHOE EQUIPPED WITH FORCE SENSORS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of horseshoes, intended to be fixed under the hooves of horses to limit their wear.

In particular, the invention relates to horseshoes which are equipped with sensors making it possible to know information relating to the horse which is wearing them.

More particularly, the invention relates to horseshoes equipped with force sensors, which make it possible to analyze the gait of the horse, for example to prevent injuries to the latter or to follow the evolution of a pathology from which it suffers. .

Prior art

It is well known to attach horseshoes to the hooves of horses, to limit their wear. Such horseshoes can be specifically adapted to certain equestrian practices, such as racing, trail riding, etc. They are generally well accepted by horses, and are not considered a hindrance for the practice of equestrian activities.

Horse hooves can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Accordingly, a farrier needing to shoe a horse chooses a horseshoe size suited to the size of the hoof he is to shoe, and adapts its shape, usually by forging. The shoe is then fixed to the foot of the horse by nails driven into the horn of the hoof.

It has been proposed, for example by document US 5,736,656 B or by document GB 2,482,192 A, to equip horseshoes with force measuring devices. Thus, it has for example been proposed to provide a measuring plate matching the shape of the horse's hoof, which can be placed between the hoof and the horseshoe, under the horseshoe or in place of the horseshoe.

However, such devices have several drawbacks. Thus, they cause a relatively large bulk, in particular by raising the foot of the horse. This bulk can be inconvenient for the horse, which cannot easily carry out its usual activities while being equipped with such devices.

It is then necessary, if one wants to analyze the gait of a horse using such devices, to equip the horse with these devices just before making him do the exercise during which one wants to analyze his gait. , and to unequip it at the end of this exercise. These manipulations of equipment and un-equipment, which often involve unshoeing and re-shoeing the horse, are however long and tedious.

Such force measuring devices must moreover be adapted to the size and shape of the horse's hoof. Such an adaptation implies that devices of several sizes are available, in order to adapt to the different sizes of clogs. Even then, a device cannot easily adapt to different hoof shapes, unlike horseshoes which are adapted by farrier forging. The horse then runs the risk of being fitted with devices that are not perfectly adapted to the size of its hooves, and therefore of suffering additional discomfort. This difficulty in adapting a force measurement device to the shape of the horse's foot therefore complicates the use of such devices.

Due to the discomfort suffered by the horse wearing such a device, the latter may adopt a gait or a behavior different from those which it usually adopts. The data that is collected by the force measurement device is therefore not representative of the normal behavior of the horse.

It has also been proposed to place force sensors under the horseshoes. However, no force sensor solution has been proposed in the prior art having the necessary robustness not to be destroyed by the shocks of the horseshoe against the ground, which are sufficiently easy to implement and which do not do not interfere with the horse's gait.

Objectives of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide a device capable of measuring information relating to the gait of a horse.

In particular, the invention aims to provide such a device which can be easily installed under the horse's hooves, and easily removed when it is no longer desired to use it.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which disturbs the horse as little as possible, and which does not disturb its gait in a significant way.

The invention also aims to provide such a device which is particularly robust, in particular to avoid deterioration due to shocks of the horse's foot against the ground.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can be installed easily by a farrier, without the latter needing special tools or equipment.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly subsequently, are achieved with the aid of a horseshoe equipped with at least one force sensor, in which, according to the invention, each of the forces comprises a fixing portion, assembled on the lower surface of the horseshoe by screwing into a threaded hole drilled in the horseshoe, and at least one flexible portion, one end of which is integral with the fixing portion, the flexible portion extending at a distance from the lower surface of the horseshoe, this flexible portion being equipped with at least one strain gauge able to measure deformations of the flexible portion.

Such a horseshoe makes it possible to measure data relating to the way the horse puts its foot on the ground, and therefore to monitor any anomalies and avoid injuries. It also implements sensors that can be easily installed under a standard iron, and removed just as easily. Finally, such sensors are robust and compact.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the horseshoe is equipped with at least two force sensors, each of these sensors comprising a fixing portion assembled on the lower surface of the horseshoe, by screwing into a tapped hole drilled in the Horseshoe.

Such sensors, attached to the shoe independently of each other, make it possible to detect any anomalies when the horse puts its foot on the ground.

