Abstract: The subject pad is essentially flat, smooth on one side and having protrusions on the other. It is made of elastomeric material and compressive deflection takes place predominantly as deformation of the protrusions. A preferred configuration of protrusions is straight, parallel, equally spaced ribs, the rib cross section shape being a truncated isosceles triangle with the base toward the smooth side. The shoes are trimmed to match horseshoe and hoof contours on installation and conventional fasteners and techniques are used.

Abstract: The subject pad comprises resilient layers attached to each other and spaced apart by compression members distributed with spaces between them. The compression members on one side of each layer are opposite the spaces between the compression members on the other side so that the layer portions between compression members of one layer function as beams loaded near or at their centers by compression members on the adjacent layers. The pad may be an integral part or the layers may be separate, in which case the compression members comprise mating projections from the surfaces of adjacent layers. The compression members may be ridges or columns. The projections may be shaped to mechanically interlock when mated, utilizing the resilence of the material and/or adhesive may be used to secure the attachment. In a prefered embodiment a percentage of the projections are shaped to mechanically interlock when mated, the remaining projections being simple ribs or stubs.

Abstract: The subject pad comprises resilient layers attached to each other and spaced apart by compression members distributed with spaces between them. The compression members on one side of each layer are opposite the spaces between the compression members on the other side so that the layer portions between compression members of one layer function as beams loaded near or at their centers by compression members on the adjacent layers. The pad may be an integral part or the layers may be separate, in which case the compression members comprise mating projections from the surfaces of adjacent layers. The compression members may be ridges or colums. The projections may be shaped to mechanically interlock when mated, utilizing the resilience of the material and/or adhesive may be used to secure the attachment.

Abstract: The shoe sole incorporating spring apparatus comprises a shoe sole with a cavity in its upper side, the planform of the cavity being essentially that of the foot of a wearer of a shoe incorporating the sole. Two elliptical springs are situated entirely in the cavity, one spring located under the heel of the user, termed the heel spring, the other under the ball of the user's foot, termed the toe spring. The springs are contoured in planform to fit snugly but freely in the cavity. A flexible bridge piece fits over the springs. The planform of the bridge conforms closely to that of the cavity, allowing free motion of the bridge to the cavity. The springs and bridge are made of acetal plastic. The spring rates of the springs are attuned to the weight of the wearer, reaching full deflection under forces which are a factor times the weight of the wearer. The factor ranges from 1 to 4 with 3 being a preferred factor for the heel spring and 1.

Abstract: The spring is one piece and elliptical with the working material concentrated nearer the ends than the middle section, leaving the middle section available for deflection limiting stops and for fastening holes. A preferred material is acetal plastic. The spring can be machined, molded or cut from extrusions in widths to suit use requirements. The spring is attached to mounting structure by a fastener which passes through a hole in one leaf and is seated on the other.

Abstract: A horseshoe made of resilient material having a low modulus of elasticity, low density and an allowable working stress in the range of 15,000 to 22,000 PSI. The configuration of the spring, in combination with these properties, provides a working deflection in the range of 0.3 to 0.5 of an inch under a load of 2000 pounds, i.e. a spring rate of 5000 pounds per inch, and weighing in the range of 8 to 10 ounces. The purpose of the resilience is to relieve shock loads in horses' hooves and, on a corollary basis, improve the performance of the horse. The horseshoe is a single piece having a horseshoe shaped flange to be attached to the horse's hoof, a second horseshoe shaped flange which contacts the terrain and a curved channel interconnecting the two flanges, spaced apart and parallel to each other. Protrusions on the flanges limit deflection of the flanges toward each other to keep the stresses in the spring well within the allowable range.

Abstract: Flat metal stock is contoured into a shaped blank prior to being superplastically formed into a finished part. The stock is shaped in steps.