Advantageously, this horseshoe is equipped with at least one force sensor fixed under each of the sponges of the horseshoe.

Attaching sensors to the sponges of the horseshoe has several advantages: it is an area that supports a significant part of the weight of the horse, and which is less subject to shocks or friction. Furthermore, tapped holes can be provided in this area, to place studs under the horseshoe.

Preferably, the strain gauge is fixed, on each of the flexible portions, on a surface of the flexible portion which faces the lower surface of the horseshoe.

The strain gauge is thus protected from shocks and friction from the ground.

Advantageously, the space located between the flexible portion of the sensor and the lower surface of the horseshoe is filled with a flexible material.

Such a material does not affect the deformation of the flexible portion, but protects the gauge and prevents the introduction of foreign bodies between the flexible portion and the lower surface of the horseshoe.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the flexible portion forms a deformable blade extending substantially parallel to the lower surface of the horseshoe, one edge of this deformable blade being integral with said fixing portion, and the other edges of this deformable blade being free.

Such a sensor advantageously has a very small thickness. It is therefore very compact for the horse.

Advantageously, at least one of the force sensors comprises a protective tube, linked by one of its ends to the fixing portion, and containing a wire, one end of which is connected to one of the strain gauges.

It is thus possible to protect the wire connecting the sensor to the electronic circuits.

Preferably, at least one of the strain gauges is a resistance wire extensometer.

According to a particular embodiment, at least one of the force sensors comprises a single fixing portion, assembled on the lower surface of the horseshoe by screwing into a tapped hole drilled in the horseshoe, and at least two separate flexible portions , one end of each of these flexible portions being integral with the fixing portion, these flexible portions extending at a distance from the lower surface of the horseshoe, each of the flexible portions being equipped with at least one strain gauge capable of measure deformations of the flexible portion.

Such a sensor makes it possible to measure the forces at the level of two distinct zones.

According to a particular embodiment, at least one of the force sensors comprises a fixing rod, one end of which forms a fixing portion assembled on the lower surface of the horseshoe by screwing into a tapped hole drilled in the horseshoe, and the other end is assembled to a crampon shell, the portion of the rod separate from the fixing portion forming, with the crampon shell, the flexible portion.

Such a sensor can advantageously replace a crampon, fixed under the horseshoe.

Advantageously, the horseshoe comprises an electronic card connected by a wire to at least one of the strain gauges.

List of Figures

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of a simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by figures including:

FIG. 1 is a view from below of a horse's hoof equipped with a horseshoe according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the sabot and the horseshoe of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top view of a force sensor fitted to the horseshoe of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the force sensor of Figure 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the horseshoe-equipped horse shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a force sensor intended to be fitted to a horseshoe according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the force sensor of Figure 6;

FIG. 8 is a view from below of a force sensor intended to be fitted to a horseshoe according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the force sensor of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a partial sectional view of a force sensor intended to equip a horseshoe according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a horse's hoof equipped with force sensors according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view of one of the force sensors fitted to the horseshoe of FIG. 11;

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the force sensor of Figure 12.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

Figure 1 shows, in bottom view, the hoof 1 of a horse which is equipped with a horseshoe 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. This horseshoe 2 may be a horseshoe of a classic model, well known to those skilled in the art, which is conventionally shaped by forging by the farrier before being secured by nails to the hoof 1 of the horse.

According to the invention, this horseshoe 2 is equipped with force sensors. A force sensor, within the meaning of the present invention, is a device capable of measuring the intensity of at least one force.

In the embodiment represented, the horseshoe 2 is thus equipped with two force sensors 31 and 32, which are fixed on the lower surface of the horseshoe 2, at the level of the rear part of the horseshoe 2, generally called sponge, on either side of this horseshoe 2. These force sensors advantageously make it possible to measure the forces produced under the horseshoe when the horse places his foot on the ground, and to deduce therefrom the force exerted by the horse's foot on the ground, and how this force is distributed between the different areas of the horse's foot.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of part of the shoe 1 and of the horseshoe 2, equipped with the force sensor 31. This force sensor 31 is fixed to the horseshoe 2 by a screw 310, with a hexagonal hollow head, screwed in a tapped hole 21 of the horseshoe 2.

In the embodiment shown, the two force sensors 31 and 32 are fixed to the lower surface of the horseshoe by screws engaging in threaded holes provided in the horseshoe 2, at the level of the sponge of this one. It is common for horseshoes to have such tapped holes, generally referred to as "spike mortises", which are intended to fix spikes to the underside of the iron, at the level of the sponge, by screwing them. Farriers are therefore equipped to make such tapped holes in horseshoes, and can make them without difficulty.

In the particular embodiment represented by FIGS. 1 and 2, the force sensors 31 and 32 are fixed by screwing into such tapped holes, 6 mm in diameter, initially provided for fixing studs to the horseshoe 2. A horseshoe 2 having such tapped holes 21 can thus receive force sensors without requiring specific preparation.

The force sensor 31 is also represented, independently of the horseshoe, in FIGS. 3 and 4. This sensor 31 is presented as a metal plate composed of two portions of different thicknesses.

The first portion, relatively thick, constitutes the fixing portion 33. This fixing portion 33 is pierced by a countersunk hole 330 intended to receive the screw 310. This fixing portion 33 is intended to be mechanically secured by this screw 310 to the iron on horseback 2.

This fixing portion 33 is extended laterally, on at least one of its sides, by a flexible portion 34. This flexible portion 34 is constituted, in the embodiment shown, by a metal plate of thickness less than the thickness of the attachment portion 33. This flexible portion 34 therefore constitutes a flexible blade, one edge of which is integral with the attachment portion 33 and the other edges of which are free.

The lower surface 301 of the force sensor, intended to be the surface farthest from the horseshoe 2 when the sensor 31 is mounted on the horseshoe 2, is substantially planar and common to the flexible portion 34 and to the portion of fixing 33. Thus, the sensor 31 advantageously has a single lower surface 301 that is substantially planar. On the other hand, due to the difference in thickness between the fixing portion 33 and the flexible portion 34, the upper surface 302 of the flexible portion 34 is located in a plane offset with respect to the upper surface 303 of the fixing portion 33.

Thus, when the sensor 31 is mounted on the horseshoe 2, as shown in Figure 2, the upper surface 303 of the fixing portion 33 is pressed against the lower surface of the horseshoe 2, but the upper surface 302 of the flexible portion 34 remains at a distance from the lower surface of the horseshoe 2.

The dimensions of the sensor 31, and particularly the width, the length and the thickness of the flexible portion 34, are chosen in such a way that a pressure exerted on the lower surface 301, at the level of the flexible portion 34, of a value of an order of magnitude equivalent to the pressure exerted by a horse on a portion of his shoe, causes a measurable elastic deformation of this flexible portion 34. These dimensions are however chosen so that this deformation remains in the elastic range and remains moderate, so that this flexible portion 34, subjected to such pressure, does not come into contact with the lower surface of the horseshoe 2.

To obtain such properties, it was chosen in the embodiment represented to produce the sensor 31 with a stainless steel of the X2CrNiMo17-12 (AISI 316L) type (generally designated by the name “316 steel”) and to produce a portion hose 34 having a width of 15 mm, at the level of its connection with the fixing portion 33, a length of 10 mm between its edge fixed to the fixing portion 33 and its opposite free edge, and a thickness of between 2 mm and 3 mm.

A strain gauge 35 is secured to the upper surface 302 of the flexible portion 34. Advantageously, this strain gauge 35 is placed close to the edge of the flexible portion 34 secured to the fixing portion 33, so as to be located at a place which strongly deforms during a bending of the flexible portion 34. As shown schematically in FIG. a direction perpendicular to the edge of the flexible portion 34 integral with the fixing portion 33. This strain gauge 35 can thus measure the compression undergone by this upper surface 302 during the bending of the flexible portion 34, which tends to bring this portion closer hose 34 of the horseshoe 2.

In other possible embodiments, it is also possible to measure these deformations using strain gauges of different types known to those skilled in the art, for example gauges of the capacitive or piezoelectric type.

To perform measurements, the strain gauge 35 is connected to an electronic circuit via connection wires. Such an electronic circuit may, for example, comprise a Wheatstone quarter-bridge assembly, which is commonly used by those skilled in the art to perform measurements using strain gauges. It may also include an amplifier capable of amplifying and conditioning the signal received from the force sensors.

Advantageously, this electronic circuit can be located outside the sensor 31. Thus, as shown in Figure 5, this electronic circuit 71 can be placed in a gaiter 7 surrounding the horse's fetlock. In this case, a connection wire 37 can extend between the force sensor 31 and the gaiter 7 carrying the electronic circuit 71. Of course, the various sensors mounted under the same horseshoe 2 can be connected to the same circuit electric 71, which can then collect several signals. This electronic circuit 71 can advantageously comprise electrical supply means, for example a battery.

Furthermore, this electronic circuit can be connected with an acquisition card able to collect data from electronic circuits located on the horse's gaiters, to record them, and if necessary to send them by radio to a remote server. This acquisition card can be placed on the horse, for example at the level of its saddle.

It is possible to equip a horse with four horseshoes equipped with force sensors according to the invention, in order to take measurements at the level of its four feet. It is also possible, according to a variant, for the horse to wear horseshoes equipped with force sensors only on some of its feet, for example on its forelegs.

If several feet of the horse are equipped with similar horseshoes, the acquisition card can collect the measurement data from these different horseshoes. The connection between the electronic circuits placed on the gaiters and this acquisition card can be made by radio. It can also be done by wires running along the horse's body, which have the advantage of transmitting high frequency signals very efficiently.

In another embodiment, it is also possible that the electronic circuits located in the horse's gaiters are each associated with an acquisition card, capable of collecting the data and sending them directly by radio to a remote server.

To avoid deterioration of the connection wire 37 connecting the force sensor 31 to the electronic circuit, it is advisable to prevent this wire from coming into contact with the ground. For this, provision is made for this wire to be able to circulate in a pipe 380 pierced inside the fixing portion 33. This pipe 380 opens on one side of the force sensor 31, in one end of a protective tube 38 , which is assembled, for example by welding, to the sensor 31. This protective tube 38, which is advantageously made of stainless steel, forms an elbow in order to guide the connection wire 37, substantially along the side wall of the shoe 1 of the horse, in the direction of the gaiter 7.

In the configuration represented by FIG. 2, the space located between the upper surface 302 of the flexible portion 34 of the sensor 31 and the lower surface of the horseshoe 2 is filled with the aid of a flexible plastic material 36. This soup plastic material 36 has no significant mechanical strength. On the other hand, it avoids any introduction of foreign bodies, such as grains of sand, between the flexible portion 34 and the horseshoe 2. This flexible plastic material 36 thus has the effect of protecting the strain gauge 35 and avoiding any introduction of foreign bodies that could interfere with the deformation of the flexible portion 34.

Advantageously, the force sensor 32 is almost identical to the sensor 31 described previously. It also includes a protective tube protecting the connection wire connecting it to an electronic board. This protective tube 38 is fixed to a position chosen to bypass the horseshoe 2, then guide the connection wire facing the side wall of the horse's hoof 1, when the sensor is in position on the horseshoe 2.

According to another embodiment, it is also possible for protective tubes to guide the connection wires under the horse's hoof 1 as far as the back of the horse's foot, before routing them to an electronic circuit placed in the horse's gaiter. However, care should be taken in the implementation of such an embodiment, in order to avoid any risk of injury to the horse's foot.

This horseshoe 2 equipped with force sensors 31 and 32 has many advantages. Thus, the presence of the sensors 31 and 32 on the lower surface of the horseshoe 2 makes it possible to obtain data representative of the weight that the horse exerts on this horseshoe 2, at two distinct points.

The horseshoe 2 thus equipped does not allow an absolute measurement of the weight that the horse exerts on the ground by means of this horseshoe 2. Indeed, only part of this weight exerted by the horse passes through the intermediary of the flexible portions 34 of the sensors 31 and 32. However, these deformation measurements are quite representative of the weight exerted by the horse on this horseshoe 2.

When the horse is equipped with several shoes according to the invention, such measurements are sufficient for example to reveal the evolution of the weight that the horse exerts on each of its feet during its walk at different gaits and to compare the distribution of the weight of the horse on its different feet. It is also possible to observe the way the horse places its foot on the ground, by comparing the forces measured by the sensors 31 and 32.

Such measurements advantageously make it possible to easily detect an injury or a pathology on the horse, even of low intensity, or fatigue thereof. They thus make it possible to act to solve these problems before their seriousness increases, and thus to preserve the health of the horse.

A horseshoe 2 equipped with such force sensors 31 and 32 is also very easy to implement. Thus, force sensors 31 and 32 of standard dimensions and type can be fitted to any type of horseshoe 2, regardless of the size and shape of the hoof 1 of the horse. The only requirement for a horseshoe 2 to be equipped is indeed the existence of 21 threaded holes in the horseshoe 2, which can be made without difficulty by a farrier.

It should be noted that the position of these tapped holes 21 on the horseshoe 2 can vary, without this presenting any disadvantage for the implementation of the invention. In particular, it is not necessary to make the holes at a precise distance from each other.

Furthermore, sensors of this type have a very small size and cause no discomfort to the horse. Thus, these sensors 31 and 32 only form a negligible extra thickness on the lower surface of the horseshoe, of the order of 2 to 4 mm. On loose ground such as sand or grass, such thin sensors 31 and 32 are imperceptible to the horse, which consequently does not tend to modify its behavior.

Finally, since these force sensors are very easy to put in place under the horseshoe or to remove, they can easily be positioned under the horseshoes before an exercise during which you want to measure the way in which he places his feet, and be removed at the end of this exercise. It is thus possible to prevent the force sensors from suffering unnecessary wear, when no measurement is desired, or when the horse walks on too hard ground.

In other embodiments of the invention, the horseshoe 2 can be equipped with a greater number of force sensors, distributed in different positions of the lower surface of the horseshoe 2. A large number of sensors of forces, for example five force sensors distributed on the horseshoe 2, in fact make it possible to measure the forces exerted on the horseshoe 2 with greater precision. On the other hand, they make the horseshoe more expensive and take longer to install and remove.

It is also possible, in a particular embodiment, for this horseshoe 2 to be fitted with only a single force sensor, placed at a point on the lower surface of the horseshoe 2, for example at the level of the front part of the horseshoe called clamp. Such an embodiment, if it makes it possible to have a representative measurement of the force exerted on the ground by the foot of the horse, does not however make it possible to know the way in which this force is distributed between the different zones of the foot of the horse. .

The embodiments in which the horseshoe 2 is equipped with at least two force sensors are therefore preferred. In particular, the solution represented by FIG. 1 is advantageous because it uses few sensors. It is therefore inexpensive and relatively easy to set up. Furthermore, these sensors are located at the rear of the horseshoe 2, on the sponge, which is an area where the force due to the weight of the horse is significant, but which is less subject to shocks and friction against the ground. than the front parts of the iron. Finally, this area of the sponge, in which we do not drive nails, leaves room to drill the tapped holes to receive the sensors. It is also in this zone that the tapped holes intended for the fixing of crampons are generally provided.

Figures 6 to 13 show variants of sensors that can be secured to a horseshoe 2, in the same way as the sensors 31 and 32 described previously.

Thus, FIGS. 6 and 7 represent, respectively in top view and in cross-sectional view, a sensor 4 comprising a portion 41 for attachment to the horseshoe, substantially identical to the attachment portion 33 of the sensor 31, and a portion flexible 42.

According to this embodiment, the upper surface of the flexible portion 42 has a U-shaped rib 420, running along part of the free edges of the flexible portion 42. This rib 420 does not extend as far as the part of the flexible portion 42 which is closest to the fixing portion 41. It therefore has the effect of concentrating the deformations undergone on this part of the flexible portion 42.

A first strain gauge 43, secured to the upper surface of the flexible portion at the level of this part close to the fixing portion 41, makes it possible to measure these deformations. The upper surface of the flexible portion 42 also carries a second strain gauge 44, oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first strain gauge 43. Given its position and its orientation, this second strain gauge 44 cannot measure any significant deformation of the sensor 4 due to pressure from the horse's foot on the ground. However, it deforms under the effect of the thermal expansion of sensor 4.

The first strain gauge 43 and the second strain gauge 44 can be connected to an electronic circuit implementing a Wheatstone half-bridge. In known manner, such an assembly makes it possible to subtract the data measured by the second strain gauge 44 from the data measured by the first strain gauge 43. This subtraction makes it possible to obtain a more precise measurement of the deformation of the flexible portion 42, under the effect of the pressure of the horse on its shoe, without interference linked to the thermal expansion of the sensor 4.

It is also possible, in yet another variant, to place four strain gauges on the same force sensor, and to connect them to a Wheatstone bridge assembly.

Figures 8 and 9 show a force sensor 5 according to yet another possible embodiment of the invention. This force sensor 5 comprises a fixing portion 51 similar to the fixing portion 33 of the force sensor 31 described above. A flexible portion 52 is linked to this attachment portion 51, and extends to the side of this attachment portion 51.

This flexible portion 52 comprises a support stud 521 which is connected to the fixing portion 51 by a connecting tab 522. Advantageously, the support stud 521 forms, on the lower surface of the force sensor 5, a protrusion such that, when the horse places his horseshoe equipped with such a force sensor 5 on the ground, the contact pad 521 comes into contact with the ground before the fixing portion 51.

At the time of such contact, significant stresses are concentrated at the level of the connecting tab 522. A strain gauge 53 is placed at the level of this connecting tab 522, on the upper surface of the flexible portion 52, to measure these constraints.

FIG. 10 represents a sensor 6 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. This sensor 6 consists of two components: a substantially cylindrical connecting rod 61, which is shown uncut in FIG. 10, and a stud shell 62, which is shown in section along a plane passing through the axis of the connecting rod 61.

Advantageously, the connecting rod 61 has a thread at each of its two ends. A first thread 611 allows it to be screwed directly into a tapped hole 21 of the horseshoe 2. A second thread 612 allows its attachment to a tapped hole provided at the bottom of the crampon shell 62.

The sensor 6 thus forms a stud which can be screwed directly into a threaded hole 21 (or mortise) of the horseshoe 2, in the same way as the studs known from the prior art. In this sensor 6, the portion of the connecting rod 61 which has the thread 611 forms the fixing portion of the sensor 6 under the horseshoe 2. The connecting rod 61 is dimensioned such that, subjected to compression in its axial direction, of a value equivalent to the weight of a horse, it undergoes a measurable elastic deformation. This connecting rod 61 and the stud shell 62 therefore form a flexible portion of the sensor 6, capable of deforming with respect to the fixing portion constituted by the portion of the connecting rod 61 which has the thread 611.

A strain gauge 63, placed on the rod 61 so as to measure the deformation of this connecting rod 61 in its axial direction, makes it possible to measure a value representative of the force exerted by the horseshoe 2 on the ground. It is also possible, in other embodiments, for this connecting rod 61 to be equipped with several strain gauges, placed in different directions to measure all the deformations of this connecting rod 61.
FIG. 11 represents a shoe 1 equipped with a horseshoe 2 similar to that of FIG. 1, under which an additional force sensor has been added. This additional force sensor is a double sensor 7, placed on the lower surface of the horseshoe 2 at the clamp thereof. For this, a tapped hole 21 has been previously drilled at the level of the clamp of the horseshoe 2.

Figures 12 and 13 show this double sensor 7, respectively in top view and in cross-sectional view. This sensor 7 is presented as a metal plate composed of three distinct portions.

The central portion, relatively thick, constitutes the fixing portion 71, which is pierced by a countersunk hole 70 intended to receive a screw to secure the double sensor 7 to the horseshoe 2.

This attachment portion 71 is extended laterally, on two of its opposite sides, by flexible portions 72 and 73 constituted by metal plate portions of thickness less than the thickness of the attachment portion 71. These flexible portions 72 and 73 constitute flexible blades, one edge of which is integral with the fixing portion 71 and the other edges of which are free.

The lower surface 701 of the double sensor 7, intended to be the surface farthest from the horseshoe 2 when the sensor 31 is mounted on the horseshoe 2, is substantially planar and common to the fixing portion 71 and to the flexible portions 72 and 73. On the other hand, the upper surfaces of the flexible portions 72 and 73 are located in a plane offset with respect to the upper surface of the fixing portion 71. These upper surfaces of the flexible portions 72 and 73 are equipped with strain gauges , respectively 74 and 75.

The two flexible portions 72 and 73 being able to deform independently of each other, the double sensor 7 actually constitutes two separate force sensors, making it possible to measure the force exerted on the ground in two places of the horseshoe 2.

Advantageously, provision is made for the wires connecting the strain gauges 74 and 75 to be able to circulate in a pipe 75 pierced inside the fixing portion 71. This pipe 75 opens onto one side of the force sensor 7, in one end of a protective tube 78, which is assembled, for example by welding, to the sensor 7.

In a particular embodiment, it is possible to provide a horseshoe 2 in which housings would be machined on the lower surface, in order to accommodate force sensors as described above. Such a horseshoe 2 is more complex to manufacture than standard horseshoes, such as for example the horseshoe 2 described above. On the other hand, it advantageously makes it possible to measure the forces exerted on the ground without having any additional thickness on its lower surface.

Claims (10)

Horseshoe (2) equipped with at least one force sensor (31, 32, 4, 5, 6, 7),
characterized in that each of said force sensors (31, 32, 4, 5, 6, 7) comprises a fixing portion (33, 41, 51, 71), assembled on the lower surface of said horseshoe (2) by screwing into a tapped hole (21) drilled in said horseshoe (2), and at least one flexible portion (34, 42, 52, 72, 73), one end of which is integral with said fixing portion (33, 41 , 51, 71), said flexible portion extending away from said lower surface of said horseshoe (2),
said flexible portion (34, 42, 52, 72, 73) being equipped with at least one strain gauge (35, 43, 44, 53, 63, 74, 75) able to measure deformations of said flexible portion (34 , 42, 52, 72, 73). Horseshoe (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is equipped with at least two force sensors (31, 32), each of the said sensors (31, 32) comprising a fixing portion (33, 41 , 51, 71) assembled on the lower surface of the horseshoe (2), by screwing into a threaded hole (21) drilled in said horseshoe (2). Horseshoe (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is equipped with at least one force sensor (31, 32) fixed under each of the sponges of said horseshoe (2). Horseshoe (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said strain gauge (35, 43, 44, 53, 63, 74, 75) is fixed on each of the said flexible portions (34, 42 , 52, 72, 73), on a surface of said flexible portion (34, 42, 52, 72, 73) which faces said lower surface of said horseshoe (2). Horseshoe (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said flexible portion (34, 42, 72, 73) forms a deformable blade extending substantially parallel to the said lower surface of the said horseshoe (2 ), one edge of said deformable blade being integral with said fixing portion (33, 41, 71), and the other edges of said deformable blade being free. Horseshoe (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the said force sensors (31, 32, 7) comprises a protective tube (38, 78), linked by one from its ends to said attachment portion (33, 71), and containing a wire one end of which is connected to one of said strain gauges (35, 43, 44, 53, 63, 74, 75). Horseshoe (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said strain gauges (35, 43, 44, 53, 63, 74, 75) is a resistance wire extensometer. Horseshoe (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the said force sensors (7) comprises a single fixing portion (71), assembled on the said lower surface of the said horseshoe ( 2) by screwing into a tapped hole (21) drilled in said horseshoe (2), and at least two separate flexible portions (72, 73), one end of each of said flexible portions being integral with said fixing portion (71 ), said flexible portions extending at a distance from said lower surface of said horseshoe (2), each of said flexible portions (72, 73) being equipped with at least one strain gauge (74, 75) capable of measuring deformations of said flexible portion (72, 73). Horseshoe (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 and 7, characterized in that at least one of the said force sensors (6) comprises a fixing rod (61), one end of which forms a fixing portion (611) assembled on the lower surface of said horseshoe (2) by screwing into a threaded hole (21) drilled in said horseshoe (2), and the other end (612) is assembled with a crampon shell ( 62), the portion of said upper (61) distinct from said fixing portion (611) forming, with said crampon shell (62), said flexible portion. Horseshoe (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electronic card (71) connected by a wire to at least one of the said strain gauges (35, 43, 44, 53 , 63, 74, 75).